HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2006-06-07Approved 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 4:45 p.m. June 7, 2006
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Commissioners (5) – Chapman, Dotson, Jenkins, Romanoff, Wykstra
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
DAC Liaison – Roberts
Executive Assistant – Grunder
Deputy City Controller – Andrew
EXCUSED:
Commissioner Schlather
REDBUD WOODS
Ben Nichols from the Red Bud Woods Group reported to the Board that the group is
seeking to have a plaque placed near the former site of Red Bud Woods, which they
plan to pay for. He stated that he does not understand why it is taking so long to get the
Board’s approval for the plaque.
Supt. Gray stated the he is in opposition to the placement of the plaque and because of
the precedent the Board would be setting. He further voiced his concern about the
potential damage this could do to the relationship between the City and Cornell
University. He noted that it would be hard to justify this plaque without justifying a
plaque for every piece of natural area that was lost to development. Many of the Board
members voiced their agreement with Supt. Gray’s comments.
LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR CITY PROPERTY FEE STRUCTURE
Supt. Gray reported to the Board on how license fees for City property have been
calculated in the past and stated that the fee structure needs to be revised. A State
Auditor and a recent request for a new license at 136 Terrace Hill raised this issue. The
State Auditor determined that the license fees do not reflect the actual value of the
property but instead provide the City with an economical value for the use of the land.
City Attorney Hoffman reported that the license agreement for Terrace Place is a unique
situation for the Board to address at this time because the property is up for approval of
subdivision at the next Planning Board Meeting.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the use of land and how subdivisions may
affect license agreements entered into by the City.
The Board agreed that the City Attorney’s office should review the current license fee
structure before any new license agreements are approved.
PROPOSED TEMPORARY DISC GOLF COURSE
Supt. Gray reported that Cutter Cramton is seeking to create a 1-year pilot 9-hole disc
golf course in the Strawberry Fields Park behind Belle Sherman Elementary School. He
further reported that Mr. Crampton is working with the Parks Commission to establish
this course.
ENTRANCE SIGN TO CONLEY PARK
Supt. Gray reported that there has been a request to install an entrance sign to Conley
Park, which depicts the dedication of the park to former Mayor Edward J. Conley. He
distributed a copy of the newspaper photo of the sign that was taken at the dedication
Board of Public Works – June 7, 2006 - Page 2
ceremony showing former Mayor Conley with his daughter, City Clerk Julie Conley
Holcomb. He stated that he would draft a resolution confirming the dedication and the
placement of the sign.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding uniform signage for City parks.
INLET ISLAND TRASH
Supt. Gray reported that there has been a request for public trashcans on Inlet Island
from a property owner. He further reported that public trashcans were removed from
City streets and parks after the county adopted a tagging system for solid waste
removal with the exception of cans for the Collegetown and Commons Areas. This
action was taken in the early 1990’s as a result of significant amounts of household
trash being dumped in public cans. In response to requests by several commercial
properties, the Board adopted a policy of allowing public trashcans that were sponsored
by businesses.
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities Ferrel stated that there is no longer a
sponsorship system in the City.
The Board was in agreement that there should be further investigation into the need for
public trashcans in certain areas of the City.
THURSTON AVENUE BRIDGE DETOUR IMPACTS
Supt Gray reported that since the start of the Thurston Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation
Project, complaints have been made about unsafe driving on the detour routes. He
stated that this should not be an issue the Board deals with but rather a police
enforcement issue.
The Board was in agreement that this issue needed to be forwarded to, and addressed
by the Ithaca Police Department.
GREEN GARAGE RENOVATION – BIDS DUE JUNE 6, 2006
Supt. Gray reported that under State law, contracts over a certain dollar amount are
required to go out to bid. He further reported that the City couldn’t award the bid for
reconstruction of the Green Garage without awarding the bid for demolition phase of the
project. The City was unsuccessful in getting bids for the two projects combined. They
will be sent out as two separate bids. He further stated that the garage reconstruction
should be completed by November of 2007 providing the City is able to award bids late
in the Fall of 2006.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Deborah A. Grunder Carolyn K. Peterson
Executive Assistant Mayor