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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2004-02-11BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. February 11, 2004 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (3) - Tsegaye, Chapman, Dotson OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy City Controller - Andrew Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni Common Council Liaison – Coles Information Management Specialist - Myers EXCUSED: Commissioners - Schlather, Romanoff, Jenkins DAC Liaison – Roberts PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Peterson led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Board of Public Works discussed the following resolution, however, there was not a quorum present for a vote. Approval of the Minutes of the January 14, 2004 Board of Public Works Meeting RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the January 14, 2004 Board of Public Works meeting be approved with corrections as noted by Mayor Peterson and Commissioner Dotson. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Superintendent Gray requested the addition of the following Items: 16B – Power to Act – Emergency Repair to South Aurora Street Bridge Deck 18C – Election of Vice Chair for 2004 No board member objected. MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS: Mayor Peterson reported on the Special Common Council Meeting held on February 10, 2004, regarding the Taughannock Boulevard Extension Study. She reported that there was good discussion and that the process involved in this study was reviewed. Mayor Peterson further noted that the deadline to submit the City’s application to the New York State Transportation Improvement Fund has been extended to January 1, 2005. The Planning Committee will review this item at their February 17, 2004 meeting. Commission Tsegaye noted that it is good to see that this item will not be a conflict between the Board of Public Works and Common Council; that the focus has been shifted to the project itself. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Larry Beck, 138 Linn Street, addressed the Board regarding 224 West Spencer Street, the condition of the road surface, and problems that the property is encountering with water. February 11, 2004 2 RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC Assistant Superintendent for Water & Sewer Fabbroni responded to comments made regarding 224 West Spencer Street. He reported that a new water main from Elmira Road to the bridge over Six Mile Creek could be affecting the property. He further noted that the City’s resolution of this problem would depend on what houses are left on West Spencer Street when the project on West Spencer Street is completed. REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON: Alderperson Coles noted that the article in the Ithaca Journal today on the Taughannock Boulevard Extension project was accurate. She further noted that the project will be done in phases because of funding. REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Superintendent Gray noted that feasibility issues for the Taughannock Boulevard Extension project need to be reviewed. The project will be broken into parts based on recommendations; the timing now allows for several more months of review and discussion. Assistant Superintendent for Water & Sewer Fabbroni reported that the Water & Sewer Department is working on water and sewer lines at the proposed Walmart site. He further reported that preventative maintenance is taking place at the Water Treatment Plant to keep it running. The water department has been busy working on water main breaks; currently there is a large water main break in the East Hill area that needs to be located and repaired. There have been many frozen meters in the past month which has kept the meter crews busy. Watershed activities are taking place because of new regulations. There are 4 grants in the Six Mile Creek Watershed area for erosion control and improvement. He further reported that the Phosphorous Removal contracts have not been signed because the general contractor has informed the city that there has been an increase in the price of steel. The City is trying to evaluate engineering to see if cost increases can be offset by credits, for example the architectural façade could be altered to decrease cost but still maintain an attractive appearance, and some parts of the project could be deferred. He will be talking with the Mayor in the coming weeks to see how to proceed with the project. Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported on salt usage and pot holes. There are numerous potholes; some of which are very deep. Crews are out everyday working hard to repair potholes. Notices of Claim have been filed with the City for vehicle damage, and as he is able, he will assign two crews to work on potholes. He further reported that his crews have been cut by 25% and his materials budget has remained the same as it was 25 years ago. Routine maintenance of the roads has not been done because the department has had to focus on capital projects. His department needs more people to keep up with the work that needs to be done throughout the city. He also reported that the roofs at the Ithaca Police Department and Southside Community Center are leaking. Superintendent Gray stated that because of choices made six or seven years ago, the city has waited too long to maintain roofs and pot holes and it is affecting the city now. He further reported that the City is eligible for entitlement funds through CBDG funding and that the city is looking at public works projects to fit into the funding that is available. February 11, 2004 3 16. CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS: The Board discussed the following resolutions, however since there was not a quorum a vote could not be taken. 