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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Agenda 2022-11-15 and Packet AGENDA PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE November 15, 2022, 9:00 a.m. ZOOM Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81695207215 1. Approval of Minutes a. October 18, 2022 2. Member Comments/Concerns a. Consider Modifications to Agenda 3. Ithaca College Request for Pedestrian Crossing on Stone Quarry to connect IC and NYS Park Land - Scott Doyle - Slater 4. Forest Home Restriction by Length - Slater 5. DPW Land Acquisition - Slater 6. Project Updates Future Agenda Items: • Draft Road Closure Policy and Procedure • Water & Sewer Units • Conversation about Rates for Utility Customers that are on Private Water Wells but Connected to the Public Sanitary Sewer System. • Sewer Exemptions • Forest Home Vehicle Restrictions • The Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' and Deyodi:ho:nǫˀ People and Tutelo Park – December (Howe) TOWN OF ITHACA PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE September 20, 2022, 9:00 a.m. Board and Staff Present: Rod Howe, Rich DePaolo, Joe Slater, Dan Thaete, Joe Talbut, Mike Beach, Dave O’Shea, Donna Shaw, Mike Smith, Marty Moseley, Steve Riddle, Chris Balestra, Paulette Rosa Guests: Elizabeth Sanders and Seth Bensel of The Byway; Bruce Brittain of Forest Home 1. Approval of Minutes: Minutes were approved from 9/20/22, moved by a motion from Mr. DePaolo, seconded by Mr. Howe. Carried. 2. Member Comments / Concerns: None a. Consider Modifications to the Agenda: Calkins Road/Inlet Valley Way Safety Issue 3. Calkins Road / Inlet Valley Way Safety Issue – Slater Mr. Slater reported that he received an email from a resident who lives on Calkins Road about a safety issue when drivers are heading west on Calkins Road and driving onto a private driveway named Inlet Valley Way without yielding to oncoming traffic traveling south and veering east on Calkins Road. The resident has come close to head-on collisions and would like the town to remedy the safety issue. Mr. Slater stated that he has reached out for guidance and received a few options which were discussed. He suggested that there is a Road Sign/Line Striping class that will be held on November 17th with Cornell Local Roads in which he could ask to use this scenario as an example. In the meantime, the town has received permission from a private property owner to mow further off the road on the curved corner lot to expand sight distance. Mr. Howe suggested having a conversation with residents of Inlet Valley Way. More information will be provided when it becomes available. 4. Streetlighting Updates – Mr. Howe explained that the town has not yet established a criterium for when various requests will be considered such as not changing lights, putting up shields, dimming lights, etc. He explained that the contractor will not returning for a few months to rectify basic operation issues that take priority. Mr. Slater reviewed background information and explained that there are communication issues with some gateways. He is waiting to hear back about the Forest Home entry feature options. He is working with the contractor to work through the punch list. The town is being very deliberate about defining these issues due to the possibility of financial consequences associated with rectifying some of the issues. Mr. DePaolo asked about the Danby Road lights, to which Mr. Thaete responded that it would be quite pricey to add smart nodes at this time but, could be considered for another budget year. Mr. DePaolo raised concern that there are not enough gateways to communicate effectively and stated that any deficiencies or topographical challenges should have been planned for by the vendor prior to installation and that the system should be sufficiently operational. Mr. Slater explained that these are discussions that are taking place and has been told that there are supply chain issues with getting components to correct or enhance the current system’s operation. The topic will be revisited at next month’s meeting. Seth Bensel reiterated his concerns from last month and justifications for not having the streetlight at his family’s property changed to LED lighting. Mr. Howe repeated his statement that the town will work to establish a criterium for consideration of requests that fall outside of the NYPA contract. 