HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-2005-08-04COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Special Meeting 7:00 p.m. August 4, 2005
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Alderpersons (10) Coles, Mackesey, Whitmore Berry, Tomlan, Zumoff, Taylor,
Townsend, Cogan, Korherr
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
Planning and Development Director – Van Cort
Economic Development Planner - Kusznir
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Peterson led all present in the pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
PETITIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE COUNCIL:
The following people addressed Council in favor of the Cayuga Green Project:
Jevon Garrett, Business Owner – City of Ithaca
Joel Harlan, Town of Newfield
Joseph Gaylord, Business on the Commons
Ken Jupiter, Business on the Commons
Gary Ferguson, Ithaca Downtown Partnership Director
Mack Travis – Office in City of Ithaca
Rob Steuteville, City of Ithaca
Ian Colgan, City of Ithaca
Carol Schmoock, Business – City of Ithaca
John Schroeder, City of Ithaca
Alan Cohen, City of Ithaca
The following people addressed Council in opposition of the Cayuga Green Project:
John Graves, City of Ithaca
Sarah Adams, City of Ithaca
Anne Shapiro, Town of Ithaca
Marilyn Rivchin, Town of Ithaca
James Tull, Business – Village of Lansing
Patti Jacobson, City of Ithaca
David Schwartz, Town of Lansing
Fay Gougakis, City of Ithaca
Jennifer Dotson, Vice Chair of the Board of Public Works addressed Council to make
them aware of the Board’s requests:
1.) Use Green Street garage through the Summer of 2006, so that city personnel are
not stretched and to address some of the financial implications.
2.) Include the Board of Public Works in future decisions.
She further addressed Council as a member of the City of Ithaca Planning Board to
make them aware of some of the Planning Board’s requests:
1.) Create a Transportation Demand sub-committee as parking garages are not usually
money makers. She further stated that parking demand estimates should be available
before a decision is made.
Lynne Cohen, Town of Candor, and 7th Art Member, addressed Council to state that the
7th Art is in favor of the Cayuga Green Project in general, but that they had concerns
about the Regal Theatre expansion and whether 31 screens are feasible for the Ithaca
area.
Common Council Meeting Minutes
August 4, 2005
Page 2
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
Green Garage Reconstruction - Resolution
By Alderperson Cogan: Seconded by Alderperson Whitmore
WHEREAS, the Green Garage was constructed in 1974, and
WHEREAS, the Garage has undergone periodic repairs, including last winter’s
temporary repairs on the bridges, helices, and decks, and
WHEREAS, the City has had three major studies completed on the condition of the
garage, by Novelli Engineering, Stantec Engineering and Carl Walker, and
WHEREAS, each of the studies on the garage identified the need for serious structural
repairs on the helices and the bridges in the very near future, and
WHEREAS, on August 21, 2003, the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency, in its capacity as
property owner, designated Bloomfield Interests as the Preferred Developer and a
qualified and eligible sponsor to acquire the Cayuga Green Project Phase II project site,
which includes the helix, and
WHEREAS, on September 3, 2003, the Common Council passed a resolution
confirming the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency’s designation of Bloomfield Interests as
the City’s Preferred Developer for the Cayuga Green Phase II project,
WHEREAS, Bloomfield Interests indicates the proposed Cayuga Green II Development
Project is contingent on the removal of the helix, and
WHEREAS, on July 2, 2002, the Common Council unanimously passed a resolution
approving the demolition of the helix and the bridges leading to and from it, demolition
and reconstruction of the central and western sections of the Green Garage, and repair
and maintenance of the two levels of parking over the Rothschild building, as part of the
redevelopment of downtown, and
WHEREAS, on December 15, 2004, Council passed a resolution that confirmed its
commitment to removing the helix so that the Cayuga Green II Development Project
could proceed, and established a capital project for the further study and design of the
Garage, and
WHEREAS, Carl Walker, Inc. was hired out of this Capital Project to develop repair
options for the Garage, and
WHEREAS, Carl Walker, Inc. has presented the City with the following alternatives:
OPTION 0: Garage Restoration – This option repairs the garage in its present
state for use for up to another 20 years.
OPTION 4: Demolish Helices, Bridge & Middle Section. Construct Two Levels
of Supported Parking, with an internal ramp.
OPTION 4A: Demolish Helices, Bridge & Middle Section. Construct Two Levels
of Supported Parking. Add architectural skin to western section of garage and
enclosed, temperature controlled trash area.
OPTION 6: Demolish Helices, Bridge, Middle & West Sections; Add 3 New
Levels of Supported Parking.
OPTION 7: Demolish Helices, Bridge, Middle & West Sections; Reconstruct only
the center third portion with 4 levels of parking and internal ramping; and
Common Council Meeting Minutes
August 4, 2005
Page 3
WHEREAS, the existing capital project has sufficient funds for completion of the design
phase of the chosen alternative and will need to be amended to fund the construction of
the Garage; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Common Council does hereby instruct staff to direct the architect
to complete the design through construction documents on OPTION 4, which consists
of demolition of helices, bridges, and middle section and construction of two levels of
supported parking, and an internal ramp, and be it further
RESOLVED, That a final recommended design, with cost estimate, for the Green
Garage Reconstruction project be brought back to Common Council for approval and
funding authorization for construction.
