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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-GPA-2012-07-18GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 6:00 p.m. PRESENT: Alderperson Mohlenhoff - Chair Alderpersons (4) Murtagh, Rooker, Proulx, McCollister Mayor Myrick OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk — Conley Holcomb Alderperson Brock Alderperson Clairborne July 12, 2012 Approval of the June 20, 2012 Minutes — Resolution By Alderperson Proulx: Seconded by Alderperson Rooker RESOLVED, That the minutes of the June 20, 2012 Government Performance and Accountability Committee meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously Charter Code Review 2.1 An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 348 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code entitled "Water and Sewers ", Section 348 -29 "Sanitary Services" to Amend Sub - Section 348- 29(J), and add the following Sub - Sections (J), (K), (L) and (M) By Alderperson Proulx : Seconded by Alderperson Rooker Ordinance #2012 - BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca as follows: Section 1. Section 348 -29(E) of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows: (E) All installations of service drains or sewers between the curb and the building shall be made by a [plumber] Plumbing Contractor or [sewer layer4 Water and Sewer Installer licensed by the Examining Board of Plumbers or any homeowner working on his /her own single - family residence. Section 2: Section 348 -29 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code is hereby amended to add the following subsections: (J) All sanitary services connected to the public mains shall have a house (building) trap installed between the property line and the building to prevent sewer gas and other potentially harmful gases generated in the public mains from GPA Committee July 18, 2012 enterinq the building. The house trap shall be installed as close to the building as possible. The trap shall be a service weight, cast iron, double hub running trap with a minimum of 4" inside diameter. A Fresh Air Inlet shall be installed on the building side riser of the trap and terminate at 12 inches above grade with an approved air inlet fitting to allow the internal vents to draft and remove accumulated gases from the plumbing system. A brass cleanout cover shall be installed at grade level on the street side of the trap for cleaning and maintenance of the trap. A wye, 45degree fitting with riser and brass cleanout at grade level is required immediately down - stream of the trap to facilitate cleaning between the trap and the public main. (K) Each plumbing system connected to the City of Ithaca municipal sanitary sewer system shall have an attending vent system designed to provide for the admission and emission of air within such system to protect trap seals from siphonage, backpressure and to remove the accumulation of sewer gas within the building. (L) Main Stack required. All plumbing systems connected to the public mains shall have at least one main stack connected to the building drain and run undiminished in size and terminate to the outside. The size of the stack shall be minimum of 3 inches in diameter or larger if total developed length exceeds 75 feet. The stack shall connect to the building drain as close as possible to the fresh air inlet of the house trap to create the necessary stacking and circulation of air for the interior venting system. Where multiple fixture groups or stacks are located throughout a building, additional main stack(s) may be required by the local authority having jurisdiction. (M) Air Admittance Valves. Individual, branch and circuit vents shall be permitted to terminate with a connection to an air admittance valve. The air admittance valve shall only vent fixtures that are on the same floor level and connect to a horizontal branch drain. The horizontal branch drain shall conform to the following: 1) Location of branch. The horizontal branch drain shall connect to the drainage stack or building drain a maximum of four branch intervals from the top of the stack. 2) Relief vent. The horizontal branch shall be provided with a relief vent that shall connect to a vent stack, or stack vent or extend to the outdoors to the open air. The relief vent shall connect to the horizontal branch drain between the stack or building drain and the most downstream fixture drain connected to the horizontal branch drain. The relief vent shall be sized in accordance with existing Plumbing Code. 3) Stack -type air admittance valves shall be prohibited. GPA Committee July 18, 2012 Section 3: Severability. 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 4: Effective date. This ordinance shall take effect immediately and in accordance with law upon publication of notices as provided in the Ithaca City Charter. Plumbing Inspector Marc Albanese explained the purpose of this legislation, noting that it is more restrictive than the New York State Plumbing Code. He explained that changes in the 2010 NYS Plumbing Code permits the use of certain venting techniques and devices called stack air admittance valves in conjunction with reduced relief and stack venting requirements associated with their installation. These venting systems are having an adverse effect on the proper functioning of house traps and are resulting in an unsafe accumulation of sewer gases within homes. He stated that upon approval of this legislation, the City will petition the New York State Council of Codes to request that these new standards be approved. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the differences between a plumber and a plumbing contractor and who is physically required to conduct the work. A vote on the Ordinance resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 2.3 Local Law to Adopt New Boundary Lines for the City of Ithaca Wards By Alderperson Murtagh: Seconded by Alderperson McCollister WHEREAS a census was held in 2010 which indicated changes in population within the City that prompted the City to re- examine its ward boundaries and which made it necessary for the City to embark on a redistricting plan; and WHEREAS, in view of the foregoing, a City Redistricting Committee was established to make recommendations to the City of Ithaca Common Council regarding ward boundaries for the City; and WHEREAS, the Redistricting Committee studied various options and has presented its report and recommendations to the Common Council; and WHEREAS, the Common Council has received public comment and deliberated upon the matter at length, now therefore, Local Law -2012 BE IT NOW ENACTED BY the Common Council of the City of Ithaca as follows: 41 GPA Committee July 18, 2012 Section 1. Legislative Intent and Purpose. The Common Council of the City of Ithaca determines that it is in the interest of the public welfare to adopt the Ward Map commonly known as Scenario 5 -4, dividing the City into five separate wards from each of which two Alderpersons shall be elected. The Common Council recognizes that, based on the 2010 census, this will result in a population deviation spread of approximately nine - point- zero -three percent (9.03 %) between the least and most populous of these wards. Section 2. The text of Section C -3 "Ward Boundaries ", as currently contained in the Ithaca City Charter and last ratified by Local Law No. 4 of 2002 is hereby repealed and replaced with the following text: "The City shall be divided into five wards respectfully bounded and described as follows: A. Ward I: Beginning at a monument marking the former southwest corner of the corporate limits of the City of Ithaca, also known as the southwest corner of "DeWitt location ", located approximately 315 feet west of the center line of Floral Avenue, on the corporate limits; thence running easterly along the south line of the corporate limits a distance of 1,728 feet, to a point on the City of Ithaca corporate limits; thence along the western and southern corporate limits a distance of 16,730 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of South Aurora Street; thence easterly along the southern corporate limits of the City of Ithaca a distance of 8,023 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection of the center line of East State Street and the southern corporate limits of the City of Ithaca; thence northwesterly along the center line of East State Street a distance of 5,963 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of East Green Street; thence southwesterly along the center line of East Green Street a distance of 518 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of South Aurora Street; thence southeasterly along the center line of South Aurora Street a distance of 69 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the southern line of Six Mile Creek; thence southwesterly along the southern creek line of Six Mile Creek a distance of 1,066 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection of the center line of East Clinton Street and the southern creek line of Six Mile Creek; thence westerly along the center line of East Clinton Street a distance of 23 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the northern creek line of Six Mile Creek; thence southwesterly along the northern creek line of Six Mile Creek a distance of 559 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection of the northern creek line of Six Mile Creek and the center line of South Cayuga Street; thence southerly across Six Mile Creek along the center line of South Cayuga Street a distance of 276 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of West Spencer Street; thence southwesterly along the center line of West Spencer Street a distance of 1,344 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection of the center line of South Albany Street extended and the center line of Elmira Road; thence southwesterly along the center line of Elmira Road a distance of 2,201 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection of the center line of South Meadow Street, also known as New York State Route 13 and Elmira Road; thence northerly along the center line of South Meadow Street a distance of 3,964 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of West State Street; thence northerly along the center line of North Il GPA Committee July 18, 2012 Meadow Street a distance of 2,110 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Hancock Street; thence northeasterly along the center line of North Meadow Street, also known as New York State Route 13 North, a distance of 2,445 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Cascadilla Creek; thence westerly along the center line of Cascadilla Creek to a point of intersection with the center line of the Cayuga Inlet a distance of 1,877 feet, more or less; thence northerly along the center line of Cayuga Inlet, and as extended, to the north line of the City of Ithaca a distance of 5,523 feet, more or less; thence westerly along the north line of the City of Ithaca a distance of 3,420 feet, more or less, to a point on the west shore of Cayuga Lake; thence southeasterly along the line of the corporate limits of the City of