HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-08-14 Common Council Meeting Agenda OFFICIAL NOTICE OF MEETING
A Regular meeting of the Common Council will be held on Wednesday, January 8,
2014, at 6:00 p.m. in the Common Council Chambers at City Hall, 108 East Green
Street, Ithaca, New York. Your attendance is requested.
AGENDA
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
2. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
3. PROCLAMATIONS/AWARDS:
4. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
4.1 A Public Hearing to Consider the Proposal to Re-zone Properties in the R-U
Zoning District to R3aa and R3a.
5. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS BEFORE COUNCIL:
6. PETITIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE COUNCIL:
7. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR — COMMON COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR:
8. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:
City Clerk's Office:
8.1 Request of Downtown Ithaca Alliance to Permit the Sampling and Sale of Bottled
Wine, Hard Cider, and Beer at the Great Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook-Off on the
Commons — Resolution
City Administration Committee:
8.2 Youth Bureau —Amend Authorized Roster for Creation of Recreation Program
Assistant - Resolution
8.3 Human Resources - Request to Amend Various Departmental Rosters -
Resolution
8.4 City Attorney— Policy to Allow Chamberlain's Office to Refund Less Than $500
for Errors in Sidewalk Assessments - Resolution
9. PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
9.1 An Ordinance to Amend the City of Ithaca Municipal Code Chapter 325, Entitled
"Zoning," in order to rezone properties located in the R-U zoning district to R-3a
and R-3aa zoning districts
A. Declaration of Lead Agency— Resolution
B. Determination of Environmental Significance — Resolution
C. Adoption of Ordinance
Common Council Agenda
January 8, 2014
Page 2
10. GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE:
10.1 End of Year Report for 2013 from Committee Chair Mohlenhoff
11. CITY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE:
11.1 Human Resources — Request to Amend Various Departmental Rosters -
Resolution
11.2 Department of Planning, Building and Development - Amendment to Personnel
Roster - Resolution
11.3 Transfer of Function for Information Technology Departmental Consolidation -
Resolution
11.5 Amendment to Capital Project #768 for Ithaca Falls Overlook Investigation and
Remediation Project - Resolution
11.5 City Controller's Report
12. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
13. NEW BUSINESS:
14. INDIVIDUAL MEMBER — FILED RESOLUTIONS:
15. MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS:
15.1 Appointment of Director and Alternate Director for the Board of Directors of
The Tompkins County Health Consortium - Resolution
15.2 Appointment of City Representative to the Business Improvement
District/Downtown Ithaca Alliance Board — Resolution
15.3 Appointment to Tompkins County Council of Governments - Resolution
15.4 Reappointment to Conservation Advisory Council — Resolution
16. REPORTS OF COMMON COUNCIL LIAISONS:
17. REPORT OF CITY CLERK:
18. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY:
19. MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
19.1 Approval of the November 6, 2013 Common Council Meeting Minutes —
Resolution
19.2 Approval of the November 12, 2013 Special Common Council Meeting Minutes —
Resolution
19.3 Approval of the December 4, 2013 Common Council Meeting Minutes —
Resolution
19.4 Approval of the December 31, 2013 Special Common Council Meeting Minutes —
Common Council Agenda
January 8, 2014
Page 3
20. ADJOURNMENT:
If you have a disability that will require special arrangements to be made in order for you
to fully participate in the meeting, please contact the City Clerk at 274-6570 at least 48
hours before the meeting.
Julie Conley Holcomb, CIVIC
City Clerk
Date: January 2, 2014
8. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:
City Clerk's Office:
8.1 Request of Downtown Ithaca Alliance to Permit the Sampling and Sale of
Bottled Wine, Hard Cider, and Beer at the Great Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook-Off
on the Commons — Resolution
RESOLVED, That the Downtown Ithaca Alliance shall be authorized to arrange for the
sale and sampling of New York State bottled wine, hard cider, and beer at booths during
the Great Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook-Off on February 15, 2014 on the Ithaca
Commons, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Downtown Ithaca Alliance and participating wineries and
breweries shall comply with all applicable state and local laws and ordinances, and shall
enter into an agreement providing that it will hold the City harmless and indemnify the
City on account of any claims made as the result of the sampling and sale of bottled
wine, hard cider, and beer on the Ithaca Commons, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Downtown Ithaca Alliance or the participating winery, cider
company or brewery shall agree to maintain liability insurance in the amount of
$1,000,000.00 and Dram Shop Act coverage in the minimum amount of$500,000.00,
and shall provide evidence of such insurance to the City Clerk.
