HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2006-01-18Approved on May 9, 2007
Board of Public Works Regular Meeting
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:50 p.m. January 18, 2006
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Commissioners (3) – Dotson, Jenkins, Schlather
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works – Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Ferrel
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney
Common Council Liaison – Coles
Executive Assistant – Grunder
Deputy City Controller -- Andrew
EXCUSED:
Commissioners – Chapman and Romanoff
DAC Liaison – Roberts
CAYUGA LAKE WATERFRONT TRAIL UPDATE
Supt. Gray reported on the Cayuga Lake Waterfront Trail project and stated that it will
return to the Board for votes in the future.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the path that the trail will follow and the
properties that would need to provide easements to the City for the continuation of the
trail.
TRUCKS ON STATE STREET – COMMERCIAL VEHICLES CITY WIDE
Supt. Gray stated that the City has a long history of dealing with trucks on City streets.
He further stated that this issue has resurfaced with renewed citizen complaints about
noise from “Jake brakes” on East State Street. He further stated that noise from
compression braking can be significant if it is not muffled and several residents want
immediate relief from the noise. The Ithaca Police Department is working to determine
what is legal, what is readily enforceable and what safety questions may come up. He
reported that the Ithaca Police Department has a broader range of issues they would
like to address with the big trucks and the intermediate commercial vehicles on City
streets. They have problems with overweight vehicles, over-long vehicles, vehicles too
big for Collegetown, delivery vehicles making deliveries at unsafe times, and several
more issues that need to be addressed.
FORESTRY GRANTS – REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST
Supt. Gray reported that City Forester Hillman needs a resolution from the Board to
include in the paperwork that needs to be submitted for the 2005 tree-planting grant of
$10,000. Mayor Peterson has called for a special meeting of the Board for January 18,
2006, to meet the January 20, 2006, deadline.
SNOW REMOVAL PROCEDURES – GENERAL OVERVIEW
Supt. Gray reported that the Building Department had issued 150 tickets after the last
snowfall for sidewalks that were not cleaned.
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities Ferrel stated that he has requested
one (1) sidewalk snowplow, at a cost of $60,000 - $70,000.
Supt. Gray reported that while the City has a large selection of equipment, which is
capable of clearing sidewalks, but all is much slower than the requested equipment.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the City’s priorities in regard to clearing
sidewalks and whether jobs should be redesigned or if equipment should be purchased. In
addition, there was discussion as to whether or not contracting out with private contractors
would be a good alternative to assist the City in clearing sidewalks of snow and ice.
Board of Public Works – January 18, 2006 - Page 2
WATER AND SEWER SERVICES TO PRIVATE PROPERTY
Supt Gray reported that in the process of installing all the new water and sewer mains
along First Street and a portion of Cascadilla Street, the City has replaced the street
portions of most of the water and sewer laterals. Property owners were notified and
given a chance to upgrade their services at the same time, but some owners who did
not sign up had new services installed and a bill was generated. He stated that under
Board of Public Works rules, the City could replace a leaky or defective service if it
uncovers it while they are doing work. This project will continue up Aurora Street.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Deborah A. Grunder Carolyn K. Peterson
Executive Assistant Mayor