HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Agenda 2022-10-18 and Packet
AGENDA
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
October 18, 2022, 9:00 a.m.
ZOOM Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81695207215
1. Approval of Minutes
a. September 20, 2022
2. Member Comments/Concerns
a. Consider Modifications to Agenda
3. Streetlighting Updates – Slater
4. Discussion regarding the Town’s Willingness to Accept Long-Term O&M Responsibilities for
Stormwater Infrastructure - Thaete
5. Project Updates
Future Agenda Items:
• Draft Road Closure Policy and Procedure
• Water & Sewer Units
• Conversation about Rates for Utility Customers that are on Private Water Wells but Connected
to the Public Sanitary Sewer System.
SWM Maintenance Responsibilities
The Town will be responsible for undertaking inspections and implementing routine or emergency repairs
to the permanent detention practices, swales and ditches as deemed necessary by the Town and in
accordance with NYSDEC regulations.
Maintenance activities for these practices may include annual inspections, routine maintenance, and
emergency repairs. This section outlines some of the routine activities needed to maintain both the long -
term pollutant removal and structural integrity of stormwater practices. These activities are encompassed
within six general categories as described below. In addition, Table 1 outlines some of the detailed activities
within these categories, together with an estimated frequency.
Inspections
An annual inspection is needed to monitor the detention basins and swale over time. In the long term, these
inspections reduce expenses by allowing the Town to address small problems as they occur with relatively
low-cost solutions.
Sediment and Debris Removal
Sediment, trash and other debris accumulate within detention practices at a fairly constant rate. As sediment
accumulates in stormwater practices, the capacity to treat and attenuate stormwater is reduces. In addition,
the sediment can clog outflow pipes and reduce the capacity of channels and swales. Some typical
maintenance activities include removing sediment and debris, and unclogging outlet pipes.
Vegetation Management
Vegetation can enhance pollutant removal in some stormwater management practices but needs to be
managed. Mowing is necessary to maintain a safe basin embankment, and to retain the capacity of swales.
In addition, algae can create odor issues, and invasive plants such as cattails can create mosquito habitat.
Animals and Nuisances
Some typical nuisance issues for stormwater basins are mosquitoes and animal burrows. Mosquitoes can
sometimes breed in wet basins or ponds, particularly if dense vegetation develops. Some non-toxic methods
are available to discourage mosquito breeding. Animal burrows damage basin embankments and need to
be filled immediately.
Erosion
Over time, soil erosion can occur at some critical points in a stormwater management practice, particularly
when bare soil exists. When erosion occurs, the area needs to be stabilized to prevent further damage.
Structural Repairs
Although the stormwater detention basins that serves these Subdivisions have relatively few moving parts
and structural elements, some long-term repairs may be needed. These will include replacing or repairing
cracked pipes, concrete, and metal grates as needed.
DRAFT
TABLE 1. STORMWATER MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES
Maintenance Item Frequency
(years)1,2
Practices Where Performed
Inspections
Inspection 1 Basins and Swales
Sediment and Debris Removal
Unclog outlet pipes 1 Basins
Debris/Trash Removal 1 Basins and swales
Remove sediment from forebay 5 Basins
Remove sediment from swales 5 Swales
Dredge basins 15 Basins
Vegetation Management
Mowing 1 Basin Embankment and Swales
Tree removal from embankment 10 Basin Embankment (should be limited by
mowing)
Cattail management 1 Basins
Algae Treatment As needed
in early
spring
Basins
Animals/ Nuisances
Remove animal burrows from basin
embankment.
5 Basins
Mosquito treatment 4 months (as
needed)
Basins
Erosion
Repair areas of erosion 2-5 Basin shoreline, swales, pipe outlets
Replace rip rap channels 20 Basin inlets and outlets
Structural repairs
Repair low spots on the embankment 5 Basins
Repair or replace trash racks 15 Basins
Repair cracks in concrete 10 Basins
Replace barrel 25 Basins
Replace riser structure (concrete) 50 Basins
Replace gate valve 15 Basins
1: Maintenance Frequencies derived from the “Stormwater Manager’s Resource Center”
(http://www.stormwatercenter.net/Manual_Builder/Maintenance_Manual/introduction.htm) created by the
Center for Watershed Protection, Ellicott City, Maryland.
