HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-SPCC-2020-06-24COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Special Budget Meeting 6:00 p.m. June 24, 2020
PRESENT: Mayor Myrick
Alderpersons (10) Brock, McGonigal, Murtagh, Nguyen, Gearhart, Fleming,
Smith, Kerslick, Lewis, Mohlenhoff OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
City Attorney – Lavine
City Controller – Thayer Human Resources Director – Michell-Nunn Fire Chief - Parsons Chief of Staff - Cogan
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: City Clerk Conley Holcomb requested the addition of Items 2.3 – 2.8 Alcohol Permit Requests to the agenda.
No Council member objected.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: 2.1 Simeon’s American Bistro Alcohol Permit Request – Resolution By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Smith
WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Public Works has received a request to allow
Simeon’s American Bistro to utilize certain areas along North Aurora Street and the Ithaca Commons for outdoor dining; and WHEREAS, since 1987 the City of Ithaca has issued a license to Simeon's American
Bistro allowing that restaurant to utilize certain areas along North Aurora Street and on
the Ithaca Commons for outdoor dining; and WHEREAS, this use of public property has generally been deemed proper and successful; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca wishes to promote diverse uses of the Ithaca Commons, including outdoor dining; and WHEREAS, it is Common Council's responsibility to determine whether or not to allow
the serving and consumption of alcohol on the Ithaca Commons; and
WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that the use of this public property for outdoor dining at Simeon's American Bistro, including the responsible sale and consumption of alcohol, is desirable; and
WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that any use of this or similar public property involving the same and consumption of alcohol should be covered by a minimum of $1,000,000 insurance under the Dram Shop Act; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, For the year 2020, Common Council hereby approves a revocable Alcoholic Beverage Permit for the outdoor sale and consumption of alcohol for Simeon's American Bistro that includes the sale of alcohol in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the application therefore, including minimum Dram Shop
coverage in the amount of $1,000,000 and the approval of an outdoor dining permit.
Carried Unanimously
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2.2 Nowhere Special Libations Parlor Alcohol Permit Request – Resolution By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Smith
WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Public Works has received a request to allow
Nowhere Special Libations Parlor to utilize certain areas along West State Street for outdoor dining and cocktails; and WHEREAS, this use of public property has generally been deemed proper and
successful; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca wishes to promote diverse uses of the Primary and Secondary Commons, including outdoor dining; and
WHEREAS, it is Common Council's responsibility to determine whether or not to allow
the serving and consumption of alcohol on the Ithaca Commons; and WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that the use of this public property for outdoor dining at Nowhere Special Libations Parlor, including the responsible sale and
consumption of alcohol, is desirable; and
WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that any use of this or similar public property involving the same and consumption of alcohol should be covered by a minimum of $1,000,000 insurance under the Dram Shop Act; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, For the year 2020, Common Council hereby approves a revocable Alcoholic Beverage Permit for the outdoor sale and consumption of alcohol for Nowhere Special Libations Parlor that includes the sale of alcohol in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the application therefore, including minimum Dram Shop
coverage in the amount of $1,000,000 and the approval of an outdoor dining permit. Carried Unanimously 2.3 Collegetown Bagels Alcohol Permit Request By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Smith
WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Public Works has received a request to allow
Collegetown Bagels to utilize certain areas along E. State/MLK Street and N. Meadow Street for outdoor dining; and WHEREAS, this use of public property has generally been deemed proper and
successful; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca wishes to promote outdoor dining; and WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that the use of this public property for
outdoor dining at both locations of Collegetown Bagels, including the responsible sale
and consumption of alcohol, is desirable; and WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that any use of this or similar public property involving the same and consumption of alcohol should be covered by a
minimum of $1,000,000 insurance under the Dram Shop Act; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, For the year 2020, Common Council hereby approves a revocable Alcoholic Beverage Permit for the outdoor sale and consumption of alcohol for
Collegetown Bagels that includes the sale of alcohol in accordance with the terms and
conditions set forth in the application therefore, including minimum Dram Shop coverage in the amount of $1,000,000 and the approval of an outdoor dining permit. Carried Unanimously
2.4 Bickering Twins Restaurant Alcohol Permit Request
By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Smith WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Public Works has received a request to allow Bickering Twins to utilize certain areas along N. Cayuga Street for outdoor dining; and
