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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981 Creeks & Bridges Storm Drainage• • CREEKS&BRIDGES STORM DRAINAGE • • -1-- Report - City Engineer Cox City Engineer Cox reported on proposed agreement between NYS Dept. of Transportation and City of Ithaca for S. Albany. Street Bridge repairs. He explained background of proposed agreement and that the cost to the City would be 5% of total cost. Construction would not commence until 1982. Agreement will go to Council January 7, 1981for approval„'/7fr' -2 - Flooding Acting Supt. Dougherty reported there had been minor flooding that day 111/ �f Six Mile and Cascadilla Creeks due to ice jams, but that the 01f/ll�r� problems had been cleared up. • Acting Superintendent Acting Supt. Dougherty reported on flooding- at the golf course, ex- plaining that the emergency effluent line had been diverted into Fall Creek to break up the ice jam. 8 Report' 'on Fall Creek ice jamming Comm. Varricchio referred to the report given by Acting Supt. Dougherty concerning the ice jam in Fall. Creek. io./a8'ig'1 Comm. Varricchio reported on touring the City with Supt.. Kinsella to examine damage from the previous night's flooding of the city. A detailed report of the flooding should be available by next month's meeting. Progress report re Tioga Street bridge ,ilio /g! City Engineer Cox reported receiving bids from several contractors on emergency demolition of the existing bridge and letting the work out late last week. It involves demolition of a portion of the bridge and removal of damaged parts and storage of the parts. He received the information that the work will probably be started on Thursday of this week. Repairs to Fall Creek City Engineer Cox reported that arrangements had been made with a contractor to get in and do repairs to the levees in the Fall Creek area as soon as the water is down sufficiently to allow the equipment in. He asked B.K. Hough to assist. He met with the contractor on Sunday and began survey work on Tuesday. The work should be well underway in a week or so, depending on when the water is down. City Engineer Cox answered questions of the Board. //leo/g/ Alderman Banfield expressed concern over Tioga Street Bridge. Residents in that area are very much concerned that the portion of the bridge left still has the beams below it that restrict the flow of the water. They are anxious that something be done to stop the water from backing up against the bridge. Also repairs to Fall Creek are of great concern and they are hopeful repairs will be completed as rapidly as possible.. 'Flood Repair Work City Engineer Cox reported on the progress of the repairs to the areas affected by the recent rainstorm. He said work is progressing nicely in the Six -Mile Creek; portions of the North Tioga Street bridge have been removed from Cascadilla Creek, and the water level is down enough that work can commence on Fall Creek in a day or two. He )�.J11 answered questions of the commissioners regarding the work. l( Declaration of Emergency By Comm. Sch.ickel: Seconded by Comm. Walker RESOLVED, That the Board recognizes th.e emergency on raw water line repairs, Fall Creek dike repairs between Lake Street and Route 13, and Tioga Street bridge as state of emergency and authorizes the contract- ing out for services and the waivingof competitive bidding require- inent, subject to Finance Committee review of: said contracts for immediate and expeditious repair of those facilities, using the best judgment of the City Engineer and Public Works Superintendent. Discussion followed on the floor. ////e/r/ A vote on th.e resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously )Vaiv'ing of Competitive Bidding --Amendment to Resolution By Comm. Varricchio: Seconded by Comm. Walker RESOLVED, That the resolution adopted by this Board on November 10, 1981 granting, authorization to waive competitive bidding requirements for flood repair work as an emergency measure be amended to include goods as well as services. Discussion followed on the floor. . SII D A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously North.:TiogaStreet Bridge proposal By Comm. Varricchio: Seconded.by Comm. Walsh RESOLVED, That a. proposal received from. McFarland Johnson Engineers .for the:repairs.or replacement of the North Tioga.Street Bridge be accepted and approved. . Alderman Banfield'and Mayor Bordoni questioned City Engineer Cox regarding the bridge situation and he explained the breakdown of the proposal.. Discussion followed on the floor. r1 V) A vote onthe. resolution resulted as follows: ,,Carried Unanimously .1. -2a - North Tioga Street Bridge Alderman Banfield read the following Petition to Common Council: "We, the undersigned residents and/or property owners in the vicinity of the Tioga Street bridge over Cascadilla Creek, would like to express the following concerns to Common Council: "1. The Flood of October 28, 1981 has underlined the urgent need to take steps to reduce the danger of flooding in the Cascadilla Creek area. We believe the low elevation of the Tioga Street bridge and its obstruction of the creek were major causes of flooding in much of the Fall Creek neighborhood. 