5. Discussion Regarding the Town’s Willingness to Accept Long-Term Responsibilities for Stormwater Infrastructure – Thaete Mr. Thaete explained that the conversation is prompted by a proposed development on East Hill of which the applicant wants the town to take dedication of stormwater facilities once they are functional. Past precedent has been that the town enters into a post-construction ownership and maintenance agreement with the developer. The developer would retain ownership and the town would have oversight of maintenance responsibilities. He shared a map of locations of various water quality and stormwater devices within the town, responsibilities, and frequency of inspections. He explained that the owner has the responsibility to facilitate inspections, sediment and debris removal, vegetation management, animal and nuisances, erosion, and structural repairs. If there are issues with an inspection, the town will work with the developer. The cost of these responsibilities falls on the owner. He provided an estimate of maintenance costs for an average sized development which was ~$7,600 per year. Mr. DePaolo raised the concern that if the town owned the devices that the cost to maintain them would be distributed to all taxpayers. Discussion was held regarding currently budgeted funds and their intended use, the last time the town accepted ownership of a development’s stormwater devices, restrictions on private land, townwide benefitted districts, advantages vs. disadvantages, distinguishing features between water quality and stormwater devices. Mr. Thaete stated that the developer intends to come before the Committee to request that the town take ownership of the development’s stormwater devices prior to Planning Board approval. Concerns were raised regarding the maintenance costs and increased staff needed to take on the responsibility. Mr. Thaete will discuss with other municipalities to determine if/how they handle stormwater device ownership/maintenance. 6. Project Updates a. Indian Creek Rd, Happy Ln and Westhaven Rd will be milled and repaved next week. b. One Chevrolet pickup truck purchase order has been cancelled by the vendor. However, the intended unfit for the vehicle can be accommodated. c. The John Deere Loader is due any time. Training will be provided. d. Brush removal event has begun as of 10/17. e. Mr. Slater met with Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization (CWIO) and Tompkins County Soil and Water to observe areas within the town that are identified as areas of interest for extensive erosion. CWIO is continuing to look for grant opportunities for stream/stormwater mitigation throughout Cayuga Lake’s watershed and working to prioritize a list of areas that they have visited throughout several municipalities who have tributaries that flow into Cayuga Lake. Currently the Six Mile Creek Restoration Project, at the Six Mile Creek Vineyard on Slaterville Road, has had request for proposals (RFPs) for stormwater engineering services submitted. They are now being reviewed and an engineering firm will be awarded the project after scoring rubrics are complete. f. Ventrac sidewalk machine has been auctioned. A rent-to-own option for $5,000 (Dec through March), with that payment going toward the purchase price. It would require reserve funds to purchase up front. A rental fee would be paid if it was decided that the equipment did not fit our needs. Mr. DePaolo asked if maintenance costs are paid by the vendor and expressed concerns about municipal legalities previously discussed. The contract will go to the town Attorney for review and further discussion. g. Sewer Rehabilitation Project is 90-95% complete. A few more manholes will be added within the contingency amount. h. Ridgecrest Watermain Project is awarded. The project is anticipated to begin the next construction season. i. Troy/King Watermain Project is wrapping up this week. A few as-builts remain. j. PW will request that Eldridge Circle paving and milling for 2022 be delayed until 2023. k. Actively working on Troy/Coddington pump station backup generators. l. Actively working on PWF Fuel Station Replacement. m. Forest Home Pump Station #1 upgrade contract documents are close to being completed. n. Since there is no Planning Board action for the Forest Home Pump Station #1 upgrade and the PWF Fuel Station Replacements projects, the projects will gain public input via the Public Works Committee. o. Town Hall Green Building Upgrade RFP is due the last week of November. p. Game Farm Trail Crossing Project is in process and Engineering is working with B&L to update the signage plan. Once approved through the county, all the signage can be installed. The road hump has been removed for improved sight distance. The road is open and the 45mph speed limit signs are posted. The county will do a traffic study. Implementation methods need to be discussed. q. An MS4 Audit is anticipated within the next year. Engineering is trying to prepare. 