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WHEREAS, this use of public property has generally been deemed proper and successful; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca wishes to promote diverse uses of the Primary and
Secondary Commons, including outdoor dining; and WHEREAS, it is Common Council's responsibility to determine whether or not to allow the serving and consumption of alcohol on the Ithaca Commons; and
WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that the use of this public property for outdoor dining at Bickering Twins Restaurant, including the responsible sale and consumption of alcohol, is desirable; and
WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that any use of this or similar public
property involving the same and consumption of alcohol should be covered by a minimum of $1,000,000 insurance under the Dram Shop Act; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, For the year 2020, Common Council hereby approves a revocable
Alcoholic Beverage Permit for the outdoor sale and consumption of alcohol for Bickering
Twins Restaurant that includes the sale of alcohol in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the application therefore, including minimum Dram Shop coverage in the amount of $1,000,000 and the approval of an outdoor dining permit. Carried Unanimously
2.5 Thompson and Bleeker Alcohol Permit Request By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Smith WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Public Works has received a request to allow Thompson and Bleeker to utilize certain areas on the Ithaca Commons for outdoor
dining; and
WHEREAS, this use of public property has generally been deemed proper and successful; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca wishes to promote diverse uses of the Ithaca Commons,
including outdoor dining; and WHEREAS, it is Common Council's responsibility to determine whether or not to allow the serving and consumption of alcohol on the Ithaca Commons; and
WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that the use of this public property for outdoor dining at Thompson and Bleeker, including the responsible sale and consumption of alcohol, is desirable; and
WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that any use of this or similar public
property involving the same and consumption of alcohol should be covered by a minimum of $1,000,000 insurance under the Dram Shop Act; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, For the year 2020, Common Council hereby approves a revocable
Alcoholic Beverage Permit for the outdoor sale and consumption of alcohol for
Thompson and Bleeker that includes the sale of alcohol in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the application therefore, including minimum Dram Shop coverage in the amount of $1,000,000 and the approval of an outdoor dining permit.
Carried Unanimously
2.6 The Watershed Alcohol Permit Request By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Smith WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Public Works has received a request to allow The
Watershed to utilize certain areas along W. State Street for outdoor dining; and
WHEREAS, this use of public property has generally been deemed proper and successful; and
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WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca wishes to promote diverse uses of the Primary and Secondary Commons, including outdoor dining; and
WHEREAS, it is Common Council's responsibility to determine whether or not to allow
the serving and consumption of alcohol on the Ithaca Commons; and WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that the use of this public property for outdoor dining at The Watershed, including the responsible sale and consumption of
alcohol, is desirable; and
WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that any use of this or similar public property involving the same and consumption of alcohol should be covered by a
minimum of $1,000,000 insurance under the Dram Shop Act; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, For the year 2020, Common Council hereby approves a revocable Alcoholic Beverage Permit for the outdoor sale and consumption of alcohol for The Watershed that includes the sale of alcohol in accordance with the terms and conditions
set forth in the application therefore, including minimum Dram Shop coverage in the
amount of $1,000,000 and the approval of an outdoor dining permit. Carried Unanimously 2.7 Ithaca Ale House Alcohol Permit Request
By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Smith WHEREAS, the Ithaca Ale House has requested permission to utilize certain areas along North Aurora Street for outdoor dining; and WHEREAS, this use of public property has been deemed proper and successful; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca wishes to promote diverse uses of the Primary and Secondary Commons, including outdoor dining; and WHEREAS, it is Common Council's responsibility to determine whether or not to allow
the serving and consumption of alcohol on the Primary and Secondary Commons; and WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that the use of this public property for outdoor dining at the Ithaca Ale House, including the responsible sale and consumption of alcohol, is desirable; and
WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that any use of this or similar public property involving the same and consumption of alcohol should be covered by a minimum of $1,000,000 insurance under the Dram Shop Act; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, For the year 2020, Common Council hereby approves a revocable Alcoholic Beverage Permit for the outdoor sale and consumption of alcohol for the Ithaca Ale House that includes the sale of alcohol in accord with the terms and conditions set forth in application therefore, including minimum Dram Shop coverage in the amount of $1,000,000 and the approval of an outdoor dining permit.
