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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 1998-04-28 DISPOSmON DATE r Pi* Town of Ithaca Public Works Committee Meeting April 28, 1998, 8:00 a.m. Town of Ithaca Highway Facility 1. Approval of Minutes 2. Discussion on Caldwell Road 3. Discussion on Winston Court 4. Discussion on (1520) Slaterville Road 5. Discussion on Scheduling Ball Fields 6. Discussion on Meckenburg Road Water Main 7. Update on Eastwood Commons 8 Discussion on Equipment Rental 9. Review Confined Space Plan for Town Board Approval. ghk pc: Mary Bryant, Administrative Assistant Joan LattNotebeeran,Town Clerk Andrew Frost, Director of Zoning/Building Jonathan Kanter, Director of Planning NOTE: Special Public Works Committee Meeting, May 5, 1998, 8:30 a.m., with MRB Group 9L DISPOSITION DATE ti Town of Ithaca Public Works Committee Meeting April 28, 1998, 8:00 a.m. Town of Ithaca Highway Facility Present: David Klein, Chairperson;Cathy Valentino; Ed Conley; Fred Noteboom; Rich Schoch;and Dan Walker Guests: The meeting began at 8:10 a.m. The March meeting minutes were approved at the meeting. Discussion of Scheduling Ball Fields Rich Schoch explained that the Towri s ball fields are being used more and more. This is creating some conflicts in scheduling the fields. Rich indicated that the although fields are not regulation size, they are being used for Kiwanis baseball games, as well as the team practices and youth soccer league practices. Ed Conley feels that the Town should consider the needs of the immediate residents' first, with the rest of the public getting second priority. David Klein asked if Rich had any suggestions on handling the scheduling of fields. Rich explained that Ann Morresette handles the scheduling of the field at the Coddington Community Center. Rich said that he will contact the City of Ithaca to see how they schedule ball fields. David asked Rich to investigate methods of scheduling and present them to the Public Works Committee, then to the Town Board for their approval. Bulletin boards could be installed at each ball field to post schedules. Discussion of Caldwell Road Dan Walker provided a preliminary design map for the reconstruction of Caldwell Road. Starting at Route 366, Dan proposed having a three-lane section to Tower Road (Campus Road Extension). The road would then go into a two-lane section with a median in the middle. Dan suggested having a 6-foot paved shoulder or curbing. This would allow for a bike lane in addition to the one from Cornell University campus to the labs. It was agreed upon to ask Cornell University to fund this part of the project. �1k0 M01 • , Public Works Committee Minutes,April 28,1998 Page 2 Ed asked if there was going to be any construction on the bridge there. Fred said the County will be reinforcing the bridge this year. The Town of Ithaca/Cornell University Transportation Committee would like to see this project tabled until the Northeast Subarea Transportation Study is completed. Fred indicated that this project is being considered for the 1999 work year,and that we need figures so that we can budget for them in the 1999 budget. The budget is started in July. Dan indicated that he has not worked on the area by the Plantations. He did say, though, the plan would include raising the road at the intersection and moving the road over (so the middle of the road would actually be were the edge is now) to eliminate the sharp curves in the road. Fred indicated that underground drainage would also be used. There was a discussion regarding the steepness of the grade at the intersection. Fred said the grade is 15 percent now, and he would like to make the grade 10 percent. Cathy Valentino asked what problems Bruce Briattin sees with this project. Dan said that Bruce was concerned about taking out the curves and the trees. There was a discussion regarding taking down some trees, but Rich reassured the Committee that new trees will be planted and any removals would be minimal. There was a discussion regarding the method Cornell University uses for parking throughout the campus. The Town feels that Cornell should look at the traffic patterns their parking regulations create. Fred said that he will discuss this with Bill Wendt. There was also a discussion of who uses Caldwell Road and if traffic will increase if the road is reconstructed. It was felt that this would not happen. David asked what is the schedule for presenting this plan to the Board. Dan indicated that he will have a preliminary design for the May Town Board Meeting, and a Final Design at the June Town Board Meeting. Fred indicated that he would like to present figures to Bill Wendt (Cornell University) as soon as possible for their input. Discussion of Winston Court Fred informed the Committee that Winston Court will need to be surface treated soon. This posses a problem, because