0-�0 1 Ni "2. Whatever actions the City takes to repair or prevent flood damage, it should try to keep public expenditures as low as possible. "3. And in deciding how to respond to the flooding problem, the City should try to improve the overall quality of the neighborhood. "Based on these concerns,we the undersigned support the removal of the present Tioga Street bridge over Cascadilla Creek, and ask for it to be replaced with a pedestrian bridge high enough that it would not obstruct the creek. We believe this step will greatly reduce the danger of flooding, will cost the taxpayers far less than 'a new two- lane bridge, and will improve the neighborhood by reducing speeding and through -traffic and the danger of accidents at the Farm and Tioga Street intersection. We ask. Common Council to include.a pedestrian bridge in its considerations and to study the economic, traffic -flow, and flood control implications of such a step." The above Petition was signed by 77 residents and/or property owners in the vicinity of the Tioga Street bridge over Cascadilla Creek. Alderman Banfield also read the following letter, signed by Jean Gould, which letter was not addressed to anyone in particular: "There is a reasonable way to discover the best solution to the problem of the Tioga Street bridge - a way which would also improve the safety of motorists and pedestrians on Tioga Street. "The present condition of the bridge has produced a serious hazard. Already one motorist has smashed the Southwest corner of the barricade in the middle of the night, leaving a dangerous opening. There are no walls anywhere around the hole in the bridge to protect small children, and all other pedestrians. This is especially bad after dark and when the pavement is slippery. One-way traffic on the bridge right at the entry to the three parts of Cascadilla Ave. can cause traffic problems. "All of these potential hazards can be eliminated. Remove the rest of the bridge, leaving only the foot bridge on the West side. Build protective walls on the North and South sides of the Creek, Put a traffic light at the Cayuga Street bridge to make that intersection safer than it -is now. "This would be a fair trial of the solution of having no motor bridge on Tioga Street. By spring, if really unsolvable difficulties are apparent, some other solution could be devised. Jean Gould" Alderman Banfield stated that the above fetter speaks for itself. One of the considerations that the people in the Tioga Street bridge area have is the dead end and while they are waiting for reports to come back from the engineers, perhaps a trial period might be instituted before a decision has to be made, just to give some indication of what is going to happen in that area. Perhaps the best time to close the bridge is now. Alderman Banfield suggested that either through the Board or through the Planning Department a Committee could be made up of some of the people in the neighborhood. Mayor Bordoni asked that the original Petition be submitted to the City Clerk for the official records and that a copy of the Petition, along with a copy of the letter from Mrs. Gould be forwarded to the Bridges, Creeks and Storm Drainage Committee for its review and con- sideration. Resolution /1I// By Comm. Walsh; Seconded by Comm. Schickel RESOLVED, That the Petition to Common Council and the letter from Mrs. Gould concerning the Tioga Street bridge replacement and the problems related to that project be referred to the Bridges, Creeks and Storm Drainage Committee. Carried Unanimously Comm.. Schickel asked if either Supt. Kinsella or City Engineer Cox could give the Board more up-to-date information on the Tioga Street bridge project. Engineer Cox presented interim plans that have been made for the area until permanent plans for the bridge replacement are complete. Supt. Kinsella and Asst. to the Supt. Dougherty answered questions asked by Alderman Banfield and Comm. Schickel concerning the time- table for the work to be done. Mayor