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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1996-06-05 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE June 5, 1996 NOTES - PRESENT: Commissioners Davidoff, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Smith, Vargas, Alderperson Mackesey, Mayor Cohen, Superintendent Gray, Assistant Superintendents Fabbroni and Ferrel. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. There were no additions to or deletions from the agenda. 1. Business Improvement District. Herman Sieverding, Deputy Planning Director and Art Pearce, Chair of the BID Steering Committee were present to address the board regarding the scope of city services contained in the proposed BID. Mr. Pearce gave the board an overview of the BID. He explained that property owners will agree to be taxed an additional amount and those funds will be used for maintenance in the BID area. He hopes that the BID will be operating by the summer of 1997. He noted that the agreement will be written to allow either party (Common Council or the BID) to dissolve the BID upon a majority vote. Mr. Sieverding noted that any service changes throughout the city would also be implemented within the BID. The next step for this item is for Common Council to act on the BID. 2. Cliff Street Parking Lot. 14. HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALK ITEMS. By Commissioner Davidoff; seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt. A. Award of Bid for Neighborhood Parking Lot for Cliff Street. WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed the Long Environmental Assessment Form (LEAF) prepared May 29, 1996 for the Cliff Street neighborhood parking lot, and WHEREAS, bids were received on June 4, 1996 for construction of the neighborhood parking lot on Cliff Street; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works, as lead agent, has determined that the project will result in no major impact which might cause significant damage to the environment, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board hereby accepts staff's recommendation to award the project for construction of the neighborhood parking lot on Cliff Street to Doug Gillogly, Jr., D.B.A., Sheldon Commercial Group of 75 Sheldon Road, Ithaca, NY for their base bid of $87,000.00 and that the alternate bid for landscaping the project be renegotiated in scope and cost to fit within the total project budget of $97,000, and be it further BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole Meeting June 5, 1996 RESOLVED, That the board authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Sheldon Commercial Group after signing the negative declaration of the LEAF. Carried Unanimously (5.0) 3. Personnel and Water Planning. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni told the board that he has lost seven employees in the last year and a half due to retirements and resignations. He explained that he will lose additional employees over the next two years to retirement. He noted that he would like to hire and train people to improve the infrastructure and allow the department to be better rounded. He added that the wastewater plant is a success story within the division. He noted that the plant operators are highly skilled and low paid compared to those at other plants and pay equity should be considered. He told the board that construction crews currently consist of a supervisor and a laborer. Since all jobs require two people at all times, jobs are delayed when supervisors are called to another job. He noted that an alternative to hiring additional employees is to bid out jobs. This results in a cost of 3 times the amount of what it would cost to do in house. He noted that there are seasonal employees that he'd like to see moved into permanent positions. He then noted the employee attendance record that out of 45 people, the average sick time is 2.5 per person. He added that there are 27 people who haven't missed a day. Comm. Davidoff stated that he had never seen such an impressive record figure and that he hopes it is contributed to job satisfaction. Comm. Reeves interrupted the discussion and requested Asst. Supt. Fabbroni to continue the issue after the board discussed the Esty Street item. 4. Esty Street Sidewalks. Comm. Reeves explained that a resolution should have been voted on at the public hearing. She told the board that the issue would be discussed at this meeting and voted on at the next regular meeting. Supt. Gray told the board that sidewalks are a normal utility for the downtown area. Comm. Davidoff noted that DAC had voted and supports the idea of installation of sidewalks. Comm. Ehrhardt noted he believed the Planning Committee was in favor of the installation but he felt the city should be responsible for the cost. Comm. Reeves agreed that she wanted to see sidewalks installed but felt the city should pay for them. Montgomery May was present representing the Friends of the Library. He noted that the use of the street is mainly by large trucks and that he did not see any reason why there would be any pedestrians in that area. Supt. Gray noted that installation of sidewalk is based on a 50 year projection and that possibly in the future, pedestrians will be common in the area. Bill Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole Meeting June 5, 1996 Benedict, representing T.G. Miller, owner of a warehouse on Esty Street, agreed with Mr. May that there is little need for sidewalks. He noted the changes in the street and how it would effect truck traffic. Comm. Ehrhardt noted that he realizes there may not be an immediate need for the sidewalks, but that the city wishes to install them while construction is going on. He added that it is proper for the city to pay since the city as a whole will be using them. Discussion followed concerning council's reconsideration of the law to free the homeowner from the burden of the cost. It was noted that the sidewalk on Esty Street had not been included with the Route 96 project while other streets had been. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni noted that the other streets had utilities installed under the sidewalk resulting in new walks. It was suggested that the board vote in favor of the installation of the walk in addition to requesting council review the of regulation which requires property owners to pay for new sidewalk. The board's consensus was to delay the project for a year and request,that Common Council review the requirements. A resolution will be presented at the next regular meeting. 5. Personnel and Water Planning. This discussion was a continuation from earlier in the meeting. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni informed the board that interviews for the water study would be held during the following week. He invited all the board members to the interviews. He noted that the consultant fees range from $150,000 to $225,000. The city will be paying for 50% of it while, Cornell and Bolton Point will pay 25% each. 6. BPW Meetinq Schedule. Comm. Reeves noted that July 4th is on a Thursday and questioned the board whether they wanted to meet on the 3rd. Discussion followed and it was agreed that a resolution will be voted on to move the schedule ahead one week. The meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Notes taken by: Donna L. Payne Administrative Secretary Page - 3