OSWEGO, NY – At its meeting this week, the Common Council took steps to lock in the city’s utility costs.
Mike Riley, purchasing agent, was authorized to lock in fixed prices for gas and electric accounts with Hess Corporation for the east and west wastewater treatment plants, the water treatment plant, City Hall, the Conway Building and the main overhead and underground street lighting accounts.
The term of the deal will begin Jan. 1, 2012, and end no later than Dec. 31, 2013.
The agreement (for the buildings) is contingent on the price of electricity doesn’t exceed $.0625 per Kwh and (for the street lighting accounts) it doesn’t exceed $.06 per Kwh.
The purchasing agent was authorized to lock in the 15 natural gas accounts, provided that the basic price doesn’t exceed $.1375 per therm and he was to trigger the firm fixed pricing for the 15 building accounts for the period commencing in January 2012, provided that the firm fixed pricing doesn’t exceed $.675 per therm.
Councilors took care of various other city business, including:
Nick Canale, president of Canale’s Restaurant, 156 W. Utica St., was granted two variances on the noise ordinance. One is for July 16 from 7 p.m. to midnight. They are planning the First Italian Dinner Under The Stars Event. The other is for Aug. 20 from 2 to 11 p.m. for a family event to be held at 151 and 161 W. Utica St.
Councilors approved renaming Helen Street to East 10 ½ Street, to make East 10 ½ Street continuous.
They also OK’d a request by Rita Tickle, personnel director, to approve the standard work days for appointed officials for reporting to the NYS and Local Employees’ Retirement System.
The mayor was authorized to enter into a one-year renewal lease agreement with the Ontario Center for the Performing Arts.
Mark Wahl, president of the board of directors of the Ontario Center for Performing Arts, requested use of the McCrobie Civic Center for their 2012 concert dates for Saturday evenings, starting Jan. 7 and continuing through Dec. 1.
They also requested five additional Friday dates (Jan. 6, Feb. 3, March 2, Oct. 2 and Nov. 2) for contra dancing.
The mayor was also authorized to sign amendment No. 1 to the C&S Companies agreement with the Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion to incorporate MWBE language.
And, he was authorized to enter into an agreement with Matthew Brancato to permit (Brancato) to erect a garage over an existing storm sewer on property located at 286 E. Second St.
The council approved Change Order No. 2 for John Dudley Construction for construction of the Bypass Monitoring System. It included a contract pay item allowance for rock removal.
There was no rock removal encountered in the project. Therefore, a reduction in the in the contract price ($100) is warranted.
The council set fees for rental of the city’s peddle boats and kayaks.
The fees will be $8 for a half hour and $12 for an hour. There will be a late fee of $5 per 15 minute increments for any late returns.
Councilors approved the purchase of four pieces of equipment from the state contract – International six-wheel dump truck, Ferris lawn mower model No. IS3100Z, and two pickup trucks to be used as motor pool cars by the DPW.
They also approved two requests for transfer of funds.
Tory DeCaire, police chief, requested authorization to transfer $85,000 from Account A3120.0101 (Personnel Services) to Account A3120.0102 (Personnel Services Overtime.
The DPW commissioner requested authorization to transfer $5,000 from Account A8560.0101 (Shade Trees and Parks Personnel Services) into Account A1490.0101 (Administration Overtime) and $5,000 from Account A8560.0101 (Shade Trees and Parks Personnel Services) into Account A1620.0102 (Municipal Buildings Overtime) and $3,000 from Central Garage Materials and Supplies Account A5132.0410 into Marinas and Docks Materials and Supplies Account A7230.0410 and $3,000 from Central Garage Equipment Repair Account A5132.0470 into Marinas and Docks Materials and Supplies Account A7230.0410.
The city chamberlain was authorized to send Krystal Lawson, account clerk, to the ambulance billing, coding and compliance clinic presented by Page Wolberg & Wirth to be held Oct. 25-28 in Hershey, Pa.
missing or outdated ad config
If the Common Council really wants to lock in the cost of energy at many of the city buildings they should start planting large growth trees around the city buildings, especially along the west and north sides. Our forefathers knew that big trees planted on the West side of buildings created shade and trees on the north side block cold winds. Plus these trees would also absorb much of the increased storm water runoff we’re getting because of the increased black top around the city which is increasing our heat island effect.
That’s why trees are so valuable, but some people seem to be forgetting. Also think about what they will look like in 50 years and plant them far enough away from the building.
June MacArthur