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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 1995-08-31 44,;r NOTE: The August 24, 1995 meeting has been changed to August 31, 1995 due to vacations. Town of Ithaca Public Works Committee Meeting August 31, 1995 Town of Ithaca Highway/Parks Facility 1 . Approval of Minutes David 2 . Discussion of Painting Water Tanks Dan 3 . Discussion of Official Map Dan/Fred 4 . Discussion of Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing Fred 5 . Discussion of Water/Sewer Capital Plan Dan 6 . Discussion of Historic Signage Dan 7 . Update on Judd Falls Road Dan 8 . Update on Forest Home Bridge Dan ghk pc : Mary Bryant, Administrative Secretary Joan Lent Noteboom, Town Clerk Jon Kanter, Town Planner Andrew Frost, Code Enforcement Officer • DISPOSITION nnTE /1"41 TOWN OF ITHACA Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes August 31, 1995 Present : David Klein, Chairperson; Dan Walker; John Whitcomb; Rich Schoch, and Fred Noteboom The meeting began at 8 : 15 a.m. The minutes were approved with one change. Painting of the Water Tanks Dan Walker discussed that he will put in his 1996 budget to paint two water tanks . Dan has also talked to Bolton Point about painting tanks . If we go together and get prices, it may be cheaper. Rich Schoch asked which tanks will be painted in 1996 . Dan said that Ridgecrest Road and Sapsucker Woods Road tanks . Dan said that he will now start budgeting each year to paint two tanks a year, and he will be putting this painting on a ten year cycle . Fred Noteboom asked how will the residents be informed about draining the tanks to be painted. Dan said that we can put an article in the newspaper. David Klein asked where the water goes when the tanks are drained. Dan said it depended on the tank. Dan also said that no more than 30 percent of the water should be wasted. Dan said the monies will be budgeted from our water budget, not Bolton Point' s . Dan also said that there are issues regarding lead that need to be considered. The last time the tanks have been painted was 10 or 12 years ago. Official Map Dan explained that there is a CAD map, but there is no official map. This map would show were proposed sites, such as parks, roads, are . David asked if the Town didn' t already have one. Dan said yes but it needs to be updated. Fred said the map was from the ' 70' s . John Whitcomb indicated that the official map is the one piece of the Comprehensive Plan that has not been worked on. David asked what the Comprehensive Plan said about the official map. John said that the Town was going to discuss the subject with the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) . It was decided that MPO may not accomplish the job we want done . Public Works Committee Minutes Page 2 \ . David suggested working with the Planning Department to develop an updated official map. Dan said that the Planning, Engineering, and Highway/Parks Departments will get together to discuss this. Dan feels that this project should be made apart of the 1996 Work Plan. Drug and Alcohol Testing Fred discussed a resolution that will be going before the Town Board to have the Town of Ithaca involved with Tompkins County, City of Ithaca, and other towns and villages to enter a consortium for drug and alcohol testing. Fred then informed the Committee that we are in the process of interviewing three different companies regarding being our third party administrator. Fred also said that the Board will have to decide if the Town will rehabilitate employees who have been found to have a positive test . This question, brought up a few others, such as are there any requirements under Civil Service (for rehabilitation) . It was also discussed that a policy will have to be written and put into the Policy and Procedures Manual . This issue will also have l `‘ to be taken to the Personnel Committee. Water and Sewer Capital Plan Dan informed the Committee that there is not a written plan yet, but that the budget will stay pretty much the same. John asked about the problems in West Hill. Dan said that on Hayts Road we could put in a tank. This is about a million dollar project . David said that there are land use issues that need to be resolved before putting in water. Dan agreed, and said that the Capital Plan will be addressing the existing water problems first . John asked what a million dollar project would do to the tax benefit assessment . Dan was not sure, and David said that might raise by approximately $4 to $5 . David also said it will be costly to extend water to West Hill . Dan indicated that a pump station was needed for West Hill . Dan said he didn' t see a lot of growth happening in the Town of Ithaca unless more industry comes in. Dan informed the Committee that the Town' s Engineering Department has the capability to design $1 and $2 million dollar projects. Public Works Committee Minutes Page 3 It was felt that no major water and sewer projects would be schedule for 1996, but possibly in 1997 . Historical Signs for the Town The costs of getting the historical signs has been discussed, but not approved yet . The Town is waiting until next year. Dan said that the time spent putting up the signs needs to be reassessed. The quote was not realistic . Fred asked about the historic sign by the old Indian site. It needs to be removed. It was suggested that George Frantz write a letter to the State, and John Whitcomb will sign it. Update on Judd Falls Road Dan said the contractor is starting the final top today. It should be. finished tomorrow. He feels they are doing a good job. Dan said the road was opened on Friday, although they do close the road during the day while they work on it. John suggested that next time the Town should look into putting a clause in their contracts regarding penalizing contractors for going over contract date and rewarding them for finishing it earlier. John also asked about the guide rail in front of Peter Forlano' s house. Forlano' s would like it removed. Fred indicated that we should look into the any liability issues involved. If it is removed, is the Town liable? John felt that it should be left there. David said that the brush needs to be cut back on the walkway so it can be better utilized. David then asked about the tree that was partly taken down and if the pole had been taken out. Dan said that nothing has been done yet, New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) has put in on hold. David then asked if NYSEG did a lot of work in the road. Dan said no, just a little. Fred informed the Committee that he had called all the utilities about a year ago and told them about the work to be done. Update on Forest Home Drive Dan presented the final drawings. Eric and Wayne had already looked at the design and made comments . The abutments are a lot bigger then we expected. John Lampman was not happy with the larger abutments. U. Public Works Committee Minutes Page 4 David asked if the Forest Home Work Group was at the meeting, and asked if they agreed to the drawings. Fred said that they were at the meeting and they "pretty much agreed" . Fred mentioned that there were problems behind the abutment which were discussed with the County, but they did nothing about it. The designers seem to have address the problems, though. Dan said the water and sewer will be costly if this design is accepted. The sewer will have to taken out and put back in. The project is looking like it will cost $650, 000 for the project, but we are not sure what Town' s portion will be. Fred said that if there is more area for pulling over to let other cars go through, it would be helpful. Dan said he would look into redesigning the area. Fred then asked about what to do with the money which is in the budget this year ($50, 000) . Should we encumber it or put it in a Capital Reserves. Fred said he would like put in catch basins on Forest Home Drive by the bridge to pick up the water that presently runs down the driveways . David asked what the deck will be made of. Dan said concrete and wood for the walkway. Fred said he was concerned about the drip edges-: Dan said that the trusses have brackets bolted to the girders and the railing for lateral support . John said that the deck is ours, but Dan said that the County will pay for decking because it is all one unit . David asked what the material the railings will be made of. Dan said it will be galvanized on top and Core Ten on the bottom. The meeting was adjourned at 9 : 55 a.m.