HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 1999-03-23 DISPOSITION DATE
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Town of Ithaca Public Works Committee Meeting
March 23, 1999,8:00 a.m.
Town of Ithaca Highway Facility
1. Approval of Minutes
2. Update on Town Hall Project.
3. Discussion on E. Shore Drive Water Lines.
4. Discussion on Integrated Water System.
5. Discussion on Warren Road Project
6. Discussion on Purchasing an Excavator.
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pc: Mary Bryant, Administrative Assistant
Joan Lent Noteboom,Town Clerk
Andrew Frost, Director of Zoning/Building
Jonathan Kanter, Director of Planning
DISPOSITION DATE .
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Town of Ithaca Public Works Committee Meeting
March 23, 1999, 8:00 a.m.
Town of Ithaca Highway Facility
Present: David Klein,Chairperson;Cathy Valentino;Fred Noteboom; Dan Walker;
Gene Redman; and Wayne Sincebaugh.
Town Hall Update
Dan Walker expressed his concern with the progress of the Post Office's construction.
He has not seen any design from the Post Office for the entrance. They do not want us
to design it.
Cathy Valentino did not realize there was a problem with the design. The last
information she had was that they had met with the State on what they need for the
entrance and that the Post Office had "signed off" on the design.
David expressed his concerns about the time frame of this project. Cathy said that it has
been very hard to get in contact with Post Office personnel.
David asked if the Town has a final interior design for the building. Cathy said that she
looked at one that makes the clerical area larger and the justices area smaller. Cathy felt
that the new design does not leave much room; she would rather go back to the interim
plan.
David asked about the storage space for the justices. Dan said that there is plenty of
storage space,plus they could use the basement.
David asked what size the offices would be. Dan indicated they would be 10x13.
David said that the justices could use a room that is 10x12. Dan has talked to Ray
Bordoni about the offices. Ray feels that the part-time employee can work in the
justices' office.
The Committee agreed that the Court Clerks need to be available to the public.
David said that Holt Architects need to have the outline specifications. He also said
that some of the landscape work has been removed from the plan. Dan said that the
sidewalks are going to be replaced and that the Post Office will do this.
Public Work Committee Minutes, March 23,1999 Page 2
Cathy indicated that she would like to address the custodial area. There will be space in
the basement for the custodial staff. There was a general discussion regarding cleaning
(vacuuming,mopping, etc.) of the building,which will have to be done in the evenings.
Stanley will have to keep the building clean (emptying trashcans, recycling, dusting,
etc.) during the day. There was a discussion about having Stanley come back to the
Highway facility two 1/2 days a week.
East Shore Drive Sewer Lines
Dan indicated that the sewer line between the High School and Renwick Road is an 8"
line, which goes into a 24" line. A pump station on Renwick Road has been eliminated.
He would like the Town to upgrade the 8" line to a 24" line. Because Cornell University
will be putting in lines for the Lake Source Cooling system, it would be a good time for
the Town to do this project. The new line would follow the line that is currently there
on the school side of the road. He also indicated that this change would mostly benefit
the Village of Lansing. The Village of Lansing is willing to pay for the cost up front.
The Committee feels that we need to get a written proposal in place.
Integrated Water System
Dan indicated that he has met with the engineers. He estimates it will cost$11 million
for the project. He also indicated that they are closer to an agreement. We will get
proposals from O'Brien&Gere.
There was a discussion regarding the water capacity upgrades and that a 36" water
main would go down East Shore Drive.
Dan indicated that there are still some issues to be worked out. David asked what type
of time frame is projected for this project. Dan said that the City's water lines will be
OK for approximately three more years. He also indicated that the City's water plant
would be completely abandoned.
Cathy indicated that the City of Ithaca and Bolton Point are close to an agreement on
this project. Cathy reiterated that the Town of Ithaca would still be Bolton Point's
employer. She indicated that she would like to see the current employees remain as
employees and adding people from the City and Cornell's plants based on experience
and seniority. She said that wages would be reviewed.
Update on Warren Road Water and Sewer Project
Dan indicated that the Town of Ithaca provided Tompkins County with topo maps, etc,
although the County does not have a real plan in place. Fred and Dan expressed their
Public Work Committee Minutes,March 23,1999 Page 3
concerns with the County's blasé plans for the project. Dan informed the County that
the Town could provide construction designs for$15,000 to $20,000. Fred was
concerned that the County is not addressing the drainage problems in the area.
The Town would have to get written easements to put the lines to Manor Lane (private
road).
Update on Caldwell Road
Dan indicated that the latest design is for a 2-lane road with 2 six-foot shoulders.
Cornell University would like to stripe the shoulders as bike lanes. The lanes would
end at the Vet. School.
Fred indicated that the construction that would take place this year will only go past the
Vet. School; it will not address the hill section of the road. Fred indicated that we will
work on reconstructing the hill section of Caldwell Road in 2000.
Originally,Fred planned construction for Maple Avenue this year. There was a
question as to why the Town is working on Caldwell Road this year instead. Fred
indicated that we would like to do the project in conjunction with Cornell University's
project. Fred will ask the Town Board to sign an amendment to the Agreement of
JExpenditure of Money to change from construction on Maple Avenue to Caldwell
Road.
Fred indicated that the difference in costs from a 3-lane road to a 2-lane road project
would be approximately$8,600 for the material and$10,000 for the labor.
Purchasing of a Hydraulic Excavator
Cathy asked what a Hydraulic Excavator did. Gene Redman indicated that it does
every thing a badger does, except the excavator has a more flexible arm and is on tracks.
Fred indicated that there is approximately$85,000 in the Equipment Reserve Fund. He
believes that to use this money it would be subject to a permissive referendum. Fred
has received a quote on a machine that is $113,000. That would mean we would be
approximately$30,000 short. Cathy said that we should discuss this with Dan about
taking the money from the Water fund.
The Committee recommends the purchase of the Hydraulic Excavator. The Highway
Department will draw up specifications for a machine and send them to the Town
Board for their approval.
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Public Work Committee Minutes,March 23,1999 Page 4
Other
Fred indicated that he would like to have letters written to the Governor and legislators
because the Governor is calling for a cut in the CHIPS funding. This issue is on the
agenda to be discussed at the April Town Board Meeting.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:50 a.m.
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