8. CONSENT ITEMS — CONTINUED:
City Administration Committee:
8.2 Youth Bureau —Amend Authorized Roster for Creation of Recreation
Program Assistant- Resolution
WHEREAS, as part of the Authorized 2014 City of Ithaca Budget, the position of
Recreation Program Assistant at the Youth Bureau was established, and
WHEREAS, no additional funding is needed for any of these requests in the approved
2014 budget; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends the 2014 Authorized Roster as
follows:
Add: One (1) Recreation Program Assistant— 20 Hours per work
week
Decrease: One (1) Recreation Program Specialist from 35 to 20 hours
per work week
Increase: One (1) Recreation Program Coordinator from 20 to 35
hours per work week
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the position of Recreation Program Assistant shall be assigned to the
CSEA Administrative Unit at Salary Grade 5, and be it further
RESOLVED, That for the sole purpose of determining days worked reportable to the
New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System, the standard workday for
this position shall be established at seven (7) hours per day (thirty-five (35) hours per
week).
�®yth BuseQ4
,r Ithaca Youth Bureau
s 1 James L.Gibbs Drive
Ithaca, New York 14850
Phone: (607) 273-8364A4
Fax: (607) 273-2817
"Building a foundation for a lifetime."
Back Up Item 8.2
To: City Administration Committee
From: Liz Vance, Acting Director
Re: 2014 Roster amendment
Date: 11/15/13
The Youth Bureau is requesting amendments to the 2014 Roster. We would like to add
the position of Recreation Program Assistant (20 hours). We have worked with the
Human Resource Department to create this position and anticipate formal adoption by
the Civil Service Commission after their review in December. Funding for this position is
part of the approved 2014 budget.
As of December 1, 2013 two positions in the recreation department are vacant. We are
requesting to decrease the hours for the Recreation Program Specialist position from 35
to 20 hours and to increase the hours of the Recreation Program Coordinator position
from 20 to 35 hours. No additional funding is needed for this request. This new
staffing configuration will save us approximately $4,000 in 2014 and will allow us to
potentially bring in more revenue.
8.3 Human Resources - Request to Amend Various Departmental Rosters -
Resolution
WHEREAS, as part of the authorized 2014 City of Ithaca Budget, several employee
work week schedules were adjusted; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends the 2014 Authorized Roster,
effective January 1, 2014, as follows:
Increase in Hours:
Office Assistant (Planning, Building & Economic Dev.) from 30 to
40 hour work week
Decrease in Hours:
Administrative Coordinator (GIAC) from 35 to 17 hour work week
Youth Program Leader (Youth Bureau) from 22 to 17.5 hours work
week
8.4 City Attorney — Policy to Allow the City Chamberlain's Office to Refund
Less Than $500 for Errors in Sidewalk Assessments - Resolution
WHEREAS, Local Law No. 4-2013 assesses each property in the City located in one of
five Sidewalk Improvement Districts (each an "SID") for the benefit received by the
property from sidewalk construction and repair occurring in the district; and
WHEREAS, the data on which the assessments are based is possessed and
maintained by the Tompkins County Department of Assessment; and
WHEREAS, the sidewalk assessment fees will be included as a separate line item on
the tax bills mailed by the City; and
WHEREAS, due to incorrect data or other clerical error, from time to time an incorrect
assessment may be entered with respect to a parcel; and
WHEREAS, Section 556 of the Real Property Tax Law authorizes a governing body to
delegate the payment of benefit assessment refunds due to these errors; and
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Director of Assessment has requested that the City
designate the City Chamberlain as the official to whom such delegation is made; and
WHEREAS, it is the opinion of the Common Council that the delegation to the City
Chamberlain would be more efficient in processing said refunds and therefore beneficial
to the public; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the City Chamberlain shall review and discuss refund
recommendations with the Tompkins County Director of Assessment; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the City Chamberlain is hereby authorized to make payments of any
refunds of less than $500 as if the Common Council had performed an audit in
compliance with Paragraphs 1-7 of Section 566 of the Real Property Tax Law; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That any refund of$500 or more must be approved by the Common
Council pursuant to Paragraph 8(b) of Section 556 of the Real Property Tax Law; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That the City Chamberlain shall transmit on or before the 15th day of each
month a report to the City Administration Committee and further to Common Council of
all the refunds processed during the previous month; and be it further
RESOLVED, That this resolution shall only be in effect during the calendar year 2014.
9. PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
9.1 An Ordinance to Amend the City of Ithaca Municipal Code Chapter 325,
Entitled "Zoning," in Order to Rezone Properties Located in the R-U zoning
District to R-3a and R-3aa Zoning Districts
A. Declaration of Lead Agency - Resolution
WHEREAS, State Law and Section 176-6 of the City Code requires that a lead agency
be established for conducting environmental review of projects in accordance with local
and state environmental law, and
WHEREAS, State Law specifies that, for actions governed by local environmental
review, the lead agency shall be that local agency which has primary responsibility for
approving and funding or carrying out the action, and
WHEREAS, the proposed zoning amendment is a "Type I" Action pursuant to the City
Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) Ordinance, which requires environmental review
under CEQR; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Common Council of the City of Ithaca does hereby declare itself
lead agency for the environmental review of the proposed amendments to the R-3a, R-
3aa, and R-u zoning districts.
B. Determination of Environmental Significance — Resolution
WHEREAS, The Common Council is considering a proposal to amend the R-3a and R-
3aa zoning district boundaries, in order to include properties currently located within the
R-U zoning district, and
WHEREAS, the appropriate environmental review has been conducted, including the
preparation of a Full Environmental Assessment Form (FEAF), dated November 22,
2013, and
WHEREAS, the proposed action is an "unlisted" Action under the City Environmental
Quality Review Ordinance, and
WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Ithaca, acting as lead agency, has
reviewed the FEAF prepared by planning staff; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Common Council, as lead agency in this matter, hereby adopts
as its own the findings and conclusions more fully set forth on the Full Environmental
Assessment Form, dated November 22, 2013, and be it further
RESOLVED, That this Common Council, as lead agency in this matter, hereby
determines that the proposed action at issue will not have a significant effect on the
environment, and that further environmental review is unnecessary, and be it further
RESOLVED, That this resolution constitutes notice of this negative declaration and that
the City Clerk is hereby directed to file a copy of the same, together with any
attachments, in the City Clerk's Office, and forward the same to any other parties as
required by law.
C. Adoption of Ordinance:
ORDINANCE NO. 2014-
BE IT NOW ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca
that Chapter 325 (Zoning) of the Municipal Code of the City of Ithaca is hereby
amended as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 325, Section 325-8 District Regulations, is amended to add a new
section 325-8E, entitled "Additional [FestFin+ions] regulations in the R-3aa district," to
read as follows:
"E. Additional regulations in the R-3aa district.
u No new construction of a primary structure in the R-3aa zone shall contain a
footprint that is larger than 120% of the average footprint of the existing
buildings along the entire block front in which the building is located. If one or
more such surrounding buildings have been demolished, then the calculation
for maximum building footprint shall use the footprint of the primary structure
that most recently stood on any lot where a demolition had occurred. In locally
designated historic districts, any non-contributing buildings will be
excluded from this calculation."
(2) Any area zoned R-3aa that is also contained within a locally designated
historic district shall have no off-street parking requirements or off-street
loading requirements. This provision shall supersede any language to the
contrary found elsewhere in this zoning ordinance."
