HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2006-12-13BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:45 p.m. December 13, 2006
PRESENT:
Commissioners (3) - Jenkins, 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
Executive Assistant - Grunder
EXCUSED:
Commissioners Chapman, Dotson
Mayor Peterson
Common Council Liaison – Coles
DAC Liaison – Roberts
JOHNSON CONTROLS – ENERGY CONTRACT
Supt. Gray reviewed the items that the Board discussed previously including a possible
wind turbine on the City Hall building, LEED Certification, establishing SEEC
(Sustainable Energy Education and Communication) information that would be available
to the general public, and insurance.
Chris Kalwara, Johnson Controls, explained that obtaining the LEED certification is
strictly a public relations benefit. He stated that the work can be done without paying the
additional $46,000 for the certification. He further explained that they would investigate
whether LEED certification would provide lower interest rates on loans or increase the
City’s ability to obtain grants.
Superintendent Gray explained to the Board the educational value or benefit to doing
the wind turbine project and how the informaiton kiosks would help the City to
encourage similar energy conservation practices among residents.
Commissioner Schlather stated that he would support the installation of a wind turbine if
it were placed in an area where it would actually be productive but not installed on top of
City Hall.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the kiosks and education modules and the
possible benefits they would provide to the community compared to their costs.
The Board agreed to create a proposal to be voted on at the December 20, 2006, voting
meeting.
APPEALS CONTINUED FROM DECEMBER 6, 2006 MEETING
Water Bill Appeal – 207 Pleasant Street
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer Whitney reported that the owner of the
property is attempting to get the penalties on the bill waived. On May 1, 2006, the bill
was $3,176.96 compared to the normal bill of between $100 and $200. The owner
requested an adjustment to the bill on August 11; four days later Assistant
Superintendent of Water and Sewer Whitney denied the request. On November 2, 2006
the owner requested arrangements be made for installment payments and that the
penalties on the bill be waived. Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer Whitney
stated that the bill had been sent to the property owner’s home address and not to the
property that the bill is for.
Supt. Gray explained that the bill was due for payment on or before May 1, 2006. He
stated that the owner took no action on the bill until August 11, 2006 when she
requested that the bill be adjusted. He further stated that she came back in November
Board of Public Works – December 13, 2006 - Page 2
to request that she be allowed to pay the bill in installments. He reported that the City
would waive the penalties incurred on the bill if the owner makes arrangements in a
timely manner. He further stated the owner was not responsive in addressing the large
bill, nor investigating with the City the cause of the large bill and waited many months to
attempt to address the issue. He further stated that City Chamberlain Parsons had
explained to him that the charges could have been avoided had the owner been in
regular contact with the City, instead of checking in once every three months to try and
address the issue.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the lack of effort put forth by the owner in
attempting to resolve this matter with the City in a timely manner.
The Board agreed to waive the penalty that was assessed after August 11 and deny the
rest of the appeal at the December 20, 2006 meeting.
Solid Waste Fee – 108 East State Street
Commissioner Schlather stated he would recuse himself from any involvement in this
appeal.
Superintendent Gray explained that the City places the responsibility on the homeowner
to adhere to City policies for solid waste removal and that the owner cannot submit an
appeal and argue that it was the tenant’s fault for the large fees and penalties. He
further stated that if the trash is tagged on a property, it is the property owner’s
responsibility to properly tag it or if it is an illegal dump then they must report it as such.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the City’s policies on solid waste
management.
The Board agreed to deny this appeal at their December 20, 2006 meeting.
Solid Waste Fee – Tompkins County Workers Center
Supt. Gray reported that Tompkins County Workers Center put out their recycling items
on the wrong day due to a holiday.
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities Ferrel explained the City’s
policy/procedure regarding this situation. He stated that there are some holidays, which
will cause recycling to be picked up on an off day, which can be confusing to residents.
The Board reviewed the recycling guidelines brochure, which showed that the date in
question was listed as a recycling day. The Board agreed to waive the fee at the
December 20, 2006 meeting.
UPDATE ON PARKING EQUIPMENT
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities Ferrel reported on parking operations
and the new equipment. He stated that the equipment is expected to be fully operational
very soon.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the use of credit cards in the garage and in
other departments throughout the City.
Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the use of the Seneca Street Garage
by the Hilton Garden Inn. The Board discussed the possibility of using the same
equipment in all of the City Garages.
SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY CENTER – AN UPDATE
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities Ferrel reported that the Southside
Community Center building had to be evacuated and was closed on December 7, 2006.
He stated that those occupants of the building complained of headaches and irritated
throats and were taken by ambulance to the hospital where they were treated as a
possible exposure to a contaminant and isolated as a precaution and later released. He
reported that thorough testing was done over the following days and the cause of the
irritation was not found, so it is speculated that a product such as pepper spray or mace
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was released into the area. He stated that the facility was opened back up this morning
for use by the general public.
STAFF REPORTS
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities Ferrel reported that the grand opening
of the temporary off leash dog park had been held. He stated that the State removed
their dumpster for refurbishing over the winter and will be reinstalled in the Spring. He
reported that dog owners had been placing their bags of waste in the location near the
former dumpster site and hanging them on the signs. He reported that a 55-gallon drum
had been placed in the area for the collection of dog waste and will be maintained by
the employees who work on the Waterfront Trail. He further reported that there have
been requests for doggie bag dispensers to be placed for dog owner’s use.
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities Ferrel further reported on the use of
the off leash dog area and the requests and problems that have been encountered.
The Board requested that a record be kept of the problems that arise in the off leash
dog area over the one-year trial period along with the costs associated with taking care
of those problems.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the New York State Park’s stance on the dog
park.
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities Ferrel reported to the Board on the
budget outlook for this year.
Assistant Superintendent Whitney reported to the Board on the projects the Water and
Sewer Department is currently working on.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Debbie Grunder Carolyn K. Peterson
Executive Assistant Mayor