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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-23-14 Board of Public Works Meeting AgendaBOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS OFFICIAL NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING A meeting of the Board of Public Works will be held on Monday, June 23, 2014, at 4:45 p.m. in Common Council Chambers — Third Floor, City Hall, 108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York. Agenda 1. Additions or Deletions to Agenda (Items 1 -5: 15 min.) 2. Mayor's Communications 3. Communications. and Hearings from Persons Before the Board 4. Response to the Public 5. Reports Special Committees of the Board Council Liaison Board Liaisons Superintendent and Staff Other Department Heads 6. Approval of Minutes 6.1 June 9, 2014 Regular Meeting Minutes 7. Administration and Communications 8. VOTING ITEMS 8.1 Buildings. Properties, Refuse and Transit 8.2 Highways, Streets and Sidewalks A. Award of Contract for Old Elmira Road Complete Streets Project — Capital Project 784 — Resolution 8.3 Parking and Traffic A. Endorsement of the Odd /Even Parking Task Force's Proposed Policy — Resolution 8.4 Creeks, Bridges and Parks 8.5 Water and Sewer 9. DISCUSSION ITEMS 9.1 Request to Perform a Public Arts Installation at Ithaca Falls 9.2 Slope Failure below Forest Home Drive Report and Discussion 9.3 Retaining Wall Failure in Six Mile Creek 10. New Business 10.1 Executive Session to Discuss Acquisition of Real Property 11. Adjournment If you have a disability that will require special arrangements to be made in order for you to fully participate in the meeting, please contact the City Clerk at 607- 274 -6570 at least 48 hours before the meeting. The Board of Public Works meets on the second, third and fourth Wednesdays of the months at 4:45 p.m. All meetings are voting meetings, opening with a public comment period. Meeting agendas are created from prior public input, Department operating, planning issues, and requests made to the Superintendent. The Board reserves the right to limit verbal comments to three minutes and to request written comments on lengthy or complex issues. This information may then be used to create committee agendas, with the speaker or author invited to attend. Notes for BPW Agenda, June 23, 2014 8.2A Award of Contract for Old Elmira Road Complete Streets Project — Capital Project 784 — Resolution Staff is ready to award this contract for general construction. 8.3A Endorsement of the Odd /Even Parkinat Task Force's Proposed Policy — Resolution The resolution that is provided reflects the Board's discussion on June 9, 2014. 9.1 Request to Perform a Public Arts Installation at Ithaca Falls A Cornell graduate student would like to perform a public art presentation at Ithaca Falls this year. Her proposal is enclosed. The Parks Commission endorses this project. 9.2 Slope Failure below Forest Home Drive Report and Discussion We have received an initial engineer's report regarding the slope failure. Tom West will provide the report and begin a discussion with the Board. 9.3 Retaining Wall Failure in Six Mile Creek A retaining wall located in Six Mile Creek near the Titus Avenue /Cayuga Street intersection has failed and fallen into the creek. Staff is looking for direction from the Board regarding the repair or replacement of the wall. MICHAEL J. THORNS, P.E. SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS JUNE 19, 2014 Page 2 8.2A Award of Contract for Old Elmira Road Complete Streets Project — Capital Project 784 — Resolution WHEREAS, Common Council established Capital Project 784 for the Old Elmira Road Complete Streets Project, and WHEREAS, on January 1, 2013, a budget allocation of $1,365,000 was authorized for Capital Project 784, and WHEREAS, bids were received on Friday, June 6, 2014, for the Old Elmira Road Complete Streets Project General Construction Contract, and WHEREAS, Paul F. Vitale, INC. located at 7665 North Street Road, Auburn, New York. 13021, is the apparent low bidder with a base bid of $2,047,891.00 for General Construction, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the General Construction Contract for City of Ithaca -DPW, Old Elmira Road Complete Streets Project to Paul F. Vitale, INC. , and be it further RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works is authorized to enter into and administer this contract. Page 3 8.3A Endorsement of the Odd /Even Parkinq Task Force's Proposed Policy — Resolution WHEREAS, the City's current odd /even parking system is intended to allow the city to clear the streets after a snow emergency and clean the streets of debris in the absence of snow, and WHEREAS, the current system is confusing, inconvenient, costly