7. Other Mr. Howe asked about the status of Pleasant Grove traffic circle that Cornell proposed to install as part of a Planning Board condition related to the North Campus Residential Project. Mr. Thaete reported the traffic circle is not feasible but, the county is not in favor of the proposed intersection realignment alternative. The Planning Department will request an official response from the County to provide to the Planning Board. Mr. Howe asked about updates on the mezzanine quotes. Mr. Slater replied that he may utilize BidNet for quotes. Sprint/T-Mobile may be coming to the Committee in the near future regarding the Christopher Circle Water Tank Lease. Mr. DePaolo asked about the status of the proposed Liberty cell phone tower. Mr. Thaete reported that they would require a signed lease before moving any further. The meeting was adjourned at 10:13 a.m. Our next meeting is scheduled for 11/15/22. lvp DISCLAIMER: ALL LOCATIONSAND BOUNDARIES ARE APPROXIMATE. MAP CREATED:9/1/2022 7:01 AM BY:TOWN OF ITHACA ENGINEERING DEPT SOURCE:TOI ENGINEERING TOMPKINS COUNTY GIS N o W 0 125 250 500 750 1,000 III11 Feet Stone Quarry Road Crossing - Ithaca College Natural Lands-West @ Buttermilk Falls State Park Owl Creek Trail Context Map for Location on Stone Quarry Road Where Lands and Trails Meet Photo Location Map Stone Quarry Road Trail Crossing Area Ithaca College Natural Lands Buttermilk Falls State Park Photo Point 1 Photo Point 2 Photo Point 1 – Looking East toward Ithaca College Natural Area Trail @ Stone Quarry Road Photo Point 1 – Looking South “up” Stone Quarry Road from Ithaca College Natural Area Trail toward State Park Land Photo Point 1 – Looking West, across Stone Quarry Road from Ithaca College Natural Area Trail toward 326 Stone Quarry Road Photo Point 1 – Looking North “down” Stone Quarry Road from Ithaca College Natural Lands Trail location ‘<.•CrJV-'-ilv:' ' Photo Point 2 - Looking West toward Buttermilk Falls State Park’s Owl Creek Trail @ Stone Quarry Road Photo Point 2 – Looking North “down” Stone Quarry Road from State Parks’ Owl Creek Trailhead Location toward IC Natural Lands Photo Point 2 – Looking East across Stone Quarry Road from State Parks’ Owl Creek Trailhead to 329 Stone Quarry Road Photo Point 2 – Looking South “up” Stone Quarry Road from State Parks’ Owl Creek Trailhead G!. 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G!. !!2!!2 !!2!!2 !!2 !!2 !!2 !!2 !!2 !!2!!2!!2 West Hill Cemetery Asc24.-1-25.23 200 HAYTS RD Weiss, Heather B24.-3-1 105 DUBOIS RD Cayuga Medical Center24.-3-2.1 91-101 HARRIS B DATES DR County of Tompkins24.-3-2.222 HARRIS B DATES DRIVE Schuhmann, Joerg24.-3-2.223402 HARRIS B DATES DR Cayuga Professional Center LLC 24.-3-41301 TRUMANSBURG RD Hall, Gerald D & Hall, Patricia 24.-3-5 1307 TRUMANSBURG RD Luft, Roy A & Emerson, Nancy E24.-3-6 1317 TRUMANSBURG RD 1290 Professional Building LLC 24.-4-14.221290 TRUMANSBURG RD Overlook At West Hill, Housing Dev Fund Cor 24.-4-14.23110-151 WEST HILL CIR Canay, Joaquin G & Schmitz, Alexa24.-4-21296-98 TRUMANSBURG RD   T r u m a n s b u r g R d  Harris B D a t e s Dr   Ext    Ha r r i s B Da tes D r    W e s t H i l l Cir  Hayts R d New York State, Pictometry International, Maxar, Microsoft ÜMAP CREATED: 10/18/2022 1:38 PM BY: TOWN OF ITHACA ENGINEERING DEPT SOURCE: BOLTON POINT TOI ENGINEERING NYS GIS CLEARING HOUSE 0 250 500125Feet DISCLAIMER: ALL LOCATIONS AND BOUNDARIES ARE APPROXIMATE. Legend TAX PARCEL WATER EXISTING WATER MAIN G!.HYDRANTS SANITARY SEWER !!2 OWNED BY OTHERS !!2 TOWN OF ITHACA GRAVITY SEWER MAIN PRIVATE MAIN ROAD JURISDICTION NYS DOT PRIVATE TOMPKINS COUNTY TOWN NY13A NY34 NY89 NY13 NY79 NY79 NY96B NY366 NY327 NY96 TOWN O F LANSI N GTOWN OF ULYSSES VILLAGE OF LANSING TOWN OF DRYDENTOWN OF NEWFIELD TOWN OF DANBYTOWN OF ENFIELDCITY OFITHACA CAYUGALAKE VILLAGEOF CAYUGAHEIGHTS TOWN OF ITHACA UTILITY November 13, 2022 Dan Thaete Director of Engineer Town of Ithaca 114 Seven Mile Drive Ithaca, NY 14850 Re: Sewer Exemption for 1307 Trumansburg Rd, Tax Parcel 24.-3-5 Dear Mr. Thaete, I am writing to request an exemption from Ithaca’s sanitary sewer connection requirements. Although my residential property- 1307 Trumansburg Rd. is next to a (commercial) property- Cayuga Professional Center, 1301 Trumansburg Rd- which are on public sewer, it is not easily accessible for me. There are two potential access points- one of which is a privately owned by Travis Hyde Properties- and which would require the permission of property owners and a Sewage Works Corp (500’-550’ away from my house), the other access point (1000’-1050’ away from my house) owned by Ithaca Town would be a large and costly project which would not be financially feasible for me to do. Background. I inherited my family’s property- 1307 Trumansburg Rd. as of December 2022, a property that has been in my family now for three