HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-COW STUDY SESSION-2024-06-20 COMMON COUNCIL
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Date: Thursday June 20, 2024
cOA�(IRAiE°fie Location: 108 E. Green Street Ithaca NY 14850
Attendance Record of Voting Members
Name Present Absent/Excused
Mayor- Robert Cantelmo X
1 st Ward - Kayla Matos X
1 st 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
1 Call To Order
Discussion Summary: The meeting is called to order at 6:00pm. Timestamp 0:30
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=p2WM31 HSWgU&list=PLfplo_VA57eoynrgxkGvi11 vxHlwByjZw&index=3
1.1 Emergency Evacuation
Discussion Summary: Mayor Cantelmo read the Emergency Evacuation notice
for those in attendance. Timestamp 1:20
1.2 Review and Approval of Minutes
Discussion Summary: Governor Hochul's Regional Representative Harris Weiss
presented Council with a proclamation from the Governor in honor of Juneteenth.
Council approved the May 15th 2024 COW Study Session Meeting Minutes.
Timestamp: 2:05-4:45
Moved By: Pierre Saint-Perez
Seconded By: David Shapiro
Motion Summary: Motion to approve the May 15th 2024 COW Study Session
Meeting Minutes. Timestamp 5:18
Vote Passed 8-0 Carried Unanimously
Member Approve Oppose Recuse
Robert Cantelmo X
Kayla Matos X
Phoebe Brown X
David Shapiro X
Pierre Saint-Perez X
Patrick Kuehl X
Tiffany Kumar X
Margaret Fabrizio X
2. Agenda Review
2.1 Additions /Deletions or Changes to the Agenda
Discussion Summary: No changes to the agenda. Council will proceed with the
two public hearings. Timestamp 5:41
3. Public Hearing
Discussion Summary: Mayor Cantelmo noted that there is no one from the public present
to comment on the Local Law Clarifying the Authority of the Common Council, Mayor, and
City Manager with Respect to Department Heads. Mayor Cantelmo motioned to open the
public hearing. Timestamp 5:47
3.1 A Local Law Clarifying the Authority of the Common Council, Mayor, and City
Manager with Respect to Certain Department Heads
Moved By: Tiffany Kumar
Seconded By: Kayla Matos
Motion Summary: Motion To Open Public Hearing Timestamp 5:58
Vote Passed 8-0 Carried Unanimously
Member Approve Oppose Recuse
Robert Cantelmo X
Kayla Matos X
Phoebe Brown X
David Shapiro X
Pierre Saint-Perez X
Patrick Kuehl X
Tiffany Kumar X
Margaret Fabrizio X
Moved By: Tiffany Kumar
Seconded By: Phoebe Brown
Motion Summary: Motion To Close Public Hearing. Timestamp 6:18
Vote Passed 8-0 Carried Unanimously
Member Approve Oppose Recuse
Robert Cantelmo X
Kayla Matos X
Phoebe Brown X
David Shapiro X
Pierre Saint-Perez X
Patrick Kuehl X
Tiffany Kumar X
Margaret Fabrizio X
3.2 Local Law- Good Cause Eviction Protections
Discussion Summary: Members of the public were in attendance to give
comments during the Public Hearing. Mayor Cantelmo informed those in
attendance there is no limit set on the number of people who are interested in
commenting for a Public Hearing. Timestamp 6:54- 1:42:32
Moved By: Patrick Kuehl
Seconded By: Tiffany Kumar
Motion Summary: Motion to open public hearing on Local Law Good Cause Eviction
Protections. Timestamp 6:30
Vote Passed 8-0 Carried Unanimously
Member Approve Oppose Recuse
Robert Cantelmo X
Kayla Matos X
Phoebe Brown X
David Shapiro X
Pierre Saint-Perez X
Patrick Kuehl X
Tiffany Kumar X
Margaret Fabrizio X
Moved By: Kayla Matos
Seconded By: Patrick Kuehl
Motion Summary: Motion to Close Public Hearing. Timestamp 1:43:55
Vote Passed 8-0 Carried Unanimously
Member Approve Oppose Recuse
Robert Cantelmo X
Kayla Matos X
Phoebe Brown X
David Shapiro X
Pierre Saint-Perez X
Patrick Kuehl X
Tiffany Kumar X
Margaret Fabrizio X
4. Consent Items
Discussion Summary: Proposed Items 4.1-4.4 are considered to be moved to Consent
Agenda Items on the July 10th Common Council Regular Meeting. Timestamp 1:44:09
Moved By: Tiffany Kumar
Seconded By: Kayla Matos
Motion Summary: Motion to send proposed items 4.1 through 4.4 as Consent Agenda
Items for the July 10th Common Council Regular voting meeting. Timestamp 1:44:17
Vote Passed 8-0 Carried Unanimously
Member Approve Oppose Abstain
Robert Cantelmo X
Kayla Matos X
Phoebe Brown X
David Shapiro X
Pierre Saint-Perez X
Patrick Kuehl X
Tiffany Kumar X
Margaret Fabrizio X
Moved By: David Shapiro
Seconded By: Margaret Fabrizio
Motion Summary: Motion for a 5 Minute Recess. Timestamp 1:44:52
Vote Passed 8-0 Carried Unanimously
Member Approve Oppose Abstain
Robert Cantelmo X
Kayla Matos X
Phoebe Brown X
David Shapiro X
Pierre Saint-Perez X
Patrick Kuehl X
Tiffany Kumar X
Margaret Fabrizio X
4.1 Amendment to Personnel Roster- City Chamberlain's Office
4.2 Roster Amendment- Civil Engineer Title
4.3 Ordinance Amending City Code Charter- Street Addressing
4.4 Revocable License for the Use of City Property-Kayak Launch License
5. City Manager's Budget Overview
Discussion Summary: City Manager Deb Mohlenhoff presented council with a slide show
presentation. The presentation is to give council an overview of the sort of the budget
building process. This is the first series of conversations around the budget. Mayor
Cantelmo has carved out an hour for the both the presentation and discussion. Retired
City Controller Steve Thayer was present to answer questions around the budget
process. (Slide Show Presentation attached). Timestamp 1:50:29- 3:17:25
Moved By: Pierre Saint-Perez
Seconded By: Margaret Fabrizio
Motion Summary: Motion to extend conversation for an additional 1/2 hour. Timestamp
3:04
Vote Passed 6-2
Member Approve Oppose Abstain
Robert Cantelmo X
Kayla Matos X
Phoebe Brown X
David Shapiro X
Pierre Saint-Perez X
Patrick Kuehl X
Tiffany Kumar X
Margaret Fabrizio X
6. Agenda Planning
6.1 A Local Law Clarifying the Authority of the Common Council, Mayor, and City
Manager with Respect to Certain Department Heads
Discussion Summary: Local law was moved and summarized by Alderperson
Saint-Perez. During the government reorg, a number of paragraphs were
overlooked, this update will adjust the code to be consistent with Mayor/City
Manager authority. Timestamp: 3:18:13
Moved By: Pierre Saint-Perez
Seconded By: Margaret Fabrizio
Motion Summary: Motion to place on July 7th 2024 Common Council Meeting
Agenda. Timestamp 3:21:21
Vote Passed 8-0 Carried Unanimously
Member Approve Oppose Recuse
Robert Cantelmo X
Kayla Matos X
Phoebe Brown X
David Shapiro X
Pierre Saint-Perez X
Patrick Kuehl X
Tiffany Kumar X
Margaret Fabrizio X
6.2 Encampment Response Coordinator Position
Discussion Summary: Encampment Response Coordinator position moved and
summarized by Alderperson Kumar. Discussion from council with questions and
comments on the job description and responsibilities of the position. Timestamp:
3:21:54-3:52:59
Moved By: Tiffany Kumar
Seconded By: Patrick Kuehl
Motion Summary: Motion to move to the July 10th 2024 Common Council Meeting
Agenda. Timestamp: 3:53:23
Vote Passed 6-2
Member Approve Oppose Recuse
Robert Cantelmo X
Kayla Matos X
Phoebe Brown X
David Shapiro X
Pierre Saint-Perez X
Patrick Kuehl X
Tiffany Kumar X
Margaret Fabrizio X
Moved By: Phoebe Brown
Seconded By: Tiffany Kumar
Motion Summary: Motion to Call The Question. Timestamp 3:53:04
Vote Passed 5-3
Member Approve Oppose Recuse
Robert Cantelmo X
Kayla Matos X
Phoebe Brown X
David Shapiro X
Pierre Saint-Perez X
Patrick Kuehl X
Tiffany Kumar X
Margaret Fabrizio X
6.3 Camden Group Contract for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations
Discussion Summary: Mike Thorne was present to discuss resolution and to
address questions and comments from Council. No formal motion was made to
move item to the July 10th Common Council Meeting Agenda. Timestamp 3:54-
42- 4:00:01
All in favor of moving item to July 10th Common Council Meeting Agenda Carried
7-1 with Alderperson Saint-Perez opposed. Timestamp 4:00:06
Moved By: Tiffany Kumar
Seconded By: Margaret Fabrizio
Motion Summary: Motion to Extend Meeting to 10:15.
Vote Failed 3-5
Member Approve Oppose Recuse
Robert Cantelmo X
Kayla Matos X
Phoebe Brown X
David Shapiro X
Pierre Saint-Perez X
Patrick Kuehl X
Tiffany Kumar X
Margaret Fabrizio X
6.4 Discussion on Tenant Voter Registration Proposal.
Discussion Summary: Item was not considered due to time.
7. Strategic Themes/Legislative Priorities.
Discussion Summary: Item not considered due to time.
7.1 Reports From Council Liaisons
Discussion Summary: No reports.
7.2 Reports from Working Groups
Discussion Summary: No Report
8. Meeting Wrap-Up
Discussion Summary: Meeting Adjourn at 10:00pm. No formal motion made to adjourn
meeting. Agenda Items 6.4 - 8 were not discussed or considered by Council due to time.
Timestamp 4:00:13
COMMON COUNCIL
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
p�ITH9C� STUDY SESSION AGENDA
AMENDED
v 0000O000� is
/C�RPORATE0�4% Date:
Thu day June 20,2024
Time:
Location: 108 E.Green Street Ithaca NY 14850
Watch Online: https://www.youtube.com/@CityofIthacaPublicMeetings
1. Call To Order
1.1. Emergency Evacuation
1.2. Review and Approval of Minutes
2. Agenda Review
2.1. Additions /Deletions or Changes to the Agenda
3. Public Hearing
3.1. A Local Law Clarifying the Authority of the Common Council, Mayor, and City
Manager with Respect to Certain Department Heads
3.2. Local Law- Good Cause Eviction Protections
4. Consent Items
4.1. Amendment to Personnel Roster- City Chamberlain's Office
4.2. Roster Amendment- Civil Engineer Title
4.3. Ordinance Amending City Code Charter- Street Addressing
4.4. Revocable License for the Use of City Property-Kayak Launch License
5. City Manager's Budget Overview
Presentation by City Manager of Budget Process
6. Agenda Planning
6.1. A Local Law Clarifying the Authority of the Common Council, Mayor, and City
Manager with Respect to Certain Department Heads
6.2. Encampment Response Coordinator Position
6.3. Camden Group Contract for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations
6.4. Discussion on Tenant Voter Registration Proposal.
7. Strategic Themes/Legislative Priorities.
7.1. Reports From Council Liaisons
7.2. Reports from Working Groups
8. Meeting Wrap-Up
1. Announcements
2. Next Meeting
3. Meeting Adjourned
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PUBLIC HEARING
Comments MUST be limited to the subject of the Public Hearing.
There will be NO Privilege of the floor, and Council will NOT be responding to the
public's comments during the
Public Hearing.
Members of the public can provide short statements germane to the subject of the public
hearing during this portion of the meeting. 3 minutes is the maximum time allotted per
speaker, but the chair reserves the right to modify the amount of time per individual at the start
of the meeting. Groups of 3 or More Speakers are allotted more speaking time.
For Longer Speaking Time — Multiple Speakers 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 hearing.
3-4 Persons with One Designated Speaker— Designated Speaker allotted 5 Minutes
5+ Persons with One Designated Speaker— Designated Speaker allotted 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 meeting at which the public
hearing takes place begins.
Want To Submit A Comment and Not Speak In Person?
To Submit Written Comments - https://tinyurl.com/mr9kdhw8
*Written comments submitted will be compiled and entered into the record.
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o , T �� CITY OF ITHACA
108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York 14850-6590
. .........
Clerk's Office
Shaniqua Lewis,
MEMORANDUM
TO: Common Council COW Study Session
FROM: Mayor Robert Cantelmo
DATE: June 20, 2024
RE: Emergency Evacuation
CP#: N/A
3
o , T �� CITY OF ITHACA
108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York 14850-6590
. .........
Clerk's Office
Shaniqua Lewis,
MEMORANDUM
TO: Common Council COW Study Session
FROM: Deputy City Clerk
DATE: June 20, 2024
RE: Review and Approval of Minutes
CP#: N/A
Review and Approval of 05-15-2024 COW Study Session Meeting Minutes
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o , T �� CITY OF ITHACA
108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York 14850-6590
. .........
Mayor's Office
Shaniqua Lewis,
MEMORANDUM
TO: Common Council COW Study Session
FROM: Mayor Robert Cantelmo
DATE: June 20, 2024
RE: Additions /Deletions or Changes to the Agenda
CP#: N/A
5
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108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York 14850-6590
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Attorney's Office
Shaniqua Lewis,
MEMORANDUM
TO: Common Council COW Study Session
FROM: City Attorney's Office
DATE: June 20, 2024
RE: A Local Law Clarifying the Authority of the Common Council,
Mayor, and City Manager with Respect to Certain Department
Heads
CP#: N/A
Public Hearing to receive public feedback regarding A Local Law Clarifying the Authority of the
Common Council, Mayor, and City Manager with Respect to Certain Department Heads
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o , T �� CITY OF ITHACA
108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York 14850-6590
. .........
