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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2015-09-15 TOWN OF ITHACA PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE September 15, 2015 9:00 a.m. Public Works Facility Board and Staff Present: Rod Howe, Rich DePaolo, Herb Engman, Jim Weber, Creig Hebdon, Mike Smith 1. Approval of Minutes: Minutes from August 18th, 2015 were approved Mr. Engman motioned to accept. Mr. DePaolo seconded. 2. Member Comments / Concerns: None a. Modifications to Agenda – Mr. Weber added Clare Bridge discussion and 1408 Hanshaw Rd. water service. Mr. Engman added TCAT/Overlook discussion. 3. Update on Status of Badger Excavator: Mr. Weber explained that Public Works purchased a Badger excavator in 2012 which only has 400 hours on it due to repeated hydraulic malfunctions. Many hours on the equipment are solely due to transporting the unit for multiple repairs to the hydraulic system. Since the extended warranty is running out, Mr. Weber sent a letter to Badger asking for an acceptable solution to make the Town whole since the unit has not been functional the majority of the time owned. He stated that he received a call from Tracey Road Equipment, who has been exceptional is assisting with the issue. Badger has acknowledged their concern and has offered to replace the unit with a demonstration unit which has 200 hours of use, but offers no warranty. In addition, the specification options on the demo unit do not match the options on the original unit. He considers the offer as a starting point for further discussion. If the demo unit is to be considered, a warranty would need to be negotiated and a demonstration would be requested in a real life situation where personnel from PWD could be present. Also, he would request information as to where the demo unit falls in the production sequence and gain assurance that upgrades have been made to the hydraulics and other issues observed. Mr. Weber will keep the Committee posted. 4. Modifications to 2016 Capital Improvement Project – Watermain Replacement: Mr. Hebdon provided a map of recent Park Lane water main break locations. The resident of 105 Park Lane has essentially put the Town on notice due to damage to property during past water main breaks. Mr. Weber is proposing to modify the CIP by replacing State Route 96 water main replacement with Park Lane water main replacement. Valves are aging, bolts are corroding, and water main breaks are becoming frequent in that area. The Route 96 replacement was on the CIP for the purpose of obtaining redundancy. There would be no increase in budget. 5. Sanitary Sewer Access for Potential Development (Troy Road): Mr. Weber reported that an email was sent to the Water & Sewer Supervisor regarding a resident wanting to gain access to municipal sewer on Troy Road by crossing private property. The owner of the private property will not grant access to the current resident and a prospective buyer of the property will not close unless they know they can connect to municipal utilities. Troy Road is a County-owned, “use-by-right” road where the residents own to the middle of the road and the ROW is for highway use only. The resident was told that it is not a Town issue and he should explore other options. 6. Clare Bridge Water Service: Mr. Weber explained that the property currently has two meters, but the owner is requesting three meters as they are eliminating lot lines and adding a building. Bolton Point is responsible for maintaining meters and more than one meter per lot conflicts with Bolton Point Policy. Mr. Engman recommended a compromise by allowing two meters. The Committee agreed. 7. 1408 Hanshaw Road Water Service: Mr. Weber explained that this is a subdivision of an existing lot into a flag lot. Previous proposals for water service connection have been denied as they involve disruption of pavement that has just been constructed by the County. With the current proposal, there are easement issues as the NYS Bar Association has deemed that an owner cannot give themselves an easement. Therefore, if the property sells, the current easement goes away and maintenance becomes a dilemma. The Committee recommended that a stipulation be attached to the title of sale and filed with the County Clerk that an easement will be included in the sale in order to facilitate water service. Mr. Hebdon will work with the Town Attorney to construct boiler plate language to be applied to future deeds. Mr. Engman stated that a very clear record is needed. 8. TCAT/Overlook Discussion: Mr. Engman informed the Committee that he received a call regarding the TCAT pull-off near the Overlook at West Hill Complex. It is unclear who owns and plows the pull-off and no organization is maintaining the area. The pull-off is located on private property owned by the Overlook Complex. Mr. Weber reported that there is no record of easement for the Town. Mr. Weber will contact TCAT to verify ridership by the Overlook Complex in order to determine if the area is for the good of the public. 9. Project Updates: Elm Street Drainage – Out to bid. Three specifications have been picked up. Hoping for an th award request at the September 28 Town Board meeting. Sapsucker Tank Replacement – Silo is complete, cap is on silo. Tank will be built in seven days. It will take 2-3 weeks for site work restoration. The tank will be online mid to late October. Discussion was held regarding the Clarity antenna system transfer. Mr. Hebdon reported that the tank is being built to accommodate the antenna connection. Mr. Engman will notify Clarity Connect that the Town needs a plan for transfer by the end of October. The Committee agreed that a new agreement needs to be obtained. Coddington Rd Water Main Phase 2 – The main portion will be completed in the next two weeks. It will take 3-4 weeks for restoration. The project should be complete by the end of October. Mr. DePaolo noted that he has witnessed excessive cell phone usage by the flagging personnel and finds it disturbing. Inlet Valley Cemetery Rehabilitation – The first report has been submitted to the Cemetery Commission to substantiate funding. Monument repair still needs to be completed. Mr. Weber will meet with Glenside Monument this week. The project should be completed by the end of this construction season. Honness Lane Reconstruction – Mobilization is taking place this week. The road will be milled next week. There will be a 2-3 week construction period. State Route 79 Sewer Rehab – The main line has be relined. Each lateral will be relined this Thursday and will take one week. Manhole Repair – There are 23 manholes. Mr. Weber will be requesting a transfer of funds from Sewer Relining to Manhole Rehabilitation accounts. Town Hall Boiler Replacement – The project is complete. The Contractor is waiting for cooler weather for firing and testing. Asbestos levels were lower than anticipated. Town Hall Exterior Stair Replacement – The project began yesterday. Jackhammering should be completed today. The scope of the project will be expanded to include sidewalk repair from the street to the ADA ramp between the light poles. Meeting adjourned at 10:15 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for: October 20th, at 9:00 at the Public Works Facility. lvp