Village Gateway Improvement Project

Trustee Representatives
Jeff Katz, Chair
Joseph Booan, Jr.
Willis Monie, Jr.

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Link to FTA Grant Application Page: http://www.fta.dot.gov/laws/circulars/leg_reg_4125.html

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Concept Diagram #1 | Concept Diagram #2 | Concept Diagram #3 | Parcel Ownership
Crosssection

Concept Diagrams and maps reviewed at the March 1, 2007 Public Participation Meeting can be viewed by clicking on the links indicated above.

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October 9, 2008
Technical Committee Minutes (In draft form - Subject to change)


A regular meeting of the Linden Avenue Improvement Project’s Technical Committee of the Village of Cooperstown was held in the Village Office Building, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, New York on Thursday, October 9, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. Members in attendance were Trustees Jeff Katz, Lynne Mebust, and Neil Weiller, Brian Clancy and Giles Russell, Village of Cooperstown; Joe Middleton, Bassett Healthcare and Peter Loyola, CLA SITE. Also in attendance were Mayor Carol Waller, and Trustee Milo Stewart, Jr.; Tony Casale, and Teri Barown, Village Clerk. There were five (5) members of the public present.

The meeting was called to order at 9:10 a.m.

FTA Grant Information – Mr. Loyola stated that he has been in contact with Victor Waldron of the FTA and that four items are needed by them in order to implement scheduling the conference call between the FTA and the Village.

1. Current proposed implementation schedule
2. Proposed budget with individual major components broken out
3. Potential funding sources, and
4. Organizational chart.

Ms. Barown stated that she forwarded information regarding funding sources and an organizational chart to the FTA.

Ms. Loyola stated that more information will need to be broken out as to funding sources, particularly commitments given regarding local share. He said that the FTA will want to see a budget with the Village and other funding entities providing a commitment that the project will be completed. He said he believes at this time a letter of intent would suffice.

Mr. Loyola reviewed the preliminary opinions of cost regarding the various components of the project (copy attached to minutes).

Mr. Loyola stated that most of the various components could be independently of one another.

Section A.: Northern Linden Avenue Improvements (Walnut Street to High School Entrance) - $394,847 – Mr. Loyola stated he worked with Mr. Clancy on obtaining the cost for this portion of the project, which is mainly infrastructure work. He stated that this portion of the project could be done at any time.

Section B – Relocation of DPW Garages - $424,770 – Mr. Loyola stated that this portion could also be done at any time. It consists of demolition and relocation of DPW garages and consolidates two buildings into one. He stated that he worked with Mr. Clancy on obtaining the costs. Mr. Loyola stated that garages need to be moved prior to realignment of Linden Avenue.

Section C – Leatherstocking Rail Spur and Multi-Use Trail - $196,832 – This is an independent utility and can occur any time during the project.

Section D – Youth Baseball Field Relocation - $163,896 – Mr. Loyola stated that he removed the 20% contingency figure from this project to bring down costs. He would like to tie into and extend the municipal sewer service at the field relocation.

Section E – Extension of Linden Avenue (H.S. Entrance to Rt. 28) - $903,712 – Doesn’t include any parking facilities, road work only.

Section F – Upgraded Surface Parking Facilities and Service Road - $1,490,100

Section G – Welcome Center/Bus Shelter - $326,160

Mr. Loyola stated that the total components with contingency and project/construction administration come to $5,070,412, which is more that the total earmark for the project.

Mr. Loyola stated that he feels we should submit the opinion of cost as it stands, providing letters of intent to complete the project at the higher figure to open discussion with the FTA and see what they consider allowable in the project to be funded.

Mr. Katz stated that he has issues with submitting an estimate of $5,000,000 when allocations won’t cover more than 4 million. Particularly due the FTA’s initial response that they do not see a clear FTA project in what was presented in the initial scoping document.

Mr. Loyola stated that in subsequent conversations with Mr. Waldron he feels that an FTA project will be justified. He feels they just need more detail on what will fit in the project.

Mr. Middleton stated that he feels there initial response was related to the grant proposal prepared by Bassett. He feels we need to take Mr. Loyola’s approach and submit the preliminary opinions of cost as presented.

Mr. Middleton said that numbers will be adjusted as we look at site conditions.

Mr. Loyola stated that he would like to get the information to the FTA as soon as possible in order to arrange the conference call.

He said that if we go with the higher estimate, the FTA will need a commitment from the Village based on those figures.

Mr. Loyola stated one of the biggest questions with the FTA is the ball field relocation. He feels if the ball field relocation is funded locally a lot of the environmental work required would be eliminated.

Mr. Loyola stated that sources of local funding need to be identified and committed to specific to the estimate provided to the FTA and letters of intent need to be sent in the preliminary opinion of cost document.

Mr. Katz stated that this needs to be done so that it is not a taxpayer burden.

Implementation Schedule (proposed schedule is attached to minutes) – Mr. Loyola stated that prior to implementation a zoning change needs to occur in the Town of Otsego, commitment letters are need from land holders on parcel acquisition and we need to determine if the Village will take over a portion of Town roads on the Linden Avenue extension.

Construction Sequence – Mr. Loyola reviewed the proposed construction sequence. He stated that the year of start of construction needs to be decided before submitting to the FTA. He feels we should show that some work will start in 2009 even if it is not the sequence as shown on the schedule submitted.

Mr. Stewart asked if the Trustees were going to address the Cooperstown Youth Baseball concerns as stated in Mr. Borgstrom’s latest letter.

Mr. Katz stated that the Village Attorney has been sent a copy of the letter to determine access issues to the field for soil borings.

Mr. Loyola provided information showing proposed test pit locations and that they do not interfere with the playing field.

Mayor Waller stated that Mr. Borgstrom has been advised of every public meeting.

Mr. Clancy stated that Mr. Haney and another board member who were on site were test pit locations were determined didn’t have a problem with the proposed locations.

Mr. Loyola stated that submissions have been made to SHPO and they have responded that a Phase I will be required. They have requested to see the design documents ahead of time to define the areas for Phase I.

Actions Items determined:

Village will discuss zoning changes and turning over road to Village.

Village Trustees will discuss funding sources and letter of intent regarding funding sources.

CLA will provide cost estimate and implementation schedule to the FTA.

The meeting adjourned at 10:35 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,



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Teri L. Barown
Village Clerk