Ithaca as it twists and turns a distance of 4,613 feet, more or less; thence westerly along the City of Ithaca corporate limits a distance of 2,587 feet, more or less; thence southwesterly along the City of Ithaca corporate limits, which is also the center line of Williams Brook, a distance of 331 feet, more or less; thence southerly along the western line of the corporate limits of the City of Ithaca a distance of 9,800 feet, more or less, to the point and place of beginning. B. Ward II: Beginning at a point of intersection of the center line of East Green Street and the center line of East State Street; thence running southwesterly along the center line of East Green Street a distance of 518 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of South Aurora Street; thence southeasterly along the center line of South Aurora Street a distance of 69 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the southern creek line of Six Mile Creek; thence southwesterly along the southern creek line of Six Mile Creek a distance of 1,066 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection of the center line of East Clinton Street and the southern creek line of Six Mile Creek; thence westerly along the center line of East Clinton Street a distance of 23 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the northern creek line of Six Mile Creek; thence southwesterly along the northern creek line of Six Mile Creek a distance of 559 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection of the northern creek line and the center line of South Cayuga Street; thence southerly across the creek along the center line of South Cayuga Street a distance of 276 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of West Spencer Street; thence southwesterly along the center line of West Spencer Street a distance of 1,344 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection of the center line of South Albany Street extended and the center line of Elmira Road; thence southwesterly along the center line of Elmira Road a distance of 2,201 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection of the center line of South Meadow Street, also known as New York State Route 13 and Elmira Road, ; thence northerly along the center line of South Meadow Street a distance of 3,964 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of West State Street; thence along the center line of North Meadow Street a distance of 2,110 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Hancock Street; thence northeasterly along the center line of North Meadow Street, also known as New York State Route 13 North, a distance of 2,432 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the west line of Cascadilla Creek; thence southeasterly along the west line of Cascadilla Creek a distance of 2,609 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection of the south line of Cascadilla Creek and North Cayuga Street; thence northerly along the center line of '61 GPA Committee July 18, 2012 North Cayuga Street a distance of 111 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Farm Street; thence easterly along the center line of Farm Street a distance of 1,239 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Linn Street; thence southerly along the center line of Linn Street a distance of 863 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Terrace Place; thence easterly and southerly along the center line of Terrace Place a distance of 497 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of East Buffalo Street; thence easterly along the center line of East Buffalo Street a distance of 45 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Parker Street; thence southerly a distance of 329 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of East Seneca Street; thence westerly along the center line of East Seneca Street a distance of 326 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Seneca Way; thence southeasterly along Seneca Way a distance of 664 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of East State Street, the point of beginning. C. Ward III: Beginning at a point in the south corporate limits of the City of Ithaca at its intersection with the center line of East State Street; thence running easterly along the south corporate limits of the City of Ithaca a distance of 260 feet, more or less, to a monument marking the southeast corner in the corporate limits of the City of Ithaca; thence northerly along the east line of the City of Ithaca a distance of 11,274 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the north line of the City of Ithaca corporate limits, a point 259 feet due north of the intersection of the eastern City limits and the center line of the road known as Sisson Place Extension, a road on the Cornell University campus; thence westerly along the north boundary of the City of Ithaca a distance of 1,680 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Triphammer Road; thence southerly and southwesterly along the center line of Triphammer Road a distance of 798 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Wait Avenue; thence southeasterly and southwesterly along the center line of Wait Avenue a distance of 621 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center lines of Thurston Avenue and Risley Drive; thence southerly along the center line of Thurston Avenue a distance of 760 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection of the center lines of Forest Home Drive and University Avenue; thence westerly and southwesterly along the center line of University Avenue a