HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2008-02-13BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Voting Meeting 4:45 p.m. February 13, 2008
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Commissioners (5) - Jenkins, Chapman, Schlather, Tripp, Wykstra
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Attorney – Hoffman
Deputy City Controller - Andrew
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Ferrel
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney
Common Council Liaison – Coles
Executive Assistant - Myers
EXCUSED:
DAC Liaison – Roberts
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Peterson led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Approval of Minutes:
By Commissioner Chapman; Seconded by Mayor Peterson
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the January 11, 2006 Board of Public Works Voting
Meeting be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
By Commissioner Schlather; Seconded by Wykstra
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the February 8, 2006 Board of Public Works Voting
Meeting Minutes, March 8, 2006 Board of Public Works Voting Meeting, April 12, 2006
Board of Public Works Voting Meeting, January 9, 2008 Board of Public Works Voting
Meeting, and the January 16, 2008 Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole Meeting
be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
Additions or Deletions to Agenda
Supt. Gray requested that the Board consider the resolution for the bid award for the
East State Street Mill and Pave project as item 8.3 on the agenda. He further requested
that if possible those items which member of staff and the public were present for could
be discussed and acted on prior to other business on the agenda.
Mayor’s Communications
Mayor Peterson reported that the first meeting of the Dr.Martin Luther King Jr.
implementation committee had been a major success with a turn out of between 15 and 25
people. She stated that three subcommittees had been created and everyone was excited
to be moving forward on this project.
Communications and hearings from persons before the Board
There were no members of the public who addressed the Board.
Highways, Streets, and Sidewalks
Giles Street Traffic Calming – Resolution
By Commissioner Tripp; Seconded by Commissioner Schlather
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has been informed of neighborhood concerns about
the speed of traffic on Giles Street and Cornell Street, and the related risks to pedestrian
safety, and
WHEREAS, the Board has received and reviewed information on the current conditions for
vehicular traffic and pedestrians in this area, including comments from neighborhood
residents and a report from Traffic Systems Engineer Logue, and
February 13, 2008 Board of Public Works Voting Meeting Minutes Page 2
WHEREAS, the Board wishes to affirm its commitment to pedestrian safety on City streets,
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to take immediate steps to
institute the following actions:
Request that the Ithaca Police Department increase traffic speed enforcement on
Giles Street
Research the cost of purchasing a stationary speed display device
Install a crosswalk with a center stanchion at Giles and Bridge Street
Install an all-way traffic stop and appropriate warning signage (at the intersection of
Giles and Water Streets)
Paint a fog line on the west side of Cornell Street between East State Street and
Eastwood Avenue to aid pedestrians until a sidewalk is installed.
and be it further,
RESOLVED, That staff include planning for the installation of sidewalks on Giles Street and
Cornell Street between East State Street and Eastwood Avenue in the work program for
2008 with a presentation on options to the Board no later than March 15, 2008, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That Board thanks neighborhood residents for bringing our attention to this
matter and for their suggestions for possible solutions.
Traffic Systems Engineer Logue reiterated to the Board that the use of a stop sign in this
area is not entirely appropriate and that he was concerned about the other bullets in the
resolved clause.
Supt. Gray stated that this would not be the first time that the Board took action against
staff recommendations. He further stated that the Board should carefully consider that the
recommended location is not a safe location for the City to place a cross walk as there is
not enough visibility or distance for cars to safely stop for pedestrians. He stated that the
fog line would be a good addition to the area.
Supt. Gray and Traffic Systems Engineer Logue stated that while the sidewalk suggestion
would greatly improve the neighborhood it would be a tremendous undertaking and there
would be many other neighborhoods in the City who would expect to see the same
treatment. Both stated that this was something that the City would need to seriously
consider and plan for prior to committing funding to the construction of sidewalks along
Giles Street.
Supt. Gray stated that if the Board does decide to build sidewalks along Giles Street they
will need to be willing to displace other projects and they must understand that the
resources that will be spent on the sidewalks might not go as far as they would in other
projects in the City. He further stated that the Board should look at the real value of the
project and compare it with other projects that will need funding.
Traffic Systems Engineer Logue stated that the speed-reader would be a smaller expense
than the sidewalks and could provide results to temporarily correct or lessen the problem at
a much lower cost. He further stated that purchasing speed-readers for other areas of the
City might be worth exploring.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the recommendations in the resolution. Further
discussion followed regarding the safety of a cross walk at the proposed location.
Commissioner Jenkins arrived at the meeting at 5:37 p.m.
Resolution to Amend
By Commissioner Schlather; Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra
RESOLVED, That the second resolved clause read “RESOLVED, That the Board of Public
February 13, 2008 Board of Public Works Voting Meeting Minutes Page 3
Works requests staff to include the installation of sidewalks on Giles Street and Cornell
Street between East State Street and Eastwood Avenue in its consideration of sidewalk
projects and related grant proposals in 2008, including TEP, and be it further
Carried Unanimously
Resolution to Amend
By Commissioner Schlather; Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
RESOLVED, That the second bulleted point of the first resolved clause read “ Find money
for the installation of stationary speed display devices on Giles Street and propose the
same for appropriate action.
Carried Unanimously
Resolution to Amend
By Commissioner Schlather; Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
RESOLVED, That the third bulleted point of the first resolved clause read “ Defer
consideration of installing a crosswalk with a center stanchion at Giles and Bridge street
pending further staff evaluation and recommendation.
