Published: February 20, 2008 04:00 am         

Nader's city goals include creek land buy

ONEONTA _ Mayor John Nader used his third State of the City address Tuesday to announce several projects and initiatives for the city to pursue in 2008.

These include removing the metal facade of the former Bresee's Department Store, acquiring a 3.45-acre parcel of land along Silver Creek, improving major streets in the city, conducting energy audits on city buildings and helping refurbish the privately owned Oneonta Theater.

"In preparing to deliver these remarks, I looked back on my addresses of one and two years ago. I am proud to report both then and now that our city is soundly financed, generally well-run and widely respected," Nader told the Common Council, city department heads and about a dozen city residents.

Nader listed what he said were the accomplishments of the past two years: $1 million in parking garage renovations, $3 million in streets, sidewalks and other capital projects, Wilber Park pool renovations, location of a youth center in the Asa C. Allison Jr. Municipal Building, the acquisition of the former Bresee's complex and other initiatives.

But the city, which receives much of its funding from state revenue-sharing and other aid, may face challenges from a slowing economy, said Nader, a Democrat.

He said he will ask the Streets, Parklands and Public Works Committee to review the Department of Public Service and other city departments.

"The time has come for a coherent organizational structure _ one that includes engineering, public works, parks, code enforcement and water and sewer services under an engineering administrator," Nader said.

Fifth Ward Alderman Rodger Moran, the council's senior alderman and a Republican, said he agreed with the mayor's largely upbeat assessment of Oneonta and the direction the city is headed in 2008.

"Oneonta is a great place to live," Moran said.

Oneonta developer James Reeks Jr. had at one time proposed building a 27-unit complex for senior citizens in the Silver Creek area, Nader said, and that project prompted "endless debate."

The wooded, 3.45-acre parcel would be obtained by the city for community use, at least on an interim basis, Nader said.

Seventh Ward Alderman Lizabeth Shannon, a Democrat whose ward includes the property, said she was concerned that the mayor's speech was the first time she heard anyone talk about the city acquiring the land.

Third Ward Alderman Erik Miller, a Republican, said he would like to see the city move cautiously on the Silver Creek parcel and was apprehensive about taking property off the tax rolls.

"I was excited about some of the initiatives the mayor announced this evening," Miller said. "I think the city is on the ball in regards to pushing (economic) development."

In other Common Council business:

Miller announced he is planning to donate $500 _ or one month of his alderman salary _ to establish a reward program for city employees who propose energy efficiency initiatives.

The plan would give $100 each to the top five employees with ideas that reduce the amount of nonrenewable energy used by the city in a one-year period.

The proposal would need to be vetted by the city attorney for legality and compliance with union contracts, Miller said.

At last month's Common Council meeting, Miller successfully introduced a resolution that city government set a goal to reduce nonrenewable energy consumption by 5 percent.

The Common Council unanimously approved the third annual OH-Fest, the community festival sponsored by Hartwick College and the State University College at Oneonta.

If final details are worked out with the city Parks and Recreation Commission, OH-Fest will be held Saturday, April 26. The event will involve the closure of Main Street from Ford Avenue to Chestnut Street from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Alderman unanimously approved three mayoral appointments to citizens' boards and commissions.

Sita Fey and Joyce Miller were appointed to the Commission on Community Relations and Human Rights for terms that expire Jan. 14, 2011.

Cynthia McCarthy was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a term to expire Jan. 14, 2009.

The Common Council unanimously approved that the city purchasing agent go to bid for the following projects: Moffat Street reconstruction; T-hanger construction at the Oneonta Municipal Airport; Silver Creek retention basin gravel removal; Linden Avenue reconstruction; and River Street service road reconstruction.