HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-2002-12-11 COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Special Meeting 7:00 pm December 11, 2002
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Alderpersons (9) Manos, Pryor, Whitmore, Vaughan, Blumenthal,
Mack, Peterson, Cogan, Hershey
OTHERS PRESENT:
Deputy Clerk – Korherr
City Attorney – Schwab
Planning and Development Director – Van Cort
Economic Development Director – McDonald
Superintendent of Public Works – Gray
Deputy Planning and Development Director – Cornish
EXCUSED: Sams
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
By Alderperson Cogan: Seconded by Alderperson Mack
RESOLVED, That Common Council adjourn into Executive Session to discuss a
mattering regarding land acquisition.
Carried Unanimously
Common Council reconvened into regular session with no formal action taken.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
2.1. Selection of a Preferred Developer for the Cayuga Green Project -
Resolution
By Alderperson Pryor : Seconded by Alderperson Whitmore
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has by pervious resolutions expressed its commitment to
the Cayuga Green Project as a cornerstone in the continuing revitalization of the central
business district
WHEREAS, the City has issued a request for proposals to development companies for
proposals for the redevelopment of City owned land south and east of the County
Library and under the Green Street Garage, and
WHEREAS, four proposals were received and reviewed by City officials, the City’s
consultant from the National Development Council (NDC) and a representative of the
Ithaca Downtown Partnership project, and a recommendation has been made to the
Common Council; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Common Council does hereby direct the Mayor, the Chair of the
Cayuga Green Client Committee and the Director of Planning and Development to
negotiate a preferred developer agreement and any other legal instruments necessary
for implementation of the housing and commercial component s of the Cayuga Green
Development project with the DiMarco Groups, and be it further
RESOLVED, That any such agreements be brought to Common Council for approval
before execution.
December 11, 2002
2
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (8) Manos, Pryor, Whitmore, Mack, Peterson, Cogan, Hershey, Vaughan
Nays (0)
Abstentions (1) Blumenthal
Carried
2.2 A Resolution to Halt Construction on the Inlet Island Promenade Project,
Pending Approval of Agreement between Cornell and the City of Ithaca
By Alderperson Mack : Seconded by Alderperson Blumenthal
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency and the City of Ithaca have undertaken
a project to construct an Inlet Island Promenade, and
WHEREAS, The Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency has received a $200,000 CCI grant, a
$175,000 City contribution, and a $77,000 County contribution for DOT related planning,
and all of the necessary permits for the project, and
WHEREAS, a contract has been signed on behalf of the Board of Public Works by
Superintendent Gray, and construction on the project has begun, and
WHEREAS, the Ithaca rowing community has recently voiced concerns regarding the
negative impacts that a seawall will have on the quality of rowing activity in Ithaca, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has entered a Memorandum of Understanding
Concerning Cayuga Inlet Island Promenade Design and Construction Matters Affecting
Rowing with Cornell, and
WHEREAS, due to time constraints set forth within the various permit applications and
grants, the City can afford no more than a 3 week project delay, now be it
RESOLVED, That pursuant to the Ithaca City Charter, section 61, Common Council
hereby directs Superintendent Gray, acting on behalf of the Board of Public Works, to
immediately suspend all construction work on the Inlet Island Promenade Project, and
be it further
RESOLVED, That at a special meeting on ___________________________, Common
Council will determine whether or not to direct Superintendent Gray to resume
construction work or take some other course of action, based on the review of proposed
design updates and negotiations between Cornell and the City, and be it further
RESOLVED, That if no action can be agreed on by a majority of Common Council at
the special meeting on ____________________, Superintendent Gray will be directed
to immediately resume work on the Inlet Island Promenade Project.
Substitute Resolution
By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Manos
RESOLVED, That the following language replace the moved resolution:
“WHEREAS, the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency and the City of Ithaca have undertaken
a project to construct an Inlet Island Promenade, and
WHEREAS, The Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency has received a $200,000 CCI grant, a
$175,000 City contribution, and a $77,000 County contribution for DOT related planning,
and all of the necessary permits for the project, and
WHEREAS, a contract has been signed on behalf of the Board of Public Works by
Superintendent Gray, and construction on the project has begun, and
WHEREAS, the Ithaca rowing community has recently voiced concerns regarding the
negative impacts that a seawall may have on the quality of rowing activity in Ithaca, and
December 11, 2002
3
WHEREAS, Cornell University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding
Concerning Cayuga Inlet Island Promenade Design and Construction Matters Affecting
Rowing, stating, among other things, that the City will suspend construction for a two
week period beginning 12/12/2002 and Cornell University will pay all reasonable costs
associated with the delay, and
WHEREAS, due to time constraints set forth within the various permit applications and
grants, the City can afford no more than a 3 week project delay, now be it
RESOLVED, That the Mayor is authorized to sign the above referenced Memorandum
of Understanding between the City and Cornell University, and be it further
RESOLVED, That pursuant to the Ithaca City Charter, section 61, Common Council
hereby directs Superintendent Gray, acting on behalf of the Board of Public Works, to
immediately suspend all construction work on the Inlet Island Promenade Project, and
be it further
RESOLVED, Superintendent Bill Gray, acting on behalf of the Board of Public Works is
directed to immediately resume construction work on the Inlet Island Promenade Project
on 12/26/2002, unless Common Council takes affirmative contrary action prior to that
date. “
Amending Resolution