Mayor's Office
Shaniqua Lewis,
MEMORANDUM
TO: Common Council COW Study Session
FROM: Mayor's Office
DATE: June 20, 2024
RE: Local Law- Good Cause Eviction Protections
CP#: N/A
A Public Hearing to receive feed back on A Local Law Adopting Good Cause Eviction Protections in
the City of Ithaca
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A Local Law Adopting Good Cause Eviction Protections in the City of Ithaca
WHEREAS, Article 6-A of the Real Property Law of the State of New York authorizes a
municipality, acting through its local legislative body, to adopt the provisions of New York's
Good Cause Eviction Law by enacting a local law; and
WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Ithaca desires to afford tenants within the City
with the protections authorized by state law; and
WHEREAS, Section 213 of the Real Property Law of the State of New York authorizes
municipalities to vary certain default provisions of the Good Cause Eviction Law by local law;
now therefore,
BE IT ENACTED by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca as follows:
Local Law No. 2024—
Section 1. Legislative Findings,Intent, and Purpose
The Common Council makes the following findings:
1. The Common Council recognizes and values the rights of the many City residents who
make their homes in rental properties.
2. The Common Council finds that the statewide Good Cause Eviction Law appropriately
balances the rights of tenants and property owners and that adopting its provisions would
protect tenant rights without unduly burdening the local rental market.
3. The Common Council finds that the default percentage of fair market value used to
calculate the exemption threshold of the statewide Good Cause Eviction law does not
appropriately reflect the rental market conditions of the City of Ithaca and should be
adjusted as permitted by law.
4. The Common Council finds that the default definition of"small landlord" in the
statewide Good Cause Eviction law does not appropriately reflect the rental market
conditions of the City of Ithaca and should be adjusted as permitted by law.
Based upon the above findings, the intent and purpose of this Local Law is to opt in to the Good
Cause Eviction Law set forth at Article 6-A of the Real Property Law of the State of New York
upon the terms described herein.
8
Section 2. Code Amendment
Chapter 258 of the Ithaca City Code, "Rental Housing," is hereby amended to add a new Article
IV thereof, as follows:
ARTICLE IV Good Cause Eviction
Section 258-14 Short Title
This Article may be cited as the "Good Cause Eviction Law."
Section 258-15 Purpose
The purpose of this Article is to establish good cause eviction protections in the City of
Ithaca pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Article 6-A of the Real
Property Law of the State of New York.
Section 258-16 Good Cause Eviction Protections Established
A. Except as otherwise provided in this Article, all provisions set forth in Article 6-A of the
Real Property Law and any amendments thereto are hereby adopted by the City of Ithaca.
B. Pursuant to Section 213(2)(a) of the Real Property Law, for the purposes of this Article
and notwithstanding any default provision to the contrary, any unit on or within a housing
accommodation shall be exempt from the provisions of this Article if such unit has a
monthly rent above 345% of fair market rent, as calculated as provided in Article 6-A of
the Real Property Law.
C. Pursuant to Section 213(2)(b) of the Real Property Law, for the purposes of this Article
and notwithstanding any default provision to the contrary, the City of Ithaca defines
"small landlord"to mean a landlord of no more than one unit anywhere in the state of
New York.
D. This Article shall be enforceable as set forth in Article 6-A of the Real Property Law.
Section 3. Severability Clause.
Severability is intended throughout and within the provisions of this Local Law. If any section,
subsection, sentence, clause,phrase, or portion of this Local Law is held to be invalid or
unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, then that decision shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions of this Local Law.
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Section 4. Effective Date.
This Local Law shall be effective immediately upon filing in the office of the Secretary of State.
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MEMORANDUM
Date: June 7, 2024
To: Common Council
From: Mayor Robert Cantelmo
RE: A Local Law Adopting Good Cause Eviction Protections in the City of Ithaca
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Pursuant to Article 6-A of the Real Property Law of the State of New York, as amended by the enacted
2025 NYS Budget, the Common Council of the City of Ithaca is considering an opt-in to the Good Cause
Eviction Law.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND LEGISLATIVE THEMES
Ithaca is the second-most expensive small city in the United States and tenants are living under constant
threat of unaffordable rent hikes, arbitrary non-renewal of their leases, and resulting displacement from
their homes. Good cause protections have been debated extensively over the past five years.The
previous two Councils supported the research and exploration of these protections, but the City
Attorney's office ultimately determined that the City was preempted by the Real Property Law of the State
of New York, and other municipalities'efforts to enact legislation were struck down in court. With the
adoption of the FY2025 state budget, municipalities have been granted the ability to opt-in to protections
now enshrined in NYS law. Adoption of this local law serves long-standing city policy objectives as well as
this Council's legislative priorities of providing safe and accessible housing for all.
NEED FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION
While Good Cause Eviction protections were established statewide as part of the FY2025 state budget,
municipalities must choose to opt into the program.
PROJECTED IMPACT
The proposed local law will establish good cause eviction protections in the City of Ithaca. Good cause
for eviction is defined as the following under New York State Law:
• The tenant has failed to pay rent due, which did not constitute an unreasonable increase;
• Violation of a substantial obligation of one's tenancy;
• Nuisance;
• Occupancy of the housing accommodation is in violation of or causes a violation of the law;
• Tenant is using or permitting housing accommodation for illegal purposes;
• Tenant has unreasonably refused access to the landlord for making necessary repairs or
improvements as required by law or for the purpose of showing the housing accommodation to a
prospective purchaser;
• Landlord seeks in good faith to recover possession of a housing accommodation for the landlord's
own personal use and occupancy as the landlord's principal residence, or the personal use and
occupancy as principal residence of the landlord's immediate family;
11
• Good faith efforts at demolition;
• Good faith effort to withdraw the residence from the housing market;
• Tenant fails to agree to reasonable changes to Alease at renewal.
Furthermore, this legislation makes annual rent increases above ten percent or five percent plus the
Consumer Price Index(whichever is lower) presumptively unreasonable to protect tenants against price
gouging and strengthens legal protections for covered renters in eviction proceedings, where applicable.
This law will apply to landlords with two or more units. Properties that are less than 30 years old or more
than 345% of FMR are exempt from this proposed legislation.
FEASIBILITY
This legislation is enabled by New York State law and requires no action from the City beyond adoption.
Tenants shall have a cause of action in any court of competent jurisdiction.
BUDGET IMPLICATIONS& FUNDING
There are no anticipated budgetary implications through the private cause of action available to tenants
under the enabling legislation.
PUBLIC FEEDBACK
The Common Council will hold a public discussion on the proposed local law on June 12, 2024 in its
special topics work session. The Council has also scheduled a public hearing as part of the June 20 study
session. Members of the public will have time to observe, review, and comment on the proposed local
Law.
NEXT STEPS
The Common Council will review the draft local law in Committee of the Whole on June 12, 2024. A
public hearing is scheduled for June 20, 2024. Staff will collect and summarize public comments for
inclusion in the July 10, 2024 meeting of Common Council.
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o ° Tc� CITY OF ITHACA
108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York 14850-6590
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Human Resources
Shaniqua Lewis,
MEMORANDUM
TO: Common Council COW Study Session
FROM: Chamberlain's Office
DATE: June 20, 2024
RE: Amendment to Personnel Roster- City Chamberlain's Office
CP#: N/A
Accounts Receivable Position be decreased from 40 hours/week to 22.5 hours/week.
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Amendment to Personnel Roster— City Chamberlain's Office
WHEREAS, the Chamberlain's Office is seeing a shift in the workload due to the new
financial software and the move towards credit card and online payments, and
WHEREAS, the City Chamberlain is requesting that the work hours of one of its Accounts
Receivable Positions be immediately decreased from 40 hours/week to 22.5 hours/week in
recognition of this shift in workload, and intends to revisit departmental staffing levels in
connection with the 2025 budget; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Personnel Roster of the City Chamberlain's Office be amended as
follows:
Decrease: One (1) Accounts Receivable Specialist from 40 hours/week to 22.5 hours/week.
o , T �� CITY OF ITHACA
108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York 14850-6590
. .........
Dept of Public Works-Engineering
Shaniqua Lewis,
MEMORANDUM
TO: Common Council COW Study Session
FROM: Engineering
DATE: June 20, 2024
RE: Roster Amendment- Civil Engineer Title
CP#: N/A
We are requesting to eliminate the specialized title (Bridge Systems Engineer) and replace it
with the broader Civil Engineer title
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Amendment to Personnel Roster— DPW—Civil Engineer
WHEREAS, there is currently an opening for a civil engineering professional in the
Engineering Services division of DPW, and
WHEREAS, the current vacancy (bridge systems engineer) is for a specialized title, and
specialized job titles tend to attract fewer job applicants for reasons that include an implied
lack of work variation, self-disqualification, and non-typical job title search terms, and
WHEREAS, DPW believes that changing the title to the broader Civil Engineer title will attract
more applicants with more diverse engineering work experience, and
WHEREAS, bridge engineering/project management is a subset of civil engineering, and
work in this field is typically performed by civil engineers, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Personnel Roster of the Engineering Division of the Department of
Public Works shall be amended as follows:
Add: One (1) Civil Engineer (Executive Association, grade 8)
Delete: One (1) Bridge Systems Engineer (Executive Association, grade 8)
and be it further
RESOLVED, that there are no funding impacts for this change and funding shall be derived
from existing funds within the Department of Public Works budget.
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�IT1yy„
CITY OF ITHACA
B 108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York 14850-5690
0
8
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Department of Public Works - Engineering Division
RATE Telephone: 607 /274 6530 Fax: 607/ 274 6487
To: Civil Service Commission
Common Council
From: Tim Logue, Director of Engineering Services
Date: June 3, 2024
Subject: Roster Amendment: Replace Bridge Systems Engineer
with Civil Engineer Position
Dear Civil Service Commission and Council Members,
After a recent promotion, there is an opening for a civil engineering professional in the
Engineering Services division of the Department of Public Works to perform work on
federal aid projects, especially bridges and culverts, but also other structures and
related projects. The current vacancy is for a specialized position that worked as a
project manager, almost exclusively on bridge projects. However, much of the work
performed by the Engineering division involves broader project management and other
transportation related projects performed by civil engineers, and the qualification for
both the broader title and specialized title is a degree in civil engineering.
In our recent experience, specialized job titles tend to attract fewer job applicants for
reasons that may include concerns over limited variation of work, self-disqualification
due to a perceived lack of specialization, or simply not seeing the job posting because of
non-typical job title search terms. We are requesting to eliminate the specialized title
(Bridge Systems Engineer) and replace it with the broader Civil Engineer title in hopes
of expanding the applicant pool, and to increase flexibility and capabilities in the
Engineering Services division by doing so. By not limiting this position to bridge
projects,we open up opportunities to manage other federal aid projects (which typically
reimburse the City 80%-90% of total project costs), such as paving projects, culverts, and
retaining walls holding up roadways, but also other non-transportation related projects.
This proposed change to the roster is budget neutral due to recent budgeting for an
Assistant Director of Engineering and a resulting internal promotion.
"An Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to workforce diversification." 17
Civil Service Law,Section 22:Certification for positions. Before any new City of Ithaca Civil Service Commission
position in the service of a civil division shall be created or any existing 108 East Green Street - Ithaca NY 14850
position in such service shall be reclassified,the proposal therefore,
including a statement of the duties of the position,shall be referred to the New Position Duties Statement
municipal commission having jurisdiction and such commission shall Department head or other authority requesting the creation of a new position,
furnish a certificate stating the appropriate civil service title for the prepare a separate description for each new position to be created except that one
proposed position or the position to be reclassified. Any such new description may cover two or more identical positions in the same organizational
position shall be created or any such existing position reclassified only unit.
with the title approved and certified by the commission. Effective 1978 Forward one typed copy to this Commission.
1. Department Bureau, Division, Unit or Section Location of Position
Department of Public Works Engineering Services City Hall
2. Description of Duties: Describe the work in sufficient detail to give a clear word picture of the job. Use a separate paragraph for each kind
of work and describe the more important or time-consuming duties first. In the left column,estimate how the total working time is divided.
Job Title: Civil Engineer
Percent of Job Dutv
Work
Time
25 Develops plans, specifications,cost estimates and contract documents for bidding a variety of public works projects
including, but not limited to, streets and related appurtenances, bridges, parks, retaining walls, drainage and
waterways, and City owned buildings.
25 Manages projects during construction,overseeing work by a contractor for conformance to the contract
documents,and making quantity calculations for payments.
20 Analyzes, interprets and summarizes transportation data and site plan review proposals; prepares and produces
narrative and statistical reports, maps,drawings and similar documents.
20 Manages consultants and communicates with municipal officials,other City employees,various other
governmental agencies,community stakeholders and other interested parties to coordinate public work projects.
10 Creates and/or maintains a variety of documents including project records,engineering reports, right of way
mapping,and City-owned real property records.
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3. Names and Titles of Persons Supervising this position(General, Direct,Administrative, etc.)
Name Title Type of Supervision
Tim Logue Director of Engineering Services Direct
Mike Thorne Superintendent of Public Works General
4. Names and Titles of Persons Supervised by Employee in this position
Name Title Type of Supervision
5. Names and Titles of Persons doing substantially the same kind and level of work as will be done by the incumbent of this new
position
Name Title Location of Position
Brooks Hendrix Civil Engineer Engineering
John Licitra Civil Engineer Engineering
6. What minimum qualifications do you think should be required for this position?
Education:
• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering Technology, or Construction Management and one
year full-time paid experience in engineering or construction management
• Associates Degree in Civil Engineering Technology, Construction Technology, or closely related field with a
focus on civil engineering or construction technology and 3 years full-time paid experience working on public
works engineering or construction projects.
Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• General knowledge of engineering and/or construction practices.
7. The above statements are accurate and complete.
Date: (pj Title: Superintendent of Public Works Signature
Certificate of Civil Service Commission
8. In accordance with the provisions of Civil Service Law Section 22,the City of Ithaca Civil Service Commission certifies that the
appropriate civil service title for the position described is:
Title:
Jurisdictional Classification:
Date: Signature:
Action by Legislative Body or Other Approving Authorit
9. Creation of described position
❑ Approved
❑ Disapproved
Date: Signature:
Return One Completed Copy To Civil Service Commission June 4,2024
19
o ° Tc� CITY OF ITHACA
108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York 14850-6590
pw 000�000 o
RP ......ORA O
Department of Public Works
Shaniqua Lewis,
MEMORANDUM
TO: Common Council COW Study Session
FROM: Robert Fell-DeWalt,
DATE: June 20, 2024
RE: Ordinance Amending City Code Charter- Street Addressing
CP#: N/A
An Ordinance Amending Ithaca City Code Chapters 206, "Houses, Numbering of", and 342-1,
"Street Numbering"
The Department of Public Works and the Department of Planning, Building, Zoning, and
Economic Development seek to transfer the authority for assigning street addresses from the
City Engineer to the Director of Planning and Development or designee.
20
An Ordinance Amending Ithaca City Code Chapters 206, "Houses, Numbering of', and
342-1, "Street Numbering"
WHEREAS, the City Engineer is currently responsible for assigning street addresses to new
properties; and
WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Ithaca desires to amend Chapters 206 and 342-
1 of the Ithaca City Code to reassign such authority to the Director of Planning and Development
or their designee, which would improve administrative efficiency in light of the primary role of
the Department of Planning, Building, Zoning, and Economic Development in reviewing and
approving new development; now, therefore
ORDINANCE 2024 -
BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca as follows:
Section 1. Legislative findings, intent, and purpose.
The Common Council of the City of Ithaca makes the following findings:
1. The Department of Planning, Building, Zoning, and Economic Development typically
serves as the lead department reviewing and approving new development in the City of
Ithaca
2. Administrative efficiency would be improved by reassigning authority over street
numbering from the City Engineer to the Director of Planning and Development or their
designee
3. Chapter 206 of the Ithaca City Code should be re-titled to clarify that numbering
requirements apply to all buildings.
Section 2. Amendments to Chapter 206 of the Ithaca City Code
Chapter 206 of the Ithaca City Code is hereby retitled as follows: '
Houses and Buildings,Numbering of
Section 3. Amendments to Chapter 342-1 of the Ithaca City Code
The following portion of Chapter 342-1 of the Ithaca City Code is hereby amended as follows:
The City Engineer-Director of Planning and Development or their designee shall
designate street numbers for all properties.
' Strikethrough indicates removals.Underlining indicates additions.
1
21
Section 4. Severability Clause
Severability is intended throughout and within the provisions of this Ordinance. If any section,
subsection, sentence, clause,phrase, or portion of this Ordinance is held to be invalid or
unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, then that decision shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance.
Section 5. Effective Date
This ordinance shall take effect immediately and in accordance with law upon publication of
notices as provided in the Ithaca City Charter.
2
22
Fe �000�000� °oz
/yc�RP08AtE0,��� CITY OF ITHACA I WORK SESSION MEMO
MEMORANDUM
Date: May 30, 2024
To: Common Council
From: Robert Fell-DeWalt, Director of Code Enforcement
RE: Street Addressing
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Public Works and the Department of Planning, Building, Zoning, and Economic
Development seek to transfer the authority for assigning street addresses from the City Engineer to the
Director of Planning and Development or designee.
PROJECT HISTORY, BACKGROUND, & ANALYSIS
The assignment of street addresses has historically been the responsibility of the City Engineer. Over time,
however, the administrative functions of the Department of Public Works ("DPW") and the Department of
Planning, Building, Zoning, and Economic Development ("Planning Department") have changed, with the latter
now serving as the lead City department when properties are developed. When an owner or a developer
proposes capital improvements to a property, applications are made for Site Plan Approval and a Building
Permit to the Planning Department, which remains closely involved with the development of properties
throughout the process. Transferring responsibility for assignment of street addresses to the Planning
Department would promote administrative efficiency and house such authority in the department which is in
the best position to exercise it.
BUDGET IMPLICATIONS & FUNDING
None.
NEXT STEPS
Common Council to vote on the accompanying ordinance which would revise the following sections of the
Ithaca City Code.
1. Change the title of Chapter 206 from "Houses, Numbering of" to "Houses and Buildings, Numbering
of".
2. Change Section 342-1 Street Numbering as follows:
a. Currently: "The City Engineer shall designate street numbers for all properties".
b. Proposed: "The Director of Planning and Development or their designee shall designate street
numbers for all properties".
23
STRATEGIC THEME
Effective,Transparent and Collaborative Government
24
11j
o ° Tc� CITY OF ITHACA
108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York 14850-6590
pw 000�000 o
RP ......ORA O
Attorney's Office
Shaniqua Lewis,
MEMORANDUM
TO: Common Council COW Study Session
FROM: Victor Kessler, Acting City Attorney
DATE: June 20, 2024
RE: Revocable License for the Use of City Property-Kayak Launch
License
CP#: N/A
A Resolution Approving Issuance of a Revocable License for Use of City Real Property Near
101 Pier Road, Ithaca, New York
25
A Resolution Approving Issuance of a Revocable License for Use of City Real Property
Near 101 Pier Road,Ithaca,New York
WHEREAS, Chapter 170 of the Ithaca City Code establishes the process for the issuance of
licenses for use of City property by private parties; and
WHEREAS, City Harbor II, LLC ("Licensee")has submitted a request for a license authorizing
its use of certain City property consisting of 12 dock faces proximate to Licensee's property
located at 101 Pier Road, Ithaca,New York, (Tax Parcel No. 17.-1-1.3); and
WHEREAS, the CITY's Planning and Development Board has required by resolution dated
October 25, 2022, as a condition of site plan approval for a development on Licensee's property,
that a publicly accessible launch for canoes, kayaks, and other human-powered paddlecraft
("Kayak Launch") be provided on City property; and
WHEREAS, the Kayak Launch was installed in May 2023 and is currently open to the public for
use at no charge and, as installed, occupies two dock faces; and
WHEREAS, Common Council wishes to authorize the execution of an agreement granting a
revocable license for the use of City Property and to set fees for said license in a manner
reflecting the public benefit provided by the Kayak Launch; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that Common Council hereby authorizes the City Manager, subject to the advice of
the City Attorney, to execute a revocable license for the use of City Property upon the terms and
in a form substantially similar to the agreement submitted in connection with this resolution.
26
AGREEMENT /REVOCABLE LICENSE,FOR USE OF CITY REAL
PROPERTY
THIS AGREEMENT,made thisAg3 day of; _, 2024, by-and between.
► CITY HARBOR H LLC the owner of the property at;I O1.P eic Road;ithaca:NY 14850 with an office
address. 33.0.EAST I4TH STREET, ELMIRt4 HEIGI I S, NEw PORK, 1:4903, (hereinafter referred.to<as
"LICENSEE''),
and.
The:CITY OF ITHAGA,NEW YORK;a municipal corporatioilhavingofficos a"t"148 E:Gxeri,Stc eet,
Ithaca,::New York:(hereafter ieferied to:'as "CITY"),
WITNESSETH THAT:;
WHEREAS,,LICEN3EE;is the;:crwrFer of a parcel of":land with improvements thereon in the City of
Ithaca,;County ofTomplah §tAte:af NevvYcirk{ coinmonlyknown aM designated as I OI"PierRaact,,Ithac
New York, aiid as Tax-Map"Patc'el.No: I7. 1 :1.3; and.
WHEREAS U.CENSEE.wishesto use.occupy:and/or encroach up on certain landin;the.City ofIthaca
owned by"CITY, for"the benefit of the above-referenced parcel o LICENSEE which CITY-owned d
consists of.appmximately 1I dockfaces proximate to said parc of of.LICENSEE and°whichare indicatedjn:the
Ina p aft' h""ed aid i corgorated here astihibit'"A" (hereinafter"Licensed Premises") and
WHEREAS ?the CITY's Planning gild D:evelop exttBoafd lias xeg red byresoliition dated October
2022,"as a condition of site,plan appxoval.,for a development:on LICENSEE's proppa,t (."Site.Plai
Approval"), that a publicly acce"s ole"1 unohfor.canoes�kayal ,and other liu�nan-powered paddiecraftbe
provided on CITY property.(heroafter,"Kayak Launch")"to be licensed by LICENSEE;,and
o
WHEREAS;'the Kayak.Launchwas.installed in'May2023 and is currently open:to`the.l ublic foruse
at no charge and, as installed;occupies two d. fads, aril
WHEREAS;Chapter.17Qofthie,-Munteip al,Cod eoftheCJty.ofItb;a;ca.establishes"the_process:and'tl e.
terms:and conditions bywhich the-CITY may license the use of and/or"encroachment upoti its realproperty:to
a person or persons and::
WHEREAS,tLte"COMMON COUNCIT:of tli6 CITY lias authorized the e ecutioh Of all agreen ent,
contain ngA.., revocal Ie license that "allows the :above-described use or.encroachment,subject to cettak
conditions,
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration`of the mutual covenants anci.agreernents herein co .taine'd,
ineliarling receipt l y CITY''froriY`L'ICENSEE of`the fees described l exeiiz(ether n;fulL,,or ptirsuantto are
in 144ent paynlent the,parties hereto, fo tlaeritselves, their Heirs;"executors, ad.1h. tratoii}
successors"and assigns, do hereby coyenant and agree as follows;
1. By the.Licenselierein.cantaii ed,LICENSEE.shaltl�avetherig,iXto ocel�pya laWfully Use.the
City-ow.ried land.described;above,;subjoetto the tern-is.and conditioris':set farm herein. Th CITY receives the
right to enterupon the Lt6 sed Premises upon reasonable notice(biwithout fiotic.e i i the event that the CITY;
inns sole discretion,,las deternxnedhatemergencyent h s. ppe:ofinspection or.to assess
or rowdy a dangerous orpotentia"Ey dangerous condition-As required by the Site Plan Approval and-as a
condition of.this License,LICENSEE shall"hold the portion of the.Licensed Premises con.tammg:the"Kayak..
Launch"and access thereto open;to the public"free of charge'fox the purposes of launching paddlecra€t.
t 27
2. The use b:yLICElvSEEoftheabove describodpropertyaftheCITY.doesnotconstituteandshalt
tevei ripen irta or liecorrie a rrghto use airyportron of:suchpropertywrtliouttlre consent ofthe'CITY;buds
andshallcon6laetobean yause,bysufferance.OsaidpropertyoftheCITY asevidencedbya duly executed
and current IlicenselAgreement.
3. Spbjaetto the provisions of paragraph 4,below,th:e terrii of the License'contauiedherein shallbo-
for the period:coiun encing.April:i:'2,o24('or onthe..date by which allapp1idation'andvsO fees and:anyrdquired
fornis'described herein ace received by CITY,whichever date`is later)and expirriig on March 31,,2025. This
License shall ren ew airtamatrcally'thereafter;for one=year terms,with the same terms and conditions(except'
that the amount of tl e,,Use Fee may be revised annually,per the provis.ious of Paragraph 6,belpO),piovidel
thatLICENSEE has submitted to CITY atry required renewal foims,"proofof insurameand the fidtandproper
i'ee"fo 'the on6:vv 1periad,beforetlle.ceiiimei cement of suchnew term(i.e.,before Aptitl6%and provided
fhatthe CITY.has notnotifiedLICENSEE,byMarch ISyofthe CITY's hitentionnottb renewfor-thefollowing
license year,
4. Notwithstand' any otl�rerprovrsions.herein,the License!:contaihed herein; ayUe terrrrinated 17y-
LICWSEE, for any:reasan,uponat'least 30 days'written notice to:the CITY. In the event of;such early
-term radon LICENSEE shall be entitled to a prcr rated refutd.of th°e.ur.e fee, forthe uziused poi tion of tire."
terrrr,;provrdeel that, ENSEE-is::ini carhpliande with the provisions of Paragraph 8,below. Stich early
termirianan sltallnot rel2evoLICENSEE ofits drityta restore anddelrver uptheLlceusedPreimsesas clesc 100
below,.
5. Notwithstandin any°athi- provisions herein, the;'ticeme contained.lierein.'iiiay be revoked-or
modif ed byClTY{a)upari such riotido.as:rs prddical,.'i i the.event ref an emergency drat threatens prape>ty¢r
`th'6 g4blrc safety or ,elfarea ar(li)upoi .at least brie n oath's notiee that the Superintendent has deteraii .
thatLICENSEE has`failed to coixrplywrth,any sdbstann-ffw terra herein,and'tliitLICENSPEhas not:cured§fich
breach wrthrxi the notice period,ar( )upauat leastthree'months'written notice to LTCEN8 thatthe CIT,Y's
SupernitendentafPublrc Works has determined tliat the Licensed Premisesi required far a pu�lic,purlose.
