HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2005-04-13BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. April 13, 2005
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Commissioners (4) - Jenkins, Dotson, Chapman, Schlather
OTHERS PRESENT:
Deputy City Controller - Andrew
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni
Common Council Liaison – Coles
Information Management Specialist - Myers
EXCUSED:
Commissioner Romanoff
DAC Liaison Roberts
Superintendent Gray
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 March 9 and 16, 2005 Board of Public Works
Meeting and Committee of the Whole Meeting
By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the March 9 and 16, 2005 Board of Public Works
Meeting and Committee of the Whole Meeting be approved with noted corrections.
Amending Resolution:
By Commissioner Chapman: Seconded by Commissioner Dotson
RESOLVED, That the following changes be made to the March 16, 2005 Committee of
the Whole meeting minutes: the 4th paragraph on page 3 beginning with “Commissioner
Chapman stated” be changed to read as follows: “Commissioner Chapman stated that
since NYSEG will be digging up the street and sidewalks, he assumes the City won’t
bear the full cost of installing new traffic calming devices.” and be it further
RESOLVED, That the 2nd paragraph on page 4 the last sentence be changed to read as
follows: “The audible signal at Cayuga Street and Green Street is installed contrary to
current guidelines and there are guidelines that installers can refer to on proper
operation.”
Carried Unanimously
Main Motion As Amended:
A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Mayor Peterson requested the addition of item 14B – Power to Act for Award of Bid for
Sidewalk Contract and item 17A – Award of Bid for W & S Construction Materials
No Board member objected.
CC Liaison Coles requested the addition of item 10A – Report of Council Liaison
No Board member objected.
Board of Public Works – April 13, 2005 - Page 2
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COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Alderperson Mary Tomlan addressed the Board regarding the parking rates in
Collegetown and encouraged the Board to consider reinstating the discount coupons for
the merchants. She further stated that she hoped the Board would support the
proposed “Adopt A Park” Resolution that is on today’s agenda.
Fay Gougakis, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding removing the basketball
hoop at Cass Park Pool, dog waste in plastic bags being disposed of in storm sewers,
and traffic calming.
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC
Commissioner Dotson thanked Ms. Gougakis for her comments regarding traffic
calming and stated that she agrees that there needs to be more public awareness
regarding pedestrians and bicyclists.
Commissioner Schlather responded to the comment made about dog waste being
disposed of in the storm sewers and stated that is a problem and questioned if the City
was aware of this issue.
Asst. Supt. for Streets and Facilities Ferrel responded that some of this material is
trapped in the catch basins, but that some of it probably makes it to the streams and
then into the lake. He will ask his crews to see if they have seen specific locations
where this is a problem.
Commissioner Schlather further stated that he thought the Board had provided a
provision in the new parking rates for Collegetown where they would be lowered during
the summer in recognition of this being done in the past.
Mayor Peterson stated that research would need to be done to look at the resolution
passed by the Board to see if it includes summer parking rates. She further stated that
messages could be posted at storm sewer openings concerning not putting dog waste
in them.
REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON:
Alderperson Coles reported on the following:
A constituent telephoned her concerning an encampment on the Black Diamond Trail
that had been erected. The Police Department and Streets & Facilities Department
responded to this situation the same day they were notified by Alderperson Coles. The
Streets and Facilities crew dismantled the camp in a humane manner and the Police
Department worked with Social Services to provide the occupants of the camp with
options available to them. Alderperson Coles wanted to recognize the successful work
in this situation by the two different departments.
She further reported that she had been in contact with Duane Twardokus, Director of
the IT Department for the City, regarding determining residency for use at the City Golf
course. A computer could be provided to the golf course that would contain all the
information from the City Chamberlain’s office, which would make it easy to ascertain
residency.
Discussion followed on the floor and it was noted that the information from the
Chamberlain’s office would only contain property owner information, not renter
information. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding how this issue was
resolved with the Youth Bureau where the proof of residency is critical. The Board felt
that an address driven program would be helpful because a number of people don’t
know what municipality they reside in. The City Clerk’s office has a 911 listing of all
addresses in Tompkins County. The list is alphabetical by street and indicates which
municipality each address belongs in. Asst. Supt. for Streets & Facilities Ferrel
requested a copy of the list for the golf course.
