HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2003-07-09BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. July 9, 2003
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Commissioners (5) - Beach, Gutenberger, Jenkins, Dotson, Tsegaye
OTHERS PRESENT:
Administrative Secretary - Payne
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni
Common Council Liaison - Hershey
City Controller - Thayer
EXCUSED:
Commissioner Leonardo
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
Thank You to Mary Gutenberger - Resolution
By Mayor Cohen: Seconded by: Commissioner Beach
WHEREAS, Mary Gutenberger was appointed to the Board of Public Works in 1997,
and
WHEREAS, during Mary’s tenure the Board established the Residential Parking Permit
System, approved several bridge rehabilitations, including Giles Street, Six Mile Creek,
Linn Street and Cascadilla Creek, North Cayuga Street, Fall Creek and Plain Street as
well as major street reconstructions such as West State Street and laid out ground work
for major improvements to the Water Treatment Plant and Waste Water Treatment
Plant, and
WHEREAS, Mary also gave her time to represent the City on the SJS Committee to
negotiate a new sewer contract and to see that improvements were made to the Ithaca
Area Wastewater Treatment Plant, and her wonderful work on the golf course over the
years, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby thanks Mary Gutenberger for her
years of dedication to the Board and the City of Ithaca and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board wishes to show their appreciation for Mary’s tenacity to
see that decisions were made for the good of the community.
Carried Unanimously
Mayor Cohen left the meeting at 4:55 p.m. and Commissioner Beach acted as Chair for
the remainder of the meeting. Commissioner Dotson arrived at the meeting at 4:55 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approval of May 14, 2003 Regular Board of Public Works meeting minutes -
Resolution
By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
RESOLVED, That the May 14, 2003 Regular Board of Public Works meeting minutes
be approved as published.
Ayes (4) Beach, Tsegaye, Gutenberger, Jenkins
Nays (0)
Abstentions (1) Dotson
Carried
July 9, 2003
2
Approval of June 11, 2003 Regular Board of Public Works meeting minutes -
Resolution
By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
RESOLVED, That the June 11, 2003 Regular Board of Public Works meeting minutes
be approved as published.
Ayes (4) Beach, Tsegaye, Gutenberger, Jenkins
Nays (0)
Abstentions (1) Dotson
Carried
Approval of June 18, 2003 Committee of the Whole of the Board of Public Works
meeting minutes - Resolution
By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
RESOLVED, That the June 18, 2003 Committee of the Whole of the Board of Public
Works meeting minutes be approved as published.
Ayes (4) Beach, Tsegaye, Gutenberger, Jenkins
Nays (0)
Abstentions (1) Dotson
Carried
Approval of June 19, 2003 Special Board of Public Works meeting minutes -
Resolution
By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
RESOLVED, That the June 19, 2003 Special Board of Public Works meeting minutes
be approved as published.
Ayes (4) Beach, Tsegaye, Gutenberger, Jenkins
Nays (0)
Abstentions (1) Dotson
Carried
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Superintendent Gray requested the addition of Item 18C entitled Power to Act -
Improvements to the Albany/Spencer/Elmira Road Intersections
No Commissioner objected
COMMUNICATIONS
Commissioner Beach stated that he has to leave the meeting at 6:15 p.m. if the meeting
is not finished.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD
Adrienne Loh, 227 West Spencer Street, expressed her strong support for the work
scheduled to be done at Albany Street/Old Elmira Road/Spencer Street intersection and
keeping the rotary as part of the design plan.
Casey Porter, 410 E. Yates Street, addressed the Board on behalf of the
skateboard/bmx community regarding the Ithaca Skate Park. He expressed their
appreciation for the community’s support and provision of the skate park, however, they
feel that the skate park is lacking critical elements and could be improved. They would
like to propose the construction of two new obstacles that would eliminate current dead
zones of movement; one is a quarter pipe in the southeast corner; the other is a volcano
or a multi-sided quarter pipe that would be located in the center of the park. They are
willing to raise the money and provide the labor for these new obstacles. Materials are
estimated to cost $1,000 which could be raised privately by locals and the labor would
be on a volunteer basis by the users of the park, allowing people to take part and pride
in their skate park. He further stated that garbage cans need to be either chained or
intentionally installed as permanent obstacles to prevent trash in area since cans are
often moved and used as obstacles.
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Dave Hopping, 9 Cliff Park Circle, Director of Youth Services at Salvation Army,
addressed the Board regarding their request to have a canteen trailer attached to a
minivan to hand out snacks and information at Skate Park to the youth. They’ve
received a solicitation permit, but have since been informed that it is not the appropriate
permit. He asked the Board for permission to administer this outreach program.
Wilameena Piper, addressed the Board regarding her request for a reduction or
expungement of a water bill in the amount of $1,700.00 for replacement of a pipe in
front of her house at 908 ½ N. Cayuga Street.
