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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 1998-05-26 Town of Ithaca Public Works Committee Meeting May 26, 1998,8:00 a.m. Town of Ithaca Highway Facility 1. Approval of Minutes 2. Town Hall Update. 3. Discussion on Fence at South Hill Trail. 4. Discussion on Slaterville Road Erosion Problem. 5. Discussion on Sharing Salt Storage at Tompkins County Facility. 6. Discussion on Caldwell Road. 7. Presentation from MRB Group. ghk pc: MarBryant, Administrative Assistant Joan Lent Noteboom,Town Clerk Andrew Frost, Director of Zoning/Building Jonathan Kanter, Director of Planning 'I DISPOSITION DATE y Town of Ithaca Public Works Committee Meeting May 27, 1998, 8:00 a.m. Town of Ithaca Highway Facility Present: David Klein,Chairperson; Cathy Valentino; Fred Noteboom; Rich Schoch; and Dan Walker Guests: Marty Aman and Joe Argenta from MRB Group The meeting began at 8:10 a.m. The minutes from the April 28, 1998 and May 5, 1998 were approved at the meeting. Update on Town Hall The Committee discussed a grant that the Town will apply for. The grant is called Environmental Bond Issue Grant. We will include in the grant restorations on exterior blocks, the lobby and handicapped accessibility issues. Cathy Valentino informed the Committee that there is no need for a special board meeting; we just need to submit a letter with the grant. Dan Walker said that the Purchase Offer has been signed, along with the Lease Agreement. The Town has ordered an abstract for the property and we are working on the title. The contingencies on the Purchase Offer have to be taken off,as they have been met. David Klein wondered who would be responsible for the utilities (electric, etc.). Dan said that we will discuss this in more detail closer to the closing time. Time Frame: The Post Office has 60 days to review the final design. The Post Office has 9 months to complete their renovations. Dan is hoping construction can be started in January 1999. Public Works Committee Minutes,May 26,1998 Page 2 Fence at South Hill Trail Rich Schoch explained that there is a fence at the Hudson Street entrance to the South Hill Trail which has graffiti on it. The homeowner, Margorie Olds,would like the Town to take care of this. There is a question as to who owns the fence. Whitmore Fence put it in, and it may have been paid for from the grant (to build the South Hill Trail). Community Service through the Tompkins County Probation Department is willing to repair the fence, but feels that they need direction from the Town of Ithaca Town Board before proceeding. There is also a discrepancy as to what material to use. Rich feels that the fence should be sanded down and have a clear preservative (one used on the play structures) put on it, which is easier to take care of, however, the homeowner already has paint. • Cathy asked were the fence was. Rich explained that it is in the City of Ithaca,but the Town of Ithaca has a right-of-way there. Cathy said to add this to the consent agenda items for the Town Board to approve Probation doing the work there. Fred Noteboom said that he will talk to Marge Olds about sealing it, instead of painting it. Cathy said a letter should be drafted to the City explaining the Town's position on the fence. Cathy will also talk to George Frantz about any agreements. NOTE: It was discovered that the Town has only an easement for the right-of-way in question. Therm owns the property. A letter from Marge Olds was found where she indicated that she will maintain the fence if Therm would allow the fence to be built. The Town did not build the fence. Erosion on Slaterville Road Cathy asked when would the Town's forces be able to work on this project. Fred indicated that we would be able to work on it later this summer. David Klein was concerned about the costs and where the money would come from this year. Dan Walker explained that we would only work on about 250 feet (from Slaterville Road)to stabilize the area, then we can work on the rest at a later date. Dan also indicated that we had applied for a grant to help offset the costs of this project. Fred indicated there are other projects we will be working on that can lend materials to this project. Finding the time to do it is the problem. Dan indicated that the Ewing's are willing to give the Town an easement. Fred said that John Barney has the current easements to review. Public Works Committee Minutes,May 26,1998 Page 3 ' t Sharing Salt Storage with Tompkins County David asked what Tompkins County has proposed. Cathy said that the County is willing to take off the Capital Costs. Fred enlightened the Committee on his feelings. He