HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2011-12-20
TOWN OF ITHACA
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
December 20, 2011, 10:00 a.m.
Public Works Facility
Board and Staff Present: Bill Goodman, Rich DePaolo, Nahmin Horwitz, Jim Weber, Mike
Smith, Dan Thaete
Guests: Noel Desch, Mark Macera, and John Dunkle for the Longview Development Project
1. Approval of Minutes:
There were no changes to the November minutes. Mr. DePaolo motioned to accept. Mr.
Goodman seconded. Approved.
2. Member Comments / Concerns:
Mr. Horwitz commented regarding drainage issues that there should be a Town law for
instances when development actions by a resident cause damage to neighboring
residents. It was explained that any instances that currently exist were done under the
previous law and that the law has been updated to prevent these types of instances from
occurring.
a. Consider modification to agenda:
None
3. Longview Water Main – John Dunkle provided maps of two water utility options
proposed for the Longview Development Project. Mr. Macera explained that the
Longview Development group is interested in partnering with the Town to provide water
service to their project and expressed that Option 1 is their preferred option. Option 2 is
not preferred as there is known bedrock and steep sloping. Mr. Weber agreed as Option 1
will provide future redundancy in the Town’s system and will avoid dead end lines. The
Longview group also expressed an interest in sharing the cost (50/50) of the 2012 initial
main installation parallel to 96B. The Town does not have plans to reconstruct the entire
water main until 2013, but the Longview group would like to construct their housing with
water utilities in 2012. Therefore, Option 1 will provide the needs of the water utility to the
Longview Project and will provide a connection that meets the Town’s requirements to
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connect to in 2013. It was agreed that the proposal will be discussed at the January 9
Town Board meeting. Jim Weber will pull together a more detailed explanation with best-
estimate costs for Town Board discussion. Mr. Macera asked that his group be given a
copy of the explanation prior to the Town Board meeting.
4. Danby Road Preservation Law – Mr. Horwitz asked how it is decided that a law is being
violated. Mr. Weber explained that developers meet with the Planning Department prior
to any onset in which details are disclosed and decisions are made. Mr. Goodman
explained that the question at hand is using the applicability section of the Danby Law or
the County Law. Mr. Weber expressed that the Danby Law constructed by Delta
Engineering is very technical and does not allow for any loopholes. He feels the
assessment can be done in a simpler manner. Mr. Goodman will re-circulate the County
Law and discussion will continue at our January meeting. Mr. Goodman will check with
Guy Krough regarding the bond indemnification discussion.
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5. 2012 Meeting Scheduled – It was agreed that the current meeting schedule of the 3
Tuesday of the month beginning at 10:00 a.m. will be retained for 2012. Our next
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meeting will be January 17.
6. Project Updates
Ridgecrest Tank Status – The most recent testing resulted in non-detectable VOCs. We
will continue to do testing and beginning in 2012 will be done every other month. The
violation will remain open through April so we can ascertain that the VOCs remain non-
detectable.
South Hill Trail - We have made temporary repairs to span the concrete crossing by
bridging the failure with a snowmobile bridge provided by the County and diverting water
to an old culvert. Currently, the repairs are holding.
Meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
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Next Meeting: January 17, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.
Future Agenda Items:
2012 Capital Improvement Projects
Parks and Trails (Michigan Hill Park, South Hill Trail, Forest Home)
Road Preservation – Delta Law analysis and approach
Water and Wastewater Master Plan
Forest Home Wall / Sidewalk Work
Grant Opportunities for Forest Home Bridge
West Haven Road Drainage
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