HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-HDPC-1989-06-19 f.
HYDROPOWER COMMISSION
Minutes
June 19, 1989
Present: Dan Hoffman, Elizabeth Mulholland, Martin Sampson, Cathy
Emilian, Ed Brothers, Helen Jones, Michael Sprague. Also, W.
Allen, M. Fabrizio.
Absent: T. Araneo, M. Walker, A. Skutt.
1. Meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Dan Hoffman.
2. Minutes of March 14, April 17, and May 15 were approved.
3. Van Natta Dam--Request for Proposals (RFP)
Status Report--Ms. Jones reported that the RFP had been issued to
approximately 75 developers and the project has been advertised in
the New York Times and Engineering News Record. Seven people
attended the pre-proposal conference held on June 8. Participants
were given supplemental information which included the City's
licensing documents. The conference included a brief presentation
by Beth Mulholland covering the natural features and recreational
aspects of the area and was followed by a visit of the site.
Developer Selection Committee Appointment--Council has identified
the groups to be represented by this committee which include Common
Council, Board of Public Works, Hydropower Commission, Conservation
Advisory Council, Six Mile Creek Conservation Committee, and staff
from Planning, City Engineering, and City Controller. Mike Sprague
agreed to represent both the Board of Public Works and the
Hydropower Commission.
Use of Consultants to Review Proposals--In response to the City's
request, Veitch Associates and Stetson-Harza have submitted
proposals for engineering services. Veitch proposes assisting in
establishing the initial evaluation criteria prior to receipt of
proposals, and then an hourly rate for individual review of
proposals. Stetson-Harza is a larger organization which has
suggested a more in-depth review of proposals. There was some
discussion regarding the extent of assistance required, and Ms.
Jones was asked to contact both firms and try to establish similar
standards by which to judge before recommendations are made to the
Budget and Administration (B&A) Committee and Council.
After discussion, Brothers MOVED, seconded by Emilian, that the B&A
Committee allocate funds for a consultant to assist the selection
committee, and the motion was CARRIED unanimously.
Ms. Jones recommended that the Commission consider contracting legal
counsel in the preparation of the lease and development agreement
for Van Natta Dam. Then Sprague MOVED, seconded by Brothers, to
request the B&A Committee to set money aside for a legal consultant
if a developer is selected, and the motion was CARRIED unanimously.
Hydropower Commission
Minutes - 6/19/89
Page 2
4. Ithaca Falls
Recreational Rivers--Both Cornell University and Synergics, Inc.
currently hold 401 water quality certificates for Fall Creek which
has been proposed for designation under the New York State Wild,
Scenic and Recreational River System Act. It was noted that written
responses from DEC and FERC are pending in response to whether these
potential developers would be eligible to apply for a FERC license
to develop hydropower if Fall Creek is designated.
Nonpower License--Ms. Jones described the function of this license
which is issued by FERC usually during an interim, relicensing
phase. While Ms. Jones thought this might be an innovative approach
to delaying hydropower development at Ithaca Falls, she believed
that it was risky and the expense involved in processing an
application would not be warranted.
Further Considerations for City Action--With construction due to
begin no later than September 1991, it is essential that the
Hydropower Commission decide how it would like to proceed, since no
further extensions on the license will be allowed. Significant
dates should be identified in order to reserve certain options and
determine what course to pursue.
Joint Venture Option--Negotiations could be initiated with Mark
Finkelstein and Cornell University, who own most of the land and
water rights at the proposed site. Margaret Fabrizio cautioned that
contact with Cornell at this time could jeopardize the recreational
designation of Ithaca Falls. There was discussion regarding
expected action on this bill which is to be introduced by
Assemblyman Luster who believes it is possible to draft the
legislation with final boundaries set.
Underground Design Concept (video)--The Commission viewed a brief
videotape of two sites visited by Ms. Jones where the underground
design is being utilized. A discussion followed regarding the
possible environmental impacts of an underground caisson on the
Ithaca Falls gorge.
5. Alex Skutt, who was not in attendance, was unanimously elected as
Vice Chair for the Hydropower Commission.
6. Next meeting date was set for July 17.
EPJ/HYDRO/MINUTES.JUN