HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2002-08-28BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. August 28, 2002
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Commissioners (4) - Beach, Leonardo, Tsegaye, Jenkins
OTHERS PRESENT:
Administrative Secretary - Payne
City Controller - Thayer
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni
Common Council Liaison – Hershey
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
In the absence of a quorum Mayor Cohen opened the meeting in a
Committee of the Whole format. He stated that he has forwarded
Jennifer Dotson’s resume to Common Council to be considered as a
member for the Board of Public Works.
Commissioner Jenkins arrived at 4:55 at which time Mayor Cohen
called the regular meeting to order.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the
American flag at 5:00 pm.
ADDITIONS/ DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA:
Superintendent Gray expressed his desire to add a discussion
relating to insurance requirements for street closings.
No Board member objected.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Rick Grossman, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board on the issue
of Plain Street bridge traffic calming.
Faye Gougakis, City of Ithaca, spoke on the following issues:
support of the appointment of Jennifer Dotson to the Board of
Public Works, the need to have the microphones working
consistently, the replacement of the Commons pavement cleaner,
the need to have the tables on the Commons remain after 3 pm, the
lack of visibility of the Ithaca sign near Buttermilk Falls, the
need to remind the community of cell phone use, and lastly an
update on the bike racks that are lacking in development areas.
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC
Commissioner Beach responded to the issue of bike racks and
confirmed that site plan review includes the installation of bike
racks prior to a certificate of occupancy being granted. Mayor
Cohen stated that Building Department inspections occur every
three years. He added that renewal certificates would not be
issued if the bike racks had yet to be constructed. Commissioner
Beach stated that he would follow up with Deputy Planning and
Economic Development Director Cornish.
MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS:
Mayor Cohen led a discussion relating to insurance requirements
for entities that seek permits to obstruct City streets that
require certain levels of insurance. Staff have been using the
same application requirements for all street closings. The
insurance requirement has become problematic for neighborhood
groups that wish to host block parties. While the Board has the
ability to amend the legislation on its own, he considers this
issue to be of a neighborhood nature, subject to policy review by
Common Council. He added that he is proposing to Council an
Board of Public Works – August 28, 2002 - Page 2
exemption for neighborhood groups that wish to hold block
parties.
Superintendent Gray stated that Controller Thayer was going to
review insurance requirements for all uses. The current minimum
insurance standard is $ 5,000,000 and the City currently requires
$ 300,000. A proposed charter change will update the insurance
requirements as determined by risk managers from the City’s
insurance carrier.
Commissioner Leonardo questioned the lack of involvement of the
Board in this process. Mayor Cohen stated that, in his opinion,
the charge of the Board is the oversight of the department and
its resources. The charge for the Common Council is tailored to
the overall public welfare of the community. He added that the
Board’s charge is not specific to neighborhood associations.
Commissioner Leonardo stated that Common Council should be
recommending to the Board of Public Works that this change take
place. Mayor Cohen reiterated that, in his opinion, this issue
fits within the pervue and the mission of Council and not the
Board. Commissioner Leonardo confirmed his opposition to this
process.
Commissioner Beach questioned the City’s liability exposure in
regard to the street closings. Mayor Cohen added that Council
should decide on the level of liability that the City should
assume. Commissioner Beach questioned the difference between
groups closing the downtown streets for functions versus
neighborhood families closing the streets for a party. Mayor
Cohen stated that organizations already have insurance coverage
for events and that he feels that the City of Ithaca should
assume the additional risk to promote neighborhood
revitalization. He added that making the same argument to promote
the strength of organizations is not easily justified.
Alderperson Hershey stated that the City should take steps to
monitor the event details. Mayor Cohen confirmed that the block
party exemption would not grant authority to carry or consume
alcohol on the streets for any event.
BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT:
Award of Bid for Fire Station #9 Roof Replacement
By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, bids were received on August 20, 2002 for the Station
Nine Roof Replacement, and
WHEREAS, the lowest bidder has withdrawn their bid, and
WHEREAS, staff have reviewed the remaining bids and recommends
that the overall second lowest bidder be awarded the bid; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the bid for the Fire Station Nine Roof Replacement
be awarded to Hale Contracting Inc., 2054 Grand Central Avenue,
Horseheads, NY for their total base bid of $ 67,688.00, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be authorized
to enter into an agreement with Hale Contracting with the usual
terms and conditions.
Carried Unanimously
CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS:
Commissioner Beach reported that he and Commissioner Tsegaye
attended the Neighborhood and Community Issues Committee meeting
and spoke in support of the naming of City bridges. He added that
the committee supported the idea and cautioned the Board to
acknowledge local residents from all areas. Commissioner Tsegaye
stated that he obtained a list of deceased individuals that have
Board of Public Works – August 28, 2002 - Page 3
impacted the community over the years from the Tompkins County
Historical Society.
Alderperson Hershey stated that guidelines would need to be
established for considering names of individuals.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
2003 BUDGET: DISCUSSION
Mayor Cohen reported on the City’s financial situation. He stated
that real development in the future looks promising, however
expenses outweigh revenues in the short run and the City’s debt
limit has approached maximization. Past predictions of revenue
for 2003 are not realistic and methods of additional revenue
generation are being evaluated. Vacancies are not being filled to
attempt to meet a cost savings, although this is not the best
policy making approach. Layoffs may be included in the budget
also and vacancies due to retirements may not be filled. Reducing
the City’s roadwork program may occur. The expectation that staff
will continue to provide more with less is not realistic. The
City cannot bond projects that don’t have the staff to complete.
Water and sewer replacement pipe projects must continue, however
the costs associated with returning the road surfaces in the
affected area may be charged to the Water and Sewer budget. The
financial situation is expected to improve during 2004. Creative
alternatives to past budget practices are being evaluated.
Mayor Cohen left the meeting at 5:55.
Superintendent Gray stated that he views the budget process as an
ineffective method of meeting the needs of the City. The
community has gone from experiencing the lowest water and sewer
rates in the State to that of the highest. He added that he feels
that a team based cohesive planning environment would better meet
the present and future needs of the community.
Commissioner Beach stated that the backbone of the community is
its infrastructure and its public safety. Without it, nothing
else can be built on its foundation.
CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS:
UPDATE ON NORTH CAYUGA STREET
A discussion relating to vehicle and pedestrian traffic issues as
they relate to the Cayuga Street bridge construction followed.
Commissioner Beach suggested that in order to ensure the safety
of the young drivers in the area that an increased law
enforcement presence be dispatched to the area and that any
associated costs be the responsibility of the City and the School
District as well as the County.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Donna Payne Alan J. Cohen
Administrative Secretary Mayor