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