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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2019-09-17TOWN OF ITHACA PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE September 17, 2019 9:00 a.m. Public Works Facility Board and Staff Present: Rod Howe, Rich DePaolo,TeeAnn Hunter, Mike Smith, Bill Goodman, Dan Thaete, Rich Ten Kate, Judy Drake, Mike Solvig, Donna Shaw, Steve Riddle, Joe Talbut, Guests: Bruce Brittain and Doug Brittain, Caroline Arms, Mike Roberts of Cornell Botanic Gardens 1. Approval of Minutes: Minutes from August 20th, 2019 were approved by a motion from Mr. DePaolo, seconded by Ms. Hunter. Carried. 2. Member Comments / Concerns: There were no comments/concerns. a. Consider Modifications to the Agenda — 1. Ms. Hunter would like Water & Sewer billing issues regarding Cornell added to a future agenda in order to continue the conversation and to determine if anything can be done. 3. Forest Home Walkway Discussion of Design Options: Mr. Weber reported that Barton & Lojuidice provided Design Concept D, per our last meeting focusing on the number of steps and their placement. The intention is to identify concepts and present them to the Town Board, define the design, and the need to acquire ROWS. The new concept stays within the existing alignment with the lower portion adjusted and centered within the property lines to accommodate drainage. An option addressing steps and a path side-by-side was not provided. Mr. Howe emphasized that Todd Bittner of Cornell Botanic Gardens prefers to realign fully within the town's property boundaries to avoid real estate transactions, agreements, easements, and/or title transfer. Also, no current agreement or easement exists granting access to university property. Concerns were raised about changing the crosswalk/intersection layout at the lower exit due to traffic patterns and buses and the Committee agreed to stay within the current alignment. Doug Brittain commented regarding the placement and type of the railing on Concept D not being ideal. The current 1" galvanized steel works best for stability. Mrs. Arms shared insight into Todd Bitner's perspective in that his department is getting less resources and the walkway being a low priority. She expressed her concerns regarding destruction of existing landscaping and the need for prior discussion with property owners. She would also like more clarification about the drainage swale that goes through her property. The Committee agreed to focus on Design Concept D as the base. Ms. Hunter would like to see an inexpensive metal handrail option vs. timber. Mr. Solvig suggested an option with no steps to keep the cost down and to not hinder maintenance efforts. Mr. Weber said that once a plan is decided upon, then a more detailed design would be needed in order to move forward. Ms. Hunter questioned the town's responsibility to maintain the walkway during the winter and property owners' responsibilities regarding drainage. Mr. Goodman suggested analysis of how much use the walkway gets in the winter. Joe Talbut responded that not maintaining it during winter was a past consideration, but the community was not in favor of it. The walkway is maintained last during snow events and that would likely continue. The Committee is supportive of doing something to improve the walkway. Mr. Goodman will meet with Todd Bittner/Botanical Gardens to get clarity about the reluctance for the path to stay as existing, as it has been that way for a long time, and he will also meet with Cornell Real Estate. Mr. Thaete suggested not moving forward until the meeting takes place and we know the outcome. Ms. Hunter does not want to incur any more expense regarding Phase B of design until all information has been gathered and details are established. The Committee agreed. 4. Water and Sewer Improvement Spreadsheet Referral from Town Board: Mr. Thaete presented the matrix for the purpose of determining key points, developing a scoring system, and prioritizing dynamic issues with the systems. He explained that the matrix layout is based on the GHD Water Study results and the Sewer Study results and their impacts on the systems. It was suggested that a Low/Medium/High priority be included for further breakdown and ease of understanding. Mr. Thaete asked that the Committee try to rank the items for further weight adjustment. He plans to get input from the Planning Department in regard to TND Zones. He explained that the document is a work in progress and will continue to evolve. Ms. Hunter would like to further discuss the responsibility on developers at a study session. Mr. DePaolo wanted to revisit previous assumptions regarding fire flow, pressure, and emergency storage capacity. Mr. Weber explained that a meeting was held with the City regarding fire flow and that 1500 gallons/minute is the standard for minimum fire flow. Discussion will continue regarding the other previous assumptions. Mr. Goodman agreed that the discussion will be ongoing with the fire department, Bolton Point, the City of Ithaca, and sewer treatment personnel. An ISO study was recommended as the next step, looking at commercial and residential zones and fire flow requirements in those zones. Mr. DePaolo suggested more than 3 tiers for cost. The Committee found the information to be very helpful and appreciated the effort and agreed that this type of spreadsheet would be useful for roads and parks/trails projects. The matrix will be featured on the monthly agenda in order continue to make progress. 5. Apple Orchard PRV Agreement — Final Changes Mr. Weber reported that information was received for Dryden to take ownership of the Apple Orchard PRV and NSY Route 366 Water Main. The next step is to go to the Town Board for finalization. 6. Project Updates: • Winthrop Drive Water Main water services will be completed this week. Restoration will follow. • 500' of water main is to be completed on Muriel Street starting next week for approx. 2 weeks. • The Bundy Road Improvement Project has been delayed again. Mr. Thaete will send a letter to the Contractor as they are down to 20 days left to complete the project. They still have not provided submittals. Mr. Weber will update the Town Board once a response to the letter is received. • Michigan Hills Park is progressing with minor issues. • Winston Court — Mr. Weber will provide an official letter requesting abandonment at Monday's Study Session. Still needed is an abstract to the property and a letter from Cornell. • South Hill Trail Invasive Removal — The Contractor has backed out due to insurance requirements. We need to determine if we should rebid or move to the second lowest bidder. Susan Brock has been apprised. The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 a.m., motioned by Ms. Hunter, seconded by Mr. DePoalo. Carried. Our next meeting will be on 10/15 at 9:00 a.m. Ivp Future agenda items: • Mr. Goodman - Coddington Road Community Center and park easement regarding the alienation process. • Sewer Study Service/Billing Concerns • 2020 Capital Improvement Project List • Cornell Sanitary Sewer Billing Discrepancies