Bordoni read the following letter from Drs Cacciotti, Lieberman and Filios, DDS; PC: "December 18, 1981oplel . King, Baker, "I HOPE THIS CAN BE READ BEFORE A MEETING OF COMMON COUNCIL "Officials of the City of Ithaca: "We were among the many people in the Tioga-Sears. Street area who were again seriously damaged by flooding. This is the third time since 1972 that we have suffered serious financial loss.due to the same problem. "The old Tioga Street bridge was not designed to allow the necessary flow of water and debris during heavy run off. The creek bed has filled up over the years thus increasing the problem. "The reason for the flooding is that the bridge is inadequate. The Tioga Street bridge must not be just repaired, it .must be elevated. The span of the Tioga Street bridge is extremely short and strUctur- ally presents little problem for the two lane- traffic flow. The bridge is hardly one car length in span and it would be virtually impossible to load it beyond the weight of two cars. Because of the I limited load and short span, the support steel can be of minimum depth thus yielding maximum water clearance. Certainly there could hardly be a smaller, less complicated bridge to replace. -2b - "The proper replacement of this bridge and cleaning ofth.e creek bed is necessary to protect the assessed valuation throughout th.e area. "It would seem counter-productive to fail to replace the bridge. Dead ending a major North-South downtown street would add to the traffic and parking problems for many blocks throughout the area. "We own a large number of rental properties on Tioga and Sears Streets. All of them were seriously damaged by the floods. The Tioga Building sustainedthe greatest loss. "I would be happy tomeet with any of the committees or boards working on the Tioga Street bridge problem to share our experiences and detail our problems. "Thank you for your consideration. "Cordially, "Robert W. Baker, DDS, MS "/sce" ,o-'a31X 1 -3 - Alderman Banfield reported on a complaint which Alderman Schuler had received from one of her constituents regarding motorcycles that have been using the Columbia Street bridge. At one time a woman had fallen on the bridge trying to get out of the way of a motorcycle.. Alderman Banfield asked if. there .was any- -thing that could be put on the bridge so that motorcycles would be discouraged from continuing to use the bridge. Asst. to the. Superintendent Dougherty said that perhaps some kind of rails might be used but that method might make it difficult for wheelchairs. Comm. Brown inquired whether the Police Department could patrol the area. Resolution3/,j/gj By Comm. Schickelt Seconded by Comm. Walker RESOLVED, that the complaint brought to the Board by Alderman Banfield with reference to motorcycles using the Columbia Street Bridge, which is a foot bridge, be referred to the Bridges, Creeks and Storm Drainage Committee for investigation and action. Carried REPORT - G' es Street Bridge: Cif k? Comm. Varricchio reported that he had gone up to look at Street Bridge. He recommended that Superintendent Kinsella or someone from the Department take a look at the Plain Street ,Bridge. On that bridge there are concrete posts with a chain in them thatwould discourage motorcycles from being driven ,on to the bridge proper but would still leave enough room for a wheel- chair and handicapped people to use the bridge. The posting of signs with a possibility of a penalty might be another solution. BRIDGES, CREEKS $ STORM DRAINAGE COMMITTEE: S%i3�/ Superintendent Kinsella reported he inspected Columbia Street Bridge and requested theTraffic Engineer and Engineering Department to .obtain necessary specifications to post appropriate signs at either^ -- approach to footbridge to inform motorcyclists to stop using the bridge and to contact the City Attorney to find out what the limit- ations of the Code now prescribe and to recommend alternatives or additional legislation to enact more strict enforcement. 