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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2025-12-16 Town of Ithaca Public Works Committee December 16, 2025, 9:00 a.m. Minutes Present: Rod Howe, Joe Slater, Mike Beach, Justin McNeal, Hilary Swartwood, Marty Moseley, Joe Talbut, Mike Smith, CJ Randall, Rich DePaolo, Steve Riddle, Becky Jordan. Guest: Emily Zetkulic 1. Approval of Minutes: Approval of November 18, 2025 minutes was motioned by Mr. DePaolo, seconded by Mr. Howe. Carried. 2. Approval of 2026 Meeting Schedule – Assume same monthly schedule of the 3rd Wednesday. 3. Member Comments/Concerns Consider Modifications to Agenda Member Comments/Concerns a. Consider Modifications to Agenda – None 4. Glenside Streetlight Mr. Slater summarized the streetlight policy as somewhat new to the town and this being the first modification request received. The committee suggested trying modification first by dimming light down70% from fullest potential and installing a house side shield. Per policy, considerations must be made for location, priority for intersections, dangerous curves and significant changes in roadway. This streetlight is on a sharp bend so if removed we would need to replace it with another indication for the curve such as curve road signs. We looked at accident history and found none. There was a notification from a resident regarding the streetlight outage during the time we had it off awaiting shield. Mr. DePaolo found shielding effective. Direct light doesn’t impact house. With snow on the ground, it’s probably the most reflective that it is going to be. It’s not the most effectively positioned light. Observed a dip in road in addition to the curve so a visual indication must be in place. Impression that mitigations are effective. Mr. Howe agreed. Ms. Zetkulic stated the house-side shield is effective. The streetlight is not blocked from house but dimmer. Is it possible to further dim? Mr. Slater responded that dimming a light down by 70% is the maximum recommended for safety standards. Mr. DePoalo clarified the light has been reduced by 70% which means it is operating at 30%. Ms. Zetkulic added that when she first made the request everyone seemed in agreement. Thinking the mitigation process was fairly simple, why has it been such an ordeal? Mr. Howe replied that the committee was prepared to discuss earlier but reminded Ms. Zetkulic that she was out of town. Mr. DePaolo explained the professional standards process. Suggested room for experimentation of further dimming light against safety standards because the light is visible regardless. Could we inquire with NYPA regarding possibility of changing streetlight angle? 5. South Hill Recreation Way RFP Mr. Howe summarized that there is a committee that meets on a fairly regular basis representing the four towns that are part of the extension of the trail. We sought a grant approximately three years ago and received $43k. We have used $4k for an appraisal. Mr. Smith explained that one reason we haven’t moved forward is that the committee and Town of Caroline had applied for grants in the past few years but were not awarded. We moved forward with the grant and to use the funds before we lose it, we are going to allocate it toward the concept level designs and cost estimates for the section of Burns Rd to Banks Road. Received six responses to our end of October RFP. At least four of them are familiar as we have worked with them before. They would look at trail route, stream and road crossings, shared use driveway section and trail off Burns Road shared use, landscaping, buffering, signage, and cost estimates. Ext step would be to secure go ahead from this committee to work on a contract with the vendor to take to the town board. Mr. Howe reported receipt of invoice by NYSEG for the easement. Mr. Smith shared that there is talk of parking at the end of Coddington Rd in the City of Ithaca. Used to be a fill site. 6. Apple Orchard PRV Mr. Slater reported that he and Justin had a meeting with T.G. Miller representing the Town of Dryden. There is a pressure reducing valve (PRV) building at the intersection of Palm Road/Caldwell/RT 366 that historically was a takeoff point for Town of Ithaca to fill the Sapsucker Woods tank. About a decade ago the municipality upgraded the NE Sapsucker Woods tank to an elevated tank. Since then, we started pumping water from Christopher Circle tank up to the elevated Sapsucker Woods tank to fill it. This determined high pressure on the Varna system with us elevating sapsucker woods tank, so a PRV station was installed on Freese Road in Varna with easement to Town of Ithaca. In the current agreement TOI has retained ownership rights to Apple Orchard PRV as well as the pipe parallel to RT366 out to Game Farm Road. Allocation for flow rates and remaining our customers. Town of Dryden, with easement from Cornell, is looking to relocate apple orchard PRV building and want to know if we want to retain ownership. We don’t see a reason to retain rights to this take off point anymore. As long as we contract that Dryden cannot use Sapsucker Woods’ capacity for development. Would like to go back to T.G. Miller and Town of Dryden to allow Town of Ithaca to retain rights for allocation for the piece going out RT366 and give them the Freese Road PRV. We can reconfigure our system not to utilize that portion with no effect on our customers. Mr. Howe and Mr. DePaolo stated no concerns. 7. Project Updates a. Interceptor Study Mr. McNeal reported in contract with Larson. Data acquisition phase to get data on interceptors. Working with City gathering records. Next, field investigation to confirm mapping accurateness. b. TH Court Clerks/Mezzanine Received bids last week. Still over $1.2m budget with lowest bidder at $1.5m. Met with finance to discuss options. c. Lower Stone Quarry Road Drainage Feasibility Study Mr. McNeal not much to update. Need to do precontract meeting for game plan with Urban Anthony contractor. Mr. Slater shared that we interviewed an Engineering Director candidate. In the meantime, we are working with B&L for Engineering services. Mr. DePaolo asked if variability in conditions is found with the live feed cameras around town. Mr. Beach replied yes, sometimes it may be snowing in one area and not in another. Mr. Slater - The cameras have road temperature sensors. We have 24 pieces of equipment with updated radios installed. We’ve been trying to dial in the salt inventory/usage. Mr. Howe asked Mr. DePaolo if he had any words of wisdom before retirement! Mr. Slater reported that he and Mr. McNeal are going into a meeting with T.G. Miller representing the Village of Cayuga Heights as they are looking to improve flows at Remington. Adjourn 9:43 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Submitted by, Becky Jordan