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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2006-07-19BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Committee of the Whole Meeting 5:00 p.m. July 19, 2006 PRESENT: Commissioners (4) -Dotson, Romanoff, Schlather, Wykstra OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Deputy City Controller - Andrew Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer –Whitney Common Council Liaison – Coles DAC Liaison – Roberts Executive Assistant - Grunder EXCUSED: Mayor Peterson Commissioners Jenkins and Chapman DRYDEN ROAD GARAGE UPDATE Assistant City Engineer West and City Clerk Holcomb updated the Board on the Dryden Road Garage project. They reported that many meetings have been held regarding the options for closure of the garage with landlords and merchants as many of them are very upset about the proposed start date for the project. Assistant City Engineer West reported that the work could be postponed until after Labor Day with a proposed project completion date of late October, if there is a full closure of the garage. He stated that this option would have a large impact on the cost of the project. Another option is to delay the work until the 2007 construction season. This option factors in that additional repairs will need to be made, and the cost for the project may increase considerably. He further noted that the bids for the project have already been awarded and signed contracts are in place. Supt. Gray recommended that the Board consider a September 5, 2006 start date for the project if the proposed August 24, 2006 start date needs to be changed. He stated that postponing the work could result in a loss of workers to other jobs, which would prolong the closure of the garage. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the impact of the closure of the garage on the projected revenue the City would normally collect during this time of year. Commissioner Romanoff inquired about what guarantees the City has from the contractor to complete the work if the project is postponed until 2007. Supt. Gray stated that there is a signed contact in place so there is the expectation that they will do the work next year but, the increased costs due to postponement will have to be renegotiated. The Board recommended that the City postpone the work until 2007. GREEN STREET GARAGE RENOVATIONS AND ALTERATIONS Supt. Gray reported that the contractor for the Green Street Garage renovations and alterations is the same contractor that will be doing the repairs on the Dryden Road Garage. He stated that the Green Garage project includes demolition, rebuilding, and renovations. He further stated that due to the scope of the work and the number of individual steps involved in this project that there are numerous agreements that must be entered into. Therefore both the Mayor and Common Council must be involved to approve the costs for the project. Brief discussion followed on the floor regarding the project and the existing contracts. Board of Public Works – July 19, 2006 - Page 2 2007 BUDGET PREPARATION - REPORT Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities Ferrel reported to the Board on the 2007 DPW budget. He stated that there had been 4 retirements, amounting to a total loss of 128 years experience with the City. He stated that no new equipment is expected to be purchased in 2007. He further stated that with the increased fuel, lumber, steel, concrete, and asphalt prices it has been difficult to operate within the current budget. With projected increases for salaries, raw materials, utilities, and professional services, the department will need the proposed 3.5% increase to maintain existing programs and will find it difficult to advance programs or start new ones. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the Department of Public Works financial commitments to different projects throughout the City. ENCROACHMENT REQUEST – 733 HECTOR STREET Supt. Gray reported that there had been a request from Scott Thompson for approval of an encroachment agreement for his driveway and parking area on City land. He is requesting the encroachment agreements as part of an appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals for his property. Supt. Gray further reported that a subcommittee is working on this request and will provide recommendations for the Board at a future meeting. COMMONS PLANTERS PROPOSAL Supt. Gray stated that there is a proposal for planters to be placed on the Ithaca Commons and near West State Street from the Ithaca Downtown Partnership (IDP) using county room tax revenues for this beautification project. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the impact of the request on the appearance and the other competing uses of the Commons. The discussion was deferred pending more information regarding the placement of the planters. PARKS COMMISSION’S RESOLUTION ON DOGS AND THE FESTIVAL LANDS Supt. Gray reported that the Parks Commission forwarded a resolution they adopted concerning the TCDog request for the City to allow dogs to be off leash on the Festival Lands. This item will be placed on the August 2, 2006 agenda for discussion and possible action. SOUTH AURORA STREET SEWER UPDATE Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer Whitney reported that he expects this project should be completed by Wednesday July 26, 2006. Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities Ferrel reported that the paving crew will follow behind the Water and Sewer Department and pave Aurora Street once the sewer project is complete. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Jessica C. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson Department of Public Works Intern Mayor