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Home My WebLink AboutMN-COW STUDY SESSION 2025-10-22YouTube Link:https://tinyurl.com/2s4y8ht5 Date: Location: Wednesday October 22, 2025 108 E. Green Street Ithaca NY 14850 10-22-2025 COMMON COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE STUDY SESSION MEETING MINUTES 1.Call To Order Attendance Record of Voting Members Name Present Absent/Excused Mayor - Robert Cantelmo X 1st Ward - Kayla Matos X 1st Ward - Phoebe Brown X 2nd Ward - Ducson Nguyen X 2nd Ward - Kris Haines-Sharp X 3rd Ward - David Shapiro X 3rd Ward - Pierre Saint-Perez X 4th Ward - Patrick Kuehl X 4th Ward - Tiffany Kumar X 5th Ward - Margaret Fabrizio X 5th Ward - Clyde Lederman X Discussion Summary: The October 22, 2025 Common Council Committee of The Whole is called to order by Mayor Robert Cantelmo. Alderperson Kumar and Alderperson Kuehl will be arriving late. There were no changes to the agenda. Mayor Cantelmo read the emergency evacuation instructions for those in the audience. Council approved the September 20th COW meeting minutes. Timestamp 0:24- 1:35 Moved By: Pierre Saint-Perez Seconded By: David Shapiro Motion Summary: September 10th 2025 COW Meeting minutes moved by Alderperson Saint-Perez, Seconded by Alderperson Shapiro. All In Favor of the minutes. Motion carried 9-0 with Alderpersons Kumar and Kuehl absent. Vote Passed 9-0 Carried Unanimously 1.1 Emergency Evacuation 1.2 Agenda Review 1.3 Approval of Minutes- Sept 10th COW Study Session 2.Special Public Comments 3.Agenda Planning 3.1 An Ordinance Amending Ithaca City Code Chapter 146 "Electricians" Member Approve Oppose Abstain Robert Cantelmo X Kayla Matos X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Kris Haines-Sharp X David Shapiro X Pierre Saint-Perez X Margaret Fabrizio X Clyde Lederman X Discussion Summary: A Special Public Comments was open for the public to speak on the Budget. Timestamp 1:40- 13:47 Discussion Summary: Mayor Cantelmo asked for Unanimous Consent to move Tax Cap item to the first item on the agenda, there was dissent from Council. Items were discussed in the order listed on the agenda. Timestamp 13:56-14:39 Agenda item 3.1- Ordinance Amending the Ithaca City Code Chapter 146 "Electricians" was moved to the November 5th voting meeting. Timestamp 14:40-15:33 Agenda Item 3.2- Ordinance Amending the Ithaca City Code Chapter 170- Use of City Real Property" was moved to the November 5th Common Council Voting meeting Agenda. Timestamp 15:35-16:15 Agenda Item 3.3 Local Law Amending Section C-44 of the Ithaca City Charter "Proceedings to Collect Unpaid Taxes" was moved to the November 5th Common Council Voting Meeting. Timestamp 16:16- 17:50 Agenda Item 3.4 Local Law to Authorize the Override of the Tax Levy ( 2026 Tax Cap Override) failed to be me moved to the November 5th Common Council meeting for consideration. The mayor asked for a roll call vote on this decision. Timestamp 17:52- 25:27 Moved By: Pierre Saint-Perez Seconded By: Clyde Lederman 3.2 An Ordinance Amending Ithaca City Code Chapter 170, "Use of City Real Property" 3.3 A Local Law Amending Section C-44 of the Ithaca City Charter Motion Summary: Ordinance amending the Ithaca City Code Chapter 146 "Electricians" moved by Alderperson Saint-Perez, Seconded by Alderperson Lederman;. Let the record reflect that Council was joined by Alderpersons Kuehl and Kumar. Motion carried 11-0 to advance this item to the November 5th Common Council Voting meeting for discussion and vote. Vote Passed 11-0 Carried Unanimously Member Approve Oppose Recuse Robert Cantelmo X Kayla Matos X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Kris Haines-Sharp X David Shapiro X Pierre Saint-Perez X Patrick Kuehl X Tiffany Kumar X Margaret Fabrizio X Clyde Lederman X Moved By: Clyde Lederman Seconded By: Kayla Matos Motion Summary: Ordinance Amending Ithaca City Code Chapter 170 "Use of City Real Property" moved by Alderperson Lederman, Seconded by Alderperson Matos. All In Favor of moving item to the November 5th Common Council voting meeting. Motion carries 11-0 Vote Passed 11-0 Carried Unanimously Member Approve Oppose Recuse Robert Cantelmo X Kayla Matos X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Kris Haines-Sharp X David Shapiro X Pierre Saint-Perez X Patrick Kuehl X Tiffany Kumar X Margaret Fabrizio X Clyde Lederman X 3.4 Local Law- Tax Cap Override Fiscal Year 2026 Moved By: Pierre Saint-Perez Seconded By: Kris Haines-Sharp Motion Summary: Local Law Amending Section C-44 of the Ithaca Charter "Proceedings to Collect Unpaid Taxes" moved by Alderperson Saint-Perez, Seconded by Alderperson Haines-Sharp. All In Favor of moving local law to the November 5th Common Council voting meeting. Motion carries 11-0. Vote Passed 11-0 Carried Unanimously Member Approve Oppose Recuse Robert Cantelmo X Kayla Matos X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Kris Haines-Sharp X David Shapiro X Pierre Saint-Perez X Patrick Kuehl X Tiffany Kumar X Margaret Fabrizio X Clyde Lederman X Moved By: Clyde Lederman Seconded By: Kayla Matos Motion Summary: Local Law to Authorize the Override of the Tax Levy (2026 Tax Cap Override). Moved by Alderperson Lederman, Seconded by Alderperson Matos. Motion to move to Local Law to the November 5th Common Council meeting for a final vote, Motion Failed 3-8 with Alderpersons Matos, Nguyen, and Kumar in Favor. Vote Failed 3-8 Member Approve Oppose Recuse Robert Cantelmo X Kayla Matos X Phoebe Brown X Ducson Nguyen X Kris Haines-Sharp X David Shapiro X Pierre Saint-Perez X Patrick Kuehl X Tiffany Kumar X Margaret Fabrizio X Clyde Lederman X 4.Reports From City Staff 5.Reports From Committee/Commissions 6.Meeting Wrap-Up Discussion Summary: Update from City Manager- The City Manager reported that a preliminary list of 26 stop-gap measures has been developed to achieve the $2.1 million target through budget adjustments alone, while limiting the use of the fund balance. The City remains committed to staying under the tax cap and preserving programming and staffing to the greatest extent possible. These adjustments will affect the City’s ability to maintain some programs and services, and while staff will work to minimize operational impacts, the process will be challenging. The City Manager acknowledged and thanked staff, noting that each reduction or additional revenue expectation will place added pressure on them, but expressed confidence in the team’s ability to stay focused on the City’s goals. Timestamp 25:32-28:26 Discussion Summary: The Mayor thanked the Council members who serve on the Finance Advisory Committee for their flexibility and participation. He expressed appreciation for the administration’s update and noted that Council looks forward to continuing the discussion on Friday. He reiterated the goal of producing a solid, legally compliant budget that meets tax obligations, follows responsible borrowing practices, and protects the City’s fund balance. The meeting was then adjourned. Timestamp 28:28- 29:07 Public Comment Submitted1-7-2026 Adopted:01-07-2026 Shaniqua Lewis, Deputy City Clerk Carried Unanimously 10-0 (Absent:Fabrizio)