2: Frequency may vary, and the need for maintenance will be determined by annual inspections.
FIRST YEAR MAINTENANCE COST ESTIMATES
This section estimates first-year maintenance costs associated with a “standard size” development. Over
time, these costs will vary, based on the occurrence of relatively high-cost items. The cost estimates include
assumptions regarding the items that will occur within the first year, the extent (e.g., area) of these items,
and the unit cost. A first-year maintenance plan, along with cost estimates, is presented in Table 2.
The first-year maintenance items are derived from the maintenance frequencies presented in Table 1, with
the following assumptions:
1) Items listed as annual or more frequent occur within the first year, at the frequency named. The single
exception to this rule is algae removal, which is typically an annual activity, but does not usually begin
to be necessary until the pond has been in place for many years.
2) Although unclogging the low flow orifice is assumed to occur once every year, it is assumed that this
will be required twice in the first year.
3) Some erosion occurs within the swales leading to the basins and will need to be repaired.
4) As a contingency, it is assumed that two five-year frequency items occur in the first year, including
repairing low spots on the embankment and removing animal burrows.
5) Mowing is needed on basin embankments and swales, representing a total of approximately 3 acres
between all detention practices and swales.
6) Each inspection takes about six hours staff day, including a site visit by two people, travel time, and
report writing.
7) Mosquito treatment is achieved using the bacteria bacillus thuringiensis (BTI) in the form of “mosquito
dunks”, a solid form of this bacteria placed around the pond edges in vegetation and cast into the pond
as well. Each application will require approximately 90 dunks.
8) Cattail management includes cutting or “weed whacking” cattails at their base in the late summer.
TABLE 2. COST OF FIRST-YEAR
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance Item Descriptio
n
Unit Cost Extent Cost
Inspection Inspect using forms derived from Appendix
G of the “New York Stormwater
Management Design Manual”
$90/hour
6 hours
$540
Unclog outlet pipes Remove accumulated debris from the outlet
pipes, possibly by jet cleaning. $375 2 time $750
Debris/Trash Removal Remove trash, coincident with site
inspection or other annual maintenance,
adding minimal additional cost.
$350 1 time over
the year
$350
Mowing Mow the pond embankment(s) $300/acre 2.75 acres $825
Cattail management Weed Whack cattails in late summer $50/hour 2 hours $100
Fill animal burrows
in embankment.
Need to fill burrow with dirt and
compact. Requires importing some soil. $200 1 burrow/year $200
Mosquito treatment Treat with “Mosquito Dunks” in mosquito
breeding season, once per month. Each
dunk covers approximately 100 square feet
of surface area. The area at the water
surface elevation of the basins is 21,675
SF.
Dunks: $3/dunk
220 dunks per
application
(times 3)
$1,980
Time: $50/hour 1
hours/application
(times 3)
$150
Repair areas of
erosion within swales
Replace topsoil and reseed in two areas. $1,100/area 2 areas $2,200
Repair low spots
on the
embankment
Import soil and compact to achieve
original grade. $500 1 $500
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST (ROUNDED)
=
$7,600
Type & Owner
(approximate count)
Water Quality Devices (Cornell) (25)
Water Quality Devices (Ithaca College) (7)
Water Quality Devices (Other Private) (50)
Water Quality Devices (Town of Ithaca) (1)
Stormwater Devices (Cornell) (46)
Stormwater Devices (Ithaca College) (18)
Stormwater Devices (Other Private) (39)
Stormwater Devices (Town of Ithaca) (5)
0 0.5 10.25 Miles
Post-Construction Stormwater Management Practices
Map prepared by Town of Ithaca
Engineering, October 17, 2022
TOWN OF ITHACA
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
September 20, 2022, 9:00 a.m.
Board and Staff Present: Rod Howe, Rich DePaolo, Rob Rosen, Joe Slater, Dan Thaete, Joe Talbut,
Travis Mills, Dave O’Shea, Donna Shaw, Mike Smith, Marty Moseley, Steve Riddle, Connor Terry
Guests: Elizabeth Sanders and Seth Bensel of The Byway; Beth Kelly of Halcyon Hill Road
1. Approval of Minutes:
Minutes were approved from 8/16/22, moved by a motion from Mr. DePaolo, seconded by Mr. Howe.
