HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 1999-12-07 DISPOSIjION E
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Town of Ithaca Public Works Committee Meeting
December 7, 1999, 8:00 a.m.
Town of Ithaca Highway Facility
1. Approval of Minutes
September 28, 1999
October 26, 1999
2. Review Adjustments to Work Plan 2000.
3. Review Town s Sidewalk Ordinance.
4. Discuss Renwick Heights Road Sidewalk.
5. Update on Renwick Drive Bridge.
6. Discuss Wycoff Road Water Line Replacement.
7. Discuss E. King Road Turnaround.
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pc: Mary Bryant,Senior Typist
Joan Lent Noteboom, Town Clerk
Andrew Frost, Director of Zoning/Building
Jonathan Kanter, Director of Planning
DISPOSITION DATE FINAL
Town of Ithaca Public Works Committee Meeting
December 7,1999, 8:00 a.m.,
Town of Ithaca Highway Facility
Present: David Klein, Chairperson;Fred Noteboom,Cathy Valentino, Dan Walker,
Gene Redman,Wayne Sincebaugh, Rich Schoch.
Guests:
The meeting started at 8:10 a.m.
The minutes from the September and October meetings were approved.
There was general discussion regarding a Speed Observer like the City of Ithaca has.
Fred Noteboom has talked to Cornell Police and Cornell Transportation. They are
willing to provide 1/3rd each of the money for such a devise. Fred has been told that it
would cost approximately $14,125 to purchase this type of machine. This type of
machine not only tells the speed of vehicles, it also counts the number of vehicles
(Traffic Counts).
There was a general discussion regarding Fred and Dan Walker's trip to Maryland for
the Disaster Preparedness Program. Dan will give a presentation to the Town.Board at
their next meeting.
Adjustments to the Work Plan 2000—Highway
Fred indicated that we are taking the work on Forest Home Drive at the wall off our
work plan. This is due to not knowing if the wall is the Town's or the property owner's
responsibility. We have not found any information on this, and there is nothing in the
homeowner's deed. We added paving John Street.
Other projects there are already included are: paving Park Lane,paving Renwick
Heights Road, paving and drainage work on W. King Road, paving and drainage work
on Tareyton Drive, paving and added a retaining wall on Pine Tree Sidewalk, and
putting in guide rail on Elm Street Ext.
Public Works Committee Minutes,December 7,1999 Page 2
Sidewalk Ordinance
Fred handed out a copy of the current sidewalk ordinance. This ordinance is for
sidewalks made with asphalt. There are separate specifications for sidewalks made of
concrete.
The question was raised as to how many sidewalks the Town has and maintains. Fred
informed the Committee that any sidewalks on a State or County Road, within the
Town is the Town's responsibility. Cathy Valentino asked that the Highway
Department prepare a list of the sidewalks and what type of maintenance we do on
them.
There was also a question raised as to the difference between a sidewalk and a
walkway. After this is done, this Committee will review the sidewalk ordinance and
then send it to the Town Board for their review.
Renwick Heights Road Sidewalk
There is a concrete sidewalk on Renwick Heights Road from East Shore Drive to the
dead end. Fred showed the Committee pictures of the sidewalk on Renwick Heights
Road. This sidewalk is in poor shape. Fred would like to know if the sidewalk should
be repaired when we rework the road. If it is, the sidewalk ordinance indicates that the
homeowners will be responsible for the cost. Fred would like to discuss this with the
homeowners at a meeting. Fred asked if there was a reason to have the sidewalk there.
Cathy would like to have the Highway Department take more pictures, after it has
snowed. This may help show how much the sidewalk is used.
As the pictures show, there is a lot of debris on the sidewalk. Cathy felt that we should
talk to the homeowners about this.
Cathy would like to see a map of the area to better depict where this sidewalk is. We
will take the Renwick Heights sidewalk issue off the Town Board's agenda for
December.
