HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2006-08-16BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:55 p.m. August 16, 2006
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Commissioners (6) - Chapman, Dotson, Jenkins, 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
POWER TO ACT – REQUEST TO WAIVE STEWART PARK PAVILION
RESERVATION FEE
Supt. Gray reported that financial information for the Pud’s Run was not available on its
web page.
Commissioner Chapman stated that he would support the denial of the request to waive
the fee for reservation of the pavilion.
Commissioner Dotson arrived at the meeting at 5:01 pm.
Representatives for the Pud’s Run were not present for the meeting. Police Chief Signer
reported that they intend to withdraw the request.
Commissioner Schlather arrived at the meeting at 5:10 pm.
DOG PARK AND OFF-LEASH PROPOSAL
Supt. Gray reported that through conversations with the Regional Director of State
Parks, Jack Clancy, it appeared that the best plan would be to establish a 1-year pilot
program for an off-leash dog park.
Mayor Peterson reported to the Board that there is a request for proposals for work on
Inlet Island that includes some land (the so-called Coast Guard Site) owned by the
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The City has been attempting to
acquire the land for years. State Parks is also interested in acquiring the land in
exchange for the Festival Lands. She further stated that the State has done a great deal
of planning for the area including the Festival Lands, and has a 20-year Master Plan.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding Inlet Island and the development process.
Alderperson Coles asked if there was any other parcel of land that could be transferred
to State Parks instead of the Festival Lands parcel.
Mayor Peterson stated that Parks was determined on which parcel of land they would
transfer to the City and that there was little chance of negotiation.
Mayor Peterson stated that she would form a subcommittee that would include Planning
Board members to discuss the matter.
Supt. Gray recommended that the Board or the TCDog group look at City land located
in the Cherry Street industrial park area, with water access, for a possible alternate off-
leash dog park site.
Board of Public Works – August 16, 2006 - Page 2
DPW BUDGET SUBMISSION – DISCUSSION CONTINUED
Supt. Gray stated that he felt the City budget is not a realistic picture of the City’s total
operation costs because so much money is borrowed for capital projects. He stated that
routine maintenance has been falling behind due to budget cuts and the department has
faced reductions in the workforce, which makes the work even more difficult to
complete.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding establishing priorities and determining
realistic costs for the Department of Public Works.
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities Ferrel stated that the department
needs to stop contracting out for so much of the work, and increase the in house staff or
the department will never be able to catch up on the backlog of maintenance and other
work.
The Board requested that Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities Ferrel put
together a five-year plan, for increased street maintenance, that would include what
funding needs are for the future.
Supt. Gray stated that with or without the budget increase, the additional funding will be
spent. Over time, it will just cost more to maintain the City’s infrastructure.
Alderperson Coles suggested that the Board make a report to Common Council
detailing what will happen if the budget is not increased, and if the operating budget is
not brought back to the point where regular maintenance can be completed.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Jessica C. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson
Dept. of Public Works Intern Mayor