Carried.
2. Member Comments / Concerns: None
a. Consider Modifications to the agenda: None
3. Streetlighting Updates – Mr. Howe explained that since the process is new, the town still needs to
come up with an overall plan for certain aspects of the streetlight system and opened the meeting to
the public for comment about concerns they have raised. Seth Bensel from The Byway explained that
the existing streetlight that has not been converted is 10 feet from his family’s residence. He does not
want the light converted to LED, as he feels that the new lights are much brighter and yellow and will
cause an effect of having non-stop lights on in the bedrooms. He stated that any energy saved would
be minimal and The Byway is a small, private road with minimal traffic. He feels his family is the most
affected by the light. Beth Kelly from Halcyon Hill Road also does not want the light by her residence
changed and echoed Seth’s position. Mr. Howe stated that there are issues that need to be worked
through, such as determining circumstances in which a light would not be replaced. Mr. Slater stated
that there is not yet a formal town policy regarding adding, removing, or maintaining existing lights. He
suggested that Mr. Bensel speak to his neighbors to see how they feel about the request to not
convert the original light and to follow the town’s petition process. Mr. Howe explained that the intent of
the project was to have all lights converted with the option of dimming and shielding. Although, he
does understand that residents of private roads with public access may not want to participate if it
causes an issue and conditions are warranted. Mr. DePaolo would like to see the results of
dimming/shielding vs. the current lighting. He asked if the dimming capability is pulse width modulation
or analog. Mr. Slater will confirm. Mr. Thaete added that the reason this endeavor was ventured was
for energy savings, but if a neighborhood does not want a light then they should be able to opt out. Mr.
Howe stated that there is still a cost associated with removing a light. Mr. Slater reviewed supporting
documents and reported that there are discrepancies in the list of lights to be converted provided by
NYSEG and the actual existing lights. Connor Terry reviewed the various types of discrepancies with
the Committee. Mr. Slater explained that a meeting will be held with the conversion contractor in the
near future to determine a final punch list of items for completion. He stated that resident requests to
remove/add poles will be a separate list, but that there is still some room in the contract for allowances
and contingency. He explained any additional lights not included in the contract would require a
change order, but that the current punch list should be determined and finalized first as there are some
gateway communication issues and pending receipt of some remaining smart nodes. Mr. Howe
suggested sketching out all considerations in an effort to begin finalizing a town policy, e.g. private
roads, shielding, dimming, removals/additions, zoning density, lighting districts, etc. More information
will be available and discussed at our next meeting. Beth Kelly will speak with her neighbors on
Halcyon Hill Road about their preferences.
4. Project Updates
1. Currently paving Burns Way.
2. Oil and stone will be conducted this week.
3. Saunders Park is complete with the exception of some benches.
4. Forest Home Pump Station Rebuild continues.
5. Troy/Coddington generator project continues.
6. Pleasant Grove/Cradit Farm Intersection – Have a game plan with Cornell to move that
project forward. Cornell will finalize drawings.
7. Ridgecrest Water Main Project – Bids are slightly higher than proposed. The PIO will be
increased to award that project. Project is scheduled for next summer.
8. Troy Rd/King Rd Water Main – Meeting with contractor today to establish the final punch
list.
9. PWF Trench Drain – Complete.
10. Green Buildings RFP – Should be wrapped up in the next two weeks and will be advertised.
11. Forest Home Walkway is complete and open. Some signs are on backorder for the
crosswalk and are expected in the next week.
Mr. Howe announced that will be a tree planting event on October 1st at the East Hill Preserve. Mike Smith
reported that he has provided answers to questions about the grant, but he has not heard back on the
status.
Mr. Thaete reported that there is a meeting with the county and Town of Dryden on September 27 th to
discuss the Game Farm Road crossing project. Discussion was held regarding the role the town may
have in assisting with the project.
5. Ongoing Discussion About Adjacent Land -
Mr. Howe moved that the Committee go into Executive Session at 9:50 a.m. to talk about acquisition
of adjacent property, seconded by Mr. DePaolo. The Committee came out of Executive Session at
10:05 a.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 a.m. Our next meeting is scheduled for 10/18/22.
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