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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2004-05-12BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. May 12, 2004 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (5) -Tsegaye, Jenkins, Dotson, Schlather, Romanoff 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 Joann Cornish, Deputy Planning & Development Director EXCUSED: DAC Liaison – Roberts Commissioner Chapman Rick Manning, Representative from the Parks Commission, reported to the Board on concerns raised by the Parks Commission at their last meeting. He also presented the Board with a memo outlining their concerns in more detail. One of their concerns relates to the maintenance of the Cass Park trail. Rick explained how the Parks Commission has been using students and volunteers to provide trail maintenance. One student is paid through a fellowship and the other is paid through a work-study program. The Parks Commission is concerned with whether or not there might be a liability issue for the city using volunteers and students. The Parks Commission is looking to the Board to see if a more formal policy is needed and whether or not a waiver form is needed as well. Commissioner Tsegaye suggested that Mr. Manning talk with the Fire Department on how they use volunteers. Mayor Peterson reported that she has met with the City Attorney regarding the use of volunteers. The City does use volunteers in other areas such as citizen pruners and it does not seem to be an issue. The other concern that Mr. Manning brought to the attention of the Board is that the Parks Commission would like a freestanding sign in the middle of Route 89 at the trail crossing near Cass Park. The Board voted on a resolution concerning this item in December and Dan Cole, traffic engineer, is working on this. Mayor Peterson will speak with Mr. Cole to see what can be done to facilitate this as soon as possible. Commissioner Schlather arrived at the meeting at 5:05 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Peterson led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes of the April 14, 2004 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Tsegaye RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the April 14, 2004 Board of Public Works meeting be approved with corrections noted by the Board. Carried Unanimously May 12, 2004 2 ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Superintendent Gray requested that Item 15B – Power to Act on Emergency Repairs Related to the Green Street Garage be added to the agenda. No board member objected. Mayor Peterson requested that Items 15A – Critical Structural Repairs to Green Street Garage and 15B – Power to Act on Emergency Repairs Related to the Green Street Garage be moved to after Items 16B and 17A to accommodate staff who are here to address those items. No Board member objected. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Jim Mazza, 111 Cascadilla Avenue, addressed the Board as a representative from the Cascadilla Creek Neighborhood Association, regarding the creek wall reconstruction. Fay Gougakis, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding work being done on the creek wall and speeding in the city. Commissioner Jenkins arrived at the meeting at 5:11 p.m. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC Commissioner Schlather responded to comments made regarding the Cascadilla Creek wall work. Mayor Peterson responded to comments made regarding the Cascadilla Creek wall work and noted that this item is on the Board’s Committee of the Whole Agenda for May 19, 2004. Assistant Superintendent for Streets & Facilities Ferrell responded to comments made about the work on the Cascadilla Creek wall and stated that work cannot be done between March 15th and July 15th because of the trout in the stream. CREEKS, BRIDGES & PARKS: B. Declaration of Negative Impact – Thurston Avenue Bridge - Resolution By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Schlather WHEREAS, a site plan for a proposed bridge rehabilitation, located on Thurston Avenue over Fall Creek, in the City of Ithaca, has been submitted for review and approval by the City of Ithaca Department of Public Works, and WHEREAS, this is a Type 1 Action under the City of Ithaca Environmental Quality Review Ordinance (“CEQRO”), and an Unlisted Action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works is legislatively determined to act as Lead Agency in environmental review, and on March 10, 2004, has reviewed and accepted as adequate a Full Environmental Assessment Form Part 1, submitted by the applicant, and a Part 2, submitted by Planning Staff, and other application materials; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works determines that the proposed project will result in no significant impact on the environment and that a Negative Declaration for purposes of Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law be filed in accordance with the provisions of Part 617 of the State Environmental Quality Review Act and the City of Ithaca Environmental Quality Review Ordinance. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the historic preservation law used in the design of the work to be done. Providing handicap accessibility and a bike path were important factors considered in the decision rather than the design of the handrail. The neighborhood accepts the fact that this plan is for the better good of the area. Deputy Planning and Development Director Cornish noted, for the record, that there May 12, 2004 3 was an advertised public hearing on this at the Planning Committee meeting and no one spoke so there has been no public input into the design of the bridge. It was noted that the project still needs to be submitted to the State and that the Board of Public Works will be asking Common Council for capital project funding for this work. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding designating this area of the city with the waterways and three hydroplants as its own historical district. The Board will ask that Leslie Chatterton, Historic Planner, take this item to the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission for their review and consideration. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (4) Schlather, Jenkins, Dotson, Peterson Nays (2) Tsegaye, Romanoff Abstentions (0) Carried WATER & SEWER: A. Stormwater Management Program Annual Report - Resolution By Commissioner Tsegaye: Seconded by Commissioner Romanoff WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca is a permitted small Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System (MS4) under Clean Water Act Phase II regulations for stormwater discharges and, WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca received permit coverage through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) program on March 10, 2003 and, WHEREAS, the City must develop a stormwater management program (SWMP) in accordance with SPDES permit requirements by meeting measurable goals including public education and outreach, public involvement and participation, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction and post construction management, and management of municipal operations and, WHEREAS, the City must develop said SWMP by January 8, 2008 and, WHEREAS, the City is required to file an annual SWMP progress report to the NYSDEC by June 1, 2004 and, WHEREAS, the City has completed its SWMP Annual Report for Year 1 which addresses any public comments provided; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves the City of Ithaca Stormwater Management Program Annual Report which represents the status of the City’s SWMP for the 2003 reporting period, and be it further RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Division of Water & Sewer is authorized to submit said report to the NYSDEC by June 1, 2004. Scott Gibson, Environmental Engineer for the City Water & Sewer Department, reported to the Board on the status of the stormwater management program for the City. He explained how the City and other municipalities are short staffed and that the State is aware of this and is working with the Federal Government on the problem. The Department of Environmental Conservation has instructed the City to note efforts as best they can. He further noted that signage is needed and that the city has some volunteer organizations in mind to help put up signage. A public comment period was advertised in the Ithaca Journal, but no public comment was received. Commissioner Romanoff suggested that some public education be done to make the public familiar with the language and to clarify terms. She further noted that many neighborhood associations would be interested in helping post signage as well. May 12, 2004 4 A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 15. PARKING AND TRAFFIC A. Critical Structural Repairs to Green Street Garage - Resolution By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, studies of the Green Street parking garage have shown that the garage is in need of immediate attention, and WHEREAS, structural repairs to columns, joints, deck and structural reinforcing systems are required, and WHEREAS, staff has received an estimate of $495,576 to make the necessary repairs; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works request Common Council to establish a Capital Project in an amount of $496,000 to allow for the critical repairs on the Green Street Garage. Superintendent Gray reported on the effect of losing 400 parking spaces upon the closure of the garage in light of the spaces already lost for the Cayuga Green Parking Garage project and work scheduled for the Seneca Street garage. He explained that making this work an emergency as required by General Municipal Law means that its benefits will outweigh the losses and the work will be able to move forward quicker. Extensive discussion followed on floor regarding the cost of the repairs and how long the repairs would last as well as the difficult parking situation that will be created by the loss of parking spaces. The required repair work needs to take place on the bridge and helix, and is critical to the continued operation of the garage. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (4) Schlather, Romanoff, Jenkins, Peterson Nays (2) Dotson, Tsegaye Abstentions (0) Carried 15B Power to Act on a Resolution Related to Repairs of the Green Street Garage – Resolution By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Romanoff RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grant itself Power to Act on a Resolution Related to Repairs of the Green Street Garage at their Committee of the Whole meeting scheduled for May 19, 2004. Carried Unanimously 16. CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS: A. Request for Capital Project for Cecil A. Malone Pedestrian Bridge - Resolution By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works passed a resolution on November 12, 2003 encouraging Common Council to create a capital project for the installation of a pedestrian bridge at Cecil A. Malone Drive across the flood relief channel, and WHEREAS, the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) has secured funds to finance the installation of the bridge, and WHEREAS, a capital project for the installation would allow the city to proceed with this project and receive reimbursement from IURA; now, therefore, be it May 12, 2004 5 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works request Common Council to establish a Capital Project in the amount of $155,000 for the installation of a pedestrian bridge at Cecil A. Malone Drive across the flood relief channel, which will be partially reimbursed by the IURA upon completion up to $125,000. Carried Unanimously 17. WATER & SEWER B. Award of Bid for Tertiary Phosphorus Removal Upgrade Project - Resolution By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Romanoff WHEREAS, bids were received on May 4,2004 for the Tertiary Phosphorus Removal Upgrade Project at the IAWWTP, and WHEREAS, the Heating, Ventilating, and Plumbing Contractor, Postler & Jaeckle, has withdrawn its low Bid of $98,700 in accordance with timetable and method specified in the “Instructions To Bidders, Article 13 – Modification And Withdrawal of Bid” due to “a substantial financial error” in the amount of $23,257.00, and WHEREAS, staff is recommending that the low bidders for the General Construction Contract and the Electrical Contract and the second low bidder for the Heating, Ventilation, and Plumbing Contract be awarded their respective contracts; now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the General Construction Contract for the Tertiary Phosphorus Removal Project at the IAWWTP to Crane-Hogan Structural Systems, 3001 Brockport Rd., Spencerport, N.Y. 14559 for their low bid of $3,497,000, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the Electrical Contract for the Tertiary Phosphorus Removal Project at the IAWWTP to John Mills Electric, Inc., 1836 Grand Central Ave., Box 2068, Elmira Heights, N.Y. 14903 for their low bid of $397,500, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the Heating, Ventilating, and Plumbing Contract for the Tertiary Phosphorus Removal Project at the IAWWTP to Kimble, Inc., 1004 Sullivan St., P.O. box 361, Elmira, N.Y. 14902 for their bid of $125,100 and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor and Superintendent of Public Works be authorized to enter into all three contracts with the usual terms and conditions and that all the funds will be drawn from Capital Project 409J. Carried Unanimously Commissioner Dotson left the meeting at 6:35 p.m. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Assistant Superintendent for Streets and Facilities Ferrel reported that there are street projects currently taking place on the 400 block of South Albany Street and the 200 Block of West Spencer Street. One block should be paved this week and open for Ithaca College graduation. There will also be curb installation taking place on Wait Avenue and that will be done by Cornell University graduation as well. Assistant Superintendent for Water & Sewer Fabbroni reported that the water connection at the Ciminelli project has been delayed until the students leave. Superintendent Gray reported that the 5th lane of South Meadow Street over the bridge will be put into service today; however there will be a bottleneck further down South Meadow street as work continues there. May 12, 2004 6 ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson Information Management Specialist Mayor