Fay Gougakis, 406 Utica Street, addressed the Board about the Fountain on The
Commons, as it was tipped over again today. She voiced her concern about the cost of
the maintenance of the fountain. She also addressed the Board regarding the widening
of Route 13, and stated that the city should have gotten funding from other sources for
this project. She further voiced her concern about the basketball hoop at the Cass Park
pool, and lack of bike racks at Eckerd Drug Store.
RESPONSE TO PUBLIC
Commissioner Tsegaye responded to comments regarding the water bill for $1,700. He
asked Superintendent Gray for his input on this matter, as it is not clear what occurred.
Superintendent Gray requested that this item be referred to a sub-committee for
information collection and discussion. The property owner will be notified when that item
will be discussed so that they would have an opportunity to provide information.
Commissioner Dotson responded to comments made regarding the Skate Park and the
Salvation Army’s request for a canteen trailer.
Superintendent Gray stated that this request should be referred to the Parks
Commission for approval or recommendation.
The Board asked that Superintendent Gray forward these issues to the Parks
Commission for their input to the Board.
Commissioner Jenkins responded to comments about the bike racks at Eckerds not
being installed and whether or not the Pharmacy could be fined.
Superintendent Gray stated that since this is private property, it would be up to the
Building Department to investigate the matter.
Commissioner Beach expressed his frustration over the lack of bike racks at Eckerds.
He explained that since this matter had been brought to the Planning Board’s attention,
all of the site plan resolutions indicate that the certificate of occupancy is contingent
upon the installation of the bike racks by the developer. The City Building Department
has the responsibility for ensuring that the item is completed before a certificate of
occupancy is issued.
Commissioner Dotson responded to concerns about costs of the West Spencer Street project, and the design plan. She also responded to comment about the fountain on the Commons. She further responded to comments made about the Route 13 widening and stated that it is helpful to have a community conversation about the funding of the project. She further suggested that reasonable people could, and have come to different conclusions about the City being able to wait longer in regard to the Meadow Street projects. Assistant Superintendent Ferrell stated that his crew is spending a great deal of time on the Commons due to increased vandalism. Superintendent Gray responded to comments about funding of the Route 13 project. The City has put this kind of project on the TIP, the State for all ten years that the City has been an MPO, resisted what they call capacity expansion projects because they have such a back log of bridges and safety related projects. While, the City has been applying for funding, it is his understanding that the City basically arrived at a point
July 9, 2003
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where it couldn’t wait any longer and the City knew that it did not have a reasonable prospect of seeing federal or state funds for this work anytime in the future.
Council Liaison Hershey wanted the Board to know that there is a third mechanism to
fund a major portion of the widening of Meadow Street and that is on the agenda tonight
for Common Council, it’s called the Benefit Assessment District. He invited those
concerned about the impact on the city’s overall tax base to support the BAD so that the
City can in fact have the corporate interest that would most benefit from project and
those improvements pay their fair share.
Commissioner Tsegaye engaged Mr. Casey in a conversation about the skate park and
how it compares to other skate parks. He explained that the City has provided a two
million dollar property in an effort to provide a facility for this use. Mr. Casey reiterated
that they are not asking the City for the money to build the two obstacles; they just want
permission to do it.
BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, REFUSE AND TRANSIT
A. Award of Bid for GIAC Boxing Room Floor and Counter Replacement –
Resolution
By Commissioner Gutenberger: Seconded by Commissioner Tsegaye
WHEREAS, bids were received on July 1, 2003 for the GIAC boxing room floor and
counter replacement, and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids and recommends that the bid be awarded to the
low bidder; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the bid for the GIAC
boxing room floor and counter replacement to McPherson Builders, 710 Willow Avenue,
Ithaca, New York 14850 for their bid of $53,987.00, to be paid from CP 339 (Gym
Renovations) and CP 423 (Code Compliance) and be it further
RESOLVED, That the board authorizes the Superintendent to enter into an agreement
with McPherson under the usual terms and conditions.
Carried Unanimously
CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS
A. Request For Use of Roller Sport Park - Resolution
By Commissioner Tsegaye: Seconded by Commissioner Dotson
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Youth Bureau has requested exclusive use of the roller sport
park in Wood Street Park for a skateboard camp from August 18th until August 22nd;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants permission for the Ithaca
Youth Bureau to hold a skateboard camp from August 18th until August 22 from 8:30
a.m. until 12:30 p.m. each day, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Youth Bureau will provide trash removal from the area upon
completion of the camp each day and will post a notice a week prior at the roller sport
park of the camp and the period when the park will not be available to the general
public.
