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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2007-03-14BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. March 14, 2007 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (5) - Jenkins, Dotson, Chapman, Tripp, Wykstra OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney - Hoffman Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Common Council Liaison – Coles Executive Assistant – Grunder EXCUSED: DAC Liaison Roberts Commissioner Schlather Superintendent of Public Works Gray Mayor Peterson explained that the meeting could be opened to conduct business that did not require voting since there was not a quorum of Board members present to begin the meeting. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Peterson led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Mayor Peterson requested the addition of item 11.1 – Declaration of Lead Agency, to the agenda under Water and Sewer. She further stated that she would like to move that item up in the agenda because Deputy Director of Planning and Development Cornish was here for that item. No Board member objected. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: John Costello, Physician in the City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding the request from his medical office for additional handicap parking spaces on North Aurora Street or dedicated handicap parking spots in the Seneca Street parking garage. Commissioner Jenkins arrived at the meeting. Yenah Lempert, Lansing, on behalf of ABATE of Tompkins County, a motorcycle safety awareness and rights organization, and the Harley Owner’s Group – Finger Lakes Chapter, addressed the Board regarding the lack of motorcycle access/parking in the City of Ithaca parking garages. Ron Belles, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding the City of Ithaca Tree Ordinance, specifically a neglected city tree next to his house, and its effect on insurance coverage for his property, and the City’s financial responsibility to take care of the tree. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC: Commissioner Dotson responded to concerns raised about handicap parking spaces in the parking garages. She further responded to comments made about access for motorcycles in the parking garages. She obtained information from the organization and asked staff to distribute it to Board members and staff as appropriate for their information. Commissioner Chapman arrived at the meeting. Commissioner Tripp responded to comments made regarding the City’s tree ordinance and possible placement of that item on a future agenda. Board of Public Works – March 14, 2007- Page 2 2005 Sidewalk Assessments: Resolution to Open Public Hearing By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the public hearing regarding 2005 Sidewalk Assessments be declared open. Carried Unanimously James Orcott, Jr., City of Ithaca, addressed the Board on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Rider, regarding their objection to their 2005 sidewalk assessment. Resolution to Close Public Hearing By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the public hearing regarding 2005 Sidewalk Assessments be declared closed. Carried Unanimously Mayor Peterson stated that the Board of Public Works declared its intent to be lead agency in the matter of the decision of a new or renovated water plant or joining with Bolton Point. She explained that the following resolution follows up on the Board’s statement declaring its intention to be lead agency. Deputy Director of Planning and Development Cornish explained that because there are several involved agencies, the Board needed to declare its intention to be lead agency and notify the involved agencies in writing. They in turn agreed that the Board of Public Works would be the lead agency. This resolution is to follow up on that one to say that the Board is lead agency. She further explained that the next step is to determine the project’s environmental significance – positive or negative. She further stated that there is a lot of information to review, including the Long Environmental Review Assessment form Part I which the Board has not received at this point. The following resolution is a draft document and this Board is the decision making body. She further stated that once she distributes the Long Environmental Review Assessment Form Parts I, II, and III which the Board will base its decision to declare a positive declaration of environmental significance which is what the City anticipates happening. That will start the SEQR process and allow the City to take the next steps. She further stated that she hopes to have the documents to the Board as quickly as possible, hopefully the Board will be able to have discussion, at least on those documents, next week. If the Board is comfortable moving ahead, the positive declaration can be done next week; otherwise it will have to wait for another subsequent meeting. Mayor Peterson explained that the resolution the Board will be considering today is the declaration of lead agency. The time frame has passed in which the City needed to receive responses. She stated that the responders all agreed that the Board of Public Works should be lead agency. City Attorney Hoffman stated that the only response he has seen was from Bolton Point. He doesn’t know whether all the involved agencies have responded and that was the only question he had about the wording in the resolution. In the last Whereas clause, unless we know for a fact that every one of those contacted agencies responded, it would be better to say Whereas the involved agencies have either consented to the designation of the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works as lead agency for the environmental review for the project to upgrade