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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 1995-09-28 4, y q Town of Ithaca Public Works Committee Meeting September 28 , 1995 Town of Ithaca Highway/Parks Facility 1 . Approval of Minutes David 2 . Discussion of Petty Cash Fund at Highway/Parks Facility Fred 3 . Discussion of Attendance at Heavy Equipment Class Fred 4 . Discussion of Water and Sewer Capital Plan Dan 5 . Update on Forest Home Bridge Dan 6 . Update on Judd Falls Road Project Dan ghk pc : Mary Bryant, Administrative Secretary Joan Lent Noteboom, Town Clerk Jon Kanter, Town Planner Andrew Frost, Code Enforcement Officer DIS MMI DATE nn TOWN OF ITHACA PO Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes September 28 , 1995 Present : David Klein, Chairperson; Dan Walker; Rich Schoch, and Fred Noteboom The meeting began at 8 : 00 a.m. David Klein said that the residents on Christopher Circle are not happy with the plantings at the water tank. He felt that the Town should hire a Landscape Architect to design more attractive plantings and include some of the neighborhood' s suggestions regarding wildlife encouragement . Fred Noteboom said that the area and plantings need time to grow. He felt it looks better now than it did. David said that before it looked green, now it looks flat and level . David has discussed this with John Whitcomb and they feel the money should be appropriated from the Water budget so that we can purchase more plantings and redo the landscaping. Fred informed the Committee that the Town has a Landscape Architect on staff, JoAnn Cornish-Epps, and a Horticulturalist, Rich Schoch. David asked if JoAnn has the time to work on this project, since this project needs to be completed soon. Dan Walker said that Rich Schoch can produce a plan for the landscape . He also indicated that this project was not necessarily meant to make the area look like a park. Rich Schoch also indicated that people are always concerned when brush is cut . Dan indicated that a scheme and estimates can be completed by next Wednesday, by the Town employees . David said that some residents were concerned about the birds being driven away since the brush has been taken away. It was decided that bird houses can be put up in the area for the birds . Rich reminded the Committee that the brush and leaf collection will be October 16 and November 6 . We can do the plantings as long as we have a large crew to work on it . Dan indicated that Wayne and Chuck could help with this project . David then asked if the pump house will be painted. Dan said yes, although there will be a "pole barn" put around it . Dan explained it is not really a pole barn it is more like a shell with a new roof . He also said it will be no more than 1 foot away from the Public Works Committee Minutes Page 2 existing pump house. David said he would like to see the design before it is started. Fred indicated that we have scheduled it to be painted this year. David asked if the pump house was heated, and Dan said yes. David then asked if it would be better to insulate it and put ceder siding on it. Dan said that one option was to put metal siding on it, and David said that clapboard siding would be better, using a natural stain on it. David asked to see the landscape plan before any plantings were started. David was also concerned about a swale on the west side of the fence, since children could get under the fence. Dan indicated that a culvert will be put in. David then indicated that some residents were concerned about the wildflowers being mowed down. Rich explained that in late fall they will be mowed down, but that this will spread the seeds around and produce more flowers next year. Rich also indicated that we are mowing inside the fence. Fred informed the Committee that the Highway/Parks Department will i be preparing an analysis of the Judd Falls Project for the Boards review. The minutes were approved with no changes. Petty Cash Fred indicated that the Highway/Parks Department would like to have their petty cash fund raised from $200 to $300 . We use this money for purchases under $25, and are encouraged to do so as it cuts down on paperwork. David asked if there were any problems with reconciliation, etc. Fred said no. David then asked if the Public Works Committee needed to approve this or not . Fred said he would talk to Sally Alario. David suggested submitting a resolution at the November meeting for this . There was a brief discussion about the auction that took place in September and what items were sold for. Heavy Equipment Operation Class Fred indicated that two employees will be attending a six week course on equipment operation. The cost is $135 . Fred also suggested that the Town policy on attending courses be revisited since it is vague. There is nothing in the policy about passing the course . David then asked how many employees take advantage of Public Works Committee Minutes Page 3 this policy. Fred did not know. David felt it should be taken to the Personnel Committee. Water and Sewer Capital Plan Dan handed out a copy of the 1993 Water and Sewer Capital Plan. This needs to be updated and Dan reviewed the projects that have already been completed. Dan indicated the 1996 budget does not include any Capital Plan Projects. Dan indicated that the Town' s share of the Octopus project has to be reviewed. The billing for this project has not been issued yet . Dan explained that again this year, we will budget $50, 000 for sewer capital improvements and $100, 000 for water capital improvements . Dan also indicated that a 1 or 2 'million dollar bond will be asked for next year. Dan indicated that in 1996 the Town may possibly extending water and sewer up Buttermilk Falls Road West. He said that the State Park needs sewer worse than water. David asked how many households the Park would be equivalent to. Dan said that benefit assessment is about 8 units . David then asked about the sewer on South Hill which feeds into the City. Dan indicated that the City system is a "grid" system. He would like to see an intercepter sewer built from South Hill to Fulton Street . David asked if it was in the Capital Plan, and Dan said yes. Dan indicated that if the City bonds their project, so can the Town. David asked about development on South Hill. Dan indicated there are currently two projects : Ithacare and Buttermilk Valley Estates . Dan also indicated that the "DeHarder" project has not been subdivided yet. David asked if Dan could get this plan on spread sheets. Dan said he is working on it . Update on Forest Home Bridge Dan told the Committee that Bill Mobbs, Tompkins County Commissioner of Public Works, said this project may riot go (since it was over budget) . David asked if the County' s budget figures included the ISTEA funding. Dan explained that there is a meeting on October 4, 1995, at 2 : 00 p.m. with the County, Town, and the designers to discuss the project. The design of the abutments is where the increase of cost is . Dan feels the Engineer is taking the ultra-conservative and A - most expensive approach. Public Works Committee Minutes Page 4 //4—‘ Dan also indicated that no representatives from the Forest Home Association will be present at the meeting. David asked how the County Engineer feels about the design. Dan said he agreed with Dan that the abutments needs redesigning. The total cost of the project is at $650, 000 . Fred indicated that the Highway/Parks Department budgeted $50, 000 in 1996 for this. project, and would like the $50, 000 budgeted for in 1995 somehow reserved. Dan indicated that the biding will not take place until April 1996 . Update on Judd Falls Road Fred said that Bruce Brittian has been in contact with him regarding some problems. Fred also indicated that he will be getting together with Bruce to discuss them. David asked about the road elevation at the Insurance Company building. Dan discussed this with the property owner there, showed her the swales, and she feels this is OK.. Dan indicated that a woman asked about the Byway drainage. Fred indicated that water is being diverted away from it. David asked about the power lines and pole. Dan indicated that NYSEG replaced it with a pole as high as it could go. They are now waiting for the telephone company to move their wires before the old pole can be removed. David asked about the "Forest Home" sign, Dan indicated that we can not locate it . Fred said he will check on this. Dan indicated that the side lines need to be replaced on Forest Home Drive. Fred indicated that the center line has been finished and the "stop" bars still need to be done. Fred indicated that we used tape (instead of paint) this year. It seems to last longer, but up front it is more expensive. Fred discussed with the Committee the possibly of sharing the purchase of equipment with the Village of Cayuga Heights . David said it sounds OK, and that it will need more discussion. The meeting was adjourned at 9 :30 a.m. ghk