HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1994-02-17 CITY OF ITHACA
1 0E EAST GREEN STREET
ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850
OFFICE OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
SUPERINTENDENT TELEPHONE: (607)274-6527
MEMORANDUM FAX: (607)272-7346
TO: Members of the Common Council
Members of the Board of Public Works
FROM: William J. Gray, P.E., Superintendent of Public Works L056 ( N,�,)
RE: Snow Removal & Ice Control
Discussion and Information
FILE: Transportation..082.0
DATE: February 17, 1994
In the last several weeks, the Mayor, the Superintendent, and the Assistant
Superintendent of Public Works have all received numerous complaints about the City's snow
removal and ice control efforts. I'm sure that all of the members of the Common Council
and the Board of Public Works have also received their share of comments. Staff, while
seeking improvements, is convinced that it is making a reasonable and efficient effort at the
job we are charged to do. We feel it is our obligation to provide you with information to
assess that performance, and to change policies or budgets if you wish.
The last time the City's snow and ice control efforts came under close scrutiny was
the reduced salt ("no-salt") discussions in 1985 and 1986. Attached for your information are
excerpts from Council meetings and Board of Public Works meetings during that period of
time. In many communities road salt is used to substantially reduce the effort (equipment,
time and staff hours) to produce clear roads. The City made a conscious choice to give up a
bare pavement policy in order to reduce the amount of salt used. This was a decision to incur
additional costs associated with increased plowing and the use of more abrasives, neither of
which produces a clear pavement. Because of the additional plowing needed, and time
required to do it, the City added a fifth snowplow and reconfigured the plow routes.
However, the snow removal budget has remained unchanged since that time. The result of
this budgeting approach has been a greater demand on the parks and forestry crews, the solid
waste recycling crews, and the building systems group as well as the inaccurate budget
records that go with it.
Ro rlo.l P
c
SNOW REMOVAL AND ICE CONTROL
YEAR BUDGETED$ ADJUSTMENT FACTORS 1994$
CPI-U 5%ANNUAL CPI-U 5%
1984 150,700 19458 1.629 219,700 245,500
1988 163.600 1,157 1.340 189,300 219,200
1994 154,000 1,000 1.000 154,000 154,000
The policy for sidewalks has been to make them the responsibility of the respective
property owners (including the City of Ithaca). Intersection and ramp sidewalks were
defined as belonging to the adjacent property owner and a twenty-four hour response time
following the end of the snowstorm was set. The recent accent on these concerns has meant
that other items, such as plowing city owned parking lots, the clearing on-street parking or
the removal of plowed snow from streets, have taken a secondary status.
The constraining factors on the City's efforts (staff, equipment and materials
applications policies) are generally a direct result of budget and policy determinations.
Approximately six or seven members of the twenty-seven member highway crew are on the
snow watch (night) shift and work from 7:00 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. The day crews work from
7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Other hours are covered with overtime as necessary. On the
average, this system works well and at a reasonable cost. That fact has a tendency to raise
people's expectations and makes the system appear to fail when we have unusual amounts of
snow or extended periods of cold weather. Over the last several years equipment
replacement schedules have been stretched to meet budget guidelines or, in one case,
eliminated by Common Council in their efforts to reconfigure the budget.
Mother Nature imposes a set of constraints over which none of us have any control.
If we knew that 20 inches of snow would fall in the next two weeks, we would still have to
know more. One 20 inch snowstorm is different from ten 2 inch snowstorms. A 2 inch
snowstorm at midnight is different from 2 inches falling between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. A
storm of 6 inches falling in twenty four hours is different from 6 inches of snow in one hour.
That 6 inches of snow, followed by two days of 40 degree weather, requires a different
effort from that snow during a week that doesn't reach 10 degrees. The effectiveness of the
salt that we do use is reduced by a factor of ten at 10 degrees when compared to its
performance removing snow and ice at 30 degrees. A small storm, at low temperatures,
during rush hour can be more difficult than a much larger storm at any temperature during
off hours.
