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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2004-07-14BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. July 14, 2004 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (5) -Tsegaye, Jenkins, Dotson, Chapman, Romanoff OTHERS PRESENT: 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 IPD Officer – Firman EXCUSED: Commissioner Schlather PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice Chair Tsegaye led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Commissioner Jenkins arrived at the meeting at 4:55 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes of the June 9, 2004 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Romanoff RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the June 9, 2004 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Superintendent Gray requested that the following Items be added to the agenda: Item 14A – Award of West Court Street Sidewalk Construction Item 17B – Power to Act at July 21, 2004 Committee of the Whole Meeting on Repairs to the Elm Street Tank Roof Item 17C – Authorization to Hire Operator-of-Record to Oversee Wastewater Treatment Plan No Board Member objected. Commissioner Dotson requested that Item 23 – Request from West Court Street Residents – Discussion, be moved up in the agenda since members from that neighborhood were present for the meeting. No Board Member objected. Mayor Peterson arrived at the meeting at 4:58 p.m. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Joe Cassaniti, Representing Ithaca High School Class of 1959, addressed the Board regarding a second sign for the Bernie Milton Pavilion on The Commons that might say “Welcome to the Bernie Milton Pavilion”. He requested approval from the city to do this project before he coordinated a fund raising event by the Class of 1959. He stated that he will await approval and/or direction from the City for this request. Andy and Dayna Schreckenyost, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding the construction on West Court Street and traffic calming measures. A petition with 27 signatures was submitted to the Board that supported traffic calming measures being implemented on West Court Street. Board of Public Works – July 14, 2004 2 RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC Commissioner Romanoff responded to comments made regarding a second sign at the Bernie Milton Pavilion. She proposed an alternate location of the interior ceiling of the pavilion that would protect it. Commissioner Chapman thanked Mr. and Mrs. Schreckenyost for the time they took to come and speak to the Board on behalf of the West Court Street neighborhood regarding the construction taking place on West Court Street. Superintendent Gray responded to comments made about West Court Street traffic calming and stated that he would like to have a conversation with the parties involved in a separate setting. Mayor Peterson responded to comments about West Court Street. She stated that she discussed traffic signalization issues with the consultant for the Court/Meadow Street intersection, and that these issues would be coming back to future Committee of the Whole meetings. Commissioner Tsegaye asked the Board how Mr. Cassaniti’s request would be handled, and Superintendent Gray responded that it would be put on the agenda for the next Committee of the Whole meeting so that the Board can give him direction as how to proceed. Commissioner Romanoff requested that the Commons Advisory Board also review Mr. Cassaniti’s request. Mayor Peterson requested that the Public Art Commission and the Building Department also review the request. NEW BUSINESS: A. Request from West Court Street Residents – Discussion Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the construction work on West Court Street and traffic calming measures needed. The Board discussed the various options that would include a 28’ road or a 30’ road and associated parking concerns. Further discussion followed on how traffic calming on one street pushes traffic to other streets causing a domino effect, and that a City wide traffic calming plan needs to be developed. The Board agreed that more discussion on this item is needed. The Board will also seek input from the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council as well as work with NYSEG to see how much they might be able to assist the City with traffic calming. Power to Act Resolution: By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Chapman RESOLVED, That the Board grant itself Power to Act at its July 21, 2004 Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss traffic calming measures and the width of the street for the West Court Street construction project. Carried Unanimously REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Superintendent Gray reported to the Board that the cost for the work on the Thurston Avenue Bridge has been raised to eight million dollars. The cost is increased because of historical preservation considerations that need to be made on the bridge and the two different arches on the outside. The City will need to go back and redevelop parameters and cost before the project can be started. Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the following matters: Crews are currently working on routine maintenance and construction projects. Crews are ahead of schedule on construction projects. The 400 block of College Avenue was paved Tuesday. The 100 to 300 blocks will be paved next week. The Building Systems/Parks and Forestry crew are concentrating on seasonal maintenance items. There is a crew working on the cemetery and has been able to mow it three times so far. They are keeping ahead with the parks and roadside mowing as well. More rain this year has caused problems with growth and vegetation blocking intersections. Board of Public Works – July 14, 2004 3 The paving contractor has paved Hector Street, Coddington Road, North Cayuga Street and Lake Street, and several more streets are scheduled to be worked on in the upcoming weeks. The work on the Cascadilla Creek wall will begin soon; crews are setting up the staging area for the work, and will have a pedestrian bridge with rails in place. Work cannot begin until Monday, July 19, 2004. The carousel at Stewart Park has not been operational because they are waiting for a part for the major gear on the carousel. The concession stand at Stewart Park has not been opened because the Youth Bureau felt that it was not profitable in addition to the building needing work including a new roof. The department has been busy providing public information releases regarding the construction projects taking place in the City. Mayor Peterson noted that the community is noticing the work that is being done and really appreciates it. She further asked Assistant Supt. Ferrel to thank his staff for the extra work they have done regarding press releases. Assistant Supt. Ferrel responded to questions and comments from the Board regarding various projects and concerns. Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the Board on the following matters: The W & S crews have been compacted into two crews because of injuries to two employees. The crews have been through the Ciminelli Project, the Cayuga Green Garage and Elmira Road construction projects. He further reported that it is sometimes hard for the public to understand how much time it takes to complete projects, and that makes it difficult for the residents. Assistant Supt. Fabbroni reported that he has been spending a great deal of time at the Waste Water Treatment Plant, the department is working on the phosphorous removal project. Personnel issues have increased because of unsettled contracts for both the CSEA DPW and Administration units. Assistant Supt. Fabbroni further reported that requests for water and sewer hook-ups and disconnects has been at a record high. The crews need to be working on Elmira Road near Wendy’s to redirect the sewage line through the Walmart pump station. He also reported that there have been a lot of watershed activities as well. Commissioner Dotson thanked Assistant Supt. Fabbroni for his and the department’s hard work. Assistant Supt. Fabbroni then responded to questions and comments from the Board regarding various projects and concerns. Board of Public Works – July 14, 2004 4 13. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT: A. Easement for Utilities Under Newman Golf Course - Resolution By Commissioner Romanoff: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the city has negotiated a contract for I-Net communications links which include corrections to the DPW Streets and Facilities building and the adjacent Fire Training Center, and WHEREAS, Time Warner Cable is seeking an easement for the installation of the cable connecting the two structures and has offered to do the connection underground, and WHEREAS, NYSEG has requested a chance to replace its overhead electric service to the fire training facilities if the I-Net connection is made underground; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants easements to Time Warner Cable and to NYSEG for the installation of I-Net connections and electric service for the fire training facility provided the work is underground and does not interfere with the operations of the golf course, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor is authorized to sign the easements based on the usual terms and conditions, as approved by the City Attorney and the Superintendent. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the location of the Ithaca Fire Department training center regarding whether it is properly located considering the high recreation use of the area, and the increased use once the Cayuga Waterfront Trail is completed. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the time and money the City spent to clean up the environmental impacts from previous use before the center was built and that the Fire Chief has been made aware of the Board’s concerns and would be happy to meet with the Board to discuss their concerns further. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 14. HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALK: A. Award of West Court Street Sidewalk Construction- Resolution By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Tsegaye WHEREAS, bids were received on July 13, 2004 for the West Court Street Sidewalk Construction Project, and WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids and recommends that the low bidder be awarded the bid; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the West Court Street Sidewalk Construction Project to McCall Masonry, 216 Westbrook Street, Sayre, PA 18840 for their low bid of $56,160.00, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to enter into an agreement with McCall Masonry with the usual terms and conditions. Discussion followed on the floor regarding whether the width of the street would affect this project and ADA requirements. Further discussion followed on the floor as to whether the City might have the staff and time to inspect some of the concrete being used in various projects around the city to ensure that specifications are being met. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding who is responsible for work done on City projects for the replacement/repair work when the concrete used is substandard. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Board of Public Works – July 14, 2004 5 15. PARKING AND TRAFFIC A. Request for Exception to RPPS - Resolution By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Tsegaye WHEREAS, Betsy Magre of 413 East Buffalo Street has requested that the Board allow an exception to the Residential Parking Permit System in order to provide a permit to her day care provider and avoid a series of logistical problems associated with use of the driveway; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby denies Ms. Magre an exemption to the Residential Parking Permit System because the situation outlined appears to be typical of the reasons that the city sought permission from New York State to institute the permit system. Carried Unanimously 17. WATER AND SEWER: A. Transfer of Rights to Ecovation for IAWWTP Project - Resolution By Commissioner Tsegaye: Seconded by Commissioner Romanoff WHEREAS, the city has entered into an agreement with RETEC to perform a pilot project at the IAWWTP, and WHEREAS, RETEC can no longer perform the work due to personnel changes and has asked, the Board to transfer the contract to Ecovation; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of the reassignment of the contract from RETEC to Ecovation for completion of the work provided all the necessary insurance and other contractual requirements are met, and the Superintendent is authorized to sign the consent forms after consulting with the City Attorney and the consulting attorney for the IAWWTP. Carried Unanimously B. Request for Power To Act at July 21, 2004 Meeting - Resolution By Commissioner Chapman: Seconded by Commissioner Tsegaye RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants itself power to act at its Committee of the Whole meeting on July 21, 2004 for repairs to Elm Street Tank Roof. Carried Unanimously C. Authorization to Hire Operator-of-Record to Oversee Wastewater Treatment Plant – Resolution By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the City is in the process of searching for a Wastewater Chief Plant Operator for the wastewater treatment plan which the City manages for the joint owners, and WHEREAS, it will take some time to either reach agreement on a compensation package with potential internal candidates or if necessary conduct a more open and expansive search, and WHEREAS, an operator with a grade 4A license is required to be responsible for directing the operation of the plant processes to meet regulatory agency opeating and reporting requirements, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the hiring of James J. Cunningham of New Water Technologies, Inc., 7967 Valley Road, Madison, N.Y. 13402, a grade 4A operator to manage the wastewater treatment plant process for approximately an average of twelve hours a week for four months at a cost not to exceed $25,000, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor be authorized to sign the agreement for such services upon approval of the City Attorney, and be it further Board of Public Works – July 14, 2004 6 RESOLVED, That the funds be taken from already budgeted joint activity funds for a Chief Operator and as recommended by the Special Joint Committee on Waste Water Treatment Plan. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the use of an outside contractor for this work and the cost involved. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: Commissioner Dotson noted that there are a lot of liaison positions on boards and committees that are not being fulfilled by the current liaisons or they are vacant. She expressed her desire for the current liaisons to start fulfilling their duties and to communicate appropriately to their respective Boards. Mayor Peterson stated that she has been trying to fill committee vacancies since she took office in January. She will try to begin filling board/committee liaison positions in the near future. Commissioner Dotson noted that she and Commission Chapman would continue to report from the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Board as needed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Commissioner Romanoff reported to the Board that she is working with the City Historian concerning the Bernie Milton Plaque. The City Historian is talking with Faith Milton to finalize the language. Once finalized, the plaque should appear as soon as possible. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the cost of the plaque and where the funding will come from. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson Information Management Specialist Mayor