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Home My WebLink AboutMN-BPW-2008-03-05BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:50 p.m. March 5, 2008 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (5) - Jenkins, Chapman, Schlather, Tripp, Wykstra OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney - Hoffman Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Common Council Liaison – Coles DAC Liaison – Roberts Executive Assistant – Myers Traffic Systems Engineer – Logue Assistant Civil Engineer – Sledjeski EXCUSED: Deputy City Controller - Andrew HEARING FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: The following members of the public addressed the Board regarding their support for the permanent installation of the triangle at Spencer Road. John Humphries, 555 Spencer Rd Marty Blodgett David Gallahan Neil Golder ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Supt. Gray requested that the award of the bid for the cold storage facility be added to the agenda. He stated that the Board had given themselves power-to- act at this meeting on their February 13, 2008 meeting. Cold Storage Facility Bid Award – Power to Act By Commissioner Schlather; Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, bids were received on February 19, 2008 for construction of a pre- engineered post-frame storage building at the Water & Sewer Division site at 510 First Street (CP-514), and WHEREAS, the bid package consisted of a base bid and seven alternate items to be awarded at the discretion of the City, and WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the four bids received and made recommendations for award of the base bid plus Alternate #3 which provides for insulation of the building, and WHEREAS, award of the project with the recommended alternate item will exceed the budgeted amount for this capital project, however monies are available to make up the difference, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the base bid plus Alternate Item #3 to Gudabri, Inc. of Savannah, New York for a total contract amount of $246,925.45. Supt. Gray reported that the project came in over budget but additional funding could be taken from regular operating lines to make up the difference. He stated that while the normal procedure for adding funding to a project was to go through City Administration to Common Council for approval this might not be the best option in this case since the bids have been taken and the bidders only have to guarantee their price for a 45 day window and that process would put us outside the 45 day window and perhaps with even higher costs. Resolution to Amend By Commissioner Schlather; Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the following be added to the end of the original resolved clause “ subject to adjustment of the capital project upon discussion with the City Controller, as may be permitted under law or if necessary subject to modification of the capital project by Common Council” Carried Unanimously Vote on the Main Resolution as Amended Carried Unanimously Ithaca Motion Picture Project Update Constance Bruce and Diana Reisman updated the Board on the Ithaca Motion Picture Project. They stated that they have a lot of support, including pledges of seed money, and are looking to have the building placed on the National Historic Registry. They further stated that they are working on a business plan and need to have some sort of letter from the City stating the intent to grant permission for use of the building to the Ithaca Motion Picture Project. Discussion followed regarding the scope of the project and the potential impacts to the park and the youth programs that use the park throughout the summer. Mayor Peterson stated that while Ms. Riesman and Bruce are both very excited about this project there are a number of large issues that will need to be worked out prior to any action from the City. She stated that it would be best for members of the Ithaca Motion Picture Project to meet with City staff and several departments to discuss all the issues involved. 109 N. Cayuga Street Recycling Violation Appeal Jim Bilinski, owner of 109 N. Cayuga Street, addressed the Board stating that he pays for weekly business recycling pick up from the County and believes that the tickets and fines were given in error. He stated that occasionally the apartments above the Ithaca Times business put their recycling out with his but that has never been an issue before. Discussion followed regarding the Tompkins County weekly recycling policy and service. Proposed Resolution and Memorandum of Understanding Regarding University Avenue City Attorney Hoffman reported that the proposed Memorandum of Understanding is a statement of intention that lays out the procedure for the City, the Board of Public Works and Common Council, to make a decision regarding the discontinuance of University Avenue. He stated that the MOU is not the decision to discontinue University Avenue but instead is an agreement to move ahead in the process to make a decision in June. He further stated that the Courts cannot enforce an MOU since it is a statement of the parties’ intentions to enter the process and bargain in good faith. Discussion followed regarding the process and the level of commitment to the discontinuance of University Avenue the MOU would show. Further discussion followed regarding the recreation river and the effects of that status on the area around University Avenue and on the proposed projects to repair University Avenue. Board members questioned the proposed process and the City’s history of discontinuing streets. Mayor Peterson stated that Board members should speak with City staff if they have any questions prior to the next meeting so that action can be taken on this item in a timely manner. Mayor Peterson left the meeting at 6:10 p.m. Meter Bags for ICSD Dentist-on-Wheels Traffic Systems Engineer Logue stated that he wanted the Board’s nod of approval prior to granting a request for the long-term use of metered parking spaces for this service. The Board was in favor of granting the request but were concerned about the safety of the location on West State Street and wondered if the parking lots by the Human Services building could be used instead as they would be safer. North Aurora Street Handicapped Parking Space Supt Gray stated that the Board received a request for additional handicapped parking spaces in the 200 block of North Aurora Street and discussed it at the meeting of December 19, 2007. Traffic Systems Engineer Logue stated that staff has been monitoring the area and are still finding that at any given point during the day there are empty spaces on the block. Commissioner Schlather stated that while it may appear to staff that there are spaces available during the day it is clear from the petition that there is a perceived need for a space. He further stated that it is important to have a downtown in which medical offices can function and serve all their patients in order to keep doctors easily accessible to city residents. Discussion followed regarding possible locations for the second space. The Board was in agreement that a second space should be approved and the location can be determined at a later date by staff. Water Penalty – Neal Howard Commissioner Tripp stated that Mr. Howard has been diligent in paying his bills in the past and that he should not be penalized for unpaid bills that he did not receive in the mail. The Board requested that a resolution approving the appeal be prepared for the voting meeting. Johnson Controls Water Meter Contract The Board briefly discussed the proposed Water Meter Contract with Johnson Controls. ADJOURNMENT On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Jessica Myers Carolyn K. Peterson Executive Assistant Mayor