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
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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
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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
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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
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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