HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2005-07-13Approved on September 20, 2006
Board of Public Works Meeting
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:45p.m. July 13, 2005
PRESENT:
Commissioners: (5) Chapman, Dotson, Jenkins, Romanoff, and Schlather
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works – Gray
Asst. Superintendent of Streets & Facilities – Ferrel
Common Council Liaison – Coles
Executive Assistant – Grunder
Rob Cutting – Cutting Motors, Inc.
EXCUSED:
Mayor Peterson
Superintendent for Water and Sewers – Fabbroni
DAC Liaison – Roberts
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Acting Chair Dotson led all present in the Pledge Allegiance to the American Flag. Meeting
called to order at 4:50 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Nancy Schuler, 110 Ferris Place, addressed the Board regarding the sidewalk in front of the new
Hilton Hotel on Seneca Street. Sidewalk bumps out into the street – a possible tripping hazard.
Supt. Gray responded that this was approved through the site-plan review process. It was not
handled by Public Works. Gray will look into what to do next, but suggested that the Board
members walk over there to take a look.
Commissioner Schlather requested the record to reflect that he is abstaining from any discussion
on the hotel project due to a conflict of interest.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 4, May 11, and May 18 (distributed 6/8/05)
By Commissioner Schlather; seconded by Commissioner Romanoff.
Unanimously Approved 5-0
ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS:
Supt. Gray added two discussion items from last week’s agenda under “New Business”
1. Waste Water Treatment Plant Operating Agreements – Added to New Business
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2. Creation of Position of Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer
Commissioner Jenkins added ‘Signage for Southside’ under New Business.
Commissioner Romanoff asked to add a discussion of the Board’s Work in Progress List under
Unfinished Business.
Commissioner Chapman asked for an update on the Dog Park.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
A. Sidewalk Installation on the 300 block of Elmira Road – PUBLIC HEARING
By Commissioner Schlather, seconded by Commissioner Jenkins opened the public hearing
Supt. Gray stated that the letter to the property owners went out too late. In order to provide
ample time to notify property owners well in advance of the public hearing, he suggested that the
hearing be delayed until the next Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Rob Cutting, Cutting Motors, Inc., the only Elmira Road property owner present, asked the
Board to postpone the hearing to allow property owners to attend.
By Commissioner Schlather, seconded by Commissioner Romanoff to continue the public
hearing at the Committee of the Whole Meeting of August 3, 2005, and give us Power-to-Act
with respect to any necessary action of this Board following that public hearing.
Unanimously Approved 5-0
REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON:
Maria Coles stated that she, Dan Cogan, and the Mayor reported to Common Council about the
report that was made here about the Water Treatment Plant. Common Council expressed
wanting to work with this Board cooperatively. There was never any mention of trying to assert
who is in control of what turf. There was mentioned having a joint meeting to discuss the Water
Treatment Plant.
Commissioner Schlather suggested that this should be added on an upcoming agenda to get this
process going. This Board has to make some preliminary determinations as to which option we
would like to go with. This will trigger the environmental review that is to go forward. We are
under tight time constraints because in order to meet water quality standards that are expected
from the Federal Government, we must implement this by 2008.
It was Alderperson Coles’ understanding that Scott Gibson was going to look into moving both
proposals along for environmental review. Coles suggest that the Board talk to Scott Gibson
before preparing the agenda.
Commissioner Dotson stated no one at this time has claimed lead agency and has said, “go
ahead” in an official way. I think what Commissioner Schlather is asking for is someone should
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say, “let’s do this” in an officially voting way.
Commissioner Schlather commented that was correct. The Water Commission reported a
consensus, which indicated that the significant majority was that we rebuild on the existing site
or that was the preferred option but an alternate site continues to be explored, which was the
Bolton Point Site.
The Water Committee only had the power of recommendation, and it was then reporting to this
Board unless Council usurps our authority, this Board has authority to create lead agency status
and direct the commencement of environmental review as well as the scope of that review.
Supt. Gray stated under the Charter, this Board has the responsibility. We need to involve
Council because of the policy ramifications of this particular decision. They are the funding
body.
Coles suggested that before this group sets up a meeting that sends out the signal that you are
ready be lead agency on this, (1) Carolyn should be involved in the decision and (2) have a
conversation with members of Common Council so we don’t set up some adversarial
relationship without really meaning to.
