HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-HDPC-1989-05-15 HYDROPOWER COMMISSION
Minutes
May 15 , 1989
Present : Elizabeth Mulholland , Martin Sampson , Cathy Emilian , Ellen
. Harri son , Helen Jones , Michael Sprague . Also , W . Allen , FC3 rep .
Absent : D . Hoffman , T . Araneo , E . Brothers , M . Walker , A . Skutt .
1 . Meeting was called to order at 7 : 35 p . m . by Ellen Harrison .
2 . Minutes of April 17 , 1989 were reviewed .
3 . Van Natta Dam - - Request for Proposals . Hel enf Jones suggested that
the Hydropower Commission generate a resolution to Common Council to
establish a committee comprised of representatives of the City
Engineer ' s Office , Board of Public Works , Hydropower Commission ,
Planning and Development Committee , Budget and Administration
Committee , City Planning Department , and the Controller ' s Office to
review and rank responses to the Van Natta Dam RFP and make
recommendations for preferred developer selection . Ms . Jones also
advised that an engineering consultant be hired to assist with
technical analysis of RFPs . A pre - proposal conference and site
visit is tentatively scheduled for June 8 . Discussion followed
concerning Hydropower Commission , City Engineers and Board of Public
Works communicating more , especially with regard to hydropower
development . It was suggested that the Hydropower Commission
initiate ongoing communication with the Board of Public Works so
that engineers might review and provide input into the development
of the Van Natta Dam project for hydropower . Mike Sprague agreed to
report on this before the Board .
4 . Discussion regarding status of the proposed recreational
designation of Fall Creek . A representative of the Fall Creek
Conservation Committee reported that the proposal is being held at
DEC so that local municipalities and private citizens can study the
proposal closely and give their support . It was agreed that
property owners should have input on setting final boundaries .
5 * Consultant Presentation . Mr . Jamie Vei tch of Vei tch Associates
discussed nonpower licensing pros and cons . Mr . Jim Besha from
Besha Associates presented his general concept for an underground
hydropower development at Ithaca Falls . He suggested a design
si mi 1 ar to a site i n Troy , NY where a tunnel would be constructed
going straight down with a shaft into the rock , caisson style . The
powerhouse would be located 100 feet underground with a draft tube
or outlet back into Fall Creek into the middle of the plunge pool
directly beneath the falls . This design would be hidden well under
water and alleviate problems of having the powerhouse and penstock
and tailrace exposed .
6 . General discussion concerning other developers ' rights if the City
gives up its license to develop . Ms . Jones reported that in a
telephone conversation with a FERC representative , Cornell and
( over )
Hydropower Commission
Minutes - 5 / 15 / 89
Page 2
Synergics would not be entitled to grandfathering and would have to
refile their application for a license .
7 . Conservation Advisory Council does not have available staff to
assemble a recreational designation proposal for Six Mile Creek and
have sent a resolution to Common Council asking them to consider
requesting City planners to do a study on Six Mile Creek .
EPJ / HYDRO / MINUTES . MAY