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Home My WebLink AboutPWC Minutes 2025-09-16 - DRAFT Town of Ithaca Public Works Committee September 16, 2025, 9:00 a.m. Draft Minutes Present: Rod Howe, Joe Slater, Judy Drake, Mike Beach, Dave O’Shea, Justin McNeal, Hilary Swartwood, Marty Moseley, Joe Talbut, Mike Smith, CJ Randall, Rich DePaolo, Rob Rosen, Becca Wright, Becky Jordan. Mr. Howe commented that the Public Works Facility open house went great. It was nice to have Ithaca Fire Department, Tompkins County Sheriff's Department, and Bolton Point there. Approval of Minutes: Approval of July 15, 2025 minutes was motioned by Rich DePaolo, seconded by Rod Howe. Carried. Member Comments/Concerns 2. Consider Modifications to Agenda Member Comments/Concerns a. Consider Modifications to Agenda – None 3. Glenside Streetlight Removal Request Mr. Slater reported that a resident at 204 Glenside Rd approached DPW for removal of a streetlight stating that the light completely fills their bedroom and living room. The light shines directly into adjacent houses without illuminating a meaningful stretch of road. The streetlight is about 25’ off pavement. According to the town’s streetlight policy this is a petition request. The applicant has met signatures required as part of policy. This is our first streetlight removal request. No request to dim light which is at full capacity. Mr. McNeal – According to NYSDOT crash data there are no accidents in the area of the streetlight so removing will not cause accidents. No pedestrian facilities or crosswalks in area so removal won’t affect walkability. Mr. Howe suggested a first step of dimming or shielding. Mr. DePaolo shared that no pedestrian amenities make having a streetlight even more important, especially on a corner. It does appear to be far from pavement. Let’s look at mitigations that could be pursued. Mr. Slater commented that this streetlight was installed possibly in the early 70’s but that no reason for installation was found. Will report back to the resident regarding mitigation strategy approach. We will try dimming first since we have the capability. Shielding would require participation from NYPA at cost. 4. Yield Signs Forest Home Drive Mr. Slater offered that for many years the upper Forest Home Bridge has had yield signs. In field coordination and looking at line striping, we went ahead and added yield signs at the lower bridge. In observation, the yield signs on the lower bridge have controlled traffic, caused motorists to slow down, and stop. Would like a recommendation to codify local law (exhibit b, chapter 250) to add these regulatory signs so they may be enforced. Mr. Howe consented. 5. Waldorf Sanitary Sewer Pump Station NYSDOT Surplus Property Request Mr. O’Shea reported that NYSDOT owns the land at our Waldorf pump station where we’re improving the inlet valley project. The need for a DOT permit adds another layer of oversight, review, and cost associated with DOT materials. In pursuing the [revocable] use & occupancy permit DOT brought up the possibility the land could be considered for surplus designation. Without a quote, estimate cost to be $10-20,000. with DOT subdivision survey meeting their complex mapping requirements and property acquisition attorney fees. If the town pursues this, they will own the land in fee and be alleviated of DOT approvals for future improvements and the requirement to use DOT approved materials. We currently have a maintenance permit to mow the parcel and maintain our pump station. Mr. Howe inquired if there were any way state would convey? Mr. O’Shea replied that the fee isn’t for the land, it’s a high estimate for the complex survey and attorney fees. Whether the land will need to be offered first to the adjoining landowner, auctioned, or just be transferred to us is uncertain. Mr. Howe expressed no issues in pursuing with exception of limiting fees wherever possible. 