generations. This past year, I have been acquainting myself with any maintenance needs that the house/property may have and/or may need in the coming years. I have been pursuing home energy/weatherization and other available assistance (based on income guidelines) that would support me in maintaining my home. As a result of Tompkins County Health Department releasing the grant funds to upgrade private septic systems I started to look into the state of my septic system, and discovered the following: 1- That my property is on private septic- my house is one of the first houses in a strip of four-5 houses where public sewer is not available. I was also told that most septic systems should be pumped every 3-5 years, 2- When I looked into I am still not sure that my system would require pumping, or that it’s ever been pumped? When I called a company out to pump septic system, the person could not find my septic system. I then followed up with Ithaca Town Hall and Tompkins County Health Department for records of available maps of where my septic system may be located, and I found that my septic system predates records for a map of its location, and it is likely that it is the original system when bathrooms/indoor toilets were put in- with leech field, etc. When I contacted the health department about my interest in the grant to upgrade private septic systems, and the process to apply to see if I am eligible, I was told that my home/property would be a good candidate for the grant due to how old the septic system was, however, that I would have to first rule out whether getting on public sewer is a possibility. My preference would be to get on public sewer if money was not a factor and if the grant included connection to hook onto public sewer, that would be ideal, but the grant unfortunately does not include funding to get on public sewer just upgrading private septic systems. I also believe that there is a need to upgrade my septic based on the age of system, and that it would support the purpose of the local health department grant – to upgrading to environment sufficient systems, etc. and my purpose as a new homeowner- to prevent any future foreseen problems down the line. To pursue the possibility of me getting on public sewer, my next step was to reach out to several contractors who participate in municipal work in excavating, connecting to public sewer and/or upgrading private septic systems. I called 5 contractors- two of which were uncontactable, one of which responded but I have not received a quote from and ended up with quotes or cost estimates from the remaining two. The following quotes are very rough estimates of the work that needs to be done and the timing restraint that I was on to submit to your meetings as follows: Option #1- Public Sewer- Private Access Point, Owned by Travis Hyde Properties Private manhole which is approximately 500’ to 550’ away but is a property commercially owned and operated by Travis Hyde Properties. I would have to be granted approval by property owner- but due to their lack of response to myself, and my family over the years I find this to both discouraging and unlikely. The other requirement would be that a private Sewage Works Corp would have to be formed which would require a lot of legal work- complex with legal fees (an additional expense), etc. Quotes for this: 1- G.R. Van Valen & Son Excavating- “The private service at 550 feet might be able to be done with four-inch pipe, this would be in the $25,000 range. Lots of questions, surveying, and engineering to be done beyond that to get an accurate estimate.” 2- B27 Earth Works- Need a quote for the 550 feet, look below to see if you can get quote from his est. there based on the information provided. Option #2- Public Sewer- Owned by Town The closest town manhole is approximately 975’-1000’ away G.R. Van Valen & Son Excavating- “The Town owned service should probably be six inch due to the length of the run and it also appears to run under Dates Drive. Starting cost for this service would be at least $75,000.00 plus.” B27 Earth Works- “I finally priced out your 1000-foot sewer connection and spoke with Dave O’Shea about it. There is 10 thousand or more in materials so ruff calculations double materials. 20 thousand or more. That’s without looking at access to get stone in and other variables that could increase cost.” Option #3- Private Septic System Upgrade on my property Straight forward – hire a contractor, all on my property Quote for this: B27 Earth Works- $18,000 for a 4-bedroom house I appreciate your time and consideration. Please feel free to let me know if you would like additional information. I would not be able to upgrade my private septic system if it weren’t for this grant. Best, Melissa Hall