or replace the City’s water system, or have not responded within the statutory time period. If they haven’t responded, they have waived their right to object. Mayor Peterson stated that when the resolution is moved, it should be moved with that correcting language. Board of Public Works – March 14, 2007- Page 3 City of Ithaca Board of Public Works, Declaration of Lead Agency for the Environmental Review of a Proposal to Upgrade or Replace the Current Water Supply for the City of Ithaca By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra. WHEREAS, State Law and Section 176.6 of the City Code require that a lead agency be established for conducting environmental review of projects in accordance with local and state environmental law, and WHEREAS, State Law specifies that for actions governed by local environmental review, the lead agency shall be that local agency which has primary responsibility for approving and funding or carrying out the action, and WHEREAS, the current water source for the City’s water distribution system relies upon the Six Mile Creek watershed, and the filtration plant located on Water Street in the City of Ithaca, and WHEREAS, due to the age of the filtration plant and a number of impending changes in water quality rules, which require significant upgrades to the plant in the near future, it has been determined that either a major system upgrade or a switch to another, existing water supply is advisable, and WHEREAS, the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission (SCLIWC) operates a facility on East Shore Drive (built in 1976) which provides drinking water to all or part of five municipalities, using Cayuga Lake as its water source, and WHEREAS, the SCLIWC and the City of Ithaca have executed a Memorandum of Understanding, dated January 4, 2007, which indicates the willingness of the SCLIWC to expand its facility and to provide a sufficient water supply to the City, pending environmental review of such a project, and WHEREAS, preliminary analysis of options available to the City has narrowed the choice to two viable options, consisting of: (1) upgrading the existing water-supply system, including replacement of the filtration plant, dredging of the upper reservoir and modifications to the intake system, settling lagoons and access routes to the raw water reservoir and pipeline; or (2) decommissioning the existing system, and purchasing finished water from the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission, which arrangement would require expansion of the SCLIWC facility on East Shore Drive and construction of a new water transmission main (pipeline) between the SCLIWC facility and the existing City distribution system, and WHEREAS, on January 17, 2007, the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works declared its intent to act as lead agency for the environmental review of the upgrade or replacement of the City’s current water supply, pursuant to one of the options described above, and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works directed the Superintendent of Public Works, or his designee, to provide the required notice of the Board’s intention to act as lead agency to all other involved agencies, including the City of Ithaca Common Council, the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board, the Tompkins County Department of Health, the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission, the New York State Bureau of Water Supply Protection, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York State Department of Transportation, the Town of Ithaca, and the Village of Lansing, and WHEREAS, the involved agencies have either consented that the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works be designated lead agency for the environmental review for the project to upgrade or replace the City’s water supply system, or have not responded within the designated time period, now therefore be it Board of Public Works – March 14, 2007- Page 4 RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works does hereby declare itself lead agency for the environmental review of actions resulting from the upgrade or replacement of the City of Ithaca’s current water supply including, (1) the reconstruction and improvement of the existing system and related work in the watershed for the water intake, reservoir, and raw water line, or (2) the retirement of the existing water supply and agreements to purchase water from the SCLIWC including expansion of the Bolton Point Water Treatment Plant and construction of a 17,000 linear foot transmission pipe from the Bolton Point Water Treatment Plant to the city distribution system at the Ithaca High School. Carried Unanimously Power to Act – Determination of Environmental Significance By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grant itself Power to Act on the Determination of Environmental Significance at the March 21, 2007 or April 4, 2007 Board of Public Works meeting. Carried Unanimously APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes of the July 6, 2005, July 20, 2005, August 3, 2005, and August 17, 2005 Board of Public Works Meeting- Resolution By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the July 5, 2005, July 20, 2005, August 3, 2005, and August 17, 2005 Board of Public Works meeting be approved with noted corrections. Commissioner Chapman stated that he doesn’t feel that it’s an appropriate way to run the Board to have minutes from over a year ago, just coming to them now for approval. He further stated that there are people on the Board who were not at those meetings. Mayor Peterson stated that she completely agrees with his comments. She further stated that she spoke with Supt. Gray this week to explain the requirements for completion of minutes. Commissioner Chapman stated that he