By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Hershey
RESOLVED, That the following language replace the substitute resolution:
“WHEREAS, the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency and the City of Ithaca have undertaken
a project to construct an Inlet Island Promenade, and
WHEREAS, funding for the project has come from a $200,000 CCI grant, a $175,000
City contribution, and a $77,000 County contribution for DOT related planning, and all of
the necessary permits for the project, and
WHEREAS, a contract has been signed on behalf of the Board of Public Works by
Superintendent Gray, and construction on the project has begun, and
WHEREAS, the Ithaca rowing community, including but not limited to representatives
from Cornell University, Ithaca College, and the Cascadilla Boat Club, have recently
voiced concerns regarding the negative impacts that a seawall may have on the quality
of rowing activity in Ithaca, and
WHEREAS, Cornell University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding
Concerning Cayuga Inlet Island Promenade Design and Construction Matters Affecting
Rowing, stating, among other things, that the City will suspend construction for a two
week period beginning 12/12/2002 and Cornell University will pay all reasonable costs
associated with the delay, and
WHEREAS, due to time constraints set forth within the various permit applications and
grants, the City can afford no more than a 3 week project delay, now be it
RESOLVED, That the Mayor is authorized to sign the above referenced Memorandum
of Understanding between the City and Cornell University, and be it further
RESOLVED, That pursuant to the Ithaca City Charter, section 61, Common Council
hereby directs Superintendent Gray, acting on behalf of the Board of Public Works, to
immediately suspend all construction work on the Inlet Island Promenade Project, and
be it further
RESOLVED, Superintendent Bill Gray, acting on behalf of the Board of Public Works is
directed to immediately resume construction work on the Inlet Island Promenade Project
on 12/26/2002, unless Common Council takes affirmative contrary action prior to that
date. “
December 11, 2002
4
Vote on Substitute Resolution
A vote on the substitute resolution as amended resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Amending Resolution
By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Cogan
RESOLVED, That the following whereas clause replace the 5th WHEREAS:
“WHEREAS, Cornell University has signed a document entitled Memorandum of
Understanding Concerning Cayuga Inlet Island Promenade Design and Construction
Matters Affecting Rowing dated December 11, 2002, stating, among other things, that
the City will immediately suspend construction for a two week period beginning
12/12/2002 and Cornell University will pay all reasonable costs associated with the
delay, and”
Carried Unanimously
Amending Resolution
By Alderperson Manos : Seconded by Alderperson Hershey
RESOLVED, That the following whereas clause replace the 5th WHEREAS:
“WHEREAS, Cornell University has signed a document entitled Memorandum of
Understanding Concerning Cayuga Inlet Island Promenade Design and Construction
Matters Affecting Rowing dated December 11, 2002, stating, among other things, that
the City will immediately suspend construction work on the proposed concrete bulkhead
and associated features as presently designed, for a two week period beginning
12/12/2002 and Cornell University will pay all reasonable costs associated with the
delay, and”, be it further
RESOLVED, That the following whereas clause replace the 4th WHEREAS:
“WHEREAS, the Ithaca rowing community, including but not limited to representatives
from Cornell University, Ithaca College, and the Cascadilla Boat Club, have recently
voiced concerns including the negative impacts that a seawall may have on the quality
of rowing activity in Ithaca, and”
Carried Unanimously
Vote on the Main Motion As Amended
A vote on the main motion, which reads as follows, resulted as follows:
A Resolution to Halt Construction on the Inlet Island Promenade Project, Pending
Approval of Agreement between Cornell and the City of Ithaca
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency and the City of Ithaca have undertaken
a project to construct an Inlet Island Promenade, and
WHEREAS, funding for the project has come from a $200,000 CCI grant, a $175,000
City contribution, and a $77,000 County contribution for DOT related planning, and all of
the necessary permits for the project, and
WHEREAS, a contract has been signed on behalf of the Board of Public Works by
Superintendent Gray, and construction on the project has begun, and
WHEREAS, the Ithaca rowing community, including but not limited to representatives
from Cornell University, Ithaca College, and the Cascadilla Boat Club, have recently
voiced concerns including the negative impacts that a seawall may have on the quality
of rowing activity in Ithaca, and
WHEREAS, Cornell University has signed a document entitled Memorandum of
Understanding Concerning Cayuga Inlet Island Promenade Design and Construction
Matters Affecting Rowing dated December 11, 2002, stating, among other things, that
the City will immediately suspend construction work on the proposed concrete bulkhead
and associated features as presently designed, for a two week period beginning
12/12/2002 and Cornell University will pay all reasonable costs associated with the
delay, and
December 11, 2002
5
WHEREAS, due to time constraints set forth within the various permit applications and
grants, the City can afford no more than a 3 week project delay, now be it
RESOLVED, That the Mayor is authorized to sign the above referenced Memorandum
of Understanding between the City and Cornell University, and be it further
RESOLVED, That pursuant to the Ithaca City Charter, section 61, Common Council
hereby directs Superintendent Gray, acting on behalf of the Board of Public Works, to
immediately suspend all construction work on the Inlet Island Promenade Project, and
be it further
RESOLVED, Superintendent Bill Gray, acting on behalf of the Board of Public Works is
directed to immediately resume construction work on the Inlet Island Promenade Project
on 12/27/2002, unless Common Council takes affirmative contrary action prior to that
date.
Carried Unanimously
Note: A Special Common Council Meeting will be held Thursday December 26, 2002
7:00 pm to continue discussion on the Inlet Island Promenade Project.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 9:10 P.M.
________________________ _______________________
Robin Korherr Alan J. Cohen,
Deputy City Clerk Mayor