feels if the Town builds a building, it will "pay for itself". We can save money if we stock pile early. He was concerned that during storms,we would have to wait around while the County fills their truck, etc. He is also concerned that the County does not have scales, so to be precise, we would have to go to Solid Waste to weight trucks—this will take time. Fred is not happy about having to estimate. David said that it may not make sense to do this. Cathy will talk to Barbara Blanchard and Al Carvill again. David asked if the Town wants to make money or just break even. Fred said at least break even. There was a discussion regarding the snow removal of Town roads and how efficient it was this year. Fred indicated that the ICEBAN MAGic has made a big difference, and the workers expressed how well it works. Caldwell Road Reconstruction The preliminary design was discussed. This project will be part of the 1999 budget. Cathy asked if the island will still be in the design. Dan said yes. There was a discussion regarding plantings in the island. David was concerned about the liability but feels that it will enhance the area's views. There was a discussion about putting up neighborhood signs; welcoming people to the neighborhood and letting people know that it is a residential area. Fred discussed classifications of rural roads versus urban roads. NOTE: AS TIME PERM111FD,THERE WERE OTHER DISCUSSIONS NOT ON THE AGENDA. We discussed moving all the compost and chips piles (at the Highway Facility) so the public does not have access to the back of the building. We will put up signs informing the public that no unauthorized vehicles can go beyond a certain point. Public Works Committee Minutes,May 26,1998 Page 4 Cathy asked why the trash cans had been removed from the parks. Rich explained that too many people were bringing their household trash there. Cathy was concerned because it seems that people are putting it in the wooded area now. Rich explained that we routinely pick up litter at all sites during weekly inspections. David and Cathy asked that trash cans be proved which have limited access at the opening. This will limit the amount of trash that can go inside the cans. Talked about picnic tables being stolen. Rich will look into securing tables. David asked which area of the Town will we concentrate on next regarding Storm Water Management. Dan indicated that the "back side" of the Northeast,where Lucenti is putting in homes,will be next, then to East Hill. Rich informed the Committee that Winner Circle Trail has been relocated,we need to put chips down now,put the circle Greenway sign back up, and replant some bushes to finish the project. Presentation from MRB Two scenarios were presented. One driven by space needs, and the other by input from Highway staff. JDavid indicated that the Town would be interested in the second scenario, since the costs of the first were too high. Discussed the presentation. This will be presented to the Town Board at their meeting on June 8, 1998. Comments: Remove walls from the current mechanic's shop and add cage. No drive through bay, but can add door. • Wash bay big enough to handle plow truck with plow down. Advantage of this design, very little grading will have to be done. Very little pavement will be disturbed. Storage: some storage can be in the wash bay and maintenance bays. Need to break down what needs to be in heated and cold storage. Fred has this. C0 . Public Works Committee Minutes,May 26,19.98 Page 5 Talked about electric to the cold storage area so diesel vehicles can be"plugged" in. This will not cost much more, as electric will already be put in there. MRB feels that with adequate ventilation, washing can be done in the barn with little effect on the vehicles (corrosion). David feels that this is the minimum that can be handled to adequately provide for future space needs. David feels that we should present to the Town Board, three separate plans. 1. Main Building, with possibly leaving out wash bay. 2. Salt Storage as a stand alone project. 3. Outdoor cold storage as a stand alone project. Fred indicated that the cold storage can be done on the money that is currently in the budget. There was a discussion on what soft costs were involved. Cathy suggested that some funding may be available from water and sewer budgets, since there is equipment storage of water and sewer equipment, and office spaces needed. MRB will make a presentation to the Town Board on June 8,1998, at approximately 7:00 p.m. They will include handouts of the site plan and scenario 2, along with a report of the existing spaces and the proposed spaces. Meeting was adjourned at 10:20 a.m. ghk