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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2012-04-17 TOWN OF ITHACA PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE April 17, 2012, 10:00 p.m. Public Works Facility Board and Staff Present: Bill Goodman, Rich DePaolo (10:35), Nahmin Horwitz, Jim Weber, Mike Smith, Creig Hebdon, Mike Solvig Guest: John Caruso of Passero Associates representing Conifer Senior Living 1. Approval of Minutes: There were minor changes to the March minutes in regard to a typo and restructured sentence in item #5. “…have a road use agreement in lieu of a permit prior to the project starting to determine how any damage will be handled.” Mr. Goodman moved to accept. Mr. DePaolo seconded. Approved. 2. Member Comments / Concerns: Mr. Horwitz asked if using brine on the roads is an issue. Mr. Weber acknowledged that residents are concerned about the use of hydro-fracking materials. He explained that the Town does not use brine. He added that using brine would increase the Town’s equipment and containment costs and that any decisions to use the product would be a community / Town Board decision. Mr. Weber said that the NYS Department of Transportation does use brine prior to snow/ice storms. Mr. Horwitz asked about an inter-municipal grant that the Committee previously approved for cost reduction and if we could work with the County to reduce costs. Mr. Weber explained that shared services between highway departments are currently being implemented and that there is concern regarding the formal nature of inter-municipal agreements above what is already in place. i.e. winter road maintenance. He added that the grant was for a cost reduction study, which would be beneficial. a. Consider modification to agenda: None 3. Conifer Senior Living Conceptual Infrastructure Acceptance John Caruso of Passero Associates presented maps of the proposed infrastructure for the Conifer Senior Living Facility on West Hill. Mr. Weber added that the plan has been designed and meets industry standards in order to join our systems. The purpose of the presentation is to move the plan along for Planning Board approval and then for Town Board approval in May. Mr. Caruso explained that there are three entrances to consider: 1) State Route 96 at the Fire Hall; 2) West Hill Drive to align with driveway; 3) Southern connection can happen at curved area. He said that all connections allow for future development and are in alignment with the master plan and with Cornell’s plan. Mr. Weber added that the Town will be relocating a portion of our water main on the west side of the parcel and that there are no issues or concerns with the plan. Mr. Goodman asked about storm water ponds, gardens, etc. Mr. Hebdon said that there is an O&M agreement which will ensure an easement from Cornell down to State Route 96. Mr. Goodman asked about the construction timeline. Mr. Caruso indicated that he anticipates the Spring of 2013, but will keep us updated. Mr. Goodman moved to send the plan to the Town Board with the recommendation that the Public Works Committee approves the concept. Mr. DePaolo seconded. Carried. 4. Road Preservation Law Discussion: Mr. Horwitz asked for clarification about the County Law in regard to the Highway Manager releasing bonds and questioned if it is reasonable to give that authority. Mr. Goodman explained that we would write our law based on qualifications. He said that if companies using our roads disagreed with decisions, they would have to provide evidence that industry standards were not being followed. Mr. Horwitz pointed out that the County Law does not specify how conclusions are determined and questioned how we would control road assessment. Mr. Smith said that SEQR forms ask for truck trip information. Mr. DePaolo agreed that a set of criteria may need to be defined in the law as a basis for the decisions. Mr. Weber added that all roads are not the same age or of the same structure. There was discussion regarding quantifying road damage using the number of trips and truck weights vs. a theory presented by Dr. Lynne Irwin at a Town of Caroline meeting that Mr. Horwitz attended. Mr. Goodman offered the suggestion of using the lowest number of trips that would affect the worst roads and making that the minimum criteria. Mr. Goodman reminded the group that the law is usually general with the details being specified in the rules and regulations of the law. Mr. Goodman added th, that Dr. Irwin will be presenting for TCOG in Cortland on May 82012. He will try to attend. Mr. Horwitz will attend the next Town of Caroline meeting, if possible. 5. Project Updates (Mr. Weber): South Hill Trail: Demolition is almost done. The project is taking a little longer than expected. East Shore Drive: The project is ahead of schedule. A thousand foot of water main has been installed. Testing of the water main will be done at the end of the week. The sub-contractor will be on site on 4/18/12 to begin directional boring for installation of water services. Snyder Hill Road Reconstruction: Mr. Horwitz asked if it was true that the residents at 161 Snyder Hill received no response for four weeks. Mr. Weber responded that the insurance company did not respond in a timely manner and should have contacted the resident in the Fall of 2011. The Town called the insurance company in the Spring of 2012 and identified our concern for the lack of response. Subsequently, the insurance company has denied the claim. The homeowner will need to take the issue up with the insurance company. 6. Fleet Replacement Plan Mr. Weber presented to 2013 Fleet Replacement Plan and explained that if the Public Works Committee is in agreement with the plan he would be taking it to the Budget Committee on 4/25/12. There was a general consensus of the Committee to move the plan forward. 7. Capital Improvement Project List Mr. Weber reviewed the project list and discussion was held. With Public Works Committee agreement the project list will be taken to the Budget Committee on 4/25/12. There was a general consensus of the Committee to move the project list forward. Meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m. Next Meeting: May 15, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. Future Agenda Items: Parks and Trails (Michigan Hill Park, South Hill Trail, Forest Home) Water and Wastewater Master Plan Forest Home Wall / Sidewalk Work Grant Opportunities for Forest Home Bridge West Haven Road Drainage South Hill Trail Extension lvp