I have attached information from previous budgets, the Salt Institute and the ICMA
Public Works Administration Manual for your review. Much more information is available
if you would like. Salt is the closest thing to magic in snow removal and ice control, but has
its own associated costs. Various other salts and non-salts are available (at a substantial
increase in cost) and we use them. It will be awhile before weather forecasting allows us to
fully anticipate that which we cannot control.
Some of the additional items which affect the performance of our snow removal
efforts are land use planning and City law enforcement efforts. Land use rules concerning
provision of off street parking impact the way streets are used. Modification of odd-even
parking rules to accommodate changing land uses and the increased use of twenty-four hour
parking zones impact snow removal efforts, as does police enforcement of those rules.
Strong enforcement of odd-even parking, the use of fines, and towing the vehicles to insure
compliance can change the effectiveness and efficiency of snow removal operations. It may
require closer coordination and cooperation between police and public works crews.
We are well aware of the department's obligation to review our operations in order to
be as efficient and effective as we can. I hope the supplied information helps you review our
work and the constraints under which we operate. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide
whether our performance, budget, staffing and equipment are in line with the community's
expectations for snow and ice control.
WJG/mlh
•
cc: Rick Ferrel, Assistant Superintendent, Streets & Facilities•
Larry Fabbroni, Assistant Superintendent, Water & Sewer
Harlin McEwen, Chief of Police, IPD
Brian Wilbur, Chief IFD
A:ISNOWREM WJG
3P1�( u-1 z-F
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Salt Policy
Comm. Albanese stated that the Board Azad left off. _=t=1. a
modified version of the -salt policy last April. He thinks
a discussion is. _seeded in lieu of- requests that were
made in the budget about what the Board is going to do this
year about the salt issue. He asked that it be placed as
an agenda item under Streets and Facilities at the next Board
meeting. He will present- a resolution.
Salt Policy -.
By Comm: Stone: Seconded 'by Comm. Albanese
WHEREAS,'the Board and `staff- feel all efforts should be continued
to reduce the effects of'road salt on our local environment,
streets, sidewalks , public and private transportation vehicles
and equipment, and
WHEREAS, based on the '198S-86 winter maintenance experience,
the Board wishes to continue to rely as much as possible
on plowing as an effective tool in snow and ice control,
particularly in the downtown flat areas; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the use of salt in the downtown flat areas
in the 1986-87 winter season be limited to the following:
1. Route 13 and- the Seneca and Green Street arterials ,
2. When ordered by the police and/or fire department
during emergencies,
3. When authorized by the Superintendent or Assistant
Superintendent in case of major ice conditions ,
4. In the event of major ice conditions a mixture of
salt and abrasives not to exceed 50% salt, shall be
applied to the downtown flat areas at the discretion
of the -authorized City staff as stated in number 3 .
Discussion followed on the floor.
Comm. Albanese stated that the resolution is in part a rein-
statement of the old salt policy with additions from the
policy they ended the year with.
the resolution III1�'�g�
A vote on t esolution resulted as follows: .
Carried Unanimously
•
r0 R4
-5-
Mayor Gutenberger reported to the Board that- Common Council
met on February 10 regarding the "no salt" policy on downtown
streets . He asked Council to suspend the "no salt" policy
until all the information could be gathered: Common Council
did not agree with his suggestion. He has asked the staff,
in conjunction with the Police Department and Fire Department
to gather information and make a report of the results that
we have had under the new policy, to describe what we are
doing and `not doing under the new policy;° and to describe *gig
. any differences between what me were doing before and .what
we are doing now. When the -calls' and letters slowdown he
will present a packet . to each Board member.
Carolyn Peterson, Alderperson 'ist Ward, spoke' to the Board
regarding the='"no salt". policy. She stated• she has received
phone calls on.: all diffetent` sides of the issue; compl .ints
as the Mayor:-has had, peopl:Ewho 'are urging her to keep her .
stance and°not to have • salt':putdown:on" the downtown streets
and to make sure that cinders are put down. There is a third
group who say •they want to "see the "no salt" policy work
but they have, some doubts of whether the DPW was actually' bIurb
putting down other materials on intersections or the slight
inclines. .. She stated she would like to serve on the committee .
to study this issue.
