HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-2009-02-25COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Special Meeting 5:30 p.m. February 25, 2009
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Alderpersons (8) Coles, Dotson, Rosario, Clairborne, Tomlan, Zumoff, Schuler,
Cogan
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
City Attorney – Hoffman
City Controller – Thayer
Superintendent of Public Works – Gray
EXCUSED:
Alderperson Myrick
Alderperson Korherr
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Peterson led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
2.1 Discussion of the Water Plant Issues
Mayor Peterson opened the round table discussion on the water plant issue. She
explained that the Board of Public Works is still awaiting the results of the Final
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). She noted 256 comments were received and
are currently being evaluated and responded to by the consultants. She stated that the
Board of Public Works will take time during their March meetings to review the FEIS.
City Attorney Hoffman explained that an unusual aspect of this process is that the Board
of Public Works is the lead agency; however, they will not be the decision making
authority on this issue. He stated that the findings that the Board adopts will not
necessarily be binding on with the final decision of a water source option. He noted that
Common Council, as the decision making authority, has the right to make its own
findings.
Alderperson Schuler asked how the disposal of waste from the Cornell School of
Veterinarian Sciences would impact the Waste Water Treatment Plant as it relates to
this project. Superintendent Gray explained the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation permitting and testing requirements for this type of material
and noted that it was not included with the comments received on the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement. He stated that he would place a packet of information
for this type of waste material in the Common Council office for Council members to
review.
City Attorney Hoffman distributed copies of the Memorandum of Understanding
between the City of Ithaca and Bolton Point.
Alderperson Clairborne asked if there was any further information available regarding
the question of hydropower.
Superintendent Gray responded that hydropower would require its own Environmental
Impact Statement and the Board of Public Works decided not to include the issue in the
scoping document. This does not preclude the issue from being discussed with other
topics; however, a feasibility study should be conducted before a project is undertaken.
Further discussion followed on the connection between the watershed and potential
drilling for gas in the Marcellus shale, and how climate changes will impact the choice of
water sources.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the opportunity for Common Council to tour
the Bolton Point Plant, and the City Water Plant. The Mayor’s Office will work to
schedule 1-2 tours of each facility.
February 25, 2009
2
Alderperson Tomlan questioned if there were other agreements in existence regarding
shared water supplies in case of emergency. Superintendent Gray stated that there is a
joint “mutual aid” agreement between Bolton Point, Cornell University, and the City.
Mayor Peterson noted that Cornell University had recently upgraded their water storage
system.
Alderperson Cogan questioned how much of an impact the fact that the City would be a
“customer” of Bolton Point as opposed to a full “partner” was having on Council
member’s decision making process.
Alderpersons Zumoff, Clairborne, Rosario, and Coles noted that being a “customer” as
opposed to a “partner” was a factor in their decision making process, but not the
decisive one. Alderperson Rosario noted that one of the defining factors for him is the
fact that Bolton Point’s policy prescribes that in times of water emergencies when
rationing is invoked, partners are served first, and customers are secondary.
Further discussion followed on the floor with Alderperson Coles raising the concern that
the City would have only two votes out of twelve in the decision making process, even
though it would be consuming 50% of the water. Mayor Peterson noted that she is
comfortable with the two voting member scenario since decisions are made by
consensus. She noted that the Town of Ithaca is currently in a similar situation as they
have 2 voting members and consume the majority of the water.
Common Council agreed that the Governance issue needs further discussion.
Alderperson Rosario shared questions that he has that remain unanswered regarding
the economics of the project. Alderperson Clairborne shared questions that he has
regarding the availability of stimulus funding for this project, the availability of case
studies of regional water supplies, and whether the City could provide water to other
customers.
Attached Comments
The comments from the Conservation Advisory Council attached to these minutes were
received at the beginning of the meeting and were accepted by Mayor Peterson.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
________________________________ ___________________________
Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Carolyn K. Peterson,
City Clerk Mayor