doesn’t feel comfortable approving minutes that are this old. He further stated that it is hard for Board members to remember what happened at those meetings and he feels that he cannot vote on the minutes and have the public trust that the minutes show what actually took place at the meetings. He further stated that he would abstain from voting on these minutes. City Attorney Hoffman stated that he understands Commissioner Chapman’s feelings completely. On the other hand, he would urge members of the Board to keep in mind that there is a requirement in New York State law that minutes be made and be available for public meetings of this sort. There is also a time requirement that is not met here, but not having an official record of a meeting is also problematic. Mayor Peterson stated that the background material that is worked on by various members of staff to try to get the minutes caught up is from written notes and tapes. Commissioner Tripp stated that these minutes seem very extensive minutes to her; almost like a transcript. She wondered if it might speed up the process if minutes were taken by a Board member that talk about actions taken by the Board and a quick descriptor of comments that people make, if that would meet the requirement for minutes? Is it possible to do it that way or does it require this level of detail. Mayor Peterson responded that method would meet the requirements of the law, basically recording the resolutions and the votes. She stated that these are typical of what the Board’s minutes have been looking like for years and are similar to Common Council minutes although, there has been some streamlining. For example, even in Common Council minutes that used to have detailed remarks about what each person addressing Council would say; now it just generally gives the topic and so on. It’s also much more stripped down from what she was used to in the 1980’s and 1990’s on Common Council where there would be great detail on what each Common Council Board of Public Works – March 14, 2007- Page 5 members said in response to a resolution for discussion; that has been trimmed down as well. Commissioner Tripp volunteered to take minutes at the meetings and produce minutes within two weeks after the meeting for approval by the Board. Commissioner Wykstra asked what would help staff meet the requirements for producing minutes of the meetings within the required time period, to catch up back minutes, and to prevent a backlog of minutes occurring in the future. He echoed the comments of Commissioner Chapman especially since he was not on the Board at the time the minutes were taken and he does not feel comfortable approving them. Mayor Peterson explained that she, Supt. Gray, and other staff have been working to come up with a solution. Mayor Peterson stated that she was at these meetings, she has read and edited the minutes and then signed them. Commissioner Chapman stated that he doesn’t feel that this is a staff problem, that it is a Board problem. If the Board allows this to happen, then it’s the Board’s fault that there are not minutes. There is obviously more work than staff can handle and it’s a question of priorities. He thinks informing the public of the City’s business is of the highest order and the minutes should be timely. A Vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (5) Peterson, Tripp, Jenkins, Dotson, Wykstra Nays (0) Abstentions (1) Chapman Carried Power to Act – Approval of the Minutes of the September 5, 2005, September 21, 2005, October 5, 2005, October 19, 2005, November 2, 2005, November 16, 2005, December 5, 2005, December 21, 2005 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Board grant itself Power to Act on the Approval of the Minutes of the September 5, 2005, September 21, 2005, October 5, 2005, October 19, 2005, November 2, 2005, November 16, 2005, December 5, 2005, and December 21, 2005 Board of Public Works meetings at its meeting of March 21, 2007. Carried Unanimously HIGHWAYS, STREETS, AND SIDEWALKS: Award of Bid for One (1) New and Unused 2007 Model Year Hydraulic Excavator - Resolution By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra WHEREAS, bids were received on March 1, 2007, for one new and unused 2007 model year Hydraulic Excavator, and WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids and recommends that the Board of Public Works reject the low bid of $107,467.00 from Tracey Road Equipment on the basis that they failed to produce a Bid Bond with their bid submission, and WHEREAS, staff recommends that the Board reject the second low bid of $114,500.00 from Five Star Equipment, Inc. on the basis that they bid a John Deere Model 120C LC which is not a minimal tail-swing machine, which our specifications called for, and WHEREAS, staff recommends that the Board award the bid to Liftech Equipment Company for their bid, which meets all of our minimum specifications at a cost of $115,125.46 plus an optional quick coupler at $3,400.00 for a total bid of $118,525.46, and WHEREAS, staff recommends that the Board reject the bid of $115,672.00 from S.C. Hansen, Inc. based on the fact that they listed 22 exceptions to our specifications, the most critical of all being the lack of an on-board monitoring system which automatically monitors all machine functions during operation, and Board of Public Works – March 14, 2007- Page 6 WHEREAS, staff recommends that the Board reject the highest bid of $116,710.00 from Milton Caterpiller on the basis that they listed 15 exceptions to our specifications, the most critical being that their machine only has one (1) operating mode, not four (4) as we specified, now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the bid of the new Hydraulic Excavator to Liftech Equipment Company, 535 Vestal Parkway West, Vestal, New York 13850 for their total bid of $118,525.46, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the Assistant Superintendent of Public Works, Streets and Facilities Division, to enter into a contract with Liftech Equipment Company for the purchase of the Excavator. Carried Unanimously Award of Bid for One (1) Three Wheel Mechanical Type Street Sweeper - Resolution By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra WHEREAS, bids were received on February 20, 2007, for one (1) new Three Wheel Mechanical Type Street Sweeper, and WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids and recommends that the Board of Public Works award the bid to the lowest bidder, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works awards the bid of the new Three Wheel Mechanical Type Street Sweeper to Joe Johnson Equipment Inc., 62 LaGrange Ave, Rochester, NY 14613 for their bid of $ 124,900.00 minus $ 30,000.00 for trade-in, for a total of $ 94,900.00, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Assistant Superintendent of Public Works to enter into a contract with Joe Johnson Equipment Inc. for the purchase of the Street Sweeper. Carried Unanimously Power to Act - Finalize 2005 Sidewalk Assessments By Commissioner Wykstra: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has held a public hearing for property owners following notices sent to those owners covered by the 2005 sidewalk assessments, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board directs staff to make such adjustments as determined by the Board and resubmit the assessments for Board action, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board grants itself power-to-act on April 4, 2007 on a resolution to finalize the assessments submitted for 2005. Carried Unanimously Power to Act - 2006 Sidewalk Assessments By Commissioner Chapman: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the City undertook sidewalk improvements in 2006 and the Board wishes to begin the process of collecting expenses incurred on behalf of private property owners, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works reserves for itself Power-to-Act on March 21, 2007 on resolutions related to 2006 Sidewalk Assessments. Carried Unanimously Civil Engineer Yost explained to the Board that the period of time allotted to property owners for the work has always been rather challenging and the City still has unresolved questions about sidewalk location whether it will be on private property or within the right-of-way. This resolution will allow some leeway to answer some of those questions and also allow the owners to seek competitive bids and plan the work, to a small extent, at their convenience. Board of Public Works – March 14, 2007- Page 7 Mayor Peterson explained that this item came up at yesterday’s Project Coordinating Committee meeting of various departments in the City. She stated that a number of the preferred sidewalk locations are actually not on city property and so the City Attorney had questions about that and how that affects this resolution as it is written. She further stated that this issue may be a little more complicated and time consuming because where the City doesn’t have a lot of property along the right-of-way of the road and the business comes very close to where the sidewalk would go, the sidewalk would need to be entirely on private property and that would require either negotiation or an easement. That takes a lot of time and the property owner may say they don’t want the sidewalk on their property they want it along the roadway. Those discussions are making this section of Elmira Road a little more complicated than other areas of the City. Civil Engineer Yost stated that there are certain developers working on construction on that stretch of the road and they may not conveniently be able to meet the deadline with the argument that you’d be driving over brand new sidewalk and risk damaging it. There are approximately fifteen properties that the City has sidewalk laid out at least partially, on private property. If the Board wants to make the primary concern to get the sidewalks in, the City can find a way to do that because there is adequate right-of-way to install sidewalk virtually everywhere along that road. If the primary concern is to get the sidewalk quite a distance back from the curb, it may not be feasible to do that without any arguments from property owners and extended discussions with property owners within those dates. City Attorney Hoffman stated that from the conversation at the Project Coordinating Committee meeting yesterday; his understanding is that there are some situations where the sidewalk would be right next to the curb. That raised issues of pedestrian comfort, safety, and snow storage. Those portions of the sidewalks would probably end up covered with snow when the roadway was plowed. He further stated that it is true that the City cannot impose the sidewalk on private property without going through eminent domain, the City could purchase an easement or an additional right-of-way, or try to purchase additional right-of-way without going through eminent domain; or the City could try to reach a friendly agreement with property owners through whatever powers of persuasion the City has. He explained that unless more money is allocated for this project, the only option open to get the sidewalk in a better location is to convince the property owner that they should allow the sidewalk to go on their own property. He stated that with these deadlines he doesn’t know if that is going to create the best attitude on the part of the property owners. Again, it’s a choice between getting stuff done quickly, or getting it done in what you hope would be a better way. Mayor Peterson suggested that the Board give itself Power to Act on this at next week’s meeting. She asked Civil Engineer Yost if