Jason Koski/University Photography

Ithaca Common Council members Eddie Rooker, D-4th Ward; Svante Myrick, D-4th Ward; and Deborah Mohlenhoff, D-5th Ward, listen as Associate University Architect Andrew Magré presents an overview of Cornell's proposed nets on three city bridges during the Nov. 30 meeting.

The city of Ithaca's Common Council decided Nov. 30 to vote at its Dec. 7 meeting on whether to allow Cornell to install nets under three city-owned bridges as a suicide prevention measure. The vote will include authorization to enter a proposed agreement between the university and the city regarding the net systems.

During an overview of the agreement, City Attorney Daniel Hoffman noted that the net systems would be "cost neutral" to the city -- that is, Cornell would pay nets-related costs.

"I feel comfortable voting on this at this point," said Daniel Cogan, D-5th Ward.

Cornell has requested the city's permission to install nets under three city-owned bridges: the Stewart Avenue Bridge at Cascadilla Creek Gorge, and the Stewart Avenue Bridge and the Thurston Avenue Bridge at Fall Creek Gorge. (University officials have also sought permission to install nets under or along four Cornell-owned bridges; those designs must be approved only by the city's Planning and Development Board.)

Under terms of the agreement, which was hammered out by a working group of Cornell and city representatives appointed by Mayor Carolyn Peterson, the net systems would be city property. Cornell would pay for installation of the systems and for removal of the temporary black wire fences now on the bridges, Hoffman said.

The Ithaca Fire Department would carry out rescue of people from the nets; Cornell would reimburse the city for such costs. Cornell will also cover the cost of design and construction of a fire department training apparatus and would pay for initial training. Payment for ongoing training would be the city's responsibility. "Cornell has said [ongoing training] is expected to be a relatively minor addition to the regular training regimen for the fire department," Hoffman said.

Ithaca's Department of Public Works or a city-hired contractor would remove objects from the nets. The agreement provides that both Cornell and the city will implement provisions to make pranks, throwing objects and other misuse of the nets a violation of their codes. A committee would make recommendations on how to educate the public about the nets and to work out provisions against misuse of the nets and for penalties and consequences, Hoffman said.

The city would maintain and repair the net systems, but Cornell would reimburse the city for those costs. City staff members would help develop a set of maintenance protocols, and Cornell would pay for the cost of staff time to do that.

Hoffman said he expects the city's liability insurance to cover any claims related to the nets. Cornell would reimburse the city for premium increases resulting from the installation or operation of the nets as well as for any deductibles if any claims are sustained against the city.

The agreement would expire in 10 years. If the city decides it no longer wants the nets, it can notify Cornell to remove them during the period between six months before the agreement expires and three years after, Hoffman said, concluding his overview of the agreement.

"This [agreement] addresses most of my concerns," said Eric Rosario, D-2nd Ward. "It's a great show of understanding and commitment on both sides."

Also at the meeting, Associate University Architect Andrew Magré '91 presented the proposed net designs and answered questions from council members.