Hello, Collar City! This is Issue 15, dated Dec. 21, 2018.

The Dam, Again





There's still no final word on the temporary permit application. At last night's city council general services committee meeting—which, like a similar meeting last month, was devoted solely to the dam—Chris Wheland, the city’s superintendent of public utilities, said he anticipates DEC will issue the permit either the first or second week of the new year.



DEC's approval will include a schedule of compliance. The city included this draft schedule, shared with the council last night, in its application, which DEC can and likely will need to modify, since the designated time window for the very first task has nearly lapsed already:

One wrinkle in the emergency plan involves Ampersand Hydro, which owns a hydroelectric generating station downstream from the dam and is concerned about excess sediment getting into its equipment as a result of the planned emergency work. The company, Wheland revealed last night, asked Kleinschmidt Associates, the engineering firm that advised the developer of the dam about two decades ago, to conduct its own review of the state of the dam. The resultant two-page report, as Wheland described it (I haven't seen it), concludes that the dam *is* sound.



However, Kleinschmidt based its report on photos taken by the city's contracted engineering firm, Schnabel Engineering (the one that determined the dam *is not* sound), Wheland said. And Schnabel told the city it wasn't contacted by Kleinschmidt "to get further information" on the dam.



Officials from the city, DEC, Ampersand, Kleinschmidt, and Schnabel are expecting to meet sometime early next year to discuss all this, Wheland said.



The Army Corps of Engineers takes no issue with the planned emergency work, Wheland said. Nor does the State Historic Preservation Office. However, in an email conveying its "No Adverse Impact" determination to Schnabel yesterday (which Wheland said he received less than two hours before the scheduled start of the general services committee meeting), SHPO did say that its opinion was contingent upon a condition: "Continued consultation with our office as the projected long term treatment plans for the dam become available. As previously noted, a dam at this location is significant to the historic district and we recommend that plans be developed to retain a dam at this location."



This seems like a positive sign for residents who want to see the dam repaired or rebuilt and the lake preserved. (Nearly 300 people signed a petition supporting that outcome, which was provided to Council President Carmella Mantello, who, in turn, announced yesterday at the meeting that she was filing it with the city clerk.) Wheland said he was seeking clarity from SHPO as to what exactly the state agency means by those two sentences. (Does the dam need to be wooden? Is there are a required height? Is it a recommendation or more like a requirement? And so on.)



Wheland also distributed to the council last night two "inundation maps" prepared by Schnabel. Here's the one that depicts a 100-year storm, or one that has a one-percent chance of happening in any given year:

The red line, if you can see it, shows the area that would be flooded in a 100-year storm. The blue shading shows areas that would be further flooded if, during this hypothetical storm, the dam were to break.



The Mt. Ida Lake Dam is currently classified by the state as a Class A, or low hazard, dam. That means,



However, Wheland said last night, Schnabel Engineering has determined that, actually, the structure is a Class B, or intermediate hazard, dam. The language gets a little stronger, per the guidance document: "A dam failure may result in damage to isolated homes, main highways, and minor railroads; may result in the interruption of important utilities, including water supply, sewage treatment, fuel, power, cable or telephone infrastructure; and/or is otherwise likely to pose the threat of personal injury and/or substantial economic loss or substantial environmental damage. Loss of human life is not expected."



DEC has the final say on classification, a change of which could have ramifications for residents who live near Ida St. or Canal Ave. with respect to flood insurance or precautions that need to be taken for flooding, Wheland said.



Expect more news on this item next month!

