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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973 Board of Public WorksBoard of Public Works. • 1 VICE CHAIRMAN It was moved by Comm. Golder and seconded by Comm. Putney be nominated for the position of Vice Chairman of the Board. nominations. The Clerk cast one unrinimous ballot for Comm. Putney, his being elected Vice Chairman of the Board for the ensuing year. Clynes that Comm. There were no other which resulted in i—/e STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS: Mayor Conley announced at this time standing committees of the Board of Public Works. Chairman I Commissioner Ewanicki I _ Commissioner Clynes rmissioner Golder Commissioner Putney Commissioner Downing Commissioner Parkes the Vice Chairman Member Water and Sanitary Sewer Commissioner Putney Commissioner Clynes Highways, Street Lighting, and Refuse Commissioner Parkes Commissioner Ewanicki Bridges, Creeks and Storm Damage Commissioner Clynes Commissioner Downing Public Buildings, Public Grounds, and Parks Commissioner Ewanicki Commissioner Golder Fiance, Accounts, and Capital Improvements Commissioner Golder Commissioner Parkes Parking, Traffic and Transit Commissioner Downing Commissioner Putney 2 11110 RULES & REGULATIONS OF. BOARD OF PUBLIC, WORKS: The Deputy City Clerk retorted to the Board, that the Council had requested them to update the rules .and regulations passed by the Board in March, 1962. The Deputy City Clerk read the following resolution passed by Council: "RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works be requested to update the Rules and Regulations Booklet that became effective on March 20, 1962, and be made available by September 1, 1973, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Board of Public Works at their next meeting. Discussion revolved around the rules in question. It was explained that this was the established rules and regulations relating to the public streets and public grounds in booklet form adopted by the Board on March 14, 1902. RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS: Comm. Golder reported that at its last meeting the Deputy City Clerk reported that the Common Council has passed a resolution requesting the Board of Public Works to update its booklet of rules and regulations by September 1, 1973. At that time the Board did not take any action on the request. By Comm. Golder: seconded by Comm. Putney RESOLVED, That the request of the Common Council at its January 3, 1973 meeting to update the Rules and Regulations booklet that became effective on March 20, 1962, be referred to the Board as a whole. Carried • • • • 3 MINUTES: Comm. Parkes requested that the minutes be:corrected to show that not all members of the board had seen the plans, as so•stated on page 5 and that not all boards had seen"the plans,, but some boardias so stated on page .6. By COtmu. Parkes: seconded by Comm. Golder RESOLVED, That the minutes of February 28, 1973, as amended by the. Deputy City Clerk be approved. Carried MINUTES: Comm. Parkes reported that he had some corrections on tithe e April statement 1973, minutes. He said at the bottom of page 5 and that top of page he doesn't understand, attibuted to him. The discussion was about the Seneca Street Ramp. The minutes indicated his displeasure with the way the contract was handled. Comm. Parkes said he does not remember making that statment. He said he asked the Council members, who were present, two questions: 1. If they had assessed the consequences of building the Seneca Sleet ..Garage before the Green StreetGarage gh for the Seneca Street Garage 2) .Why they felt they had to pay.so By Comm. Putney: seconded by Comm. Parkes RESOLVED, that the minutes of the April 11, 1973, meeting be accepted with these corrections. Carried MINUTES: Comm. Golder requested the minutes of May 9, 1973, page 2, paragraph 3 should be corrected to read 400 units per year, instead of 400 extra gallons per day. By Comm. Putney: seconded by Comm. Golder RESOLVED, That the minutes of April 25, 1973 and May 9, 1973 meetings be accepted With this correction. MINUTES: Comm. Parkes requested that the minutes of June 27, 1973, Page 9 No. 1 should be corrected to read, 1. A stop here on signal sign near Westons and Ass't Supt. Hannan requested that on Page 7 paragraph 13 should be corrected to read C. Gsxy Snyder, A Sewer Plant Operator Trainee at $6775 per year, effective June 17, 1973. By Comm. Golder seconded by Comm. Downing resolved that the minutes for the June 27; 1973 meeting be accepted as corrected. MINUTES: Attorney Gersh requested 9 be corrected by deleting the fol tee of the work that still remains Assoc. has deposited $55,000 negot BY COMM. DOWNING SECONDED BY COMM. be accepted with this correction. Carried the Minutes of July 11, 1973, Page 5, Item No. lowing: "Providing $55,000 withheld for guaran- after this payment." The reason is that Streeter iable bonds with the City Chamberlain. ..c4% PARKES RESOLVED, That