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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2010-09-28 TOWN OF ITHACA Public Works Committee September 28, 2010 Present: Rich DePaolo, Chair; Bill Goodman; Susan Riha; Jim Weber; and Mike Smith Guests: Herb Engman, Gene Redman, and Dan Walker The meeting began at 10:35 a.m. The August 24, 2010, minutes were approved with a few changes. Member Comments/Concerns None Public Comments None Fleet Replacement Jim Weber explained that there is no real policy as to when the Town replaces our vehicles. He felt that we had two choices: Drive a vehicle until it dies or replace it while we can still get some money out of it. Jim gave the Committee members an article from the internet regarding creating a policy. The Public Works Department staff will start working on a policy. Jim informed the Committee that the State recommends a 10-year life cycle for dump trucks. The Town typically gets less years out of our trucks. The State has trucks that are used in the summer and then other trucks that are used for plowing/salting in the winter. Since the Town’s trucks are used both summer and winter, the boxes and frames tend to corrode sooner. Gene Redman explained that we try to stagger the years of purchasing of dump trucks. Rich DePaolo felt that if this was brought to the Town Board for direction, they would send it back to the Public Works Department to handle it. Public Works Committee Minutes, September 28, 2010 Page 2 Gene informed the Committee that we try to keep a dump truck 10 years. We have one that we have had for 11 years, and it is nickel and diming us. The Committee discussed the oldest two dump trucks the Town has. The 2001 Single Axle Dump Truck is not used very much. Jim informed the Committee that we have a 2002 dump truck that needs a new box. That will cost the Town around $30,000. This truck is supposed to be kept for two more years. The Committee discussed the federal mandates that require vehicles to be more fuel efficient. Rich wondered if the Town should purchase extended warranties. Jim said that we would have to take warranty work to the dealer, and they are sometimes in Buffalo, Syracuse, and Rochester, etc., if the vehicle was purchased off of state bid. Herb Engman asked if the replacement schedule presented is an estimate or a fixed schedule. Jim said they are estimates because you have to consider the sale, re-sale, if it is a lemon, and repair costs when determining how long a vehicle is kept. Down time for employees when trucks are being fixed is a consideration also. Susan said that she liked the idea of selling vehicles before they are no good, so we do get some money out of them. Herb asked what our priorities would before 2011. Jim said the 10-wheeler would be the first priority, then replacing a pickup truck. The Engineering van would be the last. Rich asked how much money we would be able to get out of a pickup truck. Gene said we should get between $3,000 and $5,000. Herb said that the Part-Town Highway funds is OK; water and sewer need to be monitored carefully. Bill Goodman asked if the Town saves money each year to cover costs when there is a big purchase. Herb said that we basically look at what we feel the residents can handle—there are no real savings. Jim informed the Committee that some companies have Fleet Departments. All the other departments have to pay rental fees based on how much you use it. Susan said that is how Cornell University does it. The Committee wants the Public Works Department to put together a replacement draft schedule and policy. Jim said that we will come up with yearly costs, trade-in value, repair costs, etc. We will put together a 10 point rating system. This will be added to the next meetings agenda. Public Works Committee Minutes, September 28, 2010 Page 3 Water and Wastewater Master Plan Dan Walker explained that he has been working on a draft water and wastewater master plan. The Town infrastructure was started in the 1940’s. Most of it was built in the 1950’s and 1960’s. The Town took over our Town infrastructure in the 1970’s from the City of Ithaca. There are several different service areas. Dan explained that the master plan will be the frame work to handle the replacement of lines, etc. Jim said that the master plan will also help decide who will pay for systems and how they will be built. The Committee talked about water pressures and there can be a lot of pressure at a service, but nothing by the time you get to an upstairs bedroom. Rich asked if the plumbing could be the issue. Jim said that plumbing should be up to code. Jim said that Overlook is a good example. There is no PSI (pounds per square inch) at the top of the hill, but as you go down, it gets better. Susan wondered if the Town should set a minimum PSI. Bill said that Eco-Village has pumps to their tank. Bill wanted to know what the costs of having the Town provide good pressure in all areas of a home would be. Dan said that the master plan would look at that type of information. There are some water tanks in the town that if they are full, there is plenty of pressure, but