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Home My WebLink AboutMN-CC-2024-03-06YouTube Link: Date: Location: Wednesday March 6, 2024 City Hall Council Chambers COMMON COUNCIL Voting Record 1.1 Emergency Evacuation 2. Agenda Review 3. Reports of Municipal Officials Attendance Record of Voting Members Name Present Absent/Excused Mayor - Robert Cantelmo X 1st Ward - Kayla Matos X 1st Ward - Phoebe Brown X 2nd Ward - Ducson Nguyen X 2nd Ward - Kris Haines-Sharp X 3rd Ward - David Shapiro X 3rd Ward - Pierre Saint-Perez X 4th Ward - Patrick Kuehl X 4th Ward - Tiffany Kumar X 5th Ward - Margaret Fabrizio X 5th Ward - Clyde Lederman X Discussion Summary: Mayor Robert Cantelmo called the meeting to order at 6 pm. All members of Council are present. Timestamp 0:12 Discussion Summary: Reading of the Emergency Evacuation notice. Timestamp 0:18 Discussion Summary: Capital Project # 854 Stewart Park Playground is being added to the agenda. New agenda item 8.2. Mayor Cantelmo introduced a Special Presentation being given by the Ithaca Youth Bureau Youth Council Ambassador's before Reports of Municipal Officials Timestamp 3:13 Discussion Summary: Special Presentation from the Ithaca Youth Bureau Youth Council Ambassadors. The presentation was led by 20 teens to highlight the YCA Retreat. This year's retreat focused on Mental Health. Youth Ambassadors talked about their visit from NAMI the National Association of Mental Illness representatives and what they learned. Mayor Cantelmo thanked the youth for their work on helping their peers develop resources that help with those struggling with mental health. Timestamp 3:38 Report from Tompkins County Legislators Veronica Pillar (they/them) and Rich John: County legislators reported on the following topics, the closing of the Red House on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2sLjtPw9AM 1. Call to Order 4.Proclamations and Awards 4.1 Quarterly Recognition 5.Review and Approval of Minutes 5.1 02-07-2024 Common Council Meeting Minutes. 6.Petitions and Hearings of Persons Before Council 6.1 Statements From the Public Cayuga Street, closing is expected to be done by the end of March, the county anticipates significant renovations by the buyer; the county is proceeding with The Center of Government planning and is ready to take questions, the center is going to be on the corner of Tioga and Buffalo street. Legislator Johns shared information from The New York State Association of Counties meeting, pointing out there were representatives from dispensaries talking about the roll-out of dispensaries and the problem with illicit sales. Legislator Pillar talked about the increase in property assessments, clarifying assessments do not equal taxes, Legislator Pillar went on to explain tax rates and assessments. Discussion continued with questions and comments from Council. Timestamp 21:04 Discussion Summary: This month's Honoree is Dewrail Daquan Rockett. "Rockett" has been recognized for his contributions to the Ithaca Youth Bureau and the College Discovery Program and has proven to be a valued member of the team and program. Timestamp 34:13 Discussion Summary: No Discussion. Alderperson Shapiro is absent from the vote. Timestamp 36:50 Moved By: Kris Haines-Sharp Seconded By: Pierre Saint-Perez Motion Summary: Vote Passed 10-0 Carried Unanimously Member Approve Oppose Recuse Robert Cantelmo X Kayla Matos X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Kris Haines-Sharp X Pierre Saint-Perez X Patrick Kuehl X Tiffany Kumar X Margaret Fabrizio X Clyde Lederman X 6.2 Privilege of the Floor 7.Consent Agenda 7.1 Resolution Information Systems Desktop Specialist. Discussion Summary: The following members of the public shared their thoughts and comments on the Cease Fire in Gaza Resolution: Ruth Yarrow, Nikhil Sahoo, Jorge DeFendini, Regi Teasley, Sarah Curless, Mona Sulzman, Mark Zuss, Eric Cheyfitz, Kate Cardona, Genevieve Rand, Aaron Krupp, Teresa Dechanes, David Halpert, Stan Malinowitz, Sara Fern, Amber Gilewski, Isaiah Gutman, Stephanie Heslop, Jeff Furman, Deirdre Silverman, Sara Hess, Neil Golder, Beth Harris, Fahed Saada, Harriet Malinowitz, Rosalyn Aquila, Sivan Gordon-Buxbaum, Timestamp 37:43- 1:37:06 * Written comments on the Cease Fire were submitted by members of the public and have been added to the record. Discussion Summary: Council addressed the public, shared their thoughts and comments regarding the Cease Fire Resolution; thanked the public for coming out and all those in the community who worked together to bring forth a permanent cease fire resolution; Alderperson Shapiro returned to Council Meeting. Timestamp 1:39:43 Alderperson Saint Perez motioned for a 10 Minute Recess. Timestamp 1:45:12 Moved By: Pierre Saint-Perez Seconded By: Patrick Kuehl Motion Summary: Motion for a 10 Minute Recess Vote Passed 11-0 Carried Unanimously Member Approve Oppose Recuse Robert Cantelmo X Kayla Matos X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Kris Haines-Sharp X David Shapiro X Pierre Saint-Perez X Patrick Kuehl X Tiffany Kumar X Margaret Fabrizio X Clyde Lederman X Discussion Summary: Council returned from Recess. Meeting back in session. Timestamp 1:57:50 8.New Business / Member Filed 8.1 Resolution Establishing the Executive Committee. 8.2 Capital Project #854 Stewart Park Playground Moved By: Tiffany Kumar Seconded By: Clyde Lederman Motion Summary: No Discussion- Timestamp 1:58:03 Vote Passed 11-0 Carried Unanimously Member Approve Oppose Recuse Robert Cantelmo X Kayla Matos X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Kris Haines-Sharp X David Shapiro X Pierre Saint-Perez X Patrick Kuehl X Tiffany Kumar X Margaret Fabrizio X Clyde Lederman X Discussion Summary: Mayor Cantelmo pointed out that per the contract there must be a body that actually conducts the meeting of the performance review, procedurally there will still be executive session input by Council. Timestamp 1:58:10 Moved By: Tiffany Kumar Seconded By: Pierre Saint-Perez Motion Summary: Vote Passed 11-0 Carried Unanimously Member Approve Oppose Recuse Robert Cantelmo X Kayla Matos X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Kris Haines-Sharp X David Shapiro X Pierre Saint-Perez X Patrick Kuehl X Tiffany Kumar X Margaret Fabrizio X Clyde Lederman X 8.3 Cease Fire Resolution Discussion Summary: New Agenda Item 8.2. The resolution was read into the record by Alderperson Lederman. If approved by the council, the splashpad is expected to be open by July 4th 2024. Timestamp 2:00:13 Moved By: Clyde Lederman Seconded By: David Shapiro Motion Summary: Vote Passed 11-0 Carried Unanimously Member Approve Oppose Recuse Robert Cantelmo X Kayla Matos X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Kris Haines-Sharp X David Shapiro X Pierre Saint-Perez X Patrick Kuehl X Tiffany Kumar X Margaret Fabrizio X Clyde Lederman X Discussion Summary: New Agenda Item 8.3. Resolution read into the record by Alderperson Matos. Timestamp 2:04:09 Moved By: Kayla Matos Seconded By: Phoebe Brown Motion Summary: Main Motion As Amended- Support Permanant Cease Fire and Prevention Loss of Human Life in the Middle East. Timestamp 2:56:52 Vote Passed 10-1 Member Approve Oppose Recuse Robert Cantelmo X Kayla Matos X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Kris Haines-Sharp X David Shapiro X Pierre Saint-Perez X Patrick Kuehl X Tiffany Kumar X Margaret Fabrizio X Clyde Lederman X Moved By: Patrick Kuehl Seconded By: David Shapiro Motion Summary: Alderperson Kuehl moved that the text of the Resolution be stricken in its entirety and replaced with proposed text. Alderperson Kuehl read into the record the proposed text to replace the struck text. Timestamp 2:11:52 Vote Passed 9-2 Member Approve Oppose Recuse Robert Cantelmo X Kayla Matos X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Kris Haines-Sharp X David Shapiro X Pierre Saint-Perez X Patrick Kuehl X Tiffany Kumar X Margaret Fabrizio X Clyde Lederman X Moved By: Tiffany Kumar Seconded By: Ducson Nguyen Motion Summary: Motion to Amend the Amendment- strike the word "terrorist" from anywhere it appears in the resolution. Timestamp 2:22:29 Vote Passed 7-4 Member Approve Oppose Recuse Robert Cantelmo X Kayla Matos X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Kris Haines-Sharp X David Shapiro X Pierre Saint-Perez X Patrick Kuehl X Tiffany Kumar X Margaret Fabrizio X Clyde Lederman X Moved By: Tiffany Kumar Seconded By: Kayla Matos Motion Summary: Alderperson Kumar Called to Previous Question Timestamp 2:25:16 Vote Passed 10-1 Member Approve Oppose Recuse Robert Cantelmo X Kayla Matos X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Kris Haines-Sharp X David Shapiro X Pierre Saint-Perez X Patrick Kuehl X Tiffany Kumar X Margaret Fabrizio X Clyde Lederman X Moved By: Kayla Matos Seconded By: Clyde Lederman Motion Summary: Motion to change the title of Amended Resolution and keep the original title Support of a Permanant Ceasefire and Preventing Loss of Human Life in the Middle East. Timestamp 2:26:13 Vote Passed 10-1 Member Approve Oppose Recuse Robert Cantelmo X Kayla Matos X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Kris Haines-Sharp X David Shapiro X Pierre Saint-Perez X Patrick Kuehl X Tiffany Kumar X Margaret Fabrizio X Clyde Lederman X Moved By: Kayla Matos Seconded By: Phoebe Brown Motion Summary: Motion to add a genocide clause. Alderperson Matos read into the record the clause "Whereas, on Thursday, January 11, 2024, and Friday, January 12, 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague held public hearings in the case brought forward by South Africa against Israel for alleged violations of the Genocide Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide during its operations in Gaza. South Africa’s application alleges that “acts and omissions by Israel… are genocidal in character, as they are committed with the requisite specific intent… to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group.” South Africa’s actions to receive provisional protections of the people of Gaza are supported by several countries and over 1,000 organizations worldwide." after the 6th Whereas. Timestamp 2:28:41 Vote Passed 6-5 Member Approve Oppose Recuse Robert Cantelmo X Kayla Matos X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Kris Haines-Sharp X David Shapiro X Pierre Saint-Perez X Patrick Kuehl X Tiffany Kumar X Margaret Fabrizio X Clyde Lederman X Moved By: Ducson Nguyen Seconded By: Kris Haines-Sharp Motion Summary: Motion to add a bullet point to the second to last resolve " support to end military funding to the State of Israel." Timestamp 2:37:20 Vote Passed 6-5 Member Approve Oppose Recuse Robert Cantelmo X Kayla Matos X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Kris Haines-Sharp X David Shapiro X Pierre Saint-Perez X Patrick Kuehl X Tiffany Kumar X Margaret Fabrizio X Clyde Lederman X Moved By: Kayla Matos Seconded By: Tiffany Kumar Motion Summary: Alderperson Matos called to question Alderperson Nguyen's motion. Timestamp 2:41:16 Vote Passed 7-4 Member Approve Oppose Recuse Robert Cantelmo X Kayla Matos X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Kris Haines-Sharp X David Shapiro X Pierre Saint-Perez X Patrick Kuehl X Tiffany Kumar X Margaret Fabrizio X Clyde Lederman X Moved By: Kayla Matos Seconded By: Motion Summary: Alderperson Matos Called the question on the Main Motion as amended. Failed for lack of a second discussion continued. Timestamp 2:42:31 Vote Lack of Second -0 Carried Unanimously Member Approve Oppose Recuse Moved By: Pierre Saint-Perez Seconded By: David Shapiro Motion Summary: Motion to refer to a committee/working group created by the mayor comprised of human rights experts and common council members. Timestamp 2:43:21 Vote Failed 3-8 Member Approve Oppose Recuse Robert Cantelmo X Kayla Matos X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Kris Haines-Sharp X David Shapiro X Pierre Saint-Perez X Patrick Kuehl X Tiffany Kumar X Margaret Fabrizio X Clyde Lederman X Moved By: Kayla Matos Seconded By: Tiffany Kumar Motion Summary: Alderperson Matos Called the Question on Alderperson's Motion to refer to Committee. Timestamp 2:55:44 Vote Passed 11-0 Carried Unanimously Member Approve Oppose Recuse Robert Cantelmo X Kayla Matos X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Kris Haines-Sharp X David Shapiro X Pierre Saint-Perez X Patrick Kuehl X Tiffany Kumar X Margaret Fabrizio X Clyde Lederman X Moved By: Patrick Kuehl Seconded By: Tiffany Kumar Motion Summary: Alderperson Kuehl Called The Question on the Main Motion as Amended. Timestamp 2:56:41 Vote Passed 10-1 9.Mayor Appointments 10.Report of City Controller 10.1 City Controller's Report 11.Report of City Manager 11.1 Monthly City Manager Report for March 2024 Member Approve Oppose Recuse Robert Cantelmo X Kayla Matos X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Kris Haines-Sharp X David Shapiro X Pierre Saint-Perez X Patrick Kuehl X Tiffany Kumar X Margaret Fabrizio X Clyde Lederman X Discussion Summary: No Appointments at this time Discussion Summary: Postponed until next meeting. Discussion Summary: No Additional information other than what is in agenda packet. City Manager open to take questions from Council. Timestamp 2:57:31 Moved By: Clyde Lederman Seconded By: Pierre Saint-Perez Motion Summary: Alderperson Lederman motioned for a 5 Minute Recess. Meeting Adjourned while in recess. Council did not resume. Timestamp 2:57:45 Vote Passed 11-0 Carried Unanimously Member Approve Oppose Recuse Robert Cantelmo X Kayla Matos X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Kris Haines-Sharp X David Shapiro X Pierre Saint-Perez X Patrick Kuehl X Tiffany Kumar X Margaret Fabrizio X Clyde Lederman X 12.Reports from Council and Staff 12.1 Report from Council Liaison 12.2 Report from Clerk's Office 12.3 Report from City Attorney 13.Executive Session (If Needed) 14.Meeting Wrap Up 14.1 Announcements 14.2 Next Meeting 14.3 Meeting Adjourn Minutes Recored by: Shaniqua Lewis, Deputy City Clerk Date: Time: Location: Watch Online: Wednesday March 6, 2024 6:00 PM City Hall Council Chambers https://www.youtube.com/@CityofIthacaPublicMeetings COMMON COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION AGENDA 1.Call to Order 1.1. 2.Agenda Review 3.Reports of Municipal Officials 4.Proclamations and Awards 4.1. 5.Review and Approval of Minutes 5.1. 6.Petitions and Hearings of Persons Before Council 6.1. 6.2. 7.Consent Agenda 7.1. 8.New Business / Member Filed 8.1. 8.2. 8.3. 9.Mayor Appointments 10.Report of City Controller 10.1. 11.Report of City Manager 11.1. 12.Reports from Council and Staff 12.1. 12.2. 12.3. 13.Executive Session (If Needed) 14.Meeting Wrap Up 14.1. 14.2. Emergency Evacuation Additions and Deletions of Agenda. Quarterly Recognition 02-07-2024 Common Council Meeting Minutes. 