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CORTLAND -- City Council on Monday approved a 90-day moratorium on underground fiber-optic boring projects while the city develops regulations governing the work.
The emergency ordinance applies citywide. It's separate from a previously issued stop-work order involving Brightspeed after a gas leak developed during boring in the city.
Councilwoman Chelsea Munroe said the moratorium will give officials time to prepare legislation intended to protect the city during future projects.
"The moratorium that we're imposing is going to be for 90 days, and that's just giving us enough time to get some proposed legislation in place and hopefully pass through council to better protect the city during these fiber-boring projects," Munroe said.
Law Director Patrick Wilson said the moratorium is separate from the Brightspeed stop-work order. He said Mayor Jim Bradley and Service Director Greg Solarz are working with Brightspeed and its contractor.
"This is going forward, giving the city pause to put into place some appropriate legislation," Wilson said.
Council approved the moratorium unanimously.
Council also authorized the city to hire Construction Consulting and Estimating LLC as an independent cost estimator for the planned Safety Services Complex.
Bradley said the project has advanced far enough in the design process to begin reviewing architectural plans and costs before establishing a guaranteed maximum price.
"Their services are going to protect the city by reviewing all this information for us to make sure we're getting what we need out of the Safety Services project and that it's delivered on time and under budget," Bradley said.
The ordinance was passed as an emergency so the company could begin working with the project architect immediately.
In other business, council:
• Learned that the city received an extension through the end of 2026 for a $2.15 million state grant to support the Safety Services Complex training facility project.
• Witnessed the swearing-in of Todd Price as fire chief. Price thanked his family, department members and others who helped shape his career. He succeeds longtime Fire Chief David Rea, who retired last month after three decades of work in the fire service.
• Heard that work on the city's outdoor event space along Main Street is expected to begin Monday.
• Heard that the fire department plans to conduct training next week at city schools and participate in joint training with the Howland Fire Department.
• Approved an updated agreement with ODOT for the East Main Street resurfacing project.
• Approved a contract with MS Consultants Inc. to provide general municipal engineering services.