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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-2015-12-31COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Special Meeting 3:30 p.m. December 31, 2015 PRESENT: Mayor Myrick Alderpersons (9) Brock, McGonigal, Murtagh, Clairborne, McCollister, Fleming, Smith, Kerslick, Mohlenhoff Alderpersons Elect: Nguyen, Gearhart OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk – Conley Holcomb City Attorney – Lavine City Controller – Thayer EXCUSED: Alderperson Martell PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Myrick led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: 2.1 Recognition of Outgoing Common Council Members Mayor Myrick welcomed everyone to the 2016 Inaugural meeting. He noted that it has been a privilege to serve with Alderpersons Ellen McCollister and J.R. Clairborne and turned the meeting over to their colleagues for a formal recognition and “roast” of all of their accomplishments. Alderperson Fleming presented Alderperson McCollister with a treasure trove of parting gifts to commemorate some of the issues that she championed during her tenure on Council: a roll of tape for her “well loved” zoning map and her commitment to sound zoning and development; a postcard of Eddygate for her dedication to historic preservation; and a wind-up chick and “make your own clay rooster” for her staunch position on backyard chickens which was a source of many debates and laughs along the way. Alderperson Murtagh presented Alderperson McCollister with the following Resolution to recap the memories shared during her tenure on Common Council: “Resolution: WHEREAS, Alderwoman Ellen McCollister has represented the 3rd ward of the City of Ithaca faithfully from 2010 to 2015, serving with distinction in many leadership and community roles, including Acting Mayor, Alternate Acting Mayor, and liaison to the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission, earning her the nickname “The Mayor of Bryant Park,” and WHEREAS, Alderwoman McCollister has been a champion of issues related to planning, land use, and historic preservation, and has participated in many policy initiatives, including Collegetown zoning, Downtown zoning, and reform of the city’s tax abatement policy, and WHEREAS, Alderwoman McCollister will be sorely missed by her many friends at City Hall, and her departure presents a unique opportunity for Common Council to pass some historic reforms in her honor; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council pass a requirement that all new construction in Collegetown and Downtown Ithaca will consist of monolithic canyon-like towers of micro-apartments with Dryvit stucco exteriors, eight-foot ceilings, windowless bedroom units, and ground floor uses of pizza parlors and bars, and, be it further December 31, 2015 2 RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca remove all trees in historic districts to make room for the installation of solar panels, and that the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission be renamed The Ithaca Sunshine Commission, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Common Council seek a preferred developer to build a thirty- story tower at the intersection of Aurora and State Streets and that this tower be given the name “McCollister’s Folly,” and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Common Council pass a law requiring all residences in the City of Ithaca to keep flocks of chickens on their premises, especially fraternities; and Ithaca will hereby be renamed “Chicken City” and chickens will be invited to live in peaceful cohabitation with people wherever possible, so that chickens appear with surprising regularity in public areas that Ithacans frequent, such as streets, sidewalks, parks, cafes, and restaurants, RESOLVED, and while we’re at it, lets throw in goats too, and, be it lastly RESOLVED, That the Red Solo cup is hereby declared the official Ithaca drinking vessel, and that Alderwoman McCollister be appointed permanent Common Council liaison to the Cornell Office of Community Relations.” Alderperson Mohlenhoff presented Alderperson McCollister with a bouquet of flowers, noting how much she would miss her and remarking on the incredible and impactful work that Council has accomplished as a result of Alderperson McCollister’s contributions. Mayor Myrick noted that Alderperson McCollister started her tenure on Council as a “center of gravity”, and was someone that everyone learned from. She was a firm believer in rational zoning and willingly shared her knowledge and expertise. He recalled how she heavily influenced the Collegetown Terrace project design and through difficult conversations with the developer, made it into a better project. He noted that she was always looking at different ways to take an idea and improve upon it. He commented that he would be looking to appoint her to various boards and committees so the City can continue to utilize her many talents. Discussion continued around that table as each Council member shared favorite moments and detailed Alderperson McCollister’s many attributes. Alderperson McCollister commented that she couldn’t think of a better time to serve on Common Council alongside this Mayor and the members of city staff. She expressed what an honor and pleasure it was to serve with this group of principled pragmatists and thanked each Council member for their dedication and collective efforts in serving the city. She clarified that what she loved about the job was helping people, not the politics, noting that six years on Common Council was the perfect amount of time to serve. Alderperson Murtagh noted it was an end of an era as Alderperson Clairborne leaves office after ten years of service to the City. He noted Alderperson Clairborne’s many contributions such as serving as Acting Mayor in 2010 and chairing many standing committees including: the Communications & Emergency Services Committee, the Community & Organizational Issues Committee, the Legislative Committee, and the City Administrations