LICENSEE May"appeal a.nori=en a"rgency;zevo'catran or modification to.the CITX's Board of.PO1:kp.Wor a
butmust da so.in-w"r brig within 15 days of"thtxeceiptof the.revocation notice. Inthe.;event,ofsuch early
termination(ormodifieatroi thataffects the amount of land tliat is tic.ehsed) LICENSEE shall be entitled'to a
pro rated refund "of the tree fee,,far the"unusec pq, of;tlie term (ar u? praportian to the reduced aka);
pravaded that LICENSEE is in.comp1ran1ce with the pr..ovrsious of.Pgagraph"8,belativ, ;;
6. This.A:greement/Licerise shall:nQttake effect`untrl.f ally executed: du until"the=application and,
fees set forth below''have Been received by the`City;
ApplicationFee: Air ii . ui"the a1#0untof100.40(in the forri oft check pit
ableto'the:
City o,fIthaea)musta,ecompan.ysubn. ,ssionoftheapplicati.onforthislicense;totheCityChamberlain'soffi(:ie
T ,e,purpose of this'fee is to cover -a of"Citystaff:time.typically associated with the pro:cessiag o `
such applications',
AniivalUse.Fee TlielTse eefortherriitialyearoftlsitcerise{Apri11.2(] 4untilMareli3120 );
is$4,551 40,:A checkrrr thisamourit,payableto the City afIthaca,must be sulmrttedta the City Chamberlain's
of f ice at"the€irne,of Approval of this license. Phis Use Fee represents:the estimated fair rental"value ofthe;City
land,in question for the rrr tial'year.l entail volt e was calculated based up'gq a report byP0mer0y Appraisal
Mso`eiates(copy available in the City Clerk's office),as adjusted�for increases ill the consumer price index;;
and is"'calculafed at$455.14 per dock face:for)0?4 202.5 perthit period A credit representing the 2 dockfaces
occupedbythel�ayakLaunch ariiountirigtoS10.?$"fortheinitialyeaz,hasbeeiand shall,coritrnuefobe
applied:to tl e.Llse Fee so long as the Kayak Launch is}field open forpublicuse as required bythe"Site Plan.
In additiorr_to tlie.fees described above.fhe"Lieensed Preniises;have been classified by Tonipkiirs
County as taxablo`acid LICENSEE shall be r"es onsible far.payineiit of the full>arnotint of assessed ta'es
(rnclul #fig City"taxes) as of the date such ta-kes becoriie due
2
28
In the;event:thatthis License is"renewed,the Use Fee for subsequentyears may b e adjusted by C1TY'
(a)by.ah amount up".to the rate of afiy increase in'the consumer price index;since the previous year,or(b).to.
carresp"ond with infai atiotifro��i.an updated appraisal repdAt expected to aec�u.every"5 years}. ';If the:CITY
intends'.such adjust ent,LICENSEE shad be so notified by l ebruary l stpxioi to the expiration oftl e cu�reilt
term...
NotwithstmOing,any-other provisions lior-ein,,,th,e.CITY.herebyres.el-ves the.right to correcttheamount
of the Use Fee at anytime,if"the.scluare.footage o f land;:occuped ley LZGENSEE is found to be different front
the ainotnr'stated above. In that event,the CITY sliall;send allot ce ofCo tect on to LICENSEE, and any
add=it btal fee.owed(or refund due)as aresult of thecorrection shallbe effective:andpro-rated:as Of the date
of such Notice". `
7. LICENSEE liere,�y.agreesta.inainta n the I;e"ensedPremises and any improvements:thereon.in a,
safe,<sound,cleawand serviceable condition,in accord, with all.applicableordinances of the CITY"Afid`
such tliatno#iazard is p.ose`cl'to theipublic frointhe public's use'of ar.pro�eun ty to said premises,and to.ilepair
or remove any unsafe or iinprope structure or thing thereupon; as dire I d by th. CITY. In the event of
LICEN SEE'sfai lure-to effect such.repairor removal,.a#terno:ticefxomCITY to do so,CITY in
ay carry ot�t�
the same and chaige:LICENSEE and its.benefitedprop.ertyfor.�such.cost(plus a 25%administrative charge).
& LICENSEE"hereby"agrees thatat is LICENSEE's duty,'at the end of,:the.term (in the absence;of
tnnely`reuewal tlierebf)or"intheeventafc►ther tet`tr��na#ion of-iheLicense,to''deliverup the LrcensedPrettiises
in as good order and°candid6A as they were attic coni rnencement ofthe License.(reasonableuse and wear
excepted), thless the CITY"agxees.}n wrltingto aecept_tke premises in a different conditiori,Unless otherw
agreod;tobytheCITY,suchdeliveiyshallinclucleresforationafgrade,andari nag"groundcover,ifapp"licable
and removal of any debrl"s and any structuresmstalledbyLFCENSEE:,Notwithsta-ndulg.the foregairig"upo
term, ation'.ofthis agreement at ti e"end offthe Ihjual or a nyreiiewed`ter�n or otherwise,the CITY shathayq
the option,but not the obligation,to tale ownership ofthe`Kayak Launch and any associated improvements at
no cosf to the CITY:.Any;ciainage to the"ptern�ses or anydebris rem.aibtng thereupon at,the hrne of delivety,t
the CITY shall be.presilmed to have been;cati�sO by LtCt!gSEE In.the event ofthe failure of LICENSEE.to
effect:tlie recicuredrestoration,.vvrti"ten(i Oa.days of, date of written native fromtlie.CITY;the CITY inay
tlieieafter cause the restaration:to occur and may subtracttlre'�ost thereof from anyypro-rated refund due to
LICENSEE ar►dlorriay.assess tlieeistth.ereof(pluss5%a}against LICENSEE aird:its benefited'property.
5. LICENSEEherebyagreesto indemnify and save the City and its- and eniployeos liarmiess
from any loss,mjuty of damage arising out oftlie occupancy Dross ofthe cneroached Ripon Citypropeity,�by.
I TCECI�ISEE::or its servant or agent,or by:any mejnber:of the public,"or from.any negligence or fault of said
LIENSEE or:rts serval t b:r ager t i'n col nectitin itl%the maintenance of the aforementio ied encioacwgiit
or thefailure to maintain:tl:e sae'in goodrepair`and safe condition, ncludirig attorneys;fees"ancl cgtiirt co
LICENSEE acknowledges that it will liltewise hold the Cit'.harmless from any costs the City nay inc�irr
including legal fees; due to;any claims which uay prise out.of LICENSEE'S obstructing, encunbei o
accupyiiig"auy portion.of the pulfc area of any adjacan#'sties#,includingtile.srdewalk
l0. '.LiCENSEE:h6reby.agtees to!keep the Licensed-Premises' nsurW. at al`tfines,in the,aniount:ofat,
Ieast$1,000000.00forpersonag uryliability,;tolistiheCityasar additiorralirsiredundersaid.irisut nce
policy; and to provide written proof afsucll,ii suianee from the insurer, at the tinge of=execution of this
agreement,l y the tinge;o fthe.ann ul arirtiversary of said or fi nag execution if this License is to lie renewed;.
and as;.may he otherwis e requrreci by the City.
11: I#i the even#of the ex"nation and non-re ietval;`or ter ninatioi�, of!his License":fail-Lire 'ofdie
LICENSEEto vacate the f'o xneiI LxcensedPretnrses.at`that trine may result in sul?stantialpenalt esYpuistiarit:
to the 1VIun16ipal Code' of the CITY; r..
12. Tlirs License is tiaras erable;to a subsequent owrier or lessee of the.benefited property'"but;only
upon propet,te applicatio.nby said subsequent awner:or.lessee and submission of'written'proof`of required
insurance in:the new licensee.s.ho le'.
13. All notioes provrded.for herein shall:be sent4o CITY at the set,forth above (in;care of llie
3
29
City Chamberlain),ox to:LTCENSEE(or any subsepent owner orperson,as described aboveYat;the addipss
set forth above, or at any.tither address provided ui::writing to dP by L:IGENS.EE:
14,Tl is Agreement is intebded to repfaczand;fernlinate the.Agreement/RevocableLiceriseFar Use
Of City:Rea1.I'rope ty between City Harbor,LI:�and the CITY dated September I9, 2019
[8IGNATt7RE PAGE FQ.IrLOWS1
4'
30
IN WITNESS`WIBEREOF,.flits AVreewent has been duly executed by the parties Hereto as;of the day and year
firsi above written,
CITYRARBO . ,. " I,C'
gnature)'
E�IIIJYIdN�:�
;(print name and title)
CITY OF ITHACA.
By:
( rgnatEre "
{pant fame and title)
STAVE;OF NEW Y61K
COUNTY OF`" 5,
On'this'.. . S ay.of. , Qa?��beforeme,the"u�dersigneci,allotaryPublic itz;andfor',said
State,personally appeatd' rea. S. fir`// ha n— ,. ,personally known to me or proved to he oil tbe°lasis
of sa sfactory evi denee"to be the inclividi>al whole name s�subscr b dto the within instrumentand acknowledged
to mq'that shelhe""executed't it same in f eilftts capacity,"and that by,herlbi's signature n,=the instrument the
individual.-or person on behalf rof vvikh!the,itrdividual acted, executed the instrument:
JAS64 C.CRANE
NotMPublic,State of New York otary Public
Stauaen County No.01CR63233aO
Commission'Expires April 20,20 pt`t
STATE.OF NEW YYORK
COUNTY OF TOMFKINS )ss
On tlis; day of O ,before me,the undersigned,a;iota>yPublie`in aid'£or
said State,personally appeared ,7 .
personallylcnownto me,:or proved to me on
the basis of satisfacb. y.ev clence3'to be tk e nidiv duatwho,being byma,duly sworn,did depose and say that
she"resides at Ithaca,lNew"York,>;a d that-she is the of the City of ltnaca,the municipal
corporation described in andwhich'executedthe abovddinstr irnefit;acid"that`she signed"her hAm' ethereto upon
thorization of the of
au suet Corp
Notary Pulilie
Approved as to fori and content:
City Attorney Date
5
31
EXHIBIT
Kayak Launch located on Licensed Premises
June 5, 2024
114
Slips 103.5 - 114 (12 total dock faces)to remain leased from City
113
112
to 11
KD 10
rr1 <D
� C) 108
Kayak Launch (BOLTU)
107
O --I
O 106
105
104
103.5
U4 103
CA 102 _ REMOVE 4' +O0 LAF EXIST GAS DOCK{
� 1U1
100 R 3es,s'
TED)
r
��� 32
o , T �� CITY OF ITHACA
108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York 14850-6590
. .........
Attorney's Office
Shaniqua Lewis,
MEMORANDUM
TO: Common Council COW Study Session
FROM: City Attorney's Office
DATE: June 20, 2024
RE: A Local Law Clarifying the Authority of the Common Council,
Mayor, and City Manager with Respect to Certain Department
Heads
CP#: N/A
City Manager Update
33
A Local Law Clarifying the Authority of the Common Council, Mayor, and City Manager
with Respect to Certain Department Heads
WHEREAS, on November 3, 2021, the Common Council passed Local Law No. 2022—07, as
subsequently and overwhelmingly approved by the voters at referendum on November 8, 2022,
and filed with the Secretary of State on December 23, 2022, thus restructuring the City to a
Council-Manager form of government effective January 1, 2024; and
WHEREAS, on October 8, 2023, the Common Council passed Local Law No. 2023 —04, filed
with the Secretary of State on October 25, 2023, to further implement the transition to a Council—
Manager form of government by clarifying the role of the City Manager and the duties,
authority, appointment, and removal of that position; and
WHEREAS, as amended, Section C-5(C)(4) vests the authority to appoint certain department
heads and other officers in the City Manager, subject to the approval of Common Council; and
WHEREAS, Sections 22 and 26 of the Ithaca City Charter were not amended at the time of the
passage of either Local Law 2022—07 or Local Law 2023 —04, and now require revision to
eliminate inconsistencies relating to the authority of the City Manager, Mayor, and Common
Council with respect to certain department heads; now therefore,
BE IT ENACTED by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca as follows:
Local Law No. 2024—
Section 1. Legislative Findings,Intent, and Purpose
The Common Council makes the following findings:
1. The Common Council, by Local Law 2022—07, created the position of City Manager to
enable the City to engage a qualified professional to serve in the role of City Manager as
the Chief Executive Officer with oversight for the administrative and executive functions
of the City.
2. The Common Council, by Local Law 2023 —04, further delineated the City Manager's
duties, authority, and the applicable appointment and removal procedures for the position.
3. The City Charter requires further amendments to fully implement the transition to the
Council-Manager form of government and to eliminate inconsistencies therein relating to
searches for, appointments of, and supervision of certain department heads.
Based upon the above findings, the intent and purpose of this Local Law is to clarify the roles of
the City Manager, Mayor, and Common Council with respect to certain department heads.
34
Section 2. Charter Amendments
This Section 2 amends only the following provisions of the Ithaca City Charter, with the
remainder of the provisions unchanged:
(a) The text of Section 22 of the Ithaca City Charter, titled"Department heads, deputies and
assistants", is amended as follows:
§ C-22 Department heads, deputies, and assistants.
A. The department heads of the City of Ithaca, as defined in § C-5C(2) and § C-5C(4) of
this Charter, shall be vested with the following authorities and duties, subject to the
powers and supervision of the City Manager(as described in § C-12B) and subject to the
general legislative powers of the Common Council (as described in § C-35):
(1) To appoint, discipline and remove as necessary, all subordinate officers and
employees of their respective departments;
(2) To direct and supervise the work of the officers and employees of their respective
departments;
(3) To organize and manage the work of their respective departments, and assign and
transfer administrative functions, tasks and responsibilities within their respective
departments, as is in the best interest of the City;
(4) To exercise all powers and carry out all responsibilities vested in the office which
the department head holds, on behalf of the City;
(5) To make and authorize necessary expenditures to carry out the responsibilities of
their respective departments, in accordance with authorized budgetary allocations and
established financial procedures;
(6) To exercise such other responsibilities and perform such other duties as may be
prescribed by the Charter, state or local law, or assigned by the City Manager or
Common Council.
B. The deputy and assistant department heads of the City of Ithaca, as defined in § C-
5C(5) of this Charter, shall generally assist their superiors in the execution of their
powers and duties and may perform such part or portion of such duties as designated by
such superiors and, in the absence, inability or temporary vacancy of their respective
superiors, shall act as such and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of such office.
35
(b) The text of Section 26 of the Ithaca City Charter, titled"Appointment of officers", is
amended as follows:
§ C-26 Appointment of officers.
