Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 1996-01-25 DISPOSITION DATE Town of Ithaca Public Works Committee Meeting January 25, 1996, 8 : 00 a.m. Town of Ithaca Highway/Parks Facility 1 . Approval of Minutes David 2 . Discussion of Mitchell Street/Game Farm Road Trade Dan 3 . Discussion of Walkways on Judd Falls Road and on Route 13 at the City Line Fred 4 . Discussion of Bridge Inspections within the Town of Ithaca Fred 5 . Discussion of Forest Home Bridge Fred/Dan 6 . Discussion of West King Road Bridge Dan 7 . Discussion of Clearing Back Lots on Muriel Street Dan 8 . Discussion of Pump House at Christopher Circle Water Tank Dan 9 . Discussion of Master Meter Project Dan 10 . Discussion of Water and Sewer Capital Plan Dan 11 . Discussion of Chase Lane and LeGrande Court Lighting District Dan ghk pc : Mary Bryant, Administrative Secretary Joan Lent Noteboom, Town Clerk Jon Kanter, Town Planner Andrew Frost, Code Enforcement Officer OSPOSITION DATE /44 Psa ,A..« .,r_ TOWN OF ITHACA Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes January 25, 1996 Present : David Klein, Chairperson; Dan Walker; Cathy Valentino; Ed Conley; Rich Schoch, and Fred Noteboom The meeting began at 8 : 05 a.m. There was some discussion about the flooding which happened on Friday, January 19, 1996 . David Klein asked if any of the damage was preventible . Fred Noteboom suggested that driveway pipes should be replaced. Cathy Valentino said we should look into having owners fix the pipes . David then asked about Brandywine Drive and the flooding there . Rich Schoch indicated that we need to get the Storm Retention Pond in working condition. David felt this should be a priority of the Engineering Department . Cathy said that there was a discussion at the Department Head Meeting regarding updating the Storm Water Management Plan. David welcomed the new Committee member, Cathy, and approved the December 1995 minutes . Mitchell Street/Game Farm Road Trade Dan Walker said that Game Farm Road is currently owned and maintained by Tompkins County, Town of Ithaca, and the Town of Dryden. Mitchell Street is a County Road now. Fred added that the Town currently plows Mitchell Street and the County salts it . Dan would like the consent of the Public Works Committee to discuss with the County trading roads . Cathy said it made sense to own Mitchell Street . David asked what County roads we plow. Fred said that we plow all County roads in Town except for West Hill--we plow 20 miles of County roads . Cathy suggested that the Town talk to the County about plowing and salting County roads at same time. The Committee moved to have initial discussions with the County about trading Mitchell Street for the Town' s section of Game Farm Road. Judd Falls Road Walkway and Route 13 Walkway Fred informed the Committee that the Town does not have a formal policy regarding removal of snow from walkways . January 1996 Public Works Committee Minutes Page 2 Dan indicated that there is a sidewalk district at Judd Falls. Fred said that we presently clean Mitchell Street and others in that area. David suggested finding the agreement for the Judd Falls Sidewalk district and review it . David asked if the Town will be responsible for cleaning the sidewalks on the "to be built" sidewalks on Route 13 (near Buttermilk Falls State park, on both sides of the road) . There is a law which says that Towns are responsible for sidewalks on County and State highways . Ed Conley asked if there was an agreement with the Park to have them clean the walks, while we installed water and sewer lines . Dan did not remember anything about it, although, Fred suggested the Town asked the Park to maintain the sidewalk, anyway. Bridge Inspections Fred informed the Committee that the Town received bridge inspection reports from the State, via the County. Fred explained that the bridge that will be reconstructed this year is in better shape than the other. The Forest Home Bridge (upstream) has been "red flagged" (which must have been fixed by the County, since it is still open) . Fred also indicated that there are two other bridges with flags on them. The Forest Home Bridge (downstream) and Lick Brook Bridge are the other two. Cathy asked how many bridges were on Town roads . Fred indicated six, two on Forest Home Drive, one on Town Line Road, W. King Road, Burns Road and Renwick Heights Road. Cathy asked how the Town knows that the County fixed the red flagged bridge. Fred said that the bridge would be closed if it was not fixed. Cathy suggested that the Town get a copy of the County' s letter to the State regarding the repairs . David added that we should get a copy of the State' s response too. Forest Home Bridge (downstream) Dan indicated that the bridge was redesigned and there is a new cost estimate of $430, 000 . He also indicated that although the costs for some of the Town' s share are up, it is still below the budgeted amount ($50, 000) . Dan said the plan is to work on the bridge this summer but there is no set schedule yet. Fred indicated that the Town would like to have other road work done in the area at the same time. Dan and Fred indicated that this will not be part of the bridge bidding, but we will get an estimate from the contractor who is awarded the bid for the bridge. ( January 1996 Public Works Committee Minutes " Page 3 David asked if the ISTEA funding is still in place for this project. Dan said that verbally we have been told yes . Dan said he will be discussing this more with John Lampman. Dan said that he does not think the County has approved the final draft, which is scheduled to be submitted to the County on January 26, 1996 . David asked if the Town Board has to approve anything else before being bid out. Dan indicated that the final package will need approval and he will be bringing to the Town Board at the February meeting. David indicated that the real cost will not be available until the bids are received. Dan indicated that the Forest Home Group has looked at the redesigned plan. David asked if the budgeted $50, 000 was for the bridge and the other improvement, and Fred said no, that the other improvements where budgeted in the Town' s permanent improvements section. Fred then asked Cathy about the Work Plans that are due to the Board at the February meeting. He indicated that it will be hard to have all the figures (for repairs relating to the flood) before then. Cathy felt that under the circumstances, if the Highway/Parks Department had a summary of the problems and possible leads on outside funding it would be sufficient. David asked what Marty Luster' s response was for State aid. Cathy said that at this point, we need to work