doing that would matter as far the timeline is concerned? Civil Engineer Yost responded that would be acceptable for the Board to consider this next week. Power to Act - Elmira Road Sidewalk Installation Deadline - Resolution By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra RESOLVED, That the Board grant itself Power to Act at its March 21, 2007 meeting on the Elmira Road Sidewalk Installation deadline. Carried Unanimously Elmira Road Sidewalk Installation Deadline - Resolution WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works held a public hearing on March 7, 2007, for approximately 38 property owners on the southern end (300 and 400 blocks) of Elmira Road in preparation for directing those owners to install sidewalks and adjust driveways as necessary, and WHEREAS, the Board received limited but consistent input indicating that the published date for private installation of sidewalk by May 14, 2007, would be virtually impossible to meet, now therefore be it Board of Public Works – March 14, 2007- Page 8 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requires the notified property owners who do not currently have proper sidewalks in place which conform to the City’s rules and regulations to install sidewalks, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board directs the owners to obtain sidewalk permits prior to June 1, 2007, and to either install the sidewalk by June 15, 2007, or by the date provided the City with a fully-signed construction contract which requires the sidewalk to be complete by August 1, 2007. RESOLVED, That the Board directs staff to provide the affected properties of this directive along with a reminder that the Board intends to undertake the work in 2007 and bill the owners for any work they fail to complete as provided for in § C-73 Sidewalks of the Ithaca City Charter. The Board granted itself Power to Act on this item at their March 21, 2007 meeting. Commissioner Dotson, as Liaison to the Planning Board, reported that the Planning Board supports the installation of a continuous sidewalk along Floral Avenue. She will make sure that the resolution gets to the Board of Public Works as soon as she can. Park Foundation Grant Application – Golf Course Master Plan - Resolution By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has just been ranked as one of the top eco-friendly cities in the United States in a survey of nationally available data, and WHEREAS, the City would like to extend and expand this concept of green cities by taking advantage of local experience and initiatives such as the efforts to complete the Cayuga Waterfront Trail Initiative to connect Cass Park, the Ithaca Farmer’s Market, and Stewart Park, as well as the City’s experience operating its newest park (Conley Park) as a low-impact sustainable green space, and WHEREAS, the City would like to apply what it has learned, as well as what other concepts may be derived from a review of national best practices, to the Newman Municipal Golf Course, which is central to all of these bordering green spaces and destinations, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works supports the application submitted by the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce Foundation to the Park Foundation for a supporting grant to assist in developing a golf course master plan, which captures and promotes these ideas, entitled “Envisioning Newman Municipal Golf Course as a Model Ecological Course.” Mayor Peterson invited Rick Manning to address the Board to explain this project. Mayor Peterson left the meeting and Commissioner Dotson assumed the position of Vice Chair. Mr. Manning explained that a grant application was submitted in February 2007 after working with Deputy Director of Planning and Development Cornish on it. He had also asked the Mayor for a letter of support to go with the grant application and she felt that the Board should be brought up to date on the proposal before she signs the letter of support and that is why this resolution is before the Board today. The purpose of the application is to develop layouts and a cost estimate for installing an irrigation system. It’s to look at a surface drainage system that will help to resolve some of the drainage issues on the golf course and also improve wildlife habitat on the golf course. It will look at enhancing public access both by accommodating the Waterfront Trail, and look at multi-seasonal uses. Overall, the issues of playability, visual quality, financial stability, and a driving range are included in the grant application. One thing he has learned through this process is that nine hole golf courses are very popular because not many people have the time to do eighteen holes. It is an important type of course to offer to the public as an alternative to an eighteen-hole course. While doing the study doesn’t commit the City to do anything, it just provides cost information, a vision, and a process so people can be involved. He has been working with City Planner Nicholas who is managing the Phase III feasibility study for the Waterfront Trail and talking with the Board of Public Works – March 14, 2007- Page 9 Department of State to see if there is potential funding for the effluent irrigation part of this application. Commissioner Tripp complimented Mr. Manning on the great job he has done putting together this application. She stated that this is an exciting project, which is long over due, and she thinks it would be absolutely thrilling if the golf course could become a more welcoming place for people to meet. Commissioner Chapman stated that he thinks this is a great idea. He further stated that the consensus of the committee that was looking at this course and the peninsula came up with a list of priorities and the first priority was to try to get the course to be on a steady