Amending Resolution:
By Alderperson Zumoff: Seconded by Alderperson Berry
RESOLVED, That the first Resolved Clause be amended to replace Option 4 with
Option 4A.
Alderperson Taylor spoke in opposition to the amendment. A vote on the Resolution
resulted as follows:
Ayes (2) Zumoff, Berry
Nays (8) Coles, Mackesey, Whitmore, Tomlan, Taylor, Townsend,
Korherr, Cogan
Failed
Alderperson Coles stated that she considers the proposed development to be good for
downtown, however she has concerns about the city’s finances. She further voiced
concerns that there is no revenue history for the Southwest development and
Downtown projects, and that the projections are based upon assumptions. She stated
that the City needs more time to assess the financial implications.
Alderperson Korherr thanked the speakers for coming to the meeting. She stated that
Council does not have enough information on this project and that taxpayers cannot
support the project through property taxes. She stated that she could not support this
proposal due to the cost of the project.
Alderperson Cogan voiced his opinion that Option #4 is the most fiscally prudent thing
to do. He stated that doing nothing is not an option because the repairs made to the
garage in 2004 will not last through 2006. He stated that the City would pay more in the
long run for repairs to the garage because of additional deterioration and inflation. The
garage has a long history of deferred repairs that have caused its current state of
deterioration.
Alderperson Zumoff stated that it doesn’t make sense to repair the garage for the short
term, and noted that the garage and the theatre are not directly related to one another.
Mayor Peterson clarified that the timeline for this project is being driven by the 2006
budget process, and not by the developer’s timelines.
Alderperson Berry voiced her opinion of the pros and cons of the project, and the
difference between perception and reality. She stated that she believes that the project
should be deferred for two years.
Alderperson Taylor stated that the theatre would draw people in the 16 to 24 year old
age bracket, and that Ithaca’s median age is 22. He believes that this project would
define this Council and downtown Ithaca for years to come, and described it as a smart
growth opportunity for Ithaca. He further stated that repairs to the Green Street garage
would be money spent on a depreciating investment.
Common Council Meeting Minutes
August 4, 2005
Page 4
Alderperson Mackesey stated that everyone wants what is best for downtown, however
there is a serious financial shortfall and the City Controller has voiced concern about the
project. She further stated that the commitment to demolish the helix did not have a
timeline attached to it due to expressed financial concerns. She stated that the Green
Garage has been used as security for the new garage, and that she believes that the
project is tied to the timelines of the developer. She further stated that the tax burden
this project would create would be too great.
Alderperson Tomlan thanked the speakers for coming to the meeting and to the people
who sent e-mails and made telephone calls. She stated that the whole budget packet is
not prepared, so tax rate questions can’t be completely answered. She acknowledged
that the time frame is difficult, however she stated that she is in favor of downtown
development.
Alderperson Whitmore stated that he is encouraged by the interest in mixed uses for
downtown. He stated that garages cost money, and cities need to invest in their
downtowns. He further stated that garages are needed at this point, however with the
success of a transportation demand program, perhaps one can be taken off line.
Alderperson Townsend thanked the speakers for coming to the meeting and for their e-
mails and phone calls. He stated that this is not an easy decision, but that he believes
that his constituency would warmly welcome this development. He stated that most of
them shop either at the mall or at Wegmans, but not downtown. He stated that he likes
the idea of mixed use in the area, however, he has serious reservations about
increased tax rates, the competition of the existing art theatres and with Regal Theatres.
He stated that he has called other cities, and the feedback he received was that projects
like these increased traffic through the area and increased the awareness of other types
of films.
Amending Resolution:
By Alderperson Korherr: Seconded by Alderperson Berry
RESOLVED, That the resolution be tabled and that the Mayor’s budget include the
bottom line figure for each option so that a comprehensive look can be taken at the
project before a decision is made.
Ayes (4) Mackesey, Korherr, Berry, Townsend
Nays (5) Whitmore, Zumoff, Tomlan, Taylor, Cogan
Abstention (1)Coles
Failed
Alderperson Berry stated that she supports downtown development, but cannot support
this project due to financial concerns. She stated that basic infrastructure in the city
needs improvement and services need to be enhanced. She further voiced her
concerns regarding diversity as it relates to the development and retail hiring.
Mayor Peterson asked Council what further information the community would like. She
stated that she understands the difficulty of the decision and agrees with the analysis on
the cost effectiveness of new development. She further stated that housing in the
downtown core has been studied for years and that urban housing development is
needed.
Alderperson Tomlan thanked Alderperson Cogan for all of his time, work, consideration,
and commitment to this project.
Common Council Meeting Minutes
August 4, 2005
Page 5
Main Motion:
A vote on the Main Motion resulted as follows:
Ayes (6) Whitmore, Tomlan, Zumoff, Taylor, Townsend, Cogan
Nays (4) Berry, Mackesey, Coles, Korherr
Carried
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m.
______________________________ _______________________________
Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Carolyn K. Peterson,
City Clerk Mayor