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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2014-08-19 TOWN OF ITHACA PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE August 19, 2014 9:00 a.m. Public Works Facility Board and Staff Present: Herb Engman, Rod Howe, Rich DePaolo, Jim Weber, Mike Solvig, Dan Thaete Guests: Bruce Brittain (Forest Home Association) and Travis Cleveland (Cleveland Estates) 1. Approval of Minutes: th Minutes from July 15, 2014 approved. 2. Member Comments / Concerns: None a. Modifications to Agenda – Mr. Engman added the upcoming vacant Engineering Technician I position and Mr. Brittain added the shoulder on Caldwell Road. 3. Cleveland Estates Water Infrastructure Acceptance - Consider Referral to Town Board: Mr. Weber explained that the work done and information provided for the Cleveland Estates Subdivision was acceptable to the Public Works Department and asked for a recommendation to move the approval to the Town Board. He explained that the water utility is public and that the sewer utility and road is private. Mr. DePaolo moved to refer the item to the Town Board, seconded by Mr. Howe. Motion Carried. 4. Cornell Local Roads Pavement Condition Presentation: Dan Thaete explained the internship program offered by Cornell Local Roads. Dan Ki, our summer intern, visually assessed cracking, paving, shoulders, drainage, failures, etc., on Town roads in .2 mile segments. Using the Cornell Assessment Management Program for Roads and Streets he was able to generate a report that provided raw data, worst to best conditions, and a recommended order of repair based on cost effective spending. The focus is on maintenance rather than complete reconstruction of roads. Dan Thaete explained that one drawback of the program is that it is only a snapshot in time and assessment would be required each year to stay current. Mr. Weber explained that some of the data could be applied to road preservation and to compile the Town’s CIP list. Mr. Weber will provide the report electronically. 5. Campbell Road Stop Sign Discussion: Mr. Engman explained that there is resident opposition to installing a stop sign at the end of Campbell Road that connects to Hopkins Place that focuses mainly on TCAT frequently using the road. The Committee feels that safety is the main focus. Mr. Engman suggested that the Committee look into the Town’s legal options in regard to safety and TCAT. 6. Complete Streets: Mr. Engman asked for initial reactions and to continue thinking about Complete Streets Legislation. He suggested keeping the item on the agenda for consideration and further discussion. One option is to look at other municipalities for examples of local legislation. 7. Cemeteries: Mr. Engman reported that Mr. Solvig attended the last Lakeview Cemetery meeting where they were campaigning to acquire contributions for maintenance purposes. Bruce Brittain added that the descendants of family members buried there want it to be well maintained. Mr. Solvig explained that vandalism grants have a lot of conditions and offer little funding. Mr. Engman reported that Martin Kelly installed plywood over the area where the bronze bars were vandalized on the mausoleum. Mr. Engman noted that the mowing seems to be going well, but that there is a washed out gravel road. Mr. Weber informed the group that Public Works would need to identify the cost and submit a proposal to the Town Board to replace a culvert under the loop driveway as a donation consideration. Mr. Engman also mentioned that the Lake Street culvert is close to being plugged to which Mr. Weber said that it was a State culvert that they should be aware of with the latest rain which caused flooding in that area. Mr. Weber presented Mr. Engman with the grant application for Inlet Valley Cemetery for submission amounting to a request of $59,875. Mr. DePaolo asked if there was any resolution to the recent vandalism at Lakeview Cemetery. Mr. Solvig responded that law enforcement knows who vandalized the cemetery, but need to get estimates in order to know what to charge the vandal(s) with. Mr. Engman reported that Paulette has written to the Cemetery Corporation of New York in order to get input as to any previous incidents of this type or any resources available. 8. Forest Home Walkway: Mr. Engman brought up the issue of a tree from Cornell falling across the trail and damaging the walkway handrail and a recent rain event causing a 6-8” channel in the walkway and asked what Public Works could do about it before winter sets in. Mr. Weber reported that the issues are on the list of repairs. He indicated that the trail repairs will likely require renting equipment. There was discussion about the drainage issues in the area of Warren Road that the water drained from. Bruce Brittain added that Warren Road feeds into a swale that is now bypassed due to the relay pipe being filled up with gravel. He stated that he feels the lower erosion resulted from drainage from the Arm’s residence where there is a gravel dam that is diverting the water to the trail. 9. Project Updates: Sand Bank Road – The project is continuing. Gravel is down, grading is complete. We will be utilizing the Town of Lansing’s crew for paving. The road will be ready to drive on as of Friday, 8/22/14. We are in the process of getting estimates for guiderail. The road should be open to the public by mid-September. Winner’s Circle Stormwater and Road Reconstruction – The stormwater portion is complete. Spin casting of the 42” pipe is complete. The road reconstruction portion is underway. Forming and pouring of gutters is scheduled to be done on Friday, 8/22/14. The project should be complete by mid-September. Route 79 Sewer Repair – The project was rebid. Bids will be opened on 8/20/14. There are contractor concerns in regard to pipe bursting the asbestos tile pipe and following DEC protocols. Christopher Tank Replacement – The footer has been poured. The bottom ring will be arriving next week. The dome is expected on 9/15/14. It will then be jacked up and the remaining rings will be installed. Sprint will need to transfer their equipment. Coddington Road Water Main – The project is moving along. The northern end has been completed with services being connected today. The Troy Road Pump House is scheduled for next week. Mr. DePaolo mentioned that the traffic control was a bit questionable when entering the one lane road from a side street. Dan Thaete will relay the concern to the contractor. Reference was made to a previous complaint regarding a flag person’s comments and Mr. Weber reported that any incidents should be reported to law enforcement with license plate information. Town Board Bus Tour Update: Mr. Weber reminded the group about the Town Board Tour on 8/22/14 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The group will meet at the Public Works Facility. 10. Caldwell Road Shoulder: Bruce Brittain reported that the extension of the shoulder looks good with the exception of the entrance to Cornell’s wildflower garden, which was skipped. It was agreed that Public Works should contact the County (John Lampman) about the details around why the entrance was not done at the time. Bruce explained that the plan is located on the County Website, so that it can be determined whether or not there was a deviation from the original approved plan. 11. Engineering Technician Vacancy: Mr. Engman informed the group that the position would become vacant as of 8/22/14 and asked that a review be done regarding the position in regard to the need for the position, replacing in-kind, or additional needs for the role. 12. Other: Bruce Brittain brought up his concern about no boards being placed on the edge of the walkway on the Upstream Bridge Walkway to prevent wiggling and referenced a previous conversation where Mr. Weber agreed. Mr. Weber indicated that he had no recollection of any agreement to place wood underneath, but did agree that using wood on the walkway would allow for warping of the boards. Bruce Brittain reported that black locust was used on the bridge, which will hold up better. Meeting adjourned at 10:15 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for: September 16 at 9:00 at the Public Works Facility lvp