financial footing before any capital projects were requested. He further stated that he approves of the study but is concerned about how it will be perceived by different members of the Ithaca community. Alderperson Coles stated she thinks that Common Council will have a difficult time investing a lot of money into this project. She is concerned about adding to expectations that might not be fulfilled. The other side of that which is equally important is to have an ecologically responsible golf course which she knows exist nationally. Commissioner Dotson asked what the financial benefits of marketing the green aspects of the golf course might be. Mr. Manning stated that one thing that is important to note is that the intent is to do as little as possible, but if the money was going to be invested, do an irrigation system. The key thing is that the holes be in the course where you want them ultimately or else they are put in places that won’t allow the proper lay out. The consultant worked closely with the golf course manager to minimize the impact of the project. His ballpark figure for renovating a course like this is 1.2 million dollars, including the effluent irrigation. From the ecological aspect, the City does have Fuertes, the Lighthouse, woods, and the golf course in this area. This project is different from the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, but grew out of the trail effort and the more the trail impacts properties, some of which belong to the City and some of which do not. He added that they are looking at how this project could elevate the whole water front park system to be better. In the broader picture, there is this amazing system which people really thought about years ago and which has been neglected and should be looked at through this proposal. Commissioner Chapman stated that he wanted to address the comment made regarding the design of the golf course so that if an effluent system is put in that it is in the right place. He further stated that public access also needs to be figured into the course. There were designs some of which the golfers liked very much which basically precluded any public access. He thinks that it is important when the City is using eminent domain to gain access to certain private properties that the public retain the right to use its own park to gain access to the waterfront as well. He would hope that any design that comes from this proposal would not impinge upon the current access and if anything, would help it. Commissioner Tripp asked what the Board should do next, should someone convey the sense of the Board’s discussion to the Mayor or should the Board do a resolution in support of the grant. Mr. Manning stated that he wanted to get a letter of support from the Mayor for the grant application and asked that the Board provide a recommendation in support to the Mayor. A Vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously CREEKS, BRIDGES, AND PARKS Power to Act - 2007 Golf Course Rates By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants itself power to act at its meeting of March 21, 2007, in order to consider proposed 2007 Golf Course Rates. Carried Unanimously Board of Public Works – March 14, 2007- Page 10 Forestry Master Plan/Program Accreditation Asst. Supt. Ferrel explained that City Forester Andy Hillman had drafted “The ‘Forest City’ Master Plan for Public Trees and Parks” for the Board’s review and possible adoption so that the City of Ithaca can be accredited by the Society of Municipal Arborists. He further explained that City Forester Hillman is also President of that organization. Power to Act – Forestry Master Plan/Accreditation By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the Board grant itself Power to Act on the Forestry Master Plan/Accreditation at the March 21, 2007 meeting. Carried Unanimously Asst. Supt. Whitney reported to the Board that the Town of Ithaca and Bolton Point have contacted him regarding corrosion problems they are having on some of their mains which come down from Pine Tree Road and across the Six Mile Creek area/Elizabeth Mulholland Wild Flower Preserve. They are looking to replace some of that sixteen-inch transmission main through that area this year. He stated that regarding the Aurora Street sewer project that they are actually moving some water facilities out of the way now and they are still waiting on some special order parts because they are going to have to shut down the sixteen inch main that was built in 1906 and they have some valves that they want to make sure they have the compatible repair parts. Some of the work has begun and they have moved some of the mains on the 100 block of North Aurora Street to accommodate the depth of the sewer excavation without shutting off the water supply to the Commons. He further reported that the boiler failed at the Water and Sewer department last Thursday night, which was the coldest night of the year. They opened the main offices to the shop areas and had all the ceiling unit heaters running and fans blowing the heat into the office area. That boiler is going to have to be replaced this year; it is limping along for now. The boiler was the one which was taken from the Youth Bureau when they got their ground water heating system and it was supposed to be a two year fix then and it’s been about twelve years now. The boiler is over twenty years old and so they are looking to get a new boiler this year, it was originally incorporated into the Johnson Controls contract last year, and it’s back in there now. Asst. Supt. Ferrel stated that the ice is out of the creeks so the City is in good shape there. He further stated that Spring-cleaning would begin in Collegetown next week. ADJOURNMENT On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson Information Management Specialist Mayor