HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2003-04-09BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. April 9, 2003
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Commissioners (6) - Beach, Leonardo, Tsegaye, Gutenberger, Jenkins, Dotson
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
City Controller - Thayer
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni
Common Council Liaison - Hershey
City Planner – Logue
Historic and Neighborhood Planner – Chatterton
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approval of the Minutes of the February 5, 2003, February 19, 2003 and February
26, 2003 Board of Public Works Meetings
By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the February 5, 2003, February 19, 2003, and
February 26, 2003 Board of Public Works meetings be approved with corrections and
additions noted by Commissioner Dotson.
Carried Unanimously
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Commissioner Leonardo requested that Item 15.B – A Resolution Approving Final
Design and Advertisement of Bid Requests for Traffic Calming Projects be added to the
agenda.
No Board member objected.
15. PARKING AND TRAFFIC:
A. Request to Amend Authorization for Capital Project #425 – Traffic Signal
Upgrade – Phase I.
By Commissioner Leonardo: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
WHEREAS, A project for Traffic Signal Upgrade (“the Project”), is eligible for funding
under Title 23 U.S. Code as administered by the Federal Highway Administration
(“FHWA”), as amended, that calls for the apportionment of the costs such program to be
borne at the ratio of 80% Federal funds and 20% non-federal funds, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca desires to advance the Project by making a commitment
of 100% of the non-federal share of the costs of Scoping, Design (Phases I-IV),
Construction, and Construction Inspection; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests the Budget and Administration
Committee to amend Capital Project 425 “Traffic Signal Upgrade – Phase I” by an
amount of $582,000 for said project, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board hereby requests the City of Ithaca to pay in the first
instance 100% of the federal and non-federal share of the cost of Scoping, Design
(Phases I-IV), Construction, and Construction Inspection for the Project or portions
thereof, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that the sum of $582,000 be
appropriated from the General Fund (or appropriate in-kind services) and made
available to cover the cost of participation in the above phase of the Project; and, be it
further
Board of Public Works – April 9, 2003 - Page 2
2
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends in the event the full federal
and non-federal share costs of the project exceeds the amount appropriated above, the
Common Council of the City of Ithaca shall convene as soon as possible to appropriate
said excess amount immediately upon the notification by the NYSDoT thereof, and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that the Mayor of the City of
Ithaca of the County of Tompkins be and is hereby authorized to sign all necessary
Agreements with NYSDoT to secure Federal Aid and Marchiselli Aid on behalf of the
City of Ithaca and the Superintendent of Public Works be authorized to sign all
necessary construction documents, contracts, certifications and reimbursement
requests, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That this project be undertaken with the understanding that the final cost
of the City of Ithaca will be roughly five percent (5%) of the final approved project cost,
currently estimated at $35,600 of the $712,000 authorized for Phase I of this project, in
monies and in-kind services, as managed by the Superintendent of Public Works and
monitored by the City of Ithaca Controller, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that the Common Council
authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to administer the above project, and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That this Resolution shall take effect immediately.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the project funding sources.
Motion to Table:
By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Beach
RESOLVED, That this item be tabled pending further information.
Carried Unanimously
Power to Act:
By Commissioner Leonardo: Seconded by Commissioner Dotson
RESOLVED, That the Board grants itself the Power to Act at the April 16, 2003
Committee of the Whole meeting to consider Item 15.A - Request to Amend
Authorization for Capital Project #425 – Traffic Signal Upgrade – Phase I - Resolution.
Carried Unanimously
B. A Resolution Approving Final Design and Advertisement of Bid Requests for
Traffic Calming Projects.
By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, Common Council created a traffic calming policy in December 1998 and
directed the Department of Planning and Development to create a traffic calming
program, and
WHEREAS, the Department of Planning and Development has developed traffic
calming designs for 3 pilot projects in the City of Ithaca: South of the Creek
neighborhood, Buffalo and Court Streets, and South Aurora Street on South Hill, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed existing traffic calming designs as
prepared by the engineering firm of Dufresne-Henry for the 3 pilot projects mentioned
above; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the following traffic calming
devices as depicted in the Dufresne-Henry design package of March 28, 2003:
Raised intersections at the intersections of:
North Albany and Buffalo Streets
North Albany and Court Streets
North Plain and Buffalo Streets
North Plain and Court Streets
North Corn and Buffalo Streets
Board of Public Works – April 9, 2003 - Page 3
3
Raised crosswalks at the intersections of:
Park Place and Buffalo Street
Park Place and Court Street
Washington Street and Buffalo Street
Washington Street and Court Street
Center island narrowings on the following streets:
South Street, near the intersection with Meadow Street
Wood Street, near the intersection with Meadow Street
South Plain Street, near the intersection with Old Elmira Road
Mini-traffic circles at the intersections of:
Center Street and South Plain Street
Wood Street and South Plain Street
Fair Street and Wood Street
Fair Street and South Street
Speed tables on the following blocks:
North Titus between Cayuga Street and Geneva Street
North Titus between Geneva Street and Albany Street
A restriping plan for South Aurora Street on South Hill, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs the Department of Public Works, in
cooperation with the Department of Planning & Development, to put the
abovementioned projects out to public bid to be awarded by the Board at a later date.
