HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 1998-03-24 DISPOSITION
FINAL
Town of Ithaca
Public Works Committee Minutes
March 24, 1998
Present: David Klein,Chairperson; Ed Conley; Fred Noteboom; Rich Schoch; and
Gene Redman
Guests: Jonathan Kanter,Town of Ithaca; Marty Amen, MRB; and Joe Argenta,
MRB
The meeting began at 8:10 a.m.
The January and February minutes were approved at the meeting.
Caldwell Road
David Klein informed the Committee that Cornell University had a meeting on
Saturday to discuss the University's five-year plan for construction on the campus.
Most of the money will be allocated for dorms, but there was mention that the
University plans to contribute money for the project on Caldwell Road. David
explained that the University's plans are for more housing, which will guarantee
housing for freshman, sophomores, and transfer students.
Fred Noteboom asked what fiscal year is Cornell University on. It was decided that it
must be from June to June or July to July.
Fred indicated that he wanted to have sketches for this meeting, but Dan said he could
not have them ready until July. Gene Redman feels that we need the sketches before
this, so that the Highway Department can put this project in the 1999 Budget. David
felt July was too late, and he will ask Dan to have sketches for the April Public Works
Committee meeting.
Fred informed the Committee that Bruce Britten, of Forest Home Association, feels that
the reconstruction of Caldwell Road should be put off until the Northeast
Transportation Study has been completed. Jonathan Kanter indicated that New York
State would be putting in a traffic signal oh Route 366 regardless of the Study. Fred
reiterated that the Town does not want to add traffic to the road,but the road needs to
be reworked to help Cornell University's traffic to the parking lots.
Ed Conley asked what Tompkins County would be doing with the upper bridge. Fred
indicated that they would be repairing the structure.
Feasibility Study
Fred started to review the space needs that MRB Group provided the Town. Marty
Amara and Joe Argenta from MRB Group continued by showing the Committee their
projections for space needs.
Marty explained that the electric and ventilation systems would have to be upgraded.
Joe explained that because of the amount of additions to the building, the existing
building would have to be brought into compliance with the "code". Joe also informed
the Committee that the existing building is still very functional, but the roof would need
to be repaired along with the rust around the doors. Insulation would have to be
replaced—where the roof has been leaking. Joe also informed the Committee that
because of ADA requirements, MRB Group did not put anything in the loft (upstairs).
If the Town wanted to utilize that section,we would have to put in an elevator.
The Committee talked about the proposed space need for a paint area and that the area
allocated for the voting machines was not needed. (They will be stored at the new
Town Hall.) It was decided that the salt storage shed would be made of wood.
There was a general discussion on use of the building's conference room"after hours"
and how security issues would be handled.
Marty then asked the Committee for feedback on the space needs plan. David Klein
stated that the Town needs to be careful not to "overbuild" and that we need to be
flexible on down sizing. David felt MRB had done a good job thus far.
David talked about bidding out the project as opposed to doing the project in-house. It
was felt that the Towri s forces could work on the landscaping needs.
Marty.indicated that they would like to get the "flow" patterns, then prioritize them,
because the configuration will have an effect on a phased project. MRB would like to
come back to the PWC in April with this information.
There was a discussion on the difference between the Town Hall project and the
Highway/Park Facility project. Town Hall needs a new site and the Highway/Parks
Facility does not. The discussion drifted towards bonding the whole project and having
to possibly have a permissive referendum to continue the project.
David asked if any outside funding is available for this type of project. Marty said he
did not think there where any at this time. Fred talked about the Federal Government
may start subsiding the IceBan MAGic product.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 a.m.
ghk