•
•
Salt Policy •
Alderperson Hoffman stated that he is also hearing that
constituents are not satisfied with the way . the streets are
treated. He is not hearing 'a clamoring to bring the salt
back but would like to see .more snow removed and more cinders
or other material placed in critical locations .
Snow Storm Report (3/ AV
Asst. to Supt. Priore commented about the snowstormTand the
departments ability to fight the snow effectively. The DPW
had a crew on for 24 hours and by Saturday at 3: 00 P.M. all
city streets were clear.
Salt Policy - Amendment
By Comm. Gerkin: Seconded by Comm. Albanese
WHEREAS, on November 26, 198'5 the Board of Public Works passed
a resolution limiting the use. of road salt in the downtown
flat areas for the 1985-86 winter season, and
WHEREAS, the basic guidelines and exceptions regarding the
policy were spelled out in that resolution, and
WHEREAS, recent public concerns have surfaced over the wisdom .
of the new salting policy as it relates to the public safety
and liability to the city, and
WHEREAS, the Streets and Facilities Commifiee of the Board
of Public Works has reviewed the issue of road salt on the •
downtown flat areas at its February 13 meeting with department
staff and police department reports on this subject ; now,
therefore, be it 31�G /(6
•
RESOLVED, That the Streets and Facilities Committee recommends
to the full Board the following amendments to its resolution
of November 26 , 1985 :
Change 3 to read:. •
. 3. When authorized by' the Superintendent, City Engineer,'"
or Asst. to the Supt. in the case of major ice conditions.
•
Add: 4. In the event: .of major ice conditions, a mixture
•
. of salt and,,abrasives :not to exceed SO% salt be
.applied:.to;.<the; .downtown flat area at .the- discretion .
of t:ie, authorized "City, !staff..as stated .in: Item 3,
and be it further • :s .,. _ ;
RESOLVED', : That.,the,,.Board of Public -Works directs the-.Supt: .
to. begin .to__ assemble; all, ecessary information on manpower
and equipment requi.rpment -.to .enab.le , the. department to establish
• a Sth zone for.;the purpose- of snow,,;removai. yIshis additional .
zone shall include,alp. aowntown,..flat , streets and shall- have
the same .priorityfpr snow removal as_ the traditional hill
• areas. Figures.and`estimates shall.: be ready. for inclusion �(� it
in the.. 1987. Department .of .PublicWorks budget review, and l
be it further • • .
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works reaffirms its commitment
to public safety and to reducing the damaging effects of
road salt on our local' environment , streets and sidewalks,
and public and private transportation vehicles and equipment.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
•
No Salt Policy • . -
Comm. Nichols brought up the subject of the "no salt policy". He
stated that quite a few letters had been received on the subject
and there seems to be some coMusion on the part of the public on •
the question of salt. Comm. Nichols reported that there is not a
no salt policy", but rather that label has been put onto the method
used by the City for taking care of the ice and snow and•perhaps
the name should be changed or further explanation given to the public
as to what the policy entails .
Supt. Dougherty stated that because of the media coverage on the
"no salt policy", more people have been made aware of the snow and
ice control program and the City is , therefore , getting more com-
plaints . Supt. Dougherty explained that the City has reduced the
amount of salt that it uses on the streets ; that the same equipment .
is used, the same streets are taken care of as before ; the main
change is in the salt and cinder mix. 3/4//67
Comm. Stone reported that the people that she had heard from were
complaining more about the areas next to the curb where the public
has to step down from their automobiles .not being properly taken
care of.
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Comm. Nichols commented on the cost of salt and cinders and
asked that the salt policy be reviewed by the Streets and
Facilities Committee. fpSW
Comm. Gerkin agreed to review the policy with his committee.
Road Salting Policy - Report
Commissioner Gerkin reported that there is a complete policy
that is on file in Supt. Dougherty's office. On the 16th
of October at 7:30 p.m. Supt. Dougherty will give an explanation-
of the city' s snow and ice control to the Conservation Advisory
Council at the Streets and Facilities Conference Roo n Pier
Road. All Board members are invited to attend. . /op978s-
Conservation Advisory Council
Comm. Albanese reported that at the October meeting of the .