02-07-2024 Common Council Meeting Minutes. Statements From the Public Privilege of the Floor Resolution Information Systems Desktop Specialist. Resolution Establishing the Executive Committee. Capital Project #854 Stewart Park Playground Cease Fire Resolution No Mayor Appointments City Controller's Report Monthly Report presented by City Manager Deb Mohlenhoff. Monthly City Manager Report for March 2024 Report from Council Liaison Report from Clerk's Office Report from City Attorney Announcements Next Meeting 1 14.3.Meeting Adjourn Public Comment Forum 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. Groups of 3 or more speakers are allotted more speaking time. For Longer Speaking Time - Multiple speakers on the same topic can speak as a group with one Designated Speaker to represent the Group. This will give you more time to share your thoughts and concerns during the Public Comment Forum. 3-4 Persons with One Designated Speaker - Alotted 5 minutes 5 or More Persons with One Designated Speaker - Alotted 7 minutes Can't Come to the Meeting but still want to speak? Register to Speak Virtually - https://tinyurl.com/7ts9zmku Attending the Meeting to Speak in Person? Pre-Registration Not Required Comment Cards are provided to those who attend in person. Once you have filled out your Comment Card, please hand your card to the Clerk. Your name will be called to speak in the order the cards are received. Please Note Comment Cards will be accepted up until the Public Comment Forum begins or a maximum of 30 speakers, whichever comes first. Once we have reached a maximum of 30 speakers, you can submit your comment using the Written Comment Link Below. Want to Submit a Comment and Not Speak in Person? To Submit Written Comments - https://tinyurl.com/mr9kdhw8 *Written comments submitted with be compiled and entered into the record. 2 City of lthaca Quarterly Recognition Nomination Form 2024 Candidate for recognition: Dewrail Daquan Rockett Reason (s) for nomination: "Rockett" contributes to the IYB and the College Discovery Program (CDP) in many ways EVERY day. He has been working with CDP for almost 3 years and has proven himself a valued member of the team/program. He possesses many qualities that make him a team-member that everyone enjoys working with; he is friendly and engages with all staff, program-participanq families and the public. HE is also consistent and reliable (in both attendance and attitude), if Rockett says he will do something, it gets done! He also contributes his positive attitude towards life, he shares this with the 'tweens and teens he works with. The students in the program know they can joke around and have fun with him and They also know he has expectations for each of them and that he wants to see them succeed and he will assist them on that journey, consistentlY. Rockett has gained the trust of program parents, school staff and community stake-holders. CDP parents reach out to him for parenting advice and follow through on what he recommends. (because he is well-informed and level-headed, and even though he isn't a parent, he understands or tries to understand allthe parts of an issue or Problem) He builds relationships and knows people in every school, every sport team/league and probably at least half of the cityl He uses these connections to facilitate positive things for his students (ie. Talking to a coach about a potential player, working with a teacher to ensure that his cDP students have homework to complete during Homework club, etc.)' The City is fortunate to have someone with Rockett,s integrity and energy working with youth in lthaca. And I feel lucky and gratefulto be his supervisor' Linda Cimakasky -Barr submitted tl25/24 3 Consent Agenda Item Amendment to Personnel Roster – Information Systems Desktop Specialist WHEREAS, the Department of Public Information and Technology has conducted a staffing needs assessment and is in the process of updating and upgrading several key staff positions; and WHEREAS, the Department has identified the need to create a position with an skill set to provide the level of knowledge, skills, and experience needed to manage the City’s technology inventory and assets; and WHEREAS, the Ithaca Civil Service Commission established the classification of Information Systems Desktop Specialist at their February 2024 meeting; and WHEREAS, this position is needed to provide additional support to the Information System Managers and the Information Systems Endpoint Analyst position; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Personnel Roster of the Department of Public Information and Technology be amended as follows: Add: One (1) Information Systems Desktop Specialist and, be it further RESOLVED, That the position of Information Systems Desktop Specialist shall be assigned to the Confidential Employees Compensation Plan at salary grade 6, 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 approved departmental budget. 4 8.1 A Resolution to Establish a Working Group Regarding City Manager Performance WHEREAS, effective January 1, 2024, the City of Ithaca implemented a new form of government whereby a City Manager serves as the Chief Executive and Administrative Officer of the City; and WHEREAS, the City Manager is appointed by and accountable to the Common Council; and WHEREAS, the authorized employment agreement between the City and the City Manager contemplates periodic reviews of the City Manager’s performance; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that Common Council hereby establishes an advisory working group to be known as the “Executive Committee,” which shall consist of the Mayor, the Acting Mayor, and the Alternate Acting Mayor, with the membership of the Executive Committee to reflect any changes in said offices; and be it further RESOLVED, that that the Executive Committee shall be responsible for evaluating the performance of the City Manager in conformance with the City Manager’s employment agreement; shall report to Common Council and make recommendations regarding the City Manager’s performance as needed; shall meet with the City Manager regarding performance as needed or required; and shall perform any such other duties as Common Council may subsequently provide by resolution; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Executive Committee shall be perpetual in duration, unless and until dissolved by a subsequent resolution of Common Council. 5 New Member File - New Agenda Item 8.2 Request Amendment to Capital Project #854 Stewart Park Playground WHEREAS, the Common Council previously approved Capital Project #854, Stewart Park Playground in December 2018 in the amount of $1,000,000 to be fully funded by Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) funds and funding from the Friends of Stewart Park, and WHEREAS, the project was completed in 2021 and now a request has been made to amend the project to construct a new Splash Pad and Large Pavilion addition at Stewart park, and WHEREAS, the new Splash Pad project has been estimated to cost $300,000 and the Large Pavilion addition for Ithaca Youth Bureau storage space, has been estimated at $370,000, for a total project funding request of $670,000, and WHEREAS, the funding for said projects will be derived from the following sources: $500,000 DASNY funds $120,000 Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology (CREST) funds $40,000 City operating funds, funds have been encumbered from 2023 as part of the approved 2023 Budget $10,000 Friends of Stewart Park now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends Capital Project #854, Stewart Park Playground, by an amount not to exceed of $670,000 for a new total project authorization of $1,670,000 for the purposes of adding a new Splash Pad, $300,000, and Large Pavilion addition, $370,000, to Stewart Park, and be it further RESOLVED, Funds needed for said project amendment shall be derived from the issuance of Serial Bonds as necessary, with a later reimbursement of funding from the following sources: $500,000 DASNY funds $120,000 Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology (CREST) funds $40,000 City operating funds, funds have been encumbered from 2023 as part of the approved 2023 Budget $10,000 Friends of Stewart Park 6 Support of Permanent Ceaseﬁre and Preventing Loss of Human Life in the Middle East WHEREAS, all human life is precious, and the targeting of civilians, no matter their faith or ethnicity, is a violation of international humanitarian law; WHEREAS, on October 7, 2023, Hamas perpetrated a attack in the State of Israel that resulted in the deaths of 1,139 individuals; WHEREAS, the people of Palestine have the right to freedom and democracy; and elections in Palestine have not been held since 2006; WHEREAS, the people of Israel have a right to feel safe in their homes and be reunited with their loved ones who currently are being held hostage by Hamas; WHEREAS, the Israeli military’s subsequent invasion of Gaza has produced a catastrophic loss of life that is estimated to be in excess of 30,000 deaths or 1.5% of the entire population of the Gaza Strip; WHEREAS, the United Nations Security Council reaﬃrmed on November 15, 2023, that “all parties to the conﬂict must adhere to their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights laws,”; WHEREAS, on Thursday, January 11, 2024, and Friday, January 12, 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague held public hearings in the case brought forward by South Africa against Israel for alleged violations of the Genocide Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide during its operations in Gaza. South Africa’s application alleges that “acts and omissions by Israel… are genocidal in character, as they are committed with the requisite speciﬁc intent… to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group.” South Africa’s actions to receive provisional protections of the people of Gaza are supported by several countries and over 1,000 organizations worldwide; WHEREAS, locally, the October 7 attacks and subsequent war in Gaza is materially harming the social health and culture of Ithaca in disturbing ways, including increased anti- Semitism and Islamophobia, polarization of opinions, mental health issues, emotional crisis, and other consequences negatively impacting public welfare; 7 New Agenda Item 8.3 WHEREAS, on February 8, 2024 President Joseph R. Biden condemned the Netanyahu government’s response to these attacks as “over the top,”; WHEREAS, on March 3, 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris called for an immediate ceaseﬁre; WHEREAS, Vice President Harris further called on the Netanyahu government to do more to signiﬁcantly increase the ﬂow of aid, provide humanitarian relief and protection, and restore basic service; WHEREAS, Vice President Harris further called on Hamas to accept a ceaseﬁre and release the hostages currently being held; now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Common Council of the City of Ithaca expresses its statement of support for the U.S. government to do everything in its power to inﬂuence the parties to achieve the following: A. A permanent negotiated bilateral cease-ﬁre, agreed to by both sides in this war and guaranteed by the international community; B. Codify the right to self-determination of both the Israeli and Palestinian people; C. Work towards strong and enduring peace in the Middle East; D. Ensure the unrestricted access of humanitarian aid into Gaza for the civilians of Palestine; E. End the detention of Palestinian civilians indeﬁnitely held without charge; F. Release all civilian hostages held by Hamas; G. Support the end of US military funding to Israel And be it further RESOLVED, that the Ithaca City Clerk provide a copy of this resolution to the oﬃce President Biden, Vice President Harris, and the New York Congressional delegation. 8 Controller’s Report to Common Council 3/6/24 Our office is busy closing out 2023, which will take us until May 2024. In addition, we are busy catching up on the financial reporting for 2021 and 2022. The 2021 financial audit is in progress with the plan of completing that by April 2024. We will then move onto the 2022 audit work with the estimated completion date of December 2024. Also, we are trying to fill our open positions in the Finance Department. We have an open position in the Chamberlain’s office and two open positions in the Controller’s Office. It’s currently a difficult hiring environment. We have temporary assistance working on audit work, but that person will leave us in April. In addition, we have Steve Thayer assisting us in his retirement, but his time is limited due to NYS pension requirements regarding earnings in retirement. We have many new staff members in the Chamberlian’s Office and training those members and doing the daily work is difficult. That’s the reason for the limited hours in the Chamberlain’s Office currently. 2024 tax collections went as smooth as possible considering all the new staff. It has been a real struggle filling our open positions. We look forward to the day we have a fully trained staff. 2023/2024 financial items: We still have several economic items currently impacting our city operations. Inflation, supply chain issues, and staffing issues all are impacting the City operations. As a result, almost all costs are increasing and making it more difficult to operate. Here is a look at some of the 2023 and 2024 activity: Sales tax: We budgeted $17,108,600 in sales tax for 2023. We now have our final 2023 collections, which are $18,016,269. 2023 sales collections started out strong but finished weaker during the last quarter of activity. Overall, we finished over budget by 5.31%. In addition, we had our first sales tax collections of Adult Use Cannabis. These collections are done on a quarterly basis. With one payment remaining for 2023, we have collected an additional $148,500. Please note the Adult Use Cannabis store on the Commons is currently under renovations, expected to open back up in April. The renovations will have an impact on the 2024 collections. The 2024 sales tax budget is $18,500,000. This estimated amount included Adult Use Cannabis collections as we did not receive a separate collection for Cannabis tax until December 2023. To date our 2024 sales tax collections have been lower than compared to the same time frame collections from 2023. We have collected $1,116,000 to date. We are currently running 7.5% lower than 2023 collections. We caution that collections can swing significantly during a one-month period due to timing of collections. We like to evaluate collections after a quarterly period has been completed. So, don’t get caught up in the early lower percentage collections, but just be aware sales tax collections are off to a slower start. Update on parking revenues. Although we continue to see slow improvements in parking revenues, we are still running well below budget. We have collected $2,073,000 in 2023 parking revenue to date. We still have final collections to post from 2023, which should be done in the next couple of weeks. This revenue source has never bounced back from the pre-covid period. There are many reasons for the lower revenues in this area. Lots of construction in and around the downtown area, safety concerns on and around the commons, equipment issues, staffing issues, a frustrated attitude for the downtown parking area, and lack of retail stores in the downtown area may all have a negative impact on our parking revenues. We have made some rate increases for 2024 and we should closely monitor our activity to see if on-street parking rates need to be slightly adjusted as well. We will have the new Conference Center coming online in mid-2024 and the construction should ease in the downtown area. We will see how revenues respond to those changes. 