HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 1995-02-23 FINAL
Town of Ithaca Public Works Committee Meeting
February 23, 1995, 8 : 00 a.m.
Town of Ithaca Highway Facility
1. Approval of Minutes David
2 . Survey of Town Highway Facility Property Fred
3 . Update on Maple Avenue Construction Dan/Fred
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4 . Update on Judd Falls Road Construction Dan/Fred
• 5 . Discussion of Space Needs for Highway Facility Fred
6 . Discussion of Bluegrass Lane Construction Fred
7 . Town Hall Facility Plan Dan
8 . Discussion of Vehicle Maintenance Fred
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pc: Mar B ant Administrative Secretary
Jon Kanter, Town Planner
Andrew Frost, Code Enforcement Officer
FINAL
TOWN OF ITHACA
Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes
February 23 , 1995
Present : David Klein, Chairperson; Dan Walker; John Whitcomb; Rich
Schoch, and Fred Noteboom
Guests : Wayne Sincebaugh, Erik Whitney, and Chuck White
The meeting began at 8 : 05 a.m.
The approval of the January meeting' s minutes were moved by John
Whitcomb and seconded by David Klein. They were approved.
Survey of Town Highway Facility Property
There will be a survey of the Highway Facility' s property done by
T.G. Miller. This survey will include all improvements and will
have markers put in the ground every 300 feet .
Fred Noteboom informed the Committee that the Highway and Parks
Department plan to plant trees on the property' s line .
Update on Maple Avenue Construction
Dan Walker informed the Committee that the Maple Avenue
construction project was the second priority project (for the year)
to the Judd Falls Road construction. Dan also indicated that the
Engineering Department had done some surveying of the area. The
Town has not heard from Cornell University with regards to their
plans for construction.
Fred indicated that the Judd Falls construction project may be more
costly than was budgeted for; consequently, the Maple Avenue
project may have to wait another year.
Fred then informed the Committee about a letter he received from
the New York State Town Highway Association regarding CHIPS
funding. Basically, the Town would receive approximately $4 , 000
less than last year.
David asked if the Maple Avenue construction project could be split
between two years . Dan indicated that it could.
Dan told the Committee that Cornell has plans to work on the
parking lot on Maple Avenue . Dan also talked about the East Ithaca
Recreation Way reconstruction. He indicated that the trail project
could be done separately from the road construction. Fred
indicated the need to look at the safety issues regarding Maple
Avenue and the East Ithaca Recreation Way construction.
Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes Page 2
David asked if the Town had talked to Cornell about the project.
Dan indicated that he is not sure what Cornell University has
planned and that the project may be put on hold.
Update on Judd Falls Road Construction
Dan, along with Erik and Chuck, explained the plans for the
construction project on Judd Falls Road. According to the plans,
there will be very small grade changes on Judd Falls Road.
•
David asked if any of the residents who will be affected by the
project, have been contacted yet. Dan said no, but that the Town
will be meeting with each homeowner affected.
Dan also indicated that the Town was in the process of writing an
agreement with Cornell whereas the Town would bid the whole project
out and Cornell would reimburse the Town for their portion.
Dan also indicated that Cornell may use the "slip line" method of
replacing a culvert pipe. This is the cheaper method.
Fred indicated that there are two places of contention. One is at
the driveway of ?? (tax map 66-4-I) . As the plan stands now, the
driveway would be 6" deeper on the Forest Home Drive side. Fred
also indicated that the plans call for a 6' . cut in the curb to make
it easier for the property owner to enter their driveway from
Forest Home Drive.
John then asked if we would be working in the Town right-of-way or
beyond. Dan indicated that it may be beyond, but that we will be
meeting with the homeowners individually.
Fred went on to discuss the other place of contention. ,The
percentage of the grade at the intersection of Judd Falls Road and
Forest Home Drive will be lessened to improve sight distance and
drainage .
The Committee concurred that the plan should be presented to the
Town Board and public in a way that indicates the changes from the
original plans and that a minimal amount of change will be made.
David also indicated that when the plan is presented to the Town
Board and homeowners, it should be clear that the Forest Home
Association' s (FHA) comments have been incorporated in it . John
wants to emphasized that there will be minimal changes in the road
structure, but that drainage will be improved. '
David then asked what the schedule looked like. Dan indicated that
the plan will be presented to the Town Board on March 13, 1995, at
their regular meeting. Before that time, we will write the
specifications for it, meet with the homeowners, draft an agreement
Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes Page 3
between the Town and homeowners or have it in place, and meet with
the FHA. He would like to meet with the FHA the week of March 6.
John asked if there would be an impact on the stone wall, and Dan
indicated there would not be.
The Committee recommends that the Town Board approve this plan for
the reconstruction of Judd Falls Road.
Forest Home Drive• Bridge: Dan indicated that the Town has heard
nothing new about the reconstruction of the Forest Home Drive
Bridge. John indicated that Barbara Blanchard, Tompkins County
Board of Representatives, asked to be heard at the Town Board
meeting in March. David asked if there was an agreement in place
between the Town and County regarding the work to be done on the
bridge. John indicated that there was none, but there was a draft
which included the maintenance of the sidewalks, abutment, and
trusses along with the construction cost of the sidewalk and
abutment being paid for by the Town.
Discussion of Bluegrass Lane Construction -
Fred informed the Committee that, by Board resolution in 1988,
Bluegrass Lane is a Town road. We own the road from Warren Road to
the Cornell Horse Barns.
Fred indicated that the Town patches the road at least once a year.
It needs to have the surface taken up, raised, and resurfaced.
Discussion of Space Needs for Highway Facility
Dan indicated that the new building needs to be brought up to code.
We will also be putting in a concrete slab on one-third of the
floor it .
Fred informed the Committee that the garage space we have is not
adequate. It is too small. Fred also talked about the space needs
in the salt storage shed. At present, we have room to store 300
tons of salt . During any given year, the Highway and Parks
Department uses 2, 000 tons of salt. A new building that would hold
1, 500 tons of salt will cost about the same as adding on to the
existing building.
David asked what will be done with the room upstairs. Fred '
indicated that we would like to put up there a lunch/work room.
Town Hall Facility Plan
Dan indicated that the space analysis study results should be
distributed soon. John indicated that he talked to Cornell
University regarding donating some land.
Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes Page 4
Discussion of Vehicle Maintenance
Fred indicated there is a need to gain a better understanding of
the vehicle maintenance program within the Town. The budget
figures for each department need to be reviewed. David indicated
that there should be a formalized plan for preventive maintenance
on all Town vehicles.
Fred informed the Committee that the Highway and Parks Department
have used smaller trucks to plow cul de sacs. The feedback, from
both employees and residents, is good.
The meeting was adjourned at 9 :30 a.m. at which time Fred gave the
Committee a tour of the Highway Facility.
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