MEETING MINUTES

Ithaca Commons Repair & Upgrade Project

Date
07/22/2014

Start
10:00 AM

End
11:00 AM

Purpose
2014 Construction Meeting #18
Distribution/Attendance:
City of Ithaca
Downtown Ithaca Alliance
Sasaki Associates
Labella Associates
Vacri Construction / ACP /

Power & Construction Group

Verizon
NYSEG Gas
DDS
NYSEG Electric

C#3A Surface, C#3B Electric

Next Date
07/29/2014

Next Time
10:00 AM

Prepared By
Nicole Mason

Location
Commons Project Office 215 East State St Ithaca, NY
(Present at meeting unless noted: A absent)
Michael Kuo, Jessica Buckley, Nicole Mason
Tammy Baker
Susannah Ross, Eamonn Hutton (A), Kimberly Michaels TWM
Dan Walker, James Matzat (A)
Ralph Avery (A), Andy Breznay, Matt Thomas (A), Roberto DeVincentis,
Bob Bellavigna ACP
Mike Lamonica Syrstone
Lou Zupan, Bill Planert, Brian Planert (A)
James Edwards (A), Dave Comer (A)
Doug Stafford (A), Jack Barker (A), Dawn Stillwell, John Mattiace
Jeff Bubb (A), Flint Brann (A), Andy Gana
Jack Czapranski (A), Dennis Kuhn (A)

Item / Description
1. RFIs, SUBMITTALS
1.1. Vacri (Contract #3A):
1.1.1.Granite Coordination
1.1.2.Roadway Curb sample photos to
be sent to Sasaki

Notes
1.1.1. PCG has location of stub ups for EX6
lights from Sasaki. PCG asked for the
elevation of the lights in the granite;
Sasaki responded they have supplied that
information in previous Bulletin and RFI
responses. A sample light box has been
rushed to PCG for additional
dimensioning. ACP not sure a three inch
core can be done. PCG- Only inch
conduit needs to go in, so it doesnt need
to be 3-inch but wants it as large as
possible to account for error. PCG will
coordinate with ACP on exact
dimensioning.
PCG planning to run conduit in the slab,
hanging the conduit on the rebar. Will
coordinate with ACP in field.
Submittal 87 - Vacri has proposal from
APC regarding a cast addition due to the

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Due

design change (elevating the granite) via

Bulletin 12 Their opinion is that the
changes leave no room for error on step
footings, etc. and bringing the concrete
flush with the pavers is more labor. MK
asked ACP to provide a more detailed
information to substantiate the price
increase.
1.1.2. The previous granite curb sample
was rejected due to blemishes. Syrstone
representatives provided a new sample
today with saw-cut edges and split seam
face. Syrstone can provide any type of
face, but the price point will change.
Sasaki concerned that the split face may
cause waving in the paving lines. Sasaki
requested photographs of previous
installations using the split face curb.
Syrstone is suggesting a herringbone
pattern instead of the running bond, per
RFI 20. Supplier noted that industry
standards discourage running bond
applications where there is vehicular
traffic, particularly when the running bond
is parallel to direction of traffic. Sasaki
asked if there was less concern because
they are using a thicker paver. Syrstone
responded that yes, that may help the
vehicular traffic concerns, but the concern
remains that with the running pattern any
grade changes are noticeable.
Syrstone asked for clarification of what
color polymeric (joining) sand to use.
Sasaki has selected one color (tan)
already, per Submittal 82.
Sasaki noted that a sealant is still called
for where the pavers meet a vertical
surface.
Syrstone will submit an RFI regarding
weep hole placement through the slab.
Syrstone is questioning the response to
RFI 15 where the trench drain
manufacturer requested pavers on top of
drains be mortared in place. Syrstone
suggested that mortaring some pavers
may affect the movement of the pavers
around it.
Clarified that the sand cement setting

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1.2. P&CG (Contract #3B):

1.2.1.Lighting Submittal #13R3 open
issues for Sasaki? need schedule
from manufacturer
1.2.2.Kiosk Submittal #21 hole in base
plate to be enlarged to 3 x 6 oval;
Sasaki to coordinate conduit feeds
up to kiosk