Carried Unanimously 2.8 Kimchi Alcohol Permit Request By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Smith
WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Public Works has received a request to allow Kimchi
to utilize certain areas on the Ithaca Commons for outdoor dining; and WHEREAS, this use of public property has generally been deemed proper and successful; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca wishes to promote diverse uses of the Ithaca Commons, including outdoor dining; and
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WHEREAS, it is Common Council's responsibility to determine whether or not to allow the serving and consumption of alcohol on the Ithaca Commons; and
WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that the use of this public property for
outdoor dining at Kimchi, including the responsible sale and consumption of alcohol, is desirable; and WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that any use of this or similar public
property involving the same and consumption of alcohol should be covered by a
minimum of $1,000,000 insurance under the Dram Shop Act; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, For the year 2020, Common Council hereby approves a revocable Alcoholic Beverage Permit for the outdoor sale and consumption of alcohol for Kimchi
that includes the sale of alcohol in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in
the application therefore, including minimum Dram Shop coverage in the amount of $1,000,000 and the approval of an outdoor dining permit. Carried Unanimously
2.9 Discussion of 2021 Budget Process and Priorities Alderperson Mohlenhoff presented information about the City’s $63 million budget that included:
• Revenue projections based on the 2020 budget as adopted, pre-COVID-19
o Property tax – 39% o Sales Tax – 25% o Local Revenue – 21%
o State Aid – 6%
o Parking 5%
o Federal Aid – 0%
• Expenses based on the 2020 budget as adopted, pre-COVID-19
o Staff – 72%
o Debt Service – 12% o Parts/Fuel/Equipment – 6% o Contracts – 5% o Other – 5%
• Loss expected from COVID-19 o Loss Revenue – 20% = $13 million gap o Sales Tax – 13% (March sales tax collection -3%; April sales tax collection
– 29%; May sales tax collection – 36%
o Local Revenue – 20%
o State Aid – 4% o Parking – 2% o Interfund – 3%
o Property Tax – 38%
• 2020 Priorities were
o Streets & Sidewalks
o Public Safety
$12,775,722 Police Department Budget o Youth & Community Programming
$9,765,414 Youth Bureau, GIAC, Southside, Golf Course,
Parks/Forestry, Community Outreach Worker/Mental Health
Court/My Brothers Keeper Initiative City Controller Thayer provided an update on the City’s current financial status and the potential impacts of an economic recovery.
A question-and-answer period followed with Common Council members.
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Alderperson Mohlenhoff shared the results from a public survey that was conducted to receive input on the City of Ithaca 2021 budget and corresponding priorities:
• 328 Total Responses
o 76% of respondents live in the City of Ithaca o 20.62% of respondents attend school in the City of Ithaca o 54.46% of respondents work in the City of Ithaca
o 5.54% of respondents indicated “other”
• The respondents indicated their departmental funding priorities as follows: o Department of Public Works
o Youth & Community Services
o Fire Department o Police Department o Finance/Administration/Information Technology/Human Resources/Attorney o Planning & Building
o Mayor/Council
• The respondents indicated that they would be willing to pay the following additional percentages in property taxes or rent to support the services they
desire:
o 0% - 26.88%
o 1% - 22.19% o 2% - 20.63% o 3% - 10.31%
o 4% - 5.63%
o 5% or more – 14.37%
• The respondents indicated the following preferences for the City to balance its
budget:
o Increase property taxes – 43.83%
o Reduce the level of services such as hours or frequency – 38.89% o Increase user fees for services that currently have fees – 32.10% o Introduce new user fees that currently do not have fees – 28.40%
o Increase fines for violations – 24.69%
o Other – 41.36% Common themes include: Do not increase fines that impact low-income residents or families; Cornell should increase their contribution to the City; implement sliding scales for fees where possible; Crowdsourcing funding
or solicit donors for support of valued City programs; Allow for people to
pre-pay or overpay property taxes; Use volunteers for city programs; Reduce funding to the Police Department
• The respondents offered the following common themes as suggestions for efficiencies, reductions in services, or cost savings: o Moratorium on salary increases for all staff; renegotiate union contracts o Cut back permanently on mowing as a cost savings and sustainability measure
o Increase parking fees and fines
o Golf course - eliminate entirely or do not subsidize or sell to private entity o Shared Government services building with other municipalities o Shared services with county or other municipalities, admin, IT, payroll, etc. o Eliminate tax abatements
o Outsource trash and yard waste pick up
• The respondents offered the following common themes as suggestions for generating revenue:
o Fine/fees for gorge rescue
o Parking fees increase and are all automated with kiosks and apps
o Increase and encourage tourism through festivals,eco-adventures, sporting events, etc. that will increase sales tax revenue and help local businesses
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o Install traffic cameras that track and issues tickets o Charge higher fees/penalties for vacant homes and businesses o More Public-Private partnerships for City facilities and services
o Charge all or only out-of-county visitors to enter City Parks
o Add Food Trucks, Concessions, and Vendors in all City Parks with permit fees o Attract more brand name stores to the Commons o Allow for businesses and people to provide funding to specific programs
like REACH, Community Outreach Worker, etc.
o Automate City Services with online payments, virtual services –this will reduce staffing needs and allow for safer interactions during pandemics Alderperson Mohlenhoff offered the following suggestions for a Part-2 session of Budget
Basics:
o Tax Abatements – how they work; what has been funded this way, etc.
o Better breakdown of Revenues through fees o Breakdown of DPW funding o Cornell Memorandum of Understanding
o Capital Projects
o Debt Service & Interest Rates
o Fund Balance o SWAT – not budget related but more information about this program in addition to funding breakdowns would be helpful.
Further discussion occurred on the survey results and topics that Council would like more information on prior to entering the 2021 budget process. ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. The video of this meeting can be found on the City’s YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/CityofIthacaPublicMeetings
______________________________ _______________________________ Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Deborah Mohlenhoff
City Clerk Acting Mayor
Chair of City Administration Committee