HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2000-06-27 &,017.'.
�1I fy_ DISPOSITION DATE
It/4/
L' f G°-'---�� TOWN OF ITHACA
� If 1
'4, s, HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
106 SEVEN MILE DRIVE. ITHACA. N.Y. 14850
PHONE (607)273-1656 Roads, Parks.Trails. Sewer, and Water FAX (607) 272-6076
Town of Ithaca Public Works Committee Meeting
June 27, 2000, at 8:00 a.m.
Town of Ithaca Highway Facility
1. Minutes David
March 28,2000
April 25, 2000
2. Discussion on Route 366 Proposal Fred
3. Update New Town Hall Dan
4. Renwick Drive Bridge Update Fred
5. Finalize Culvert Pipe Policy
And Review Driveway Repair Policy Fred
6. Discussion on Emergency Management in Tompkins County Fred
ghk
pc: Mary Bryant, Sr. Typist
Joan Lent Noteboom, Town Clerk
Andrew Frost, Director of Zoning/Building
Jonathan Kanter, Director of Planning
DISPOSITION DATE itif‘
tea.
TOWN OF ITHACA
Public Works Committee
June 27, 2000
Highway Facility
Present: David Klein; Chairperson, Ed Conley,Fred Noteboom, Dan Walker, and
Rich Schoch
Guests: Jonathan Kanter
The meeting began at 8:20 a.m.
Route 366 Bridge and Road Realignment
The Town Board sent a letter to New York State Department of Transportation
regarding the Towri s displeasure with the design of the project.
Jonathan Kanter explained that Cathy Valentino (Town Supervisor) and he talked to
Steve Vetter, NYS DOT, regarding the letter. Steve said that the State had received the
letter and is willing to work with the Town on the issues.
In talking to Steve, Cathy and Jonathan felt that the State would be willing to look into a
different lane configuration, but not necessarily making the bridge a smaller width.
They also felt that the State would like to continue with the bridge part of the project
while the Town looks into different scenarios for the Judd Falls Road issue.
Fred Noteboom, along with Cornell University and Ithaca Tompkins County
Transportation Center, made a computer simulation model portraying Judd Falls Road
as currently existing, one-way going south,and closing Judd Falls Road completely.
The model did not show any significant changes in traffic counts.
The Committee discussed conducting a traffic count in the fall. Fred also told the
Committee that he has talking to Tompkins County Public Works about sharing traffic
counting devices. New York State conducted a manual traffic count study in 1997.
We will ask the Town Board to discuss temporarily making Judd Falls Road a one-way
(going south) from Campus Road to Route 366. This could be done in September or
October. We would have traffic counted at Campus Road, Tower Road, and Judd Falls
Road.
Public Works Committee Minutes,June 27,2000 Page 2
•
Fred indicated that Tompkins County has 16 counters and we can ask the State to help
with counters. Cornell University officials have indicated that they would be willing to
provide staff time, although they have no counters.
It was pointed out that if Judd Falls Road was made a one-way street,we would be
better equipped to provide pedestrian and bike ways.
We believe that the State would like to start work on the bridge project in 2002.
Update on Town Hall
Dan indicated that the work is coming along nicely. The basement will be done this
week and the boiler is running. Mason work is all done. The telephone and computer
lines are being done this week.
Dan indicated that the wood doors are not in and the steel doors will be in next week.
Dan said that have been some problems putting in the handicapped ramp. There was a
misunderstanding on the plans for this. The contractor will redo the ramp due to the
width being too small. After the ramp is done, the sidewalk will be replaced. The
stones for the landing are not in yet. When the contractor is finished, they will clean up
the stone work.
The lights for the courtroom have not come in yet and the carpet has been laid.
The alarm system will be set up on July 10, 2000.
The elevator is in. There is a problem in the shaft. This is being worked out though.
Dan indicated that the move date would be the week of July 17,2000. The partition
furniture will be in July 12, although the other furniture will not be in until July 27.
David Klein asked about the landscaping. Rich Schoch indicated that the Town's forces
will do the landscaping work and it will be done in the fall. David asked that the
shrubs be trimmed before then. We will maintain the existing plantings this summer.
There was a brief discussion regarding the maintenance of the sidewalks (in the winter)
on Buffalo Street. Fred has talked to the City of Ithaca about keeping the sidewalk clear
since they already do the majority of the sidewalks on that block. The City did not feel
they would have the forces or time. It was suggested that Cathy talk to the City about
this.
Public Works Committee Minutes,June 27,2000 Page 3
Dan said that the Town would need to start budgeting for maintenance of the new
Town Hall.
Dan said that the Town received a water and sewer bill from the City—it was quite
high. He will talk to the City and ask them to change the line from a 2" line to a 1" line.
Update on the Renwick Drive Bridge
Fred indicated that the contractors for Tompkins County are working on the bridge. He
said that most of the concrete is out and the arch is gone. They appear to be on
schedule and the water line on Wycoff Road has been completed.
Culvert Pipe Policy
The Committee reviewed the changes made to the policy (made from the last meeting).
This and the Repairs to Driveways policies will go to the Town Board at the July
meeting.
There was a discussion regarding the Building Site Plan. The wording in this policy is
appropriate but it is more relevant at the building permit stage not the sub-division
stage. The Committee decided that Town staff should look into the sub-division
regulations regarding drainage. We may want to change them.
Repairs of Driveways
There was one change and then it will be ready for the Town Board's approval.
Emergency Management in Tompkins County
Fred informed the Committee that he received a letter regarding establishing
Emergency Management in Tompkins County for the Towns,Villages and County
forces. The City already has a plan. Fred indicated that the outer towns and villages
are not as interested in working out a plan.
The Town may want to appoint a delegate to represent the Town in this venture. We
need to talk to Cathy about this.
Overweight Trucks
Fred informed the Committee that the City of Ithaca is "cracking" down on overweight
trucks. Because the way the Town's trucks have to be set up (with plow frames, etc.),
we would only be about the put about 3 tons of materials in the back of a 10-wheeler
truck to be of legal weight. If this becomes more of an issue,we may want the Town
Public Works Committee Minutes,June 27,2000 Page 4
Board's support in pushing to change the laws regarding legal weights for municipal
trucks.
Building at 130 Forest Home Drive
Cornell Plantations is proposing to revamp the building at 130 Forest Home Drive for
their offices. This is more appropriate for the Planning Committee to review than the
Public Works Committee.
We need to make it clear who is responsible for the water and sewer in this project.
The reason this is before us is that Cornell University would like the Towri s help in
financing this project. This will need to be reviewed by the Planning Board and then
approved by the Town Board. We may want to consider a site plan review.
Miscellaneous
David Klein was giving a copy of a memo to Dan about the water line that feeds the
hospital.
The Highway Department's photocopier is not working. Need to talk to Al about
possibly leasing one.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m.