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2008-06-11 SP MTG. #26 1 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 06-11-2008 MTG. #26 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING MTG. #26 JUNE 11, 2008 RES. 315-317 6:15pm TOWN BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT SUPERVISOR DANIEL STEC COUNCILMAN ANTHONY METIVIER COUNCILMAN RONALD MONTESI-ABSENT COUNCILMAN JOHN STROUGH COUNCILMAN TIM BREWER Supervisor Stec-Opened the Meeting Discussion: Rush Pond Bike Trail Construction Cost Estimate Mr. Don Rhodes P.E. of LaBerge-Spoke to the Town Board on the Rush Pond Bike Trail proposed to run just North of the Queensbury School all the way to Exit 20 at Gurney Lane ? Large item cost of the project the retaining walls, due to the terrain and American with Disability Act … alternative to use vegetation in some areas to deal with transitions, ? Cost estimate on project 2.2 million of that 1.96 construction costs, assuming construction in 2011 ADA Compliant ? Noted there is a contingency built in the proposal for unknowns at 5%, would like to have it at 10% …there are items that can be pulled if construction costs go up, such as landscaping and signage ? Right of way acquisitions, five parcels Councilman Strough-The Great Escape has said that they will give us the easement, Holtz’s have said that they will give us approximately fifty acres, the Freibergers have a small sliver in an undevelopable portion of the Freiberger property I do not think we will have a major issue with them. Supervisor Stec-Questioned the permitting amounts… Mr. Rhodes P.E -You will be short on environmental permitting, they are included in the estimated costs that I presented Councilman Strough-Questioned if Dave Wick would do that Mr. Rhodes P.E. -That would be a match as well, we have twenty thousand for additional design and permitting to meet Federal Aid requirements, and some additional construction observation etc., if you permit me to increase the contingency to 10% that would bring it to $180,000 As it stands today the match that would be required based on what you have already funded and is eligible is 346,250. that the Town would have to come up with. If you can get Water and Soil to do some of the permitting and donations from the land would bring those things back. Councilman Strough-I have a group that is willing to do the clearing of the small trees and BOCES very interested in doing some of the excavating work, and Boy Scout groups interested in doing the signage and any of the other amenities that we want to have along the trail. Mr. Rhodes P.E. -That would be part of match but because you do not have contracts for that your resolution has to commit the funds for not only the amount that it is but anything extra that would happen. Supervisor Stec-Questioned with the existing trail and we went in and improved that and not be ADA compliant, could you do something for a fraction of the 2.2 million? 2 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 06-11-2008 MTG. #26 Mr. Rhodes P.E. -Addressing the ADA it is a judicial process, if you just resurface the existing you have that problem with transportation enhancement funds it comes with strings that several things are to be met, design criteria ADA complaint, if you just resurfaced it would come out of your pocket only, it may cost more than your match. Supervisor Stec-Asked about amount and availability of grant money? Mr. Rhodes P.E. -You can apply up to 2.5 million dollar grant. Supervisor Stec-Questioned the amount of grant money available and the amount of applications? Mr. Rhodes P.E. -That information is not released. Supervisor Stec- This grant is typically an all or no go grant? Mr. Rhodes P.E.-Yes. Supervisor Stec-Questioned if the Town turned down the grant what would happen to future grants? Councilman Brewer-The next time you may not get it. Mr. Rhodes P.E.-Noted that the Transportation Enhancement program is the best grant fund out there, 80% paid, if you can work things out with local shares, municipal forces, etc. part of that work is also eligible. Supervisor Stec-When is the grant dead line? th Mr. Rhodes P.E. – June 27. The only thing we are missing from the Town of Queensbury is the resolution. Supervisor Stec-Questioned if the funds already spent were eligible? Mr. Rhodes P.E.-Yes. Noted that you do not have to pave, you can do rubble path, it is a maintenance issue and environmental contamination issue as well, we are proposing a porous paving. By not paving there will be additional requirements, such as storm water management which would drive the construction cost up, and limit use. Councilman Metiver-Questioned environmental issues, snow, ice etc. Mr. Rhodes P.E.-Since you are not keeping it clear in the winter, used only for cross country skiing, you do not have heavy duty frost problems as you do on a Town Road. You also have well drained soils here. Supervisor Stec-Can you describe the surface again? Mr. Rhodes P.E.-It is blacktop but not tight. ¾ inch stone held together with asphalt. Councilman Metivier-What about insurance issues? Mr. Rhodes P.E.-Insurance issues are mostly covered by your general obligations carrier, you probably already have them as a general rider. Councilman Metivier-Can this be done in phases? Mr. Rhodes P.E.