Commissioner Schlather agreed with that sentiment. He is very clear when he says that if
Common Council wants to do this, just take it over, but then the BPW is not doing it. He just
wants to make sure it gets done. His concern is the timeframe. He suggests putting this on our
agenda for discussion. Scott Gibson can then report at the Committee of the Whole, which is the
first Wednesday in August. He suggests we get on board with the discussion making.
Coles suggested we wait for Carolyn’s return to schedule the meeting.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF:
A letter the Board received about a small dog being attacked by an off-leash dog and later died
triggered a discussion of the status of the Dog Park. After a brief discussion, it was clarified that
Supt. Gray will send the Dog Park coordinators a letter giving them the go ahead to install the
Dog Park fencing.
Supt. Gray spoke on all the traffic disruption in the north end namely the NYSEG remediation
project, our traffic-calming project, and the signal project produced an overlap of things. The
Fire Department and Police Department were unhappy because they “couldn’t get there from
here.”
Supt. Gray is also working on pulling the 2006 budget together including Water & Sewer.
Sidewalk project is going on, the retaining wall on South Cayuga Street is complete, and the City
is currently in negotiations with the gas company regarding the bank of the backside of the
traffic circle and what restoration of their land will consist of.
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REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT – STREETS & FACILITIES:
Rick Ferrel reported on the following items:
The concrete diverters at Center and Plain Streets have been moved back farther from the
crosswalk.
The highway crew milled off the whole length of Eddy Street.
Paving from Eddygate down to almost Seneca Street has been done.
NYSEG held up the crews on Seneca Street.
Plans to finish paving on Eddy Street will be completed in the middle of next week,
weather permitting.
Edgemoor Lane, which has been a problem for a number of years has been stripped off
and paved.
Next week, a section of East State Street from the east City line down to Bridge Street
will be milled. It’s in very poor shape.
Water and Sewer has completed their work on the section of First Street between Adams
and Hancock.
S&F crews can move in there at any time. There is no crew right now to assign there.
NYSEG will be finished on the 300 Block of Court Street next week.
That block will then be open for S&F to move into.
The plan is to move the crew working on Edgemoor right now to Court Street.
There is a short list of a day or two long jobs to be done, but no crews are available.
Rainy weather delayed the paving of Edgemoor Lane. It took crews about a week to pull
that back together.
The carosel is up and running. Our income is above average.
The 2006 budget proposal is underway. The guidelines are to prepare a 0% and a 3.5%. There
are a lot of areas that the 3.5% can be applied to.
If the fuel bills through the end of June this year stay at the current rate, there will be
$32,000 shortage in those accounts.
Projected fuel expenses for 2006 will need to be increased
Utility lines are pretty well on target.
The equipment replacement schedule is way behind. There is a list of things that are due
or are past due that total $775,000. Some equipment is being added back into the
operating account. A fair amount (more than average) is being asked for as a capital
purchase.
We are asking for four (4) positions to be reinstated into the budget with a 3.5% proposal.
We are trying to boost some of the accounts currently running in the red.
Our maintenance budget has already been expended this year by elevators and the Seneca
Street ramp.
Prices for parking tickets for the magnetic stripe cards that are used keep increasing. The
number we use has also increased. The budget will need to be boosted in this area.
A proposal for Dryden Road equipment is quite a bit higher than anticipated. The system does
close the loop as far as having 24-hour gate closing. One will pay one way or the other. It can
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be operated fully automated or attendant operated with prox card gates for permits. Still waiting
for those numbers.
Commissioner Schlather brought up a few things he has observed recently. He stated there is a
problem with the timing of the cross over lights at the intersection of Green, State, and Seneca
Streets. If one is heading from Green Street crossing over State Street to Seneca Street, the cross
over light is open for a longer period of time than it was previously. The westbound State Street
traffic can continue to pass through. There is some westbound State Street traffic, but not as
nearly the amount that is getting backed up on Green Street. Cars wait two to four cycles in
order to get across that particular intersection. The timing needs to be adjusted.
Commissioner Schlather also thanked whoever put the lights in the sculptures on the West End.
They are now operating. He is also very pleased with the carousel. What he observed was they
wouldn’t take any money from the adults. They would only take from the child. As a taxpayer,
he thinks the adults who ride the carousel with a child should be charged too.
Alderperson Coles extended her thanks for the incredible work that has been done on Elm Street.
BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, REFUSE, AND TRANSIT:
A. Award of Bid for Power Sweeper – RESOLUTION
By Commissioner Schlather, seconded by Commissioner Jenkins.
