HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-2009-06-24COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Special Meeting 5:30 p.m. June 24, 2009
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Alderpersons (7) Coles, Rosario, Clairborne, Tomlan, Zumoff, Myrick, Cogan
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
City Attorney – Hoffman
Superintendent of Public Works – Gray
Fire Chief – Wilbur
Board of Public Works Commissioner – Brock
EXCUSED:
Alderpersons: Dotson, Schuler, Korherr
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Peterson led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
2.1 Water Plant Options – Redundancy
Rick Gell, O’Brien & Gere Engineers and Superintendent of Public Works Gray joined
Common Council for the discussion.
Superintendent Gray noted that redundancy, reliability, and resiliency are all terms used
in emergency management. He stated that all three water producers, City of Ithaca,
Bolton Point, and Cornell University, are inter-connected but not for redundancy
purposes. He noted that Cornell’s system could be shut-down and the other two
suppliers could continue to meet customer demands but the systems are not perfectly
redundant. He further commented that all of the water systems are fairly reliable and
would be fairly resilient if compromised by a natural or man-made event.
Mr. Gell stated that there are many opportunities for the water systems to work together
for short-term incidents, water storage, fuel shortages, maintenance issues, etc.
Alderperson Rosario described a scenario where either the Bolton Point or the City
system went down and the other no longer existed, and asked how much water the
Cornell system could supply. Mr. Gell responded that Cornell would not be able to
supply enough water that each facility needs on a daily basis. They would need to
implement water restrictions in order to save stored water until the situation was
completely assessed.
Mayor Peterson explained that Bolton Point draws water from Cayuga Lake and serves
30,000 customers, the City draws water from Six Mile Creek and serves 30,000
customers and Cornell University draws water from Fall Creek and serves 31,000
customers. Each system produces in excess of 3 million gallons of finished water per
day.
Supt. Gray noted that water usage is not consistent. There are peak demands in the
morning and evening, so an inter-connect with Cornell could work for several days as
long as there weren’t any fires.
Alderperson Rosario expanded his scenario to include a loss of electricity and noted
that Bolton Point requires more electricity to provide water than the City system does.
Mr. Gell responded that if there was no access to fuel (for generators), or electricity,
Bolton Point would not be able to supply water. The City could provide water through
the gravity system; however, the water would not be potable and a “boil water” order
would need to be implemented.
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Alderperson Myrick asked if water from Six Mile Creek would still be available if Bolton
Point lost the ability to produce or deliver water. Supt. Gray responded that neither
system has been down for multiple weeks, so these scenarios have remained untested.
He stated that water restrictions would need to be implemented and people would need
to get water from the Cornell or Bolton Point systems at designated locations. Inter-
connect piping could be laid above ground to meet immediate needs. Water levels
would need to be maintained in the storage tanks in order to fight fires. He further noted
that Ithaca is fortunate to have a great number of water professionals in the area that
are able to share parts, equipment and expertise.
Mr. Gell stated that Bolton Point has surplus capacity but water restrictions would most
likely be put into effect. Portable water pumping and treatment systems are available
and could be put into place.
Fire Chief Wilbur noted that with any emergency scenario the local/regional jurisdiction
will need to be self-sustaining for the first 72 hours, after then State resources may
become available to assist. He described the ice storm that impacted the northern
section of the State several years ago and noted how long it took to access the water
infrastructure due to downed trees and debris. He stressed that the benefit of
redundancy couldn’t be overplayed.
Alderperson Cogan questioned what the re-built City facility could provide in an
emergency. Supt. Gray stated that the City could provide water by gravity to the valley
floor of the City (approx. 60% of city residents). The water could be used to fight fires
and for sanitary purposes. He further explained that based upon the length of time the
system was down the water could be simply undrinkable or it could be turbid. He further
noted that it would be difficult to clean the system afterward to restore it to deliver
potable water. Alderperson Cogan noted that using the system for that purpose would
most likely be a last resort.
Mr. Gell noted that if the City no longer produced water and the Bolton Point system
went down, a much deeper water restriction would be needed if the City and the
municipalities served by Bolton Point were all to be served by the Cornell water system.
Alderperson Rosario stated that it was important to know which system would be able to
provide any type of water for sanitary purposes, and questioned what would happen if
contaminants were introduced into one of the water supplies such as a hazardous
material spill (ie. diesel fuel). He questioned whether one water source was more
resilient than the other. Supt. Gray responded that both of the systems were probably
the same; however it would most likely take more time to clear contaminants from the
lake than it would the creek.
Fire Chief Wilbur highlighted a concern regarding a potential railroad accident in the
vicinity of Bolton Point. Mayor Peterson responded that Bolton Point has an emergency
operations procedure in place.
City Attorney Hoffman asked to what extent Bolton Point could back-up the City without
an expansion to the capacity of the existing transmission system as the current system
cannot meet the peak needs of the City and Bolton Point customers.
Alderperson Coles asked for a summary of tasks that need to be completed for the
construction of the transmission line if the City were to implement the purchase option
for the water supply decision. Mr. Gell responded that:
• A permit would be needed from the NYS Department of Transportation as work
would be conducted within the State right-of-way.
• There are seven privately-owned parcels between the Rt. 34 right-of-way and
Bolton Point; meetings would have to be scheduled with the property owners to
negotiate permanent easements.
• An agreement would be needed for the use of one of the driveways.
• Temporary easements would be needed for the work area along Rt. 34 for the
clearing of trees and cutting rock
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• The pipeline that will be installed along the State right-of-way would include
areas that people perceive as private property and have installed garages,
flower beds, trees, retaining walls, etc.
Alderperson Zumoff questioned how the city would continue to operate during the
construction of new plant, if the rebuild option were implemented. Mr. Gell responded
that construction would take place in three phases with the goal of retaining partial
water capacity. There would be short durations when the plant would be totally shut
down and the City would rely on the water storage system. Supt. Gray noted that there
may be times when a portable system will be needed to treat the water during certain
construction periods.
Alderperson Rosario asked if a contingency clause could be included in the agreement,
if the purchase option were selected, that all of the right-of-way issues are resolved. He
further asked if the rebuild option could be revisited if the City became embroiled in
negotiation problems.
City Attorney Hoffman stated that if the City chose the purchase option, Bolton Point
would be responsible for securing the property rights to the backyards of the private
property owners. He explained that people can’t establish property rights against New
York State regardless of how long they’ve been using the property. He stated that he
didn’t see why the City couldn’t put a contingency clause in the agreement with Bolton
Point. He further noted that eminent domain can be used for a public purpose.
Mayor Peterson stated that the next topic for these meetings will be Governance. She
further reported that the Board of Public Works is within their timeline for the completion
of the Findings Statement and providing a water source recommendation to Common
Council.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
______________________________ _______________________________
Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Carolyn K. Peterson,
City Clerk Mayor