2. DESIGN, FIELD DIRECTIVES

2.1. TTC Alley & Home Dairy Alley: Design for
TTC issued 7/21; Vault infill required at
#156
2.2. Electric Panel & Kiosk Housekeeping Pads:
Bulletin #13 issued 7/14/14; Sasaki to
revise SKL-16 to reverse layout of kiosk
and LP-4
3. CRITICAL PATH ITEMS
3.1. Simeons: Demo and temp exterior wall
to be complete 7/22; Vacri to re-install
plywood fence for pedestrian walkway
7/23
3.2. P&CG: Finish install of LP-4, kiosk conduit,
housekeeping pads, and bollards; move
to 200 Block E State
3.3. NYSEG Gas: 2nd crew starts 7/22; Branch
saddles in progress; need decision on 171
E State low pressure or medium by 7/23;
Aurora Street stub>pressure test>gas up
main week of 7/28; work on Saturdays?;

bed is a typo. The setting bed has been

priced as sand. The sand cement is not
sturdier, and will weather more over time.
1.2.1. The gauge of the bolts in Submittal
13R3 is still not acceptable. DT 505 says
extra strong, - Sasakis intent was for a
higher gauge. MK asks that the supplier
has a phone call with the designer so they
can hash it out. BP says he will set up a
phone call.
MK requests that all of the required
resubmittals are submitted now so they
dont hold up the ordering any longer. BP
says another Selux submittal will be sent
today (13R4) which will address all of the
outstanding questions.
BP asks if individual photo cells are
necessary when the utility panel already
has a photo cell installed. Sasaki asks that
an RFI is submitted, and a phone call is set
up with necessary parties to come to a
decision.
Kiosk Submittal #21 Design team is
discussing options for conduit feeding into
the kiosk with the manufacturer.

Vacri can start re-installing fence

tomorrow. May use the chain link fence
which is currently at the Aurora St
intersection. The City would prefer the
plywood panels from Bank Alley be used.
Sasaki issued a sketch this morning that
shows the underground mate is required.
Anchor bolts are not required.
Second crew will work on branch saddle
into Mias. DS mentioned that a crew will
need a half day to replace broken valve
boxes on Bank Alley. Simeons
intersection should be open to DDS

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repair/replace water curb box at 148 E

State

3.4. NYSEG Electric: Overhead wire at Aurora

complete; need to disconnect feed at SW
corner of intersection btw HH and light
pole; JC to provide start date for pulling
wire to Aurora St
3.5. 202 E State Waterproofing: Notify
property owner of schedule for demo
paving above vault
3.6. Pavilion Lighting: MK to issue summary of
meeting with City Inspector and City
Electrician
4. M&PTP: MAINTENANCE & PROTECTION
OF TRAFFIC & PEDESTRIANS
4.1. Fence Reinstallation: PCG to reinstall
fence in front of Trader Ks
4.2. Vacri to submit work sequence to City for
review of pedestrian access, etc. prior to
start of Bank Alley work (sidewalk demo,
grading/compaction testing, set valve
boxes, MH covers, slab pour, pavers, etc.)
4.3. Site Maintenance: Vacri to mark out
boxes; DDS & P&CG to locate and dig out
valve boxes and remove excess material;
All trash and debris must be removed on
a weekly basis
5. New Business: Open RFIs, submittals,
concerns, etc.

tomorrow (7/23).
DS concerned about grading on Tioga
the one inch line off of the drip is sticking
out of the ground where they have
regraded.
171 E State St (Center Ithaca) decision
needs to be made about connecting low
or medium pressure service. DDS may
need to give them low pressure now and
then come back in a few years to retire it.
Medium pressure decision may take up to
two years so they cant wait on that
decision.
NYSEG will discuss with DDS if working on
Saturdays is an option.

Already reinstalled

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Concern about paint finish color possible discrepancy between snakehead boxes and utility
panels. Sasaki will send color sample of what they approved.

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