Conservation Advisory Council road salt was discussed. Supt.
Daugherty made a presentation of the procedures. used. The /AL as--committee felt that there was a need for more reporting of
the amount of salt and the areas where it is being distribute .
Road Salting Report j
Supt. Dougherty remarked that if the city wishes to change
the $alting policy they should proceed to do that but not
to try changing it by changing the procedures, equipment a .
funding. ,/jj/fes
de suggested that the Board consider a change in the operating_
policy. First, that salt will not be used in the downtown
area with some exceptions. One exception would be the State
arterial highways - Route 13, Green Street and Seneca Street.
We have a contract with the State for maintenance of those
highways and the State wants a bare pavement maintenance as
far as snow removal is concerned. Secondly, that the Department
is still allowed to rkespond with the use of salt during emergencies,
and requests by the Police and/or Fire Departments . Thirdly,
in the case of a major ice storm that the senior staff have
the authority to waive this policy ban on salt.
Discussion followed on the floor.
Comm. Stone requested that Supt . Dougherty look into the possibility
of finding a source for purchasing sand that could be used
in certain circumstances .
The matter was referred to the Streets , Facilities , Parks
and Refuse Committee . All Board members were invited to attend
to work on this policy.
Comm. Gerkin stated that the matter of salting will be discussed
at the next meeting on Wednesday, November 20th at 9: 00 A.M.
at the Streets and Facilities Building.
Rich Hanslick, Cargill Salt Co. , spoke to the Board regarding
what steps have been taken to notify the public of the new
salt policy, and questioned what format will be used to moni r
the new policy. // 26F.5�
Supt. Dougherty responded that the news media has been notified
and have been publicizing the new policy.
Salt Policy
Current operating policies of the .department include salting
certain streets and: intersections-:in the downtown- flat areas
of the•:C'ity., r ,,
\Resolution.
By Comm. Gerkin:" Seconded by Comm. Nichols .
-WHEREAS, the Board and the- staff felt _all efforts:'shodld .
be made to reduce. the amount of salt u , . d
edan
-t
WHEREAS, the Superintendent feels' that `the downtown flat
areas would be the "best areas for a'-test; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the staff be urged to rely as much as possible
on plowing as an effective tool in snow and ice control,
and be it further -
RESOLVED, That the use of salt in the downtown flat areas
in the 1985-1986 winter season be limited to the following:
1. On Route 13,the State and Green Street Arterials.
2. When ordered by the Police and/or Fire Departments
during emergencies.
3. When authorized by the senior staff in the case of
major ice storms .
Carried Unanimously
COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS 325
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Special Meeting 5:00 P.M. February 10, 1986
PRESENT: .
Mayor Gutenberger
- Alderpersons- (9) Booth, Cummings, Dennis, Hoffman, Killeen,
Lytel, Peterson, Romanowski, Schlather
' OTHERS PRESENT: ' •
City Attorney -.Nash .
Deputy City Clerk -•Paolangeli .
. i Director,-Planning G'Development.- VanCqrt -
Asst. to Supt. of Public Works - Priore
City Engineer - Novelli .
Deputy Fire Chief - Reeves . -
Fire Chief —Olmstead .
Board of Public Works Representatives - Reeves, Albanese
Tompkins 'County- Board of Representatives - Culligan, Nichols. -
Planner - ,Lazarski .,
CO ABSENT:- "
•
00 - Alderperson Haihe -
m PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE -
m
Mayor Gutenberger. ;ted all present in the Pledge of Allegiance
to the'American flag. .
ADDITIONS TO.THE AGENDA:
Alderperson Cummings requested discussion of the As Quad
issue.
No Alderperson objected. •
Mayor Gutenberger.remarked that he would be= calling for-an
r-' Executive Session later in the meeting to discuss_ the Department
of Social Services and the Ag Quad.
NON-SALTING POLICY ON DOWNTOWN STREETS: " '
Mayor Gutenberger spoke to Council regarding the problems •
experienced during the last two snowstorms due to the new
policy the City adopted to use no salt in the downtown flat
areas. . Numerous complaints from citizens .and lawyers have
• been received. -
He asked Council to consider suspending the policy until
it can be looked at more carefully and a new policy worked
out. .
