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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 1996-09-24 DISPOSITION DATE 4/4/ Town of Ithaca Public Works Committee Meeting September 24, 1996, 8:00 a.m. Town of Ithaca Highway/Parks Facility NOTE: Due to scheduling difficulties,the meeting will be held on September 24, 1996, instead of September 26, 1996. 1. Approval of Minutes(August) David 2. Update on Forest Home Drive Fred 3. Discussion of Parks Capital Plan(Future Sites) Fred/Rich 4. Discussion on Culvert Pipe Policy Fred 5. Discussion of South Hill Trail Fred 6. Establish parameters for Special Benefits Committee Dan ghk pc: Mary Bryant, Administrative Secretary Joan Lent Noteboom, Town Clerk Jon Kanter, Director of Planning Andrew Frost, Director of Building and Zoning DISPOSITION DATE TOWN OF ITHACA I Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes September 24, 1996 Present: David Klein, Chair; Dan Walker; Fred Noteboom; Rich Schoch; and Cathy Valentino Guests: Jonathon Kanter and George Frantz The Meeting began at 8:00 a.m. Forest Home Bridge Update Fred Noteboom explained that Tompkins County has received an extension request from the contractor. John Lampman, Tompkins County Public Works, says that he has not reviewed the reasons for the request yet. Fred said that the concrete that has already been poured will be tested (for strength) this week. Dan Walker expressed that the contractor was not working too fast; even though the steel is not in, there are other things to be done. It was discussed that the project is about 30 days behind schedule. Fred indicated that this delay could put our Change Order (work on curbing, etc) in jeopardy. Although, Fred did send the County the information they need to make the Change Order. It has to go before the County Public Works, which meets next week. Fred also indicated that the Town may have to make changes in the snow plow routes, since the bridge is closed and it looks like it will be for some time. Cathy Valentino indicated that she will discuss the delays on the bridge with the County. Parks Capital Plan Jonathan Kanter explained that the Park and Open Space Plan is almost ready for distribution to the respective Boards and Committees some time next week. Jonathan indicated that the Plan reviews the major proposals for park and trail sites, and that this is a 20 year plan. Jonathan indicated that the biggest park currently owned by the Town is Eastern Heights Park. David asked if the report, specifically table 6.1, was for the parks we have now or are they new proposals. Jonathan indicated that it was both, and that the table needed to be more defined. • . Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes Page 2 Jonathan indicated that most of the Town's park land is from donation. This is creating a lot of small parks (for each subdivision). He indicated that this Plan will address having three "community" parks, which would be larger and provide more recreational opportunities, such as ball fields. George Frantz indicated that the Plan calls for parks within 1 mile of subdivisions, and then the three community parks. The recommendation for these parks are for one on South Hill, one in the Inlet Valley area (West Hill), and one between Bundy Road and Mecklenburg Road (West Hill). George explained that the other part of the Plan addresses the Recreation Ways (Trails). He said that about 20 miles of trails are proposed. Jonathan indicated that the Plan needs to be flexible • Fred asked what direction does the Board want to go? Cathy said that we need to set priorities then begin. She feels that we should assess the plan and figure out where to start. There was a discussion on the amount of money left from the 1996 budget. It was decided that we need to encumber the money for construction in 1997. With the encumbered money and the 1997 budget, there will be approximately $70,000 available to work with. There was a discussion on grants and applying for them. Fred indicted that it is hard to get recreational grants. Jonathan indicated that if we apply for ISTEA funding, it must have something to do with transportation, such as trails. George indicated that the next plan to work on would be a transportation plan. Fred indicated that this would be a good idea. David felt that the tables (within the Parks Plan) need to be prioritized. Jonathan felt that the priorities will be apparent after the various boards have reviewed them. Jonathan said that some things that need to be looked at is the impact on the joint recreation partnership. There was a discussion on the "slump" in the growth in the Town of Ithaca, and that it will change with time. Jonathan indicated that there is some growth in the South Hill area, which make the need for a community park. Jonathan discussed getting the William and Hannah Pew trail started. David felt that the budget should reflect a line item for this. Dan indicated that with long projects (2 or 3 years) the Town should develop a line item for the