Discussion followed on the floor with City Planner Logue and Historic and Neighborhood
Planner Chatterton explaining the scope of the project and stating that the completion of
this project is scheduled for the end of summer.
Commissioner Beach requested that this project be coordinated with other Southside
area projects so that the neighborhoods will remain accessible.
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer Fabbroni requested that the proposed
speed table proposed for the South Titus between Geneva Street and Albany Street be
moved to Phase II of the project to allow him time to complete a major sewer project.
Asst. Superintendent Fabbroni stated that the Water and Sewer division would fund the
project in conjunction with the sewer work scheduled for the 2004 construction season.
Commissioner Beach, Commissioner Dotson and Mayor Cohen thanked the Planning
Department staff for their presentation last week, and all of their efforts on this project
throughout the past few years.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
16. CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS:
A. Request to Amend Authorization for Capital Project #460 – Stewart Avenue
Bridge Over Fall Creek
By Commissioner Gutenberger: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, a Project rehabilitation of Stewart Avenue over Fall Creek (“the Project”), is
eligible for funding under Title 23 U.S. Code as administered by the Federal Highway
Administration (“FHWA”), as amended, that calls for the apportionment of the costs
such program to be borne at the ratio of 80% Federal funds and approximately 14%
non-federal funds, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca desires to advance the Project by making a commitment
of 100% of the non-federal share of the costs of Scoping, Design (Phases I-VI),
Construction, and Construction Inspection; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests the Budget and Administration
Committee to amend Capital Project 460 “Stewart Avenue Bridge Over Fall Creek,
Construction Phase” by an amount of $1,930,000, and, be it further
Board of Public Works – April 9, 2003 - Page 4
4
RESOLVED, That the Board hereby requests the City of Ithaca to pay in the first
instance 100% of the federal and non-federal share of the cost of Scoping, Design
(Phases I-VI), Construction, and Construction Inspection for the Project or portions
thereof, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that the sum of $1,930,000
be derived from the issuance of serial bonds with the reimbursement from federal and
state funds to cover the cost of participation in the above phase of the Project; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends in the event the full federal
and non-federal share costs of the project exceeds the amount appropriated above, the
Common Council of the City of Ithaca shall convene as soon as possible to appropriate
said excess amount immediately upon the notification by the NYSDoT thereof, and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that the Mayor of the City of
Ithaca of the County of Tompkins be and is hereby authorized to sign all necessary
Agreements with NYSDoT to secure Federal Aid and Marchiselli Aid on behalf of the
City of Ithaca and the Superintendent of Public Works be authorized to sign all
necessary construction documents, contracts, certifications and reimbursement
requests, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That this project be undertaken with the understanding that the final cost
of the City of Ithaca will be roughly six and a half percent (6.5%) of the final approved
project cost, currently estimated at $138,700 of the $2,141,000 authorized for this
project, in monies and in-kind services, as managed by the Superintendent of Public
Works and monitored by the City of Ithaca Controller, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that the Common Council
authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to administer the above project, and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That this Resolution shall take effect immediately.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the funding sources of this project. Assistant
Superintendent of Streets and Facilities Ferrel noted that New York State has given a
firm commitment to fund this project. The construction period would be from June to
December 2003.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
17. WATER AND SEWER:
A. Tertiary Phosphorus Removal Upgrade
By Commissioner Tsegaye: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, the design and environmental review of the Tertiary Phosphorus Removal
Upgrade at the Wastewater Treatment Plant are complete, and
WHEREAS, the municipal owners collectively wish to move forward in a favorable
bidding climate to construction to enable the Wastewater Plant to further enhance its
treatment capability by increased removal of phosphorus from a current performance
limit of 0.7 mg/l to a future 0.2 mg/l twelve month rolling average, and
WHEREAS, to date $2,771,000 of a projected $4,115,000 project cost has been
committed by the New York State DEC from 1996 Bond Act funds; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends establishment of a Joint
Activity Capital Project for a Tertiary Phosphorus Removal Upgrade in the amount of
$4,115,000, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes this contingent upon action by all the
Wastewater Plant partners committing their fair percentage reimbursement shares of
the net cost to the Joint Activity in the following amounts
Board of Public Works – April 9, 2003 - Page 5
5
Municipality % Project Total Projected Net After
Bond Act Reimbursement
City of Ithaca 57.15% $2,351,722.50 $768,096
Town of Ithaca 40.87% $1,681,800.50 $549,292.80
Town of Dryden 1.98% $81,477 $26,611.20
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board recommends financing this project through local temporary
Bond Anticipation Notes (BANs) and permanent bonding under the NYS Environmental
Facilities Corporation or in any such other manner as the City Controller, in partnership
with the Wastewater Plant owners, may recommend within the Joint Activity portion of
the City financing, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board recommends acceptance of the proposed Engineering
Services Agreement Amendment No. 1 for advertising and construction services related
to this project in the amount of a cost-not-to-exceed $235,000 once the Capital Project
has been approved.
