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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 Board of Public Works – December 13, 2006 - Page 3 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