Section 2. Chapter 325, Section 325-5, of the Municipal Code of the City of Ithaca is
hereby amended to change the zoning designation from R-U to the R-3aa designation
for the following tax parcels: 10.-1-5, 10.-2-1, 11.-1-1, 11.-1-2, 11.-2-1, 11.-2-2, 11.-2-3,
7.-2-1, 7.-2-2, 7.-2-3, 7.-2-4.2, 7.-3-5, 7.-3-6, 7.-3-7, 7.-4-1, 7.4-10, 7.4-12, 7.-4-4, 7.-4-
5, 7.-4-6, 7.-4-7, 7.-4-9, 8.-6-5.11 8.-6-5.2, 8.-1-1, 8.-1-10, 8.-1-11, 8.-1-12, 8.-1-13, 8.-1-
14, 8.-1-2, 8.-1-3, 8.-1-4, 8.-1-5, 8.-1-6, 8.-1-7, 8.-1-8, 8.-1-9, 8.-2-1, 8.-3-1, 8.-4-1, 8.-4-
6, 8.4-7, 8.-4-8, and 9.-1-1. The boundaries of this amendment are shown on the map
entitled "Proposed Amendment to R-3a & R-3aa Boundaries - October 21, 2013," a
copy of which shall be on file in the City Clerk's office.
Section 3. The Official Zoning Map of the City of Ithaca is hereby amended to change
the designation from R-U to R-3a for the following tax parcels: 11.-3-2.2, 11.-3-3.2, 11.-
3-4, 11.-3-5, 29.-3-1, 29.-3-10, 29.-3-11, 29.-3-12.1, 29.-3-12.2, 29.-3-2, 29.-3-3, 29.-3-
4, 29.-3-5, 29.-3-6, 29.-3-7, 29.-3-8, 29.-3-9, 29.4-1, 29.4-2, 29.-4-3, 29.4-4, 29.4-5,
and 29.-4-6. The boundaries of this amendment are shown on the map entitled
"Proposed Amendment to R-3a & R-3aa Boundaries - October 21, 2013," a copy of
which shall be on file in the City Clerk's office.
Section 4. 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 5. Effective date. This ordinance shall take effect immediately and in
accordance with law upon publication of notices as provided in the Ithaca City Charter.
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CITY OF ITHACA
FULL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FORM (FEAF)
Purpose: The Full Environmental Assessment Form(FEAF)is designed to help applicants and agencies determine,
in an orderly manner, whether a project or action may be significant. The question of whether an action may be
significant is not always easy to answer. Frequently there are aspects of a proposed action that are subjective or
immeasurable. It is also understood that those who determine significance may have little or no formal knowledge
of the environment or may not be aware of the broader concerns affecting the question of significance.
The FEAF is intended to provide a method whereby applicants and agencies can be assured that the determination
process has been orderly, comprehensive in nature, yet flexible enough to allow introduction of information to fit a
project or action.
FEAF Components:
Part 1: Provide objective data and information about a given action and its site. By identifying basic project
data, it assists in a review of the analysis that takes place in Parts 2 and 3.
Part 2: Focus on identifying the range of possible impacts that may occur from a project or action. It provides
guidance as to whether an impact is likely to be considered small to moderate or whether it is a
potentially large impact. The form also identifies whether an impact can be mitigated or reduced.
Part 3: If any impact in Part 2 is identified as potentially large,then Part 3 is used to evaluate whether or not
the impact is actually important.
THIS AREA IS FOR LEAD AGENCY USE ONLY
DETERMINATION OF SIGNIFICANCE—TYPE I AND UNLISTED ACTIONS
Identify the Portions of FEAF completed for this action: ® Part 1 ® Part 2 ® Part 3
Upon review of the information recorded on this FEAF(Parts,2,and 3,if appropriate),and any other supporting
information,and considering both the magnitude and importance of each impact, it is reasonably determined by the
Lead Agency that:
® A. The Proposed Action will not result in any large and important impact(s)an is one that will not have a
significant impact on the environment;therefore,A NEGATIVE DECLARATION WILL BE
PREPARED.