distance of 1,924 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection of the center lines of McGraw Place and West Avenue; thence southerly and southeasterly along the center line of West Avenue a distance of 1,212 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Campus Road; thence southeasterly along the center line of Campus Road a distance of 800 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Central Avenue; thence southerly along the center line of Central Avenue a distance of 960 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Oak Avenue; thence easterly along the center line of Oak Avenue a distance of 569 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Summit Avenue; thence southerly along the center line of Summit Avenue extended a distance of 409 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Dryden Road; thence westerly along the center line of Dryden Road a distance of 325 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Linden Avenue; thence southerly along the center line of Linden Avenue a distance of 838 feet, more or GPA Committee July 18, 2012 less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Bool Street; thence westerly along the center line of Bool Street a distance of 267 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of College Avenue; thence southerly along the center line of College Avenue a distance of 614 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Mitchell Street; thence southwesterly along the center line of Mitchell Street a distance of 306 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of East State Street; thence southeasterly along the center line of East State Street a distance of 3,026 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Woodcrest Avenue; thence, running southeasterly a distance of 668 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the City of Ithaca corporate limits, the point and place of beginning. D. Ward IV: Beginning at a point on the center line of Cascadilla Creek at the point of intersection with the center line of Stewart Avenue; thence running northeasterly along the center line of Stewart Avenue a distance of 1,943 feet, more or less, to a point on the center line of Stewart Avenue; thence northeasterly along the northwest face of Carl Becker House, a building on Cornell University campus, a distance of 330 feet, more or less, to the northeast corner of Carl Becker House; thence southeasterly along the westernmost edge of the access road located east of Carl Becker House a distance of 294 feet, more or less, to a point; thence easterly along a line which is also the north face of Mennen Hall a distance of 222 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of West Avenue; thence southerly along the center line of West Avenue a distance of 680 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Campus Road; thence southeasterly along the center line of Campus Road a distance of 800 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Central Avenue; thence southerly along the center line of Central Avenue a distance of 960 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Oak Avenue; thence easterly along the center line of Oak Avenue a distance of 569 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Summit Avenue; thence southerly along the center line of Summit Avenue extended a distance of 409 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Dryden Road; thence westerly along the center line of Dryden Road a distance of 325 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Linden Avenue; thence southerly along the center line of Linden Avenue a distance of 838 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Bool Street; thence westerly along the center line of Bool Street a distance of 267 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of College Avenue; thence southerly along the center line of College Avenue a distance of 614 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Mitchell Street; thence southwesterly along the center line of Mitchell Street a distance of 306 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of East State Street; thence northwesterly along the center line of East State Street a distance of 2,275 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Seneca Way; thence northwesterly along the center line of Seneca Way a distance of 664 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of East Seneca Street; thence easterly along the center line of East Seneca Street a distance of 326 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Parker Street; thence northerly along the center line of Parker Street a 7 GPA Committee July 18, 2012 distance of 329 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of East Buffalo Street; thence westerly along the center line of East Buffalo Street a distance of 45 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Terrace Place; thence northerly and westerly along the center line of Terrace Place a distance of 497 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Linn Street; thence northerly along the center line of Linn Street a distance of 191 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Cascadilla Creek; thence easterly along the center line of Cascadilla Creek a distance of 1,490 feet, more or less, to a point in the center line of Stewart Avenue to the point of beginning. E. Ward V: Beginning at a point of intersection of the center lines of Linn Street, University Avenue, and Cascadilla Creek; thence running easterly along the center line of Cascadilla Creek a distance of 1,490 