HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2003-04-16BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. April 16, 2003
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Commissioners (5) - Jenkins, Leonardo, Tsegaye, Gutenberger, Dotson
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel
Environmental Engineer/Water & Sewer - Gibson
EXCUSED: Commissioner Beach
City Beautification Proposal for Planters in Route 13 Corridor
Deputy Director of Planning and Development Cornish addressed the Board regarding a
request from the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County to implement an
“Adopt a Planter” program at the intersection of Fulton and Meadow Streets. The NYS
DoT has stated that they would approve the location of the planters as they would not
obstruct views, would not be in the way of people with visual impairments, and the
planters would move if they were struck by a vehicle. The planters are plastic and
weigh approx. 300 lbs when filled with soil and water. The goal is to have local
businesses adopt the planters, fill them, maintain them, and remove and store them
during the winter months.
Assistant Superintendent Ferrel questioned how people would get water to the planters,
and stated that the Department of Public Works was not in a position to assist with this
program. Deputy Director Cornish responded that the planters have a 25 gallon water
reservoir in the base, and that the businesses who “adopt” them would be responsible
for watering them.
Commissioner Jenkins arrived at the meeting at 5:00 pm.
Commissioner Tsegaye noted that appropriate supervision should be exercised over the
planters by the business community to prevent vandalism and postering.
The Board expressed their support for the program and thanked Deputy Director
Cornish for her efforts in beautifying the City.
Power to Act – 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
Board of Public Works – COW April 16, 2003 - Page 2
(“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
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 with Commissioner Dotson expressing concerns
regarding the pedestrian signals and the cost of the program given the City’s limited
Board of Public Works – COW April 16, 2003 - Page 3
budget. She further noted that she would abstain from the vote, as Traffic Engineer
Cole was not present to answer her questions.
Superintendent Gray stated that the State does not require pedestrian signals so they
would qualify as a “betterment” at the City’s cost.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (4) Jenkins, Gutenberger, Leonardo, Tsegaye
Nays (0)
Abstentions (1) Dotson
Carried
Award of Bid for Water Filtration Plant Clearwell Baffles
By Commissioner Leonardo: Seconded by Commissioner Tsegaye
WHEREAS, bids were received on April 14, 2003 for the Water Filtration Plant Clearwell
Baffles, and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids and recommends that the Board award the bid
to the lowest bidder; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the bid for Water Filtration
Plant Clearwell Baffles to Henderson Brothers Contracting, 47 Gildner Road, Central
Square, NY 13026 for their low bid of $73,372, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Assistant Superintendent for Water and Sewer be authorized to
enter into an agreement with Henderson Brothers Contracting under the usual terms
and conditions.
Commissioner Jenkins inquired about the large difference in the bid amounts.
Superintendent Gray explained that Henderson Brothers have stated that they are
comfortable with the bid they have submitted and noted that they have found a different
supplier for anchors at a lower cost.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Staff Updates:
Superintendent of Public Works Gray, Assistant Superintendent Ferrel, and
Environmental Engineer Gibson reported on the following:
Spencer Road construction
Street cleaning
Hector Street and North Titus Avenue construction
Meadow Street widening
Seneca Street Parking Garage repairs
Commons lighting project
Stewart Avenue bridge construction
GIAC boxing room repairs
IFD generator installation
Board of Public Works – COW April 16, 2003 - Page 4
IPD asbestos removal
Cayuga Waterfront Trail Phase I
S. Cayuga Street and Woodcrest Avenue sewer line replacement and surface treatment
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.