Discussion followed on the floor.
Resolution
By Alderperson Cummings: Seconded by Alderperson Killeen
RESOLVED, That the City suspend its "No Salt" policy in '
the downtown areas until March 1, 1986.. .
Discussion followed on the floor.
Amending Resolution .
By. Alderperson Dennis: Seconded by Alderperson Killeen
RESOLVED, That. the City suspend its "No Salt" policy in •
the downtown areas until the policy can be further investigated.
Discussion followed on the floor.
Alderpersons Dennis and Killeen withdrew their resolution.
4 . ....40 .
•
326
-2- February 10, 1986
Amending Resolution
By Alderperson Dennis: Seconded by Alderperson Killeen
RESOLVED, That the -date in the first resolution be changed
to May 1, 1986. -
Discussion followed 'on the floor. '
A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (6) - Schlather, Romanowski, Cummings, Booth, Dennis, •
Killeen • -
Nays (3) - Lytel, Hoffman, Peterson ' .
Absent (1) - Haine •
Carried
A vote on the Main Motion-as- amended resulted as follows:
Ayes (S) - Romanowski, Booth, Dennis, Killen,. Cummings . '
Nays .(4) - Schlather, Lytel, Peterson, Hoffman
Absent.(1) - Haine
-The Main Motion was defeated for lack of six'positive votes.
EXECUTIVE'SESSION
By Alderperson Killeen: Seconded by Alderperson Schlather •
RESOLVED, That the Council adjourn into Executive Session
at 5•:45 P.M. to discuss the Department of Social Services •
and the \Ag Quad - Cornell. •
Carried •
REGULAR SESSION: -
By Alderperson Romanowski: Seconded by Alderperson Cummings
RESOLVED, That the Council reconvene in Regular Session at
7:15 P.M. ' _
Carried .
Authorization for Mayor to Negotiate with County Board of
Representatives
By Alderperson Schlather: Seconded by Alderperson Killeen
RESOLVED, That the Mayor is authorized to conduct negotiations
with the County Board of Representatives for the twenty year
lease of City Hall and Annex fox use .by the Tompkins County
Department of Social Servi-ees contingent upon sale of said
premises to a third party buyer at or greater than an estab-
lished upset price.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (9) - Dennis, Killeen, Booth,- Peterson, Hoffman,
Romanowski, Schlather, Cummings, Lytel
Absent (1) - Haine
- Carried
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 P.M.
// , dr
Callista F. Paolange i Ai, n . utenierger / 1
Deputy City Clerk ayor
•
. -11- April 3, 1985 125
RESOLVED, That -the following criteria shall be used.by the Coalition in its review
of requests: -
A-1 The proposal must meet all federal revenue sharing requirements.•
A-2 The applicant must complete the Human Services Coalition review.
B. The Coalition shall award points for the degree to which the
.proposal -meets'the following criteria, on a scale of 1 to 5,.
5 being the most desirable rating, for each criterion; if .appli-
cant does not supply sufficient-information for Coalition to
make a judgment, proposal receives zero points in each such case.
1 Agency will serve'City residents at least in 'proportion of
Revenue Sharing-lunding requested "compared to total program
. budget; budgets for 1985 and 1986, and financial reports for
1983 end 1984 should be submitted with' application; other funding
sources' :sought `for 1986 should=be enumerated. .
-2 The proposal *ills serve an' identifiable.need-wli .ch does not
- duplicat6. another .'Service,• , (--' - • •
-3 The proposal will result in a-direct savings to the City in its
. implementation; .specify a dollar -amount if possible.
m -4 The proposal is designed to effectively meet the needs of its
• • m -clients; proposal includes measurable objectives. . .
Q -5 Applicant's agency demonstrates sound management practices.
-6 Population to be served by proposal can be shown to be 'a popu-
lation in financial -need. -
-7 Agency has thoroughly sought other: sources of funding. .