A. Those department heads of the City listed in § C-5C(4) of the Charter shall be
appointed in accordance with the search process established in this section.
B. Recruitment for vacant department head positions shall be conducted in accordance
with current recruitment procedures and policies, including the Workforce Diversity Plan.
C. A search committee for the vacant department head position shall be established by
the City Manager and shall comprise the following individuals:
(1) Three members of the Common Council, to be selected by the Common Council.
If there is a lay board or commission that oversees the department in which the
vacancy exists, the Council liaison to that board or commission shall be one of these
three search committee members;
(2) Three members of appropriate lay boards or commissions, to be selected by those
boards or commissions;
(a) The City Manager shall designate the appropriate lay boards or commissions.
(b) In light of the historical and contractual relationship between the City and the
Board of Directors of the Greater Ithaca Activities Center, Inc., three members of
the Board of Directors of the Greater Ithaca Activities Center, Inc., shall fulfill
this role on the search committee for the Greater Ithaca Activities Center Director.
(c) In the absence of appropriate lay boards or commissions, the City Manager
may appoint three other appropriate individuals, which could include a member or
members of City staff, to fulfill this role.
(3) One person with professional experience in the job area at issue, to be appointed
by the City Manager;
(4) Except when the appointment is to the position of Director of Human Resources,
the Director of Human Resources, as a nonvoting member. The Director of Human
Resources shall facilitate the search process;
(5)A representative of the Workforce Diversity Advisory Committee, to be selected
by the Workforce Diversity Advisory Committee, as a nonvoting member;
36
(6) Other nonvoting members as the City Manager deems necessary and appoints.
D. The search committee shall follow and comply with all current interviewing and
selection policies and procedures, as well as all local, state, and federal laws, rules, and
regulations concerning hiring practices and procedures.
E. Following candidate interviews and related selection processes, the search committee
shall select a minimum of two candidates as finalists, and shall forward their names in
rank order to the City Manager for consideration.
F. The City Manager shall either make a selection from the candidates who were
forwarded by the search committee or request that the search be reopened, if appropriate.
G. Following the selection of a candidate, the City Manager shall forward the candidate's
name and proposed salary to Common Council for consideration. An appointment made
pursuant to this section shall be deemed to be made upon approval by a majority vote of
Common Council.
H. An appointment made pursuant to this section shall be for an indefinite term.
I. Upon request of the City Manager, and with the affirmative vote of 2/3 of the Common
Council, this search committee procedure may be waived and the City Manager may
make an appointment directly, with the approval of Common Council by a majority vote.
For the position of Greater Ithaca Activities Center Director, the affirmative vote of 2/3
of the Board of Directors of the Greater Ithaca Activities Center, Inc., shall also be
required to waive this search committee procedure and to approve the direct appointment.
Section 3. Severability Clause.
Severability is intended throughout and within the provisions of this Local Law. If any section,
subsection, sentence, clause,phrase, or portion of this Local Law is held to be invalid or
unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, then that decision shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions of this Local Law.
Section 4. Effective and Operative Date.
This Local Law shall be effective immediately upon filing in the office of the Secretary of State.
37
it CITY OF ITHACA
108 East Green Street Ithaca,New York 14850-5690
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
Coo 00 �00� ox
v° III Hi
00 Victor J. Kessler, Acting City Attorney Telephone: 607/274-6504
:y�oA�oRno`e�e Robert A. Sarachan, Assistant City Attorney Fax: 607/274-6507
Catherine E. M. Muskin, Assistant City Attorney
Jody Andrew, Executive Assistant
MEMORANDUM
To: Common Council
From: Victor Kessler, Acting City Attorney
Date: May 17, 2024
Re: Local Law Clarifying Council/Mayor/Manager Roles with Respect to Department Heads
Council Members,
Accompanying this memorandum you will find a proposed local law amending Sections
C-22 and C-26 of the Charter. This memorandum is intended to explain the context for the
current proposal and the proposed changes themselves.
In 2021, Common Council passed Local Law No. 2022—07, transitioning the City to a
Manager/Council form of government. The voters overwhelmingly approved the change at a
November 2022 referendum, and Common Council subsequently passed Local Law No. 2023 —
04, which further clarified the parameters of the City Manager position. As relevant here, the
local laws transferred executive and administrative authorities that had previously been vested in
the Mayor to an appointed City Manager, who is selected and overseen by Common Council. On
January 1, 2024, the changes went into effect.
During the revision process, it appears that two sections of the City Charter were
inadvertently left unamended. Section C-22, "Department heads, deputies, and assistants,"
contains references to the supervision of and assignment of duties to department heads. Section
C-26, "Appointment of officers,"provides the process for the selection of certain department
heads. Both of those sections should have been amended to clarify that,under the new system, it
is the City Manager and not the Mayor that exercises those powers.
It is important to note that this proposed local law is intended to eliminate the
inconsistencies between provisions rather than grant new authority to the City Manager; the
substance of the changes was already reflected in provisions that were amended in the previous
two local laws. For example, C-5(4)provides that the relevant department heads are "appointed
by the City Manager with approval of Common Council"rather than by the Mayor; C-I I(A)
provides that the Mayor"shall have no administrative duties"; and C-12(B) provides that the
City Manager is the "Chief Executive and Administrative Officer of the City"with the authority,
among other things, to "appoint...department heads" and to "exercise constant supervision over
the conduct of all subordinate officers." This local law will simply remove the discrepancies
between those sections of the Charter which were amended and those which were not,
eliminating a source of possible confusion.
38
Page 2 of 2
A redline reflecting the proposed changes is attached to this memorandum. Because this
is a local law rather than an ordinance or a resolution, a public hearing is required and will be
scheduled at the next available opportunity. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you should
have any questions regarding the proposed law or the context behind it.
Sincerely,
V//A�
Victor Kessler
Acting City Attorney
39
§ C-22 Department heads, deputies,and assistants.
A. The department heads of the City of Ithaca, as defined in § C-5C(2) and § C-5C(4) of this
Charter, shall be vested with the following authorities and duties, subject to the powers and
supervision of the City ManagerMayer(as described in § C-124-B("�tnd§C 11 B(6),
rvspeetiv4y) and subject to the general legislative powers of the Common Council (as described
in § C-35):
(1) To appoint, discipline and remove as necessary, all subordinate officers and employees of
their respective departments;
(2) To direct and supervise the work of the officers and employees of their respective
departments;
(3) To organize and manage the work of their respective departments, and assign and transfer
administrative functions, tasks and responsibilities within their respective departments, as is in
the best interest of the City;
(4) To exercise all powers and carry out all responsibilities vested in the office which the
department head holds, on behalf of the City;
(5) To make and authorize necessary expenditures to carry out the responsibilities of their
respective departments, in accordance with authorized budgetary allocations and established
financial procedures;
(6) To exercise such other responsibilities and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by
the Charter, state or local law, or assigned by the City Managerler or Common Council.
B. The deputy and assistant department heads of the City of Ithaca, as defined in § C-5C(5) of
this Charter, shall generally assist their superiors in the execution of their powers and duties and
may perform such part or portion of such duties as designated by such superiors and, in the
absence, inability or temporary vacancy of their respective superiors, shall act as such and, when
so acting, shall have all the powers of such office.
40
§ C-26 Appointment of officers.
A. Those department heads of the City listed in § C-5C(4) of the Charter shall be appointed in
accordance with the search process established in this section.
B. Recruitment for vacant department head positions shall be conducted in accordance with
current recruitment procedures and policies, including the Workforce Diversity Plan.
C. A search committee for the vacant department head position shall be established by the City
Managerler, and shall comprise the following individuals:
(1) Three members of the Common Council, to be selected by the Common Council. If there is a
lay board or commission that oversees the department in which the vacancy exists, the Council
liaison to that board or commission shall be one of these three search committee members;
(2) Three members of appropriate lay boards or commissions, to be selected by those boards or
commissions;
(a) The City Managerer shall designate the appropriate lay boards or commissions.
(b) In light of the historical and contractual relationship between the City and the Board of
Directors of the Greater Ithaca Activities Center, Inc., three members of the Board of Directors
of the Greater Ithaca Activities Center, Inc., shall fulfill this role on the search committee for the
Greater Ithaca Activities Center Director.
(c) In the absence of appropriate lay boards or commissions, the City Managerer may
appoint three other appropriate individuals, which could include a member or members of City
staff, to fulfill this role.
(3) One person with professional experience in the job area at issue, to be appointed by the City
Managerer;
(4) Except when the appointment is to the position of Director of Human Resources, the Director
of Human Resources, as a nonvoting member. The Director of Human Resources shall facilitate
the search process;
(5)A representative of the Workforce Diversity Advisory Committee, to be selected by the
Workforce Diversity Advisory Committee, as a nonvoting member;
(6) Other nonvoting members as the City Managerer deems necessary and appoints.
41
D. The search committee shall follow and comply with all current interviewing and selection
policies and procedures, as well as all local, state,and federal laws, rules,and regulations
concerning hiring practices and procedures.
E. Following candidate interviews and related selection processes, the search committee shall
select a minimum of two candidates as finalists, and shall forward their names in rank order to
the City ManagerM-ayer for consideration.
F. The City ManagerMayer shall either make a selection from the candidates who were
forwarded by the search committee or request that the search be reopened, if appropriate.
G. Following the selection of a candidate, the City ManagerMay-of shall forward the candidate's
name and proposed salary to Common Council for consideration. An appointment made pursuant
to this section shall be deemed to be made upon approval by a majority vote of Common
Council.
H. An appointment made pursuant to this section shall be for an indefinite term.
I. Upon request of the City ManagerMayer, and with the affirmative vote of 2/3 of the Common
Council exel sive of the Mayo , this search committee procedure may be waived and the City
ManagerM-ayor may make an appointment directly,with the approval of Common Council by a
majority vote. For the position of Greater Ithaca Activities Center Director, the affirmative vote
of 2/3 of the Board of Directors of the Greater Ithaca Activities Center, Inc., shall also be
required to waive this search committee procedure and to approve the direct appointment.
42
11J
o ° Tc� CITY OF ITHACA
108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York 14850-6590
pw 000�000 o
RP ......ORA O
City Manager's Office
Shaniqua Lewis,
MEMORANDUM
TO: Common Council COW Study Session
FROM: Deb Mohlenhoff, City Manager
DATE: June 20, 2024
RE: Encampment Response Coordinator Position
CP#: N/A
Civil Service Commission approved the creation of the job description for the part-time,
unbenefited, and unrepresented Encampment Response Coordinator (part-time) position
43
Ithaca Common Council
Proposed Resolution
Job Description - Encampment Response Coordinator Position
WHEREAS, In December of 2023,the Common Council directed the future City Manager to
develop an implementation plan for the framework they adopted for the non-enforcement area
(area where camping is temporarily allowed on city lands) as well as a response protocol
(enforcement policy)for encampments in restricted areas.
WHEREAS, City Manager provided a draft response protocol to the Council in April of 2024.
WHEREAS, Phases 1 and 2 are described in the work session memo provided to council.
WHEREAS, the City has identified it crucial to hire Encampment Response Coordinator to fully
execute Phase 1 or Phase 2 of the protocol.
WHEREAS, Common Council has set-aside funding for both an Encampment Response
Coordinator(part-time) now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Civil Service Commission approved the creation of the job description for
the part-time, unbenefited, and unrepresented Encampment Response Coordinator(part-time)
position as requested during the scheduled meeting held on June 5, 2024.
RESOLVED,that the position of Encampment Response coordinator shall be derived from the
A1210-5110 funding source line approved with the 2024 departmental budget.
44
o ° Tc� CITY OF ITHACA
108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York 14850-6590
pw 000�000 o
RP ......ORA O
Department of Public Works
Shaniqua Lewis,
MEMORANDUM
TO: Common Council COW Study Session
FROM: Miike Thorne Superintendent of Public Works
DATE: June 20, 2024
RE: Camden Group Contract for Wastewater Treatment Plant
Operations
CP#: N/A
Contract Amendment #3 is necessary and will add two Full Time Equivalent (FTE) staff
provided by Camden for the period July 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, at an additional
cost of $171,600 by defunding all remaining vacant funded positions at the WWTP
45
DRAFT Resolution for Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant(WWTP)
Camden Contract Amendment#3 Revision
WHEREAS,the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) has experienced a steady loss of City
staff since June 2022, and has not been able to attract and retain employees for various reasons, and
WHEREAS,the City of Ithaca began contracting with The Camden Group, Inc. (Camden) in January 2022
to provide supplemental plant staffing and management services as needed, and as required by state
regulations, and
WHEREAS,the Camden contract has been amended several times due to expiration of previous contract
periods, and to increase their scope of services due to the net loss of City WWTP staff, and
WHEREAS, Camden Contract Amendment#3 was approved for the 2024 budget in the amount of
$715,000 to provide supplemental staff for the entire fiscal year, and
WHEREAS,three additional City staff assigned to the WWTP have separated for various reasons since
Camden Contract Amendment#3 was approved, and it is necessary to expand the scope of the contract
again to provide adequate staff coverage at the WWTP for the remainder of 2024, and
WHEREAS,the revision to Contract Amendment#3 is necessary and will add two Full Time Equivalent
(FTE) staff provided by Camden for the period July 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 at an additional
cost of$171,600, and
WHEREAS,the revision to Contract Amendment#3 was discussed at the Special Joint Committee (SJC)
meeting on June 12, 2024 and was supported by the SJC members,therefore be it
RESOLVED,that the revision to Contract Amendment#3 with The Camden Group, be approved for an
amount not to exceed $171,600 for services covering the period of July 1, 2024 through December 31,
2024; and be it further
RESOLVED,that funds necessary for said revision to the contract amendment be derived by defunding
all remaining vacant funded positions at the WWTP
46
Fo �000[�000� �oz
/ycORPpppjE4,��� CITY OF ITHACA I WORK SESSION MEMO
MEMORANDUM
Date: June 20, 2024
To: Common Council
From: Michael Thorne, Superintendent of Public Works
RE: Revise Camden Group Contract for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is a critical facility which operates continuously and is required by
regulations to be staffed with experienced and licensed personnel. It has experienced a steady loss of
operating staff due to retirements and resignations over the past two years, starting with the retirement of the
Chief WWTP Operator in June 2022. Due to a lack of applicants to replace the Chief Operator, the City began
contracting with the Camden Group (Camden) in early 2022 to provide a licensed plant manager to oversee
WWTP operations. Since then, additional WWTP staff have separated from the City for various reasons, and
we have the same difficulty in attracting experienced applicants to replace those positions. The City has
expanded the contract with Camden several times to provide experienced operating staff to compensate for
the loss of personnel, and has had to defund several vacant positions from the operating budget to offset the
additional contract costs. The most recent contract with Camden was approved in the 2024 budget for a full
year of supplemental staff which accounted for 41% of the total staffing costs. After the 2024 City budget was
passed last November, the WWTP has lost three more operational staff and we anticipate another retirement
in the near future. We have little hope of replacing these three positions through direct hire and need to
expand the Camden contract again to properly staff the plant. This will require defunding all remaining vacant
staff positions to offset the expanded contract costs. This memo is to provide sufficient background
information to support another revision with the Camden Group contract through the end of 2024 and begin a
discussion for future operations at the WWTP.
