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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2015-08-10BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:46 p.m. August 10, 2015 PRESENT: Vice-Chair - Jenkins Commissioners (4) – Darling, Goldsmith, Greene, Warden OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works – Thorne Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Benjamin Director of Parking – Nagy Common Council Liaison – Fleming Executive Assistant – Servoss EXCUSED: Mayor Myrick City Attorney – Lavine Director of Engineering – West DAC Liaison – Roberts ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA: Commissioner Warden mentioned the e-mail that was forwarded to the Board regarding cities that provide internet service. Commissioner Goldsmith suggested adding the topic to New Business, along with a discussion on electricity. No Board member objected. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS: The Mayor was not present. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: No members of the public appeared to address the Board. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC No response was necessary. REPORTS Superintendent and Staff Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that South Aurora Street rehabilitation should be finished by Wednesday. Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that one water main leak occurred since the last meeting; the water quality improvement project on Pearl Street had begun; and crews were working on South Aurora Street to add or upgrade services. Alderperson Fleming arrived at 4:50 p.m. Dir. of Parking Nagy reported the following: The two-hour free parking program ended on July 31st with $4,017 utilized for July; year to date: $20,246.10. The pay machines took in $73,741 in July, which was up 15% from 2014. August revenue so far was $8,697 with an average of over 1,000 transactions per day. The Parkmobile app would be up and running by August 15th. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the cost of the pay stations, how they worked, when people have to pay for parking, and plans for additional signage. Supt. Thorne reported that in the 2016 capital project budget, the City was hoping to double the number of pay machines, and he requested a board liaison for the Sidewalk Program to help staff make decisions. Board of Public Works Page 2 August 10, 2015 Regular Meeting Commissioner Jenkins expressed concern about landscaping and plantings that were planted in the new bulbouts on Green and Seneca Streets. She expressed concern that the plants would grow too high. Supt. Thorne further noted that he would like the office’s interns to make a presentation to the Board about their projects. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, REFUSE AND TRANSIT: Determination of Public Works Purpose for 719-25 South Meadow Street – Resolution By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Darling WHEREAS, Texas Roadhouse Holdings LLC plans to construct a restaurant at 719-725 South Meadow Street (“Restaurant”) pursuant to a lease with a term of thirty years, and WHEREAS, a 1951 deed refers to the right of the City to demand that a 16-foot-strip of land on the south end of that property be conveyed to the City “for street purposes”, and WHEREAS, the City has not previously demanded that the strip of land be conveyed to the City, and the Superintendent of Public Works has no plans to use the strip of land for street purposes, and WHEREAS, the Restaurant is to be constructed in part on that area, and Texas Roadhouse desires to secure a commitment from the City to temporarily relinquish its right to require that a portion of the land be deeded to the City while the Restaurant is in operation in exchange for fair value, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board finds that the portion of the property reflected on the attached exhibit has no current public works purpose. Carried Unanimously Authorization for License Agreement for the Floral Avenue Community Garden – Resolution By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith WHEREAS, on April 27, 2015, the Board of Public Works authorized Cornell Cooperative Extension’s use of City-owned land located at Floral Avenue as a community garden, and WHEREAS, Cornell Cooperative Extension has encountered difficulty insuring the garden site, and WHEREAS, Project Growing Hope has agreed to take on the responsibilities of maintaining the community garden at Floral Avenue and to license the land from the City under the same terms authorizing Cornell Cooperative Extension’s use of the land, and WHEREAS, a license agreement authorizing Cornell Cooperative Extension to maintain a community garden at Floral Avenue has been drafted, but the license has not been executed; now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the City to enter into a license agreement with