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Stewart Ave; thence northerly along the center line of Stewart Avenue a distance of 1,943 feet; thence northeasterly along the northwest face of Carl Becker House, a building on Cornell University campus, a distance of 330 feet, more or less, to the northeast corner of the Carl Becker House; thence southeasterly along the westernmost edge of the access road located east of Carl Becker House a distance of 294 feet, more or less to a point; thence easterly along a line which is also the north face of Mennen Hall a distance of 222 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of West Avenue; thence northerly along the center line of West Avenue a distance of 530 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection of the center lines of University Avenue and McGraw Place; thence northerly and easterly along the center line of University Avenue a distance of 1,924 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Thurston Avenue; thence northerly along the center line of Thurston Avenue a distance of 760 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection of the center lines of Wait Avenue and Risley Drive; thence northeasterly and northwesterly along the center line of Wait Avenue a distance of 621 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Triphammer Road; thence northeasterly and northerly along the center line of Triphammer Road a distance of 798 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the north boundary of the City of Ithaca; thence westerly along the north line of the City of Ithaca and its extension westerly to a point of intersection with the east line of North Cayuga Street; thence northerly along the corporate limit of the City of Ithaca a distance of 4,705 feet, more or less to the northeast corner of the corporate limits of the City of Ithaca; thence westerly along the north line of the City of Ithaca to a point on said north line, which said point is on a line directly due north of the center line of the Cayuga Inlet; thence southerly along the center line of the Cayuga Inlet, as extended, and along the actual center line of the Cayuga Inlet to a point of intersection with the center lines of Cascadilla Creek and North Meadow Street; thence southwesterly along the center line of North Meadow Street a distance of 13 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the west line of Cascadilla Creek; thence southeasterly along the west line of Cascadilla Creek a distance of 2,609 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection of the south line of Cascadilla Creek and the center line of North Cayuga Street; thence northerly along the center line of North Cayuga Street a distance of 111 feet, more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Farm Street; thence easterly along the center line of Farm Street a distance of 1,239 feet, %'3 GPA Committee July 18, 2012 more or less, to a point of intersection with the center line of Linn Street; thence southerly along the center line of Linn Street a distance of 707 feet, more or less, to the point of beginning. Section 3. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section, or part of this local law shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder thereof but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, section, or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered. Section 4. Effective Date. This Local Law shall take effect on January 1, 2013 after filing in the office of the Secretary of State, provided however that all current Alderpersons shall continue to hold office and represent the heretofore existing wards through December 31, 2013 absent cause for vacancy otherwise represented by law, and further provided that the ward boundaries heretofore existing shall continue to be the ward boundaries for the purpose of filling vacancies in office until the general election in November 2013. City Attorney Lavine reviewed the revisions he made to clarify the metes & bounds descriptions in the 5t" Ward. He stated that these changes keep the Ward lines as simple and clean as possible. No people will be impacted by the boundary adjustments, the exact same populations were maintained as the original map. A vote on the Ordinance resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 2.3 Analysis of Boards /Liaisons /Committees: Alderperson McCollister stated that she was interested in exploring the idea of assigning term limits to committees as opposed to individual committee members, and also voiced her support for grouping advisory committees by commonalities or themes such as: quasi - judicial committees; committees with fudiciary interests, committees that support community entities, ad -hoc committees, client committees, project specific committees (such as the Comprehensive Plan Comm.) and inter - municipal committees. Chair Mohlenhoff suggested that a matrix be created to assist with the analysis. The matrix could include columns that would indicate things such as: • Council Liaison assignment / voting member • Staff assignments • Other liaisons • Reporting mechanisms • Funded /financial relationship to the City • Residency requirements • Required expertise 01 GPA Committee July 18, 2012 Chair Mohlenhoff suggested that she work with the City Clerk, the Mayor's Office and Alderperson McCollister to collect this information for further review at the October meeting. Alderperson Clairborne suggested that the Committee also review areas where the City is not currently represented but should be. 3. Novak Report (overall progress): There were no updates this month 4. Performance Measurement Development: 4.1 City Report Card — Discussion of Design Chair Mohlenhoff distributed a worksheet and led a brainstorming where committee members listed potential reporting measures that would track data for the categories identified in the City survey. She stated that she will invite the Department Heads of the involved departments to upcoming meetings in order to discuss what data they current track /collect, and how difficult it would be to start tracking additional measures. 