if they are down even 10 feet, there could be no water pressure. Herb indicated that the Comprehensive Plan only addresses new development. The Committee discussed that fire hydrants are color coded as to how much pressure is in the hydrant. This is measured at the highest point in that hydrant’s system. The Committee talked about the water pressure in the Southwoods subdivision and that it is very low. Rich asked if Southwoods was higher than the tank. Dan said the water comes from the tank on Troy Road. Southwoods subdivision is at the end of a water line system, which makes the pressures lower. The Committee discussed what improvements need to be made and who should pay for it. This is a good reason why we need a plan. Jim explained that to complete the relining work on the Ridgecrest water tank, we will be using a fire hose that is fed from Ithaca College as a cross connection to maintain service. Public Works Committee Minutes, September 28, 2010 Page 4 Dan said that sometimes it is better to have two smaller (sister) tanks, than one large one. Rich thought it would cost more to maintain two tanks. Dan said that they would be able to back each other up, if something failed at the other. Dan said that he would have a rough draft of the water and wastewater master plan to Jim by the end of the week. It will outline the systems weaknesses and strengths. Block Parties Jim informed the Committee that the Town has received a request from the Forest Home Association to have a block party. Currently, there is no Town policy on this. He feels that we should come up with an application/permit process. Jim explained some of New York State rules on block parties. One item is to have a public hearing. The Highway Superintendent can make the decision to let the applicant have the party. He would like it simple, but it would have to include: 1. The request. 2. The Town would provide barricades, but requester would have to put them up. 3. Insurance would not be needed. 4. We would notify appropriate authorities regarding closing the road. The Committee agreed that the application/permit process should be kept simple. We will let the Forest Home Association know they can have their party. The Committee discussed the need for insurance. There was a concern if someone got hurt on public property (the road), what would happen. Jim said that either an individual property owner could get insurance or the homeowners association. This will have to be worked out. Rich pointed out that people rent out Town Hall, and they do not need to have addition insurance. Herb said Judy says we will get sued no matter what. Don’t worry about it. Jim indicated that we might want to have a security deposit for the barricades. The State restrictions were discussed. Jim says we have some leeway in making a Town policy. Rich said it is vague who has to be notified. Jim said that the neighbors have to buy into the party. Jim also indicated that whichever type of barricade is put up has to be movable, so that emergency vehicles can get through. We will draft up a policy and application, and bring it back to Public Works Committee. Then we will send it on to the Town Board. Public Works Committee Minutes, September 28, 2010 Page 5 Retention and Detention Ponds Susan said that it is very important to continue to review the Town’s drainage systems. She said that as the Town continues to develop, there will be more retention ponds built. The Committee discussed how to know if you need a retention or detention pond. There is maintenance issued associated with them. Jim said we should have a generic policy, but we would still have to review them on a case by case basis. Susan said that geo-technical investigations may be the answer to better understand ground water levels. The Committee talked about the effects of development downstream. Susan indicated that is the problem in the Northeast; there is no where for the water to go. Rich asked if a hydrology overlay could be put on the Comprehensive Plan’s map. Herb said that we should talk to Sue Ritter regarding the Comp. Plan. Jim said that we should not just be looking at the initial cost, but also the long term effects and the maintenance of the system. The Committee talked about having agreements with developers and that Cornell University has a blanket agreement campus wide. Miscellaneous Verizon Wireless: Susan asked what the status of Verizon Wireless is using the Trumansburg Road water tank. Jim said that there was a meeting, and their attorneys are looking into it. E. King Road Development: Jim informed the Committee that the developer has to make changes to the plan and bring it back to us. Helen’s Way: Bill talked to Pat Dutt. The Town does not want edible vegetation to be planted in the right-of-way. He made the suggestion of putting them on the trail. There is a new family living on Helen’s Way, so we will wait to plant anymore trees. We only planted trees on the corner. The Committee talked about Bolton Point’s Operation Committee meeting conflict with this meeting. The next meeting will be October 26, 2010. The meeting was adjourned at 12:00.