Project Growing Hope for the Floral Avenue community garden under the same terms and conditions previously imposed upon Cornell Cooperative Extension. Carried Unanimously HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALKS: Approval of 2016 Sidewalk Improvement District Work Plan and Budget – Resolution By Commissioner Greene: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith WHEREAS, Section C-73 of the City Charter creates five Sidewalk Improvement Districts (each a “SID”) for the construction and repair of sidewalk, and provides for an assessment against each property located in each SID for the benefits received by the property from such construction and repair, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is responsible for recommending to the Common Council a budget and schedule of work for each SID district for each fiscal year, following a public hearing, and Board of Public Works Page 3 August 10, 2015 Regular Meeting WHEREAS, the Board has received a proposed SID assessment roll, budget, and schedule of work for Fiscal Year 2016, and WHEREAS, the City provided public notice of the SID assessment roll, budget, and schedule of work in July 2015, and WHEREAS, owners of assessed properties were provided an opportunity to file written objections with the City Clerk, and present evidence to the Board at a public hearing on July, 27 2015, and WHEREAS, the Board has given due consideration to the objections, if any, presented by the property owners in accordance with Section C-73, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board recommends, subject to amendment and approval by the Common Council, the 2016 budget and schedule of work attached hereto, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board finally approves the schedule of assessments constituting the 2016 assessment roll, which are reflected on the assessment roll kept on file with the City Clerk, which roll the Superintendent of Public Works shall on behalf of the Board file with the Common Council in the form of an upcoming Committee agenda thereof, and which roll shall thereafter be confirmed, as amended, by the Common Council by local law after a public hearing, creating a lien upon the real property so assessed. Sidewalk Program Manager Eric Hathaway joined the Board and explained that staff would be investigating a retaining wall on South Osmun Place to determine if sidewalk work could be completed or not. A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously Award of Bid for Rubber Tracked Vehicle for Snow Removal from Sidewalks - Resolution By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Warden WHEREAS, bids were received on June 30, 2015 from four vendors, Joe Johnson Equipment, Liftech Equipment, Cyncon Equipment and Vantage Equipment for one new rubber tracked vehicle for snow removal from sidewalks, and WHEREAS, staff has determined that Cyncon Equipment is the only vendor whose bid meets all specifications, and WHEREAS, all other vendors had bid “wheeled units” which deviates from the “rubber tracked” specification, and WHEREAS, staff has determined that a tracked unit will be superior in removing snow from city sidewalks, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the contract to Cyncon Equipment for the submitted bid of $130,488.00 for one (1) Prinoth SW-4S rubber track mounted sidewalk tractor, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be hereby authorized to enter into said contract under the usual terms and conditions. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the reason for the high price of the equipment, expected time the equipment would last, and the price difference between tracked and trackless units. It was noted that the tracked unit would not spin its tires on the ice and eventually damage grass areas. A Vote of the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously CREEKS, BRIDGES, AND PARKS: Award of Contract for Cass Park Pool Filter Replacement – Capital Project 814 By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Warden WHEREAS, bids were received on August 4, 2015 for Cass Park Pool Filter Replacement and, Board of Public Works Page 4 August 10, 2015 Regular Meeting WHEREAS, the Common Council established Capital Project 814 for Cass Park Pool Filter Replacement and, WHEREAS, 21st Century Pool and Patio, 3736 Vestal Parkway East, Vestal, NY submitted the qualified responsible low bid for of $93,249.00, now be it, RESOLVED, That the contract for Cass Park Pool Filter Replacement is awarded to 21st Century Pool and Patio, 3736 Vestal Parkway East, Vestal, NY for its bid of $93,249.60, and be it further, RESOLVED, That the Mayor be and hereby is authorized to execute the contract for Cass Park Pool Filter Replacement, and that the Superintendent of Public Works be and hereby is authorized to administer the same. Carried Unanimously DISCUSSION ITEMS: Appeal of Bill for Tree Clean Up