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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2020-05-19TOWN OF ITHACA PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE May 19, 2020 9: 00 a.m. Public Works Facility Board and Staff Present: TeeAnn Hunter, Rod Howe, Rich DePaolo, Judy Drake, Dan Thaete, Mike Smith, Joe Slater, Joe Talbut, Rich Ten Kate, Bill Goodman, Paulette Rosa, Dave O'Shea, Donna Shaw, Ben Coakley, Marty Moseley Guests: Collin Shore - Property owner of 1319 Mecklenburg Road 1. Approval of Minutes: Minutes from April 21, 2020 were moved by Mr. DePaolo, seconded by Mr. Howe. Carried. 2. Member Comments / Concerns: None a. Consider Modifications to the Agenda — None 3. 1319 Mecklenburg Rd Sewer Exemption Request: Mr. Thaete shared a map of property and explained that the nearest sewer connection is 1000' away. The existing septic system is failing. Being a town -wide benefited area that requires connection to public service and zoned Low -Density Residential, the owner is requesting that the Committee recommend granting a sewer exemption from public service; therefore, allowing the failing septic system to be replaced in kind and sized for current usage on the lot. Mr. Thaete explained that the Health Department is aware of the situation and that the owner intends to build future houses on the property. Any future builds will be required to go through Planning and Town Board approval, allowing for additional oversight. The Committee was in favor of recommending that the item be moved to the Town Board for approval, moved by Mr. DePaolo and seconded by Mr. Howe. Carried. The item will be added to the June Town Board agenda. 4. Community Garden Discussion Update: Ms. Hunter reported that Garden Council Meetings have been held and the garden has been reopened with COVID-19 safety regulations in place. Erica Dawson worked with the Health Department and to ensure that the regulations were in line with safety requirements. Ms. Hunter raised the question of whether acknowledgement of the regulations by participants is needed. It was decided that they are required, but can be obtained through various forms (email, in -person, regular mail). Moved by Ms. Hunter, second by Mr. DePaolo. Carried. 5. Sewer Billing Update: Mr. Slater reported that emails have been sent to Cornell metering staff regarding a few of the buildings that deductions are being taken on. He explained that more insight is needed regarding billing rates in order to determine how much of an impact the deductions have on usage bills. Mr. Goodman added that the town is thinking about how to approach the issue. Ultimately, the town will need to determine the policy and update the Sewer Use Law. Mr. Thaete explained that Ben Coakley is in the final stages of recalculating numbers for Benefited Unit Fees. The Sewer Use Fee is separate, but related. The issue will be discussed with Susan Brock at this week's Management Team Meeting. 6. Discuss Revisions to the Official Town Map: Mr. Thaete reported that it has been a year since the Planning and Town Boards have updated the Town Map. Ben Coakley has been tasked with working with the county behind the scenes to revise GIS data. There are several private and/or county roads that are not on the map, which causes an issue if building permits need to be issued. Previous discussion has included topics such as the roads not being built to town standards, the inability to handle emergency vehicles, and the required 15' width. The Committee was in agreement with Engineering staff spending time measuring the roads and researching pre-existing subdivision plats in order to add qualifying roads for compliance with New York Town Law 280-A. 7. Project Updates: • Mr. Thaete reported that the PW Addition is on schedule. HVAC work is taking place. Next week, foundation work will begin. Staff meets regularly to keep things progressing. • Danby Road I&I Study — Meters are ready to be pulled for data collection. • 96B Sidewalk — The project will be kicking off soon. • Hector St. Sidewalk -The town has a small portion of sidewalk, within town limits, in this project. The town will pay for a small area of the sidewalk leading up the Linderman Creek Apartments. • Winston/Salem Water Main Relocation Project — The project is underway and the Contractor is on site. • Bundy Road Reconstruction Project — The Contractor has top -soiled, reconfigured drainage, done landscaping, and added a set of stairs that connects to the retirement home (which they are responsible for). Paving is pending. • Sewer Rehabilitation Project — The project is lagging due to COVID-1 9. Last year's project is wrapping up. This year's project will begin in a couple of weeks. 8. Discuss PWC Agenda Setting and Role of PWC and Items to be Discussed: Until a new Highway Superintendent is on board, Laura will reach out to PW and Engineering participants to set the agenda. It will be sent to Ms. Hunter for approval prior to the meetings and sent out to the Committee after approval. Format changes will be made in order provide both PW and Engineering sections. The meeting was adjourned at 10:06 a.m., moved by Mr. DePaolo and seconded by Mr. Howe. Carried. Our next meeting is scheduled for 6/16/20. Is Future agenda items: Forest Home Walkway