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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 1994-08-25 FINAL 7.oti�I Highvay and Parke Deppartaent F`"' '' . TOWN OF ITHACA Ie6 Senn Ithaca,tlite Drive f` 4•� og4 126 EAST SENECA STREET, ITHACA, N.Y. 14850 TOWN CLERK 273-1721 HIGHWAY 273-1656 PARKS 273-8035 ENGINEERING 273-1747 PLANNING 273-1747 ZONING 273-1783 Town of Ithaca Public Works Committee Meeting August 25 , 1994, 8:00 a.m. Town of Ithaca Highway Barn • 1. Approval of Minutes May 25 , 1994 David June 23, 1994 July 25 , 1994 2 . Discussion of Permits for Work in Town Right- Of-Way Fred 3. Progress of Tompkins County Five Year Bridge Plan Fred 4 . Discussion Regarding Highway Fari1iti w Fred 5. Discussion of Updating Road Specifications for Town Highways Dan and Fred 6 . Initial Project Proposal (IPP ) Submission for 1995 Dan . 7 . Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO ) Project Proposal Dan • 8 . West Hill Sewer Update Dan ghk pc : Mary Bryant, Admin ' strative Secretary Jon Kanter, Town Planner George Frantz, Assistant Town Planner Andrew Frost, Code Enforcement Officer FINAL TOWN OF ITHACA Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes August 25. 1994 Present: Fred Noteboom; Rich Schoch; Dan Walker; John Whitcomb; David Klein, Chairperson; and Ed Conley Meeting began at 8 : 05 a. m. Because of the recent storm, drainage problems throughout the Town consumed a considerable amount of time at this meeting. John received two separate letters from homeowners on Whitetail Drive regarding the drainage problems in the Deer Run sub-division which led to the following discussion. David asked if there are any provisions for reviewing acceptable drainage when a building/home is being planned. Dan indicated that usually there are no drainage plans drawn up before a building/home is built. It was asked if the Code Enforcement Officer (Andy) has the authority to see a drainage plan before a building/home is approved. Dan indicated that he did, but Andy was not exercising that authority . IL wab decided to ask the Code Enforcement Officer to include some type of drainage plan along with all new building plans . Dan said that the new section of Deer Run sub-division will have better drainage . The Committee also discussed the drainage problems on Ridgecrest and E . King Roads. John asked if the County was going to do anything about the drainage problems . Fred indicated that the County would be making the ditches deeper. Dan also indicated there is a diversion ditch in the building plans for Saunders Road sub-division which will help with drainage problems in Whitetail Drive . At this point in the meeting, Fred Noteboom asked to discuss the current culvert pipe policy, although it was not on the agenda. Before this was done , Fred explained that the part of the County' s Five Year Bridge plan that effects the Town of Ithaca include rebuilding Forest Home Drive Bridge in 1995 , designing a new King Road bridge (near Upper Buttermilk Falls State Park) in 1996 , and rebuilding it in 1997 . Next there was a motion. by David . to approve the minutes from May. June , and July. John seconded it. and they were approved. Fred then discussed devising a permit for working in the Town right-of-way. He indicated that at present homeowners put plantings and walls in the Town right-of-way which can obscure • Pubic Works Committee Meeting Minutes Page 2 vision and make plowing ( in the winter) harder. Fred also indicated that in the Town most of the rights-of-way are 60 feet but some are 50 feet. He also indicated that at present the Town only requires a permit if there will be any cutting of pavement or digging in the right-of-way (Culvert Pipe Permit) . Fred said that if builders would talk to the Highway Department about landscaping in the Town right-of-way, we would be willing to discuss where the appropriate place to put plantings, etc is. David said that homeowners were responsible for replacing culvert pipes. David indicated that in the Village of Cayuga Heights the homeowner is responsible to replace culvert pipes. The County policy is that the homeowner provides the pipe and the County puts it in, but they will only put gravel down on top (no blacktop) . Dan said that one of the reasons there is a flooding problem on. King Road is because the ditches and culverts were changed from the south side of the road to the north side of the road, and now there has been development on the north side. David indicated that the Town was responsible for drainage , and John asked if the County was going to be involved in resolving the drainage problems. Fred indicted the County would. The letter from Mark Bianconi was discussed. John