at 612 Cliff Street Asst. Supt. Benjamin explained the appeal, noting that City Forester Jeanne Grace reviewed the GIS location of the tree and provided information for the Board’s review. Asst. Supt. Benjamin further distributed a photo of the tree’s location, which straddled the property/city line. Discussion followed on the floor regarding where the tree fell, that city crews cleaned up the portion of the tree that blocked the road, and the rest was left for the property owners. Commissioner Warden stated that the GPS indicated the tree was outside of the City’s right of way, and the survey shows the tree was outside the right of way, but the photo Ray provided shows the tree straddles the right of way. Asst. Supt. Benjamin noted that the survey map, created by a licensed surveyor, supersedes GIS/GPS images. Commissioner Greene asked if there was a precedent for this type of situation. Asst. Supt. Benjamin responded that usually the crews would make roads clear and safe and then bill the property owner, but this is the first tree that actually straddles the property line into the City’s right of way. Asst. Supt. Benjamin suggested that the City split the cost of the tree’s removal with the property owner. Commissioner Darling expressed support for granting the appeal. Property owner Barbara Jastran joined the Board for the discussion of this topic, and explained that she was asking that the bill be waived in its entirety. The Board generally agreed to approve the appeal and to waive the tree removal bill. A resolution would be provided for the Board’s next meeting. Commissioner Darling suggested looking at the City’s tree inventory to find other locations with similar situations. Appeal of Water Bill for Ithaca Children’s Garden at 600 Block Taughannock Boulevard – Proposed Resolution WHEREAS, in 2004 the City of Ithaca DPW Water & Sewer Division installed a water service line in the Ithaca Children’s Garden. DPW installed roughly 300-LF of 2-inch diameter K Copper water service line along with a curb valve, 8 unions, and a tee fitting for a yard hydrant, and WHEREAS, subsequent to the installation of ICG’s water service it was discovered that the 2- inch K copper tubing we had purchased was flawed, in that the outside diameter (OD) did not meet industry specifications because it was slightly smaller. This smaller OD is a problem where the pipe is coupled (joined) using compression fittings which are all designed for standard OD tubing. We have encountered leaks from loose fittings in one other locations where this pipe had also been used, and WHEREAS, DPW W&S Div. has repaired leaks on at least two compression connections at the ICG since 2004, and we recognize that there are at least 8 more locations where this run of copper tubing is joined with compression couplings where potential leaks are a high probability, and Board of Public Works Page 5 August 10, 2015 Regular Meeting WHEREAS, DPW plans to locate existing leaks and schedule repairs for the current leaks on this service line in the Fall of 2015, and WHEREAS, the ICG is requesting relief for the years 2013-2015 where the water billing is above a previous annual average of 168-HCF, and WHEREAS, the difference between the previous annual average and the billing for 2013 of 177-HCF is 9-HCF and for the 2104 billing of 805-HCF is 637-HCF, and WHEREAS, 9-HCF at the 2013 water rate of $4.73/HCF totals $42.57, and 637-HCF at the 2014 water rate of $5.11/HCF totals $3,255.07, and 2015 readings to date have not yet exceeded the 168-HCF, and WHEREAS, the ICG has been paying the bill all along, and WHEREAS, Water Department Staff recommends to the Board of Public Works based upon the forgoing that actual metered consumption above an annual 168-HCF will not be billed until the DPW completes repairs on the water service line we originally installed in 2004, and all consumption above 168-HCF over the last two years be refunded, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That a refund of $42.57 be made for 2013, a refund of $3,255.07 be made for 2014, and future use above 168-HCF in 2015 not be billed to the Ithaca Children’s Garden, account #7717306400 in 2015. Asst. Supt. Whitney explained the appeal and that there had been several water leaks since new copper pipes were installed in 2004. He recommended that the Ithaca Children’s Garden be charged for the average annual usage prior to 2013, which was when the first water leak occurred. The Board generally agreed and requested a resolution for their next meeting. Request for Students to Sell Ice Cream in Stewart Park from Ithaca Youth Bureau Marty Schreiber, Program Coordinator, joined the Board for the discussion of this topic and explained his desire to allow students to sell ice cream in Stewart Park using an adult tricycle. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the current street vending policy vs. selling in the park. Mr. Schreiber stated that he would build a custom tricycle once he received permission to sell in the park. The Board generally agreed to approve the request for students to sell ice cream and water, and waived the licensing fee for the City program. A special dispensation of the Board of Public Works, approving this particular activity for the rest of this year and approving it as a fundraiser for the Ithaca Youth Bureau, was authorized. Petition to Restrict Parking on Bridge Street Harry Littell, Giles Street resident, explained the problem of parking by people that frequent Six Mile Creek for swimming. He stated that the partying crowd had negatively affected the quality of life for the residents on Bridge Street. He had already spoken with Mayor Myrick and Transportation Engineer Tim Logue, who approved the language of the petition. Transportation Engineer Logue joined the Board and explained that in the past, the City had not typically required unanimous consent for parking changes, but a majority of the residents should agree. Mr. Littell noted that approval of this request would not make much difference this year, but would take effect in 2016. Discussion followed on the floor regarding where people would park once no parking is allowed on Giles Street, the reason for the time restrictions, and residents parking on the street. The Board generally approved the request and asked that a resolution be provided for the Board’s next meeting. Transportation Engineer Logue noted that this request would be the only parking regulation in the City that was seasonal in nature. Application for Bus Service from Big Red Bullet, LLC. Board of Public Works Page 6 August 10, 2015 Regular Meeting Bob Nicholas, general manager of Big Red Bullet, and Transportation Engineer Logue joined the Board for the discussion of this topic, and explained the request to run direct, non-stop service from Ithaca to New York City two to four times per day for a cheaper price than Shortline or Cornell’s Campus-to-Campus bus. Discussion followed on the floor regarding responses from TCAT about loading/unloading locations for the Big Red Bullet. It was noted that Common Council would ultimately need to approve the additional bus service within the city with the Board of Public Works providing a recommendation. Further discussion followed regarding the wording of the City Code that states bus services that operate within the City that stop on City property must receive approval from Common Council, other locations the buses could stop while waiting for approval from the City, and staff asking TCAT about the Shortline bus stopping at the Schwartz Center in Collegetown for extended periods of time. The Board generally agreed to recommend Big Red Bullet’s use of the bus stop location outside of Urban Outfitter’s on West Green Street. Transportation Engineer Logue suggested the Board recommend to Common Council that the Board be delegated to approve alternate locations. Alderperson Fleming left the meeting at 6:25 p.m. Appeal of Stormwater Fee for 207 Elmira Road Supt. Thorne explained that the photos provided to the Board showed the unfinished condition of the road. He stated that the City offered every property owner to join with the City’s stormwater system; every property owner had agreed to do so except Mr. Wells. Discussion followed on the floor regarding conversations held with Mr. Wells, the condition of his property now that Old Elmira Road reconstruction was complete, and whether Mr. Wells could install a new catch basin at this point. Supt. Thorne noted that Mr. Wells was offered a free catch basin by the City, and he refused. The Board agreed that the property owner should not be provided special treatment. Merchant Parking Validation Program Dir. of Parking Nagy explained the merchant validation program that he would like to implement since the two-hour free parking program had ended. He stated that it was an option for merchants to subsidize parking for their patrons. Currently the City sells Tracer Tokens for $.65/hour for anyone for use in city-owned garages; Dir. of Parking Nagy suggested allowing merchants to purchase Tracer Tokens for $.50/hour to be provided to their patrons for future visits. Merchants could also give out one-time-use discount codes to customers for use at an on-street pay machine; the merchants could have control who the codes are given to. Discussion followed on the floor regarding details of the program, how the program would work, invoicing the merchants for the discount codes that are used, and the Board’s authorization to reduce the price for merchants. The Board agreed to approve the sale of Tracer Tokens and discount codes for $.50/hour for merchants only. NEW BUSINESS: The added topics for discussion were reserved for the Board’s next meeting. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m. Kathrin D. Servoss Claudia Jenkins Executive Assistant Vice-Chair