9 Building permit revenue for 2023 was budgeted at $1,320,000. Our budget estimate continues to reflect the higher construction activity anticipated inside the city, but less than some recent years’ activity. We collected $1,930,000 in permit revenue for 2023. This is good news and hats off to the hard work the Planning and Building Department does for the city! Site development fees were budgeted at $300,000 in 2023. We collected $272,000. Overall, building revenue exceeded our budget estimates. The 2024 permit revenue is budgeted at $1,480,000 and site fees at $140,000. This is a difficult area to budget since many projects are out of our control and the economy can delay project time schedules. CPI 2023/2024 – It appears inflation hit its peak in June of 2022 at 9.1%. Since that time, lower CPI percentages have been the trend. The 2023 CPI ended up at 4.1%. This compares to the 2022 CPI of 8%. The January 2024 CPI was 3.1%. It has been a slow decrease in inflation for the last several months. Good news, but overall prices and operations are still higher because of inflation. We would love, and so would the Feds, to see the rate around 2%. On the one hand a higher CPI is good for our Cornell MOU payment, which is driven by the CPI, but mostly it means higher operating costs for City operations and higher costs for the consumers. Hopefully, we can see more reasonable pricing increases for the remainder of 2024. The Cornell contribution payment was estimated to increase by 2% in 2024. Instead, it will increase by 4.1%, bringing a total 2024 contribution of $4,164,000. Room Tax collection update - As you know we established a city room tax to help fund city costs related to the Conference Center. We collected $1,374,819 in 2021 (started in April 2021), collected $2,306,259 in 2022 and collected $2,431,000 in 2023, final 2023 reconciliations have not been done (the 2023 budget is $2,349,869). All collections have exceeded estimates to date. We will be hoping that trend continues. Another result of high inflation and high interest rates, Mortgage tax revenue is down from 2022, but still meeting budget as we knew inflation would have a negative impact on our budget in this area. We budgeted $600,000 in 2023 and will collect a total of $660,619 in 2023. That compares to a 2022 total of $1,342,407. Early report on higher assessment rates. As most of you have heard, Tompkins County property owners, including the city, are receiving their preliminary assessments for their 2025 tax period. Early reports reflect a 20% average increase for the county overall. The city average increase looks to be about 15%. The city won’t receive the final 2024 assessments from the county until July 1st, 2024. The assessments are done by Tompkins County but are driven by the local housing pricing and the local housing market. If housing prices continue to climb and properties are being sold at those higher prices, the assessments will continue to climb. The 2024 assessments are the basis for the 2025 tax levy. The 2025 tax rate is the other piece of the equation. The 2025 tax rate and tax levy will not be finalized until November 2024. The Common Council has an opportunity in October to discuss, amend and approve the City Manager’s 2025 budget. That budget will include recommendations for the 2025 tax rate and tax levy. The 2024 tax levy for the city increased by 5%. The 2024 tax rate remained the same in 2024 at $11.98 per $1,000 assessed value. Please note there are many reasons why the tax levy increased in 2024. Some of the main reasons include increasing labor costs, including fringe. All labor rates increased in 2024, with the lowest increase at 2.25% and many increasing well beyond 5%. We currently have all labor contracts approved during 2024, which is a rare experience. Labor rates had to increase significantly to be competitive with the local labor market. The city has had and still has significant 10 vacancies in many departments and the need to increase salaries is real and costly. Related 2024 fringe benefit costs are also increasing much higher as health insurance premiums increased by 8% and pension contributions for the city increased by 14.5% to 19.5%. With 70% of the city budget devoted to personnel, it’s difficult to have much flexibility in making other adjustments. Not to mention, all costs of city operations increased over the last two years due to the rising inflation. It’s a difficult balance of services and costs for this community. As you learn more and more about city operations, you will see how difficult it can be to keep costs to a minimum, but at the same time provide the community with the necessary services. It’s a necessary balance and a constant battle, but one we take seriously and work hard to achieve. End of report. 11 City of Ithaca 108 E. Green Street | Ithaca, NY 14840 | cityofithaca.org | citymanager@cityofithaca.org | 607.274.6512 M E M O R A N D U M Date: March 1, 2024 To: Common Council From: Deborah Mohlenhoff, City Manager RE: Monthly City Manager Report for March 2024 I am pleased to provide this monthly report to Council that will serve as an opportunity to highlight the work of our city departments and give key updates on ongoing initiatives. Also, attached to this report is a tracking form that provides updates on the City Manager 100-day plan. City Attorney & Controller and Chamberlain The City’s annual tax foreclosure proceedings have been ﬁled for the current cycle. Paper copies of the Petition and Notice of Foreclosure have been posted on the bulletin board near the elevator on the ﬁrst ﬂoor of City Hall and at the Tompkins County Courthouse. Please note that the ﬁnal day to redeem a property on the foreclosure list is April 30, 2024; unredeemed properties will be foreclosed on and sent to auction to satisfy unpaid taxes. To determine whether you owe outstanding City taxes on your property, you may check online using the “Taxes” link at https://www.cityoﬁthaca.org/410/Make-a-Payment-View-Bills or contact the City Chamberlain’s Oﬃce. Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) On Friday, February 16, GIAC held an amazing Black History Month Talent Show for the community at the State Theatre, free for the public. WENY did a great news feature you can view here: https://www.weny.com/story/50464837/spotlighting-excellence-celebrating-black-history-month-with-a-talent-show GIAC also hosted Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw for a talk and community lunch in collaboration with Cornell for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Commemorative Lecture. Attendees including teens, young adults, and elders were ﬁred up in a positive way by Dr. Crenshaw’s presentation on the Urgency of Intersectional Justice. Dr. Crenshaw, is a Cornell alumna who has advanced gender justice throughout her transformative career. She is one of the authors of Critical Race Theory and the principal creator of the theory of Intersectionality. Finally, please check out GIAC’s FB page for 29 days of Black History, where we ran a Black history fact or story, chosen by individual staff for each day of the month. 12 City of Ithaca 108 E. Green Street | Ithaca, NY 14840 | cityofithaca.org | citymanager@cityofithaca.org | 607.274.6512 Human Resources In February 2024, we hired 5 new employees and promoted 2 current employees. We also successfully launched our new Employee Assistance Programs - ESI's Public Safety EAP for our ﬁrst responders and ESI's Total Care EAP for the rest of our workforce. This is the ﬁrst time we've offered an Employee Assistance Program geared speciﬁcally to our ﬁrst responders. Ithaca Fire Department All shifts completed Oﬃce of Fire Prevention & Control (OFPC) three-part Hazardous Materials Training Series. All shifts started OFPC Basic Structural Collapse Training. All shifts started OFPC Medium Structural Collapse Training. Three department personnel attended a Radiological Emergency Response Operations class in Anniston, AL. An Assistance to Fireﬁghters Grant application was submitted to FEMA to secure funding for equipment used to decontaminate ﬁreﬁghter turnout gear of cancer-causing particulates. Ithaca Police Department The Police Department, in partnership with the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, hosted a ‘Coffee with a Cop’ event in Center Ithaca on February 22. This gave the community an opportunity to meet some of our newer oﬃcers as well as ask questions of the new Chief. Members of the department also participated in a CJC Community Healing conversation and will continue this work over the summer with guidance and support from the CJC. Oﬃcers were selected to participate, we are planning 5 events, the dates and locations are not ﬁnalized. We started in-service Principled Policing/ Procedural Justice this week. Friday 3/1 will be our ﬁrst with community representatives from CPB and the CJC. The training includes group exercises and discusses oﬃcer goals, expectations, wellness, cynicism, history of policing and community engagement. Our oﬃcer wellness working group have started a Peer Support Team and will be training with the CJC and County Wellness Team this April. The PST will consist of sworn and civilian personnel and will be available to provide agency members and families who have been involved in a critical incident or who are cumulatively experiencing signiﬁcant stress. Ithaca Youth Bureau •All 40+ roster staff have met 1:1 with the new Director to share their personal/professional background, offer feedback on their experience with the department, highlight their goals and professional development needs, and share their hopes/vision for their individual programs and the Youth Bureau as a whole. This feedback and information will be incorporated into the department's work plan for the year ahead. •This month's all-staff meeting focused on creating welcoming and inclusive programs and spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and families which will be followed by a working meeting in March to review department policies and practices, marketing materials, and registration forms. •Joe Gibbs, Coordinator of Big Brothers Big Sisters, attended BBBS's national youth advocacy event in Washington DC. 13 City of Ithaca 108 E. Green Street | Ithaca, NY 14840 | cityofithaca.org | citymanager@cityofithaca.org | 607.274.6512 •Our Tot Spot early childhood program has partnered with Ithaca College's Occupational Therapy program. OT students are leading ﬁne and gross motor skill activities and have developed recommendations for adding more developmentally appropriate toys/equipment to the program. Tot Spot is also partnering with the Sciencenter to incorporate more STEM programming. •Youth Employment Service (YES) is seeking local employers to participate in the Summer Jobs Program. https://www.yesithaca.org/ •There is a critical need for volunteer adult mentors for multiple IYB programs including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Paul Schreurs Memorial Program, and the College Discovery Program. https://www.ithacayouthbureau.org/volunteer.html •Thanks to great collaboration between multiple city departments, the Cass Park pool renovation project continues to move forward in a way that has allowed us to proactively address additional infrastructure replacement that would have been needed in the near future. This will ultimately save the City time and money in the long run. Public Information & Technology/Clerk’s Oﬃce The PIT department is continuing to work with the City Manager to make recommendations for a departmental reorganization plan. PIT also has assisted with the transition to using Granicus for all meeting agendas and conducted training for any staff members. Public Works Flood Mitigation: •Accepted engineering and design proposal from Barton & Loguidice and contract is being circulated for signature. Anticipated kickoff meeting in early March. Parking: •Two robberies of pay stations at Green and Seneca Garages, and an attempted robbery at Dryden Garage. Damage to equipment during robberies will cost approximately $50K to repair. Insurance claims have been made. •Starting to evaluate new strategies for replacing parking garage equipment, including a leasing option from FLASH Parking. Streets & Facilities: •Southwest Park cleanup of spoils area •Started Cook St. drainage and street rehabilitation •Performed four storm pipe crossings on three streets: Tompkins St., Plain St., and Warren Place, along with catch basin repairs •General ongping maintenance (potholes, street sweeping, etc.) •Attended Cartegraph training 14 City of Ithaca 108 E. Green Street | Ithaca, NY 14840 | cityofithaca.org | citymanager@cityofithaca.org | 607.274.6512 Planning & Economic Development IURA 2024 Action Plan: The Agency received proposals for 22 projects in the categories of Housing, Economic Development, Public Facilities and Public Services and held two public hearings. The ﬁnal proposed Action Plan will come to Council in May. IURA issued a $50,000 loan to Franco's Pizzeria to support their relocation and expansion at 527 W. MLK Jr./State Street (former Cornell Laundry) that will create at least 3 full-time equivalent jobs for low/mod income persons. The Building Division welcomed a new Code Inspector. New Grant Administrator position: This much needed position was funded in the 2025 budget. A job description is being ﬁnalized with input from multiple departments and will come before Council for approval in April or May. We will be kicking off a study on the electriﬁcation of the City’s ﬂeet in early March. This study will provide us with a roadmap and analysis of options. The Planning Board approved a housing project with 70 affordable units, half of which will provide support services to survivors of domestic violence, households experiencing chronic homelessness and those with serious mental illness. 