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Home My WebLink AboutPWC Agenda 2023-01-17 and Packet AGENDA PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE January 17, 2023, 9:00 a.m. ZOOM Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81695207215 1. Approval of Minutes a. December 20, 2022 2. Member Comments/Concerns a. Consider Modifications to Agenda 3. Inlet Valley Way/Calkins Road Intersection Safety Mitigation – Slater 4. Water and Sewer Benefit Assessment for Cemeteries in the Town - Slater 5. Update on Event at Tutelo Park to Celebrate the Area’s Indigenous History - Howe 6. Project Updates Future Agenda Items: • Draft Road Closure Policy and Procedure • Sewer Exemption Policy • Forest Home Vehicle Restrictions • Snow Removal Policy • Long-Term Stormwater Maintenance TOWN OF ITHACA PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE December 20, 2022, 9:00 a.m. Board and Staff Present: Rod Howe, Rich DePaolo, Rob Rosen, Joe Slater, Dan Thaete, Joe Talbut, Dave O’Shea, Donna Shaw, Mike Smith, Marty Moseley, Steve Riddle, Paulette Rosa, Travis Mills Guests: Steve Selin from South Hill Cider, Caroline Arms from Forest Home 1. Approval of Minutes: Minutes were approved from 11/15/22, moved by a motion from Mr. DePaolo, seconded by Mr. Howe. Clarifying verbiage was added to Mr. DePaolo’s statement regarding placement of signs to specify that his concerns were about giving motorists enough opportunities to either turn around or select an alternate route. Carried. 2. Member Comments / Concerns: None a. Consider Modifications to the Agenda: South Hill Cider Attention Signage 3. South Hill Cider Attention Signage – Mr. Talbut reported that Steve Selin had requested a sign at the intersection of Townline and Sand Bank Roads to draw attention to the location of the cidery. Currently, there are no signs in rights-of-ways within the Town for businesses and no policy. He went onto the NYSDOT website and found an example of their general information policy regarding control of outdoor advertising signs. Steve Selin explained his case for requesting the signage, which primarily consists of tourists not being able to locate the cidery. He referenced the NYS Sign Program for Tourist Oriented Directions Signs for Rural Areas. Mr. Slater felt that it would be appropriate to reach out to the Finger Lakes Land Trust as an acknowledgement, as they own the property. Discussion was held regarding off premise signs, highway road/directional signs, advertisement signage, use-by-right roads, Farm Winery Act, etc. Mr. DePaolo as Steve Selin if he felt he was losing business due to the lack of signage. Steve Selin stated that several visitors have indicated that they found it hard to find. Mr. DePaolo asked the Committee if these types of signs are limited to farm/winery businesses or would the concept be open to all businesses. Mike Smith confirmed that the Town Sign Law does prohibit off premise signs. He added that the Town cannot control the content of signs and felt that it could not be limited to farms. He suggested referencing the Town’s Sign Law before making any decisions. The Committee was in favor of researching the topic but, can see possible issues with defining “tourist” types of businesses within the Town, based on NYSDOT’s definition. Steve Selin offered his assistance in researching the topic. 4. The Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' (Cayuga Nation), Deyodi:ho:nǫˀ (Saponi), and Tutelo Peoples Event at Tutelo Park – Howe Mr. Howe reported that there will be an event at Tutelo Park on 5/6/2023 to help educate the public about the relationships between the Tutelo Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' and Saponi People to celebrate the area’s Indigenous history. He reported that the Community Arts Partnership had approached the Town to put up sculptures around the County in different municipalities that represent agriculture and food. He suggested that they do something related to the Town’s Indigenous food history at Tutelo Park. He has not heard back from them to date. He reported that a nearby resident and business-owner is interested in helping the Town to create an ethnobotanic trail to interpret native plants at Tutelo Park. Mr. Howe will continue to present information as comes together. 5. Historic Signage – Mr. Howe Mr. Howe reported that the Town Historian has received a report that a historic sign in Renwick Heights has some misinformation that should be corrected. The Committee was in favor of researching the error and the cost of correcting the sign. Mr. Howe reported that Gary Stewart of Cornell took students to East Shore Park and the students pointed out that there is no reference to it being Indigenous land. He asked if the Committee was interested in pursuing this. Mr. DePaolo pointed out that the Town leases this property from Cornell. Discussion was held regarding how much time and expense the Town is willing to invest in these types of endeavors, although all felt that Indigenous recognition is warranted. Mr. Howe will work with Joe Talbut and provide updates over the next couple of months. 6. Town of Ithaca Public Works Facility – Fuel Station Site Plan Presentation - Thaete Mr. Thaete reviewed pictures of visual impacts of the canopy from various locations. He reported that this project does not meet the threshold that requires Planning Board approval. The plan is to make it a color that blends in with the current facility and the natural surroundings. Mr. DePaolo asked about the type of lighting. Mr. Thaete explained that it will be downward facing lighting and will be on timers. Mr. DePaolo asked about the construction schedule to which Mr. Thaete replied that bidding will take place after the first of the year with construction beginning in the spring and will last for 3 or 4 months. 7. Forest Home Pump Station #1 – Site Plan/Landscaping Presentation – Thaete Mr. Thaete reported that this project also does not require Planning Board approval. He showed map of the site plan of the pump station with a backup generator. To create a buffer to lighten the visual impact, the Consultant provided a landscaping plan. He reviewed the various types of plantings that will be utilized. Discussion was held about the proximity of the building to the road, visual and sound impacts, purpose of the project, etc. 8. Project Updates a. Streetlights – Met with NYPA and the Contractor and discussed the punch list, additional lights, receiving an itemized list of light updates progress, current lighting outages, communication/dimming/gateway issues. Mr. Howe added that the Town is continuing to develop a policy for adding streetlights. b. Ridgecrest Water Main Project is awarded and on track to begin in the spring. c. Forest Home Pump Station Project will begin in the spring. d. PWF Fuel Station Replacement will begin in the spring. e. Troy/Coddington Pump Station Generator Projects – in the process of ordering generators. f. Town Hall Weatherization and Lighting Project – reaching out to an Engineering firm to receive a proposal by 1/3/23. g. Game Farm Trail Crossing is approved and in the process of coordinating with the Town of Dryden to order materials, install signs, and paint the crosswalk. h. Six Mile Creek Project through CLIWO – waiting on MWBE waiver. i. Working with the County to pursue Bridge NY funding for the Townline Road bridge. j. In the process of ordering signs for various speed reductions. Sand Bank Rd, Elm Street from Poole Rd to the City line, Hopkins Rd from Hayts Rd to Bundy Rd, and Deer Run Subdivision. b. 9. Other – Mr. Howe reported that he, Joe Talbut, and Mike Smith met with a Cornell Professor who teaches Landscape Architecture to see if they might be interested in presenting a plan for developing West Hill Park. It was suggested that they attend a committee meeting in the future to give a presentation. The meeting was adjourned at 10:28 a.m. Our next meeting is scheduled for 1/17/23. lvp