❑ B. Although the proposed action could have a significant impact on the environment,there will not be a
significant effect for this Unlisted Action because the mitigation measures described in PART 3 have
been required;therefore,A CONDITIONED NEGATIVE DECLARATION WILL BE PREPARED.
❑ C. The proposed action may result in one or more large and important impacts that may have a significant
impact on the environment;therefore,A POSITIVE DECLARATION WILL BE PREPARED.
*a Conditioned Negative Declaration is only valid for Unlisted Actions
Name of Action:Rezoning Parcels in R-U Zoning District to R-3a&R-3aa and Amendments to the R-3aa zoning
district concerning parking and building footprint size when located in locally
designated historic districts
Name of Lead Agency: City of Ithaca
Name&Title of Responsible Officer in Lead Agency: Mayor Svante M ry ick
Signature of Responsible Officer in Lead Agency:
Signature of Preparer:
Date: 12/13/13
FULL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FORM(FEAF)
PART 1—PROJECT INFORMATION
NOTICE: This document is designed to assist in determining whether the action proposed may have a
significant effect on the environment. Please complete the entire form, Parts A through E. Answers to these
questions will be considered as part of the application for approval and may be subject to further verification
and public review. Provide any additional information you believe will be needed to complete Parts 2 and 3.
It is expected that completion of the Full Environmental Assessment Form (FEAF) will be dependent on
information currently available and will not involve new studies, research, or investigation. If information
requiring such additional work is unavailable, so indicate and specify each instance.
E
...____-----------...................
i Name of Action: Rezoning Portions of R U Zoning District to R 3a & R 3aa
ocation of Action: City of Ithaca
..
Name of Applicant/Sponsor: City of Ithaca
....... ....
Address: 108 E. Green St.
3
t `
LCity/Town/Village Ithaca State NY ZIP 14850
__ __..__...........___
,.,. .. �,..._ ,.,.._ ..
Business Phone 607 274 6550 E
,.
flame of Owner(if different)
;Address:
E City/Town/Village:
State: ZIP:
Business Phone:
2
m.. - �,_- ;;;;;�Description of Action: �
E
Re-zoning from R-U to R-3aa designation for the following tax parcels: 10.4-5, 10.-2-1, 11.4-1, 11.- I
1-2, 11.-24, 11.-2-2, 11.-2-3, 7.-2-1, 7.-2-2, 7.-2-3, 7.-2-4.2, 7.-3-5, 7.-3-6, 7.-3-7, 7.4-1, 7.4-10, 7.4-
d 12, 7.44, 7.-4-5, 7.-4-6, 7.4-7, 7.4-9, 8.-6-5.1, 8.-6-5.2, 8.4-1, 8.4-10, 8.4-11, 8.4-12, 8.4-13, 8.4-
(� 14, 8.4-2, 8.4-3, 8.4-4, 8.4-5, 8.4-6, 8.4-7, 8.4-8, 8.4-9, 8.-2-1, 8.-3-1, 8.4-1, 8.4-6, 8.4-7, 8.4-81
and 9.4-1 The boundaries of this amendment are shown on the map entitled "Proposed
111 Amendment to R-3a and R-3aa Boundaries — October 21, 2013," a copy of which shall be on file in it
the City Clerk's office. `&
Re-zoning from R-U to R-3a for the following tax parcels: 11.-3-2.2, 11.-3-3.2, 11.-3-4, 11.-3-5, 29.-
3-1, 29.-3-10, 29.-3-11, 29.-3-12.1, 29.-3-12.2, 29.-3-2, 29.-3-3, 29.-3-4 29.-3-5, 29.-3-6 29.-3-7, 29.-3-
8, 29.-3-9, 29.4-1, 29.4-2, 29.4-3, 29.4-4, 29.4-5, and 29.4-6. The boundaries of this amendment j
are shown on the map entitled "Proposed Amendment to R-3a and R-3aa Boundaries— October 21,
2013," a copy of which shall be on file in the City Clerk's office.
