HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2015-11-19TOWN OF ITHACA
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
November 19, 2019 9:00 a.m.
Public Works Facility
Board and Staff Present: Rod Howe, Rich DePaolo,TeeAnn Hunter, Jim Weber, Mike Smith, Bill
Goodman, Dan Thaete, Joe Slater, Judy Drake
Guest: Bruce Brittain
1. Approval of Minutes:
Minutes from October 15th, 2019 were approved by a motion from Mr. DePaolo, seconded by Ms.
Hunter. Carried.
2. Member Comments / Concerns:
Mr. DePaolo raised the issue of complaints from residents regarding the city's gun shooting range,
located in the town, being disturbing.
a. Consider Modifications to the Agenda —
1. Mr. Howe asked about the South Hill Trail extension and the cost associated. It was
reported that the Planning Department will be having conversations with the original
Engineers regarding filling gaps in the trail, drainage issues, emergency access, etc. Mike
Smith will report on the item in the future.
3. Forest Home Downstream/Upstream Bridge Agreements:
Mr. Howe asked what the town's responsibility is for ongoing maintenance of the bridges? Mr. Weber
said that the agreements between the county and town were both signed by the Town Board. Mr.
Brittain stated that Tompkins County owns the bridges, applies for funding, and maintains structural
elements of bridges 30' or more. However, PWD employees will watch for and report maintenance
issues. The town is responsible for routine maintenance, refinishing, replacement, or repair of
approaches, concrete wearing surface, decorative historic trusses, sidewalk, snow removal, and
aesthetics. Mr. Weber reported that any work done on the bridges by PWD is coordinated with the
county.
4. Water and Sewer Billing Issues:
Ms. Hunter reported that she met with Mr. Slater and Mr. Weber regarding how to approach billing
issues regarding water and sewer usage. The primary goal of the issue is to establish consistency in
the billing process for all users. Cornell, for example, reports usage and takes deducts without
metering for verification purposes. Discussion was held regarding benefited water service, INI,
irrigation, facility expansion policy, sewer unit process, rewriting sewer use codes, industry standards,
definitions of fees, disposal of cooling/dehumidification water, conveyance through the system, etc.
Susan Brock has been consulted and will be included in upcoming meetings. Mr. Slater will attend the
next SJC meeting to continue the discussion.
5. Project Updates:
• Muriel Street Water Main is done and paved. Crack -sealing will take place on Friday.
• Bundy Road Reconstruction has the first layer of asphalt and will receive the final coat of asphalt
along with striping and final restoration in the spring.
• The Forest Home Walkway requires a Town Board decision to move forward with a final
construction plan for the project to continue. Mr. Goodman is still having discussions with Cornell
regarding easements and an MOU.
6. Other:
Ms. Hunter reported that she knows of someone who would be willing to construct a plan for the Town
Hall flower beds for free.
Mr. Thaete will have updates to the Water and Sewer Improvement Matrix at the next meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 a.m., motioned by Mr. DePaolo, seconded by Ms. Hunter. Carried.
Our next meeting will be on 12/10 at 9:00 a.m.
Ivp
Future agenda items: