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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2020-11-17TOWN OF ITHACA PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE November 17th, 2020 9:00 a.m. ZOOM Meeting Board and Staff Present: TeeAnn Hunter, Rod Howe, Rich DePaolo, Mike Smith, Joe Slater, Dan Thaete, Donna Shaw, Mike Solvig, Paulette Rosa; Judy Drake, Joe Talbut; Dave O'Shea; Steve Riddle; Rich Ten Kate, John Little, Nick Goldsmith; Bill Goodman Guests: Caroline Arms, Bruce Brittain, Doug Brittain from the Forest Home Community 1. Approval of Minutes: Minutes from October 20th, 2020 approved with a motion from Mr. Howe, seconded by Mr. DePaolo. Carried. 2. Member Comments / Concerns: No comments / concerns. a. Mr. Thaete added East King Road/Troy Road and Trumansburg Road Water Main Extension Projects 3. LED Streetlights Design Discussion - Nick Goldsmith: Mr. Goldsmith stated that the discussion is intended to preview to a more in-depth conversation to take place at December I s meeting. The town is working toward purchasing -270 streetlights that are currently leased from NYSEG and is working with New York Power Authority to implement the design, purchase, and replacement of the streetlights. NYPA I s Design Report requires approval to finalize the design process. A decision should be made no later than January 2021. The project is scheduled for completion in 2021. Discussion was held regarding controls, color temperature, maintenance responsibility, simple photocells vs. advanced controls and the options and cost associated. An issue to consider is the hilly topography of the area which has caused issues with the radio/wireless AMI smart meters that Bolton Point installed. Mr. Thaete added that other vendors are being considered for the maintenance for a cost comparison. Several questions were proposed to Mr. Goldsmith that he will research and respond to at the December meeting. 4. Green Policy for the Town of Ithaca Fleet - Howe/Slater: Mr. Howe reported that the City of Ithaca's fleet policy is being revised to fit the town. The policy went through the P&O Committee with no comments. It is understood that options are limited, especially for the Public Works operations, but it is something to consider going forward for the budgeting process. Mr. DePaolo highlighted several revisions that will be incorporated. Specifically: eliminating the sentence, "There may be exceptions depending on the nature of the issue."; substituting alternative wording for "clean fuels" and removing "electricity" from the types; refer to a strata of efficiency rather than "30 mpg or greater (or similar target for mpg or GHG emissions)"; remove "A" prior to "final criteria" in item 5; replace "non -City owned fuel pumps" with "town -owned fuel pumps". The policy can be moved along to the Management Team with these changes. 5. Bostwick Road Cemetery - Talbut: Mr. Talbut reported that he received an email from the Town Historian regarding maintenance of the cemetery. The property is privately owned and is not part of an association and is not incorporated. The owner would like to remove their liability for this portion of the property by having the town take over the cemetery. Mr. Smith stated that he had the discussion with the owner previously about a subdivision being required. In 2016, the town agreed to provide minimal maintenance based on Town Law, Section 291. Mr. Goodman will continue to review the Town Law and give a report at the December meeting. 6. Project Updates - Thaete: • PWF Addition is complete with a few punch list items left to complete. The canopy and roof need to be completed. A ribbon -cutting ceremony is scheduled for 12/4/20. • Danby Road I&I Study: The Consultant is out re -metering, trying to work through previous glitches. • East King Road/Troy Road Water Main Extension Project: Mr. Thaete explained that the project is to improve existing fire flow, capacity issues, and service NNC areas on South Hill. Five or six customers would be added to the water system. He asked the Committee for guidance regarding moving forward with a pressure -reducing vault that is on NYSEG property. This requires an easement, an Interim Licensing Agreement (ILA) could be had quickly, but the Public Service Commission (PSC) must give final approval for the installation. This could take six months or more and, if it was built utilizing an ILA and disapproved by the PSC, the vault would be required to be dismantled. The committee was not in favor of installing infrastructure until the PSC has approved the easements. Discussion was held about alternative placement, increased pressures due to a new location, private property owner easements, increased costs of summer bidding, and growth impact. The Engineering Department will begin discussions with NYSEG regarding an easement. A meeting will be held on 11/19/20 with the Planning Department to discuss the SEQR process. Mr. DePaolo will attend. • Trumansburg Road Water Main Extension Project: Mr. Thaete explained that the project will address fire flow and excessive pressure issues and will not serve any new customers. It will address high pressure issues near the Town/City line, water quality issues in the Hopkins/Campbell area, increase flows, and interconnect with the city. Another PRV building will be installed. Ms. Hunter would like screening of the building to be considered since it next to a gorge. The Engineering Department will begin easement discussions with one homeowner. The project will be included in the 11/19/20 Project/SEQR meeting with the Planning Department. • Mr. Howe asked Mr. Thaete about the next step for the Forest Home Walkway Project. Mr. Thaete met with the Consultant two weeks ago and discussed resident's and maintenance concerns. Discussion was held regarding eliminating as many steps as possible and using a higher quality handrail in those areas. The Consultant is updating the plan and will provide the update early in December. Residents can comment at the 12/15/20 Public Works Committee meeting. • Ms. Drake raised the question about a formal approval process for infrastructure construction. Discussion was held regarding the matrix that Engineering developed. The Committee agreed that the subject should be raised at the 11/19/20 meeting and results should be reported back. The meeting was adjourned at 10:32 a.m., moved by Mr. DePaolo and seconded by Mr. Howe. Carried. Our next meeting is scheduled for 12/15/20. BE