HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2011-11-29
TOWN OF ITHACA
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
November 29, 2011, 10:00 a.m.
Public Works Facility
Board and Staff Present: Bill Goodman, Rich DePaolo, Herb Engman, Jim Weber, Mike
Smith (10:30), Creig Hebdon, Wayne Sincebaugh, Rich Schoch, Dan Thaete
Guests: Noel Desch, Dan Winch, Mark Macera, and John Dunkle for the Longview
Development Project
1. Approval of Minutes:
There were minor changes to the October minutes. Mr. DePaolo motioned to accept. Mr.
Goodman seconded. Approved.
2. Member Comments / Concerns:
There were no comments or concerns to report.
a. Consider modification to agenda:
Mr. Goodman would like to add the item of a grant for Phase II of the Forest Home Traffic
Calming Project proposed by an email from Mr. Engman.
3. Longview Water Main – John Dunkle provided maps of the proposed water main for the
Longview Development Project and described the existing water main infrastructure. The
group proposed to install 6” water mains within a looped system. Mr. Hebdon explained
that the County Health Department requires a standard of 8” water mains for a looped
site. Municipal ownership is required by Tompkins County Health Department if hydrants
are present to enable proper fire flow and ensure consumptive water quality for the public.
Mr. Macera is concerned about the cost of the increased distance and increased diameter
of the water main that isn’t needed to serve the needs of residents of the development.
Mr. Hebdon explained that there is the need to look at the big picture because the water
main will tie into Town-owned water mains which are the standard 8” diameter. Service
options (main under building, pipe diameter, customer expectations) and main alignments
were discussed and Mr. Weber recommended that the developer contact Tompkins
County Health Department to discuss service considerations (private provider). The
developer will attend the December Public Works Committee Meeting to discuss available
options after discussions with the Tompkins County Health Department.
4. DEC Stormwater Modifications - Mr. Hebdon attended a seminar highlighting updated
stormwater regulations. He reported that the focus is changing from site-wide runoff
containment to individual building or lot runoff containment. The shift from site-wide to lot
will require looking at rain barrels, porous or pervious pavement, and rain gardens which
will increase staff time for review, construction inspection, and long-term maintenance of
the facilities. Staff time may increase by 30-40%. Finance considerations, including long-
term bonds, district, or benefit areas were discussed to alleviate the cost to the Town
based on the revised DEC regulations. Mr. Hebdon shared that there is a Webinar on the
subject on 12/13/11 at the Town Hall, Aurora Conference Room. Mike Smith will send
this information to those in attendance.
5. Sand Bank Road Court Decision – Mr. Weber reported that due to the result of the trial
involving a vehicular accident on Sand Bank Road, the Public Works Department will
quantify hazardous road issues and respond with plans for correction (speed limits, guide
rail installation, tree removal, etc.).
6. South Hill Trail Culvert – Mr. Weber provided pictures of current conditions of the trail
that showed sinking and erosion of the trail due to failure of the wall, as the foundation
has been undermined by storm water. PWF is proposing a temporary overpass with the
use of wood decking and concrete girders to allow continual safe use of the trail. PWF
staff is preparing design considerations for the replacement of the underpass which will
include environmental permitting. Design will be completed by PWF staff but, the
department will advertise for construction due to the scope being above and beyond the
staff and equipment capabilities available.
7. Road Preservation Law – Mr. Goodman reported that the Town of Danby passed their
road preservation Law on November 14, 2011, as prepared by Attorney Guy Krough.
Discussion followed relative to the options available to the Town of Ithaca which included
consideration of the Danby Law, Town of Dryden, and Tompkins County. Additional
discussion focused on the variety of engineering standards to determine deterioration of
the concentrated traffic on roadway systems and recovery of resources from damage.
Mr. Goodman will provide the Town of Danby Road Preservation Law and will contact
Guy Krough for further discussion.
8. 2012 Discretionary Grants – Discussion took place relative to potential projects from the
Forest Home area for consideration of the 2012 Discretionary Grants Transportation
Community and System Preservation Program with the application deadline of 12/16/11
to ICTCT. The consensus was that the Town of Ithaca should fund further studies on our
transportation/pedestrian corridors to facilitate future application when granting
opportunities become available.
9. Project Updates
Forest Home Bridge – Mr. Weber reported that updated construction costs were
provided from the County which resulted in ~$3,000.00 increase to the Town of Ithaca.
This topic will be discussed with full Town Board.
Hanshaw Road – Mr. Weber reported that updated construction costs were provided
from the County. Design approval has not been obtained from the Federal Government,
thus reducing available funding from the original budget of $6.3 million to $2.5 million.
Discussion surrounded Town costs for sidewalk installation and timing for that installation.
The Federal New Jobs Program is requiring inspections by engineering firms as opposed
to in-house staff. This topic will be discussed with full Town Board.
Pine Tree Road – Discussion on this project surrounded the alignment of the sidewalk
from the East Ithaca Recreation Way up to Maple Avenue. The changes in alignment
have resulted in a potential increase of $120,000.00 for the Town of Ithaca. This topic will
be discussed with full Town Board.
Town Hall Roof – The contractor is done on Tioga Street side. He should be done by the
end of the week on the parking garage side. The quality of work is good.
Town Hall HVAC – The online questionnaire has been completed. On 12/6/11, the
O’Brien and Gere engineering group will return to look at the HVAC system and the boiler.
They will also take air quality samples.
Ridgecrest Water Tank – Sampling for VOCs will be taken on 11/30/11. The tank is no
longer in overflow status.
Other – Mr. Weber provided an article from Better Roads magazine regarding pavement
management strategies.
Meeting adjourned at 12:25.
Next Meeting: December 2, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.
Future Agenda Items:
2012 Capital Improvement Projects
Parks and Trails (Michigan Hill Park, South Hill Trail, Forest Home)
Road Preservation – Delta Law analysis and approach
Water and Wastewater Master Plan
Forest Home Wall / Sidewalk Work
Grant Opportunities for Forest Home Bridge
West Haven Road Drainage
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