and deeply unpopular with parkers, and WHEREAS, the Mayor convened an Odd /Even Parking Task Force in December 2013 to formulate a proposal for a new method for making the streets available for snowplowing and street sweeping, and WHEREAS, the Task Force's proposal was discussed at the Board of Public Work's June 9, 2014 meeting, and WHEREAS, the Board concludes that the proposed policy reduces the inconveniences of the current odd /even parking regulation and environmental costs of unnecessary car movement even while it increases the ability of the Department of Public Works to remove snow and other debris; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works endorses the Odd /Even Parking Task Force's proposal substantially as presented in the Board's June 9, 2014, agenda, and encourages the Common Council to approve the same. Page 4 Pagel of 4 Kathrin Gehring - Re: [Ithaca -PAC] Fwd: Ithaca Falls From: JoAnn Cornish To: ithaca -pac Date: 6/10/20141:41 PM Subject: Re: [Ithaca -PAC] Fwd: Ithaca Falls CC: Gehring, Kathrin; Thorne, Michael; tdp3 @cornell.edu Attachments: JennHoule. IthacaFallsProposal .Small_1.docx I love the project but have a few concerns that Ms. Houle should think about. 1.) If this is being done at night, it could be dangerous for people walking on the trail since visibility will be reduced and the walking surface is very uneven. It may be better to keep viewers on the bridge. 2.) We would need to check with an engineer to determine how many people (how much weight) the bridge can bear since the weight of humans (psf) is greater than the weight of vehicles (psf). 3.) Will additional insurance be required since liability is a concern? 4.) It may be difficult to see the falls from the bridge as there is a lot of foliage blocking the view. 5.) Work is scheduled to be done on this bridge so we need to be sure it will be open in September. I'm sure more issues will come up so but these are what I have thought of so far. JoAnn Cornish Director of Planning, Building, Zoning and Economic Development City of Ithaca 108 East Green Street Ithaca, New York 14850 607 - 274 -6550 a oannc(d-citvofithaca.ora >>> Sally Grubb <sally.grubb @gmail.com> 6/10/1410:17 AM >>> Hello: I am forwarding this application from Jenn Houle for a projection onto Ithaca Falls in September asking you all to review it and let me know if this has your support. Jenn's application is on the Public Works Meeting Agenda on June 23 sometime between 4:45 and 5:30 pm. Unfortunately our next meeting isn't until June 25 so any support from PAC will I know be unofficial but I do hope for your support. I will be at the meeting. It sounds a great project and Jenn already has a grant through Cornell for all her expenses and for publicity. Sally Sally Grubb 104 Midway Road Ithaca, NY 14850 607 257 -6017 file: / /C:\Documents and Settings\kgehringTocal Settings \Temn\Xpgrnwice153970AF6e.ni... 6/1 n /?nl a Page 2 of 4 607 279 -9189 cell http : / /tcpl- exhibits.blogsl2ot.com/ ---- - - - - -- Forwarded message ---- - - - - -- From: Jenn Houle <jenniferlhoule @gmail.com> Date: Mon, Jun 9, 2014 at 5:28 PM Subject: Re: Ithaca Falls To: Sally Grubb <sally.grubb @gmail.com> Cc: Terry Denise Plater <tdg3 @cornell.edu> Dear Sally and Terry, Thank you again for your offer to review my application and possibly connect me to PAC for additional support. I have drafted a proposal with images and maps of the location. I plan on submitting this to the City of Ithaca, along with a letter of introduction and a copy of my resume to provide additional insight into my exhibition history and professional experience. I've compressed the file slightly but will be submitting a high quality version of it to the city. Please let me know if you think PAC would consider assisting me with this proposal. I plan on submitting it to the city for the May 23rd meeting. Thank you in advance for your time. Sincerely, Jenn On Wed, Jun 4, 2014 at 8:29 AM, Sally Grubb <sally.grubb @gmail.com> wrote: No hurry. I am out of town till June 10. Sally Grubb 104 Midway Road Ithaca, NY 14850 607 257 -6017 607 279 -9189 cell http : / /tcpl- exhibits.blogspot.com/ On Wed, Jun 4, 2014 at 12:28 AM, Jenn Houle <jenniferlhoule@gmail.com> wrote: Hi Sally and Terry, Thank you both for your replies, I appreciate it very much. That sounds like a great suggestion to work with the PAC regarding the application process. I'm in the midst of organizing and prepping for a show in NYC with Cornell and will be in the city busy with that this weekend. If I don't send you this information tomorrow I will get it to you on Monday. Thank you for your insight. file: //CADocuments and Settings\kgehring\Local Settings \Temp\XPgrpwise \53970AF6coi... 