When I last wrote about the Mt. Ida Lake Dam, in TL10 , the city had just submitted an application to DEC, seeking a temporary removal permit for the structurally dubious timber structure. (This emergency work, a partial deconstruction intended to reduce the likelihood of a collapse as a result of an extreme weather event, is separate and apart from a permanent solution, which has not been determined, the city says.)There's still no final word on the temporary permit application. At last night's city council general services committee meeting—which, like a similar meeting last month, was devoted solely to the dam—Chris Wheland, the city’s superintendent of public utilities, said he anticipates DEC will issue the permit either the first or second week of the new year.DEC's approval will include a schedule of compliance. The city included this draft schedule, shared with the council last night, in its application, which DEC can and likely will need to modify, since the designated time window for the very first task has nearly lapsed already:One wrinkle in the emergency plan involves Ampersand Hydro, which owns a hydroelectric generating station downstream from the dam and is concerned about excess sediment getting into its equipment as a result of the planned emergency work. The company, Wheland revealed last night, asked Kleinschmidt Associates, the engineering firm that advised the developer of the dam about two decades ago, to conduct its own review of the state of the dam. The resultant two-page report, as Wheland described it (I haven't seen it), concludes that the dam *is* sound.However, Kleinschmidt based its report on photos taken by the city's contracted engineering firm, Schnabel Engineering (the one that determined the dam *is not* sound), Wheland said. And Schnabel told the city it wasn't contacted by Kleinschmidt "to get further information" on the dam.Officials from the city, DEC, Ampersand, Kleinschmidt, and Schnabel are expecting to meet sometime early next year to discuss all this, Wheland said.The Army Corps of Engineers takes no issue with the planned emergency work, Wheland said. Nor does the State Historic Preservation Office. However, in an email conveying its "No Adverse Impact" determination to Schnabel yesterday (which Wheland said he received less than two hours before the scheduled start of the general services committee meeting), SHPO did say that its opinion was contingent upon a condition: "Continued consultation with our office as the projected long term treatment plans for the dam become available. As previously noted, a dam at this location is significant to the historic district and we recommend that plans be developed to retain a dam at this location."This seems like a positive sign for residents who want to see the dam repaired or rebuilt and the lake preserved. (Nearly 300 people signed a petition supporting that outcome, which was provided to Council President Carmella Mantello, who, in turn, announced yesterday at the meeting that she was filing it with the city clerk.) Wheland said he was seeking clarity from SHPO as to what exactly the state agency means by those two sentences. (Does the dam need to be wooden? Is there are a required height? Is it a recommendation or more like a requirement? And so on.)Wheland also distributed to the council last night two "inundation maps" prepared by Schnabel. Here's the one that depicts a 100-year storm, or one that has a one-percent chance of happening in any given year:The red line, if you can see it, shows the area that would be flooded in a 100-year storm. The blue shading shows areas that would be further flooded if, during this hypothetical storm, the dam were to break.The Mt. Ida Lake Dam is currently classified by the state as a Class A, or low hazard, dam. That means, according to this guidance document , "A dam failure is unlikely to result in damage to anything more than isolated or unoccupied buildings, undeveloped lands, minor roads such as town or county roads; is unlikely to result in the interruption of important utilities, including water supply, sewage treatment, fuel, power, cable or telephone infrastructure; and/or is otherwise unlikely to pose the threat of personal injury, substantial economic loss or substantial environmental damage."However, Wheland said last night, Schnabel Engineering has determined that, actually, the structure is a Class B, or intermediate hazard, dam. The language gets a little stronger, per the guidance document: "A dam failure may result in damage to isolated homes, main highways, and minor railroads; may result in the interruption of important utilities, including water supply, sewage treatment, fuel, power, cable or telephone infrastructure; and/or is otherwise likely to pose the threat of personal injury and/or substantial economic loss or substantial environmental damage. Loss of human life is not expected."DEC has the final say on classification, a change of which could have ramifications for residents who live near Ida St. or Canal Ave. with respect to flood insurance or precautions that need to be taken for flooding, Wheland said.Expect more news on this item next month!

A Mayoral Request

Councilmembers:



I write to request your consideration of delaying action on Resolution # 113, otherwise known as the Sanctuary City Resolution.



I do this with the hope that the Council will take the opportunity to more fully engage the public in dialogue regarding this matter. I am moved to make this request following public comments at two City Council committee meetings, as well as numerous phone calls, emails, and comments that I have received. My inescapable conclusion is that the overwhelming majority of concerned, well-meaning people on both sides of the debate are to some extent misinformed and mistaken regarding the implications of and the reason for the resolution.



The Police Department leadership and I are trying to better understand the ICE Detainer issue. We have little experience with ICE; I cannot confidently say what the impact of the proposed resolution would be. There is more that I need to know to make a proper assessment. As mayor I have no more important responsibility than to ensure the safety of families and individuals who live, work, and visit our City. This is a responsibility I take very seriously. We are making inquiries with police departments in established sanctuary cities and I will be reaching out to mayors in other cities that have considered similar resolutions for their insights.



I do not for a moment question the sincerity, motives, or good faith of the Resolution's supporters. I believe them to be among the most earnest people I know; I believe their intentions are rooted in the shared value of making Troy safe and welcoming. The way this was rolled out, however, has caused everyone to run their respective corners, dig in their heels, and shout at each other with the unfortunate result of sowing confusion, fear, and anger throughout the community.



There are a lot of principled, moral, well-meaning people who have reached out to me who are actually frightened. They do not understand what this Resolution means and there has been little or no effort to address those fears.



As leaders in the community we have a duty to speak to these concerns. As leaders in the community [sic] we serve all members of the community and it is incumbent on us to do our best to help them fully understand the issues before us—this is particularly true of matters that could reasonably be anticipated to be divisive.



I hope that you will consider delaying action on this Resolution to encourage further constructive, inclusive conversations with the people who live and work in Troy as well as the organizations that represent them.



Thank you,

Patrick

In this issue: the latest on the Mt. Ida Lake Dam, an email sent by the mayor regarding the proposed sanctuary city resolution, REDC award winners, and more. Remember: I'm taking next week off. You won't receive TL16 until January 4th. I hope you have a fun and/or restorative holiday break, if you have one. Talk soon!On Wednesday, Mayor Patrick Madden sent this email (which I later obtained) to city council members, with the deputy mayor, the city attorney, and police chief cc'd:

For more information on the "ICE Detainer issue," see TL13.



Other News

$1,700,000 from ESD to City Station North, LLC for that entity's titular project.

$1,136,218 from NYSERDA to Capital Roots for the nonprofit's planned Urban Grow Center's greenhouse.

