HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2008-06-11 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Voting Meeting 4:45 p.m. June 11, 2008
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Commissioners (4) –Jenkins, 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
Executive Assistant – Myers
EXCUSED:
DAC Liaison – Roberts
Deputy City Controller - Andrew
Commissioner Chapman
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Peterson led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
By Commissioner Schlather; Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the May 7, 2008 Board of Public Works Special Meeting
be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
By Commissioner Tripp; Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
RESOLVED, That the minutes of May 14, 2008 Board of Public Works Voting Meeting and
the May 21, 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 a resolution for Sidewalk public hearings be added as item
8.2 and that sidewalks assessments for Linn Street be added as item 8.3. He further
requested that a resolution to award the sludge hauling contract be added as item 11.3
and that the award of bid for the hydraulic Excavator be added as item 11.4.
There were no objections to these additions.
Mayor’s Communications
Mayor Peterson reported that two meetings regarding the discontinuance of University
Avenue in the coming weeks will be held to get public and stake holder input.
Communications and hearings from persons before the Board
Alderperson Tomlan addressed the Board regarding the Stewart Park Rehabilitation
Plan. She stated that a resolution had been passed in March supporting a Strategic
Tourism Grant for the Rehabilitation of Stewart Park. She indicated that she would like a
board member to serve on the project committee.
Angelo Digiacomo addressed the Board regarding the GIAC basketball court. He stated
that there has not been enough public input regarding the decision to relocate the court,
temporarily, to Conway Park. He respectfully requested that the Board take efforts to
get more input from the neighborhood prior to installing the Court in Conway Park.
June 11, 2008 Board of Public Works Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2
Response to Public
There was no response to the public.
Buildings, Properties, Refuse, and Transit
GIAC Design Contract Award – Resolution for Power to Act
By Commissioner Schlather; Commissioner Wykstra
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants itself power to act on a resolution for
award of design services for the GIAC building at the June 18, 2008 Meeting.
Carried Unanimously
Discussion followed regarding the selection process the committee has gone through to
select a firm for the project.
GIAC Basketball Court Discussion
Mayor Peterson stated that progress was made at the Parks Commission meeting
today. She stated that the issue was not as pressing since the work NYSEG was going
to be doing that would have disturbed the basketball court has now been put off until
September. She further stated that this item will come back for action in July.
GIAC Director Fort briefly outlined the concerns that were discussed at the parks
commission including noise pollution, light pollution and loss of green space.
Discussion followed regarding the relocation of the basketball court to Conway Park and
the need for public input to be addressed.
Highways, Streets, and Sidewalks
TEP Grant Application – Request That Common Council Approve Two
Transportation Enhancement Grant Applications
By Commissioner Schlather; Seconded by Commission Tripp
WHEREAS, the block of Cornell Street north of East State Street, the intersection of
East State Street, Giles Street and Cornell St, and the length of Giles Street from East
State Street to the entrance to the Wildflower Preserve all are in significant need of
pedestrian facilities, and
WHEREAS, residents of Giles Street have petitioned the Board of Public Works for
traffic calming and pedestrian facilities along Giles Street for two years, and
WHEREAS, pedestrian facilities in these areas would serve families walking children to
Belle Sherman Elementary School, people walking to the Six Mile Creek Gorge, the
residents of the area, and the general public, and
WHEREAS, these sidewalks and intersection pedestrian improvements are expected to
have a total project cost of over $1,000,000, and
WHEREAS, the Columbia Street Pedestrian Bridge over Six Mile Creek is in serious
need of rehabilitation, as well as improvements to the approaches to the bridge, and
WHEREAS, rehabilitation of the bridge is expected to have a total project cost of
$700,000 to $1,100,000 depending on the level of enhancement, and
WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Transportation has noticed the
availability of the federal Transportation Enhancement Program, wherein the federal-aid
share of the total project cost is 80%, and
WHEREAS, Cornell University has included these two projects in the
Cornell/Community Transportation Investment Initiative with a Cornell contribution of
$50,000 for Cornell/Giles Street sidewalks and $100,000 for the Columbia Street
Pedestrian Bridge, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is interested in having the City of Ithaca apply
June 11, 2008 Board of Public Works Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3
for Transportation Enhancement Program grants in order to design and construct
improved pedestrian facilities on Cornell and Giles Streets and to rehabilitate and
enhance the Columbia Street Pedestrian Bridge, with the understanding that the
Columbia Street Bridge has priority over the Cornell and Giles Street Pedestrian
facilities; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that Common Council
authorize and direct the Mayor to submit an application for funding to the New York
State Department of Transportation in accordance with the provisions of the
Transportation Enhancement Program for both of the abovementioned projects, in a
amount to be determined by Common Council upon the recommendation of the Office
of the City Engineer, with the understanding that the Giles/Cornell project will likely
require a City of Ithaca share of $100,000 to $200,000 and the Columbia Street
pedestrian Bridge will likely require that the City would pay for design costs entirely
(possibly between $75,000 and $150,000) and would pay between $40,000 and
$125,000 for construction and construction inspection. With the further clear
recommendation that the Columbia Street Pedestrian Bridge has priority over the
pedestrian facilities improvements to Cornell and Giles Street.
Carried Unanimously
Traffic Systems Engineer Logue discussed the Columbia Street Pedestrian Bridge and
pedestrian facilities improvements to Cornell and Giles Street. He stated that with this
grant the assumption is that the City will pay 20% of the project costs. He further stated
that Cornell might be willing to contribute to some of the costs of this project.
