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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2013-06-18 TOWN OF ITHACA PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE June 18, 2013 9:00 a.m. Public Works Facility Board and Staff Present: Herb Engman, Jim Weber, Rich DePaolo, Mike Smith, Rod Howe 1. Approval of Minutes: There are no changes to the May minutes. Mr. DePaolo moved to approve, seconded by Mr. Howe. Carried. 2. Member Comments / Concerns: Mr. Engman brought up the issue of mowing being done adjacent to the property of Will Burbank for a water main easement that affects neighboring properties. Currently, the PWD has to cross the backside of four neighboring properties to mow for maintenance purposes. Mr. Weber indicated that we are looking into design concepts for a bridge which will involve the Planning process and the Stream Setback Law. Mr. Engman also reported a complaint about a gravel hole at Coy Glen and Glenside which is causing issues for cyclists. Mr. Weber said that the Department is aware of it and is performing their hot patch process now. Discussion was held about the Black Diamond Trail and the interest for a trail extension for the Town. Mr. Smith said there may be another grant opportunity for the Forest Home Sidewalk. 3. Game Farm Road Reconstruction Discussion: The Committee reviewed the County’s design plans. One issue is the parking area that currently exists, which is on Cornell’s property. The Town has no easements. Grading for the project will impact the parking area. The County wants to know what the Town would like to do as it ties into the East Ithaca Recreation Way expansion project. Further discussion is needed. Mr. Engman said that the Game Farm property is the only remaining issue for the Recreation Way expansion as part of a Town of Dryden project. Mr. Weber said that we can only get easements after grant approval. Mr. Engman said that signage will need to be put up to ensure that parking is for trail use only. 4. Grant for Inlet Valley Cemetery: Mr. Weber reported that he has been having discussion regarding options for wall repair. We will need to consider the options and determine specifications and estimates for the grant application. Mr. Howe reported that Tee Ann Hunter has acquired a list of stone masons. Mr. Engman indicated that vegetation would need to be removed in order to evaluate damage to the wall. He reminded the group that the grant has a five year timeframe for completion. He said that the State will not pay for Ground Penetrating Radar. Headstones are in need of repair and some are misplaced which should be covered under the grant. He pointed out that the mausoleum is deteriorated. Mr. Weber reported that our summer intern is taking photos in order to develop a map to assist in record keeping. Mr. Howe indicated that there has been interest in getting students involved. Mr. Engman said that it would be helpful to get an historic preservation expert involved. Mr. Weber is waiting on an estimate from a fabricator for removal/repair, sandblasting, repainting, and lettering of the gate. Mr. Engman said that once we get the information together, the Cemetery Corporation will come to review the site and the grant application. 5. Grant Application for Forest Home Sidewalk: Mike Smith, Sue Ritter, Creig Hebdon, and Jim Weber have completed the required training for submitting Federal grant applications. Mr. Weber presented handouts and the guidebook from the training. The money is left over funds from projects that were either allocated and not used or were completed under budget. He said that there are time constraints on the money and that all rules, regulations, process steps, and deadlines will be strictly adhered to. Decisions will be made in December and there is a three to five year process for construction. Mr. Smith added that the funds are designated for pedestrian-related projects and that any associated road modification costs would not be paid for with grant money. Mr. Smith reported that the minimum amount for a grant application is $200,000. Mr. Weber reported that the grant application for the speed indicators was originally intended as part of the Safe Routes to Schools grant. Now DOT is requiring design approvals. Discussion was held about contracting the work out. More information and discussion is needed. 6. Project Updates (Mr. Weber): a. Danby Rd / W. King Rd Water Main - Work is completed on West King Road. We are ready to fill the main, do testing, and disinfection. We are ready to continue the project down Danby Road. b. Danby Road Water Tank - Demolition is completed and the foundation is removed. We are pouring concrete and the new tank will be going up in the next couple of weeks. c. Northeast Water Study – Request for Proposal was due last Wednesday. There were five respondents. All are qualified. Due to variation in the proposal amounts we will speak with the low bidders to ensure that they understand the scope and continue the review process. d. Penny Lane Sewer Repair – The project is complete. Pavement repair is needed. th e. Trumansburg Sewer Repair – The project is out for bid. Opening will be June 27. f. Whitetail Drive Reconstruction – Design in not yet completed. The project will go out for bid early in July. g. Speed Indicator Grant – Addressed in agenda item #5 above. 7. Other: Mr. Engman reported that a resident expressed concern about water pressure to serve a new development on West Hill. Mr. Weber explained that the area is served from the Trumansburg Tank. Mr. Weber brought up the concern that Cornell is considering eliminating the Cornell Local Roads Program which facilities the annual Highway School Training. He reported that Highway Superintendents were asked to write letters of support to the Dean and asked if the Town Board would adopt a resolution for the letter. Mr. Engman agreed to support the th action and it will be added to the Town Board agenda for the July 8 meeting. Mr. Howe added that the program will be in effect through September, 2014. Mr. Weber reviewed his draft capital assets report that was requested as a result of the June 10th Board Meeting. He will send copies of insurance reports to all Town Board members. Mr. Engman expressed an interest in knowing if playground structures are being utilized prior to replacement. Mr. Weber suggested having students monitor playground activity to assist with that determination. Mr. Smith reminded the group that the Michigan Hill Trail grant was not awarded and said that NYS Parks has a recreation trail program. He will look into repackaging the grant and will attend a workshop tonight to gather more information. Meeting adjourned at 10:20 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for: July 16th, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. Future Agenda Items: Forest Home Wall / Sidewalk Work Coddington Road Sewer Line Extension Grant for Inlet Valley Cemetery 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 lvp