HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-HDPC-1988-09-26 HYDROPOWER COMMISSION
MINUTES
September 26 , 1988
Members Present : Chairman Dan Hoffman , Elizabeth
Mulholland , Martin Sampson , Terese
Araneo , Mike Sprague , Mark Walker , Helen
Jones ( Staff )
Guests . John Homa , Rick Costanza ( Ichthyology
Department of Cornell University )
Members Absent . Ellen Harrison , Ed Brothers , Cathy
Emilian
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The meeting was called to oLGer by Chairman Dan Hoffman
at 7 : 40 p . m .
A presentation was made by John Homa and Rick Costanza
concerning the fishery study of Ithaca Falls . The study
consisted of the mailing of 50 surveys to area fisherman and
istributed to local sporting goods
some of the surveys were d
stores . They had a 48 percent return ( 24 surveys ) . The
surveys indicated that the spot is a very valuable fishery .
Helen would like the written report on the fishery study to
include a statement clarifying that the stocking of fish
occurs at the Lake Street bridge . A Commission member asked
what the survey is intended to provide to the overall
project , and what , if any , effect does it have on the
referendum . Helen Jones stated that the study was done to
provide factual background covering the present situation at
the Ithaca Falls site . This study was originally intended to
provide additional documentation as to the positive changes
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in the area since the last survey was done . Copies of the
report summarizing the study will be presented to Council for
their review . Chairman Hoffman suggested John Homa and Rick
Costanza review the report with Ed Brothers , as he is the
most knowleageable Commission member on this subject .
The Commission reviewed the minutes of August 10 , 1988
and a motion to approve the minutes as corrected was made by
Mark Walker and seconded by Mike Sprague .
Discussion then turned to the rejection of the
Commissions recommendation by Council and Councils decision
to put the Ithaca Falls project on the ballot this November .
Chairman Hoffman briefly outlined some of Council ' s reasons
for going to ballot this year . Council felt that current
economic conditions are favorable and it may not continue .
They are also confident that they can negotiate a price with
NYSEG , which would be more certain than waiting until the bid
process goes into effect . One of Council ' s major reasons for
not going to ballot this year was the lack of time to provide
public education . They also mentioned that if the project
was not approved this year , they could always go to
referendum next year .
Helen was informed by the Board of Elections that there
is no limit on the number of words used on the ballot .
However , the Commission members agreed that the message
should be concise , complete , and clear . Also , the message
must be conveyed to the voters that a " no " vote does not mean
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no to the project , but only to the City being the developer .
Commission members want to stress " clean power " in the public
education campaign .
The different strategies used to inform and educate the
public were discussed at length by the Commission . Helen
Jones informed the Commission that the B & A Committee has
approved $ 10 , 000 to provide the campaign . Some suggestions
were newspaper articles , radio time , published material
( costly to buy talent to design material ) , mass mailing , and
possible telephone surveys . A telephone survey would be used
to assess the educational needs of the public concerning the
topic . The Commission agreed that the information provided
should contain what the ramifications of a " no " vote would
be . There are three main objectives in educating the public .
what is hydropower and what effect would it have on the site ;
why the City is involved ; and what the implications of the
decision will be . Helen Jones has communicated with several
agencies , all of whom presented different approaches to
handling the educational campaign . To date , an agency has
not been chosen .
The Commission agreed that visual presentations of the
finished project would educate the public and avoid
misinterpretations , such as a photograph that would be
realistic in terms of the size of the plant and its placement
on the site . Martin Sampson suggested using cartoons to
portray a short , informational message . Commission members
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also suggested having an informational telephone number where
the public could have questions answered and receive further
information .
The meeting was adjourned at 9 : 20 p . m .