Update on Renwick Drive Bridge
Fred said that he has some concerns about the jump in cost of the building of Renwick
Drive Bridge from the last update to this one. According to the agreement that was
signed, the total cost of the bridge would be $630,000. In the last update (from the
County) the total cost was $730,000. He has contacted John Lampman, Tompkins
County Public Works,regarding this. We have not received any information about it
though.
Public Works Committee Minutes,December 7,1999 Page 3
There was a general discussion that the Town was not involved in the RFP or the
selection process for the bridge.
This project has not been let out to bid yet, although we think it is close since the Town
has been in contact with LeBella Associates and were told that LaBella was to have their
information to Tompkins County by this week.
We will continue to keep this Committee and the Town Board updated on this project.
Wycoff Road Water Line Improvement
This project would be an improvement not a replacement.
The reason for doing this project is to add a loop in the water system in that area. This
will also allow water to continue to be used while the bridge on Renwick Road is being
replaced. There are no services on this road, although there are houses—the water is
brought in from the other side of the houses. We would add taps so that the houses on
the road could use water from this line. Fred asked if any trees would have to be taken
down. Dan said no.
We would like to start this project soon, so it will be finished before the bridge on
Renwick Road is closed. Part of this project will be constructed in the Village of Cayuga
Heights. We have talked to the Village about this. We will be going down the edge of
the road. The Town will restore the Village's road to the way it was. We will repave
our section of the road in the spring. We should talk to the Village about repaving their
section of Wycoff Road after this project is completed.
Fred indicated that the Highway Department received a request for a sidewalk on
Wycoff Road. Cathy asked where it would lead.
David Klein indicated that he would like to see a more attractive pump house put in.
Dan said that he would look into different styles of pump houses. David said that he
was concerned about the site distance coming out of the cemetery. Fred said this did
not appear to be a problem.
Cathy asked what the budget for this project would be. Dan figured about$80,000. He
also said that the County has estimated a temporary water line cost of$20,000. Dan
said that there is some money from 1999 funds still available. Dan will review his
budget.
We need to discuss this further with Cayuga Heights.
,.
Public Works Committee Minutes,December 7,1999 Page 4
East King Road Turn Around
Fred indicated that we have talked about this turn around in the past. This turn around
is basically for the State—so that trucks and buses can check their brakes before going
down the hill. Fred indicated that Tompkins County would like to close off a section of
that road. Fred said that he has talked to New York State Department of Transportation
about fixing the road. They are working on this. The last time this was discussed, there
were some concerns about closing the road. Fred has talked to the residents of that
road and they are not opposed to having it closed off.
In the past,Fred suggested making the area a park and ride. The Town should discuss
this with the MPO. Fred indicated that the Town would continue to plow and salt that
section of road.
The Committee agreed that we should discuss this more with Jonathan Kanter, Director
of Planning. Fred will do this.
Miscellaneous
David asked if the same people would continue representing this board. Cathy said
yes. It was decided to keep the same date and time, as long as it does not interfere with
Ed Conley's work schedule. Gail Kroll will talk to him about this.
Fred informed the Committee that he would be talking to Andy Frost, Director of
Zoning/Building regarding changing some of the street names. Streets like Penny Lane
and Penny Drive,which are the same road but were accepted by the Board at different
times, so received different names.
Fred updated the Committee on the work at Park Lane. We are still working at the
winery but will be putting on another crew to start working on underground drainage
on Park Lane.
Dan said that the bid opening for the construction of the New Town Hall is December 9,
1999, at 1:00 p.m. Dan indicated that ten sets of general plans have been picked up. The
building has been opened at certain times during the day for prospective contractors to
look at. There has been one addendum. Dan indicated that there is some asbestos in
the building but it will be removed. At this time, the total estimated cost to renovate the
building is $2.1 million.
Dan was not sure when the Post Office would be opening their bids. He had received
three different dates from them.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 a.m.