HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2014-04-15
TOWN OF ITHACA
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
April 15, 2014 9:00 a.m.
Public Works Facility
Board and Staff Present: Herb Engman, Rich DePaolo, Rod Howe, Jim Weber, Mike Solvig
1. Approval of Minutes:
In item #7 Fleet Replacement Plan Review, $85 was changed to $85K. Item #1 under
Other Topics, the word “to” was changed to “about” in regard to secured rights. Mr.
DePaolo moved to approve, seconded by Mr. Howe. Approved.
2. Member Comments / Concerns:
Mr. Engman is concerned about the sink hole that appeared on South Hill Recreation Trail
culvert. Mr. Weber explained that the sanitary sewer that was installed crosses through
the culvert and debris has caught and caused erosion. PWD is still assessing the
situation which may involve rebuilding the area.
Mr. DePaolo would like an update on the Coddington Road pavement. He heard that the
County will not be paving until the Water Main project is complete. Jim will contact Jeff
Smith from the County to discuss.
a. Modifications to agenda – Mr. Weber added Inlet Valley Cemetery
3. Budget Discussion on Salt Usage during Winter of 2013/14 and Purchase for Winter
of 2014/15:
Mr. Weber referred to a memo outlining the current salt status. As of September 2013,
we have received approximately 3900 tons of salt and have 300 tons remaining, which
leaves us thin for the next season. He would like to have 1000 tons in the barn for the
remainder of 2014, which means we would need 700 more tons. The price in January of
2014 was $62.15 per ton. The Office of General Services order is due by May 30th of this
year for the 2014/15 season. Mr. Weber would like to budget 3000 tons for the 2015 year.
Mr. Engman asked if a budget amendment will be needed to purchase more salt for 2014.
Mr. Solvig responded “yes” since the salt budget is already over budget for this year. Mr.
Weber added that he will try to make up for the overage by cutting back on other things
and also that we will be receiving extra funding from CHIPS and an Extreme Winter
Recovery Program. He will be bringing a resolution to the Town Board for additional 2014
funding for salt.
4. Consideration of Sale of Surplus Equipment to the Town of Newfield:
Mr. Weber said that the Town of Newfield is interested in purchasing the lowboy trailer
that would normally be going to auction this year. The Committee was in favor of the sale,
so Mr. Weber will work with our auction company for an appraisal value.
5. Request to Abandon Water Easement (John Street):
Mr. Weber shared a map of the Town’s water easement on John Street. There is a deck
built over our easement and Susan Brock is working with the real estate attorney to
resolve the issue. Mr. Weber feels that the easement is not critical and can be
abandoned as there is a loop for our system. The item may have to go to the Town Board
if the value of the property is more than $1000. We are working with the property owner
to get an appraisal done. The Committee had no objection to abandoning the easement.
6. Request to Accept Driveway/Road as Town Street (Bostwick Road):
The property owner at 429 Bostwick Road sent a letter to Mr. Weber about wanting the
Town to take ownership of the driveway/road that will be built and lead to a subdivision
that will be developed off of Bostwick Road. Mr. Weber stated that he has directed the
property owner to the Planning Department. He also informed the owner that the
driveway/road will need to be built to Town standards, may need to be asphalt or gravel,
and must be able to convey emergency vehicles, and that the County would still need to
approve the connection to Bostwick. Mr. Weber is aware that the owner has had
discussions with the Planning Dept. and it is possible that it will be a private road.
7. Greenways Development Road / ROW Discussion:
Mr. Weber presented a map of the Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Association which
shows the proposed development. He suggested abandoning ROWs for two parcels
which would require Town Board approval. The Town would continue to plow and
maintain the roadway leading to the development, but the development roadway would
become private.
8. Project Updates:
Elm Street Extension Slope Repair: Work started at the outlet last week. Both sections
of pipe looked fine, but the band holding them together rusted loose allowing the branch
to go through. We have covered the joint between the two pipes with corrugated metal
and poured a concrete collar and are halfway done constructing headwalls. We should
have the slope complete in the next week or so. There is still the long-term question of
replacement and maintenance. We are looking into the process of “spin casting” as a
potential process to solve structural/hole issues. The joint repair will continue to be
assessed in determining future maintenance.
Sand Bank Road Reconstruction: We will be closing Sand Bank Road on 5/1 for three
months. Two crews will be working on drainage and on embankments. Two weeks will
be allowed after pavement is poured for curing. Mr. DePaolo asked about closure at the
lower section near the ball field, to which Mr. Weber responded it would not be closed.
Winner’s Circle Culvert Repair: Bids are out for spin casting of large diameter drainage
to avoid digging large sections of the road.
Route 79 Sewer Repair: The project is ready to go out to bid.
Christopher Tank Replacement: The project needs to go to Planning and ZBA.
Variances need to be updated. Bid opening will begin mid- May with construction starting
in July. The tank should be operational by October.
Coddington Road Water Main: We are finalizing details regarding the County permit.
Plans of 90% complete. The project will be advertised in the next week or two with a late
May bid opening.
Inlet Valley Cemetery: Mr. Weber said he is ready to put the application together. The
bids received are as follows: Monuments $12,600 - $15,000., Trellis rehabilitation $4,000
or more, Wall $35,000 - $40,000. He would be asking for a $60,000 grant and should be
able to submit it in the next couple of weeks. Mr. Engman suggested stipulating that the
wall is the “fence” in order for it to be considered for repair within the grant.
Mr. Weber added that several sinkholes on Elm Street have been reported resulting in cross
culverts needing repair and a number of driveway culverts have failed. He stated that frost
has put pressure on aged infrastructure.
Mr. Solvig reported that the Budget Committee will be looking at the Capital Budget at its
June meeting. Please contact him with any questions or concerns.
Meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
The next meeting is scheduled for:
May 20th at 9:00 at the Public Works Facility
Future Agenda Items:
Forest Home Wall / Sidewalk Work
Coddington Road Sewer Line Extension
Bluegrass Lane Trail after Hanshaw Road Walkway is complete
Parks and Trails (Michigan Hill Park, South Hill Trail, Forest Home)
Water and Wastewater Master Plan
South Hill Trail Extension
Hydrogen Powered Vehicles
Complete Streets Policy
Abandoning Roads
lvp