the minutes of July 11, 1973 Carried • • DAVID ROSS APPRECIATION: By Comm. Parkes: seconded by Comm. Golder 6.11,za' RESOLVED,That the Mayor be requested to direct a letter to David Ross of Station WTKO expressing the appreciation of the Board of Public Works for the kindness of Mr. Ross and of Station WTKO for the spot advertisements presented over the past several months publicizing the community transit system and encouraging ridership. Carried COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR: Mayor Conley said he wanted to let the Board • know that he is negotiating a third annual block party. The party will be held Saturday night May 129 1973. The Mayor said they are still negotiating the area to be used. He said in talking with the City Attorney and the Police Chief, we are taking the position that it a public safety situation. The permit would be granted by the Mayor with the approval of the Police Chief. If the traffic circulation presented any problems, the Police would have the power to close the street for safety reasons,The Mayor Mayor said it was a community party. Comm. Golder asked the Mayor if Cornell turned down the use of the area by Willard Straight. The Mayor said the request is coming to us for the Collegetown area. • • 6 By Comm. Parkes seconded by Comm. Ewanicki resolved that the Board approve the sale of an Ozalid machine from the Engineering Division to the Tompkins County • • 7 SUPERINTENDENT"S REPORT The report of Raymond, Parish $ Pine on the traffic circulation in the central business district has been received and will be available in my office for k.3 review by Board members. The draft of the environmental statement on the improvements of Routes 13 and 96 from Newfield Hill through Ithaca to Trumansburg, is available in my office for review by the Board members. 67i The NYS Master Plan for Transportation, Volume I, revised to April 1973, is on file in my office and available for review by Board members. q/3 • • • -8- It has come to my attention that the Finance Committee has recently turned down or altered several requests of the Board of Public Works. It is my understanding that the Finance Committee has determined that it will report for Council action, only those items on which they have a positive reaction. The Council in general, will not have the opportunity to deal with the requests of the Board or even to be aware of them unless some other method is devel- oped to bring the Board's concerns to the Council. The Board of Public Works who spends the bulk of the City's total budget, is not represented on the Fin- ance Committee, I would propose the following: 1. That the Mayor appoint as a voting memberof the Finance Committee, the Chairman of the Council's Committee on Public Works. 2. That the Finance Committee of the Common Council be directed to acquaint themselves with matters of the Board's concern, and present questions in sufficient detail in advance of their meeting, so that they may have adequate information on which to act. (No member of the department can be expected to anticipate the complex questions of the Finance Committee.) 3. Every item which is referred to the Council by the Board, should be adequately presented to the Council at the next subsequent meeting. A discussion took place on the Council Floor with several Aldermen and Comm- issioners pointing out the problems involved. COMMUNICATIONS: 9 The City Clerk read a letter of Appreciation from David N. Epstein praising the cooperation of the Board of Public Works refuse CollectionDept.. fl„1 4 _2 7 CONMUNI CATI ONS : City Clerk, Rundle read a letter to Nlr. Dingman from Mark T. Garvey Associates, praising the Departemtts fine job during the spring clean-up days this year. City Clerk read a letter directed to Mayor Conley from Comm. Downing announcing has • resignation as follows: Dear Mr. Mayor: !/�2 Because of the pressure of other business and for a number of personal reasons, I find it necessary to advise you that I am resigning from the Board of Public Works effective September 15, 1973, or as soon thereafter as you can find a replacement. I have enjoyed my years as a Commissioner and the experience of working with you, the other members of the Board, and the staff of the Department. My very best wishes and sincere admiration are extended to all with whom I have had the pleasure of serving our city. William S. Downing, Jr. MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT Mayor Conley announced the appointment of Dr. Ralph P. Baldini to fill the vacant seat on the Board of Public Works. Mr. Baldini will complete the term of Former Commissioner William Downing, Jr. the term of office will expire Dec. 31, 1974. The appointment will require Common Council approval. I1/4(7.3 OATH OF OFFICE - RALPH P. BALDINI Ralph P. Baldini received the oath of office as Commissioner of the Board of Public Works, term to. expire Dec. 31, 1974, and was seated on the; /bard. Mayor Conley informed newly appointed Comm. Baldini that he was assigned to the Bridges, Creeks and Storm Drainage Committee, Chairman of the Finance, Accounts and Capital Improvements Committee, and Vice Chairmaa of the Parking, Traffic and. Transit Committee. 