15 City Manager 100 Day Plan – 3/6/24 Updates This document tracks progress on the goals set in the City Manager’s 100 Day Plan. GOVERNANCE: It is the responsibility of the City Manager (and City Staff) to assist and advise the Common Council as they deliberate and decide on policy. As we switch to a Council-Manager Governance Goals Goal Progress/Action Taken Other Notes/Updates allows for council to set policy that provides clear direction to the City Manager and staff for implementation structure and reviewed process for staff to send items to council -prepared & distributed a memo to Senior Staff on new system (copied council) -prepared and distributed a 2024 calendar of meetings and agenda deadlines to Senior Staff (copied council) Heads meeting switch to Council-Manager form of government items that have emerged as potential ONGOING with defined priorities for 2024 content for 3/3 retreat -developed pre-retreat survey for Council MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP Management & Leadership Goals Goal Progress/Action Taken Other Notes/Updates formal Leadership Team, determine meeting schedule meeting structure and schedule COMPLETED ONGOING 16 BUDGET & FINANCE: In the new structure, the City Manager will be responsible for establishing a new budget process as well as day-to-day operations related to financial matters. Budget & Finance Goals Goal Progress/Action Taken Other Notes/Updates Hire a new Controller (Pro-Nexus, a consulting firm, is working on the search process) committee will make recommendations to City Common Council & staff for feedback budget modules to existing contract to Common Council & staff for feedback budget modules to existing contract -will be designing a Capital Projects pre-screen survey so departments can give us basic ideas of projects they would like to be considered included in a monthly Common Council agenda packet -Looking at options for users to pull desired data instead of generating monthly reports ONGOING PERSONNEL: All City Staff are crucial to providing the many programs and services overseen by the City Manager. It will be important to communicate to all staff that the City Manager is here to support them and their work. Personnel Goals Goal Progress/Action Taken Other Notes/Updates (Pracademic Partners, a consulting firm, is working paperwork and reference check on candidates are ideas from all City staff are any changes needed to come in line with the more recently negotiated contracts; review management compensation plan and recruitment practices 17 TECHNOLOGY: The City is bringing many new systems online to assist with processes and efficiencies. Information Technology infrastructure is critical to ensure smooth operations, data Technology Goals Goal Progress/Action Taken Other Notes/Updates -we have been meeting bi-weekly to work on a ONGOING OpenGov and adjust as needed -looking for additional city functions that can migrate -now using OpenGov for most city appointments ONGOING Continue implementation of Granicus -Council meeting agendas now exclusively in Granicus Design implementation plan for SeeClickFix -met with key department heads to design workflow for city initiatives & map categories ONGOING Here are some examples from around NYS using SeeClickFix Schenectady: https://seeclickfix.com/web_portal/eot5KBrEpspH mkFA4RPdNTZF/issues/map Syracuse: https://seeclickfix.com/web_portal/6Vmkd6ft87yZ yt1MeXke5rXW/issues/map Watertown: https://seeclickfix.com/web_portal/7Fjh8eXXsD1XY ifAqptEKT9J/issues/map comprehensive redesign of city’s website and design process for regular content review and 18 CUSTOMER SERVICE: The primary function of all City departments is serving the public. The City Manager is responsible for ensuring that taxpayers, residents, business owners, and visitors have a Governance Goals Goal Progress/Action Taken Other Notes/Updates various processes: -Special Events Permits -Towing Policy -Commons Operations is working with the DIA on mapping tasks and responsibilities to owners -Towing Policy will be coming to Common Council in March or April ONGOING at an upcoming Department Heads meeting profits, local leaders of color, etc. help coordinate logistics COMMMUNICATION & PUBLIC INFORMATION: Communication is a key component to transparency in government. A city's ability to convey information, engage with its residents, and manage its reputation is crucial to its overall prosperity and well-being. It will be important that as we manage this tremendous amount of change, that I establish strong communication channels between Communication & Public Information Goals Goal Progress/Action Taken Other Notes/Updates include brief updates from each City department meeting COMPLETED the City’s brand, media relations, social media strategies, public information strategies, and crisis reorganization ONGOING 19 DIVERSITY & EQUITY: It is the responsibility of the City Manager (and City Staff) to assist and advise the Common Council as they deliberate and decide on policy. As we switch to a Council-Manager Diversity & Equity Goals Goal Progress/Action Taken Other Notes/Updates ONGOING employee onboarding process recommendation to HR and City Manager ONGOING CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT & ACCOUNTABILITY: It is the responsibility of the City Manager (and City Staff) to assist and advise the Common Council as they deliberate and decide on policy. As we switch to a Council-Manager form of government, it will be imperative that we all have a working knowledge of clear and consistent processes for creating and implementing policy. Continuous Improvement & Accountability Goals Goal Progress/Action Taken Other Notes/Updates that employees are receiving regular feedback department heads agenda ONGOING budgeting and KPIs ONGOING public MISCELLANEOUS GOALS The following set of goals did not map specifically to any of the 100 day plans. Miscellaneous Goals Goal Progress/Action Taken Other Notes/Updates -search committee is established and will interview making recommendations to council on the recommendation and report to council to be scheduled at an upcoming meeting 20 Working with the Downtown Ithaca Alliance on the issues on the Commons as well as updating the and will be ready to work on MOU at a later date ONGOING Care to develop an implementation plan for the sanctioned camping area and the enforcement protocols various county initiatives -met with an internal working group to design the implementation of the response protocol passed ONGOING Submitted as part of the City Manager’s report for the March 6, 2024, meeting of Common Council 21 Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form no re p ly@ civic p lu s.co m < noreply@civicplus.com > Fti 3/1/2024 5:35 PM To:Common Council < council@cityofithaca.org >; Robert Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org >; Deb Mohlen hoff < dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;Sha niqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Ruth Last Name Yarrow Street Address l\ilunicipality "Nole this may be different from your zip code Ithaca State Topic of Discussion Your Comments NY Resolution for a Ceasefire in Gaza Dear Common Council Members, Thank you for drafting a strong ceasefire resolulion. I support your resolution and urge all on Common Council to vote for it. Thank you! Rulh Yarrow Field not completed Email not displaying correctly? View it in ylul_btOtlset Contact lnformation Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Su"' 3/3/2024 10:37 AM To:Common Council <council@cityofithaca.org >;Robert Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org >;Deb Mohlenhoff < dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin <AKa rasin@cityofithaca.org >;Shaniqua Lewis <slewis@cityofithaca.org> Common Council Public Comment Form First Name I\ilerike Last Name Andre Barrett Street Address Ilft Municipalily "Note this may be different from your zip code State Topic of Discussion Your Comments Contact lnformation 14850 NY Call for ceasefire resolution now! Which side of history does lthaca commit to being on? As we learn each day of horrific devastation and destruction of life I urge us to keep our hearts open and let the horror, anger and grief inform us. The situation in Gaza is desperate and we cannol turn away! Local mobilization and action is imperative in the midst of this devastating crisis supported by the U.S. government & arms merchants, via our tax $$$. Linking our local efforts with other local campaigns across the country will enable concerned citizens to build a critical mass in favor of a ceasefire. Anything other than a ceasefire is an endorsement of continued genocide. mandrebarrett@gmail.com Email not displaying correctly?Vi it in ur browser Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form no re p ly@ civic plu s.co m < noreply@civicplus.com > Sun 3/3/2024 1:12 PM To:Common Council < council@cityofithaca.org >;Robert Cantelmo < mayorca ntelmo@cityof ithaca.org >; Deb Mohlenhoff < dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org>;Shaniqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Mary Clabby <t-a 14850 Last Name N{unicipality .Note this may be different from your zip code State NY Topic of Discussion Ceasefire Your Comments As a resident of lthaca NY I call on the common council in the city of lthaca to call for a ceasefire in lsrael / Gaza Contact lnformation Maryeclabby23@gmail .com Email not displaying correctly? View it n yqLbIeWSCt Street Address Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Sur. 3/3/2024 3:43 PM To:Common Cou ncil < council@cityofithaca.org >; Robert Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org >;Deb Mohlen hoff < dmohlen hoff @cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;5ha niqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Caitlin Last Name Blanchfield Street Address Municipality .Note this may be different from your zip code Ithaca State Topic of Discussion Your Comments NY Ceaseflre Resolution Dear lthaca Common Council, I am writing to express my strong support forthe ceasefire now resolution on the agenda for Wednesday's meeting. This resolution can have a meaningful impact both in our community and at the state level. Passing this resolution signals to our New York State representatives ho\M seriously their constituents in lthaca are in their support for a ceasefire in Palestine and opposition to the ongoing genocidal campaign carried out by the lsraeli governmenl in Gaza. Oflen local resolutjons are considered with more weight than messages and phone calls from individual constituents, and I believe our state and national leaders need to hear this message repeated loud and clear: no more indiscriminate killing. no more war crimes, no more genocide in our name and with our tax dollars. This resolution also sends a message of solidarity to Palestinian members of our community and to the many, many, lthacans who are actively opposing this genocide. I believe this is a pivotal moment in the movemenl to end lsrael's war on Palestine. For the last months we have seen unimaginable horrors unfold in Gaza: collective punishment and indiscriminate violence against civilians, children killed and gravely injured, schools and hospitals bombed, and now a population starving. lt is becoming increasingly difficult for politicians to publicly suppoft this war, let's continue to build this pressure on our national leadership. This is a crilical moment, so many lives hang in the balance. Let's unite as a community against war, violence, and genocide. all best, Caitlin Blanchfield Contact lnformation Field not completed Email not displaying correctly?View it in our browser Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Suo 3/3/2024 9:16 PM To:Common Council <council@cityofithaca.org>;Robert Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org >;Deb Mohlenhoff < dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;Sha niqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Aron Last Name Gutman Street Address Municipality *Note this may be different from your zip code State Topic of Discussion Your Comments 148 50 NY Ceasefire Resolution Dear Councillors, As a Jewish citizen of the U.S. and longtime residenl of lthaca, I am writing in support of the resolution supporting an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. I lived in lsrael for several years before moving to lthaca. I was involved in small ways in efforts towards peace and coexistence, and also in solidarity with Palestinians suffering under lsraeli domination. Since October 7th, I have tried to find some solace in connecting online with lsraelis and Palestinians still working for a shared future of justice, equality and coexistence that both nations deserve. One of the messages I heard from peacemakers when I was in lsrael, and as recently as last week is loud and clear: Only serious U.S. and international pressure will bring a change and a chance for peace and justice between the Jordan rlver and and the Mediterranean sea. Unfortunately, President Biden's response and that of most of our national poiiticians has been woefully one-sided and encouraging of the senseless devastation and collective punishment that Israel has wreaked on the people of Gaza. lt's all right there in the resolution, so lwon't repeat it. Meanwhile, 80 percent of Democratic voters have supported a ceasefire for months now. This war is merciless and inhuman and it must end. Please support this resolution that raises our collective voices in support of sanity and humanity. Thank you, Aron Gutman gutmanik@gmail.com Email not displaying correctly? Vlew rt n our browser. Contact lnlormation Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form no re p ly@ civic p lu s.co m < noreply@civicplus.com > Mon 3/4/2024 8:41 AM To;Common Council <council@cityofithaca.org >;Robert Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org >;Deb Mohlenhoff < dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin <AKa rasin@cityofithaca.org >;Sha niqua Lewis <slewis@cityofithaca.org> Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Carol Last Name Painter Street Address Municipality *Note this may be different from your zip code State Topic of Discussion Your Comments Contact lnformation 14850 NY Support of a Permanent Ceasefire and Preventing Loss of Human Life in the Middle East. As a residenl of the Town of lthaca I am requesting that lthaca vote yes for lhe proposed ceaseflre resolution. I shop in lthaca, I drive into and out of lthaca several times a day, and we here in the Town depend upon the City of lthaca for so many parts of our lives. Please... stop the genocide being perpetrated in our name with our lthaca taxes. cpainte149528@gmail.com Email not displaying correctly? View rt rn ylulbrc]lsCf Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Mon 