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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-NPS-2009-04-06Neighborhood and Public Safety Committee Minutes Monday, April 6, 2009 Committee Members Present: J.R. Clairborne, Robin Korherr, Svante Myrick, Chair Nancy Schuler and Joel Zumoff Other Elected Officials Present: Maria Coles, Mayor Carolyn Peterson Staff present: Chief Brian Wilbur; Ithaca Fire Department Others present: Ken Deschere 1. Meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. 2. Announcements Mayor Carolyn Peterson announced the City of Ithaca's award from the State Health Commissioner on our smoke free public places initiatives. Nancy Schuler added that Cortland County is also involved with this campaign. 3. Agenda Review No Changes 4. Approval of Minutes Since the Minutes hadn't been attached to the agenda they will be voted on at the next meeting of the committee. 5. Public Comment John Hunt of the City of Ithaca spoke about the expansion of the fire training center. Smoke blows on to the golf course. It's his opinion that it will be a hazard to waterfront trail users, when built. It needs to be near a water source /hydrant —that would work better. Tom Hanna of the City of Ithaca — Friends of Newman —since 2006, has taken on the role of preservation of the course, including developing a master plan, and location of phase 3 of the Cayuga Waterfront trail. Master plan doesn't reference the facility, but the facility need not necessarily be there in the future. Met with Chief Brian Wilbur and was very impressed. Ready to work with Chief and the city to get that facility moved and become what it can be. 6. Response to Public Nancy also commented on the meeting with Chief Wilbur, Mark Babbage and Tom Hanna. It was a very positive meeting regarding the future of the fire training center. 7. Ken Deschere gave an update on TCE and South Hill contamination issues. Joel Zumoff asked if remediation over soil by asphalt is then a parking lot with run off? Ken doesn't think so. It keeps the toxins "in ". Maria said that on Wednesday, Dan Hoffman, Jennifer Dotson, the mayor and herself are meeting to draft a response to the DEC on this topic, especially noting city sewers as conduits. She is concerned about the superficial fix of boarding up buildings and leaving them there. Ken told her that after the 60's responsibility for these sites went from localities to the DEC. This was a failure. J.R. asked about Clinton Street contamination and why a different DEC office? Ken really doesn't know. They seem to be doing a good job. Is there a difference working with DEC now? Yes, Mary Jane Peachy was reluctant, and a naysayer. Greg Townsend is a lot more responsive and involved. Attitudes are better with different staff. Mayor Peterson asked are the sewers still contaminated and conducting toxins? Ken replied how much went through sewers intentionally? How much leaked out? There are preferential pathways along and around the sewers. Both are probably now still flowing. 8. Chief Brian Wilbur — Ithaca Fire Department Training Center Expansion Proposal —Power Point Slides 1. Showed location 2. Burn building is presently used for smoke and heat events 3. Responders from the region use this -all county Fire Departments plus Cortland, Cayuga, Seneca, Tioga, Schuyler Counties, private businesses and collaboration with Tompkins County DOER. Out of county pays for use. The site includes a burn building, vehicle extrication and car fire area, forcible entry simulator, confined space rescue, rope rescue, ventilation simulator, flammable gas fire simulator, and a class room building. They are often forced to train outside, not the best learning environment. The current air pack maze needs repair. A new building could house the maze. The proposal is to attach to the existing building 35' x 45' x 20', inside the fence, including gear storage, and an additional restroom. There could be a phased approach for training center needs in the future. The Ithaca Fire Department center is a valuable resource. Short term is 1 - 2 years, mid term 2 - 6 years, and long term 7 -10 years. Three to five million dollars would be needed for new land and center. It should be environmentally sound. The short term option buys time. Mid term planning includes collaboration and cooperation with partners, a planning phase, needs assessment, current technology, a location, (needs PR coordination, central location) preferably within city, and securing funding — federal and state monies. Long term - It would be years before a new facility would be built. What we have now is what we have —no short term alternative. Training needs are increasing. Joel asked where in the city of Ithaca could a new facility go? Chief Wilbur suggested beyond Commercial Ave., beyond Cherry St. or maybe in the town, but would like a stable contract with the Town first. Chief Wilbur —would like TC3 & IFD to create a curriculum. Site selection is the toughest thing we have. The mayor commented that there is no space for a state of the art facility in the current location. Robin said that she likes the long term solution within Tompkins County because there are many other non city users. She suggested a location up near the airport. J.R. asked about partnering with the Ithaca Police Department and Bangs Ambulance Company. Chief Wilbur said that law enforcement agencies use it now, as does Cornell's Environment, Health & Safety. J.R. suggested a joint cooperative effort. Chief Wilbur noted that it could be a great win /win all around. Discussion —is this ready to resend to City Administration? Nancy, Maria and Svante said yes —J.R. and Robin would like to know more about a re -use possibility. Chief Wilbur then spoke on Resource Recovery Legislation. There is a difference in opinions from attorneys on what we can and cannot do. There are 12 gorge rescues a year, motor vehicle extractions, confined space, water rescues, and industrial disentanglements. Some need extraordinary resources, not a walk in walk out situation. Three - five K averages for extraordinary costs, i.e. overtime vehicle /equipment costs, injuries, equipment damage. Tax payers underwrite risky behavior. Recovery of costs if violation of law, ticket given, and is a rescue not recovery. 1. Is this legal? 2. Proposed legislation for city and town could be prepared. IFD can recover costs for hazmat incidents — federal and local authorization. Some agencies use 3rd party billing to insurance companies. Next steps include review by City Attorney and possible draft legislation to Common Council and the Ithaca Town Board. The Board of Fire Commissioners have okayed this. Joel Zumoff asked how does one define what is billable? How many incidents a year /and costs to recover? Chief Wilbur said that unfortunately people do risky things. For gorge rescues, half are ticketable. OSHA is another ticketing agency. Robin said that we owe it to the Board of Fire Commissioners to take this forward. The board has a list of extraordinary incidents, and their costs. Chief Wilbur is bringing this topic to the Gorge Safety Task Force and will report back. J.R. said he is concerned about recouping for gorge rescues as opposed to tickets for, say, trench rescue. The individual pays vs. insurance /business pay -outs. Chief Wilbur noted that this is not a fine, but an invoice. An appeal system could be written in the law. 9. Topics and Goals for 2009— Nancy sees this as a "Quality of Life" committee, and preventing the "broken window syndrome" through enforcement, and working with neighborhood groups to deal with their concerns and to be the eyes and ears on their blocks. An example is graffiti on public and private property. She would like to examine how to use the newsletter and website for neighborhoods to act as the eyes of the area and call in locations to be dealt with. We can work with neighborhood associations and our website to report on areas that need attention. Mayor Peterson mentioned that the parking group is looking into graffiti removal service. J.R. suggested community service or judicial service from the colleges. J.R. would like to discuss odd /even parking and Nancy included the 24 hour parking limit. Svante noted a trash meeting in Collegetown. There are only three trash cans in Collegetown, with pick up on Monday and Friday. The Greek system has offered to buy cans. They can partner with student agencies and kids could design cans. Eight cans would be added. The issue was brought to the Board of Public Works. The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.; moved by Svante Myrick and seconded by Robin Korherr 7