$700,000 from ESD to 669 River Street, LLC, whose titular building, an old paint factory, "will provide growth opportunity for each business at this new location along with a new business collaborative incubator office and 7 loft apartments above."

$337,000 from ESD to 12th Street Ventures, LLC for the AI incubator

$200,000 from ESD to HVCC to expand the college's nursing lab.

$170,000 from the Department of State to Watervliet, which, partnering with Troy, "will study multi-modal transportation and connectivity options to improve safety and public access to the Hudson River at each end of the Congress Street Bridge. The Study will advance City of Watervliet Local Waterfront Revitalization Program goals by addressing complete streets reconfigurations and providing a template for improvements that will foster increased pedestrian and bike traffic and provide traffic and roadway alternatives."

$49,500 from NYSCA to Media Alliance (owner of the Sanctuary in North Central) for "Spirit of the Suffragettes 2019," "a concert series and Community Resource Fair showcasing female and gender nonconforming musicians at Freedom Square, addressing gender imbalance in festivals and in the arts, as well as disparities that women (especially in low-income communities) face today."

$49,500 from NYSCA to The Arts Center of the Capital Region for "Street Scenes: Murals for the Capital Region." for that entity's titular project.for the nonprofit's planned Urban Grow Center's greenhouse., whose titular building, an old paint factory, "will provide growth opportunity for each business at this new location along with a new business collaborative incubator office and 7 loft apartments above."for the AI incubator planned for the former Masonic Temple on Third St to expand the college's nursing lab., which, partnering with Troy, "will study multi-modal transportation and connectivity options to improve safety and public access to the Hudson River at each end of the Congress Street Bridge. The Study will advance City of Watervliet Local Waterfront Revitalization Program goals by addressing complete streets reconfigurations and providing a template for improvements that will foster increased pedestrian and bike traffic and provide traffic and roadway alternatives."(owner of the Sanctuary in North Central) for "Spirit of the Suffragettes 2019," "a concert series and Community Resource Fair showcasing female and gender nonconforming musicians at Freedom Square, addressing gender imbalance in festivals and in the arts, as well as disparities that women (especially in low-income communities) face today."for "Street Scenes: Murals for the Capital Region."





Last night, the city council approved a settlement in the traffic accident case I mentioned last week in



Also last night: The city council authorized issuing $755K worth of bonds for various fire department projects, including one new fire rescue pumper truck. (The council had tabled the item last month to allow councilmembers Cummings and Gulli to explore—and, eventually, rule out—the potential acquisition of a used, instead of new, pumper.)



On his website, downtown city councilmember Anasha Cummings has . This caught my eye: "I continue to research broadband infrastructure options, and am

One grant that the city did *not* win: a Climate Smart Communities grant from DEC for the Knickerbacker Ice Rink. The city council already has authorized bonding for the $1.1 million project, but it had expected about half of that figure to be covered by the state grant. Deputy mayor Monica Kurzejeski told me last night that the administration is now weighing its next steps.Last night,I mentioned last week in TL14 . The city will pay the plaintiff $4,000 Also last night:, including one new fire rescue pumper truck. (The council had tabled the item last month to allow councilmembers Cummings and Gulli to explore—and, eventually, rule out—the potential acquisition of a used, instead of new, pumper.)On his website, posted an "annual report" regarding his first year on the council . This caught my eye: "I continue to research broadband infrastructure options, and am in search of a few passionate individuals to help us develop a plan to improve internet service, reliability and affordability in Troy. If you or someone you know may be interested, please visit troyplan.org for more information."

Links

. Here are most, if not all, the Collar City-related subsidies:​

Advocates push to make Troy a sanctuary city (Spectrum, 12/16)

Luna's life is spared by Rensselaer County judge (TU, 12/18)

Dozens of animals pulled from Troy home (TU, 12/18)

Troy mother arraigned in toddler's death (TU, 12/19)

Troy working to fix parking problems (CBS6, 12/19)

Troy man charged after years on the run, troopers say (TU, 12/19)

Albany County sheriff, Troy cops get state funds for body cameras (TU, 12/20)

AOA will be coming to an end soon. Thank you for being a part of it. (AOA, 12/20). Well, dang! AOA did a lot of good work (that influenced/inspired my own). It also boosted TL when this project was just getting off the ground, which seems to be how a good chunk of you found me. Thanks, AOA, for that—and, more importantly, for a decade of smart, public service journalism!

Troy councilman plays Ghost of Christmas Present on keepsake cards (TU, 12/20)



Events

Saturday, if you're a last-minute sort of Christmas shopper, buy some discounted market-branded merch at the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market. SMCo's also got lots of potential gifts, and it just so happens that it's serving Scandinavian coffee tomorrow . Tomorrow night, get emo at River Street Pub . Or, why the heck not, go see The Nutcracker at The Egg . Wednesday night, if you're a mom, have a night out at SMCo Fast forwarding a bit, on New Year's Day, bask in Baroque glory at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall That's all!. In the meantime, if you'd like, you can read the archive here . Reply to this email with questions, comments, concerns, etc. And happy holidays!