3/4/2024 9:05 AM To:Common Cou ncil < council@cityofithaca.org >; Robert Cantelmo < mayorca ntelmo@cityofithaca.org >; Deb Mohlenhoff < d mohlenhoff @cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;Shaniqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Judith Last Name Jones Street Address Municipality "Note this may be different from your zip code 14850 State Topic of Discussion Your Comments Contact lnformation NY Killing Palestinians Please make a public statement. Join the many cities calling for an end to the genocide of the Palestinian people. jwj2@cornell.edu Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form no re p ly@ civic plu s.co m < noreply@civicplus.com > Mon 3/4/2024 11:15 A,M To:Common Council < cou ncil@cityofithaca.org >; Robert Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org >;Deb Mohlenhoff < dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;5ha niqua Lewis <slewis@cityofithaca.org> Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Mitch Glass -- 14850 Last Name l\ilunicipality -Note this may be different from your zip code Street Address State Topic of Discussion Your Comments NY Resolution I don't think that lthaca Common Council should be considering a resolution regarding the N4iddle East conflict. lthaca Common Council is not the place to be hearing resolutions on complicated and volatile international affairs. Please focus on local assues and challenges, which are many. Council members, like any other citizen, are free to express their opinions in essays that can be published in our local press or beyond. Council as a whole shouldn't assume or dictate that those or any other opinions speak for the majority of city residents. glassmitch@gmail.com Email not displaying correctly? View t rn ur browser Contact lnformation Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Moo 3/4/2024 12:02 PM To:Common Cou ncil < council@cityofithaca.org >; Robert Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org >;Deb Mohlen hoff <dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;sha niqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Melanie Lefkowitz - Ithaca Last Name State Topic of Discussion Your Comments NY [,4iddle East resolution Hi, lwould love to see lhe Common Council spend its valuable time on the many pressing local issues in our community rather than weighing in on world events over which it has no influence. Thank you, Melanie Contact lnformation Field not completed Email not displaying correctly? View I in vour browser. Street Address Municipality "Note this may be different from your zip code Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Mon 3/4/2024 12:49 PM To:Common Cou ncil < council@cityofithaca.org >; Robert Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org >; Deb Mohlen hoff < d mohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;5ha niqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name David Last Name H alpert Street Address Municipality .Note this may be different from your zip code State Topic of Discussion Your Comments 14850-541 5 NY Gaza Ceasefire Resolution I speak in favor of a ceasefire resolution from the perspective of a 65-year-old Jew and as a doctor serving our community for the past 35 years. Support for a ceasefire is the pro-Jewish position. We need to counter Netanyahu's false narrative that supporters of a ceasefire are anti-Semitic. As a physician, a parent, a grandparent, and simply a human, I watch with horror as countless innocent chrldren are killed, maimed, starved, and forever scarred. I am compelled to do whatever I can to convince you, my representatives, that it is your responsibility to pass this resolution and that, as part of a collective action, it will have an impact. NOT ANTI.SEM ITISI\,1 lf criticism of the lsraeli government did equale to anti- Semitism, then no one would be more of an anti-Semite than Netanyahu himself. lf you're old enough, you may recall that shortly after the Oslo peace accords in '1995, Netanyahu lead protest parades calling Prime Minister Yitzak Rabin a Nazi and an antFsemite. Weeks later Rabin was assassinated by an extremist Jewish law student. Prior to the assassination, ltamar Ben-Gvir, Netanyahu's current Minister of National Security, had stolen the hood ornament off Rabin's official government car, declaring, "We got to his car and we'll get to him too.' Netanyahu today labelling his critics antisemitic is a cynical tactic to silence those who disagree with his policies. For more than twenty years, Netanyahu has aggressively fostered the aclive deslruction of Palestinian property and lives and has supported militant settler aggression against Palestine in vaolation of treaties the United States helped broker. His actions have directly contributed to the further radicalization of segments of the population in both Palestine and lsrael. He has also violated lsraeli campaign laws lo stay in office and is continually attempting to rewrite the powers of the lsraeli Supreme Court so that he does not face jail time. lf he is successful, lsrael will represent another example of a democratically-elected leader transitioning his country to an autocracy (similar to Orbin's Hungary). But unlike Hungary, whatever happens in lsraeli will be heavily subsidized with our tax dollars, and therefore our tacit approval. To actively oppose Netanyahu's governmenl's policies is to support peace for lsraelis and Palestinians, to support lsraeli democracy, and to support an end to indiscriminate wholesale killing of innocent Palestinians. I understand the fear of a repeat of the Holocaust. Like most Long-lsland Jews of a certain age, I grew up surrounded by Holocaust survivors, with their endless stories of loss and escape and their lifelong attempts to process the unimaginable tragedy. Howeve( the biggest lesson I 'earned from lhem was that "never again" means never again for anybody. They taught me that it is up to us to speak out againsl such destruction whenever we see it, and that security lies not in bombing refugee convoys, but in building bridges. Hamas members number fewer than 30,000 out of two million -a little over '1% of the population of Gaza. Hamas came to power with 44% ot the vote in 2006 but no elections have been held in Gaza since that moment. More lhan 75% of the current population was not yet born or was too young to participate in that election. The bombs on hospitals, refugee convoys and homes have killed more than 30,000 people andiscriminately with more than half of those being children. Two million are at risk of starvation as we speak. This wholesale destruction of the Gazan population is an intentional stated aim of the Netanyahu governmenl. lsraeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant: "There will be no electricity, no food or fuel. EveMhing is closed. We are fighting human animals and we act accordingly." Deputy Speaker of the lsraeli Knesset Nissim Vaturi: "Wipe Gaza off the face of the earth. Gaza must be burned. There are no innocents here." l could go on for pages DISPROPORTIONATE RESPONSE Contact lnformation with similar quotes from lsraeli governmental leaders. lsraeli governmental actions match this rhetoric. EFFECTIVENESS OF COLLECTIVE LOCAL ACTIONS There is precedent for local grass-roots pressure lo change the world. For instance, persistent local protests led to the divestment from South Africa that helped end Apartheid. Up to now, there has been unwavering US support for lsrael, including unparalleled massive financial suppod for the lsraeli war machine. Over lhe past 20 years, that has meant unquestioning support for Netanyahu and his policies. This blind support has enabled Netanyahu to pursue a policy that has increasingly destabilized the region. This destabilization in the short term helps Netanyahu stay in power, but the ever- creeping long-term destruction of innocent lives in the region is not in the US's foreign-policy or moral interests. The recenl wholesale murder of Palestinian civilians has caused a paradigm shift, with protests springing up across the US. lthaca passing a ceasefire resolution is not, on its own, going to change the world. But, as part of a massive collective uprising, our expression of our local conscience could help push the Brden administration to rethink its previously unquestioning support of Netanyahu and his policies. davidhalped@gmail.com-. Email not displaying correctly? View rt rn y!-u-t_Ol9!ysct Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Mon 3/4/2024 2136 ?M To:Com mon Council < council@cityofithaca.org >; Roben Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org >; Deb Mohlen hoff < dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org>;Shaniqua Lewis <slewis@cityofithaca.org > First Name zachary Last Name mas Street Address l- Municipality -Note this may be different from your zip code State Topic of Discussion Your Comments NY 14867 lsrael's responsibility to free hostages by any means necessary lfind it necessary to respond to the blatantly (although I hope unintentionally) racist memorandum submitted byAlderperson Kayla Matos. The inaccurate, incendiary, and hateful commenls have circulated through the Jewish community of lthaca, and everyone I have spoken with has had the same reaction of disgust, and frankly embarrassment for our local government should this pass. The memorandum is beyond one-sided. lt barely menlions the well over 100 hostages being held in horrific conditions by Palestinian terrorist groups, including Hamas, and even lhen merely as an afterthought. lt completely ignores the mass lynching of Jews on October 7, or lhe use of rape as a weapon of war, or the intentional firing of rockets from the Gaza trip towards lsraeli centers of population, with zero attempt whatsoever to target the military. Beyond this, it intentionally mischaracterizes lsrael's ground advance through Gaza, which has come al the cost of many soldiers lives, as an indiscriminate bombing campaign. Nothing could be further from the truth. ln point of fact, after an initial bombing campaign to limit the ability of Palestinian mjlitants to fire rockets on lsrael, which any sane individual would have recognized as necessary, lsrael has been carrying out a methodical ground campaign to find the hostages and remove a violent extremist group from power. The idea that a progressive town such as Ithaca would submit a resolution all but endorsing the goals of violent religious extremists like Hamas and palestinian lslamic Jihad is a complete embarrassment. Not to mention that this leher recycles the language of old Soviet antisemitic propaganda, as well as intentional misinformation campaigns from highly suspect sources. These include the Hamas/Gaza Common Council Public Comment Form Contact Information health department and Oatari Al Jazeera, whose intense hatred of the Jews should be obvious for anyone to recognize. Violence in Gaza and lsrael should stop, and certainly will stop, upon the release of all living hoslages and release of the bodies of murdered hostages back to their families in lsrael, and upon lhe surrender of the perpetrators of 10/7. ZachoS4@gmail.com Email not displaying correctly? View it in vour browser. Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Mon 3/4/2024 8:21 PM To:Common Council <council@cityofithaca.org >;Robert Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org>;Deb Mohlenhoff <dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org>;Alan Karasin < AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;Sha niqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Ashley Cake Street Address qrr- Municipality .Note this may be different from your zip code State Topic of Discussion Your Comments Ithaca NY Ceasefire Resolution My Dear Alderpeople: At the outset let me say that I am grateful to my alderperson, Kayla Matos, for bringing the Ceasefire Resolution forward and calling for a vote. lt speaks to her character and counls among my many reasons for championing Matos's candidacy in my ward over long{erm incumbent Cynthia Brock. It has been pointed out - often plaintively - that a Ceasefire Resolution in lthaca's Common Council will not stop the killing in Gaza and on that lam very much agreed, and a ceasefire is the very least ofwhat needs to be done to free the Palestinian people. Our powerlessness to stop the liquidation oi an entire people before our eyes is the quintessential secondary trauma of learned helplessness. lt is not because I believe that lthaca's Common Council can stop the genocide that I would like to see the votes on a Ceasefire Resolution. Similarly to the County resolulion - which failed - I believe it is valuable information to know where everyone stands and to have that on the record for future study. I think it is important to know, for example, that Rich John and Lee Shurtleff leaned into that learned helplessness in seeing the resolution as having too Iittle impact to be worthy of the legislature's agenda time. Randy Brown joined Shur eff in decrying our crumbling quality of life here at home, and shouldn't the county legislature be spending its time on county issues. I believe that it is noteworthy that the Chair Dan Klern remained silent about his "No" vote, with a vague promise of Last Name some future comment. lt is significant that Mike Sigler had so much to say, especially in light of his campaign for the State Senate. I found it illuminating that he can't tell the difference between a nation defending itself and the deadly occupying brutality of an apartheid regime, and that he expressed queasiness about using the word "genocide" and wanted to parse the issue with the nuance that if we call it a "genocide" then it follows that the state of lsrael will have to be disarmed and dismantled. AII of that is very interesting and informative. Not least I want lo know these things about our representatives because whether we were born here or nol, most of us Ithacans are settlers on stolen land. We white folks especially are the beneficiaries of genocidal land theft and chattel slavery. We live in an apartheid regime in the throws of colonial racial capitalistic collapse. Here in lthaca we live on Haudenosaunee,Gayoggho:nQ' (Cayuga) land in the economic and ideological pocket of a land grant private equity firm with an education side hustle. The only righteous action in this moment is land back and reparations, and the dismantling of the settler colonial regimes, both here and in lsrael. Now I know most of my representatives in these concentric political bodies are not with me on an abolitionist future, when the world is made whole with the land back and reparations from the river all the way to the sea, and from the sea to the other shining sea. I know we haven't had that conversalion yet and all of this may seem outlandish. adccake@gmail.com Email not displaying correctly? View t in y!