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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2011-08-16 TOWN OF ITHACA PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE August 16, 2011, 10:00 a.m. Public Works Facility Board and Staff Present: Bill Goodman, Rich DePaolo, Jim Weber, Creig Hebdon Guests Present: Bruce Brittain and Doug Brittain from Forest Home Drive 1. Approval of Minutes: There were some minor wording changes to the July minutes. Mr. DePaolo motioned to accept. Mr. Goodman seconded. Approved. 2. Member Comments / Concerns: There were no comments or concerns to report. a. Consider modification to agenda: There were no modifications to the agenda. 3. Project Updates – Mr. Weber Snyder Hill Road Paving – Waiting for the paving contractor to respond to our request for a pre-construction meeting. The contractor has requested a 2-week extension, which has been denied until they complete the pre-construction meeting. The contractor has th indicated that the project will be substantially completed by September 16 without the extension. Hungerford Hill – The electrician is on site and the tank should be fully operational by the end of the month. East Shore Water Main – Work has been completed across the Route 13 ramps. Rock has been encountered, but it was considered in the bid, therefore, no changes to the project. Town Hall Roof – A Contractor has been assigned and is ready to start. The roof color has been changed from gray to white for sustainability purposes. There was discussion as to why the decision was made to change the color. Town Hall Air Quality – This project is on the Town Board agenda for Monday. There were three responses. The decision was made by the Operations Committee to accept the low proposal. Mr. Weber reported that 2012 projects will be presented to the Town Board next month prior to budget approval. This is due to the time required for the approval process so the projects can be bid in early 2012. Mr. DePaolo asked about the status of the Ridgecrest Tank. Mr. Weber reported that the tank is still in operation and the VOCs are lower but still above the requirements when taken from the hydrant next to the tank. Mr. Weber reported that the PWF will be making a proposal to overflow the tank to eliminate water at the top of the tank with VOC concentration that does not leave the tank. Mr. Goodman asked about the Warren Road Walkway project. Mr. Weber reported that we are finishing up. There have been some fence installation issues by one resident that is contrary to the easement agreement. Mr. DePaolo asked about the status of Christopher Circle. Mr. Weber reported that we are still cleaning up the tank site and removing materials, which should be completed once the Walkway project is done. 4. West Haven Road Drainage Update – Mr. Goodman reported that he and Mr. DePaulo met with Kathy Emilian, George McGonigal, and Marc Mecenas last Thursday afternoon. Mr. Mecenas has purchased a lot to install a pond which will redirect the southerly ditch. The north side plan is to ditch along the contour. Mr. Mecenas intends to install downspouts to direct water to the southwest corner or the house. Mr. Weber explained that a pond still requires discharge and details are needed in regard to engineering its design. Mr. Hebdon explained that a pond will fall under our storm water regulations and a developer must prove engineered sustainability. Mr. Hebdon left the meeting as he was through reporting on the issue. 5. Penny Lane / No Parking – A no parking petition was received from the neighborhood. It was discussed with the Sheriff, City, and Town staff. A decision was made to move the issue to the September Town Board Meeting to start the process to restrict parking from May 1 - Sept. 30 from 6:00 a.m. to Midnight. The Sheriff can only enforce no parking if there is a restriction. Mr. Goodman asked if 6:00 a.m. is too early. Mr. Weber explained that the times can be adjusted, but that this was what was discussed within the group. Mr. Goodman said he would send an email regarding adjustment of the timeframe. 6. Forest Home Traffic Calming – Bruce Brittain presented the issue, previously presented by John Miller via email, of pedestrians maneuvering past entrance pillars. The surface is rough crushed stone and is not tamped. He would like to request a smoother walking surface. Also, the 300 block at guiderail is 3 ft behind the pillar and 3 ft off of the concrete. He requested to move the guiderail out. In addition, the street light at the base of Pleasant Grove Road intersection is a narrow cone of light. The Intersection and crosswalk are not illuminated. He suggested moving a brighter light from another pole to that pole. Mr. Goodman added that folks seem happy with the overall outcome of the project in regard to speed reduction. Mr. DePaolo questioned the use of red paint on the side of the road. Mr. Weber explained that brick red is not a road paint that is available, but also explained that the red paint was only intended to be applied to the entrance rather than at each speed table. In regard to Mr. Brittain’s concerns, Mr. Weber explained that Warren Road is a County road and that we would need to get approval from them before we do any filling or grading. He also explained that guiderail posts dictate the location of the guiderail and questioned if it would be cost advantageous to move the guiderail. He suggested that these issues be addressed all at once in order to determine if the Town needs additional funding. In regard to lighting, Mr. Weber is concerned about creating other issues and would need to consult NYSEG. Mr. Goodman stated that traffic calming is phase 1 of the project and asked what phase 2 consists of. Doug Brittain expressed concern that there are things that remain unfinished by the contractor (concrete at Judd Falls, ditching at Caldwell, water pooling and drainage on Warren) and requested that these things be taken care of by the Town while waiting for phase 2 funding. Mr. Goodman suggested that some committee members attend a Forest Home meeting to discuss prioritizing a list of issues as a next step. Mr. Goodman agreed to go look at the traffic calming area as well as the intersection that is poorly lit. Bruce and Doug Brittain will email a list of noted issues prior to members meeting with the Forest Home group. 7. Surplus Equipment Sales – Mr. Weber explained that we have pickups and other vehicles that will be going to auction or will be sold to other municipalities. We also have a 1962 rubber-tired roller that may be worth more as scrap and presented the idea to the committee in order to determine if that method of disposal is appropriate since it is not considered “sale of surplus”. Mr. Goodman and Mr. DePaolo did not have an issue with scrapping the roller. Mr. Weber explained that we can borrow a roller from the County or rent one when needed, as our need for one is limited. 8. Road Preservation – Mr. Goodman asked about the sense of timing in passing a road preservation law and suggested waiting to see what happens with the Town of Danby and the County draft laws. Mr. Weber felt that it would be beneficial to negotiate details with developers prior to road use rather than waiting until after the damage is done since the Town has an experienced staff that can anticipate and address issues. Mr. DePaolo indicated that we need to be sure the law entails enforcement if cooperation fails. Mr. DePaolo asked what the charge of this Committee is. Mr. Goodman explained that our charge is to make a recommendation regarding the road preservation law. Mr. DePaolo indicated that it should be relatively easy to put something together when it appears to be imminent and commented that we are at an advantage if we wait to see the outcome of other municipalities. Mr. Goodman will be report this at the Town Board’s next study session. Next Meeting: September 20, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Goodman at 11:48 a.m. Seconded by Mr. DePaolo. Carried. Future Agenda Items: Michigan Hill Park South Hill Trail Water and Wastewater Master Plan Forest Home Wall / Sidewalk Work Road Preservation – Delta Law analysis and approach West Haven Road Drainage Vehicle Inventory 2012 Capital Improvement Projects 2012 Budget Changes lvp