PROJECT HISTORY, BACKGROUND, & ANALYSIS
In April 2021, the Chief Operator at the time announced his planned retirement in April 2022. To avoid losing
institutional knowledge, the Department of Public Works (DPW) gained approval to hire an overlapping Chief
Operator position to work for several months with the outgoing Chief so that a seamless turnover could take
place. The second Chief position was advertised in July 2021 and by December 2021 there were no applicants
for the position. In response, DPW sought out New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
(NYSDEC) approved contractors who met regulatory requirements to oversee WWTP operations. Six
contractors were solicited and out of only two responses, Camden was selected based on cost, qualifications,
and availability.
47
Camden started in January 2022 under a 6-month contract and worked with the outgoing Chief to gain
operating experience at our WWTP and provide continuity for an eventual transition to a new Chief Operator.
DPW continued to advertise the Chief position but did not receive any applicants, and Camden's contract was
amended to cover the remainder of the 2022 year and the first six months of 2023. In January 2023, a Senior
Operator, an Operator, and the Administrative Coordinator retired. In February 2023, another Operator
resigned and an Operator Trainee requested a change from full time to part time status. As a result, a second
contract amendment was prepared for Camden to provide additional operations staff through the remainder
of 2023. Some of the vacated positions were defunded to offset the cost of the second contract amendment
to keep the budget neutral. DPW advertised several entry level and experienced level positions in 2023 and
hired two Operator Trainees; however, there were no applicants for experienced level positions. For the 2024
budget, a third contract amendment was prepared with Camden to provide the same staffing level as in the
second contract amendment, but in sufficient amounts to cover the entire 2024 year.
After approval of the 2024 budget, two Operators and a Lab Tech left employment and DPW is requesting a
revision to the current contract amendment to properly staff the WWTP. Based on recent experience, DPW
does not believe that advertising higher level operator positions will yield any qualified applicants. There are
two main reasons for this: 1) the City's Administrative Unit salaries are lower than the market rate for
treatment plant operators, and 2) there is a national shortage of licensed treatment plant operators. While the
Administrative Unit Labor Contract is being negotiated this year, it will not be settled in time to meet
immediate needs. In conversations with other municipalities that operate wastewater treatment plants and
also with the NYSDEC, most are having difficulty finding qualified applicants, and many are turning to
contracted operations.
The proposed revision to the third contract amendment adds two full-time equivalent (FTE) contract operators
through the end of 2024. Currently, staffing levels at the WWTP are so low that if an employee gets sick or
takes a vacation, the plant struggles to provide adequate coverage. The additional cost of the contract
amendment#3 revision is $171,600 for the period of July 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, bringing the
total contract cost in 2024 from $715,000 to $886,600. For the full 2025 budget year, the prorated cost will be
$1,058,200 (in 2024 dollars). All remaining vacant WWTP staff positions will need to be defunded to offset the
costs and keep the 2024 budget intact. At the projected 2025 levels, nearly 60% of staffing costs for the WWTP
will be through contracted operations.
KEY ISSUES IDENTIFIED
The WWTP is owned by three municipalities and oversight is provided by the Special Joint Committee (SJC).
The City of Ithaca DPW has responsibility for staffing and contracting any services for the plant. It is a highly
regulated, critical facility that protects the water quality in Cayuga Lake, and there is no option to scale back
operations. It must operate within the parameters set by the NYSDEC. In early 2023 when the second contract
amendment for Camden was being prepared, DPW had several discussions with the SJC to discuss long-term
options for staffing the WWTP. Five options were initially discussed and only three of those merit further
discussion:
1. Hybrid Staffing Model—Continue contracting for supplemental staff as we are currently doing.
2. Full City Staffing Model—Work toward full City staffing by adjusting salaries to market rate to attract
and retain qualified employees.
3. Full Contracted Staffing Model--Move to fully contracted staffing operations with a NYSDEC approved
company selected through an RFQ process.
48
Option 1—Hybrid Staffing Model
The WWTP is currently operating under this model. With this latest contract revision, the City will be supplying
8.5 FTE positions, and Camden will be supplying 5 FTEs which include senior management and maintenance
specialist positions.
Pros: 1. Easy to implement—modifications can be made through future contract revisions as
needed.
2. Management and training of City staff are provided by experienced professional
contract personnel that bring best industry practices into our facility.
Cons: 1. Labor issues arising from City employees being directly supervised by non-City
managers.
2. Most expensive option in the long-term. The loss of any more City employees will
require an increase in the WWTP budget since there are no more vacant positions to
defund. It is unlikely that the City can attract experienced personnel, and additional
staffing will need to be obtained through the contractor.
3. WWTP becomes a training ground where entry level city employees gain experience
and then leave for better opportunities in the field.
Option 2—Full City Staffing Model
The City would increase treatment plant operator salaries to be competitive with market rates. Since there is a
shortage of licensed operators nationwide, these positions are commanding higher salaries than currently
offered by the City. Camden would continue to provide management and other staffing support until new City
employees were trained.
Pros: 1. City would regain control of all WWTP staff and be more resilient against market
pricing fluctuations when contracts with an outside contractor are up for renewal.
2. City would rebuild and retain institutional knowledge at the WWTP.
Cons: 1. Market rate salaries may not be possible in the current City labor contract structure or
civil service system. Creation of a new labor unit may be necessary.
2. Market rate salaries will likely cause salary compression issues in DPW management,
which will have a ripple effect in other City managerial positions.
3. Salary increases will not guarantee full City staffing due to the nationwide scarcity of
trained operators. It could take several years to reach full staffing and training, and
combined with overlapping contracted operations, will likely be the highest cost
option in the near term.
Option 3—Full Contracted Staffing Model
This model is already used by many municipalities, and because of the shortage of licensed operators, more
municipalities are turning to this option. Cayuga Heights operates their WWTP with this arrangement.
Pros: 1. Contract operators have greater corporate resources and flexibility in providing
staffing and shared services. Consolidated lab services and in-house technical
specialists can be shared between various facilities which allows more efficiency in
operating costs.
2. Because of operating efficiencies, contract operators require fewer staff at each facility
which offsets the higher hourly billing rates for their employees. Contract cost is likely
to be competitive with full City staffing cost.
3. Contract operators usually run multiple plants and provide greater experience and
best practices to each individual plant.
4. Provision of the proper amount of qualified staffing is more predictable and reliable.
49
Cons: 1. Existing City staff at the WWTP will need to be absorbed by the contractor or
reassigned to other positions within the City.
2. Contract renewals would be subject to market rates which are out of City control.
3. Contract renewal processes could result in a change of contractors and a subsequent
loss of institutional knowledge.
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS
1. DPW management strongly recommends immediate approval of the revised contract with Camden to
properly staff the WWTP for the remainder of 2024.
2. DPW management recommends further discussion on long-term staffing options at the WWTR
The WWTP is a critical facility which has seen normal degradation of the physical infrastructure due to its age
and a backlog of deferred maintenance. Regulatory requirements regarding wastewater treatment are
becoming more stringent as new technology emerges. The City has been unsuccessful in attracting and
retaining qualified personnel due to salary issues, which is exacerbated by a national shortage of experienced
operators. DPW management believes that strong professional management and expertise is required at the
WWTP at this time and has little confidence that the City can hire qualified staff in a timely or cost-effective
manner to meet the current challenges. For these reasons, staff recommends Option #3, which other
municipalities are also trending toward as they find themselves in a similar situation. If Council agrees, staff
can begin researching options for reassignment of existing staff and contracting strategies to mitigate the
concerns listed above.
QUESTIONS FOR COUNCIL
1. Does Council agree with staff's recommendations?
2. What additional information is needed from staff(DPW, HR, Attorney) to help Council make a decision
on long-term staffing options?
BUDGET IMPLICATIONS& FUNDING
The revision to contract amendment#3 will add $171,600 to our existing contract with Camden which runs
through December 31, 2024. It covers additional contract staffing for the 6-month period from July 1, 2024 to
December 31, 2024. Assuming the same contract staffing levels will remain in place for 2025, the prorated
budget impact is $343,200. DPW will need to defund all currently funded vacant staff positions to keep the
revision budget neutral. The following table is in 2024 dollars and summarizes the costs.
Full City Staff 2024 Budget Contract#3 Revision
Total Staffing Budget $1,520,000 $1,808,850 $1,791,700
City of Ithaca Budgeted Staff# 16.5 FTE 12.5 FTE(8.5 FTE filled) 8.5 FTE
City of Ithaca Staff Budget $1,520,000 $1,093,850 $733,500
City%of Total Staffing Budget 100% 59% 41%
Camden Staff# 0 FTE 3 FTE 5 FTE
Camden Staffing Cost $0 $715,000 $1,058,200
Camden%of Total Staffing Budget 0% 41% 59%
NEXT STEPS
1. The immediate next step is to approve the revised contract amendment#3 with the Camden Group.
2. Because we are starting to plan for the 2025 budget, Council should indicate if staff should provide
more detail of long-term staffing solutions listed in the options presented earlier in this memo.
50
o , T �� CITY OF ITHACA
108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York 14850-6590
. .........
Common Council
Shaniqua Lewis,
MEMORANDUM
TO: Common Council COW Study Session
FROM: Alderperson Patrick Kuehl
DATE: June 20, 2024
RE: Discussion on Tenant Voter Registration Proposal.
CP#: N/A
Discussion on proposed Ordinance to Require the Distribution of Voter Registration Forms
51
MEMORANDUM
FOR: Common Council
BY: Patrick Kuehl
DATE: May 31, 2024
RE: Tenan
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The ordinance proposed in this legislative memorandum requires that landlords and realtors
provide voter registration forms to new tenants and property owners in the City of Ithaca. The
primary objectives of the proposed ordinance are to:
1. Increase Voter Turnout and Representation: Targeting wards with high transient
populations, this initiative aims to boost electoral participation among tenants; and
2. Update Voter Information: Facilitate voters updating their registration information with the
the Tompkins County Board of Elections to improve the accuracy of the voter rolls.
The proposed code changes are as follows:
❑ Require all landlords to provide physical voter registration forms furnished by the Board
of Election to new tenants at the time of signing a lease;
❑ Require all real estate agents to provide voter physical voter registration forms furnished
by the Board of Elections to new homeowners at the time of closing on a sale;
❑ Require absentee ballot voting information to be provided to tenants; and
❑ Provide a private for enforcement of the legislation.
I. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND PRIORITIES
While New York State has expanded opportunities for voting with early voting and early voting
by mail,the non-registration of voters remains an obstacle,especially among transient populations.
It is much more difficult to receive information about the voting process for people who are
unregistered,not only do they receive less information from the Board of Elections, it is also much
more difficult for political parties to contact them to inform them about candidates and their right
to vote.
1
52
Information that landlords are already required to provide to tenants:
❑ Federal law mandates that landlords give a pamphlet to their tenants about how to protect
themselves from possible lead exposure in their homes;
❑ Cities around the state require other information not required in the City of Ithaca such as
information on home repairs. This information is provided to tenants by landlords with a
pamphlet prepared by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the NYC
Department of Housing Preservation and Development;
❑ Cities and states around the United States require various types of information to be
provided to tenants by landlords; some cities require full tenants' rights guides along with
voter registration forms.
Comparable legislation has been implemented in various cities across the United States:
❑ District of Columbia and Seattle, Washington: Both cities have enacted laws requiring
landlords to provide voter registration materials along with housing rights information to
tenants;
❑ New York City:NYC proposed similar legislation(750-2015),which faced opposition from
the Real Estate Board of New York, citing undue additional responsibilities on property
owners.
Proposed legislative action:
❑ Require all landlords to provide physical voter registration forms furnished by the Board
of Election to new tenants at the time of signing a lease;
❑ Require all real estate agents to provide voter physical voter registration forms furnished
by the Board of Elections to new homeowners at the time of closing on a sale;
❑ Require absentee ballot voting information to be provided to tenants.
❑ Provide a private right and class action clause in the legislation to allow tenants or their
representative to sue their landlord over improper distribution of information.
Optional additions and future legislative ideas:
❑ Provide tenants with a tenant bill of rights similar to the one provided in Broome County
and prepared by the Attorney General.
II. NEED FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION
1. Low Voter Turnout in Transient Wards:Notably,wards with high transient populations such
as wards 4 and 5 show significantly lower voter turnout compared to other areas. 70% of
city residents are renters.