-u-!_brc!yse! Contacl lnformation My dear Alderpeople, l'm not trying to tell anyone what to do. All that I ask is that you vote your conscience and make clear your thoughts on the Ceasefire Resolution so that we can know where you stand. [,4y daily work as a member of this community is to keep us moving toward our collective liberation, and lt's not a question of whether or not we're going to be working together, it's just a question of when. Thank you for hearing me out and taking our work seriously, I look forward to knowing you better. Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form n orep ly@ civic p lu s.co m < noreply@civicplus.com > rue 3/5/2024 10:10 AM To:Common Council <council@cityofithaca.org >;Roben Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org >;Deb Mohlenhoff < dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin < AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;Shaniqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Barbara Last Name Harrison Street Address - l\4unicipalaty *Note this may be different from your zip code State Topic of Discussion Your Comments 14850 NY Support a Ceasefire in Gaza My name is Barbara Harrison. I am a resident ofThe Town of Ithaca in Tompkins County. I am a citizen of the United States and Jewish. Although I don't live in the City of lthaca, I participate in many activities in lhe city and shop at stores. I urge the Common Council to pass a resolution in support of a ceasefire in Gaza with lhe goal of releasing the hostages and lsrael releasing Palestinian prisoners, working toward a peaceful resolution that gives Gaza the freedom lo form a state of its own, with an opportunity to conduct free and fair elections without Israel continuing to rule over it with an iron fist. A confederation is one solution that has been suggested. The murder of 1200 people by Hamas in lsrael, and the taking of over 240 hoslages on October 7, 2023, was reprehensible and an act of terrorism- The hostages must be released as part of the goal of a ceasefire. But what is taking place on lsrael's watch in Gaza and lwill add the US with its contribution of weapons is beyond the pale. Prime Minister Netanyahu and his extremist right wing governmenl bears responsibility for what is taking place in Gaza and even for Hamas' murders and hostage taking on October 7th because of the lack of focusing on security and the needs of Palestinians. Netanyahu has been involved with Hamas on some level for a number of years. He has "defended lsrael's regular allowing of Oatari funds to be lransferred into Gaza, saying it is part of a broader strategy to keep Hamas and the Palestlnian Authority separate." As stated on March 12, 2019 and again this past October. (Jerusalem post, Netanyahu: Contact lnformation Money to Hamas is part of strategy to keep Palestinians divided." (httos://www.!post.com/arab-is moneyi!g:ha!!agpa-d:ef-sIlale9v:Igdcep-palcslr-0ie-0s:djvlrlcd- 583082). Let us also remember that this war beneflts Netanyahu's evasion of the charges of fraud, breach of trust and lhe possibility of a.jail sentence that he received. Protecting the lsraeli people, I think not. From my perspective the lsraeli government will not be able to completely eliminate the military wing of Hamas. The number of civilians already killed, mainly children and women, for what? But the end result, as I see it is that many of the civilians who are left will come to have more intense hatred for lsrael and will be re-militarized. Continued warring and weapons supplied with my tax dollars is not going to solve the problem that has been festering for over a century and part of it with Europe's permission. It is critical to read history to understand how we got here. May I recommend, The lsrael-Palestine Conflict by James L. Gelvin? Please consider implementing a "Unified Call for a Ceasefire in Gaza" NOW! And work for peace. Thank you for your consideration Barbara C. Harrison |IIITT Ithaca, NY 14850 bcharrison092 1 @gmail.com bcharrison092l @gmail.com; - Email not displaying correctly? View rt rn yel brclsCt Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form no re ply@ civicplus.co m < noreply@civicplus.com > fue 3/5/2024 11:12 AM To:Common Council < cou ncil@cityofithaca.org >; Robert Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityof ithaca.org >;Deb Mohlenhoff < d mohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;Sha niqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Last Name Street Address Municipality "Note this may be different from your zip code State Topic of Discussion Your Comments Sara Hess 1- 14850 NY Suupport for Ceasefire Resolution First, I write to thank my Ward 1 representatives, Kayla Matos and Phoebe Brown, for bringing this resolution to the Council, and for all of you who are carefully considering it. I urge you all to vote in favor. I am proud and grateful to be in a community of citizens and elected officials who care enough about the horrific war in Palestine and lsrael to consider sending a public statement to Washington in favor of an immediate ceasefire and emergency humanitarian aid of food, water, and health care. Second, like many others in lthaca, I have many personal reasons for caring deeply about the tragedy in Palestine and lsrael. My family includes many Jewish relatives, including Holocaust survivors and some who are lsraeli citizens. ln 2012, I was part of a group led by Kirby Edmonds, Laura Branca and Rabbi Brian Walt that spent 3 weeks to lsrael and Palestine. There we saw with our own eyes the consequences of lsraeli policies. We listened to people on both sides who were working for peaceful solutions, justice, safety, and protection of human rights. And we prayed and sang together. Third, when you ask the question: Why is this war, so far from Ithaca's borders and charter, on your agenda at all, please consider this: Your constituents include Jews, Muslims, Christians, atheists and pacafists who, like me, have personal connections with actual people who are suffering or dying from this war. We feel Contacl lnformation the pain of our loved ones' suffering. For us, the war is not really so far away. our power as individuals rs small, but when dozens of local governments all begin to send the same message to Washington, our power is amplified. Do this for us. The U.S. can pressure lsrael into a ceasefire but only if our President demands it. Municipal and state governments can help President Biden make this a priority. Fourth, ior those of you who ask, Why Gaza and lsrael? There are many horrilic conflicts around the world, including the war in Ukraine and others that have U.S. military support and our tax dollars paying for weapons that kill civilians. The U.S. has 750 bases in 80 countries and colonies around the world. Common Council could spend every meeting on some conflict or another. lsrael has been by far the largest recipient of U.S. aid, most of it military support, including a missile defense syslem, nuclear weapons, and much more. We have more of our actual tax dollars paying for this war than for any other conflict. And because the time for this vote in Common Council is right, heading into November elections, when public opinion polls and political power can make a difference to saving lives today in Gaza and the West Bank. So I hope you value the outpouring of public concern and demand for this simple, symbolic, vote in favor of a ceasefire and humanitarian aid. lt costs nothing but I believe it might benefit many. sarahess630@gmail.com Email not displaying correctly? View it in yolf-blgusgt Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > I:]e 3/5/2024 12:16 PM To:Common Council < cou ncil@cityofithaca.org >;Robert Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org >;Deb Mohlenhoff <dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org>;Alan Karasin < AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;Shaniqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Regi TeasleyLast Name Street Address Municipality "Note this may be different from your zip code Ithaca State Topic of Discussion Your Comments Contact lnformation NY lsraeli Palestine I will read selectaons from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. OHCHR lllustrated [Jniversal Declaration of Human Righls HttpS:rvvww.AhehrcIg/en/u n iversal-declaration-of-h u man- ights/illustrated-universal-declaration-human-rights. Rltcayuga@gmail.com Email not displaying correctly? View rt rn vour browser. Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > rue 3/5/2024 3:29 PM To:Common Council < council@cityofithaca.org >; Robert Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org >; Deb Mohlenhoff <dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org>;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org>;Shaniqua Lewis < slewis@cityof ithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Naama Last Name Menda Street Address Ithaca NY Municipality *Note this may be different from your zip code Ulysses State Topic of Discussion Your Comments vote no on ceaseiire resolution I am writing to urge you to vote "NO" on the "ceasefire resolution" The proposition is misleading, one-sided, and spreads misinformation and historical fallacies. !t does not promote peace and only contributes to the unprecedented rise in hate crimes we are experiencing now in the US and other Western democracies. I agree that preventing the loss of human life anywhere on the planet is a fundamental humanitarian value. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is heartbreaking and we must do everything in our power to put an end to the suffering of lnnocent civilians. Unfortunately, for the last 2 decades, the population in Gaza has been suffering under a brutal Jihadist terrorist regime. Hamas is a proxy of the lslamic Republac of lran, and does not represenl the interests of the Palestinian people. The only resolutlon that would reflecl a sincere concern for the human rights of Palestinians and lsraelis is one calling for the full surrender of Hamas. The war could end today if Hamas gave up its chokehold of Gaza and let the Palestinian people live and prosper under a leadership that relinquished the false narrative that they could destroy the Jewish nation. Hamas declared war on lsrael on Oclober 7th knowing the counter-altack would cause destruction in Gaza. Their goals were to sabotage the historic peace agreement NY between lsrael and Saudi Arabia and to delegitimize the existence of the state of lsrael. httpr_l {ww&bslCws.eQloh -drd-hamas-attack-israel- and-why:lgIl Hamas is abusing the civilians of Gaza, openly saying lhat high civilian casualties would only add to the terror group's war goal, to put international pressure on lsrael and for Hamas lo survive the conflict. hltos://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel-atwarl 709 1 97 528-we- have{he-israelis-exactlv-where-we-want{hem-sinwar-tells- leaders-abroad-re p!rt The Hamas international propaganda campaign has been successful in pushing dangerous biased and racist narratives delegitimizing and demonizing Jews and the state of lsrael. Many of those distortions and lies appear in 'ceasefire resolutions'at local government councils, resulting in more harassment and hate crimes towards Jewish businesses, community cenlers, synagogues, and college students. lsrael does not engage in "collective punishment" nor a "genocidal campaign" against Palestinians. Any country brutally attacked like lsrael has the legitimacy and obligation to do anything in its power to prevent such a thing from happening again. Ceasefires do not end wars. Wars end with an armistice agreement or one side surrendering. There are only 15 million Jews in the world, half of them live in lsrael along with 2 million lvluslim and Christian Arabs who are equal lsraeli citizens. There are about 500 million Arabs in 22 Muslim-majority countries. While the ideological Jewish-Arab conflict dates back 1,400 years, lsrael has signed permanent peace agreements with Egypt in 1977, a d Jordan in 1994, ending years of brutal bloodshed, and later on with UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. There is no reason why a similar peace agreement cannot be reached with the Palestinians of Gaza, Judea, and Samaria. How can we advocate for Palestinian freedom without denying lsrael's safety and without endangering the safety of Jews and Muslims in our communities? You can be both pro-lsrael and pro-Palestine AND against terrorism. The right and just resolution should call for the surrendering and dismantling of Hamas. Anything less than that would only perpetuate the violent conflict and result in more death and sufFering both in lsrael and Palestine. On Tue, Mar 5, 2024 al'11:34 AM Naama Menda wrote I am writing in opposition to the 'ceasefire resolution' proposed at the City of lthaca Common Council. The proposition is misleading, one-sided, and spreads misinformation and historical fallacies. It does nol promote peace and only contributes to the unprecedented rise in hate crimes we are experiencing now in the US and other Western democracies. I agree that preventing the loss of human life anywhere on the planet is a fundamental humanitarian value. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is heartb.eaking and we must do everything in our power to put an end to the suffering of innocent civilians. Unfortunately, for the last 2 decades, the population in Gaza has been suffering under a brutal Jihadist terrorist regime. Hamas is a proxy of the lslamic Republic of lran, and does not represent the interests of the Palestinian people. The only resolution that would reflect a sincere concern for lhe human rights of Palestinlans and lsraelis is one calling lor the full surrender of Hamas. The war could end today af Hamas gave up its chokehold of Gaza and let the Palestinian people live and prosper under a leadership that relinquished the false narralive that they could destroy the Jewish nation and replace it with an Arab caliphate Hamas declared war on lsrael on October 7th knowing the counter-altack would cause destruction in Gaza. Their goals were to sabotage the historic peace agreement between lsrael and Saudi Arabia and to delegitimize the existence of the state of lsrael. http_S./ l^^^ry-qbslCws.Se!0/0e v-did-hamas-attack-israel- and-why:!g!l Hamas is abusing the civilians in Gaza, openly saying that high civilian casualties would only add to the terror group's war goal, to put international pressure on lsrael and for Hamas to survive the conflict. https ://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel-at-war1 7091 97528-we- -exactl -where-we-want-them-sinwar-tells- leaders-abroad-re p!