Board of Public Works – April 13, 2005 - Page 3
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REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF:
Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the following matters:
- He was notified by NYSDOT that they would be replacing a culvert on Route 89 and
would list Route 96 as the detour Route. They plan to begin work on May 16, 2005.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding how the work by DOT would affect
the City’s construction schedule for Cliff Street. Asst. Supt. of Streets and Facilities
Ferrel stated that this delay may cause the Cliff Street project to extend into two
seasons. Further discussion followed on the scope of the Cliff Street project and
whether this project could be deferred to the 2006 construction season. Further
discussion followed regarding possible alternate detours that commuters could take that
would enable the City to work on Cliff Street simultaneously with the DOT work. Asst.
Supt. for Streets and Facilities Ferrel stated that he would contact the local DOT in
Cortland to discuss this project, and the construction schedule further.
- Crews are close to the end of Spring street cleaning, they are currently working in the
Six Mile Creek area.
- Two crews are out everyday working on potholes, one crew is doing cold patch and
the other is using a hot mix. This work will continue indefinitely because there are many
streets that need work.
- Stewart Park has been affected by the flooding from a few weeks ago; a lot of debris
was put into the lake by the flooding and is now washing up on shore. It will require a
major clean up.
- Ray Benjamin and he attended a Construction Fair at “The Rink” on April 12, 2005.
The fair was held to educate high school students about the construction trade. They
were hoping to gain the interest of these young people for possible employment with the
City. Currently, the oldest employee is 50 in the DPW, and the youngest is 36. That
means the department will have a turnover of experienced workers soon and would
need people to fill those positions.
Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the Board on the following matters:
- The work on First Street is going well and they are almost through the first block. S &
F crews will follow to do the road construction.
- They have finished installing the new 12” water line on Inlet Island from Gallagher
Electric under Route 89 to the new medical complex. This new line will provide
improved fire protection.
- Dredging work is ongoing at lagoons, they need to be cleaned every six months.
- Work is being done to replant and stabilize the area around the silt dam. A lot of
money is being spent in conjunction with the Town of Caroline and the USGS to replant
areas around streams to make improvements in silt dams.
- Two million dollars has been received from the State for grant work that has been
going on for ten years. This ends a long journey and a lot of work. The grant monies
will pay the city back for the work that has been done with some contribution coming
from the Town of Ithaca. This grant covered work to rebuild parts of the sewer system.
- His accounts for the work on First Street and for sewer work that needs to be done are
in good shape.
Board of Public Works – April 13, 2005 - Page 4
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13. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT:
A. Request to Expunge Recycling Violation for 305 E. Lincoln Street - Resolution
By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Dotson
WHEREAS, a recycling violation was issued to Yvette DeBoer as owner of 305 E.
Lincoln Street for material put out on the wrong week which contained material
addressed to Laura Tennenbaum at 305 Lincoln Street, and
WHEREAS, Ms. DeBoer appealed this matter to the Board explaining that Ms.
Tennenbaum is the daughter of her neighbor at 304 Lincoln Street, and stating that she
was certain that the recycling material picked up by the city did not originate with her
property where she is the controlling resident, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works agrees to expunge Invoice No. 586, dated
February 8, 2005, in the amount of $20 for services that the DPW thought it had
provided to 305 E. Lincoln Street.
Carried Unanimously
14. HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALK:
A. Award of Bid for Sidewalk Contract - Resolution
By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, bids were received for the 2005 Sidewalk Contract on April 12, 2005, and
WHEREAS, after reviewing the bids, staff recommends that all bids be rejected; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby rejects all bids received on April
12, 2005 for the 2005 Sidewalk Contract, and be it further
RESOLVED, That Board directs staff to re-bid the contract at the earliest convenient
date.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the bid process and review of bids for
projects.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
B. Power to Act for Award of Bid for Sidewalk Contract – Resolution
By Commissioner Chapman: Seconded by Commissioner Schlather
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants itself power to act at the Committee
of the Whole meeting on May 4, 2005 to award the bid for the 2005 Sidewalk Contract.