Carried Unanimously
Vote on Main Resolution as Amended
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has been informed of neighborhood concerns
about the speed of traffic on Giles Street and Cornell Street, and the related risks to
pedestrian safety, and
WHEREAS, the Board has received and reviewed information on the current conditions for
vehicular traffic and pedestrians in this area, including comments from neighborhood
residents and a report from Traffic Systems Engineer Logue, and
WHEREAS, the Board wishes to affirm its commitment to pedestrian safety on City streets,
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to take immediate steps to
institute the following actions:
Request that the Ithaca Police Department increase traffic speed enforcement on
Giles Street
Find money for the installation of stationary speed display devices on Giles Street
and propose the same for appropriate action
Defer consideration of installing a crosswalk with a center stanchion at Giles and
Bridge street pending further staff evaluation and recommendation
Install an all-way traffic stop and appropriate warning signage (at the intersection of
Giles and Water Streets)
Paint a fog line on the west side of Cornell Street between East State Street and
Eastwood Avenue to aid pedestrians until a sidewalk is installed.
and be it further,
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests staff to include the installation of
sidewalks on Giles Street and Cornell Street between Cornell and East State Street and
Eastwood Avenue in its consideration of sidewalk projects and related grant proposals
in 2008, including TEP, and be it further
RESOLVED, That Board thanks neighborhood residents for bringing our attention to this
matter and for their suggestions for possible solutions.
Carried Unanimously
University Avenue Committee – Discussion
City Attorney Hoffman stated that the history of University Avenue is unclear as far as
ownership is concerned. He stated that there are many costly repairs that will need to be
made on the road in the near future and that Cornell University is interested in taking
February 13, 2008 Board of Public Works Voting Meeting Minutes Page 4
ownership of the street and allowing it to continue to be open for public access. The
University has done the same sorting with most of the streets on campus. He passed out a
memo that outlines the tentative agreement between the City and the University and the
suggested timetable for completion of the transaction.
Mayor Peterson stated that she hoped that the Board would take time to carefully review
the proposal and consider it.
Discussion followed regarding the types of repairs needed to the road and the cost
estimates. Further discussion followed regarding the process and concerns about the
action being seen as selling a city asset to a private entity and the legal ramifications of
doing so.
Award of Bid for East State Street Mill and Pave – Resolution
By Commissioner Wykstra; Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, bids were received on February 12, 2008 for Milling and Paving of East State
Street Capital Project (CP 705), and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the four bids received and made recommendations for
award, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works hereby awards the East State
Street Mill and Pave Project to Chemung Contracting Corporation of Pine City, New York,
for their low bid meeting specifications of $206,558.00.
Carried Unanimously
Creeks, Bridges, and Parks
Stewart Park Dock Project Bid Award – Resolution
By Commissioner Tripp; Seconded by Commissioner Schlather
WHEREAS, bids were received on January 8, 2008 for Design and Construction of a
Stewart Park Dock Capital Project (CP 706), and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the four bids received and made recommendations for
award, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works hereby awards the Stewart Park
dock design and construction project to McPherson Builders, Inc of Ithaca, New York, for
their low bid meeting specifications of $69, 482.00.
Carried
5-1
Nays: Commissioner Wykstra
Commissioner Wykstra stated that he could not support this project as he felt that it was not
thoroughly thought out and could easily interfere with larger projects that would be more
beneficial to the public.
Water and Sewer
Johnson Controls Water Meter Project – Resolution
By Commissioner Schlather; Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra
WHEREAS, the City bills its utility customers over $8 million for water and sewer services
each year based on water meters installed in the customers premises, and anticipates that
this billing will increase significantly due to a current project to restore or replace the City’s
water treatment plant, and
WHEREAS, the City entered into an Energy Performance Contract with Johnson Controls
in late 2006 but delayed the water meter portion of that contract in order to research
options for water meter upgrade, automated meter reading, and a new system for
imbedded leak protection, and
February 13, 2008 Board of Public Works Voting Meeting Minutes Page 5
WHEREAS, Staff has returned with their recommendations which Johnson Controls used to
develop a proposal for the Energy Performance Contract Phase 2 which projects $4.2
million in savings, increased revenues and other benefits to cover the current estimated
cost of $2.3 million or 15 year total costs of $3.1 million, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommend the creation of a capital project in
the amount of $2.3 million by Common Council for the purpose of upgrading the City’s
water meters and converting to automated meter reading, and be it further
RESOLVED, That contingent on funding by Common Council, the Mayor, City Attorney,
City Controller, and Superintendent of Public Works are authorized to negotiate a final
contract based on this resolution, and the Mayor is authorized to sign the contract.
Carried Unanimously
Mayor Peterson left the meeting at 6:40 p.m.
Administration and Communications
Engineering Office Staffing – Resolution for Power to Act
By Commissioner Wykstra; Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, the Assistant City Engineer and the Traffic Systems Engineer have developed
an office staffing recommendation in a memo dated December 20, 2007, which reflect the
current and near term (5 years) operation of the office, which the Superintendent forwarded
to the Board, and
WHEREAS, the Mayor has requested the Superintendent forward this recommendation to
the Human Resources department for review and recommendations, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board gives itself power to act on any resolution concerning staffing
that may be available for its meeting of February 20, 2008.
Carried Unanimously
Cold Storage Building Award of Bid – Resolution for Power to Act
By Commissioner Schlather; Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants itself power to act on a resolution
awarding the Bid for the construction of a Cold Storage Facility at the March 5, 2008
Committee of the Whole meeting.
Carried Unanimously
Staff Reports
Erik Whitney’s Report
Asst. Supt. of Water and Sewer Whitney reported on the two bids the department has out,
one for the transportation of sludge and the other for the cold storage building. He further
reported on the possible improvements to be made to the West Hill area through use of an
old Town of Ithaca Tank to increase water pressure in the upper zone. He further reported
on the progress of the Southwest Water Directional Drilling Project.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Jessica Myers Carolyn K. Peterson
Executive Assistant Mayor