-d The Hamas international propaganda campaign has been successful in pushing dangerous biased and racist narratives delegitimizing and demonizing the state of lsrael. Many of those distortions and lies appear in current 'ceasefire resolutions' at many local government councils, resulting in more harassment and hate crimes towards Jewish community centers, synagogues, and college students. Contact lnformation lsrael does not engage in "collective punishment" and a "genocidal campaign" against Palestinians. Any country brutally attacked like lsrael would have the legitimacy and obligation to do anything in its power to prevent such a thing from happening again, and the war in Gaza is no d ifferent. The right and just resolution should call for the surrendering and dismantling of Hamas. Anything less than that would only perpetuate the violent conflict and result in more death and suffering both in lsrael and in Palestine, naama.menda@gmail.com Email not displaying correctly? View it rn ylulble]lset Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > rue 3/5/2024 4:16 PM To:Common Council < cou ncil@cityofithaca.org >; Robert Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org >; Deb Mohlen hoff < dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;Shaniqua Lewis <slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Roger DennisLast Name Street Address - l\,4unicipality "Note this may be different from your zip code State Topic of Discussion Your Comments Contact lnformation 14850 NY Once again I am ashamed of my country At leasl lel me be proud of my city. CEASEFIRE!!!!! itistime.nyc@gmail.com Email not displaying correctly? View it n vour browser. Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > lue 3/5/2024 6:35 PM To:Common Council < council@cityofithaca.org >; Robert Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org >; Deb Mohlenhoff < dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;AIan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;Sha niqua Lewis.slewis@cityofithaca.org> Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Marcia Last Name Zax Street Address rF Municipality "Note this may be different from your zip code Village of Cayuga Heights State Topic of Discussion Your Comments NY Common Council Business I am writing regarding the preponderance of calls for our common council to focus attention on foreign policy of the United States. Common Council should be focusing on needs in our local commun jty. Antagonistic comments are being directed at lsrael and the Jewish community. lt is biased, antisemitic voices speaking up now. Why were there no voices of concern on October 7 when 3,000 Hamas terrorists and some Gazan civilian stragglers invaded 22lsraeli communities including lsraeli Bedouin Muslim communities? Hamas terrorists tortured, raped, beheaded, and burned alive 1200 lsraelis including lsraeli Arabs and foreign workers. HAMAS terrorists and some civilians from Gaza kidnapped 253 lsraelis including lsraeli Muslim Bedouins and foreign workers. These hostages were paraded through the streets of Gaza. One woman was bleeding from mass rapes and paraded almost naked in the back of a pick up truck through the streets of Gaza. Sweet candies were passed out to celebrate this massacre. How do we know any of this? Because the Hamas terrorisls actually wore cameras so they could video tape and glorify their sick, inhumane rampage. The HAMAS charter calls for the killing of every Jew in the world. HAMAS is sworn to genocide against the Jewish people The war lsrael is fighting is against HANiIAS, not against the Palestinian people. HAMAS has stolen billions of dollars of aid to build 450 miles of underground tunnels to a depth of 7 stories in a land mass that is only 25 miles at its greatest length, and is manufacturing weapons to kill lsraelis. When the US fought ISIS, there was a lot of collateral damage. ln war this cannot always be prevented, although it should be minimized. ln Sudan alone there are 5.4 million displaced people, 1.4 million driven into five neighboring counlrjes, 15,000 killed and 33,000 injured. Why are people protesting against lsrael when none of the other many conflicts are garnering their attention? Naive Americans are crying out against lsrael and in support of HAMAS. "From the river to the sea Palestine will be free" means destroying lsrael and killing all 10 million lsraelis- Jews, Muslim, Druze, Christians, Bahai and others. Are Americans so misguided that they are calling for genocide against lsrael? lsrael has accepted a 2 state solution in 1947 , 1967, 1993, and more. It is the Arabs who have never been willing to compromise so that 2 peoples can live in the land we all call the Holyland. mszdds@gmail.com Email not displaying correctly? View it in ylllDlglvsct Contact lnformation Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Iue 3/5/2024 7:21 PM To:Common Council < council@catyofithaca.org >; Robert Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org >;Deb Mohlenhoff <dmohlenhoff@cityoflthaca.org >;Alan Karasan <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org>;Shaniqua Lewis <slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name John Burger - Dryden/ Tompkins Co Last Name Street Address Nilunicipality'Note this may be different from your zip code State Topic of Discussion Your Comments Contact lnformation NY Ceasefire in Gaza. Ceasefire here Dear Common Council, I hope you will pass a Ceasefire resolution. This is a cause of such magnitude that noone should remain silent. I was at the Tompkins County Legislature meeting when a Ceasefire resolution was defeated by one vote. One member who voted against the resolution said they didn't speak Arabic and were not sufficiently educated on the subject. Another who voted against spoke about the Taliban. I think you are more aware than that and will not deny that U.S. support for lsrael, and our silence, is allowing Palestinian children to die of hunger and thirst. Please act. Sincerely, John Burger Field not completed Email not displaying correctly?witin ur browser Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Iue 3/5/2024 7148 PM To:Common Council < council@cityofithaca.org >;Robert Cantelmo < mayorca ntelmo@cityofithaca.org >;Deb Mohlenhoff < dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin < AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;Shaniqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Monica Bosworth - 13864 Last Name Municipality "Note this may be different from your zip code Skeet Address State Topic of Discussion Your Comments Contact lnformation NY Ceasefire Please vote for a ceasefire. Over 30,000 dead is unconscionable - how is this NOT genocide? So many children. We need to take a stand and call for a halt to this. Thank you, Monica Field not completed. Email not displaying correctly? View rt rn vour browser Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Wed 3/6/2024 8;59 AM To:Common Council < council@cityofithaca.org >; Robert Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org >; Deb Mohlen hoff < dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;Sha niqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Ezra Last Name Galperin Street Address .t-D Municipality "Note this may be different from your zip code State Topic of Discuss,on Your Comments Contact lnformation Itaca NY Ceasefire Resolution 1 )You misspelled ceasefire 2) Are you aware that Hamas today rejected a 6-week ceasefire in exchange for the release of 14 hostages? 3) This resolution is virtue signaling, it does not help anyone 4) Here's what will help us: lmproved TCAT, fixing the roads. Do yourjob, enough with the PR stunts Email not displaying correctly?View lt in your browser 2403534346 Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Wed 3/6/202411:17 AM To:Common Council <cou ncil@cityofithaca.org >; Robert Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org >;Deb Mohlenhoff <dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org>;Alan Karasin <AKarasin @cityofithaca.org >;Shaniqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Zachary l\,4asi Street Address Jt Municipality "Note this may be different from your zip code Ne\ field State NY Topic of Discussion Tonight's debate on the lsraeli handling of violent Palestinian lerrorism Your Comments After some discussion, my wife and I have made the reasonable decision that there is no point in attending tonight's session. This will spare us having to listen to racist diatribes against the state of lsrael, and certainly a litany of over the top accusations against lsrael's military and lsrael supporters here in America. ln personal conversation, however, we have certainly discussed whether the greater lthaca area will remain a place in which it is reasonable to maintain a Jewish community, or a safe place in which to raise a Jewish family with small children. This is a sad conversation to be having, but I am sure we are not the only family discussing the ramifications of tonight's memorandum. Contact lnformation ZachoS4@gmail.com Email not displaying correctly?View it yluL-OIqwsgt Last Name Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Wed 3/6/2A24 11:22 AM To:Common Council < council@cityofithaca.org >; Robert Cantelmo < mayorca ntelmo@cityofithaca.org >; Deb Mohlenhoff < dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;Shaniqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Jamie Last Name Kinast Street Address lvlunicipality "Note this may be different from your zip code Town of lthaca New York Ceasef:re Resolution - Stop the war on Gaza Dear Council, I cannot make it to the Common Council meeting tonight in which the Ceaseflre Resolution is on the agenda. I write to encourage the Council to vote for a permanent ceasefire NOW. The US must stop sending money and weapons to lsrael, to aid in their genocide against the Palestinian people. Palestinian men, women, and children are under forced starvation, not having access to medical care, being bombed, being killed...THIS MUST STOP The occupation forces of lsrael are waging a war against Gaza, with the aim to destroy the Palestinian people. lsrael is committing genocide against Palestine by bombing, killing, and starving the Palestinian people. I urge the council to vote for the Ceasefire Resolution to say that the US needs to stop supporting this genocide against the Palestinian people. jamekinast@gmait.corGContact lnformation Email not displaying correctly vour br owser State Topic of Discussion Your Comments Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form no re ply@ c ivicplu s.co m < noreply@civicplus.com > Wed 3/6/2024 11132 AM To:Common Council < council@cityofithaca.org >;Robert Cantelmo < mayorca ntelmo@cityofithaca.org >;Deb Mohlenhoff <dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;Shaniqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Howard Las'l Name Erlich Street Address g- Municipality .Note this may be different from your zip code State Topic of Discussion Your Comments Contact lnformation Ithaca NY Proposed Cease Fire resolution the resolution should begin thus Whereas the war was precipitated by Hamas's violation of the then cease-fire agreement with lsrael, by Hamas's attack and slaughter of 1200 lsraelis and the taking of over 200 hostages, all in violation of lnternational law, the chances of Hamas's recognition of another "permanent" cease fire a.e slim and none.... Field not completed. Email not displaying correctly? View rt rn ylllblqus€t Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Wed 3/6/2024 1207 ?M To:Common Council < council@cityofithaca.org >; Robert Cantelmo < mayorca ntelmo@cityofithaca.org >;Deb Mohlenhoff < d mohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;Shaniqua Lewis <slewis@cityofithaca.org> Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Lau ren Last Name Branchini Street Address Municipality "Note this may be different from your zip code 14867 State Topic of Discussion Your Comments NY Common Council - Ceasefire Resolution l'd respectfully ask that the Common Council not weigh in on matters involving foreign affairs, particularly when it comes to this issue, where people on both sides of the matter feel strongly and are likely to be negatively impacted by any decision the council makes. I do not support a ceasefire as drafted in this proposed memorandum/resolution. I think a lot of well-meaning folks want to support a ceasefire as an attempt to remedy the abject conditions Gazans currently find themselves in and to right a perceived wrong (the oppression of the Palestinian people). But to call for a ceasefire as written in the resolution focuses on only one side of a complex and two-saded issue. While I am also deeply saddened by the loss of life in Gaza, the memorandum/resolution does not go far enough to examine the role Hamas and lslamic Jihad have played in creating that ongoing oppression and loss of life -- from years of spending aid money on weapons instead of basic amenities for Palestinians to embedding their operations within civilian infrastructure (thus endangering their own people) to their more recent resistance to cooperate with basic requests during hostage negotiations. There is so much important discourse to have on this issue, but this resolution flattens any nuance and presents a one-sided view of the conflict in the Middle East. Tompkins County residents on both sides of the issue deserve better. Contact lnformation lauren.branchini@gmail.com Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Wed 3/6/2024 12:48 PM To:Common Cou ncil < council@cityofithaca.org >; Robert Cantelmo < mayorca ntelmo@cityofithaca.org >; Deb Mohlenhoff < d mohlen hoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;Shaniqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Regi TeasleyLast Name Street Address a- Municipality .Note this may be different from your zip code Ithaca State Topic of Discussion Your Comments NY lsrael/GazalPalestine cease iire resolution I urge Common Council to pass a resolution in favor of a cease fire in Gaza. lsrael is tightly linked with the United States. lt receives vast amount of money----our tax dollars-mostly in military aid. lt is such a "close partner" of the U.S. that it could be seen as a strategic outpost. Noted historian and public inlellectual, Gore Vidal, referred to it-bitingly-as the 5'lst state." Wealth Americans have partially funded the illegal expansion of settlements in the Wesl Bank. My spouse has family living in lsrael and my sister, an attorney in the West, has a dear friend and fellow attorney who is Palestinian and lives in the Wesl Bank with his wife and young children. America is working hand-in-glove with lsrael. ln my view, the Biden administration is aiding and abetting war crimes. It's all too easy to turn away or to reach for justiiications for this carnage. But this is happening on our watch. What will we do now? And what are we? Humans can do better, and we must. I am sharing with you copies of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Over 75 years ago, after WW2 and the horrors of the Nazi extermination camps, the General Assembly of the UN created this important document. Lefs look at it. From the Preamble... " . .. recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of al members of the human ramily is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world, Contact lnformation .. ..disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have oulraged the conscience if mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people...." Article'1 "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act toward one another in a spirit of brotherhood. A(icle 3. "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and the security of the person."