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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2015-08-18 TOWN OF ITHACA PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE August 18, 2015 9:00 a.m. Public Works Facility Board and Staff Present: Rod Howe, Rich DePaolo, Herb Engman, Jim Weber, Creig Hebdon, Judy Drake, Bruce Bates Guests: George Franz and Virginia Augusta representing 932 East Shore Drive 1. Approval of Minutes: Minutes from June 23rd, 2015 were approved Mr. Engman motioned to accept. Mr. DePaolo seconded. 2. Member Comments / Concerns: None a. Modifications to Agenda – Mr. Engman will provide an update to the Forest Home ROW and Wall and Mr. Weber will add the Clare Bridge Water Service discussion 3. PW Staffing Modifications: Mr. Weber stated that the referral for this request came from the P&O Committee, which stipulates eliminating two Laborer positions and replacing them with two MEO positions for increased flexibility and to reduce Laborers working out of class. Judy Drake stated that the MEO candidates would go through the application and interview process. The Committee recommended approval of the request and it will move to the Town Board for final consideration. 4. Acceptance of Eco Village Sanitary Sewer: Mr. Weber reported that the required sewer work has been completed and has passed testing. The easement, currently being reviewed by lawyers, needs to be signed and filed. The Town will be taking over the sewer line for maintenance. The Committee approved referring the item to the Town Board for final acceptance in order to close the project. 5. Easement Encroachment for 932 East Shore Drive: Mr. Weber gave an overview of the request for redevelopment of an existing parcel that currently infringes on a sanitary sewer easement. The position of the Public Works Department is that encroachment should be off of the easement. The applicant is looking for a variance of encroachment. Mr. Franz debated that the easement encroaches on the parcel, as the house was there first and is asking for a slight expansion. He states that the sewer line is actually on railroad property. Mr. Hebdon stated that he has found no record of a railroad easement, but needs to continue looking for any agreement that may have been adopted. He stated that once the house is removed, the easement exists at the full width of 30 feet and that the Town will own the easement. Discussion was held regarding stair relocation, restriction of view, footer depth, and restrictions due to the east/west sewer line. The edge of footers cannot go beyond the edge of the easement. Mr. Weber emphasized protection of the easement access for maintenance purposes as it could be a public health issue. Mr. Engman feels the best approach is to continue looking for an agreement between the Town and the railroad before any decision can be made. Virginia Augusta, owner, stated that she needs to know the parameters she has to work with before meeting with the ZBA in order to consider other options for re-engineering the parameters if there is no support. 6. Clare Bridge Water Service: Mr. Hebdon stated that a new building is going on site and the applicant is requesting an additional water meter. Bolton Point and Town policy states only one meter per site. Mr. Weber added that there are currently two services to the parcel. The applicant is proposing a third service. Discussion was held regarding sprinkler requirements, master meter, billing, and variances compounding future maintenance. Mr. Weber stated that the item is on the agenda for background information due to a Planning issue and Policy restrictions. The Town Board has the final decision about the number of meters allowed. Mr. Engman would like to find out the implications to Bolton Point for metered billing and cost of repairs for future discussion of the issue. 7. Forest Home ROW and Wall: Mr. Engman reported that he and Mr. Goodman met with the homeowner. The RFP is being adjusted and is about ready to be sent out. 8. Fill Sites Discussion: As previously discussed, the current fill site is exhausted and water/sewer operations require another location. Mr. Weber suggested the Saponi Meadows site since it is likely that future development would require grading and fill. Other options are to develop a site, work with other contractors, or pay fees associated with disposing at existing landfills. Mr. DePaolo asked if the fill from water/sewer operations is clean. Mr. Weber reported that it is for the most part, but can contain some asphalt or concrete. He also explained that erosion and sediment control procedures would be followed including adding compost for vegetative growth. Mr. Engman is unsettled about deciding on the site as development is questionable and there may be agricultural impacts. Discussion was held regarding other alternatives. He is in favor of finding an alternative until something more is determined for Saponi Meadows. 9. Project Updates: Elm Street Drainage – Going out to bid soon Sapsucker Tank Replacement – Silo is being placed this week Coddington Rd Water Main Phase 2 – Moving forward, scheduled for end of September completion Inlet Valley Cemetery Rehabilitation – Wall is done, head stones are ¼ repaired, concrete invoice has been paid. Marcy Court – Complete Honness Lane – Will start in the next two weeks State Route 79 Sanitary Sewer – Started 8/17, will be done in two weeks Meeting adjourned at 10:35 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for: September 15th, at 9:00 at the Public Works Facility. lvp