6. CIP Final Mr. O’Shea reported that at this point we’ve gotten all numbers we’re going to get before the budget. Finance has identified accounts. We’ve made updates based on new information received regarding grants for the Forest Home Improvement study. Town share increased by $25k, grant decreased by $25k. The only other change since last PWC meeting is the FH bridge assessment was bumped up a year. Lower bridge esthetic trusses are exhibiting a lot of deterioration and there are concerns about them falling into the creek. Getting a quote for checking that the trusses aren’t going anywhere. It is in worse shape than originally thought. We are getting an assessment on both bridges for the parts we own specifically the trusses and walkways that weren’t assessed during the structural assessment by the county and identifying grant funding. Mr. Slater reported that we initially had a figure of $860k for 2026 road asphalt replacement and rehabilitation with a full rehabilitation of 5” of asphalt. We’ve since realized we only need 2”. With this thin up of pavement thickness we’ve added a couple more roads and came to the same figure. Mr. O’Shea reported that we just received bids from a diverse range of bidders for Babcock Trail. Bids were in range of 350k-800k. A lot of small contractor interest helped price. Recommend award-based bid for the upper and lower sections. The most difficult middle section town forces could do as time allows. The town is providing woodchip material for that section anyway. Over budget but did secure a little over $200k in grants funds. Local share paid for design piece. An additional $85k will have to be allocated to do whole project. Being a trail project away from the city we had 3-4 small contractors that focus on forestry and trails. Mr. O’Shea clarified that the discussed CIP’s are a budgeting tool for planning ahead. Current projects are not included as funds have already been allocated for those. No numbers yet from the city on joint projects. Trying to set up another meeting with them. Mr. Howe reported that the draft budget will be presented to the town board on September 29th. 7. Project Updates a. PWF MEP Punch list walkthrough on Monday. Electrician pulled out. Fire alarm is up and Codes has performed a walk through. By next meeting should be closed pending punch list. b. TH Court Clerks/Mezzanine Mr. Moseley sent back comments on plans. Architect to tune up drawings to reflect comments. Will go back on the street and hopefully get affordable bids this time and can contract this year. c. Town Hall Weatherization Met with TY Linn a couple times. Architect reassigned to project grasping all our comments as well as picking up on pieces missing. CFA submitted for this. On hold for funding until perhaps December. First phase mezzanine court project received city approval from their historic district. We didn’t have to go through Ithaca Landmark Preservation Commission (IOPC). d. Site Design Manual We’ve made it through water & sewer details. Revision back any day now from B&L. Really dug into that chapter to set the tone for others. Contract extension through January. Once sanitary is worked out, all else should fall into place. Hoping to finish up in December. e. Enterprise Meeting took place with Kelly, Ryan Fennel and Joe Slater and at this time we don’t want a 3rd party involved in our upfits. Doesn’t seem to make sense to start leasing vehicles right now. f. Coddington Community Center Mr. Howe the new expansion is really quite nice. Town departments met with Heather Mount for a little tree work not in easement between park land and pavilion minor enough for Mr. Talbut to do. They do have to make a decision about one big tree. Will have arborist take a look. No extra funding in 2026 but maybe in 2027 to help with pavilion maintenance. Mr. Slater provided a streetlight update in that NYPA has taken down the wire mesh network and installed stand-alone nodes. Sending final inspection reports for us to sign off. We owe a final project payment. We will be able to go after a little bit of rebate. Ms. Randall, in conversation with the Forest Home Improvement Association, has recommended an update to the 2007 traffic calming plan. With Mr. DePaolo’s help secured a grant. The study is pricey but there are a lot of stakeholders and a swap of utilities. We’re looking for a consultant with an active planning transportation Lense to reenvision circulation in this neighborhood and a fresh new look at multi-mode mobility two decades later. Mr. O’Shea received proposal in response to two RFQ’s. Larson Design Group proposal for interceptor study came in at a large price tag and we have to figure out how the City will be involved. Another one for lower Stone Quarry Road came in where we thought it would cost wise. Have to figure out scope. Mr. Howe stated that the town sent out a RFP for engineering services as it will probably be some time before we replace our outgoing Director. Mr. Talbut announced that brush pick up is the week of October 20th and leaf collection will be the week of November 10th. Adjourn 9:40 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Submitted by, Becky Jordan