felt that the Town should replace the 12" culvert pipe with a 15" culvert pipe. It was agreed that the Town would, and the Highway Superintendent will contact Mr. Bianconi with regards to this. It was also indicated that the job should be completed within the next two weeks. The Committee also discussed that a better system of logging complaints was needed within the Town. It was suggested that duplicating message pads be used. Getting back to the issue of who pays for a culvert pipe, David felt that the Town should make it clear by saying that if there is a major project to be completed that would include replacement of culvert pipes or if replacement is in the Town' s best interest, the Town Board shall authorize it. If not, the homeowner shall pay for the culvert pipe , but the Town can help install it. This coincides with the current policy. John indicated that 104 Birchwood Drive was in need of a new culvert pipe , but did not feel the Town should pay for it because it is old. David agreed. Dan asked about having permits for the Town right-of-way with regard to landscaping projects. John felt that Dan, Fred, and Andy should get together and come up with ideas regarding this issue . Dan indicated that when a building permit is issued, the builder is informed of the permit system and asked to consult with the Highway • Pubic Works Committee Meeting Minutes Page 3 Department if any landscaping (beside general grass seedings) is to be done . David asked about Whitetail Drive and the drainage problems. Dan indicated that he and Fred will work on this problem, and that they had met with the County regarding this. David suggested that Ed and Fred meet with the homeowners of Whitetail Drive to discuss the problems. Ed will set this up. John brought up the drainage issue on Sky-vue . Fred indicated that the Highway Department will clear out the ditches on Sky-vue as soon as the Gradeall is fixed. John asked if that would solve the drainage problems, and Fred said the homeowner should look into drainage in the back of the home , as it may not. Highway Facility Dan indicated that the appraisal from the property, which the Town is trying to acquire , was $47 ,000, the asking price was $75 ,000, and the assessment was $42 , 400. David felt that since the Town Board has already authorized the purchase, that we could go ahead a make an offer. It was decided to make an offer of $47 ,000 contingent on the Town Board' s final approval . Fred indicated that this purchase is in the best interest of the Town because soon the DEC will require that sand and salt mix be under cover, as is salt. David made a motion to have John Whitcomb put in an offer contingent on the Town Board' s approval. John asked Fred to update the reasons the Town needs this property and building including the DEC regulation. Road Specifications Dan said we need to have the Town Board approve the current road specifications. David indicated that this was already done . Dan said that what needs to be done is to update and revise the wording of the current specifications. David said to do that and take them to the Board for approval. Initial Project Proposal and Metropolitan Planning Organization Dan indicated that the next two items on the agenda were related and discussed them at the same time . Dan said that Forest Home Drive had already been approved for Initial Project Proposal (IPP ) funding along with Stone Quarry Road. John asked about setting aside money for the Northeast Connector. Pubic Works Committee Meeting Minutes Page 4 Dan also indicated that to be eligible for a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO ) grant there must be access to an interstate highway, and the Town has no plans for major road work right now. Fred indicated that Caldwell Hill Road was also slated for funding from IPP but that will be tabled until the Northeast Connector Study is complete . David asked if the local government must put in funds for these projects. Dan said yes. West Hill Sewer Project Update • Dan informed the Committee that there was a sewer break this week by Candlewyck Apartments . John asked if the West Hill Sewer project construction was spread out over a three to four year period, would it continue to hold up or would there be problems. Dan indicted that the sewer and water mains on West Hill were cleared out and now the utility access holes needed work to repair them. There are other problems to be addressed too. Dan said that the Town will need to decide how the project will be completed and paid for-3 or 4 years or bonding—this year. John indicated that we may need to use a bond to pay for it. Dan will do a study. The meeting was adjourned at 9 : 30 a. m. ghk