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Home My WebLink AboutMN-WDLP-2026-06-24YouTube Link:https://tinyurl.com/265tenrj Date: Location: Wednesday June 24, 2026 City Hall Council Chambers 108 East Green Street, 3rd Fl Ithaca, NY 14850 06-24-2026 WRONGFUL DISCHARGE AND LABOR PROTECTIONS MEETING MINUTES- Voting Record 1.Call To Order (10Min) 1.a Emergency Evacuation Notice 1.b Agenda Review 2.Petitions and Hearings of Persons Before Council (30Min) 2.a Statements From The Public 3.Approval Of Minutes (10Min) 3.a 05-26-2026 WDLPC Special Committee Meeting Minutes Attendance Record of Voting Members Name Present Absent/Excused Chair - Jorge DeFendini X Member - Kayla Matos X Member - Pat Sewell X Member - Robin Trumble X Member - Patrick Kuehl X Discussion Summary: The Wrongful Discharge & Labor Protections Special Committee meeting is called to order at 6pm. Presiding is Alderperson Jorge DeFendini. All members are in attendance. There are no changes to agenda. Timestamp 0:38-1:50 Discussion Summary: Several speakers including members of UE Local 300 addressed the committee to raise awareness of employment protections for Cornell fellowship workers, asking the committee to include fellowship workers in the proposed Just Cause Employment Laws and shared examples of how fellowship workers are not currently protected. Timestamp 1:51-25:39 Discussion Summary: The May 26, 2026 WDLP Meeting minutes approved and adopted. Timestamp. 25:40-25:48 Moved By: Kayla Matos Seconded By: Robin Trumble Motion Summary: Motion to approve 5-26-2026 WDLP Meeting minutes. Moved by 4.Guest Speaker Presentation (30Min) 4.a Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce- Presentation, Questions from Committee. 4.b Tompkins County Workers Center (15 min) - Presentation, Questions from Committee. 5.Committee Update- Legal Opinion (15 Min) 5.a Update from the City Attorney's Office Alderperson Matos, Seconded by Alderperson Trumble. All In Favor 5-0 Vote Passed 5-0 Carried Unanimously Member Approve Oppose Recuse Jorge DeFendini X Kayla Matos X Pat Sewell X Robin Trumble X Patrick Kuehl X Discussion Summary: No presentation from the Chambers of Commerce. Timestamp 25:51-26:26 Discussion Summary: Founder of Tompkins County Workers Center Peter Meyers and Adam Hart gave a presentation that highlighted Key Point of Legislation, Workers' Rights Commission ,Just Cause as an Intersectional Issue, and Additional Points - Job loss through hours reduction & harassment . Committee members followed up with questions and comments for discussion. Timestamp 26:28- 1:27:12 Discussion Summary: Update from City Attorney's Office is postponed until July Meeting. Timestamp 1:27:54- 1:42:06 Alderperson Kuehl would like a legal opinion on an emphasis on location of business/ jurisdiction; how is it being categorized in legislation? the question around fellowships and graduate student workers; how to possibly legislate that for a local municipality Discussion on policy statement Identifying/describing what is considered a "worker" in the Whereas potential legal challenges scope of legal opinion from Asst City Attorney- legal viability on pursuing potential legislation Moved By: Robin Trumble 6.Policy Statement (40 minutes) 6.a Discussion and development of Policy Statement Draft 7.Next Steps (5Min) Seconded By: Pat Sewell Motion Summary: Motion for 5 Minute Recess. Moved by Alderperson Trumble, Seconded by Alderperson Sewell. All In Favor. 4-0 Vote Passed 4-0 Carried Unanimously Member Approve Oppose Recuse Jorge DeFendini X Kayla Matos X Pat Sewell X Robin Trumble X Discussion Summary: Discussion opened on shaping policy statement . Timestamp 1:42:06- 2:17:14 Moved By: Kayla Matos Seconded By: Patrick Kuehl Motion Summary: Motion to Adjourn. Moved by Alderperson Matos, Seconded by Alderperson Kuehl. All In Favor 5-0 Vote Passed 5-0 Carried Unanimously Member Approve Oppose Abstain Jorge DeFendini X Kayla Matos X Pat Sewell X Robin Trumble X Patrick Kuehl X Public Comments - 7 Speakers from the Public Submitted 7-22-2026 Adopted: 07-29-2026 Shaniqua Lewis, Deputy City Clerk Carried Unanimously 4-0 Date: Time: Location: Watch Online: Wednesday June 24, 2026 6:00 PM City Hall Council Chambers 108 East Green Street, 3rd Fl Ithaca, NY 14850 https://www.youtube.com/@CityofIthacaPublicMeetings June 24th 2026 WRONGFUL DISCHARGE AND LABOR PROTECTIONS SPECIAL COMMITTEE AGENDA 1.Call To Order (10Min) 1.a. 1.b. 2.Petitions and Hearings of Persons Before Council (30Min) 2.a. 3.Approval Of Minutes (10Min) 3.a. 4.Guest Speaker Presentation (30Min) 4.a. 4.b. 5.Committee Update- Legal Opinion (15 Min) 5.a. 6.Policy Statement (40 minutes) 6.a. 7.Next Steps (5Min) Emergency Evacuation Notice Agenda Review Statements From The Public 05-26-2026 WDLPC Special Committee Meeting Minutes Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce- Presentation, Questions from Committee. Tompkins County Workers Center (15 min) - Presentation, Questions from Committee. Update from the City Attorney's Office Discussion and development of Policy Statement Draft Public Comments 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. Can't Come To The Meeting But Still Want To Speak? Register To Speak Virtually Click Here To Register Want To Submit A Comment and Not Speak In Person? Click Here To Submit Written Comment 1 CITY OF ITHACA 108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York 14850-6590 Attorney's Office Shaniqua Lewis, Deputy City Clerk TO:Wrongful Discharge and Labor Protections FROM:City Attorney's Office DATE:June 24, 2026 RE:Update from the City Attorney's Office ITEM #:5.a MEMORANDUM Legal assessment of prospective labor protections legislation. 2