16A. Use of Skateboard Park - Resolution WHEREAS, the Ithaca Youth Bureau Recreation Department would like to run a skate board camp at the Skateboard Park, and WHEREAS, the Youth Bureau has asked to use the Skateboard Park exclusively, between the hours of 9:00 am – 11:00 am on a series of dates, and WHEREAS, experienced instructors will provide basic skateboard techniques for youth ages 9 – 15 years old, as well as introductory skate board tricks for beginners and intermediate skaters; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants permission to the Ithaca Youth Bureau Recreation Department for the use of the Skateboard Park from 9:00 am – 11:00 am on the following Saturdays: April 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22, with May 29th reserved for a rain date, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board waives its previous requirement for the installation of a port-a-john during the hours of the camp, but reserves the right to reinstate this requirement though the Superintendent of Public Works, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Ithaca Youth Bureau staff will contact the Titus Towers Resident Council to notify them in a timely manner of the operation of this camp during the days in question, and be it further RESOLVED, That notification of the camp be posted near the facility at least one week prior to the start of the camp. Superintendent Gray reported that he had received a call from BPW Commissioner Schlather regarding availability of port-a-johns. Because the Youth Bureau shortened the hours of the camp, they thought it would not be necessary to have a port-a-john available, however they are happy to work with the Board, and comply with any requests that might be made. Mayor Peterson reported on concerns raised by the Parks Commission concerning trash pick-up and clean-up. Superintendent Gray reported that the Youth Bureau will pick up after themselves and will not leave trash behind. Commissioner Dotson recommended that these concerns be addressed in future resolutions. February 11, 2004 4 16B. Power to Act – Emergency Repairs to South Aurora Street Bridge Deck – Resolution RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants itself power to act at its meeting of February 18, 2004 for the emergency repairs to the South Aurora Street Bridge Deck. Superintendent Gray reported that this resolution is before you because these are emergency repairs. The Resolution will call for funds from City’s bridge reserve fund in the approximate amount of $25,000. 18. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS: The Board discussed the following resolutions, however since there was not a quorum a vote could not be taken. A. Thank You to John Beach - Resolution WHEREAS, John Beach was appointed to the Board of Public Works in March 2000, and WHEREAS, John served as the Board’s liaison to the Planning and Development Board as well as various sub-committees of the Board, and WHEREAS, during John’s tenure the Board approved bridge rehabilitations at Linn Street over Cascadilla Creek, Plain Street over Six Mile Creek as well as major street reconstructions such as West State Street and planning efforts for West Spencer and Meadow Streets, and WHEREAS, John’s keen insight into neighborhood concerns for traffic impacts has been a valuable asset to the Board; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby thanks John Beach for his time and effort given to the Board, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board recognizes his personal passion and commitment made to serve his community. B. Thank You to Joseph Leonardo - Resolution WHEREAS, Joseph Leonardo was appointed to the Board of Public Works on January 7, 1998 and has served as Vice Chair of the Board since 2000, and WHEREAS, Joe brought his experience as a city business owner as well as a life long member of the Collegetown community to assist the Board in crafting solutions to problems and developing policy for city facilities, and WHEREAS, Joe has participated in the preparation of plans for the replacement of 100 year old water treatment facilities, a very successful bridge replacement/rehabilitation program, a wide variety of traffic management efforts, demanding intermunicipal sewer/wastewater treatment projects, and numerous other projects and policies; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works thanks Joseph Leonardo for his participation, insight, and leadership during his six years on the Board. February 11, 2004 5 C. 1. Power to Act – Election of Vice Chair – Resolution: RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grant itself power to act at its meeting of March 3, 2004 for the Election of Vice Chair. 22. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: A. Alternative Community School (ACS) Bike Path Proposal – Presentation George Frantz, Designer, Jonathan Panzer, Alternative Community School (ACS) Representative, Ben Regenspan, ACS Senior, and Cornell engineering students Paul McCord and Jeremy Billig gave a presentation to the Board on their proposal for a bike path. The proposal is for a 3,000 foot path which would run from Elm and Chestnut streets, behind ACS and parallel to Elm Street as far north as Hector Street. It would also include a bridge. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $150,000. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the design, location, maintenance, ownership and various easements required for this project. Further discussion followed on the cost of the project and how funding would be obtained. Superintendent Gray requested that the Board be presented with a matrix that would show the following information: liability issues, land ownership, maintenance, and participants in each phase of the project and what requests might be made of the city. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Sarah Myers Carolyn K. Peterson Information Management Specalist Mayor