project, but if the project is a small project, it should be kept within the Parks construction line item. Jonathan feels that the construction of the Pew trail should be a 2 or 3 year project, using Town staff for construction. George • Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes Page 3 said that we still need to get some easements and that the landowners want work done with the stream first. David reiterated that we need to make sure the unspent 1996 funds are encumbered. David, again, asked what is the time frame of the Plan. Jonathan said that next week the draft report will be available and will be going to the Conservation Board, Planning Board, Planning Committee, Public Works Committee, and then the Town Board. After that, we will schedule a public meeting on it. South Hill Trail David informed the Committee that there was a meeting with Mary Russell, Marjorie Olds, Ed Hart, Peter Fortunato, Fred Noteboom, Rich Schoch, and George Frantz. There were two topics discussed: One was the Town's mowing policy. This needs to be taken to the Town Board for approval. The other was the need for better control over the bicycles on the City Water Shed area, since there has been damages to the area. It was discussed that the City owns the land but it is within the Town and some of the land is privately owned. Cathy asked where most of the damages (from the bikes) are. George explained that most of it is near the Burns Road entrance and towards Hudson Street. David explained patrolling the area would be hard, given the terrain, etc. David said that the people at the meeting discussed using more effective signage and better barricades. Dan suggested putting bike racks up at the barricades. David asked if some type of Board action was needed. George suggested sitting down with the City to discuss this, then it can be brought before the Board in November. Culvert Pipe Policy Fred explained that this is on the agenda again, although he has no new information on other municipalities polices, so that Cathy can express her concerns. Fred, again, indicated that most policies include putting in pipes, if needed. David asked what the difference in the draft policy and the old policy is. Fred indicated the laws were cited, the requirement of a deposit for work in the right-of-way, and the fact that the Town will charge for materials are now in the policy. \_1 Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes Page 4 Fred explained that the deposit is more like a retainer to make sure that damages are not done to the road, etc. This is returned after the Highway Superintendent does an inspection of the work. Dave asked if the Town has the right to charge homeowners and, if they do not pay, put it on the tax bill. Cathy said we need to talk to John Barney (Town Attorney) about this. Dan informed the Committee that currently if there is a water break, the Town will charge the homeowner. Dan also felt that the policy should be rearranged so that some of the responsibilities are in the front of the policy. Cathy felt that the policy needed to express that underground drainage is the responsibility of the Town. This will be added. David asked about charging for sales tax. Fred will look into this. Special Benefits Committee David said that a Committee has been set up to review the water and sewer benefit formula. The Committee consists of Mary Russell, Mary Bryant, Betty Poole, David Klein, Dan Walker, and Cathy Valentino. Dan said that the first meeting will be the first week in November. There are several things that need to be looked at before the meeting. Local laws, state codes, impact of a new formula, etc. Dan said that he is currently looking into the assessment of larger lots being charged double. David indicted that the formula needs to be easy to understand and include provisions for developing areas. David said that a work plan needed to be established for the Committee. Miscellaneous Grossmans: Fred indicated that the Highway/Parks Department has been looking into the acquisition of a building at the old Grossmans site. It appears that little or no cost will be associated with this, and Fred would like to know if we can proceed with this. There were several questions asked, such as what will go in it, costs of a new building as opposed to costs to get this building, who will erect it, and the size. We would put equipment and other materials, such as culvert pipes in the building, which is a three (enclosed) sided 144' long building. Wayne Sincebaugh is looking into the costs, and the Highway/Parks Department will erect it. David felt we should go ahead and look into the building. Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes Page 5 Eco-Village: Cathy informed the Committee that she and Dan will be meeting with the Eco- Villagers to discuss their entrance road. Dan said that they must build the road to the approved Highway specifications, but that he will meet with them anyway. The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 a.m. ghk