WHEREAS, Bids were received on July 6, 2005, for a power sweeper used on the Commons
and in the municipal parking garages and lots. The sweeper is included in the equipment
replacement schedule for the 2005 budget. Funding for the purchase is included in the 2005
Capital Project for equipment replacements, #483. Three bids were received.
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the submitted bids and compared the proposed equipment with
our published requirements, now therefore be it,
RESOLVED, that Tennant Sales and Service Company, 701 North Lilac Drive, PO Box 1452,
Minneapolis, MN 55410, be awarded the sweeper purchase for their bid of $23,822.30 as the
lowest submitted price for a machine meeting the required specifications, and be it further,
RESOLVED, that the Assistant Superintendent for Streets and Facilities be authorized to
execute the purchase agreement.
Unanimously Approved 5-0
HIGHWAYS, STREETS, AND SIDEWALKS:
A. Award of Bid for Concrete Curb Installation – RESOLUTION
Moved and Seconded
WHEREAS, Bids were received on July 6, 2005, for placement of slip formed concrete curbing
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for DPW reconstruction projects on West Court Street and First Street. Two bids were
submitted. Funds for the work are budgeted in the Highway Section operating account, A5111-
483.
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the submitted bids, now therefore be it,
RESOLVED, that Michael McConnell Concrete, Inc., 3600 Walters Road, Syracuse, NY 13209
be awarded concrete curb replacement for the bid document specified locations at their low bid
price of $6.50 per linear foot with an estimated total cost of $25,220.00.
Unanimously Approved 5-0
UNFINISHED BUSINESS LIST:
How do we track it?
Enter them on a list
Categorize them, etc.
Supt. Gray suggested to the Board that they try to come up with a list. Commissioner Schlather
suggested that the unfinished business list be added to each BPW agenda or at least once a
month. Board will go through the past business at each meeting. It will determine what should
stay on the list and what can be taken off.
NEW BUSINESS:
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operating Agreements:
Supt. Gray explained there are two operational agreements associated with the Wastewater Plant
in addition to the three (3) other Intermunicipal Agreements that Common Council handled and
the differences between them. They are all supposed to sign on them. During a conversation
with the City Attorney’s Office, the Board of Public Works cannot sign an agreement with the
Town of Ithaca but Common Council can.
Supt. Gray would like the Board to give themselves Power-to-Act. He will bring a resolution
back to the Board next week, which basically recommends the approval of those agreements by
Council. He further stated that there aren’t any surprises in the agreements.
Moved and seconded to give the Board Power-to-Act at the next Committee of the Whole
Meeting of August 20, 2005, and give the Board Power-to-Act to give a recommendation
regarding the Wastewater Treatment Plant agreements to Council.
Unanimously Approved 5-0
Creation of Position of Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer
Supt. Gray will bring a proposal to the Board to create a second Assistant Superintendent of
Water and Sewer. There is currently one individual who is quite talented, and there is one
individual who will retire in the near future. There is a significant workload at Water and Sewer
due to all the capital construction, all of the water plant, and wastewater construction. Water and
Sewer can carry this level of supervision, and it will also allow us to keep a person on board who
the City does not want to lose.
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Moved by Commissioner Schlather, seconded by Commissioner Jenkins to give the Board
Power-to-Act to give a recommendation to Common Council to create a second Assistant
Superintendent of Water and Sewer.
Unanimously Approved 5-0
Signage for Southside
Commissioner Jenkins reported that there is no signage “Children at Play” at the Southside
Community Center. No traffic calming. Vehicles are still driving through the area at 30-35
mph, and there is no speed bump.
Supt. Gray stated that the sidewalks went in instead of a speed bump, which was funded by grant
money obtained by the IURA. There isn’t money to construct a raised intersection.
Alderperson Coles suggested perhaps speed limit signs would work. Supt. Gray commented that
the law is written for school zones, and he has tried to extend it for daycare centers, etc.
Supt. Gray indicated that “Children at Play” signs are not usually found in residential areas. He
views the Southside area as residential. Gray suggests using a different type of sign such as
“Slow Down” or “Traffic Calming Device in Use.”
Commissioner Romanoff said residents are driving carelessly because one cannot maneuver any
more because of “over information.” It is very chaotic on some streets.
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Dotson moved, seconded by Commissioner Jenkins. The meeting was adjourned
at 6:45 p.m.
___________________________________ __________________________________
Deborah A. Grunder Carolyn K. Peterson
Executive Assistant Mayor