HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 1998-01-27 DISPOSITION DATE
FINALTown of Ithaca Public Works Committee Meeting
January 271998, 8:00 a.m.
Town of Ithaca Highway Facility
1. Approval of Minutes
December 4, 1997
2. Approval of 1998 Meeting Dates
3. Discussion on RFP for Highway/Parks Facility
4. Discussion on Emergency Response Plan and Confined Space Entry Plan
5. Discussion on Yard Waste Collection
5. Discussion on the Northeast Storm Water Management Plan.
6. Discussion on Status of Town Hall Design
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pc: Mary Bryant, Administrative Secretary
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 Minutes
January 27, 1998
Present: David Klein, Chairperson; Fred Noteboom; Dan Walker; Rich
Schoch; and Gene Redman
The meeting began at 8:10 a.m.
The December 4, 1997,minutes were approved with no changes.
The meeting dates for 1998 have been changed from the fourth Thursday of the
months to the fourth Tuesday of every month. Fred Noteboom handed out a
memo depicting the dates. These dates were approved.
Emergency Response Plan and Confined Space Entry Plan
Fred indicated that the Emergency Response Plan has been approved by the
Public Works Committee, but the Confined Space Entry Plan has not. He
requested that this topic be discussed at a later date, because the Plan presented
to the Town by PESH is a very lengthy Plan. We would like to shorten it for
better understanding. After both Plans have been approved by the Public Works
Committee, they will be presented to the Town Board for their approval.
Discussion on Leaf Collection
Rich Schoch provided the Committee with a review of the Towri s semi-annual
leaf collection. In previous years, the fall leaf collection has been hampered by
early snow storms. The Highway Department is proposing the Town mandates
bagging leaves (for collection) in paper biodegradable bags. Rich indicated that
we can get bags at a fraction of the cost (from places like Agway) and distribute
them to residents.
Rich indicate that the benefits from mandated bags would include:
1. There would no longer be loose leaves on the road shoulders (we get
complaints of leaves in roads,leaves blowing all over)..
2. We could designate certain days of the week for the whole month of
November to this type of pick up.
3. More economical--we would not have to use the leaf vacuums which are very
costly to operation.
Public Works Committee Minutes Page 2
4. Less staff is needed to complete the pick ups, consequently, we can continue
other projects.
David Klein agreed that the pick up on every Monday and Tuesday of the month
of November would be beneficial to the residents. He felt that the trade off for
having to buy and put leaves in bags would be beneficial.
David suggested putting an article in the Newsletter soliciting the resident's feed
back on such a program. David suggested that in the article we should remind
residents that the spring collection already only allows bagged leaves.
Rich said that we need to decided how the bags would be distributed to the
residents. There would have to be a charge for these bags.
Storm Water Management Update
Dan Walker indicated that he would like to schedule an informational meeting
regarding the Storm Water management in late February or early March.
Dan showed the Committee maps that showed the areas that need attention first.
He said the main focus for 1998 will be on Brandywine Drive, Christopher Lane
and at Dewitt Pond. Underground pipes would be put in at each of those sites.
The piping on Brandywine Drive will be going under the road and down one
side of it. David asked if agreements need to be in place to do some of the work.
Dan said yes, but say we should have no problems getting them since the home
owners are asking for the help with drainage.
Dan indicated that the calculations are done and that he is now working on
narrative for the meeting. Dan went over the proposed agenda (for the meeting)
with the Committee.
Dan said there are other concerns to be watched in the future. If development in
the BOCES area or the Cornell University lands is proposed, the Town should
look at the drainage in that area very carefully.
Fred expressed concerns about the flow from the pond at the Arrowwood
Project. Dan indicated that there is one pond in place, and another small pond
that is holding water.
There was a discussion regarding work done at 319 Winthrop Drive during a
recent flooding event. Fred indicated that the Highway crews cleaned snow out
of the ditch there.
Public Works Committee Minutes Page 3
Dan also indicated that there are problems in the Maplewood/Pinewood area (in
the Northeast). He felt that most of the problems there can be addressed by
cleaning out the ditches.
David indicated that the Town's plans need to be discussed with Brent Cross,
Village of Cayuga Heights.
New Town Hall Update
Dan said that Cathy Valentino has signed the contract, but John Barney (Town
Attorney) wanted to review some of the language in it. We have started working
on the schematic designs though. Dan met with Doug Look to discuss the
designs and it was discovered that there is more room in the basement. Dan
indicated that there is only one way into this area though. There was a
discussion of ways to renovate the elevator in the building.
David asked if we have seen the Post Office's design. He was concerned about
the handicapped accessibility. Dan said that he has not seen the design yet.
Dan said that he will be meeting again next week with Doug Look. David asked
if the program issues have changed much. Dan indicated that there was a
meeting with all Department Heads and that the program has not changed.
Highway Facility RFP
David asked every one to indicated their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice of companies
who submitted their proposal. It was decided the MRB Group was the first
choice. The sealed proposed fees were then opened. MRB Group was $12,000,
MacNeall-Tagg Engineers was $13,450, and Architectura was $21,490. It was
decided that the Committee will meet with MRB and Fred and Dan will call for
references. Fred will call the Town of Riga, Town of Webester, and Broome
County. Dan will call the Town of Sodus or Town of Green. .
Fred indicated that the Town is in need of a new, larger salt storage shed.
There was a discussion of the usage of the ICE BAN MAGic. We also talked
about the new truck.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 a.m.
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