-It can. When we entered into an agreement with the Town, we proposed that, there are a couple of different options out there. We proposed to design the whole trail and a phasing plan depending on what you wanted to spend. The first grant was a recreation trail plan, we submitted the grant for a million dollars because that was the maximum you could apply for the Town of Queensbury committed to fifty 3 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 06-11-2008 MTG. #26 percent match. We thought it would get about half way, it would link Fox Farm Road with the Rush Pond network. If the Transportation Enhancement Project doesn’t move forward we can develop that phasing plan to be whatever it is. All it is, is one sheet that says you will construct from here to here. Supervisor Stec-Segmenting will add cost? Mr. Rhodes P.E.-Absolutely. Noted that the Transportation Enhancement Program I think this year will be excellent for those that apply, there are a lot of communities that are very hesitant to spend any money right now, because people are feeling it. So, that opens the pot for those that have the ability to get it done. Supervisor Stec-We just got debt free last year and now we are staring down the barrel of a Main Street project that we are going to be bonding or banning on how the lawsuit turns out we may be borrowing a little or a lot, we have big debt, that potentially we will be taking on later this year or next. Mr. Rhodes P.E.-Noted that the resolution will require you to say that you are going to match the money, if you decide to pull the grant you would probably never get a transportation enhancement project or any federal funding under a recreational project probably for fifteen years. Councilman Metivier-Questioned the linking to the Warren County Bike Trail? Councilman Strough-The redesign that is being done for Exit 20 includes a pedestrian bike lane dedicated for bikes going across the Northway. Councilman Metivier-Questioned if LaBerge takes care of the permitting? Mr. Rhodes P.E.-It is in here as a cost it can be staffed however if you would like to do it. Councilman Strough-The RFP was set up that you would supply the necessary information so that they can do the deeds and legal work, our counsel. Mr. Rhodes P.E.-For right of way acquisition that is correct. That is if it is not a federal aid project, we are still doing that but what we have in here is a specialized right of way consultant because if you are using Federal money it has got to follow different set of rules then if you are just going out and negotiating a deal with the landowner. That is in here as an additional service. You will not need to do that if you are not taking Federal funds. We will have the design pretty well done and you can begin that right of way acquisition also early, if you own the land before the grant is given then you may not be able to use it as a match. Councilman Strough-So, then we are better off waiting on the land acquisition until we go the grant route. Councilman Metivier-It is a catch twenty two. Councilman Brewer-Because if you do not have the right of way then you cannot build it. Councilman Strough-The only issue is the Schermerhorn one the rest of it is pretty all clear. Mr. Rhodes P.E.-As long as your attorneys follow the Federal procurement policies it will be eligible for a match. I will leave my cards here if you need further information. Town Board agreed to review the information. RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION NO. 315, 2008 4 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 06-11-2008 MTG. #26 INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Tim Brewer WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION SECONDED BY: Mr. Anthony Metivier RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury hereby moves into an Executive Session to conduct interviews for the position of IT Director. th Duly adopted this 11 day of June, 2008 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Metivier, Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec NOES: None ABSENT: Mr. Montesi RESOLUTION ADJOURING EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION NO. 316, 2008 INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Anthony Metivier WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION SECONDED BY: Mr. Tim Brewer RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury hereby adjourns its Executive Session. th Duly adopted this 11 day of June, 2008 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Metivier, Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec NOES: None ABSENT: Mr. Montesi No action taken during Executive Session. RESOLUTION ADJOURNING TOWN BOARD MEETING RESOLUTION NO. 317, 2008 INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Tim Brewer WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION SECONDED BYH: Mr. Anthony Metivier RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury hereby adjourns its Town Board Meeting. th Duly adopted this 11 day of June, 2008 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Metivier, Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec NOES: None ABSENT: Mr. Montesi Respectfully submitted, Miss Darleen M. Dougher Town Clerk-Queensbury 5 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 06-11-2008 MTG. #26