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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