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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2010-08-24 TOWN OF ITHACA Public Works Committee August 24, 2010 Present: Rich DePaolo, Chair; Bill Goodman; Susan Riha; Jim Weber; and Mike Smith The meeting began at 10:35 a.m. The July 27, 2010, minutes were approved with a few changes. Member Comments/Concerns Striper: Jim Weber talked to the Committee about purchasing a paint striper. He explained that this would be used for stripping stop bars and crosswalks. This would save the Town money and crew time. We currently put the stop bars and crosswalk lines on with paint brushes and rollers. The machine that we are looking at is a very basic machine and costs approximately $3,500. Rich DePaolo asked how often the stop bars and crosswalks where painted. Jim said they are done annually, and we have about 100 crosswalks. The money for this will come from the Highway fund (DB). Garage Doors: Jim informed the Committee that we are having problems with the garage doors. We have found that it is cheaper to replace than it is to repair them. Snow and Ice Contract: Jim informed the Committee that the Snow and Ice agreement the Town has with Tompkins County has been approved by the County. This is a three year contract. The contract basically indicates who will plow each others roads. We plow some County roads and they plow some of ours. Jim will be putting together a resolution for the Town Board. Public Comments None Ithaca Estates III This is in the planning phases for 15 lots off from E. King Road. There would be a park and roads that would become the Town’s. The preliminary subdivision has been Public Works Committee Minutes, August 24, 2010 Page 2 approved by the Planning Board. The concern is that the proposed park is at the back of the subdivision and not visible. (We have had problems in the past with another park that is not visible from the road.) The land dedicated to the park is six acres. The Committee discussed the use of the park and what needs to be done to achieve the actual use. They also discussed putting trails there. Mike Smith indicated that the Parks and Open Space Plan calls for a park with this subdivision. Rich asked if there was anything the Committee needed to do. The Public Works and Planning Department staff have been reviewing the street alignments, ect. The Town Board will have to approve the roads and the utilities. Road Preservation This Committee needs to make a recommendation for the Town Board. Susan Riha said that she has been in contact with Cornell Local Roads. They informed her that the Town should have data on the conditions of our roads. Jim indicated that we have been working with contractors building new roads and we can continue to do so. The question was posed as to what the difference is between Sullivan County and the Town of Ithaca. Ithaca has more staff resource and is more of an urban community rather than rural Sullivan County. On some of our roads, we do get a lot of traffic from Cornell University and Ithaca College. The Committee discussed creating a local law and how it would be enforced. The Committee members agreed that the Town does need a local law. The decision needs to be made if we want the law to be detailed or basic. Jim said he will meet with staff to establish creating a law. Jim informed the Committee that, although not a law, we currently have a practice in place for contractors who have development and how it impacts the roads. Jim indicated that currently there is a logging company that is taking out logs from a property on Orchard Hill Road. We have retained a road bond from them, which will either be returned or used to fix any damage to the road. Jim said that the Town does have a higher standard for Town roads. The Committee discussed the costs of obtaining the data of the conditions of the Town Roads. Jim reminded the Committee that the Town has the staff to do this, and it can be done in the course of our day. Public Works Committee Minutes, August 24, 2010 Page 3 The Committee discussed the problems we are having with Ithaca College’s Athletic and Events Center. They had deviated from the approved drainage and grading plan. We are monitoring the construction on a daily basis. We have met with the developer and are working with them. The Committee needs to decide if we should get in the consortium with TCCOG. Jim said that we have no major problems with our roads, and there is limited truck traffic on them. Most of the construction traffic is on County or State roads. Jim did indicate that garbage trucks don’t necessarily use their brakes; they use the emergency brake. That is bad for the roads. He also said that local roads are not designed for heavy vehicles, such as buses. Verizon Wireless Jim informed the Committee that he has given Susan Brock, Town Attorney, a copy of Verizon Wireless’ proposal to build a tower at the Trumansburg Water Tank site. Jim explained that our parcel of land is landlocked. We have an easement to access the parcel. Verizon Wireless would have to get any easement. Jim explained that he will be having a conference call with Susan Brock and Verizon Wireless. Equipment Purchases for 2011 Jim said that we will be replacing a 10-wheeler in 2011. The truck should have been replaced last year. It has a lot of down time and the cost of repairs is high. Jim gave the Committee members a list of the current vehicle inventory and explained based on State law, the Highway Superintendant must supply a list of vehicles and equipment to the Town Board by September 30 of each year. The Committee discussed that we should have a replacement schedule. They also discussed that the Town might want to make sure we don’t keep vehicles to long as it costs more for repairs and the value goes down. Jim explained that we would like to purchase a saw that would be used for cutting pipe and concrete when making repairs during water main breaks. He said that we would like to replace the chipper. The Committee discussed the issues being identified with the rubber tired roller. Jim explained that rollers are not designed to stop fast. He said that the brakes were designed to meet the standards in 1972. The new standards are different. He said that getting parts for the roller are becoming increasingly harder. We have discussed not Public Works Committee Minutes, August 24, 2010 Page 4 replacing this but considered other options including rentals. There was a discussion about buying one with another municipality, but there would be issues regarding the insurance and maintenance of it. Jim said that it is sometimes hard to rent a machine because we would be renting in the summer and they may already be booked. Also, if you rent it one day and it rains, you have to do the work another day, so you would have to rent it another day. Agenda Items for the Next Meeting The Committee briefly discussed the cost differences between cleaning and hydroseeding ditches versus putting in piping. Jim said that it costs approximately $50 a foot to put in piping, as opposed to $15 to clean and hydroseeding a ditch. Both ways there will have to be maintenance. The Committee discussed that the Town should have a long range plan (vision). The Town is a MS4 community. There are two things we need to think about: offsetting surges and improving water quality. The Committee discussed retention ponds and that we will probably be seeing more of them. They talked about detention ponds for 25 or 50 year storms. This will be an item for the next agenda. The meeting was adjourned at 12:05 p.m.