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
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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
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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
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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
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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