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Home My WebLink AboutMN-CC-BPW-2011-06-28COMMON COUNCIL-BOARD OF PUBLIC WORK PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Special Meeting 7:00 p.m. June 28, 2011 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Alderpersons (7) Dotson, Rosario, Clairborne, Rooker, Myrick, Cogan, Mohlenhoff BPW Commissioners (5) Wykstra, Morache, Goldsmith, Warden, Acharya OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk – Conley Holcomb Superintendent of Public Works – Gray EXCUSED: Alderpersons (3) Coles, McCollister, Zumoff BPW Commissioner Jenkins PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Peterson led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: 2.1 Petitions and Hearings of Persons before Common Council and the Board of Public Works on the Question of “Should the City of Ithaca Allow Installation of Nets by Cornell University as a Suicide Means Restriction Under its 3 Identified Bridges (Stewart Avenue over Fall Creek, Stewart Avenue over Cascadilla Creek, Thurston Avenue over Fall Creek) Mayor Peterson opened the public comment period noting that she had received 24 e- mails from members of the public who could not be present at the meeting. The following people spoke in favor of the installation of nets on the bridges: Larry Roberts, Finger Lakes Independence Center Micaela Corazon, Suicide Crisis Center Janet Corson-Rikert, Cornell University Mental Health Professional Caroline Cox, Suicide Prevention Board of Directors Bill Heffner, High School Guidance Counselor Gilbert Delgado, Cornell University Architect Bill Rusen, Cayuga Addiction Recovery Service Social Worker Beth Jenkins, Director of Mental Health Association Joanne Florino Dan Slattery, Retired Ithaca Police Officer Zach Helsper, affiliated with Cornell University Susan Lewis, affiliated with Cornell University Sharon Dittman, read a statement on behalf of someone affiliated with Cornell University Adam Gitlin, member of Means Restriction Committee Lauren Elan – Cornell Residence Hall Director John Mueller, Mental Health Task Force Leader/Student Assembly Catherine Thrasher-Carroll, Gannett Health Clinic Kirsten Eynav read a statement from Brian Carroll Joan Spielholz Henry Gerson, Cayuga Medical Center Mental Health Julie Paige, Cornell University Crisis Manager Bradford Carruth Andrew Magre, Cornell University Architect Joel Harlan Greg Ehls read a statement from Dr. Bob Mendala Marilou Slattery Ken Clarke, Cornell University Religious Center Helen Kineke June 28, 2011 2 Chris Clarke, Cornell University Graduate Student Rick Kline Janis Whitlock Janet Shortall Peter Miller Ann Shumate, former Cornell University employee. She spoke on behalf of Nina Miller as well. Pam Mackesey, questioned the costs of installation and on-going maintenance and which entity would be responsible for it. Tim Marchell, Cornell University responded to comments made by the speakers and added additional information to various points. The following people spoke in opposition to the installation of nets on the city-owned bridges: Jesse Polenburg Stephan von Reuss David Huland Heather Bissell Fay Gougakis 2.2 Next Steps - Discussion Mayor Peterson noted that Common Council, at the Planning and Economic Development Committee meeting, expressed its wishes to make the final decision regarding means restrictions with input from the Board of Public Works. She noted that a formal resolution would be forwarded to Common Council for consideration. BPW Commissioner Wykstra stated that the Board of Public Works is charged with the oversight of the bridges and he believes that the Board should consider this issue as well, with Common Council having the final decision. BPW Commissioner Archarya stated that he believes that Common Council should make the final decision; however, the final aspects really need to be considered (i.e. maintenance). He further questioned what Cornell University’s role would be. Mayor Peterson stated that Cornell needs to explore the longevity of the product and the repair and maintenance costs. She noted that the City would need to know all of the associated costs involved before a final decision could be made. BPW Commissioner Goldsmith noted that procedurally, he felt that the Board of Public Works should consider the issue first and then forward it on to Common Council. He stated that Cornell should be responding to this problem even more generously. He stated that he has not seen a proposal from Cornell University yet and that more detailed facts are needed. Alderperson Cogan stated that there are many “non-infrastructure” issues related to this topic, noting that the Board could discuss the infrastructure issues; however, Common Council should start conversations about the required environmental review and financial issues now. He stated that he has been opposed to the bridge barriers; however, he could be convinced that the nets could be successful but not at the taxpayers cost. He noted that he is hesitant to take on any on-going costs and needs to see a more detailed proposal. Alderperson Rooker stated that there are lots of things to be considered, and noted his frustration with the continued separation of Cornell students from the greater community. Larry Roberts, Disability Advisory Council (DAC) Liaison to the Board of Public Works noted that the DAC has expressed its opinion on this issue early on and will express another opinion as discussions on this issue progress. June 28, 2011 3 Mayor Peterson clarified that this issue would be a topic for Special Common Council meetings for the entire Council to consider and would not go through the more typical committee process. Alderperson Dotson stated that she appreciates being able to work on this issue collaboratively with the Board of Public Works as the City needs to make its stand on this issue known. She voiced her agreement with Alderperson Cogan’s statement regarding maintenance costs given the City’s budget status, and stated that she needs to see a more formal proposal from Cornell University. Alderperson Mohlenhoff noted that when this process was started, the City asked for data, innovation, and creativity and she feels like the City got that in the proposal that is being made. She voiced her confidence that representatives from the City of Ithaca and Cornell University can come together to figure out how to finance this solution. BPW Commissioner Wykstra noted how productive joint meetings of Common Council and the Board of Public Works had been during the water plant discussions and suggested that a couple more joint meetings be scheduled to work through all of the associated issues. BPW Commissioner Acharya, Liaison to the Planning Board, reported that the Planning Board is considering declaring lead agency status for the environmental review of the impact of nets on the City bridges. The Board of Public Works or Common Council will have to either sign-off or challenge that action if they feel it is appropriate. The Planning Board will be conducting the site plan review. Next Joint Meeting Topics: • Presentation from Cornell University on the net product (not design) • Reports from DPW, IPD, IFD regarding associated issues (maintenance, whether the location of the nets will interfere with DPW /utility maintenance on the bridges, emergency response, etc.) • Monetary costs and who will be responsible • The roles means restrictions play in a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention and what else is being done to address suicide prevention and alcohol abuse in the community • Failure of rates of netting / challenges of inspections / clarity on liability issues / severity of survivor injuries ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m. ______________________________ _______________________________ Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Carolyn K. Peterson, City Clerk Mayor