6/10/2014 Page 3 of 4 Take care, Jenn Jenn Houle www.iennhoule.com On Jun 2, 2014, at 3:06 PM, Sally Grubb <sallyQrubb c amail.com> wrote: Jenn hello: I have written to JoAnn Cornish to find out if this is something which should come through the Public Art Commission before going on through Public Works. I think it is and suggest you send me some more detailed information about your project including some images and dates you are planning on the one night installation. The PAC can give you a lot of support moving through the City approval process. Sally Sally Grubb 104 Midway Road Ithaca, NY 14850 607 257 -6017 607 279 -9189 cell http : / /tcpl- exhibits.blOgspot.com/ On Mon, Jun 2, 2014 at 12:21 PM, Terry Denise Plater <tdp3 @cornell.edu> wrote: Hello Jenn, Yes Kenny told me about you. I'd be happy to speak with you. I'm in Paris now however so I suggest that you contact Sally Grubb, a dear friend and colleague on Ithaca's Public Art Commission, to get the conversation started right away and in my absence. I am copying her on this email; do be in touch with her as soon as you can and I will be in touch with you when I return at the end of this week, okay? Your project sounds very interesting- - looking forward to learning more. Best for now. Terry Thanks for helping out Sally! Sent from my Verizon 4G LTE Tablet - - - - -- Original message----- - From: Jenn Houle Date: Mon, Jun 2, 2014 12:14 PM To: Terry Denise Plater; Subject:Ithaca Falls Dear Terry, Hello, we have not met yet, I am a graduate student at Cornell University in the MFA Visual Arts program. Kenny Berkowitz suggested I contact you as a potential resource about applying to do a one night installation at Ithaca Falls. I'm planning on using generators to project colored lights onto the falls and move sculptures of birds affected by lead poisoning through the lights to cast large scale shadows of them on the waterfall and gorge. I've received a grant from Cornell to do the project and just have to gain approval from the City file:HCADocuments and Settings\kgehring\Local Settings \Temp\N?grpwise153970AF6coi... 6/10/2014 Page 4 of 4 of Ithaca. I am in contact with Kathrin Gehring who is having me write a letter to the Supt. of Public Works Michael Thorne to explain the project with supporting information and they will discuss the proposal at a town meeting. I was curious if I would be able to use you as a resource prior to submitting my query to them as it sounds like you have experience and insight into the public art process in Ithaca. Please let me know if you would be willing to provide guidance and /or take a look at my proposal - we can meet in person, discuss via telephone or email - whatever is easiest for you. Thank you, Jenn Jenn Houle www.iennhoule.com www.iennhoule.blogspot.com Jenn Houle www.iennhoule.com www.iennhoule.blogsl2ot.com You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "City of Ithaca Public Art Commission" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to.ithaca- PAC+ unsubscribe@)cioocilegrouas.com. To post to this group, send email to ithaca- PAC@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http: / /groups.aoogle.com /croup /ithaca -PAC. For more options, visit https :Hgrour)s.google.com /d /optout. file: //C:\Documents and Settings\kgehring\Local Settings \Temp\XPgrpwise \53970AF6coi... 6/10/2014 Falls September 2014 /Ithaca Falls Natural Area Jenn Houle /MFA Candidate 2015 /Cornell University Artist's rendering of proposed projection onto Ithaca Falls Project Summary: As a graduate student at Cornell University in the MFA Visual Arts program, I am requesting approval from the City of Ithaca to use the site of Ithaca Falls for a one night temporary installation. In September 2014, I would like to project colored lights onto the Ithaca Falls waterfall to create a large -scale shadow puppet performance for the Ithaca community. No financial assistance is requested from the City of Ithaca, just permission to use the site. Project Proposal: In the early 1900's there was a brief yet booming silent film industry in Ithaca where producers such as the Wharton brothers used the magnificent waterfalls and gorges as backdrops. At 150' tall and 175' wide, Ithaca Falls Natural area is one of the region's most powerful waterfalls. It is also the site used by one of the 1969 Earth Art artists, Hans Haacke for a temporary art installation, As the former home of Ithaca Gun. Company, early gun manufactures shot lead ammunition directly into the falls for testing. For Fall I will use Ithaca Falls as a monumental projection site for one night in September 2014 to capture the changing conditions. Mimicking the action of early gunsmiths, colored lights will be shot into the falls, cinema