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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2005-02-09BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. February 9, 2005 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (5) - Jenkins, Dotson, Chapman, Schlather, Romanoff OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy City Controller - Andrew City Clerk - Holcomb Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel DAC Liaison – Roberts (arrived at 5:20 p.m.) Engineering Aid - Whitney Information Management Specialist - Myers EXCUSED: CC Liaison – Coles Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni 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 December 8, 2004, December 15, 2004, and January 12, 2005 Board of Public Works Meeting Commissioner Dotson requested that approval of the minutes be postponed so that all Board members could review the minutes completely. Power to Act: By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Schlather RESOLVED, That the Board grant itself Power to Act at their Committee of the Whole meeting on February 16, 2005 to approve the December 8, 2004, December 15, 2004, and January 12, 2005 Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Superintendent Gray requested the addition of the following items to the agenda: 16A Power to Act on 2005 Golf Course Rates 18D Request for Funds to Cover Demolition Cost No Board member objected. MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS: Mayor Peterson updated the Board on the flooding situation in the Fall Creek Neighborhood. She and City staff are monitoring the situation closely. Auxiliary pumps are on standby but are currently not needed. Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities Ferrel updated the Board on water levels, water temperatures, ground water levels, weather predictions, and how those factors will affect the neighborhood. City Clerk/Public Information Officer Holcomb addressed the Board to let them know that the City would issue a press release to update the public on the current situation and what information the release would contain. She further informed the Board that there has been a new telephone number established at the Emergency Response Center that will provide 24-hour assistance and coordinate all calls into a central Board of Public Works – February 9, 2005 - Page 2 2 location. This will enable the City to monitor the situation closely, and it will provide dispatchers who are trained crisis communicators. Extensive discussion followed on the floor with the Board asking staff questions and discussing possible ways that the neighborhood and the city could work together during this event. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Shannon McSurely, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding her appeal for a waiver of a trash violation at 315 Dey St. Guy Gerard, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding traffic calming and the use of 4-way stop signs as a simple means to implement calming measures. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC Commissioner Schlather responded to the concern regarding traffic calming and supported the use of 4-way stop signs at intersections as a very effective way to calm traffic. He used the example of the intersection of Geneva and State Streets as an intersection that was helped by the use of 4-way stop signs. REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following matters: City staff is preparing to start work on First Street. Because of the water and sewer issues involved, the city will hold a public meeting to bring the neighborhood up-to-date on the project. The project will involve water main replacements and the city will offer property owners the opportunity to upgrade their service. In some instances the city may have to replace old pipes, and bill the property owner accordingly. Follow up to after flood review – staff has located studies from 1974 and 1978 regarding water problems in the Fall Creek area. The city has implemented some of the recommendations that were made by the studies, and he is comfortable with what the City is doing now to handle the flooding. He would like the neighborhood to see the City as a partner in this matter. Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the following matters: Crews are prepared for the predicted snowstorm that is scheduled to arrive this evening. Crews have been busy and very involved with the flooding and work involved in monitoring the water levels and making sure equipment is functioning properly. Commissioner Schlather stated that he was offended by the “Dart” in the Ithaca Journal where they were offended that the City had not cleared the sidewalk in front of their building. He feels that the City crews are doing a great job, and he has not seen a street that has been impassable yet this season. He wants City staff to know that he thinks they are doing a great job! 13. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT: A. Request for Waiver of Trash Violation – 315 Dey Street - Resolution By Commissioner Chapman: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, Janet Simon, owner of 315 Dey Street, received a trash violation for recycling placed at the curb and not removed within 24 hours on a non-collection week, and WHEREAS, Ms. Simon forwarded the bill to her tenant, Ms. McSurely, and WHEREAS, section 196-6 of the City Code requires the department to issue a fine when materials are placed at the curb and are not removed within 24 hours; now, therefore, be it Board of Public Works – February 9, 2005 - Page 3 3 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed the information provided by staff and, Ms. McSurely, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board denies the request based on the requirements of the City Code and the service provided. Commissioner Dotson stated that she would support this resolution, but that she has heard from enough residents with good ideas on how to handle first time violations that she would like the Board to look at possible improvements to the procedures. Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities Ferrel stated that the 2005 recycling schedule printed in the back of the newest phone book is opposite of what the County published, and it is causing a lot of confusion. Commissioner Schlather stated that FCC Rules for errors in phone books is to make the correction in the next phone book. His concern is that the fine that the City charges should reflect the cost of correcting the problem. Amending Resolution: By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Chapman RESOLVED, That the last Resolved clause be amended to read as follows: “RESOLVED, That the Board denies the request and that any penalties which might be imposed for any other 2004 violations be waived.” Carried Unanimously Main Motion As Amended: A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously B. Request for Waiver of Trash Violation – 223 North Albany Street - Resolution By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Chapman WHEREAS, Jim Cohen, owner of 223 N. Albany Street, received a trash violation for recycling placed at the curb and not removed within 24 hours on a non-collection week, and WHEREAS, staff recovered material belonging to the address, and WHEREAS, section 196-6 of the City Code requires the department to issue a fine when materials are placed at the curb and are not removed within 24 hours; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed the information provided by staff and Mr. Cohen, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board denies Mr. Cohen’s request based on the requirements of the City Code and the service provided. Carried Unanimously 16. CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS: A. Power To Act: By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Schlather RESOLVED, That the Board grant itself Power to Act at its Committee of the Whole Meeting on February 16, 2005 on the 2005 City of Ithaca Golf Course Rates. Carried Unanimously Board of Public Works – February 9, 2005 - Page 4 4 18. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS: A. Award of Bid – Hydraulic Excavator - Resolution By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Dotson WHEREAS, bids were received on January 18, 2005 for a new or used hydraulic excavator, 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 bid of a used excavator to Tracey Road Equipment, 6803 Manlius Center Road, East Syracuse, New York 13057 for their low bid of $89,493, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Assistant Superintendent for Water and Sewer to enter into an agreement with Tracey Road Equipment. Discussion followed on the floor on the cost and life expectancy of this used piece of equipment versus purchasing a new piece of equipment. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously B. Award of Bid – Trench shields - Resolution By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, bids were received on February 1, 2005 for three double wall steel trench shields, and WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bid and recommends that the lowest bidder meeting specifications be awarded the bid; now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the bid of three double wall steel trench shields to Anderson Equipment, Co., 101 Great Arrow Ave., Buffalo, New York 14216 for their low bid of $27,518.00, which includes Alternate #1 of $8,900, along with items #2 and #3, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Assistant Superintendent for Water and Sewer to enter into an agreement with Anderson Equipment, Co. Carried Unanimously C. Election of Vice Chair – Resolution By Commissioner Chapman: Seconded by Commissioner Schlather RESOLVED, That Commissioner Dotson be appointed Vice Chair for the Board of Public Works for 2005. Carried Unanimously D. Request for Funds to Cover Demolition Cost – Resolution WHEREAS, the City’s Building Commissioner has determined that the building at 413 E. Lincoln Street is in imminent danger of collapse and represents a danger to life and health, and WHEREAS, directives to the property owner to correct the defects and make the building safe have elicited no effective response from the owner, resulting in the Commissioner’s notification to the Superintendent of Public Works dated January 27, 2005 to have the building removed and the site made safe, and WHEREAS, the Building Commissioner had received an estimated cost for demolition of $27,500 from Taitem Engineering in December 2004 and the Engineering Office recommends a project budget of $35,000 to cover all costs including asbestos testing and removal; now, therefore be it Board of Public Works – February 9, 2005 - Page 5 5 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests that Common Council provide funds to cover the emergency demolition with the understanding that a statement of cost will be filed in accordance with clause 146-9 of the City Building Code and will appear as a lien on the property which accrues interest and is added to the tax rolls. Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities explained to the Board the reason for this resolution. The foundation of the house has collapsed and it is taking part of the neighbor’s driveway. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the costs of this project and who would be performing the work. Commissioner Schlather stated that someone from his law firm represents the neighbor in this case, so he will need to recuse himself from voting. Power to Act By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the Board grant itself Power to Act at its Committee of the Whole meeting on February 16, 2005 on the Request for Funds to Cover Demolition Cost. Ayes (4) Dotson, Chapman, Jenkins, Peterson Nays (0) Abstentions (1) Schlather Carried REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: Mayor Peterson reported that there are vacancies on some boards and committees for BPW liaisons and that she will be working on filling these. Superintendent Gray thanked IPD, IFD, Acting Mayor Coles, Mayor Peterson, and City Clerk Holcomb for their support during the recent flooding and stated that it has been a good collaboration. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson Information Management Specialist Mayor