Discussion flowed regarding the two projects and where they fit in the priorities of the
City for funding.
Supt. Gray stated that the Columbia Street Pedestrian Bridge is deteriorating faster than
expected and would need to have a repair project funded or he would have to close it
due to the safety risk.
Further discussion followed regarding the possibility of submitting the Columbia Street
Pedestrian Bridge for other grants and possible improvements that could be made to
increase use by pedestrians and cyclists.
Cornell Community Transportation Investment Initiative Discussion
Traffic Systems Engineer Logue stated that the Town of Ithaca, the City and Cornell had
all worked together to come up with a list of projects that they are all interested in
seeing funded. He stated that Cornell had a pool of money that they were willing to
invest in projects that met mutual interests and a 10 year plan had been sketched out
with around $1 million being spent by Cornell each year and matched by federal and
state aid as well as City and Town funds. He stated that this initiative came about
because of the campus master plan for Cornell and a desire to improve the entryways
to the Campus and Ithaca.
Discussion followed regarding the projects that were drafted for completion and other
projects that should be discussed and included in the plan.
Resolution for Public Hearing
By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, the City Code requires the Board of Public Works to hold a public hearing
upon not less than five days’ notice, prior to requiring the owner of any land adjoining a
sidewalk, approach, or street driveway to construct or repair such sidewalk, approach or
street driveway, and
WHEREAS, the Engineering Department currently has a list of approximately 532
sidewalks awaiting repair, which list is being divided into an “A” list and a “B” list, the “A”
list being those sidewalks that the Superintendent of Public Works has determined
should be repaired first, now therefore be it
June 11, 2008 Board of Public Works Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4
RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works sets a Public Hearing on July 9, 2008 to
discuss the repair and construction of all sidewalks on the “A” list, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works sets a Public Hearing on August 6, 2008
to discuss the repair and construction of all sidewalks on the “B” list.
Carried Unanimously
Discussion followed regarding the legal requirements to provide owners notice that their
sidewalks are on the repair list and may be repaired by the city if they do not act within a
set timetable.
Further discussion followed regarding the changes that the Board had recommended to
Common Council to City Code regarding the Sidewalk program process.
Award of Bid for Sludge Hauling and Disposal
By Commissioner Wykstra; Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, bids were received on May 13, 2008 for sludge hauling and disposal,
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the two bids received and made recommendations for
award, and
WHEREAS, this award has been unanimously recommended by the SJC, now therefore
be it
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works hereby awards the contract
for sludge hauling and disposal to New England Organics of Denville New Jersey for
their low bid meeting specifications of $218,720
Carried Unanimously
Excavator Bid Award
By Commissioner Tripp; Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra
WHEREAS, bids were received on May 20, 2008 for one new and unused Hydraulic
Excavator and
WHEREAS, staff as reviewed the bids finding that the low Bidder failed to supply the
required bid security per item #19 of the bid instructions resulting in immediate rejection
and
WHEREAS, Anderson Equipment Company is the second lowest Bidder and meets the
majority of the specifications with only two (2) deviations now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works awards the bid for the Hydraulic
Excavator to Anderson Equipment Company, 720 East Franklin Street, Endicott, NY
13760 for their bid of $135,638.00 plus $3,025.00 for a 60 Month, 2000 Hour full
machine warranty for a total cost of $138,663.00 and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the Assistant Superintendent
of Public Works, Water and Sewer Division to enter into a contract with Anderson
Equipment Co. for the purchase of the Hydraulic Excavator
Carried Unanimously
Linn Street Sidewalk Assessments
By Commissioner Tripp; Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra
WHEREAS, the following 2008 sidewalk work has been completed, measurements
made, and assessments calculated including the additional 25% penalty required by
City Code as follows:
118 Linn St. $3,760.04
120 Linn St. $4,233.19
122-124 Linn St. $2,147.81
June 11, 2008 Board of Public Works Regular Meeting Minutes Page 5
128 Linn St. $1,346.44
143 Linn St. $4,101.24
and,
WHEREAS, the City Code requires the Superintendent of Public Works to report to the
Board of Public Works the expense incurred in behalf of each owner for the Board’s
review and certification, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works certifies the 2008 assessments to date,
and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works directs staff to mail a notice of assessment
with the usual terms and conditions, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the owner may protest such assessment within 30 days of the date of
such notice either by personal appearance at a regular meeting of the Board or by
written protest filed with the Superintendent of Public Works. The Board shall
thereupon review such assessment and make such adjustment thereon as it may
determine just and equitable, whereupon such assessment shall become final. The
Board shall upon finalizing such assessments, request Common Council to direct the
City Chamberlain to collect such assessments under such terms and conditions as
Council may determine.
Carried Unanimously
Discussion followed regarding the penalty assessed to property owners when the City
completes the necessary repairs.
Resolution for Power to Act
By Commissioner Schlather; Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants itself power to act on the East State
Street trash violation appeal, the Cornell water bill appeal, the Catherine Street water
bill appeal, and a possible recommendation for adjustments to the Department of Public
Works 2008 budget due to increased energy costs at the June 18, 2008 Committee of
the Whole Meeting.
Carried Unanimously
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
_____________________
Jessica Myers Carolyn K. Peterson
Executive Assistant Mayor