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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 1995-07-27 S Town of Ithaca Public Works Committee Meeting July 27, 1995, 8 : 00 a.m. Town of Ithaca Highway/Parks Facility 1 . Approval of Minutes David 2 . Discussion of Water Tank Painting Dan 3 . Discussion of East Hill Tank Proposal Dan 4 . Discussion of Open Space Plan Rich 5 . Discussion of Capital Plans Highway/Parks Fred Parks and Open Space Rich Engineering (Water and Sewer) Dan 6 . Discussion of Official Town Highway Map Fred ghk pc : Mary Bryant, Administrative Secretary Joan Lent Noteboom, Town Clerk Jon Kanter, Town Planner Andrew Frost, Code Enforcement Officer 44;5 TOWN OF ITHACA k Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes July 27, 1995 Present : David Klein, Chairperson; Dan Walker; John Whitcomb; Rich Schoch, and Fred Noteboom Guests : Joann Cornish-Epps, Jonathan Kanter, and George Frantz The meeting began at 8 : 05 a.m. There were several items added to the agenda, so the first two were only briefly discussed. Discussion of Water Tank Painting Dan Walker informed the Committee that Wayne Sincebaugh was going to discuss this topic, but Wayne was not available today. Dan said that two water tanks need to be painted. It will cost $30, 000 each to paint, and Dan will be budgeting for this in 1996 . They are in the process of putting together bid specifications . They would like to paint the tanks in the spring. Discussion of East Hill Tank. Proposal Dan discussed the possibility of putting in a water tank in the East Hill area . This is a capital project which may cost around a million dollars . Dan said that Cornell University may contribute the land for the tank site. Dan said that there are water pressure problems at the East Hill Plaza, and Maplewood Heights Apartments would also be interested in drawing water from the tank. Dan discussed the possibility of the Town of Dryden getting involved in the water tank project . Dan said that the Town of Ithaca would engineer the project, with the Town of Dryden and Bolton Point helping out . David Klein asked when Dan anticipates this project beginning. Dan said in 1997 . John Whitcomb said in 1997 would be a good time since the debt bond for Bolton Point would be paid up . That would free up money for capital projects such as this . Update on Judd Falls Road Protect Dan handed out a sheet of paper explaining the curb modifications the Forest Home Improvement Association (FHIA) would like done . This includes the curbs on Judd Falls Road and on Forest Home Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes Page 2 Drive . If broken down, the Judd Falls Road part of the project would cost $6, 559 . 60 . There is also a section (1, 150 square feet (sf) ) of the current sidewalk that (to make it more appealing) could be resurfaced. This was not included in this quote. That would cost an additional $1,437. 50 . The additional curbing on Forest Home Drive would cost $3, 986. 50 . John pointed out that the Town Board has only authorized the change order if the cost is under $5, 000 . David asked who owned the 1,150 sf section of sidewalk. Dan explained that Cornell maintains that portion of the sidewalk. John indicated that there must have been some confusion at the last Special Board Meeting. Fred Noteboom indicated that FHIA had agreed that the curbing only needed to be changed on the side of the road which Ruth Maher' s house is; then at the meeting they decided they wanted more. David indicated that at the meeting Bruce Brittian explained that it was agreed to that the curbing would go to the Forest Home sign, so he feels that the burden of doing that is on the Town. Dan indicated that the plan was to resurface the road and shim the curbs . John asked when the Board needed to make a decision on the curbing. Dan indicated that the contractor will be working on Judd Falls next week. Fred reminded the Committee that the change orders were starting to add up and was concerned about the money. John asked Fred to find out how much money has been encumbered for the whole project . David feels that the Town is only responsible for the $6, 559. 60 and that if Cornell University wanted to pay the $1,427.50 to resurface the remaining sidewalk, they should. John said that we will have to amend the current resolution. John asked about the costs of putting extra curbs at the driveways. Dan explained that New York State constructs curbing leaving a 1" reveal at the curbs for driveways. This keeps the water from going back up in the driveways . The curb would be beveled off, keeping the concrete gutter. They will take up the granite curb and stockpile it at the Highway/Parks Facility. This is what was called for in the bid specifications. David reiterated that the Board agreed to approve up to $5, 000 . Dan indicated that the contractor will probably not put in the j sidewalk. Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes Page 3 David asked Fred to prepare the expenditures thus far and present them at the August Town Board, and then the Board could make a decision. Discussion of Parks and Open Space Plan George Frantz provided the Committee with written material regarding the revised Parks and Open Space plan. George informed the Committee that the figures within the reports were based on the Town meeting the standards of the National Parks guidelines. David asked if the standard was based on the population or the Town size. George said it was based on total population. David asked if the Town has any parks that comply with the standards . George said that the residential parks do. Jonathan Kanter reminded the Committee that the Town does have access to recreational facilities within the City of Ithaca. Presently, the Town funds some of the City' s recreational costs possibly including overhead and administrative costs . It was discussed that the Buttermilk Falls fields (in the Town of Ithaca) were operated by the City of Ithaca and owned by the State. George said that the ball fields are not regulation size. George discussed the costs associated with the Parks and Open Space Plan. He informed the Committee that this only includes the Parks portion of the plan. This included purchasing Noah' s Boat Club, providing the eight close to home structures, regulation ball fields, and restrooms . Dan asked if this included sewer costs, and Joann Cornish-Epps said no. George went on to explain where four new parks may be set up in the future . 1 . One would be between Mecklenburg Road and Bundy Road. 2 . Two recently acquired sites at the Saponi Meadows and Tutelo (Glendale Farms) park. There would be a connecting bikepath between these two parks . 3 . One on south hill . All of these sites will be suitable for ball fields. George went on to say that at Saponi Meadows soccer and baseball fields would be put in. George then explained that the plan proposes 21 miles of bike trails . He also explained that some monies can be funded through ISTEA. { Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes Page 4 George said that to complete all the proposed projects, it will take about $4 .4 million. Of that $4 .4 million, approximately $1.2 million will come from fees in lieu of park lands. About 1/4 of the money could come from Federal and State grants . It was agreed that with an updated plan, grants will be easier to be received. John asked Rich Schoch what would be the repercussion on the Parks staff. Rich said that it will double the work load to maintain the trails and parks. Rich also said that it will have an impact on the supervision of the parks. George said that this plan would be effective in 1996. George also said that possibly the Town could contract out the building the parks . Fred indicated that we are learning a great deal from the Judd Falls project and was like to reserve the thought for after we have analyzed this project. Fred also indicated that if a project is contracted out, the cost "up front" is greater. If a project can be spread out over several years, the cost would be less each year. Dan suggested using some subcontracting such as we did at, the Christopher Circle Water Tank. George also suggested that some of the projects could be made a joint project with other municipalities . David asked about the land at the inlet . George said there was a joint agreement made in the ' 80s between the City and Town to make it a Nature Park. George talked to the Committee about alienating the Compton Park site. He suggested setting up a capital reserves fund. John said that may be possible since the Bolton Point project will be paid for soon. George informed the Committee that this plan was based on development . David asked where the fees go. Jonathan said it goes to the capital reserves fund or to a building fund. David asked if this plan will be adopted by the end of the year. George said yes. Discussion of Capital Plans Fred gave each Committee member a copy of the Highway/Parks Department capital plan. Fred explained some of the different lines and answered any questions . There are some changes to be made to the capital plan. Discussion of Official Map Due to time constraints, it was decided to discuss this at the next meeting. It was decided that the Planning Committee should develop Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes _ Page 5 an official map and that it should be approved at the September Town Board meeting. Miscellaneous Eastern Heights Costs : John asked what was the annual maintenance cost, per household, for Eastern Heights park. It was decided $45 per household, but that we could justify a much higher price. It was discussed that • possibly the developer (for the Town of Dryden' s Peregrine Hollow project) might make a "one time" capital investment such as a picnic pavilion. John said that he would like to have a meeting between George Frantz and Rich Schoch, then he would discuss project with the Town of Dryden. Town Hall : John informed the Committee that the Town of Lansing is proposing a new town hall for $800, 000 . David said it seems like a low cost. Christopher Circle Water Tank: r David asked what trees were planted. Rich explained that the deer are eating all the plantings and that the dry weather is having a bad effect on the trees. David then asked if any trees will be planted on the north side of the fence. Rich said yes . They are marked out now, but they will not be planted until fall . David then asked about a rusted fence. Fred said it was on private property. David said it should be removed, if the owner will agree . Crosswalks : David informed the Committee that the school put in a blacktop path which stops at the guiderail . Fred indicated that there was a path there years ago, people still use it so we removed the guiderail. Fred is not sure why the school paved it . It was discussed that a better walkway on Warren was needed.. George has a file on this walkway. He will get it out and John will write a letter to the County to discuss it . Meeting was adjourned at 10 : 00 a.m. ghk