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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-2023-03-01COMMON COUNCIL Voting Record Date: Wednesday, March 01, 2023 Location: City Hall, 108 E. Green Street 3rd Floor, Council Chambers Meeting Called to order: 6:00 P.M. Meeting Adjourned: 8:40 P.M. YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl312oIGMa4 Attendance Record of Voting Members Name Present (In Person) Remote Absent / Excused Mayor – Laura Lewis X 1st Ward – Cynthia Brock X 1st Ward – George McGonigal X 2nd Ward – Phoebe Brown X 2nd Ward - Ducson Nguyen X 3rd Ward – Jeffrey Barken X 3rd Ward – Rob Gearhart X 4th Ward – Jorge DeFendini X 4th Ward - Tiffany Kumar X 5th Ward – Robert Cantelmo X 5th Ward - Kris Haines-Sharp X Total voting members for this meeting 9 Agenda Item: 1.1 Agenda Review YouTube Timestamp: 01:39 Discussion Summary: Mayor Lewis is adding Item 5.3 – Appointments to the Workforce Diversity Advisory Committee (WDAC) Agenda Item: 1.2 Reports of Municipal Officers YouTube Timestamp: 02:26 (Tabled) / 56:33 (actual) Discussion Summary: Tompkins County Legislator, Veronica Pillar - Emergency preparedness resiliency plan in effect (environmental / natural disasters) and on March 7, 6:00pm there is a Citizen Preparedness training at the Danby Fire Station hosted by Tompkins County - In Albany for NYS association of counties, our state senator signed off on environmental legislation bills - NYS budget process is “stressed and opaque”, and risk of losing federal funding for enhanced Medicaid assistance (up to $1.5 million) from budget mid-year - Accepting grant for developing strategic operations plan - County historian retiring, and March 7 @ 5:30 legislature will honor her - Board of Elections is hosting “I voted” sticker contest (student age) - Hiring Chief Equity and Diversity Officer, and will then be running workforce trainings County/City - Corrections Officers hiring – higher pay and scheduling flexibility, incentives - Public Safety building – task force forming to make recommendations on changes / redesign - Opioid Task Force – planning town halls around the County to receive community input Agenda Item: 1.4a Approval of Minutes – 2020 (all) YouTube Timestamp: 2:47 Discussion Summary: Motion to Approve: Jorge DeFendini Seconded by: Rob Gearhart Vote Passed 9-0 Member Approve Deny Abstain Table Cynthia Brock X George McGonigal X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Jeffrey Barken Rob Gearhart X Jorge DeFendini X Tiffany Kumar X Robert Cantelmo X Kris Haines-Sharp X Agenda Item: 1.4b Approval of Minutes – January 4, 2023, and February 1, 2023 YouTube Timestamp: 05:16 Discussion Summary: Motion to Approve: Phoebe Brown Seconded by: Cynthia Brock Vote Passed 9-0 Member Approve Deny Abstain Table Cynthia Brock X George McGonigal X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Jeffrey Barken Rob Gearhart X Jorge DeFendini X Tiffany Kumar X Robert Cantelmo X Kris Haines-Sharp X Agenda Item 2.1 Statements from the Public YouTube Timestamp: 06:26 Naveen. Sabet (remote) – Why is the city of Ithaca Vegan-Unfriendly? Zachary Winn (remote) – Ithaca Mike Thorne – DPW contract Kayla Matos – Good cause (eviction bill) Courtney McGuire – statement from Stephanie Engster regarding CSEA Admin Shari Korthuis – community / iPD Amanda Kirchyessner – change Jordan Clemons – City funds release Deidra Cross – collusion / litigation Agenda Item 3.2 Privilege of the Floor – Mayor and Council YouTube Timestamp: 38:30 George McGonigal – Thanked all speakers. Clarified cleanup issue raised by Z. Winn. Discussed IPD. Thanked Courtney McGuire for coming to represent CSEA. Discussed Reimagining IPD will continue to bring IPD/community together. Jorge DeFendini – Discussed drafting a letter in support of the Good Cause Eviction legislation Phoebe Brown – Thanked some of the speakers; most of the speakers. Thanked Jordan and will find out why funds not yet distributed. If wins re-election, discussed support of West Village and Chestnut Hill. Asked for more and continued feedback from community. Laura Lewis – Regarding funds distribution brought up by Jordan Clemons, they should now be ready to distribute. Cynthia Brock – Common Council members do care. They do listen to community. Renter protections already in the City code, and already reached out to Yazmin to connect renters to she and George. Thanked Jorge for is letter of support. She discussed brining up similar legislation in City of Ithaca 4 years earlier, and is glad legislation is moving forward now. Thanked speakers and reiterated that voices need to be heard. Tiffany Kumar – Thanked speakers and wants to learn more about emergency preparedness locally. All speakers are important and valuable. Rob Gearhart – Wanted to bring up and remember Susan Blumenthal who recently passed away. She served on Common Council and the Planning Board and was instrumental in creating the “Pride of Ownership” awards. George McGonigal – thanked Rob Gearhart for bringing up Susan Blumenthal. Phoebe Brown – Also wanted to thank/honor Kathy A. Baily to also recently passed away. Agenda Item: 3. Consent Agenda YouTube Timestamp: 1:05:50 Discussion Summary: Motion to Approve: Robert Cantelmo Seconded by: Jorge DeFedini Vote Passed 9-0 Member Approve Deny Abstain Table Cynthia Brock X George McGonigal X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Jeffrey Barken Rob Gearhart X Jorge DeFendini X Tiffany Kumar X Robert Cantelmo X Kris Haines-Sharp X Agenda Item: 4.1 City Controller’s Report YouTube Timestamp: 1:06:23 - Sales tax up in 2023 – 21% up from 2022 (same period) - CPI for January – 6.4% (dropping) – this does impact City operating costs - State funding sources (budget proposal) seems to be maintaining at a consistent $2.6 million - Transportation funding aid (CHIPS, winter recovery, paving, etc.) maintaining at approximately $3 million. - $500 million in funds for drinking and wastewater systems. - Civil service continuous recruitment proposal – quick exams and instant results via computer (online) Agenda Item: 5.1 Authorization to Waive the Search and Appoint a Fire Chief - Resolution YouTube Timestamp: 1:17:10 Discussion Summary: Motion to Approve: Rob Gearhart Seconded by: Robert Cantelmo Vote Passed 9-0 Member Approve Deny Abstain Table Cynthia Brock X George McGonigal X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Jeffrey Barken Rob Gearhart X Jorge DeFendini X Tiffany Kumar X Robert Cantelmo X Kris Haines-Sharp X Agenda Item: 5.2 Appointment to the Program Oversight Committee of the Community Housing Development Fund YouTube Timestamp: 1:20:30 Discussion Summary: Motion to Approve: George McGonigal Seconded by: Cynthia Brock Vote Passed 9-0 Member Approve Deny Abstain Table Cynthia Brock X George McGonigal X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Jeffrey Barken Rob Gearhart X Jorge DeFendini X Tiffany Kumar X Robert Cantelmo X Kris Haines-Sharp X Agenda Item: 5.3 Appointments to the Workforce Diversity Advisory Committee (WDAC) YouTube Timestamp: 1:21:22 Discussion Summary: Motion to Approve: Rob Gearhart Seconded by: Cynthia Brock Vote Passed 9-0 Member Approve Deny Abstain Table Cynthia Brock X George McGonigal X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Jeffrey Barken Rob Gearhart X Jorge DeFendini X Tiffany Kumar X Robert Cantelmo X Kris Haines-Sharp X Agenda Item: 6.1 Report of Special Committee YouTube Timestamp: 1:22:40 George McGonigal – Reimaging Public Safety (RPS) has finished its report and is out/available to the public. Public Hearing to be held March 8th. Agenda Item: 6.3 Report of City Clerk YouTube Timestamp: 1:24:37 - Common Council members have received their annual financial disclosure statements and are/are being returned to the City Clerk’s Office. These statements are available for public review. Clerk will re-send form to any Council members who have not received it. - Clerk’s office is happy to announce that we have hired Deputy City Clerk, Shaniqua Lewis, and she will be starting March 13th. Agenda Item: 7a. Enter into Executive Session to discuss labor negotiations YouTube Timestamp: 1:26:20 Discussion Summary: Motion to Approve: Tiffany Kumar Seconded by: Jorge DeFendini Vote Passed 9-0 Member Approve Deny Abstain Table Cynthia Brock X George McGonigal X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Jeffrey Barken Rob Gearhart X Jorge DeFendini X Tiffany Kumar X Robert Cantelmo X Kris Haines-Sharp X Agenda Item: 7b. Exit out of Executive Session to discuss labor negotiations YouTube Timestamp: 2:37:03 Discussion Summary: Motion to Approve: Jorge DeFendini Seconded by: Cynthia Brock Vote Passed 9-0 Member Approve Deny Abstain Table Cynthia Brock X George McGonigal X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Jeffrey Barken Rob Gearhart X Jorge DeFendini X Tiffany Kumar X Robert Cantelmo X Kris Haines-Sharp X Agenda Item: 7.2 Approval and Authorization to Execute CSEA DPW Unit Contract - Resolution YouTube Timestamp: 2:37:39 Discussion Summary: Motion to Approve: Kris Haines-Sharp Seconded by: Robert Cantelmo Vote Passed 9-0 Member Approve Deny Abstain Table Cynthia Brock X George McGonigal X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Jeffrey Barken Rob Gearhart X Jorge DeFendini X Tiffany Kumar X Robert Cantelmo X Kris Haines-Sharp X Agenda Item: 8.2 Adjourn YouTube Timestamp: 2:39:22 Discussion Summary: Motion to Approve: Robert Cantelmo Seconded by: Jorge DeFendini Vote Passed 9-0 Member Approve Deny Abstain Table Cynthia Brock X George McGonigal X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Jeffrey Barken Rob Gearhart X Jorge DeFendini X Tiffany Kumar X Robert Cantelmo X Kris Haines-Sharp X COMMON COUNCIL AGENDA Date: Wednesday, March 01, 2023 Time: 6:00 P.M. Location: City Hall, 108 E. Green Street 3rd Floor, Council Chambers Watch Online: https://www.youtube.com/@CityofIthacaPublicMeetings ITEM Voting Item? Presenter(s) Time Allotted 1. Call to Order 1.1 Agenda Review 1.2 Reports of Municipal Officials 1.3 Proclamations and Awards 1.4 Review and Approval of Minutes January 4 and February 1, 2023 No Yes Mayor Laura Lewis 10 Min 2. Petitions and Hearings of Persons Before Council 2.1 Statements from the Public The public can provide short statements during this portion of the meeting. 3 minutes is the maximum time allotted, but the chair reserves the right to modify the amount of time per individual at the start of the meeting. Only the first hour of the meeting is set aside for Public Comment. *Written comments submitted will be compiled and entered into the record. 2.2 Privilege of the Floor – Mayor and Council No No Sign up for public comment here: https://tinyurl.com/7ts9zmku *Submit written comments here: https://tinyurl.com/mr9kdhw8 40 Min 3. Consent Agenda 3.1 HR – Amendment to Personnel Roster Recruitment Specialist – Resolution 3.2 GIAC – Amendment to Personnel Roster Program Coordinator – Resolution 3.3 DPW – Temporary Access Easement from City to NYSEG – Resolution Yes Common Council 5 Min 4. City Administration Committee 4.1 City Controller’s Report No S Thayer, Controller 10 Min 5. New Business 5.1 Authorization to Waive the Search and Appoint a Fire Chief - Resolution 5.2 Appointment to the Program Oversight Committee of the Community Housing Development Fund 5.3 Appointments to the Workforce Diversity Advisory Committee (WDAC) Yes Yes Yes Mayor Laura Lewis Mayor Laura Lewis Mayor Laura Lewis 10 Mins ITEM Voting Item? Presenter(s) Time Allotted 6. Reports from Council and Staff 6.1 Reports of Special Committees 6.2 Reports of Common Council Liaisons 6.3 Report of City Clerk 6.4 Report of City Attorney No 10 Min 7. Executive Session (If needed) 7.1 Executive session to discuss labor negotiations 7.2 Approval and Authorization to Execute CSEA DPW Unit Contract - Resolution Yes Mayor Laura Lewis 30 Min 8. Meeting Wrap-Up 8.1 Next Meeting Date: April 5, 2023 8.2 Adjourn No Yes 5 Min Meeting Length Estimate 120 Min Hybrid Meetings Common Council has resumed meeting in person; however, due to limited seating capacity in Common Council Chambers, city staff and members of the public are encouraged to participate remotely if they would like to. How to Participate in Public Comment Virtually Email Common Council Through the Agenda Link Written comments can be submitted to Common Council using this form: https://tinyurl.com/mr9kdhw8 3.1 Amendment to Personnel Roster – Human Resources Recruitment Specialist WHEREAS, In the 2023 budget process Common Council approved the funding for a position dedicated to recruitment with an equity lens, and WHEREAS, this individual will work closely with departments and community members and organizations to meet the staffing needs of all departments, and WHEREAS, it is necessary to assign the position to a salary grade and establish a standard workday, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Personnel Roster of the Human Resources Department be amended as follows: Add: One (1) Human Resources Recruitment Specialist and be it further RESOLVED, that the position of Human Resources Recruitment Specialist shall be assigned to the Management Compensation Plan at salary grade 7, and be it further RESOLVED, that for the sole purpose of determining days worked reportable to the New York State and Local Employees Retirement System the standard workday for this position shall be established at eight (8) hours per day (forty (40) hours per week), and, be it further RESOLVED, that the funding for this change shall be derived from existing funds within the Human Resources Department budget. 3.2 Resolution to Amend GIAC Roster Program Coordinator Position WHEREAS, the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) needs a Program Coordinator position to manage some of its special initiatives including serving as the School Aged Child Care Program Director (SACC); and WHEREAS, the Mayor and Common Council included this position in the authorized 2023 GIAC budget at 20 hours per week; and WHEREAS, GIAC needs this position to be at minimum 25 hours per week to be able to fulfill the demanding responsibilities of a SACC Director and other special events; and WHEREAS, GIAC Administration is requesting this position be amended to 25 hours per week; and WHEREAS, the cost for making this change is $7,220 for the remainder of 2023, including fringe; and WHEREAS, GIAC’s 2023 budget as approved has funding to support the amendment of this position; and WHEREAS, no additional funds are being requested for this positions, now therefore be it: RESOLVED, that the Personnel Roster of GIAC shall be amended as follows: Increase: one (1) GIAC Program Coordinator from 20 hours/week to 25 hours/week And be it further, RESOLVED, that said roster amendment will be made within the existing funds of the 2023 authorized GIAC budget. 3.3 Resolution for a Temporary Access Easement from the City of Ithaca to New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG) WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca owns a land interest for public water supply within Tax Parcel 55.-1-1, and WHEREAS, the New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG) owns and maintains an overhead utility easement within City land, and WHEREAS, direct access to the NYSEG utility easement can be obtained through City property off of Coddington Road in the Town of Ithaca, more specifically between Tax Parcel 48.-1-9.1 and Tax Parcel 48.-1-10, and WHEREAS, NYSEG has prepared a Temporary Access Easement to service said utility through the Coddington Road access, and WHEREAS, the City is desirous in granting NYSEG access through its parcel. Now therefore be it RESOLVED, that careful review of the Temporary Access Easement by City of Ithaca staff and the City legal team agree with the conditions therein and make recommendation to City Common Council to approve said agreement. 5.1 RESOLUTION: Authorization to Waive the Search and Appoint a Fire Chief WHEREAS, the City Charter Section C-26. A thru H outlines the search procedure for the appointment of department heads, and WHEREAS, the City Charter Section C-26.I states that “Upon the request of the Mayor, and with the affirmative vote of 2/3 of the Common Council exclusive of the Mayor, this search committee procedure may be waived and the Mayor may make an appointment directly, with the approval of Common Council by majority vote.”, and WHEREAS, the Mayor wishes to appoint the Acting Fire Chief Robert Covert as the permanent Fire Chief, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that Common Council authorizes the mayor to waive the search for a Fire Chief and appoint Acting Fire Chief Robert Covert to the position of Fire Chief at an annual salary of $132,552, effective March 2, 2023. 5.2 Appointment to the Program Oversight Committee of the Community Housing Development Fund RESOLVED, That Kris Haines-Sharp be appointed to the Program Oversight Committee of the Community Housing Development Fund with a term to expire December 31, 2023. 5.3 Appointments to the Workforce Diversity Advisory Committee (WDAC) RESOLVED, that Belisa Gonzalez be reappointed for a three-year term to expire on December 31, 2024, and that Luca Mauer be reappointed for a three-year term to expire on December 31, 2025. 7.2 Approval and Authorization to Execute CSEA DPW Unit Contract – Resolution RESOLVED, that Common Council approves the agreement between the City of Ithaca and CSEA DPW Unit for a five-year term commencing January 1, 2021 and expiring December 31, 2025, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Mayor is authorized to fully execute the agreement on behalf of the City.