The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutPWC Minutes 2014-01-21 TOWN OF ITHACA PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE January 21, 2014 9:00 a.m. Public Works Facility Board and Staff Present: Herb Engman, Rich DePaolo, Rod Howe, Mike Smith, Jim Weber, Creig Hebdon, Bruce Bates, Nick Goldsmith, Guest: Mark Lesselroth 1. Approval of Minutes: The minutes from November 19th were approved. 2. Member Comments / Concerns: No member comments or concerns. a. Modifications to agenda – 1) Add discussion of February meeting 2) Add Elm Street Extension to Project Updates 3) Move item #5 Recycling in Town Parks to item #4. 3. Add Lucente Lane to Briarwood Drive (Town Board Referral): Mark Lesselroth presented a residential petition and proposed adding a sign described as “Rocco Lucente Way” to the sign post that currently holds Briarwood Drive to honor and commemorate the long history of development that his step-father has done in the Town of Ithaca. Mr. Engman stated that his research has not provided a current procedure, so it would be purely a Town Board decision. Mr. Bates, being the 911 Coordinator for the Town, discussed the item with 911 and reported concerns regarding emergency safety due to two names. He stated that Martin Luther King Boulevard is added to a State road sign and that change was done through the State. He suggested changing the name rather than adding. Mr. DePaolo brought up the inconvenience associated with residents having to change their addresses. Discussion was held as to why adding a sign would be an issue. The idea of commemorative plaques was suggested by Mr. Hebdon near the street signs in the right-of-way or dedication of the nearby park. Mr. Lesselroth will look at an example within the Town and report back if he likes the idea of plaques in the right-of- way. Mr. Engman suggested the Committee recommend adding the street sign and Mr. Bates will talk again with 911. It was unanimously agreed and will be discussed at the th February 10 Town Board meeting. 4. Recycling in Town Parks: Nick Goldsmith reported that a waste assessment done at PWF identified an opportunity for recycling in Town Parks. Tompkins County Solid Waste is facilitating a pilot program with free recycling pickup by Casella and is evaluating East Shore Park and Tutelo Park as options. He asked if we would want to do something even if the Town is not chosen. Mr. Weber indicated that our parks are not set up for large vehicles and said we would have to construct a location for pickup. He also asked if the pickup would be on a daily basis as East Shore Park is heavily used in summer. Discussion was held regarding alternative options for disposal and resources. It was agreed that we should present the challenges to TCSW in order to obtain details regarding access/maneuvering, volume, and pickup schedule. Once we get a response we can go from there. Mr. Engman informed the group that there will be a sustainability coordination change at the end of March where we will be working with the City of Ithaca rather than the Town of Dryden for collaboration. 5. North East Water Study Update: Mr. Hebdon reported that a meeting was held with GHD Consultants, who are modeling the existing system and putting options together. We will know more at the next meeting. th He will be ready to give a presentation at the February 18 Planning Board meeting. Mr. Weber explained that GHD was hired to do an assessment of the distribution system of which they give alternatives for replacement or other improvements to offset or eliminate a th tank. The item will be going to the PWC on February 24 at 1:30 p.m. and then to the Town Board that evening. The Town Board will decide whether we want to replace the tank or remove it. If we replace it, what elevation and capacity? 6. Winter Mailbox Repairs Discussion/Direction: Mr. Weber asked if we want to revisit our procedure for mailbox replacement. He said that the Town goes above and beyond to replace mailboxes when they are hit by a plow, but that we get many incidences of rotted posts or improperly installed posts that simply fail under the weight of snow and are expected to pay for replacement, which can be approximately $50 for post, mailbox, and driver. Discussion was held about the various approaches that could be taken, for example; create a policy concerning “post” conditions (rot). It was agreed that an article will be placed in the Town newsletter alerting residents to evaluate and replace posts, if necessary, prior to snow plow season. 7. Project Updates (Mr. Weber) Fleet Replacement – Mr. Weber presented a 2014 vehicle purchase spreadsheet, previously discussed at a Town Board meeting that he has updated with three types of processes for purchase (State bid/piggy back, Town bid process, quotes). He also provided examples. The updated version will be presented at the next Town Board. Mr. Engman emphasized making information available to aid in making people feel more comfortable about what we are purchasing. He explained that the Procurement Policy is being updated to include green purchasing and living wage policies. Speed Indicator Installation – The speed indicators are up and operating. The one from Warren near Uptown Road picks up speeds prior to the intersection, but both are very effective. The school is very happy with the installation. Coddington Road Water Main – The application has been submitted to the Comptroller’s Office. Mr. Hebdon added that he is hopeful that plans will be available the first of March. A semi-final plan should be available to present to the PWC in February. Mr. Hebdon presented a map of the area that requires revamping due to inconsistent sizes of pipe. Due to prescriptive right-of-way designation, we must procure easements for existing utilities. A temporary water main will be utilized so there will be no interruption in service. There may be possible discoloration of water. Water/Sewer Repair Truck – The new truck was recently utilized for twelve hours for two water main breaks and worked extremely well. Christopher Tank Lease – A call was received from Sprint to replace a cable. Mr. Weber sought advice from Susan Brock because it was part of a lease. It was agreed that Mr. Weber could approve the work. Elm Street Extension Culvert – We are working with the owner for a temporary easement. The owner identified a minor issue with his driveway due to drainage so we will repair that issue as well. We should be ready for spring construction. Water and Sewer Code Rewrites – Mr. Hebdon pointed out that the current sewer code is inaccurate and requires a rewrite. He will work on the revision and consult with Susan Brock. He hopes to be able to present the update to the Code of Ordinances Committee the end of March or early April. The Committee agreed to approve Mr. Hebdon updating the Code. As a related item, Mr. Engman talked about the Group of Six Agreement which has been brought to his attention by the Village of Cayuga Heights due to capacity/flow issues. He asked the group to think about and talk about how this affects the Town. The issue will go back to the Town Board when needed. Meeting adjourned at 10:32 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for: th February 24 at 1:30 at Town Hall in the Tioga Conference Room. Future Agenda Items: Forest Home Wall / Sidewalk Work Coddington Road Sewer Line Extension Grant for Inlet Valley Cemetery Bluegrass Lane Trail after Hanshaw Road Walkway is complete Parks and Trails (Michigan Hill Park, South Hill Trail, Forest Home) Water and Wastewater Master Plan South Hill Trail Extension Hydrogen Powered Vehicles Complete Streets Policy Abandoning Roads lvp