4.2 Performance Measures per Department: The Police and Fire Chiefs will be invited to attend either the August or September meetings. 4.3 Develop Budget for Performance Measures: Chair Mohlenhoff distributed a worksheet and opened a discussion regarding the amount of funding that will be needed in the 2013 Public Information budget to support the following initiatives: • City Survey • City Report Card • Performance measures • Public Information (newsletter, television channel, web applications • Neighborhood Planning /Communication • Council retreats /training /strategic planning City Clerk Holcomb stated that she would develop a budget based on these projects for consideration by Council during the budget process. 5. City Survey Work will resume on this project in August. 6. Public Information and Communications 6.1 Presentation on "Idea Scale" Evan Nison, Intern to the Mayor, presented four web applications that are designed to improvement citizen engagement in government. IdeaScale: This application allows people to submit ideas on -line and others can express their agreement /disagreement and /or add comments. This program would [K GPA Committee July 18, 2012 allow the City to gauge how much interest there is on either ideas offered by residents or ideas submitted by staff. It would also allow staff to interact with residents to develop stronger proposals to Council. Tompkins County is considering purchasing this application as well. Budget Simulation: This application allows the City to input current financial data into a program that would appear in user - friendly pie charts and visual aids. It assists citizens in understanding what revenue sources exist and how much is collected from each source. It also demonstrates how their tax dollars are currently spent. Citizens are able to develop their own City budgets and share feedback as to what their funding priorities are. Encouraging Volunteerism: This application would allow the City to facilitate civic participation by connecting people interested in volunteering or students looking for experiential learning with not - for - profits and community groups who need volunteer labor. E -Gov Marketing: Mr. Nison stated that e -gov services and tools can't reach their full potential if people are not aware that they exist. He suggested a number of points of information distribution, public demonstrations, and dissemination of information through community organizations. Alderperson Proulx suggested that perhaps older City computers could be re- purposed as public kiosks to allow increased access to the City's e -gov services. The GPA Committee expressed interest in IdeaScale and suggested that it be included in the 2013 Public Information budget. They recommended that Mr. Nison work with the United Way on the Volunteer Match software as they already maintain a database of volunteers. 6.2 Report from Communication Sub - Committee: Alderpersons Murtagh and McCollister reported on the sub - committee's meeting regarding improving communication with neighborhoods. Discussion followed on the floor regarding creating an inventory of current Neighborhood Associations to better understand their structures such as: • Do they elect their leadership • How often do they meet • How do they communicate with their members (listservs, websites, block captains, etc.) Suggestions to improve neighborhood association visibility /exposure included providing space on the City's website for links to neighborhood associations websites /blogs, etc. 11 GPA Committee July 18, 2012 7. Common Council Training and Development 7.1 Council and Senior Staff Retreat: Chair Mohlenhoff reported that Charlie Trautman has agreed to facilitate the joint Council /Senior Staff retreat and to lead the group through a strategic planning process. The Mayor and Mr. Trautman agreed that it would be better to postpone the session until the first of the year as there would not be enough time to complete enough work to inform /influence the 2013 budget process. 7.2 Common Council Rules of Procedures Alderperson Rooker reported the he and Alderperson Proulx are meeting with City Attorney Lavine to review proposed procedures to remove an elected official from office for misconduct, lack of attendance at meetings, moving out of the district. They noted that there is an existing procedure in Robert's Rules of Order that includes a hearing process. He further stated that they will report back in August when more progress has been made on this project. 8. Meeting Wrap Up 8.1 Announcements: Chief of Staff Position Mayor Myrick announced that he has been working with the Human Resources Department on the creation of a Chief of Staff position. A job description has been created that the Civil Service Commission will vote on next month. The State Civil Service will classify the position as exempt or competitive. Once these procedures have occurred a salary range for the position will be established. Adjournment: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Julie Conley Holcomb, CIVIC City Clerk 12 Deborah Mohlenhoff Chair