HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2005-09-21Approved on April 18, 2007
Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole Meeting
j:\committee files\bpw\2005\09-21-05 bpw minutes.doc
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:45 p.m. September 21, 2005
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Commissioners (5) - Chapman, Dotson, Jenkins, Romanoff, Schlather
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
DAC Liaison – Roberts
Executive Assistant – Grunder
Deputy City Controller – Andrew
City Environmental Engineer – Gibson
Jim Marshall – 111 Cottage Place
Mike Richter – Willow Avenue
111 COTTAGE PLACE – REQUEST FOR SERVICE
Supt. Gray reported to the Board that Jim Marshall, owner of 111 Cottage Place, would
like to have the Board review the history of his water service and City policy. Water and
Sewer records show the water service for 111 Cottage Place starts at a water tap in
Columbia Street and is constructed of old iron pipe buried on rock too shallow to avoid
freezing. He explained that this has been the source of expensive repairs for the city
over the years.
Supt. Gray reported that City policy states that the City will only take over the water
service in the right-of-way if the service is upgraded to meet City standards; in this case,
copper pipe at the proper burial depth. He further reported that the owner opted to
install a well in 1996, but this has not been satisfactory, and he is once more seeking
City water service with the City participating in the cost of installation.
Supt. Gray explained that Cottage Place and Renzetti Place are treated as driveways,
not opened City streets and the City never accepted the utilities and the pavement as
dedicated public improvements. Both parcels of land were acquired in a tax sale in 1935
and consequently subdivided and developed. He stated that the City would provide
water service “to the curb” if the improvements had been installed to City standards and
accepted as part of a public street, these were not. He stated that this policy is to insure
that the original cost of improvements would be the responsibility of the developer
and/or property owners.
Supt. Gray reported that while the policy is clear, Mr. Marshall would like the Board to
review the matter.
Mr. Marshall reported to the Board that he believes that the need for his well and the
project he is currently requesting would not have been necessary had the City installed
Thermal Boards in the 1990 repair. He further stated that his property is the only one in
the City with a stretch of 280’ from the curb box, and that is why he is requesting
financial assistance.
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer Fabbroni stated that protection provided
by the installation of thermal boards is not always effective.
Alderperson Coles stated that this topic should be taken into consideration and
addressed at a later meeting.
Commissioner Romanoff agreed that there needed to be further discussion and input
from the City attorney’s office.
Board of Public Works – September 21, 2005 - Page 2
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CASCADILLA CREEK RETAINING WALL REPAIRS - COMPLAINTS
Supt. Gray reported that Mr. Richter has sent numerous letters to the City regarding the
unfinished work on the Cascadilla Creek retaining wall repairs. He noted that this work
is not essential and that it may be a long time before the City will pull out another
section of the creek wall for repairs. Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities
Ferrel does not currently have the resources he needs to do the work that Mr. Richter is
requesting.
Mayor Peterson asked what it would take to finish this job.
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities Ferrel reported that if there were no
interruptions it would take between 5-8 weeks but also stated that staff would have to be
pulled from other jobs as the project is extremely labor intensive.
Discussion followed on the floor with regard to the shortages of staffing in the
Department of Public Works and the need to finish a job that has already been started.
105 KING STREET – RECYCLING VIOLATION
Supt. Gray reported that Ms. Nigro requested that the Board review her appeal against
charges for a recycling violation.
Commissioner Romanoff reported that a subcommittee has been created to handle
trash appeals so the Board does not need to deal with this item.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Deborah Grunder Carolyn K. Peterson
Executive Assistant Mayor