with the County Fire and Disaster coordinator. Fred informed the Committee that he told Jack Miller that the Town has approximately $850, 000 in damages. West King Road Bridge Dan indicated that Cathy had sent a letter to the state regarding getting funding through ISTEA to rebuild this bridge. It is slated to be fixed in 1997, but may be started in 1996 . Muriel Street Back Lot Clearing Cathy asked what was meant by clearing the back lots . Dan indicated that there is a sewer main running along the back of resident' s property on Muriel Street. This main needs to be clean up so that we can find the manholes, etc. David asked if we have easements. Dan said we have most of them. David then asked if we have contacted the residents of the work we wish to do. Dan said yes he has talked to them, and he feels there may be problems since we will need to take down trees, etc. David asked if we formally wrote to any of the residents. Dan said no, January 1996 Public Works Committee Minutes Page 4 but we will soon. David stressed that we keep open communication throughout the project . Dan estimated it will take approximately 500 person hours to complete the job. The work will have to be done by hand, as opposed to using a Hydro-axe. Dan said that it may alleviate some problems with the drainage in the area. We will be locating and repairing manholes, creating a swale (again) , and restoring the area. David asked Dan what, if any, problems the sewers had during the flooding. Dan said there was not direct damage. That he knows of, there where only two houses that the sewers backed up in. Dan said that one pump station continued to short out from the water, but all the pumps are now operational . Pump House on Christopher Circle Dan showed the Committee the design that was submitted to contractors for quotes. There were three quotes ranging from just under $12, 000 to $18, 500 . Dan would like the Committee' s recommendation to move ahead with the lowest bidder for construction. Cathy asked if this was part of the capital project. Dan said no, we have money in the maintenance line items. Dan indicated that the $12, 000 included have the pipes inside the pump house cleaned and painted. David asked if approval was need from the Town Board, Dan said he thought so. Cathy asked how soon, and Dan said he would like to put it on the February meeting agenda. Public Works Committee recommends this . Master Meters Dan informed the Committee that the Engineering Department has proposed an agreement with Bolton Point to have master meters placed at certain points in the water system. Cathy said that the Town attorney is reviewing it. Dan showed the Committee the plans for this . Starting at Oakcrest (in the Village of Lansing) there will be a meter; another one would be at Spruce Way, which will supply Cayuga Heights and some of the Town of Ithaca; there will be a meter at Sheldon, which will supply the Town and Village; one at the Apple Orchard, supplying the Town of Ithaca and Town of Dryden; one at Pine Tree, again, supplying the Town of Ithaca; and one at Pearsall Place, also supplying the Town of Ithaca. January 1996 Public Works Committee Minutes Page 5 These meters will become the main source of billing to the municipalities . Each municipality has a copy of the proposed agreement, with the cost breakdown on it. The Town' s share is approximately $100, 000 . There are some changes to be made, and, at Apple Orchard and Spruce Way, the buildings will have peaked roofs . Cathy asked if this added to the costs, and Dan said yes, but nominal. David asked if the building have to be heated, and Dan said yes, they will be insulated and have 15 watt heaters . Cathy asked who will do the work. Dan indicated that it will be bid out--probable in March or April. Dan also said that the Town will do the engineering work and contracting out and Bolton Point will oversee the day to day operation of the construction. Cathy suggested that we bill the municipalities for some for the engineering work. Water and Sewer Capital Project Dan showed the Committee the maintenance projects to work on in 1996 . David asked if this work was for internal work or would he have to contract it out. Most of it if can be done in-house. Dan would like to have two tanks painted this year. Cathy said we will have to look at the budget. David asked for copies of the work plan. Dan said it will be in the Town Board packet. Cathy discussed her concerns about the person hours it will take to do all this work--2,300 hours. She reiterated that the same people who work on the highways work on the water and sewer projects . Fred said it was be helpful to have added work force. Cathy agreed saying we need to review our staffing needs . Cathy asked what work Wayne and Chuck do. Dan said they do some field work but there is also mapping work to do. Dan said that ideally we need a three person crew: Operator, Pipe Layer, and Laborer. Dan handed out five year capital project plan. His priority for 1996 would be to work on East Shore Drive and Trumansburg Road with West Hill improvements. David asked if any capital projects this year. Dan said he would like to work on West Hill, possibly doing a million dollar bond. David asked about Clinton Street. Dan said it was a city project but it may be a bond issue. We are working on getting the bypass in the octopus. - January 1996 Public Works Committee Minutes Page 6 Chase Lane and LeGrande Lighting District Dan said that the Town does not have any information yet from NYSEG. Cathy said it will be put on the March meeting agenda. There was a discussion regarding how much should be spent on repairing mailboxes and posts. The amount of $30 was suggested. It was also suggested that we have the land owner repair the box and bill the Town, although we will not reimburse for over $30 . Miscellaneous Fred said that he would like to have Rich Schoch named the Deputy Highway Superintendent . David asked if he was working in that capacity now, and Rich said yes. Cathy suggested have a resolution and putting it on the Consent Agenda. Fred also would like to make Rich TenKate a Motor Equipment Operator to replace Brian Barry. Cathy said to put it on the Consent Agenda also. Fred then asked when we hire a new laborer, what wage would we start them at . Cathy said no higher than the lowest paid working laborer. Storm Problems David asked if we are looking for outside funding. Fred said yes, that we will get better estimates of the damage. David again stated that the Storm Water Management needs to be a priority. Dan said we do have a model. There were more discussion regarding the flooding. Meeting was adjourned at 10 :10 a.m. • ghk