Carried Unanimously
15. PARKING AND TRAFFIC
A. Support of City Traffic Calming Policy - Resolution
By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Dotson
WHEREAS, Common Council adopted a resolution in February 2005 reaffirming their
adoption of a Traffic Calming Policy in December 1998 and requesting a concentrated
effort be applied around the Washington Park Neighborhood, Beverly J. Martin School,
Immaculate Conception School and the Greater Ithaca Activities Center, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is responsible for the streets of the city and
shares the Council’s objective of mitigating the negative impacts of traffic on residential
neighborhoods through rigorous enforcement of traffic laws, the construction of
engineered traffic calming devices where appropriate, public education, and proper
planning and coordination of land use, and
Board of Public Works – April 13, 2005 - Page 5
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WHEREAS, the City’s Planning Department has bid construction of traffic calming
devices for the Washington Park area three times, with a fourth bid planned for May
2005 which they believe will lead to a BPW award in June and construction in the
summer of 2005, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs DPW staff to provide support to the
Planning staff in their efforts to obtain a successful bid for the current proposed traffic
calming projects and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board requests staff assist them in mitigating the negative
impacts of traffic by assisting them in recognizing opportunities, needed resources or
prioritized projects which will help improve conditions in residential neighborhoods as
well as safer transportation modes city wide.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding what money is left for traffic calming
measures because the Board is reluctant to approve projects where there is a question
about funding. Mayor Peterson explained that some of the funding for these traffic
calming projects would be coming from CDBG monies and that there is other money
available as well. She further stated that this Board would review the bids for the traffic
calming projects and would be the body approving the Award of Bids.
Amending Resolution:
By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Dotson
RESOLVED, That the following language be added to the Resolution:
“RESOLVED, That the Board requests the Controller to review available funding for
these projects and report to the Board before the Award of Bids.”
Carried Unanimously
Main Motion As Amended:
A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
16. CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS:
A. Approval of Proposed Adopt-A-Park Program - Resolution
By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Chapman
WHEREAS, the members of the City of Ithaca Parks Commission (hereafter referred to
as the Commission) have long been concerned with the steadily decreasing resources
targeted for our city parks, and
WHEREAS, the Commission recognizes the need to develop creative low cost solutions
to assist the Department of Public Works in the maintenance and upkeep of our parks
and natural areas, and
WHEREAS, the Commission has prepared a Public Information Packet, an Application,
an Adopt-A-Park Agreement, a Volunteer Agreement, a Volunteer Agreement For Minor
Participants, Safety Recommendations, and a City of Ithaca Adopt-A-Park Brochure,
which have been reviewed by the City Attorney’s office, and
WHEREAS, on February 2, 2005, the Commission presented the same information to
the Board of Public Works (BPW) for review and comment, and
WHEREAS, Planning Staff, at the direction of the BPW, revised the information, and
WHEREAS, on February 8, 2005, the Commission reviewed the revised document and
accepted the revisions suggested by the BPW, and
WHEREAS, on March 8, 2005, the BPW reviewed the revised documents; now
therefore be it
Board of Public Works – April 13, 2005 - Page 6
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RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works adopts the City of Ithaca Adopt-a-Park
program as presented by the City of Ithaca Parks Commission.
Carried Unanimously
B Request Budget Adjustments for Fall Creek High Water Expenses - Resolution
By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca experienced high water levels in Fall Creek in late
January 2005 which resulted from the accumulation of ice in the creek between Lake
Street and Cayuga Lake created by unusually cold weather and related extraordinary
circumstances starting about January 18, 2005 acting on water coming over Ithaca
Falls, and
WHEREAS, the high water levels were accompanied by high ground water levels in
properties adjacent to Fall Creek resulting in water in basements and fear of flooding in
the neighborhood should the creek levee be damaged or topped, and
WHEREAS, the Acting Mayor, in consultation with several departments commendably
activated the Emergency Operations Center at the Ithaca Fire Department to facilitate
the City’s response to the threatening conditions; to coordinate responding actions of
the City’s Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Public Works and City
Clerk, as well as the American Red Cross; to improve communication between those
entities and their communications with the County and State Emergency Management
Offices, as well as communications with city elected officials, the public and the media,
and
WHEREAS, The Mayor later ratified the foregoing and followed through with additional
steps, and
WHEREAS, the actions taken by those departments to mitigate damage resulted in a
substantial impact to several department budgets including significant direct out of
pocket expenses for material purchased and equipment rentals, which are unbudgeted
expenses and must now be paid, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests that the Common Council
reimburse the direct expenses as compiled by the City Controller estimated to be
$35,988.00, to the various departments based on the Controller’s breakdown of
expenses so that they can complete their 2005 work plans and be it further,
RESOLVED, That the Board thanks the Mayor, the Acting Mayor, the Police
Department, Fire Department, City Clerk’s office, the American Red Cross, the
Department of Public Works and all other cooperating departments, agencies, and
people for their help in avoiding, limiting, and repairing damages and responding to the
community’s needs.