..... Rltcayuga@gmail.com Email not displaying correctly? View it in ylll_DletyscL Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > wed 3/6/20241:35 PM To:Common Cou ncil < council@cityofithaca.org >; Robert Cantelmo < mayo rcantelmo@cityofithaca.org >; Deb Mohlenhoff < dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin < AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;Shaniqua Lewis <slewis@cityofithaca.org> Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Seraphina BuckholtzLast Name Street Address Ct Municipality .Note this may be different from your zip code State Topic of Discussion Your Comments Contact lnformation 14850 NY Ceasefire Resolution Dear Legislators, lam a constituent of ward 2 in the city of lthaca. I am unable to attend tonight's public comment, but am writing lo strongly encourage you to vote in favor of a ceasefire resolution. I personally know several Palestinians who have lost friends and family in Gaza, and I do not agree to pay taxes to fund their genocide, when that money could go to providing much needed services to our local communities. Thank you for your lime and consideration, Seraphina Buckholtz seraphinanattanj@gmail.com Email not displaying correctly? View it n yqlugtlset Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Wed 3/6/2024 1:M PM To:Common Council < council@cityofithaca.org >; Robert Cantelmo < mayorca ntelmo@cityofithaca.org >; Deb Mohlenhoff < dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org>;Shaniqua Lewis <slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Grace Last Name Ritter Street Address ql- Municipality 'Note this may be different from your zip code State Topic of Discussion Your Comments Contact lnformation Ithaca NY Ceasefire Resolution Dear council members, I wanted to express my support for the ceasefire resolution. The city of lthaca should join communities around the world in condemning genocide. Gracie.victoria@gmail.com Email not displaying correctly? View t in ylllblqtgsc! Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Wed 3/6/2024 2:35 PM To:Common Council <council@cityofithaca.org >;Robert Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org>;Deb Mohlenhoff <dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org>;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org>;Shaniqua Lewis <slewis@cityofithaca.org> Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Lisa Last Name Lincoln Street Address 3 lvlunicipality .Note this may be different from your zip code Lansing State Topic of Discussion Your Comments New York Ceaseflre resolution Please support the ceaseiire resolution on the agenda for tonight's meeting Pakestinians, civilians, children and babies are now dying from lack of medical and surgical supplies and starvation and dehydration, as well as from bombing, building collapse and bullets. Continued violence and blockade will cause more death and further compound the great trauma. lf it does not stop this war will likely create a reoccurring cycle of revenge greater than lsrael and Jewish people around the world have ever seen. Contact lnformalion L sa.anne.lincoln@gmail.com Email not displaying correctly? View t in y!-ulblewscf Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Wed 3/6/2024 2:56 PM To:Com mon Council < cou ncil@ cityofithaca.org >; Robert Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org >; Deb Mohlen hoff < dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;Shaniqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Daniel Last Name Barbash Street Address qfrrlr 14850 State Topic of Discussion Your Comments Contact lnformation NY Cease Fire Resolution Dear Common Councrl lVembers. I would like to express my strong opposition to the proposed resolution. While I have concerns about the specific resolution, I more strongly feel that the Council should refrain from resolutions about contenlious national or international issues that are not directly relevant to lthaca. There are many important issues and challenges in our community that we need to work together to solve. These kinds of statements are needlessly divisive. Thank you for your attention and your service to our community. dabarbash2@gmail.com Email not displaying correctly? View it n ylu_Orcysel Municipality -Note this may be differenl from your zip code Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > \Ned 3/6/2024 2:57 PM To:Common Council < cou ncil@cityofithaca.org >; Robert Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org >; Deb Mohlen hoff <dmohlenhoff @cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;Shaniqua Lewis <slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Anna Last Name Rozina Street Address Municipality "Note this may be different from your zip code State Topic of Discussion Your Comments Ithaca New York Vote on Cease Fire Resolution detracts attention from local issues and causes polarization Dear member of the Common Council, The armed conflict between lsrael and Hamas, that started with a brutal attack on October 7 2023, has led to a tragic loss of civilian life over the past months. The complex nature of this conflict, with its deep historical roots, political sensitivities, and international implications, requires nuanced understanding and intervention at the national and international level. The City of Ithaca Common Council lacks the expertise or diplomatic leverage to contribute meaningfully to resolving this conflict. This means that the proposed Cease Fire Resolution is a purely symbolic gesture. Engaging in such symbolic votes diverts attention and resources from local issues that truly fall under the purview of the Common Council. Finally, taking a stance on this issue can polarize our community and detract from the unity needed to tackle local challenges. By engaging in symbolic voles on international matters, you risk oversimplifying this very sensitive issue for many of your constituents. Respectfully, Anna Rozina Contact lnformation anya.rozina@gmail.com Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > \Ned 3/6/2024 3:48 PM To:Common Cou ncil < council@cityofithaca.org >; Robert Cantelmo < mayorca ntelmo@cityofithaca.org >; Deb Mohlen hoff < dmo h lenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin < AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;S haniqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Amina Last Name Mohamed Street Address Municipality *Note this may be different from your zip code State Topic of Discussion Your Comments Contact lnformation 14850-5701 NY Ceasefire resolution I am writing this comment with the heaviest heart. For over hundred days, USjunded lsraeli military has inflacted all kinds of horrors on Palestinians. They have murdered 30,000+ people in Gaza and displaced a million. lt is horrifying to watch US congress sending more and more bombs and weapons lo lsrael. This needs to stop immediately. I urge you all to pass a ceasefire resolution and listen to an overwhelming majority of requests from people of lthacal Thank you! Field not completed Email not displaying correctly our browser Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > thu 3/7 /2024 10.02 AM To:Common Council < council@cityofithaca.org >; Robert Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org >;Deb Mohlen hoff <dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org>;Alan Ka.asin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org >;Shaniqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Jonathan Last Name Greene Street Address lvlunicipality 'Note this may be different from your zip code city of ithaca State Topic of Discussion Your Comments NY Cease Fire Resolution for Gaza Hello, I am a long time resident of lthaca, a former member of the Board of Public Works, and a member of Temple Beth El. I am writing to express my comments on the proposed resolulion that members of the City of lthaca Common Council are purporting to pass related to the war in Gaza. ln short I do not support the City of lthaca's Common Council in putting forth this resolution. As written it is superficially one sided in its poant of view, which therefore makes it of little value to any conversation on the topic, let alone putting forth ideas and solutions for resolution. Second, I think the Common Council has much better things to do with its time then weighing in on world politics thousands of miles away, when there are issues at home in our community that need our attention. For example the homelessness and hunger problem in our community is out of control and in need of solutions for the people in our community. Why not spend time focusing on this effort? How about organizing an effort to send aid to Gazans? As a Jew and a human being I am sickened by all ofthe killing, deslruction, and misery that this war has brought to Gaza, Southern Lebanon, the West Bank, and lsrael. And ldo firmly believe that a cease is in order to allow for humanitarian aid to reach people in need. Contact lnformation Howevet conflicts of this nature in the Middle East have been ongoing for centuries. And this war is an extension of existing conflicts thal have ebbed and flowed for many years.. lndeed, persecution of Jews, Muslims, Christians, and all other religions and ethnic Aroups has been ongoing for thousands of years. Even well versed scholars that spend a lifetime studying these geopolitical issues find them complex and challenging to undersland, let alone offering up reasonable solutions. These issues are complicated in part by lsrael's recent shift toward a more conservative, religiously motivated government. It is my hope that this will shift back to the center sooner than later. But this is not unlike our political system of lhe last few years. So I wonder, how Americans would feel if lsraelis were effectively interjecting themselves into political conversations where they had little no context? I am all for free speech and a government that listens to its people on a range of political issues. However, I would caution those that support this resolution and others like it that when you stick your nose into politics that you don't understand and/or where you are NOT a stakeholder, the consequences are often not positive. I think lhere are better things you can do with tax time for which you were all elected. jongreene@gmail.com Email not displaying correctly? Vrew t rrl Vour browser Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > wed 3/13/2024 4123 PM To:Common Council < council@cityofithaca.org >;Robeft Cantelmo < mayorcantelmo@cityofithaca.org >;Deb Mohlen hoff < d mohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org >;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org>;Shaniqua Lewis < slewis@cityof ithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name lva Last Name Street Address Municipality "Note this may be different from your zip code State Topic of Discussion Your Comments NY Ithaca March 6 resolution Dear Mayor and Common Council Members: Your recent vote on March 6,2024 was a damaging mistake and should be rescinded. An apology should be offered to the residents of lthaca. It is a serious problem for the following reasons: l.Your action is damagang to the City of lthaca and its residents You have created hurtful and intense division within the community. .the proclamation takes the side of antisemitism and the genocide of the Jewish people. Hamas could end the war by releasing the hostages and laying down arms but according to its own statements it is using the suffering of own civilians to achieve its aims of annihilating lsrael and the Jewish people. .Council permitted in official space anti-semitic and hateful words when, despite a council member's obJections, that the sign "From lhe River to the Sea, ..." was permitted. The words obliterate lsrael from the geography where it exists. The full phrase (which I refuse to repeat) is derive from jihadist movements who have been open in their stated goal to totally wipe out lsrael and murder all the Jewish people. Comments that it is something else are either uninformed or purposefully misleading. lt is on par with a swatztika or the KKK hood, yet the banner was allowed to remain at the meeting. This is incredibly hurtful and offensive. .many members of the public there in person who were pushing for the resolution acted in an undemocratic mob like manner. This behavio( permitted by the Council, has created an environment where many people refuse to go to meetings Lesky Contact lnformation ll. You acted in an area outside of the scope of your responsibilities and very much outside of the scope of your knowledge. The Common Council does not have lnternational responsibilities- You demonstrated no knowledge , indepth, or balanced understanding of the situation. Where was your study and careful research. Why was it that you did not focus on Hamas' responsibility for the current tragedy. Hamas violated the ceasefire that had been in place when it launched an attacked on the sovereign State of lsrael October 7th. The horror of lhat day can be viewed on videos that Hamas made to terrrorize the Jewish population and includes live Babies being baked, women mutilated and raped, death and carnage. A day that Hamas has promised to repeal. There is now a cease fire plan on the table but Hamas is refusing to release hostages including women and children. Furthermore, how can lthaca call for the release of prisoners in anolher country. The Council has no idea what they are charged with. lt seems apparent that you are parroting words given to you. lll. By your own admission, the Council violated their own usual procedures and pushed through an ill thought out, inappropriate proclamation. The council did not have time to discuss and rethink. Revising an extremely divisive document at a rushed highly emotional public hearing is only done when the goal is to push through a personal agenda not reflect the communities views- al4tclmailnew.com Email not displaying correctly? Vie\r t.i vour browser and subjugate lhemselves to bullying.