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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 1997-06-26 S Town of Ithaca Public Works Committee Meeting June 26, 1997, 8:00 a.m. Town of Ithaca Highway Facility 1. Approval of Minutes April 3, 1997 April 24, 1997 2. Discussion on Highway RFP 3. Discussion on Culvert Pipe Policy 4. Discussion on Caldwell Road 5. Discussion on Warren Road Sidewalk 6. Discussion on Burns Road--No Parking and Intersections. 7. Discussion on 1998 Paving: Strawberry Hill Road and Wildflower ghk pc: Mary Bryant, Administrative Secretary Joan Lent Noteboom,Town Clerk Andrew Frost, Director of Zoning/Building Jonathan Kanter,Director of Planning Enc.: DISPO$11 ON DATE 441 TOWN OF ITHACA Public Works Committee Minutes June 26, 1997 Present: David Klein, Chairperson; Cathy Valentino; Ed Conley; Fred Noteboom; and Rich Schoch Guests: Jonathan Kanter The April 3 and April 24 minutes were approved. Highway RFP David Klein indicated that we need to wait for the public hearing for the new Town Hall. There was a discussion of the schedule of the new Town Hall proposal. Cathy Valentino indicated that the Post Office was still reviewing the legal documents. It was decided that we will discuss this further at the August meeting. David suggested that he and Fred Noteboom get together and go over the details for the RFP before the August meeting. Culvert Pipe Policy The Highway Department introduced a new culvert pipe policy, which is fashioned around Tompkins County's policy. In this policy the homeowner will pay the Town a $25 Administrative fee and a minimum of $75 for materials. The homeowner will be responsible to purchase the pipe. There was a discussion of the types of pipe and where they can be purchased. Fred indicated that we use both plastic pipe and galvanized steel pipe. In theory, plastic pipe will last longer than steel pipes. There are several vendors in the Ithaca area that sell these pipes. David suggested that a list of vendors be put on the form, which is filled out by the Town. This form is for inspections and it allows homeowners to know what type and how much pipe to buy. David suggested that the last sentence on paragraph#1 be reworded. Cathy feels that the Town should not be "donating" staff time. Ed Conley indicated that if the Town performs the work (of installing the pipe), then the work will be done to the Town's satisfaction. Cathy asked how many pipes we change a year. Fred indicated approximately 15 to 20 a year. Cathy was concerned that the Town's crews will spend more time on changing culvert pipes than on the other routine maintenance. • Public Works Committee Minutes Page 2 David said that the policy needs to indicate that it is for existing culvert pipes on Town roads only and that it does not include commercial property. Cathy feels that we should use this policy and revisit it in a year. Cathy would like Fred to have a record kept of the time and costs to replace culvert pipes. Cathy indicated that she received a couple of letters (one from Burns Way and one from Regency Lane) from residents about their drainage (culvert pipes). Fred indicated that the people on Burns Way have been taken care of, because the Town re-graded and reshaped the shoulders and ditches. A culvert pipe was added. Cathy indicated that she went and looked at the one or Regency Lane, and indicated that the culvert pipe does not line up with the ditch, among other things. Fred said that the ditch line needs to be reshaped. Caldwell Road Fred indicated that this was on the agenda so that discussions can begin on reconstruction of Caldwell Road. He would like to put it on the work schedule for 1998. David asked if the whole road would be re-paved and realigned or just the hill. Fred said he would like to do the whole thing. Cathy said the road could be moved a little and that a pedestrian path could be added. Fred indicated that he would be meeting with Bruce Brittian, Forest Home Association, to discuss Caldwell Road. David expressed that if the project was going to take a long time to do, we should consider bidding the project. Fred said it might not necessarily be a long project. Cathy indicated that the Town may be involved, quite heavily in storm water management in 1998. Fred indicated that we still need engineering plans. Jonathan Kanter indicated that the Planning Department is indirectly involved through the Ithaca/Cornell University Transportation Committee. Cathy asked what Cornell University was going to do with Parking Lot B. Fred said they were going to rebuild it, but that would be clarified by Bill Wendt at the Ithaca/Cornell Transportation Committee on July 8, 1997. Warren Road Sidewalk Jonathan indicated that in 1989 there was a proposal to put in a sidewalk on Warren Road and set up a sidewalk district. In 1989 the costs would have been approximately $248,000. There was an issue of including the schools in the sidewalk district. I Public Works Committee Minutes Page 3 Fred informed the Committee that Tompkins County would like some type of ( commitment from the Town, because they will be working on their budget soon. A discussion regarding where the sidewalk would go and if it will be part of the Town's overall parks and trail system. The sidewalk will serve the resident's there and it does not connect to any parks there. David asked if the County will be rebuilding the road or not. Cathy said that the Tompkins County Board of Representatives for the Town of Ithaca are not supporting the rebuilding of the road. Cathy indicated that we may not want a sidewalk there, but that if the County would pave the shoulders, it would be better for pedestrians and bicyclist. David indicated that he will discuss this with the County's Representatives at the July Town Board Meeting. Fred will relay this to Ward Hungerford from the County. Burns Road No Parking and Intersection Fred indicated that a resident on Burns Road has requested that "No Parking" signs be put up near his driveway. The driveway continues to be utilized by people using the South Hill Trail Burns Road entrance. The Highway Department will ask the resident's of Burns Road to make a formal request to have the Parking Ordinance changed. It was suggested that a time limit be put on the parking at this location. This, along with a couple of other changes to the Ordinance, will be put on the August Board Meeting agenda. Fred also discussed sight problems at the intersection of Burns Road and Coddington Road. There was a proposal to realign Burns Road to make a four (4) way intersection with Coddington Road, E. King Road and Burns Road. Fred indicated that this project has been removed from the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) schedule. Ed feels that the realignment of Burns Road should be put back on the TIP schedule. Fred will look into this before the next Public Works Committee meeting. 1998 Paving of Strawberry Hill Road and Wildflower Drive Fred indicated that in 1998 the Highway Department will schedule to pave Strawberry Hill Road and Wildflower Drive. Fred indicated that the concrete gutters that were installed are not working correctly. David asked if these roads were part of the five years paving plan, and Fred said not for 1998, although due to unforeseen problems, they need to be done sooner than planned. The roads we are looking to pave in 1998 are: Caldwell Road, Strawberry Hill Road and Wildflower Drive. Public Works Committee Minutes Page 4 Miscellaneous l Jonathan asked to have an agenda item on the August PWC meeting. He would like to discuss prioritizing the building of the parks and trails in accordance to the Parks and Open Space Plan. Cathy indicated that the Board will set up a separate board meeting for discussion of the Budget process. Jonathan informed the Committee that Ed Hallberg purchased the Mano's property on E. King Road. Mr. Hallberg is proposing to have four (4) lots—two for building, one will be sold to David Burbank, and one will stay clear. According to Jonathan, Mr. Hallberg is proposing to give the fourth parcel to the Town of Ithaca. Mr. Burbank has requested permission to put up some plantings for screening (from the proposed trail in that area). Jonathan wants to know if the Committee wants to pursue this proposal, allow plantings for screen (in the Town's right-of-way), and work on getting the easements. The Committee is in agreement with this. MONKEMEYER/SOUTH HILL PARK PARCELS Jonathan informed the Committee that at the last Planning Board Meeting it was indicated that this parcel (12.5 acres) may have wetlands on it. The Town will be completing a wetland preliminary evaluation to determine if there are any wetlands in the parcel, where they are, and give a description if the wetlands. Fred informed the Committee that PESH (Public Employee's Safety and Health) Bureau completed an inspection of the Highway Facilities. ghk