HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2011-03-15
TOWN OF ITHACA
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
March 15, 2011, 10:39 a.m.
Public Works Facility
Board and Staff Present: Bill Goodman, Nahmin Horwitz, Rich DePaolo, Jim Weber, Mike
Smith, Creig Hebdon.
1. Approval of Minutes for Feb 15, 2011 was tabled until next months meeting.
2. Member Comments / Concerns –
An introduction was made of the new part time office worker, Nancy Flood.
Mr. Hurwitz asked four questions:
1) Does Pubic Works trade in or auction off their retired vehicles?
Mr. Weber’s response was that PW will either send them to an auction or
sell to a neighboring township.
2) Concerning Road Preservation Law: was it said that the Public Works Dept
could do the work or should an outside company \[Delta Engineering\] do the
service?
Mr. Weber said we have the Engineering staff that has the ability to do
the work, however, it is up to the Town Board to join with other
municipalities of TCCOG to use the \[Delta Engineering\] services .
3) Has PW done the repairs on Forest Home Trail?
Mr. Weber responded that some work to repair the hand rails has been
done but other major repair will be done when the weather improves.
4) Had the complaint Paulette (Town Clerk) sent about Warren Rd guide rail
been resolved?
Mr. Weber said Warren is a County Road and the complaint was
transferred to them.
Mr. DePaolo asked if there were any more decisions about staging and will the
location agree with Bruce’s Property Maintenance Law?
Mr. Weber commented that staging for current projects could be on empty
residential property or at other predetermined locations and that once
determined, the information would go through the proper channels for approval.
a. Consider modification to agenda:
Mr. Smith asked to add the Gateway Trail to the agenda.
3. Cornell Judd Falls Road Storm Drain – Preliminary infrastructure consideration
Cornell has asked for a curb to be placed along Judd Falls Road to deter the use of an
abandon driveway. To take care of the water run off caused by the new curbing, Mr. Hebdon
presented plans showing where the granite curbing, water main, and additional catch basins
would be placed. After some discussion, Mr. Goodman asked for Mr. Weber’s
recommendations. Mr. Weber said that these changes would not be a large impact for his
department. Mr. DePaolo motioned and Mr. Hurwitz seconded to accept the infrastructure
recommendations.
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PWC 3-15-2011
4. Ridgecrest Tank Updates – Health Department concerns.
Mr. Weber reported on the process of lining the Ridgecrest Tank. When the procedure was
done and tests taken, an issue was raised when two identified VOC’s measured higher than
NYS standards but well within Federal EPA standards. Discussion followed about the County
Health Department and Bolton Point communication and the informational draft letter that
eventually will be sent to the Ridgecrest customers per the Health Department’s criteria.
Mr. DePaolo asked if other water tanks in the town had been tested for comparison, but
because of the different types and methods of lining the tanks, Mr. Weber said it would be
difficult to compare results. The final draft of the customer letter will be approved by the
Health Dept. and updates to the Town Board will be made when a final determination is made
by the Health Dept.
5. Stormwater Audit Update – This is a Federal mandated audit of the MS4 system. Ithaca
received a ‘Satisfactory’ grade which is the highest rating. There were small issues on
customer education, operations and local law modification. Mr. Weber said we will work to
address a number of items listed.
Results were discussed and no action of this board required.
6. Follow up to the Ithaca Estates III Watermain Proposal.
The Town Staff researched Mr. Monkmeyer’s request to accept the existing infrastructure
within his apartment complex. After some discussion, it was decided to meet with Mr.
Monkmeyer and tell him that the Town would not take over maintenance/ownership of his
site.
7. Trail Use for Belle Sherman 5K – This is an annual race requiring a permit for Trail use.
No action required by board.
Added agenda item: Gateway Trail –
Mr. Smith presented a document of the Gateway Trail Project Update. He suggested that the
Town hire a consultant familiar with the grant process to help move the project forward. The
grant of $544,000 is an earmarked fund and scheduled to be completed by 12/31/2013.
Mr. Goodman made a motion to move the recommendation to the Town Board to hire a
consultant. Mr. Hurwitz seconded.
2011 Project Schedule
Mr. Weber showed a calendar identifying the schedule of Capital Projects. Items discussed
included bid openings, Town Board authorization and construction start and stop dates.
Future Agenda Items:
Forest Home Wall / Sidewalk Work
Forest Home Trail options
Emerald Ash Bore (EAB) Potential Infestation
South Hill Trail – City Manhole Condition
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