2. Accurate Voter Records: Transient populations make it challenging to maintain updated
and accurate voter records.
2
53
3. Additional Voting Information: Transient populations need more information about their
right to vote. This article published this year by the Ithacan highlights the criticality of this
measure;
III. PROJECTED IMPACT
This ordinance will affect renters, new local property owners, realtors, and landlords by requiring
them to distribute voter registration forms to new tenants. Accurate statistics on an increase in
voter participation in areas which have implemented similar legislation are difficult to gather.
However there is a general trend of increased transient voter participation that has been attributed
to this and similar initiatives in Seattle.
IV. FEASIBILITY
❑ Cost Implications: Implementation is not expected to incur significant costs. The primary
expenses involve printing and distributing voter registration forms, the State Board of
Elections provides these forms to the county. The cost of these forms is not incurred by the
City of Ithaca, Tompkins County or the County Board of Elections.
❑ Stakeholder Cooperation: Successful implementation requires collaboration with
landlords and realtors. Initial communications indicate that the additional administrative
workload is manageable and should not pose significant challenges;
❑ Staff time:While staff time on this project could be slightly variable, the most expansive
form of this legislation will still not require any maintained workload from staff of the city.
After speaking to the acting city Attorney, Victor Kessler, this legislation, if passed, is not
expected to take an undue amount of time to implement.
❑ Resources: Concerns have been raised regarding the need for a sufficient supply of voter
registration forms. This can be addressed through close coordination with the Board of
Elections. Tompkins County Board of Elections Commissioner Stephen Dewitt does not
foresee supply of voter registration forms as an issue.
V. QUESTIONS FOR STAFF AND COUNCIL
1. Enforcement: Should we prioritize strict enforcement of this ordinance, or would a
collaborative approach with landlords be more effective?
2. Communication: Which department is best suited to communicate these changes to
landlords and coordinate with the Board of Elections?
VI. BUDGET IMPLICATIONS & FUNDING
No significant budget implications are anticipated.
3
54
VII. PUBLIC FEEDBACK
This memo was presented at the May study session and will again be presented at the June study
session. The public will have the opportunity to submit feedback before the next legislative
meeting. Council members will also actively seek input from stakeholders such as landlords, the
Ithaca Tenants Union and the Board of Elections regarding implementation challenges.
VIII. NEXT STEPS
1. Presentation: Present this memo and sample legislation at the Committee of the Whole
meeting;
2. Public Outreach: Council members will reach out to public stakeholders and solicit
statements from the community; and
3. Legislative Draft:The City Attorney will review suggestions and prepare a legislative draft.
This memo outlines the necessity and benefits of requiring landlords to provide voter registration
forms to new tenants, emphasizing increased voter participation and updated voter records while
addressing potential concerns and implementation strategies.
4
55
o , T �� CITY OF ITHACA
108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York 14850-6590
. .........
Mayor's Office
Shaniqua Lewis,
MEMORANDUM
TO: Common Council COW Study Session
FROM: Council Liaisons
DATE: June 20, 2024
RE: Reports From Council Liaisons
CP#: N/A
56
o , T �� CITY OF ITHACA
108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York 14850-6590
. .........
Mayor's Office
Shaniqua Lewis,
MEMORANDUM
TO: Common Council COW Study Session
FROM: Council Alderpersons
DATE: June 20, 2024
RE: Reports from Working Groups
CP#: N/A
57
I
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0�C° 0UcD CITY OF I T H ACA
G ii ii i u ii u G oz BUDGET
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VERVIEW
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RAV GUIDE
https://www.cityofithaca.org/427/City-Budget
WHAT IS A MUNICIPAL BUDGET? aT' �
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OR
BUDGET
• a financial plan that details projected revenues and
expenses for the duration of one fiscal year (Jan-Dec) .
• a tool for maintaining financial accountability
• revenues must be balanced with expenses
• represents the proposed costs for each function of
government and how they will be paid for
BUDGET
Usually local governments do not have sufficient
resources to fund everything to the extent that they
might like or that the taxpayers might desire ii)
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE Oat' �yy
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City's Financial Procedures: ORhttps: ZZecode560 . comZ8585910
—
§ 4-5 Preparation of proposed budget. Amended 11-3-2027 by L.L. No. 2022-07]
The City Manager, with the assistance of the Controller in his/her role as Budget Officer,
shall be responsible for preparation of and submission to the Common Council of one
proposed executive budget each year.
City Controller Department Council
Manager Heads
Responsible for Provides Submit budget Reviews and
preparation of accurate and requests that amends City
proposed comprehensive meet the City Manager's
budget; including financial data to Manager's budget; adopts
operating and create a guidelines; as budget
capital budgets. balanced budget well as any 'over
proposal target requests'
WHEN DOES IT HAPPEN? T' �+�yy
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OR
Basic Budget T'iomeliene
JAN-MARCH: Set & Distribute Budget Meeting Dates
APRI L-JULY: Capital Projects Internal Review
JUNE: City Mgr sends Budget guidance to Depts
AUGUST: Departments submit requests to City Mgr
SEPTEMBER: Controller & City Mgr prepare Budget
11
OCTOBER: City Mgr presents Budget to Council
OCT-NOV: Council Amends Budget
ec�
NOVEMBER: Budget & Tax Rate Adopted
FACTORS TO BUILD THE BUDGETT �+�yy
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What is taken into consideration when building the budget?
• Debt service requirements
• Existing contracts and other financial commitments
• Current economic conditions and potential impacts on both
borrowing and revenue generation
• State and federal aid
• Collective bargaining agreements
• Rate of inflation
• New and pending legislation
• Modified budgets from prior year
DETERMINING THE TAX RATE oT'
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Total Appropriations
� TAX OR
Less: Estimated Revenue
Less: Appropriated Fund Balance
Equals: Amount to be Raised by Taxation (Tax Levy)
Tax Rate is determined by dividing the Tax Levy by the total
assessed value of taxable property in the City.
Tax Rate per thousand = (tax levy = total of all taxable assessments in the jurisdiction) x 1000
TOTAL ESTIMATED REVENUES 96,751,228 77,980,013
APPROPRIA TED CA SH SURPLU 4,538,518 2:6030:436
TOTAL REVENUES 101,289,746 80,610,449
BA LANOEOFAPPROPRIAPONS TO BE RAISED SYREAL PROPERTY TAXES:
TAXABLE ASSESSED PROPERTY VALUE 2024 TAIL RATE TAX LEVY
2,561,841,772 11.9800 $30,690,864
TAX RATE - HISTORIC DATAT �+�yy
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CITY CF ITHACA TAX RATE HISTORY
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
RATE $12.77 $13.20 $13.26 $13.60 $14.12 $12,23 $12.31 $12.63 $12,93 $13.08 $13.12
CHANGE 9.20% 3.37% 0.45% 2.56% 3.82% -13.39% 0.65% 2.60% 2.38% 1.16% 0.31%
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
RATE $12.89 $12.89 $12.04 $12.14 $11.60 11.77 11.77 11.89 11.98 11.98 TBA
CHANGE -1.75% 0.00% -6.59% 0.83% -4.45% 1.471/b 0.00% 1.02% 0.76% 0.00% TBA
2021 2022 2023 2024
Taxable Assessed Property Value $2,226,546,099 $2,240,147,928 $2,439,935,327 $2,561,841,772
Tags Rate 11.85 11.89 11.98 11.98
Tax Levy $26,384,571 $26,635,359 $29,2301425 $30,6901864
Median Home payment $2,589 $2,825 $3,270 $3,295
Median Home Value $220,000 $240,000 $275,000 $302,000
2024 TAX CALCULATIONS IT
$11 .98 per $1000 assessed value
0% change from 2025 rate of $11 .98
IMM P'#I
2024 increase is 5%
2023 was 9.74%
2024 cap is 2 . 2%
We will be operating above the cap.
0\ Total 2024 Tax Revenue: $30,690,864
� $502 ,000 median home would pay $5,295 in 2024.
HOW TO READ THE BUDGET
CRY of Ithaca
Budget Summary Schedule
Final Budget by Fund for Fiscal Yea r2024
SOLID SIDEWALK
GENERAL WATER SEWER WASTE IMPROVEMENT STORMWATER
TOTAL FUND FUND FUND FUND DISTRICT FUND
APAROPRIA TIONS
GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT $ 10,505,608$ 9,838,798 $ 305.832 $ 361.978 $ $ $
PUBLIC SAFETY 16,772,234 16,772,234
TRANSPORTATION 9,104,100 9,104,100
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 3,982,386 3,982,386
CULTURE&RECREATION 7,466,946 7,458,948
HOME&COMMUNITY SERVICES 14,370,819 2,425,233 4,050,715 5,422,775 499,819 1.040,629 921,648
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS 25.671.222 22,707,011 1,237,837 1.241.743 127,804 49,563 307264
DEBT SERVICE 12.159.431 7.997,741 2,556,378 1.490.348 36,592 64,200 14,172
INTERFUND TRANSFERS 1.256.00Q 316,000 294.000 304,000 372,000
TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS $ 10 f,2S9,T46 $ 86,616,449 $ S.424.762 $ 8.820.844 $ 664,216 5 1,154,392 $ 1,616,084
ESTIMATED REVENUES
REAL PROPERTY TAX ITEMS $ 32,610,864$ 32,610,864 $ $ $ $
NON-PROPERTY TAX ITEMS 21,225,869 21,225,869
DEPARTMENTAL INCOME 28,725,857 10,119,642 7,875,505 7,555,103 598,215 1,154,392 1,422,000
USE OF MONEY&PROPERTY 1,092,500 1,087,500 5,000
LICENSES&PERMITS 1,751,200 1,751,200
FINES&FORFEITURES 60Q,00Q 600,000
SALE OF PROPERTY AND
COMPENSATION FOR LOSS 454.00Q 432,000 15,000 7.000
MISCELLANEOUS 4,135,000 4,135,000
INTERFUN❑TRANSFERS 2,039,560 1,901,560 40,000 32,000 66.Doo
STATE AID 3,547,058 3,547,058
FEDERAL AID 569,320 569,320
TOTAL€STTMATEDREVENUES 96,751,228 77,9W,013 7,931,505 7,699,103 664,215 1,154,392 1,422.000
APPROPRIATED CASH SURPLUS 4,538,518 2,630,436 4937257 1,221.741 193.084
TOTAL REVENUES $ 101,289,746 $ 80,610,449 $ 8,424,762 $ 8,820,844 $ 664,216 1,154,392 S 1,615,084
BALANCE OF APPROPRIATIONS TO BE RAISED BY REAL PROPERTY TAXES.
TAXABLE ASSESSED PROPERTY VALUE 2024 TAX RATE TAX LEVY
$2,561,841,772 11.9800 $30,690,864
HOW TO READ THE BUDGET
2024
2022 2023 Department Mayor's ouno�
Expended! Budget a Base Proposed Adapted
Received Amended Budgel Budget Budget
A1316-PUBLIG INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY
5105 ADMINISTRATION SALARY 299.898 376.970 414,239 550r033 478.211
5110 STAFF SALARY 216,098 241,256 249,204 275,239 275,239
SUB-TOTAL-PERSONNEL E15,996 618.226 683,443 82E,272 753,4S0
5210 OFFICE EQUIPMENT 40,496 110,000 110,000 110,000 110,000
5225 OTHER EOUIPMENT 1,794 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000
SUB-TOTAL-EQUIPMENT 42,290 120,000 120,000 120,000 120,000
5405 TELEPHONE 3,699 7,000 7,000 7,000 7.000
5420 CAS&OIL 0 250 250 250 250
5425 OFFICE EXPENSE 6,126 7,000 7,000 7,000 7.000
5435 CONTRACTS 1,392 0 0 0 0
5437 MERCHANT SERVICE CHARGES 0 5.000 5,000 5,000 5.000
5440 STAFF DEVELOPMENT 5,850 35,000 35,000 7,000 7,000
5476 EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE 235,061 350.618 350,618 403,618 403.618
5477 EQUIPMENT PARTS 2,037 4.000 4,000 4,000 4,000
SUB-TOTAL-ADMINISTRATIVE A PROGRAM 2fA166 449,969 4.08,860 433,860 433AS8
5459 BUILDING COST 25,067 3,.,30 32,890 32.090 32.890
SUB-TOTAL-OTHER ITEMS 2E,067 11.130 32,890 32,890 32,890
9010 STATE RETIREMENT 52,661 66,163 72,638 72,638 64,521
9030 SOCIAL SECURITY 30,259 49,036 63,739 63,739 58,245
9040 WORKERS'COMPENSATION 637 2,064 2,223 2,223 1,505
9060 HOSPITAL&MEDICAL INSURANCE 199,862 184,394 214,024 214,024 199,533
9070 MENTAL INSURANCE 1,788 2,228 1,$25 1r825 1,575
9080 DAY CARE ASSISTANCE 390 100 0 0 0
SUB-TOTAL-EMPLOYEE BENEFITS 38E,9911 909,986 354,449 3E4,449 326-379
9710 SERIAL BONDS 47,780 57,102 58,799 58,799 �)8.799
9711 INTEREST ON SERIAL BONDS 15,200 14,110 12,532 12,532 12.532
9730 BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES 24,846 26,091 27,395 27,395 27.395
9731 INTEREST ON BANS 192 1.376 9,797 9r797 9.797
SUB-TOTAL-DEBT SERVICE 88,020 38.679 106,E43 108,523 106,523
TOTAL PUBLIC INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY1,211,555 1,590,887 1,658,173 1,875,002 1,774,110
https://www.cityQfithaca.org/427/City-Budget
NOTE: BUDGET NARRATIVE
General Fund ReNTRUes:
Property Tim InMrmation:
Assessme cct increases with higher equalization and physical changes. A small amount of American
Recove lan Act {ARP)L) funds available to reduce tax levy. As a result, the tax rate will remain the same,
and the to ease by 5%.