Carried Unanimously
WATER AND SEWER
A. Award of Bid for Chemical Requirement - Resolution
By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
WHEREAS, bids were received on May 20, 2003 for liquid sulfur dioxide and liquid
sodium hypochlorite, and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids and recommends that the low bidder be
awarded the bid; now, therefore, be it
July 9, 2003
5
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the bid for liquid sulfur
dioxide and liquid sodium hypochlorite to Bison Laboratories, 100 Leslie Street, Buffalo,
NY 14211 for their low bid of $65,812.50, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Assistant Superintendent for Water and Sewer be authorized to
enter in to an agreement with Bison Laboratories under the usual terms and conditions.
Carried Unanimously
(this resolution was repealed later in the meeting)
B. Authorizing Sole Source Bidding for Actiflo Process for Tertiary Wastewater
Treatment for the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant Phosphorus Removal
Project - Resolution
By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, because of New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
("DEC") and United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") rules and
requirements, in order to continue to operate the Wastewater Treatment Plant in the
City of Ithaca (the "City") operated for the benefit of the City and the Towns of Ithaca
and Dryden (the "Towns") at IAWWTP (the "Plant") it is necessary to reduce the
amount of phosphorus being discharged by the Plant from its outflow into Cayuga Lake
to not more than .20 mg of phosphorus per liter of wastewater discharged on a
twelve-month rolling average; and
WHEREAS, the City Engineers as well as Stearns & Wheler, LLC, consulting engineers
hired by the City and Towns, have studied a number of processes to attain the
reductions in phosphorus levels required by the DEC and the EPA to try and find a
process that will effect such reductions at a reasonable cost to the City and Towns; and
WHEREAS, said engineers have concluded that only two processes, the Densadeg
process and the Actiflo process are able to accomplish the required reduction at a
realistic price; and
WHEREAS, construction of a phosphorus removal facility adjacent to the Plant has to
be done on piles to provide adequate support for the structure because of insufficiently
stable soils; and
WHEREAS, because using piles for support is extremely expensive, the footprint of any
structure needs to be kept to the minimum size possible; and
WHEREAS, the engineers have concluded that the Densadeg process is not feasible
for the Plant because it would require construction of a considerably larger facility than
would be required for the Actiflo process resulting in additional construction costs in
excess of $1,000,000; and
WHEREAS, the Actiflo process is a state of the art patented process and the only entity
that possesses the rights to market and supply the process is Kruger Products of Cary,
North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, Stearns & Wheler, LLC and the City’s engineers have been involved with
tests to confirm the efficacy of the Actiflo process and have negotiated a warranty from
Kruger Products that the process will effect the required reduction in phosphorus in a
manner that complies with the performance specifications prepared by Stearns &
Wheler, LLC in a cost-effective manner; and
WHEREAS, there does not appear to be any other process that can effect the required
reduction in as small a facility and in as cost effective a manner as the Actiflo process;
and
WHEREAS, Stearns and Wheler, LLC and the City Engineers have negotiated with
Kruger Products for a stipulated price that Kruger Products will supply to all bidders who
bid on the Plant phosphorus removal project; and
July 9, 2003
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WHEREAS, Stearns & Wheler, LLC and the City engineers recommend that the Actiflo
process be the only process considered for the phosphorus removal project at the Plant,
that the City governing bodies authorize the bidding for such project to specify the
Actiflo process as the only acceptable process, and that Kruger Products, being the only
entity with the rights to supply such process, be designated as the sole source for the
process; and now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this board finds that
(a) The Actiflo process is the current "state of the art" for reduction of
phosphorus in the circumstances that presently pertain to the Plant;
(b) No other process provides substantially equivalent or similar
benefits at a reasonable cost;
(c) The use of the Actiflo process is extremely cost effective given the
cost of the process and the savings in construction costs by using a smaller addition to
the Plant;
(d) The sole provider of the Actiflo process is Kruger Products of Cary,
NC;
(e) The use of Kruger Products and the Actiflo process uniquely serves
the public interest; and
(f) It is in the best interests of the City and Towns for the contractors
ultimately chosen to construct the phosphorus removal project at the Ithaca Area
Wastewater Treatment Plant to use only the Actiflo phosphorus removal process as
supplied by Kruger Products; and it is further
RESOLVED, That this Board, in soliciting bids for the entire Phosphorus Removal
Project specify the use of the Actiflo process and the contracting with Kruger Products
of Cary, NC for the installation of such process; and it is further
RESOLVED, That the City Engineers and/or the City’s consulting engineers are
authorized and requested to prepare plans and specifications for such bids in a manner
that complies with all requirements of Kruger Products for the installation of the Actiflo
process, including the specification of such components as may be required by Kruger
Products as a pre-condition to the granting of a warranty by Kruger Products that the
Actiflo process, when installed in accordance with such plans and specifications, will
meet the DEC and/or EPA requirements for phosphorus removal in the cost-effective
manner represented by Kruger Products and as specified by the consulting engineers to
the City; and it is further
RESOLVED, That the City Engineer, and other officers and employees of the City are
authorized to take such steps, to prepare such plans and specifications and other
contract documents, to prepare a stipulated sum contract with Kruger Products to
assure all bidders for the project will receive the same price for the Actiflo process, and
to prepare and distribute any other documents, as any of them deem necessary or
desirable to effectuate the intention of the foregoing resolutions, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the action of the Board of Public Works is contingent on Common
Council confirming the use of a sole source supplier by passage of a resolution.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the selection process used to
determine the sole source supplier and how the City of Ithaca’s requirements compare
to other municipalities. Further discussion followed on what specifically the city’s
requirements are and how they are met.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
July 9, 2003
7
ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
A. Call For a Public Hearing Concerning the Widening of Meadow Street and
Eminent Domain Proceedings Resolution
By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
RESOLVED, That a Public Hearing be held on July 30, 2003 at 4:45 p.m. to undertake
eminent domain of properties in conjunction with the widening of Meadow Street.