1982 Project for Dredging Part of Inlet City Engineer Cox brought to the Board's attention a project that will be coming up soon. The City has been notified by New York State Depart- ment of Transportation that it intends to do some maintenance dredging. of the Cayuga Inlet and Flood Control Channel. This type of periodic maintenance dredging is necessary in order to provide the proper depth for boat navigation and flood control purposes. The project will probably begin in May or early June of 1982 and the DOT proposes. to operate two shifts working from 2:00 A.M. until 10:00 P.M., four days a week. It will continue throughout the Summer season, probably through. October and possibly November of 1982. City Engineer Cox reported that the DOT is asking the City to cooperate. in this project by providing an area into which the dredge material can be dumped. He exhibited an aerial photograph to the Board which indicated an area where the DOT proposes to construct a dike and the dredge material will be dumped into the dike. In all, there will be about 21.8 acres involved= n the operation, 8 acres. owned by the City and the remaining acres owned by the Finger Lakes State Park. City Engineer Cox explained how the dike would work and that a spillway would also be constructed and the dredge fill filtered and pumped out into the lake. The dike itself will be constructed in 1981 and com- pleted in August of 1981. The dredging operation will not disturb the busy park and navigation area. A formal agreement will be necessary so that both the City and the State know what is expected in order for this project to succeed. City Engineer Cox stated to the Board that he felt the project was a good idea. 30/ Several of the Commissioners asked questions concerning the proposed project and City Engineer Cox answered those questions on which he had enough information. However, he did say that he has asked the DOT for a draft of everything that it would propose,to the City so that the City can review the agreements with the City Attorney. Mayor Bordoni requested that City Engineer Cox bring to DOT's attention some of the questions and concerns discussed at this Board meeting with reference to the proposed dredging operation so that DOT can include the answers in the material that will besent to the City for review. Alderman Banfield wondered if, while the dredge is in the Ithaca area, the DOT might be requested to do the dredging that is necessary in the Fall Creek area. City Engineer Cox said that he would get the State's reaction to such a request. New York State Department of Transportation Proposal By Comm. Schickel: Seconded by Comm. Cleveland RESOLVED, That the proposal from the NYSDoT for the disposal of dredge material in Cass Park and at a site in the Third Street yard be accepted, subject to approval of the City Attorney as to form of the agreement, and subject to the recommendation of Stearns & Wheler as to the advisability of filling at the Third Street yard which is adjacent to the proposed sewage treatment plant. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried /A3/'(/ • -5- Bill - Modteski and Masters By comm. Varricchio Seconded:. Comm. Walker GI)e)g I ' .BESOLVED, That a bill from Modjeski and Masters for furnishinii Six washoff reproductions be approved -in the amount of $190.67. Carried -6 - Request for Payment T. G. Miller p.c. and Associates By Comm. Varricchio: Seconded by Comm. Walsh /PO RESOLVED, That a payment request from T. G. Miller p.c. and Associates for surveying and mapping services in connection with the Fall Creek dike restoration project be approved in the amount of $3,170.60. Carried Unanimously Request for Payment #1 - F L C Contractors, Inc. By Comm. Varricchio: Seconded by Comm. Walsh /4I/Y1 RESOLVED, That payment request #1 from F L C Contractors, Inc. for the reconstruction of the Fall Creek dikes be approved in the amount of $26,097.81. Carried Unanimously Request for Payment - F L C Contractors, Inc. By Comm. Varricchio: Seconded by Comm. Cleveland RESOLVED, That payment request #2 from F L C Contractors, Inc., for restoration of Fall Creek dikes, be approved in the amount of $57,038.12. Yi City Engineer Cox reported that the Fall Creek project had been completed. The contractor was wrapping things up this date and maybe would be moving some machinery out on December 24th. The contractor might.do a little additional cleanup, but the job is now complete. He stated that the total costs for the job are going to run about $160,000, which is not too far off the original estimate of $140,000, which had to be revised due to material prices. City Engineer Cox stated that he was very happy to get the job done this early and at that price. He stated that it was a credit to the • City and the Board for the support they had given on this project. Alderman Banfield asked the Board if it would be possible to replace some of the trees that were removed in order to rebuild the Fall Creek dikes. .He said that several residents in the Fall Creek area hadasked him about replacing some trees. Superintendent Kinsella said that he would look into the matter. Discussion followed on the floor. om/g/ A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously -7- Request for Payment -.F L C Contractors, Inc. By Comm. Varricchio: Seconded by Collin'. Walsh /MA/ RESOLVED, That a request for payment from F L C Contractors, Inc. for demolition of a portion of the North Tioga Street Bridge over Cascadilla Creek be approved in the amount of $4,637.00. Carried Unanimously • • -8- Survey.of City Owned Bridges 'Resolution By Comm. Varricchio: Seconded by Comm. Schickel WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Transportation proposes to inventory and/or inspect city owned bridges in the City of Ithaca, in conformance with Section 231,• Subdivision 1 of the New York State Highway Law, and WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Transportation will pro- vide all engineering and support services necessary to accomplish the bridge inventory and/or inspection in said City of Ithaca, and WHEREAS, the cost of the work will be shared by the Federal Govern- ment, the State of New York, and the bridge owner; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works of the City, of Ithaca .agrees to pay the portion of the costs assignable to the bridge owner or his agent and to that end authorizes the deposit of $950.00 with the New York State Department of Audit and Control, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Clerk of this Board of Public Works is hereby directed to transmit three (3) certified copies of this resolution, as follows: 1. Original with check to the New York State Department of Audit and Control. 2. Copy to the local Regional Office of the New York State Department of Transportation. 3. Copy to the Structures Division of the New York State Department of Transportation. City Engineer Cox explained that this particular bridge inspection program is funded, as stated in the.above resolution, by both the State and Federal governments, as well as local. moneys. It is a new program and in the City's case the cost amounts to about $50..00 per bridge and he feels that it is a good deal since the City's share amounts to only about .81, of the total cost. City Engineer Cox feels that the City should go forward on this survey because it has several advantages. Two of the more important advantages are: it gives an outsider'.s look at our bridges, which is always 'helpful, and it also keeps our bridges on the State's inventory system which is helpful to the City in funding some of the bridge replacements. For example, the City is still"hopeful in getting the South Albany Street bridge replaced next year under some type of outside funding. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows; • Carried Unanimously -9 - O'Brien E Gere Engineers, Inc.' Agreement Resolution By Comm. Varricchio: Seconded by Comm. Cleveland RESOLVED, That the Superintendent be authorized to accept a proposal for engineering services from O'Brien & Gere Engineers, Inc.., in connection with Six Mile Creek - Flood Damage, dated November 5, 1981, and as amended by letter dated December 17, 1981. City Engineer explained the O'Brien & Gere Engineers, Inc. proposal and said that a report will be furnished by them outlining its findings as to the work to be done in connection with the flood damage to Six Mile Creek, together with recommendations and the costs involved in repairing or replacing various portions of the retaining wall. City Engineer Cox answered questions asked by Board members on the Six Mile Creek Flood Damage. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously S. Albany St Bridge Repairs - agreement with NYS DoT 1 Flooding Report - Creeks -Bridges etc. 2 Complaint re motorcyles using Columbia St. Bridge (foot bridge) 3 N.Y.D.O.T. - 1982 Project for dredging Cayuga Inlet & Flood Control channel 4 Modjeski and Masters - Payment - Furnishing washoff reproductions 5 Stewart Ave. Bridge - Setting a different speed limit on approach to bridge (See P/T - pg. 13) Flood emergency, repairs to creeks, bridges, water line, etc.., Flood 10/28/81 2 N.Tioga St. Bridge " (See also WAS - pg. 20) N. Tioga St. Bridge - Petition of residents and property owners and letter from Jean Gould concerning bridge replacement and problems related to bridge repair project; also Drs. King,Baker,Cacciotti, etc. 2a,2b Fall Creek dike restoration - Payments requests - T.G. Miller; FLC Contractors; 6 FLC Contractors - Payment request - N. Tioga St. bridge repairs 7 Survey (inventory/inspection) City owned Bridges by NYS DOT - Costs to be shared by Federal-State-City - Resolution to:pay City's portion 8 Six Mile Creek - O'Brien & Gere's proposal re flood damage and repairing retaining wall - Supt. authorized to accept. 9