The 2024 tax rate is proposed at $11.98 per $1,000 assessed value. This represents a 0% change in the
tax rate from the 2023 rate of$11.98.
The total 2024 budget is $101,058,360, allocated $80,379,O63 general fund, $8,424,762 water fund,
$8,820,844 sewer fund, $664,215 solid waste fund, $1,154,392 sidewalk districts, and $1,615,084 stormwater
fund. The 2023 total budget was $90,350,883.
The total tax levy increase for 2024 is 5%; the 2023 tax levy increase was 9.74%...the property tax cap
for 2024 is 2.2%...we will be operating above the tax cap.
The taxable assessment value for 2024 is $2,56 1,841,772; the 2023 taxable assessment was $2,439,935,327.
This is an increase of$121,906,445 from 2023, a 5% increase.
Using the same tax rate from 2023, $11.98, will bring in an additional $1,460,439 of tax revenue in 2024.
Every one percent change in the city tax rate would generate an additional $ 06,909 in revenue.
Every $0.01 increase in the tax rate would generate $25,619 in additional revenue and would increase the tax
levy by 0.084%.
Based on the projected 2024 tax rate a $302,000 median city home will pay $3,295 in city tax, which equates
to no change in taxes from the 2023 taxes for the same value of property, however, if the assessed value
increased, the taxes would increase.
Property tax revenue would increase from the 2023 amount of$29,230,425 to the 2024 amount of
$30,690,864 a $1,460,439 increase from 2023, a 5% increase.
The tax-exempt property percentage in the City for 2024 is 56.94% down from 57.83% in 2023,
https://www.cityQfithaca.org/427/City-Budget
2024 BUDGET BREAKDOWNa 4
$0 $2020002000 $6010001000
General Fund $80,379,063
Sewer Fund $8,82 ,844
Water Fund $8,42 ,762
Stormwater $1,615,08
1lmr0S ,360
Sidewalk Fund $1,1541392
TO:AL B; DGET
Solid Waste Fund $6642215
of
FUND BALANCE - BEST PRACTICE
• GFOA Fund Balance guidelines
• balances are both restricted and unrestricted and this is
part of the factor in calculating maintained balance
• need a cushion for emergencies but you need to strike a
balance between overtaxing and creating that cushion
• fund balances increase when you are efficient at
spending and you don't want to 'overtax taxpayers
IT
2024 BASIC NUMBERS - SE
Fund Balance
• Current Fund Balance (estimated ) $15f9O8f296
• $8f693f229 unrestricted
o $7,215fO67 assigned or restricted
• 2024 budget uses $2,630,436 to balance budget
(this is the amount we didn't add to the tax levy)
UUMIF tNbA 11UN rUK LUtZ:: 494,UUU 46Z,uuu l D,uuu
MISCELLANEOUS 4,135,000 4,135,000
INTERFUND TRANSFERS 2,039,560 1,901,560 40,000
STATE AID 3,547,058 3,547,058
FEDERAL AID 569,320 569,320
TOTAL ESTrMA TED REVENUES K751,228 77,9K013 7,931,50S �
APPROPF7A TED CASH SURPLUS 4,538,518 2,630,436 493.257
TOTAL REVENUES $ 101.2S9,748 $ SA 610.449 $ 8.424,762 s
BALANCE OF APPROPRIATIONS TO BE RAISED BY REAL PROPERTY TAXES:
TAXABLE ASSESSED PROPERTY VALUE 2024 TALC RATE TAX LEVY
$2,561,841,7 72 11.9800 ,$30,690,864
IT
BASIC NUMBERS = EXPENSE
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o.
Debt Service
10%
Contracts & Supplies
22.8%
Staff
66.3%
Staff and Benefits
66% of s endin
p g
BASIC NUMBERS - COSTS Pam
o.
Debt Service
• Staff salaries
Contracts & Supplies Benefits
22.8%
• Union negotiated
salary increases
• Contracts for ongoing
Staff services (MUNIS,
66.3% OpenCov, etc.)
• Debt Service
%7 -7ofspendingion fixedO S s costs
a
BASIC NUMBERS
.I PV14
o.
Other
Interfund 5.8%
2.7%
State Aid
5.7%
Property Tax
Dept Income 45.1%
/0000� 15.7%
Fees & Permits included
in Dept. Income
2025 budget will include a
complete fee schedule as a
part of the budget.
Sales Tax
26%
� _A �LE TAX LEVENUE iT.
`"
$17 ,108,608 budgeted
$18 016,269 actual
$18f5OOfOOO budgeted
$5 , 146,400 to date ( -0 .4% )
2024 estimate based off of 2023
projected revenue amount
State Budget Allocations .moo
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$2,6101398
2018
$5,236,375
$2,610,398 actual amount
2019 �
$5,330,630
if CPI had
2020 $2,610,398 been added
$5,389,267
2021 $2,610,398 20 4 one UnIle
$5,453938
of u nt.
2022 $2,610,398
3 3jr123
$5,„0,27 3
2023 $2,6101398
$6,167,095
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o°°° o°oo o°°° o°°° o°°° o°°° o°oo
ti ti 3 t h o
2024 BASIC NUMBERS - EXPENSE �°�I
F: limnowl ..
'�'
Retirement Costs
General Fund: $1,706,900 - 14.9% increase from 2023
Police & Fire: $4,027,679 - .1% decrease from 2023
Health Insurance Costs: �
• Funded at $15,521,249
• Trending at 13% increase in cost
• All unions contributing at least 20% to health insurance costs
• Platinum savings have been calculated in
o� ITIi9=`?f
2024 BASIC NUMBERS = EXPENSE
Debt Service
• Funded at $7,997,741 - 6.8% increase
from 2023
• 80% of debt in long-term bonds
• In 2024 we will pay off $8,755,898 in L11AN
principal and issue new debt of _ �
$5f436fOOO � �O"M
• Oftuft
We are at 64% of exhausted debt limit A� �
and have $58,521,295 available
Labor Contracts and Raises o9
�e
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6 Bargaining Units %a4o�ooa
• CSEA Admin - expires 12/31/24
• CSEA DPW - expires 12/31/25 P q
• PBA - expires 12/31/23; new contract 12/31/26
• 2 Fire Unions - expires 12/31/26 0 0
• NYSUT Exec - expires 12/31/25
ALL CONTRACTS HAVE INCREASED
COSTS FOR 2024 AND BEYOND
FOCUSING ON:
Recruitment - increase entry level wages
Retention - retirement benefits & length to top pay 2024 BUDGET ALSO
EXAMPLE: recently negotiated DPW contract significantly INCLUDED 3% INCREASE
increased wages and restructured salary steps. FOR MANAGEMENT
BREAKDOWN OF FUNDING FOR 2024 °IT
e I�ILJI�I :"�i
DPW
IPD
Fire
Youth Bureau
Planning/Bldg
GIAC
Finance
Public Info Tech
Human Resources
Attorney
City Mgr
Mayor & Common Council
$0 $2,000,000 $4,000,000 $6,000,000 $8,000,000 $10,000,000 $12,000,000
2024 CAPITAL PROJECTS
TOTAL REQUESTED : $20,568,150
TOTAL APPROVED: $5,006,000
IT
2024 PPR VED PR JECT �
a 4Z
o.
2024 Capital Project Review Summary
GEPT Pre Short Desert en Amt csted CPA rowed for 2924 Wvtld aced CP Needed far 2025 Otller A.dlvn Taken f�o
DPW E mErgemy Poe ins $200400.0i1 $200,004mm $100,000.00 Re ue-st to be funded in Operali Budpt
E niginee ri'R Cass Park Bathroom $a101000.00 $50,D9000 5390,9DD.00 Design Costs A roved for 2924
I ngrnrr ong It C I FVAC inn Roof Replaement 2U74 $200.000.00 $0.00 4o00 Not Re[Dmmerrded
En ineerin 2024 Patrement Marld S6 Cunlract 0A04A0 $60,000.00 %%Offi.00 Request to be Funded in Operali Budpt
Engineering Pedesl rian 5arety:90051ewarl Are $5%wo.90 $59,00moo $798,009A0 Survey and De*n Costs Approved for 2024
Curb"".
Re lac enlf nl
Enginee ri ng Vision 2cro $150,000.W 50.00 TBD foul Recomnrendedusi exislir funds
Engineering Seneca Street Parking Garage Repairs $1,500,000.00 $500,00100 $350,01)OA0 Approved for 2024 Capital Funding
IFO Fire Stalbn RenovatloFrs(Central,Svfdh $3,OOo,000.00 $300,000A0 $I,ov0.DBv.00 Reduceamounl to$300,000-prlvrRim repairs for year
Hil and wesl Hill$tatgns 1-1/3 of costs reimbursed Tgvrn
IFn 1100rx F.reTfuckChafglasclallon, $1,255,000,OP $rr•rp s5fH] fool erummvrwtrn(esdlhwonmgF.Vfk-0$Ur,ryi
IFD Two Fie Pumper Replace—nls $2,000,000.00 $1,000,0o0.OD $1,006,000.Uu Request Appmred For 2014 Capilal Fund ing-Requesl
Wllltake 18-24 nlvnlhs
IPD Pol.[e Vehicle and Vehicle's Emergency $384AD0.00 $282,000.90 $285,DD9A0 Approved for 2024 Capital F unding-Reduce amouol to
Equipment- $1g2,000
Phnningand Oevelopmenl CPS Eralualion $20,000AO $0.00 $0.00 Clrrorewas Far$40,000-$20,OOowaspreviously
aP roved-will add$29.900 from o crating
moningand DerelopFine Chenystreel Extension-Marketing $19,009A0 $0.00 $D.oa not RecommendedSupport For Sale or City-O—d Land
Public Irrinrmal ion and Hot Recommended(vmrking on designing new inteina
Technol PR Depadmefd Vehirk $39,090A0 $0.80 $0-� fr iharin €yatefn}
Public:Informal Ion and video 5urYellkancE E Re
Technology `' m PIMem n §991000.09 $49,000.00 $0.00 Req uesl Reproved for 2024 Capilal Funding
Slreetsand Facilities Vehk le and E Equipment Re hcement $1,326 00.00 55%000.00 r�000D 00 Approved For 2024 C apilal Fund ing-Amount reduced
quipme p ,0 $ $ to$55%D00
Waler and 5eWEF 510 First 51 reet Rolkl log Renovation %Wo.000A0 $700,00MUO $;,Sp0,D90.00 A pproved fur 2024 W&S Funding-Amount reduced to
$7X000
Walei and Sewer Pa Il Membrane RepLTce ment Modules $ISS)000.00 $IS5,000-o0 $ODO Request to be I unded in Water and Sourer Operating
B wgel
Water and sewer RaW Main Water Ile IF $1,725,000.90 $32 5,009.90 S1A99,009.09 Approved for Waver and 5MMF Funding
Waller and Seem Water Meier Replacement Project 51,70o,000.00 $900,000.00 $800ODO 04 Appmved For 2024 Capilal Funding-Spit info two year
For 900 it 2014 and goo in 100 5
Waler and Sewer Vehlc le and EgUIPnrem Replacement "40,000 00 $440,000.00 $500,0W.00 Regoe51 1d be funded in Water and Stover Operating
audgel
Waver and Sewer Asset Management Soflwam and $12GA0000 $235rOW-00 $6009P00 Request to be Funded inOperating Budgel,Amounl
m Im leenlation ucreased 1.S235.000
Water and SEWer Dam Safely Impmvemenls $2,218,500.00 $250,F100.00 $250,090A0 Approved for 2024 Water and Sewer FundingAmou
reduced to 259,000.
Youth Burean/Cas Park ITD Fire Detection System Repacemerd $75,000.00 $15A00.00 $Fif{,000.00 kequesl to be funded in Operating Brdgel
Youth 3ure2u/CdS4 Park i.ryrlga Waterfront Trall Ph"1-Repair $72,000.00 $72,000.00 $0.00 Request to be funded in Operating Budgel
NM Recnrm
Youth Bureau/Cass Park IYg ffuilding Exterior Refurbish $216,650.00 $0.00 $0.00 es ma {this project should be pan of
facilities master Wnni dacussion.
Youth Burea ass Park Cass Park Tennis Court Patchtn 912,WG-00 S22,000.00 50.00 Request to be Funded in Opera ingBud
Toxal 68,1.50.00 000.00
afar AvOinarww egprwrdla}SrArarArpsrt
Itcrns in Red were not room m ended Tor this yerr nr will be addreoe•d in behW wry,,
With budgeted authorized capital projects and the debt
principal payments scheduled for 2024 we should make some
progress on our goal to reduce the debt load.
ARPA ALLOCATIONSaT �
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The City has received $16,092,137 in ARPA funds over OR
2022 & 2025 in equal payments of $8,046,068.50.
The 2024 Budget allocates $350,000 in ARPA funds only in the
General Fund .
If all the ARPA funds obligated to-date are spent, we would have
approximately $200,000 in ARPA remaining " during 2024.
"The remaining ARPA funding is restricted to Revenue Replacement, Negative Economic Impact and Water,
Sewer, and Wastewater Infrastructure.
Allowed us to catch up, but this money Y was
not a permanent source of f unds.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR COUNCIL?
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• Complete the Budget Priorities Survey no later than July 5.
• Pass a resolution giving you a safety net to go over the tax cap.
• Overview of Capital Projects - list sent in late August,
presentation on 9/25/24.
IRJFOCTOBER - budget deliberations!
• City Manager presents budget at October 1** voting meeting of council
• • • **NOTE this is a Tuesday to not conflict with Rosh Hashanah.
- - - • Budget meetings are 10/9, 10/10, 10/16, 10/17, 10/25, 10/24
• Public hearings are 10/9 & 10/16
• Final budget vote with any amended changes on 11/6