Ayes (4) Beach, Jenkins, Gutenberger, Tsegaye
Nays (0)
Abstention (1) Dotson
Carried
B. Power to Act – Award of Bid for South Meadow Street Bridge Widening -
Resolution
By Commissioner Gutenberger: Seconded by Commissioner Tsegaye
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants itself power to act at the
July 16, 2003 Committee of the Whole for the award of bid for the South Meadow Street
bridge widening.
Carried Unanimously
C. Power to Act – Improvements to the Albany/Spencer/Elmira Road Intersection
- Resolution
By Commissioner Tsegaye: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants itself power to act at the
July 16, 2003 Committee of the Whole to amend Capital Project 376, Improvements to
the Albany/Spencer/Elmira Road Intersection.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the widening of West Spencer
Street, the traffic circle, the cost of the project, and how the Board of Public Works will
proceed to complete this project within budget. Further discussion followed on the size
of the project, and the project time frame, and how recommendations would be made to
increase the amount for the capital project.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Commissioner Beach left the meeting at 6:18 p.m. Commissioner Gutenberger Chaired
the remainder of the meeting
City Controller Thayer stated that there should have been two bid awards for Item 17 -
Water & Sewer; one for Amerex Chemical for Liquid Sulfur Dioxide, and the award that
was made today to Bison Laboratories. Both bids were awarded to Bison, but they
really should be separated.
Resolution to Repeal a Resolution Entitled - Award of Bid for Chemical
Requirement - Resolution
By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
RESOLVED, That the resolution entitled Award of Bid for Chemical Requirement
considered earlier in this meeting be hereby repealed and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works be given Power to Act at the next
Committee of the Whole meeting to consider two separate resolutions for the awards of
bid.
Carried Unanimously
REPORTS:
Assistant Superintendent of Water & Sewer Fabbroni reported on the following items:
Baffle installation at Water Treatment Plant; work started on 7/8 and should be
completed within a month.
Electric Upgrade Work will be done at the Water Treatment Plant
July 9, 2003
8
DEC performed a dam inspection; they informed the City that if there were
improvement planned for the 60’ dam, it may be eligible for some bond act funding so
that will be pursued.
Water Shed Activities - five grants totaling nearly a half-million dollars that need
to be moved along.
Announcement by the Town of Ithaca and the subsequent action by them to
approve a project for water service that would have a major impact on the City’s budget
revenues.
Chuck Baker is working on the update to the comprehensive plan for the Water
Plant. The City is still talking with Cornell to try to clarify a few things before the updated
report is published. The report outlines how the City would upgrade the water plant for
the next fifty to seventy-five years.
There are alot of improvements at the Waste Water Treatment Plant; including
the phosphorus upgrade. That project will go out for bid tomorrow; bids will be opened
on the 14th of August. This project will be a great improvement to the lake, and a
personal tribute to former employee, Gary Gleason.
Southwest Development - new sewer pump station
100 Block of West Green Street - re-build the sidewalk
Hyers Street work almost complete; replaced water and sewer lines, which had
collapsed.
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities Ferrel reported on the following:
Three highway related projects going on - Turner Street/South Cayuga Street -
curb being set then base/binder; then onto Clinton Street for the widening of that Street.
NYSEG has a pipe that they were planning on replacing next year that will be replaced
this year. The other major project is on Hector Street, it was milled off, crews are busy
preparing that, a few soft spots and storm sewer problems to complete; NYSEG is also
there to replace gas pipes, hoping to be repaving Hector mid to late next week.
Bryant Tract - crew working to replace about 180’ of storm sewers.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
______________________________ ______________________________
Donna Payne, John Beach
Administrative Secretary Acting Chair