Ayes (6) Leonardo, Gutenberger, Tsegaye, Jenkins, Dotson,
Beach
Nays (0)
Abstention (1) Cohen
Carried
Discussion followed on the floor with Mayor Cohen explaining the reason for his
abstention that included his lack of confidence in the award of State Bond Act funds
should an agreement between the partners not be finalized.
Re-Vote on Item 17A. Tertiary Phosphorus Removal Upgrade as Amended:
By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Beach
WHEREAS, the design and environmental review of the Tertiary Phosphorus Removal
Upgrade at the Wastewater Treatment Plant are complete, and
WHEREAS, the municipal owners collectively wish to move forward in a favorable
bidding climate to construction to enable the Wastewater Plant to further enhance its
treatment capability by increased removal of phosphorus from a current performance
limit of 0.7 mg/l to a future 0.2 mg/l twelve month rolling average, and
WHEREAS, to date $2,771,000 of a projected $4,115,000 project cost has been
committed by the New York State DEC from 1996 Bond Act funds; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends establishment of a Joint
Activity Capital Project for a Tertiary Phosphorus Removal Upgrade in the amount of
$4,115,000, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes this contingent upon action by all the
Wastewater Plant partners committing their fair percentage reimbursement shares of
the net cost to the Joint Activity in the following amounts
Municipality % Project Total Projected Net After
Bond Act Reimbursement
City of Ithaca 57.15% $2,351,722.50 $768,096
Town of Ithaca 40.87% $1,681,800.50 $549,292.80
Town of Dryden 1.98% $81,477 $26,611.20
and, be it further
Board of Public Works – April 9, 2003 - Page 6
6
RESOLVED, That the Board recommends financing this project through local temporary
Bond Anticipation Notes (BANs) and permanent bonding under the NYS Environmental
Facilities Corporation or in any such other manner as the City Controller, in partnership
with the Wastewater Plant owners, may recommend within the Joint Activity portion of
the City financing, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board recommends acceptance of the proposed Engineering
Services Agreement Amendment No. 1 for advertising and construction services related
to this project in the amount of a cost-not-to-exceed $235,000 once the Capital Project
has been approved, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the award of the project contract be contingent upon the receipt of an
approved work plan from the State.
Carried Unanimously
B. Power to Act for Baffle Installation at the Water Treatment Plant (WTP)
By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
WHEREAS, an Agreement between the Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD)
and the City of Ithaca Community Public Water System to abate the HAA% MCL
Violation of Fourth Quarter 2002 and First Quarter 2003 requires that “1. By April 15,
2003, submit to the TCHD such plans, reports, and specifications necessary to alter the
point of chlorine disinfectant while maintaining the required log inactivation of
microscopic organisms; and 2. Within 60 days of approval, construct and implement the
disinfectant changes”, and
WHEREAS, approval of the drawings of Clearwell baffles and other associated point of
chlorine application issues by the TCHD is expected by April 14, 2003 with bids for the
baffle installation scheduled for opening also on April 14, 2003; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works gives itself the Power to Act on the bids
for baffle installation at the Water Treatment Plant at their Committee of the Whole
meeting on April 16, 2003 or to any date that meeting might be rescheduled.
