HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2019-10-15TOWN OF ITHACA
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
October 15, 2019 9:00 a.m.
Public Works Facility
Board and Staff Present: Rod Howe, Rich DePaolo,TeeAnn Hunter, Mike Smith, Bill Goodman, Dan
Thaete, Steve Riddle, Joe Talbut
Guests: Bruce Brittain, Doug Brittain, Caroline Arms
1. Approval of Minutes:
Minutes from September 17th, 2019 were approved with minor changes to item #3 and #4 by a motion
from Mr. DePaolo, seconded by Ms. Hunter. Carried.
2. Member Comments / Concerns:
There were no comments/concerns.
a. Consider Modifications to the Agenda —
1. Mr. Smith added South Hill Trail Grant educational discussion.
2. Ms. Hunter would like Water & Sewer billing issues regarding Cornell added to the next
agenda in order to continue the conversation and to determine if anything can be done.
3. Mr. Howe would like to add Forest Home Downstream Bridge agreements to the next
agenda.
4. Forest Home Walkway was moved to item #3.
3. Forest Home Walkway — Next Steps
Mr. Goodman met with members of Cornell regarding an easement for the walkway. They would be
willing to give an easement for the current alignment. There are concerns regarding trees damage
during construction and the liability and also erosion. There is the possibility of a larger easement to
cover a drainage ditch alongside of the walkway for future maintenance purposes. The next step is to
setup a meeting to negotiate the terms. A decision was made as to who would be representing the
town in the negotiation. Mr. Weber raised the concern of the town being responsible for trees within
the easement. Mr. Goodman also referenced drainage issues with the culvert that leads to the
Blakely -Armitage property. Mr. Howe proposed going with Option D, which keeps on the current
alignment and is the least expensive option. A clearer idea is needed of what can be worked out with
Cornell in order to consider other options. Mrs. Arms will inform the community about the option.
Doug Brittain recommended walking the trail for a handrail decision.
4. Water and Sewer Improvement Spreadsheet Referral from Town Board:
Mr. Thaete reported that he sent an email to Board members and some staff for input in order to move
forward with developing the matrix. He asked the members present to give their top three priorities for
weighting of categories which resulted in population impact, customer benefit, and cost. Emphasis
was also placed on replacing aging infrastructure. Discussion was held regarding breaking the matrix
down for ease of interpretation, engineering and planning collaboration, development projects, impact
fees, TND, parallel tracks for development and infrastructure improvements, outsourcing based on
workload, removing in-house values from the spreadsheet, redundancy, etc. Mr. Thaete will fine tune
the matrix scoring mechanisms for our next meeting.
5. Project Updates:
• Winthrop Drive Water Main water main project is complete, but cleanup is needed.
• Muriel Street Water Main services are progressing.
• The Bundy Road Improvement Project disinfecting and testing is taking place. Drainage work is
ready to begin. The deadline for the project is 11/15.
• Michigan Hills Park is nearing completion for the season. Winter stabilization will be done until
spring.
5. South Hill Trail Grant Educational Discussion — Mike Smith
Mr. Smith presented a draft of the proposed display sign highlighting invasive species and native
species on South Hill Trail. The sign would be placed near one of the entrances, possibly Juniper
Drive. Ms. Hunter had some suggestions for better enhancement of the two categories and to instruct
hikers not to pull up the invasive species. The sign will measure 24"x36" with a 4'x4' frame and could
possibly be a template for other trails in the town.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 a.m., motioned by Ms. Hunter, seconded by Mr. DePaolo. Carried.
Our next meeting will be on 11/19 at 9:00 a.m.
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Future agenda items:
• Mr. Goodman - Coddington Road Community Center and park easement regarding the alienation
process.
Cornell Water and Sanitary Sewer Billing Discrepancies
Forest Home Downstream Bridge agreements