HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2019-05-21TOWN OF ITHACA
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
May 21, 2019 9:00 a.m.
Public Works Facility
Board and Staff Present: Rod Howe, Rich DePaolo, TeeAnn Hunter, Mike Smith, Bill Goodman, Jim
Weber, Judy Drake, Dan Thaete, Mike Solvig, Rich Ten Kate, Steve Riddle
1. Approval of Minutes:
Minutes from April 16th, 2019 were approved by a motion from Mr. DePaolo, seconded by Ms. Hunter.
Carried.
2. Member Comments / Concerns: None
a. Consider Modifications to the Agenda — None
3. Coddington Road Community Center Park Alienation:
Mr. Goodman updated the Committee on the progress. Meetings regarding park alienation were held
and we are now waiting on the NYS Assembly's Office to draft and submit legislation, which will
receive a bill number. Mr. Goodman is preparing the resolution for the home rule request to the State
Legislature.
4. Sewer Study Results:
Mr. Weber introduced several concerns as a result of crunching the data of the town -wide sewer
study. Joe Slater found five properties on West Hill that are not being billed for sewer service. He is
working with Bolton Point to determine water and sewer billing. There are approximately 40 more
properties in question town -wide. Another area has no sewer service, but pays sewer fees.
Properties with sewage tanks or leach beds that were to tap into the sewer system at the 10 -year
deadline have not been enforced. Discussion was held regarding a historical billing issue between
Cayuga Heights and the Town of Ithaca. Cornell has several buildings connected to the town's sewer
system that are not documented. Consideration should be given to Cornell's North Campus
Residential Expansion and Hamlet of Varna's Trinitas Project prior to development to ensure proper
billing, since it involves the Hamlet of Varna agreement and the City's Thurston Avenue upgrade.
The Committee recommended that PWD staff continue to delve into service/billing inconsistencies.
Per Mr. Goodman, some of these issues have been discussed at SJC. The Water and Sewer Code
will be updated to reflect the town's requirements, via PWC approval. Mr. Goodman reported that
amendments will be coming due to EPA & EPC pre-treatment requirements. Mr. Weber stated that
addressing INI flow is a high priority. Mr. Goodman reported that SJC is proposing more shared
services to manage I&I. Mr. Thaete emphasized the importance of addressing these types of issues
before development takes place. One way to do this is to reformat and reorganize future contracts.
5. Potential Road Abandonment — Winston Court:
Mr. Weber reported that the housing complex at the end of Winston Court would like to provide more
parking and other improvements for their residents. Mr. Weber proposed that they take ownership of
the ROW with the town keeping part for a plow loop and obtaining water, sewer, and storm water
easements. The Committee agreed with the proposal. Mr. Weber is meeting with them on Thursday
at 1:00 p.m., and will bring the results of the discussion to Town Board.
6. CIP Continued Discussion:
Mr. Goodman stated that further discussion on this subject should take place at the June Study
Session, but identified some proposed updates with timeframes to be determined. The Public Works
Facility will move to 2020 if the Board decides to rebid the project in the fall. Projects that may shift
out: Winston-Salem Water Main Project, Winthrop Water Main, Cliff Street PRV, Pine Tree Water
Tank, Ridgecrest Water Tank, Forest Home Drive, Maple Avenue, Upper Sandbank. A "Sidewalks &
parks" category should be added to the CIP listing in anticipation of a sidewalk district. Discussion
was held regarding road projects budget, prioritizing road projects in order to level off costs in higher
years, utilizing zoning and density models, updating estimates, and PWD time and staffing
constraints. Mr. Weber suggested starting with low -hanging fruit from the water study that will provide
long-term benefits. The discussion will continue at next month's PWC meeting.
7. Homestead Circle Yield Sign Request:
Mr. Weber reported that bushes have been trimmed back in response to neighborhood concerns
regarding sight distance and speeding vehicles. They want a stop sign, but intersection guidelines
and traffic density does not justify one. The Committee recommended yield signs. Mr. Weber will
prepare a resolution for the Town Board.
8. Project Updates:
Bundy Road - The bid opening for Bundy Road Reconstruction is on Thursday. It is hopeful that bids
come in on budget. If so, would like the project to begin after the City's school year is complete.
Additional paving will likely occur on the Renwick Drive, Renwick Heights Rd, Renwick Place, and
Cayuga Street Ext.
Forest Home — PW Staff is still working with consultants regarding a meeting schedule. A meeting
will be held with property owners before 6/21 and a meeting with the neighborhood after that. There
may be the need for a budget amendment once a cost is determined. Notification will be given to the
Forest Home neighborhood and to Cornell once the contractor lets the PWD know of road closure
requirements during construction.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:47 a.m., motioned by Mr. DePaolo, seconded by Ms. Hunter. Carried.
Our next meeting will be on 6/18 at 9:00 a.m.
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Future agenda items:
• Mr. Goodman - Coddington Road Community Center and park easement in regard to the alienation
process.
• Sewer Study Service/Billing Concerns
• 2020 Capital Improvement Project List