-8 Smaller amount requests to be .favored under the point system:
• • 42000 'or less Q S points - $2001-5000 = 3 points
$5001 -. 10,000 a 1 point over $10,000 = 0 points
and be it further -
RESOLVED, That the HumaniServices Coalition shall review all pro-
. posals that meet-Criteria A-1 and A-2 (above) , may comment on the
requested dollar amount and. may .recommend funding at a lower amount,
and shall inform the applicant of the Coalition's recommendation and
. make a• copy. of such report available to the applicant.
. Discussion followed on the floor.' -
- A vote on the resolution resulted-as follows:
Ayes (9)-. - Peterson, 'Hoffman, Killeen, Haine, Dennis, Holdsworth,
Myers, Romanowski, Schlather
Nay (1) - Cummings - .
Carried
Road• Salting
By Alderperson Hoffman:* Seconded by Alderperson Peterson
WHEREAS, the City.Of Ithaca adopted a minimal road'salting policy in
1976 and identified which locations to. be treated with -salt on a
• priority basis, and
WHEREAS, members of Common Council have received numerous complaints
about the amount of road salt used this winter season and the time
and location of the application of the salt, and
WHEREAS, the Human Services Committee has recommended that the salting
policy and actual practices of the City should be reviewed; now,
! therefore, be it
' RESOLVED, That the Human Services Committee be authorized to forward
a letter of concern about road salting to the Board of Public Works
and Superintendent Dougherty, and be it further
•
1.2C -12 April 3; 1985
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works and the Conservation Advisory
Council be and they hereby are requested to review the existing road
salting-policy and make final recommendations to the Board•of Public
Works for modification of the same as appropriate for the 1985-1986
winter season.
• Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the.resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (9) - PeteriOn, Hoffman, •Killeen, Haine; Dennis,- Myers,
Romanowski,' Schlather, Cummings !
Nay (1) -- Holdsworth . •
- . Carried •
BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE:
'Energy Improvement Funds •
by-Alderperson_Dennis.:. - Seconded by Alderperson Killeen
WHEREAS,-an investigation.has been conducted into "the purchase and
installation of a domestic hot water heater for the Central Fire
Station, and
WHEREAS, an annual power savings of $1,560 has been estimated, and
WHEREAS, this project has been endorsed by the Energy Commission and
' the Board of Fire Commissioners; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Common Council approves the release of funds in
an amount not to exceed $4,500, from Capital Reserve -No. 24 - :Energy
Program Improvements, for. the purchase and installation of a' domestic
hot water heater at'Central Fire Station.
Carried Unanimously
1984 Finance Department Annual Report •
by Alderperson Dennis: Seconded by.Alderperson Schlather
RESOLVED, That this Common Council acknowledges the receipt of the
1984 Finance Department Annual Report.
Carried Unanimously
•
Audit
by Alderperson Dennis: Seconded by Alderperson Killeen
RESOLVED, That the bills audited and approved by the Budget and
Administration Committee, in the total amount of $7,481.27, as
listed-on Audit Abstract #6/1985,• be approved for payment:
Carried Unanimously
Asst. to Supt. of Public Works Appointment
by Alderperson Dennis: Seconded by Alderperson Killeen
RESOLVED, That Salvatore Priore be provisionally appointed to the
position of Assistant to the Super.intendent of Public Works, at an
annual salary of $29,962 for the year 1985, effective March 25, 1985,
as recommended by the Board of Public Works.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (9) - Peterson, Hoffman; Killeen, Haine, Dennis, Holdsworth,
Cummings, Myers, Romanowski
Nay (1) - Schlather
Carried
Asst. to Supt. of Public Works Moving. Expenses
By Alderperson Dennis: Seconded by Alderperson Haine •
RESOLVED, That an amount not to exceed $•580 be authorized for reim-
bursement of moving expenses for the newly appointed Assistant to the
Superintendent of Public Works, as recommended by the Board of Public
Works.
Carried Unanimously
C.S.E.A. - Administrative Unit Contract -
By Alderperson Dennis: Seconded by Alderperson Schlather
RESOLVED, That the Agreement between the City of Ithaca and the Ithaca