1. By Comm. Downings seconded by Comm. Golder RESOLVED, that the 1972 report of the Board of Public Works be received and placed on file. 7/l2- arried • • • • City Clerk Rundle read a statement to the Board from Alderman Nancy R. Meyer as follows: STATEMENT TO THE BOARD 11-16-73 With the election over and a new year coming up, I'd like to make a statement as an individual Alderman expressing my hopes that the board and council will work closely and cooperatively together for the welfare of the city. Council has been working hard to clarify roles of the two bodies and procedures for better efficiency. This efficiency will only happen when both groups work as one toward the solving of our city's problems. A year ago I spoke of the problem of communication -.and encouraged the use of memos. This year I'm suggesting we start by recognizing more clearly which projects or situations require a line of action going from the board to the council - or council to board: All of us need to take more respons- ibility in making sure that line of action is followed through, as quickly as possible; otherwise items are lost in the delay. To Be Specific: Items that the finance committee and capital improvements committee are often items that involve the board. A delay on something like the D.P.W. budget affects decisions by the council committee - which in turn affects the activities of the D.P.W. If requests from the Board of Public Works are ignored by Council then again action is delayed. So, it's the city's loss when the lines of communication and action are inefficient. In our obligation to the tax payer it would seem appropriate that we listen to each other better - and act in our respective offices �L without mistrust. When we have a job to do - lets do and put aside the trivia.✓1��� A year and a half ago I urgd city to start thinking about our solid waste disposal process. Since that time, with the energy crisis at hand it is apparent that further conc.ote consideration is given. It takes less energy to recycle glass than to produce it from raw sand. When all factors are considered it takes less energy to recycle paper than to use all virg-.-A timber. Jack Dougherty and 1 vis:i d a rcyclir.g plant that will pay $20 per ton or $150 per dump truck _7c7, , '. `T,'ie. a will be a similar plant in Elmira within the year. There is a real possibility,of putting paper out to bid. I would ask the Board of Public Works to discuss the whole solid waste program in your committees. I would ask you to do the. necessary homework to understand how the city government can take a leadership position. It's no longer appropriate to embark on this issue through the back door -- It's time to deal with it directly. It is a good issue to challenge our ability to be efficient - and to use good communication for solving a problem involving both the Board of Public Works and Council - Council may have to pass ordinances regarding pickups --- B.P.W. has to concern itself with the mechanics... So Why Wait. Nancy R. Meyer Alderman • 13 RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION - RICHARD PUTNEY By Comm. Golder, seconded by Comm. Clynes,. WHEREAS, Richard Putney has completed six years of service to the City of Ithaca as a Commissioner of Public Works, during which time he has served as Chairman of many important committees of said Board, and (/D WHEREAS, Dick through his service as a member of the Planning Board, and through his affiliation with the Democratic Party, has been an important force for far- sighted and progressive government in the community, and WHEREAS, Dick's service to his City can be characterized by such adjectives as innovative, alert, incisive, intelligent and cooperative, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That this Board and the Staff express their formal thanks and appreciation for Dick's service to his City and his community, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be spread on the minutes of this meeting, and a copy thereof presented to Dick. THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS, Carried Vice Chairman and committee appointments named 1 Rules & Regulations of BPW - Common Council aske for revision 2 Minutes corrected 3 David Ross of WTKO - Board appreciates efforts - publicity on buses 4 Mayor reports on negos. for block party 5 Board approves sale of Ozalid machine in Engr's. office 6 Supt. reports available in his office (Traffic, Rt. 13 & 96, Master Plan 7 Sup't reports re Finance Committee method of action on BPW requests 8 Appreciation expressed to Refuse Collection Dept. 9 Comm. Downing resignation; Dr. Ralph Baldini appointed 10 BPW Annual Report accepted 11 Ald. Meyer statement to the Board 12 Resolution of appreciation to Richard Putney on retirement from Board 13