will be returned to the area, morphing the stone walls of the gorge into a modern day moving cave painting. Ithaca Falls Natural area is a historical site where Ithaca Gun Company harnessed hydropower to engineer firearms. Decades of ammunition testing, manufacturing and dumping left the surrounding grounds contaminated with chemicals, primarily lead, and it became a designated Superfund site. The grounds were decontaminated by the EPA from 2000 -2004. Ammunition has had negative impacts on the environment nationwide. Lead poisoning caused by ammunition from hunting currently affects game birds, waterfowl (including loons) and scavengers such as hawks, eagles and vultures. (This has recently been banned in the state of California but continues in all other states.) .... 1....,.. l u Stun 1. At. Clipping from 1969 coverage of Hans Haacke's Earth Art installation at Ithaca Falls Research for the shadow performance will begin at the Lab of Ornithology in the taxonomic collection, where I will work directly from the collection during June and July 2014 to create drawings and paintings of birds affected by lead poisoning. I have an established relationship with the taxonomic department at the lab, when I worked directly from the mammals in the collection to create the drawings shown in my image set. A t�i � "Fox Heads" Ink drawing, 2014,22"00" drawn from specimens at the Lab of Ornithology (left). Photograph of a Loon specimen (below) from the Lab of Ornithology collection Using the material generated from studies at the taxonomic collection as a springboard, I will create a series of bird puppet sculptures from repurposed materials in August 2014. Although the sculptures will be informed by these drawings, they will not be directly representational, and will also be informed by studies of shadow puppets in history, mythology and political DIY theatre like the Bread and Puppet Company of Vermont. "Fear Bear" Repurposed plastic bags on steel frame, 2014 The birds will be made in a similar manner as the sculpture shown above, created by fusing repurposed plastic bags and other reclaimed materials together with the heat of an iron. The shadow puppets will perform a choreographed play and their shadows will be cast onto the falls and surrounding stonewalls. Between performances, the birds will rest on flexible wooden support structures to be temporarily exhibited on the ground around Ithaca Falls for the duration of the event. The flexibility of the thin wood with allow the sculptures to move slightly due to the wind generated by the falls and will be similar in structure as the one that supports the bear sculpture in my image set. These structures will be generated in August 2014. r Maps of location of equipment from ground level On the day of the event, I will bring three light stands, one generator and the bird sculptures to the site of Ithaca Falls in the afternoon. The event will begin during dusk, approximately 7:30pm, and spectators will enter the site at the entrance on Lake St, walk along the footpath and stand near the Equipment Site. The performances will last for one hour, after they finish spectators will leave the site and I will remove all equipment and artwork. Upon approval from the City of Ithaca, spectators will park at the designated "Public Parking" location on the map. Local residents and Cornell students will be invited to the night of projection with advertising done both on campus and in downtown Ithaca. During both evenings of the projection and shadow puppets will be recorded and photographed. Additional collaboration will occur with the Department of Performing and Media Arts. I plan to meet with theater professionals there to critique the development of the shadow puppet production and the use of lights in theater production. The project has received a grant of $1000 from the Cornell Council for the Arts. This sum will cover the costs of equipment rental, art supplies and advertising. MAP OF ITHACA FALLS SITE Entrance on Lake St Equipment Locat~on Public Parking D rfa l Projection Area i Vei'erl ^rVA� --• e; A1�4f,awa —' Waterfalls and gorges are thought to define Ithaca and Finger Lakes region, drawing thousands of visitors to the area each year. This performance will highlight the impulse to visit these natural areas by actively inviting the public to view them at night, a time that they are seldom viewed at. The performance will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Passenger Pigeon extinction in September 2014. The audience will be invited to view the dramatic falls under a spectacle condition, with colored lights and shadow play to generate conversation about the history of the site and affects of lead in the environment.