Carried Unanimously
C. Standardized Prestressed Concrete Water Tanks
By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo
WHEREAS, the City owns only two prestressed concrete storage tanks designed and
built by Natgun Corporation, and
WHEREAS, Natgun Corporation has been in the prestressed concrete tank business for
over thirty-five (35) years; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that the Natgun Corporation
tank be the standard for prestressed concrete tanks with the City of Ithaca.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the criteria used to recommend the
standardization of prestressed concrete tanks, and the competitive bidding process
involved.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
D. Six Mile Creek Watershed Improvements
By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Dotson
WHEREAS, over the past five years staff has successfully networked with multiple
Federal, State, County, multi-municipal, and local municipal agencies to study the Six
Mile Creek Watershed toward the objective of reducing conditions that cause extreme
erosion, and
WHEREAS, the Six Mile Creek Watershed is the sole source for the City water supply
which currently provides potable water to more than 50% of the urbanized area
including a resident service population of 35000 and the commercial and governmental
centers of the County, and
Board of Public Works – April 9, 2003 - Page 7
7
WHEREAS, the largest source impairment to the lake and the largest cost of
maintaining the reservoir system and balancing the ecology is the transport, deposition,
and removal of materials eroded from the Six Mile Creek watershed, and
WHEREAS, through the ongoing mitigating local commitments of on-staff Water and
Sewer Division scientific efforts of Jose Lozano, Roxie Johnston, and Chuck Baker and
the City land purchases in the watershed associated with the Park Alienation process,
the City is in a position to partner with willing communities in the watershed and
leverage substantial grants from Sate and Federal sources, and
WHEREAS, two of the approved grant work plans with the New York State Department
of State and the US Forest Service have been combined to further leverage the outside
funding and minimize local match to zero dollar additional budgeted funds directed
toward a complete inventory of erosion problems and selected improvements to
stabilize some of the worst third of the watershed needs found within the 200 foot buffer
zone to either side of the stream in the length of the watershed; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends the signing of contracts with
both the New York State Department of State and the US Forestry service including the
professional services contract with Ecologic to implement same, with the understanding
that the local share is covered by already budgeted watershed activities and prior land
purchases.
Commissioner Dotson thanked Superintendent of Water and Sewer Fabbroni for his
work on this project and for the information he has provided to Board members on a
variety of subjects.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Commissioner Beach inquired if any additional information has been submitted
regarding the traffic signalization for the Gateway Plaza project.
Mayor Cohen responded that final approval has not been granted for the traffic flow plan
for the Gateway Plaza project.
Commissioner Dotson requested that the Board be copied on any intersection plans
that are submitted in conjunction with this project.
Commissioner Beach inquired about the new brick work on the Commons, and asked
that the Superintendent’s Office carefully monitor the quality of the work being
performed.
Commissioner Beach inquired about the status and the timing of West Spencer Street
project.
Mayor Cohen responded that work is scheduled for the 2003 construction season.
Property appraisals have been returned, and negotiations are ongoing with the property
owners.
Mayor Cohen inquired about the status of the water improvements on Commons .
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer Fabbroni reported that eight hydrants
have been ordered, however decisions still need to be made regarding the number of
fountains that will be replaced.
REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF:
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities Ferrel reported to the Board on the
following matters:
Snow removal is ongoing.
The 2002 Highway Construction Report is complete and has been distributed to the
Board of Public Works – April 9, 2003 - Page 8
8
Board of Public Works.
Due to staff reductions, street crews have been reduced from 5 to 3 and include a
construction crew, paving crew, and concrete crew.
Pothole repairs have become a primary focus of City residents and elected officials.
The state will conduct paver patching of the State arterials during the week of May 5,
2003. Decreased DPW budgets have resulted in reduced routine street maintenance,
and deteriorated street conditions. The DPW maintains a prioritized street inventory to
address poor road condition issues.
Mayor Cohen stated that Common Council is interested in knowing what DPW projects
Were re-prioritized in order to accommodate the Cayuga and Clinton Streets
intersection project. Asst. Superintendent Ferrel stated that he would look into this
question and report back to Mayor.
Asst. Superintendent Fabbroni stated that he and Asst. Superintendent Ferrel are
adjusting their schedules and departmental work programs to reflect all of the
construction projects that will be undertaken this year. He stated that coordinated
efforts are needed to ensure successful projects.
Commissioner Jenkins left the meeting at 6:05 p.m.
Asst. Superintendent Fabbroni reported on the following projects:
Water main and sewer installation on Spencer Street.
Sewer improvements on the South end of Elmira Road, and the proposed sewage
pump station.
Green Street water main project – should begin within 2-3 weeks and will be
coordinated with the DoT street paving project.
Cliff Street, Hyers Street, and Wastewater Treatment Plant projects.
The comprehensive Water Plan draft should be distributed in the first week of May,
2003.
Mayor Cohen gave the Board a brief forecast of the 2004 budget. He stated that the
2004 budget would most likely be more difficult than the 2003 budget due to the large
increase in the State pension fund contribution rate.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Julie Conley Holcomb Alan J. Cohen
City Clerk Mayor