Committee. In addition to his work on Common Council, Alderperson Clairborne has worked with many agencies that serve the residents of the City such as GIAC, the United Way, the Community Dispute Resolution Center, and is currently working for Loaves & Fishes. He will be remembered for being the most consistent in sticking up for the values that everyone believes in. He championed issues such as a living wage, the development of the Ithaca Youth Council, the presentation of the J. Diann Sams Annual African American History Month recognition award, the development of the Community Investment Incentive Program and shared services initiatives. Alderperson Murtagh explained that Alderperson Clairborne collects shot glasses, so as a gift he presented him with a shot glass with the City logo and the words “Power to the December 31, 2015 3 People” which was the campaign logo Alderperson Clairborne used while running for office. Mayor Myrick also presented Alderperson Clairborne with a double shot glass with the U.S. Senate insignia on it, noting that the Federal government could use representatives like Alderperson Clairborne who are selfless, who listens to the people, and who serve out of love of service and not love of self. Alderperson Fleming noted that she always appreciated Alderperson Clairborne’s warm and welcoming attitude and they bonded over grammar. She presented him with a gift of grammar related cartoons. The discussion continued as each Common Council member described the traits that made Alderperson Clairborne an effective legislator such as standing up for the “little guy” and giving the “unheard” a voice, his willingness to listen, his attention to detail, his historical perspective, his dedication to diversity and inclusion and making sure everyone was at the table, his ability to compromise, his willingness to stand alone to do what is right, and his unwavering values. Alderperson Clairborne thanked everyone for their kind words and warm wishes. He stated that during his service to the City he had the privilege of serving with two mayors and fifteen different department heads. He expressed his pride in having had the opportunity to serve the City and to have been a part of many important initiatives. Dismissal of Outgoing Council Mayor Myrick offered his thanks once more and remarked on how greatly outgoing Common Council members J. R. Clairborne and Ellen McCollister would be missed as he officially dismissed them from the floor of Council. Oath of Office - Mayor Svante L. Myrick City Clerk Julie Conley Holcomb administered the oath of office to Mayor Svante L. Myrick. Oath of Office – Alderpersons Elect Mayor Svante L. Myrick administered the oath of office to Alderpersons: George McGonigal – 1st Ward Ducson Nguyen – 2nd Ward Rob Gearhart – 3rd Ward Stephen Smith – 4th Ward Note: Alderperson Elect Josephine Martell will be sworn into office in a separate ceremony. Inaugural Remarks by Mayor Svante L. Myrick Mayor Myrick noted that this is his second inaugural address and he had many people to thank for their continual support. First and foremost, he thanked his family for their unwavering support, both emotional and practical. He thanked City Clerk Julie Conley Holcomb for her dedication to the City and for sharing her institutional knowledge and memory to the organization. He thanked his Executive Assistant Annie Sherman, and City Attorney Ari Lavine for their brilliance and remarkable work. He noted that he couldn’t do his job or have achieved all that he has without them. He remarked that this day signals a transition to a new chapter. He noted that he has served with many iterations of Common Council, and today he is now the longest serving elected official. He stated that he has never seen a group of public officials that condescends, panders, or politics less than this group. Their nuanced thinking has made it possible to accomplish great things. He remarked that four years ago, the City was embroiled in financial woes, so together they re-organized the workforce; the downtown business district was decrepit, so they rebuilt the Commons; law enforcement issues surfaced, so they made great strides in building trust between the police department and the community; infrastructure was crumbling, so they built more housing, including affordable housing. He noted that no December 31, 2015 4 one blamed their predecessors or each other, there was no demonizing. They strategized, made difficult decisions, stared down special interests, and addressed each tiny hurdle one by one. He quoted former Governor Mario Cuomo who once said “you campaign in poetry, you govern in prose”, noting that this Council has governed in prose. He commented that the job is difficult and it can wear you down but he has seen so many things change, and he feels better about the state of the City than ever before. He noted that there is still work to do. They are not small things, and they will not be easy but as John F. Kennedy once said we do these things “not because they are easy, but because they are hard”. He stated that he was looking forward to tackling these issues and thankful that he’d be doing them with this Council. NEW BUSINESS: Appointment of Acting Mayor and Alternate Acting Mayor – Oath of Office Mayor Myrick appointed Alderperson Mohlenhoff as Acting Mayor and Alderperson Murtagh as Alternate Acting Mayor with terms to expire December 31, 2016. He administered the oath and they were sworn into office. Appointment of Marriage Officers – Resolution By Alderperson Mohlenhoff: Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick RESOLVED, That the following Alderpersons be designated as Marriage Officers for the year 2016: Alderperson Brock Alderperson Nguyen Alderperson Murtagh Alderperson Gearhart Alderperson Fleming Alderperson Smith Alderperson Kerslick Alderperson Mohlenhoff Carried Unanimously ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. ______________________________ _______________________________ Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Svante L. Myrick City Clerk Mayor