Cortland City Hall
Here are highlights from the Cortland Common Council meeting held on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018:
- Council passed a resolution to adopt a local law to authorize a Community Choice Aggregation Program, which would allow local residents to be "bundled" together and have representation in negotiating rates with National Grid. Residents would have to opt out if they did not want to participate. Education sessions will be held and letters will be sent out when the program starts.
- Nick Dovi was certified to be the "point person" for the Clinton Avenue reconstruction project. A Community Development Building Grant (CDBG) of over $2 million in grants and loans will require oversight and communication. Phase one will be pavement, striping, access sidewalk curb cuts, lighting. Water mains will be done this year as well, because funding for this aspect expires.
- Passed a resolution to enter into a contract with SmartWatt Energy to conduct a city-wide study and implement LED lighting upgrades. City will save money on maintenance and operating expenses when project is completed.
- Discussion of traffic signals at Elm and Pomeroy streets and Central Ave and Pomeroy streets. Several resident of 7th ward made comments during public comments section expressing concern about safety of these intersections. People are generally pleased with the 4-way stop signs with solar powered LEDs that were installed at Greenbush and Elm streets. They force traffic from all directions to stop and have slowed traffic down. After much discussion, it was decided to recommend the installation of 4-way stop signs with solar powered LEDs at both Elm and Pomeroy and Pomeroy Street and Central Avenue. There will be a public hearing at the next Council meeting on March 6.
- Deputy Police Chief Sandy and Officer Jesse Abbott made a presentation on the 911 Memorial that is being planned for the city-owned part of Courthouse Park—where the veterans memorials are now. They have obtained steel that was in the towers and have selected Tino Ferro to do the sculpture. They presented the design. They want to recognize all three sites that were targeted that day so there will be two towers made with the steel, the base will be a pentagon, and there will be a plaque in the shape of Pennsylvania. Money will be raised by selling bricks that will be engraved with donors' names. Council will vote on approving the location at the next meeting.
- Update on the Downtown Revitalization Initiative: a motion was passed to support the slate of projects that are being submitted to New York State.