in the past, the apartment building parking lots were paved when of the road was. There have been discussions between Fred and the owner, who feels since it was done before,we should do it again. Fred wants to look into this more to see if the Town has any responsibility for the parking lots. Cathy feels the Town is not responsible for the parking lots. Public Works Committee Minutes,April 28,1998 Page 3 Dan indicated that the Town will be hiring four Cornell University students for summer work. Three will be for Engineering work, and one will be for researching Rights-of- Way within the Town. Two positions have been secured. Fred also wanted to discuss this because there are some storm water management issues that need to be addressed. Discussion of 1520 Slaterville Road Cathy received a letter regarding the erosion problem here. The stream is eroding the ground at this location. There is a definite need to repair this problem,although there is no room for equipment to get in there. This is all private property, so the Town would need easements. To do the project correctly, Dan estimated it would cost between$200,000 and $300,000. Cathy indicated that there are other areas of concern within the Town. David indicated that this is a major drainage area though. Dan felt that it would be cheaper to pipe the area and access would be easier. Fred said that we would have to work with the State on this project and that the project could be done in phases. Dan indicted that we would like to work on stabilizing the area closest to Slaterville Road first. Dan indicated that he would like to apply for a grant from Tompkins County. Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation is offering a grant that we can apply for. Money is available to cover up to 1/3 of the costs of a project. Fred indicated that there are some other areas the Town would like to apply for this grant money. David asked what is the next step. Dan said that he will design a plan and apply for the grant money. Fred said that he will talk to the State regarding this project. The Town forces would not be able to work on this project this year. Dan informed the Committee that the County will be doing another "fly over." He has asked them to do a higher fly over. Dan would like to ask for more money for better mapping. This would be approximately$50,000 to$100,000. Discussion of Mecklenburg Heights Water Main David will not participate in this discussion because of his firm's involvement in this project. Public Works Committee Minutes,April 28,1998 Page 4 ��rr Dan informed the Committee that there would be many advantages to having the 0 contractor for this project relocate their water line. This would reinforce our system, allowing us to tie into the current system and the City of Ithaca s water system. Dan indicated that the developer is committed to$54,000 and for us to build the system on the road Right-of-way, it would cost$133,000. The Town would then take dedication of the 8" main and hydrants. Dan will present a preliminary design, along'with costs,to the Town Board at their May meeting. Update on Eastwood Commons Project Fred informed the Committee that we have started working on locating underground utilities and underground drainage. We are also working on Honness Lane., Fred indicated that 16 percent of the Honness Lane project will be funded from Storm Water Management money. The target date for completion is'June. There was a discussion regarding the work being done on Burns Road. We are putting in rip rap and the work should be done this week. There was a discussion regarding the realignment of Burns Road at the Coddington Road side. Fred would like to see this done when Tompkins County re-paves Coddington Road. This project used to be on the TIPS schedule,but Fred has not seen it there recently. Cathy would like to see the realignment of Burns Road pursued. There was a discussion of building a parking lot on Silsbee's property for South Hill Trail. Discussion on Rental Equipment Fred is asking the Town Board's approval of renting equipment, such as excavators. There was a discussion regarding if the Town Board needed to approve this. Fred indicated that State Law requires Highway Superintendent's to enter into an agreement with their Town Board to rent equipment. This will be put on the Town Board's May agenda. Discussion on Confined Space Entry Written Plan Dan was concerned about Bolton Point's involvement with this plan. They seem very unreceptive of it. Fred will look into this. 0 A copy of this plan needs to be sent to all Board Members. Public Works Committee Minutes,April 28,1998 Page 5 f Update on MRB Feasibility Study Fred informed the Committee that he went to MRB in Rochester and discussed designs. They will be making a presentation on May 5,1998. Joan Noteboom may have to be at that meeting, if there is a quorum. ghk •