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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2016-06-27BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:48 p.m. June 27, 2016 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 Engineering – Logue Executive Assistant – Servoss EXCUSED: Mayor Myrick City Attorney – Lavine Director of Parking – Nagy Common Council Liaison – Fleming DAC Liaison – Roberts ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA: Supt. Thorne requested the addition of item 9A, entitled “Award of Contract for Tioga Street Reconstruction 2016 Project – Resolution.” Further requested was the moving of Item 11A from voting to discussion. No Board member objected. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS: Mayor Myrick was not present. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Patrick Braga, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding: 1) labeling bus stops with the name of the stop and whether it was inbound or outbound; 2) having crosswalks between each bus stop; 3) adding signage on Stewart Avenue at State Street noting that cross traffic does not stop; and 4) expressed support for allowing dogs in Stewart Park. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC Commissioners Greene and Goldsmith agreed that more signage at bus stops would be very helpful, but the City would have to communicate with TCAT to request more signage. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the Board’s role in signing bus stops, the fact that TCAT normally decided where bus stops were located, and that TCAT was working on installing a GPS system on their buses. REPORTS Special Committees of the Board Commissioner Warden referred to the alcohol use form that was distributed, noting that New York State Parks used the form in their parks. He read recommendations from the subcommittee that was discussing ways to reduce damage to the buildings in Stewart Park. He volunteered to speak with Youth Bureau Director Liz Vance regarding implementing some of those recommendations. Commissioner Greene expressed concern that the Ithaca Youth Bureau was not set up to properly deal with the incidents of damage to city property and the use of alcohol in the park. Discussion followed on the floor regarding requiring additional alcohol permits for groups, supervision in the parks seven days per week, and requiring an extra step for an alcohol permit that notified the Ithaca Police Department. When the Board reviewed the rental fees annually, additional rules and policies could be set in place. Commissioner Goldsmith suggested that Commissioners Warden, Greene and Darling form a subcommittee, including representatives Board of Public Works Page 2 June 27, 2016 Regular Meeting from the Youth Bureau and Police Department. Dir. of Eng. Logue noted that a staff group had been working on this same topic and recommendations from that group should be submitted to the Board soon. Superintendent and Staff Dir. of Eng. Logue reported that issues with the Cass Park Rink Roof had been resolved; the Lake Street Bridge Replacement Project was progressing and on schedule; the Six Mile Creek Retaining Wall Project was out to bid and would be brought to the Board in July for award of the contract. He suggested the Board refresh their memories on the project by reviewing the documents on the City’s website. Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported: that storm sewer pipe had been installed on Vinegar Hill; crews had worked at 307 College Avenue; an incident occurred at the carousel last week where a horse tipped over with a person on it. The State had inspected the entire carousel since the incident to ensure safety. The State Inspector provided manufacturer information to city staff that states the recommended maximum weight for the horses was 135 pounds. Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that the contract for new lighting and odor control at the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility was nearing substantial completion; the steel was almost entirely constructed for the administrative building at the Water Treatment Plant; water and sewer crews had almost completed the replacement of mains on Dryden Road at College Avenue; and crews had installed new services for new hotels and other new construction. Supt. Thorne reported that the Mayor’s budget guidance memo was distributed last week, beginning budget discussions for 2017; work in Collegetown was going well, though NYSEG may be delayed a week or two; discussions were held regarding enforcement of fire safety zones in Collegetown; and staff was looking at construction of the Forest Home Drive retaining wall and replacing the road next Spring. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, REFUSE AND TRANSIT: Resolution to Dismiss Fees Related to Motor Vehicle Accident in 2009 By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Darling WHEREAS, a bill from an accident that occurred in 2009 was never paid by the car rental company, and WHEREAS, the rental car company states that they have no record of the vehicle involved, and WHEREAS, the age of the bill is almost 7 years old, and will require significant staff time to research the accident and work with the car rental company, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby dismisses the bill (invoice #00011262 dated 12/21/2009 in the amount of $2,827.13 plus $2,233.45 in penalties) because the cost of staff time to research and follow up will likely be greater than the amount of the bill. Carried Unanimously HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALKS: Award of Contract for Tioga Street Reconstruction 2016 Project – Resolution By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Warden WHERAS, bids were received on June 24, 2016 for Tioga Street Reconstruction 2016 as advertised, and WHEREAS, staff have reviewed the five bids received for this project and made a recommendation for award, now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the contract for Tioga Street Reconstruction 2016, including the Bid Alternative A, to G. DeVincentis & Son Construction, 7 Belden Street, Binghamton, NY for their low bid meeting specification of $325,010, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to enter into and to administer this contract. Board of Public Works Page 3 June 27, 2016 Regular Meeting Commissioner Darling objected to the use of sandstone rather than granite curbing. He stated granite is much more durable; though there is historical significance in the use of sandstone in that area, sandstone is not a durable product. Dir. of Engineering Logue responded that the cost difference in using granite rather than sandstone was not significant and the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Council has determined that red sandstone was a contributing factor to the historic nature of the street, so the City must proceed with sandstone. A Vote of the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously DISCUSSION ITEMS: Recommendation to Allow Dogs in Stewart Park – Resolution WHEREAS, the Parks Commission recently discussed and recommended that the prohibition on Dogs in Stewart Park be changed at their May 26, 2016 meeting, and WHEREAS, Stewart Park is the only City park where dogs are prohibited, and this prohibition is often not adhered to and rarely enforced, and WHEREAS, the completion of the Waterfront Trail has brought an increase in the number of dogs as more people travel through and visit the park with their pets, and WHEREAS, neither the Parks Commission nor the Board of Public Works have received complaints about dogs in Stewart Park, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that Section 336-11 of the City Code be changed to allow dogs in Stewart Park under the following conditions: 1. Dogs are to remain on leashes, and 2. Dog care stations for dog waste are provided and maintained. Commissioner Darling began the discussion be indicating that leash lengths should be restricted to six feet or less and dogs must be kept under control of the owner. Supt. Thorne stated that the proposed resolution was written according to recommendations from Common Council, but Department of Public Work does not have funding to maintain dog waste stations unless extra funds were allocated. Commissioner Jenkins noted that with hundreds of geese in the park, dog waste stations may not make any difference. Discussion followed on the floor regarding existing dog care stations along the Cayuga Waterfront Trail in Cass Park. Dir. of Eng. Logue stated the Cayuga Waterfront Trail Initiative stated they were willing to provide dog care stations along the trail in Stewart Park, though City crews would need to maintain the stations. Supt. Thorne agreed to obtain further information and bring it back to the Board for further discussion. Commissioner Greene suggested that adding a small dog park within Stewart Park to allow an area for dogs to be off leash. Dir. of Eng. Logue noted that the idea came up at a meeting with staff, and none of the staff at the meeting were in favor of adding a dog run area within Stewart Park. 13B. Updated FEAF for Brindley Street Bridge Reconstruction Dir. of Eng. Logue noted that a revised environmental assessment form was distributed in the agenda. He stated that staff was looking forward to receiving comments from the Planning and Economic Development Board on June 28, 2016 about this project. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:44 p.m. Kathrin D. Servoss Claudia Jenkins Executive Assistant Vice-Chair