HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2005-11-09Approved on December 20, 2006
Board of Public Works Meeting
j:\committee files\bpw\2005\11-09-05 bpw minutes.doc
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. November 9, 2005
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Commissioners (5) – Chapman, Dotson, Jenkins, Romanoff, Schlather
EXCUSED:
Common Council Liaison – Coles
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works – Gray
Assistant Superintendent, Streets and Facilities – Ferrel
Assistant Superintendent, Water and Sewer – Fabbroni
DAC Liaison – Roberts
Executive Assistant – Grunder
Pledge of Allegiance:
Mayor Peterson led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. Meeting was
called to order at 4:55 p.m.
MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS:
The Mayor stated Common Council passed the 2006 Budget including the forestry position.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Three people from the public addressed the Board with their thoughts regarding the Redbud
Woods Plaque:
Elizabeth Sanders, 16 The Byway, Ithaca
________Grossman, 246 Valley Road, Ithaca
Michael Latham, Cornell Professor
RESPONSE TO PUBLIC:
Commissioner Romanoff asked to see the proposed wording for the plaque. Elissa
Wolfson provided her samples of the text being suggested.
Commissioner Schlather stated that Cornell, being the property owner, as a courtesy
should be notified of the wording.
Mayor Peterson stated she would be meeting with Cornell this Friday, November 11.
WATER AND SEWER:
A. The meeting moved to Dan Hoffman reporting on behalf of the Natural Areas
Commission on the water supply at Six-Mile Creek Natural Area. Some of the points
that concern the Commission are:
The decision the City is making on the water supply will affect the Six-Mile
Creek Area.
What will happen to the natural area at Six-Mile Creek if it is not used as a water
supply?
The Commission would like to be informed of all information circulated
regarding the water supply.
They strongly believe that a full environmental review at the beginning of the
project not at the end should be done prior to committing to a new water supply.
If the City rules out an EAF, that would eliminate a number of steps that should
be followed.
Superintendent Gray stated that the City put this area into operation as a water
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Board of Public Works Meeting
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supply maintained and serving as a watershed. There are laws that need to be
followed to return it to a Natural Area, i.e., taking the dams out, etc. The
Commission sees it as natural areas with a watershed. The City sees it as
watershed with natural areas.
The Mayor asked for questions and/or comments:
Commissioner Romanoff stated she’s still confused as to how the EAF should be
handled. It is unclear as to who will be lead agency – Common Council or Board
of Public Works?
Dan Hoffman stated that the commission thinks Common Council should be lead
agency as they are the elected body for the City.
B. Wastewater Plant Operations
Resolution to Authorize Waste Hauler Contract at IAWWTP
Moved by Commissioner Dotson; seconded by Commissioner Romanoff.
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant was designed to serve the needs of the
owners’ wastewater needs as well as to process septage from the outlining communities, and
WHEREAS, in its last 18 years of operations, the plant has successfully expanded its scope of
services to provide a broader environmental benefit by processing some specialty wastes such as
landfill leachates, biologic wastes, or construction wastes, which cannot be discharged to the
environment without cleaning, and
WHEREAS, a new set of operating contracts have been developed and reviewed, which conform to
federal, state, and local laws, which are designed to protect the environment, people, and the plant
itself, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Chief Operator is authorized to sign agreements to treat hauled waste at the
treatment plant which meet all the requirements of the contracts, do not interfere with the day-to-day
operation of the plant, provide adequate revenues to reimburse the owners as well as charge a rate
which provides a strong economic incentive for the waste generators to control and minimize their
wastes.
Carried Unanimously (6–0)
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF:
Both Assistant Superintendents Ferrel and Fabbroni provided information to the Board on their
projects and answered any questions from the Board.
UNFINISHED BUSNESS:
A. 2005 Budget, Review and Staff Comments
Superintendent Gray, Assistant Superintendent Ferrel, and Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni all
stated they were very pleased with the passed 2006 budget.
B. Continuing Projects List
The Board was provided with the “unfinished list” which was reviewed. Changes were noted. The
list will be updated and distributed at the next regular meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
2006 Work Program – Superintendent Gray provided the Board with the first report (his
notes) from the City DPW staff meeting outlining the 2006 Work Program in the three different
areas within the Department of Public Works, namely Streets and Facilities, Water and Sewer,
and Capital Projects. He plans to provide this report on a regular basis.
Thurston Avenue Bridge – Power-to-Act – November 16 meeting.
Moved by Commissioner Schlather; seconded by Commissioner Dotson.
Carried Unanimously (6–0)
South Aurora Street Bridge – Scheduled for 2007. Presentation will be given at the
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November 16 meeting. Public meeting scheduled for November 20.
Coddington Road Project – A request came from Ithaca Town Supervisor Cathy
Valentino for the City’s input on this project. Power-to-Act moved by Commissioner
Schlather; seconded by Commissioner Dotson.
Carried Unanimously (6-0)
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Schlather moved to adjourn at 6:53 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Dotson.
_____________________________ __________________________
Deborah A. Grunder Carolyn K. Peterson
Executive Assistant Mayor