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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-GPA-2013-09-18GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 6:00 p.m. September 18, 2013 PRESENT: Chair Mohlenhoff - Alderpersons (4) Murtagh, McCollister, Smith, Proulx OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk — Conley Holcomb City Attorney — Lavine Alderperson Brock EXCUSED: Alderperson Smith Mayor Myrick Call to Order 1.1 Public Comment: Rima Shamieh, Chair, Conservation Advisory Council, voiced her support for the rationale and goals of the initiative to review potential new organizational structures for the city's volunteer boards and committees and noted that she is eager to participate in the process. She distributed a memo that was drafted by the Conservation Advisory Council relating to potential review process enhancements. She further inquired about the timeline of this effort and how committee representatives could participate. Ann Sullivan, City of Ithaca, addressed the Committee to discuss how the City shares information with the public. She stressed the importance of posting committee agendas and minutes in a timely manner and suggested website improvements that would encourage citizens to become engaged in their government. She further stated that the composition of the City's committees should be more diverse taking into account geographical, gender, age, and ethnic differences. Ms. Sullivan further commented on the City's Code of Ethics and when elected officials should recuse themselves from votes. Council Response: Alderperson Murtagh responded to comments made by Ms. Sullivan and explained the challenges that staff members face trying to complete minutes within the deadlines of the Open Meetings Law while tasked with many other duties. City Clerk Holcomb noted that although minutes are prepared within the 2 week deadline, they are generally not published to the website until after the appropriate committee approves them in case corrections are needed or the staff person has misinterpreted something. She further addressed some of the shortcomings of the City's website, noting that the City will be working on a new website early in 2014. GPA Committee Minutes September 18, 2013 Alderperson McCollister noted that listservs have exacerbated some of the communication issues as some people find out information about potential projects and agenda topics before others who use more traditional communication methods. Sometimes misinformation is circulated and creates other issues. She voiced her support for full disclosure and transparency in government. Chair Mohlenhoff noted that the GPA Committee was formed to work on public information issues and the associated technological tools that are needed to further engage the public in community issues. She noted that all Common Council and Standing Committee meetings are now streamed live and are available on- demand on the City's website so people can still watch a meeting even if they are not able to attend it. The meetings are indexed so people can choose to only watch the topics they are interested in. Approval of the Minutes of the August 12, 2013, 2013 GPA Committee Meetings - Resolution By Alderperson Murtagh: Seconded by Alderperson McCollister RESOLVED, That the minutes of the August 12, 2013 GPA Committee meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously Charter and Code Revisions: 2.1 Taxi Legislation Update Alderperson McCollister reported that she and City Clerk Holcomb met with a sub- committee of the Tompkins County Council of Governments ( TCCOG) yesterday to discuss the possibility of approaching the taxicab legislation as a regional issue vs. an individual municipality issue. She noted that the TCCOG representatives would like additional time to discuss the advantages /disadvantages of requesting NYS enabling legislation that would allow Tompkins County to regulate taxicabs & liveries vs. collaborating with all of the municipalities in Tompkins County to create a universal piece of legislation that would be adopted by everyone. The next scheduled meeting will include representatives from the Ithaca Police Department and the Tompkins County Sheriff's Department to discuss the administrative and enforcement issues related to taxicab regulations. The taxi company owners will be invited to a subsequent meeting in order to provide their feedback and recommendations. Alderperson Murtagh noted that he was contacted by the owner of Ithaca Dispatch and was asked if the City would consider amending the current legislation to address the problems that have arisen due to the lack of enforcement of livery services. City Clerk Holcomb advised that amending the current legislation to address such a major element could be detrimental to the collaborative efforts put forth in this regional approach. In addition, the proposed amendment would require law enforcement resources that are extremely limited. GPA Committee Minutes September 18, 2013 2.2 Possible Resolution in Support of NYS Bills: A3757 -2013 and S122 -2013 relating to the Safety of School Crossing Guards City Clerk Holcomb reported that she received a request from Lawrence Kenchen, Community Political Outreach Coordinator, Jackson Heights, New York, for the City's support of two bills being considered by the State Legislature that would amend the penal law, in relation to including the assault of a school crossing guard within the offense of a Class D felony of assault in the second degree. The purpose of these bills is to increase the penalty for assaulting a school crossing guard while on duty or otherwise on school grounds. Mr. Kenchen stated that the cities of Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Troy have all issued resolutions in support of the bills. Discussion followed on the floor with committee members asking what the current offense level is and what the impact of a Class D felony is. City Clerk Holcomb agreed to conduct further research on these issues. Committee members questioned whether or not this is an issue for our local crossing guards. Alderperson Brock shared her observations of driver behavior and interactions with the crossing guards at Beverly J. Martin Elementary School. It was decided that a resolution should be drafted and brought back to committee for further consideration. 2.2 Review of Potential Organizational Structures of the City's Boards and Committees: 41 GPA Committee Minutes September 18, 2013 6. Meeting Wrap Up — Announcements — Review Agenda Items for Next Meeting : Adjournment: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Julie Conley Holcomb, CIVIC City Clerk GPA Committee Minutes September 18, 2013 Deborah Mohlenhoff Chair