Carried Unanimously
17. WATER AND SEWER:
17A. Award of Bids for Materials for Water & Sewer Construction Projects -
Resolution
By Commissioner Chapman: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, the attached bids summarized were opened March 3, 2005 at 3:00PM for
many different categories of materials to support the 2005 work program
WHEREAS, the bids for aggregate materials were not awarded March 9, 2005 pending
further review of bids and those bidders were subsequently erroneously notified that the
bids were rejected now therefore be it
RESOLVED, by the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works to award the following low bids
meeting specification received:
BID 5 to Angelo’s Sand & Gravel, 226 Cecil A. Malone Drive, Ithaca, New York 14850
for a low bid of $100,100.00
Board of Public Works – April 13, 2005 - Page 7
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BID 5.1 to Angelo’s Sand & Gravel, 226 Cecil A. Malone Drive, Ithaca, New York 14850
for a low bid of $68,750.00
BID 6 to Angelo’s Sand & Gravel or Paolangeli Contractor, Newfield Pit, 226 Cecil A.
Malone Drive, Ithaca, New York 14850 for a low bid of $78,750.00
BID 6.1 to Angelo’s Sand & Gravel or Paolangeli Contractor, Newfield Pit, 226 Cecil
A. Malone Drive, Ithaca, New York 14850 for a low bid of $42,750.00
BID 7 to University Sand & Gravel, 13 Perkins Road, Brooktondale, New York 14817
for a low bid of $27,600.00
BID 7.1 to University Sand & Gravel, 13 Perkins Road, Brooktondale, New York 14817
for a low bid of $16,800.00
BID 8 to Cayuga Crushed Stone, Inc., P.O. Box 41, Portland Point Road, Lansing, N.Y.
14882 for a low bid of $43600.00
BID 8.1 to Cayuga Crushed Stone, Inc., P.O. Box 41, Portland Point Road, Lansing,
N.Y. 14882 for a low bid of $32,000.00
Carried Unanimously
18. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS:
A. Thank You to Gossa Tsegaye - Resolution
By Commissioner Chapman: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, Gossa Tsegaye was appointed to the Board of Public Works on February
6, 2002 and served as Vice Chair of the Board through December 2004, and
WHEREAS, Gossa brought his experience and concern for quality communication with
the public, his sense of fairness in programs involving individuals, and a strong
motivation to improve conditions for the public at large, and
WHEREAS, Gossa’s strong sense of public involvement resulted in close review of
public input to the Board and strengthened projects for the public, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works thanks Gossa Tsegaye for his leadership,
insight, creativity, and passion for public issues during his three years on the Board.
Each Board member offered their sincere thanks to Gossa.
Commissioner Schlather stated that he was humbled and energized by Gossa’s grasp
of issues, his passion and his sense of strong community. He was a persistent and
extremely efficient Board member and we will miss him.
Mayor Peterson stated that she also enjoyed working with Gossa and that she wishes
him well. She stated that Gossa is working on several new projects to serve the
community, especially at Southside Community Center.
NEW BUSINESS:
Commissioner Schlather stated that a constituent has asked him several times when
the clock tower on the east side of the Commons would be repaired.
Asst. Supt. of Streets & Facilities Ferrel stated that he is not sure of current status of
repairs. He put in a request five to six years ago for a capital project to replace the
internal components. That request was turned down by the previous administration. He
will check with the City Electrician to see what can be done.
Board of Public Works – April 13, 2005 - Page 8
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Commissioner Dotson stated that she has noticed an improvement in the traffic signals
downtown.
Commissioner Chapman stated that he wanted to make sure that there would be ADA
conformity with current construction projects, ramps, textures, and methods around
construction zones. This is an important issue and benefits all pedestrians.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Sarah L. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson
Information Management Specialist Mayor