Amendments to the R-3aa zoning district that exclude non-contributing buildings from the
calculation for maximum building footprint sizes and that remove parking requirements, when
located in locally designated historic districts
3
Please complete each question— indicate N/A, if not applicable:
A. SITE DESCRIPTION
Physical setting of overall project, both developed and undeveloped areas.
.....
,.. ., ,;; ,,,ti
1�. Present an Use: ® Urban ❑ Industrial ❑ Commercial ❑ Public ❑ Forest
s
❑ Agricultural ❑ Other
2. Total area of project area 61 acres (Chosen units apply to following section also) a K H„� , _,�
�Approximate Area(Units in question 2 apply to this section.) Currently After Completion
2a. Meadow or Brushland (non-agricultural)
2b. Forested 36 36
2c Agricultural
2d. Wetland [as per Articles 24 of Environmental Conservation Law(ECL)] 1
11 2e. Water Surface Area
12f Public
2g Water Surface Area
2h. Unvegetated (rock, earth or fill)
2i Roads, buildings, and other paved surfaces 25 25
2� type)Other(indicate
_.__...... _._... ..._.._ ..____
a. What What is predominant soil type(s) on project site (e.g., HdB, silty loam, etc.): Urban
13b. Soil Drainage N/A ❑ Well-Drained % of Site
❑ Moderately Well-Drained % of Site
❑Poorly Drained /o of Site
.gym-
4a Are there bedrock outcroppings on project site? ® Yes ❑No El N/A
�4b What is depth of bedrock?N/A (feet)
._...v ... �._ _ ......_
'�4c What is depth to the water tabled N/A(feet)
��5. Approximate percentage of proposed project site � 0-10% 50% ® 10-15% 25%
� with slopes �® 15% or greater 25%
36a. Is project substantially contiguous to, or does it ® Yes ❑ No ❑ N/A
contain a building, site or district, listed on or Cornell Heights Historic District
eligible for the National or State Register of _
Historic Places?
.................... __ _ . _ .............. _
6b. Or designated a local landmark or in a local ® Yes El No El N/A
landmark district? Cornell Heights Historic District
7. Do hunting or fishing opportunities presently
l ❑ Yes ® No ❑N/A If yes,identify each species
exist in the project area?
..,,.,.,._, ...,, ,,,�... .. ..............._............... ,mod.....,.»-.,,, £... _..... _,,.,,,,..,.,,.................., .., .,.,,._. ,....,,:.
4
A. SITE DESCRIPTION (cont.)
�._ -. __ _._..___.._._...__. . . ... . __....... _ - -;� .��
8. Does project site contain any species of plant or El ® No ❑N/A
animal life that is identified as threatened or
According to: ;
endangered?
,Identify„each Species:
9. Are there any unique or unusual landforms on the:_
_❑ Yes ® No ❑ N/A
I project site? (i.e., cliffs, other geological Describe:
formations)
;-
10. Is the project site presently used by the J
community or neighborhood as an open space or
❑ Yes ® No ❑N/A
Ilf yes, explain:
recreation area? _
11 Does the present site offer or include scenic views,
( known to be important to the community? ® Yes ❑No ❑N/A
Describe: Views across Fall Creek gorge from Fall
Creek Drive are of significant importance to the
.......
neighborhood
- ,,, N-- ---- , a ,,;;,,, uu u., ,; a ._ ,u,_ _ ,, ,M..
E112. Is project within or contiguous to a site
designated a Unique Natural Area(UNA) or
❑ Yes ® No ❑N/A
critical environmental area by a local or state {Describe:
agency
__ -
13. Streams within or contiguous to project area. ,a Names of stream or name of river to which it is a
E tributary: Fall Creek
xA ....
114. Lakes, ponds, wetland areas within or contiguous b Size (m Name
3 to project area N/A acres)
_. ......—-------------.......... ....................--—--------------------- ............-—---7
15. Has the site been used for land disposal of solid eyes ® No ❑N/A
or hazardous wastes?
Describe
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..<,.;._wwrenaaawa,�,m �
16. Is the site served by existing public utilities. 1
a. If Yes, does sufficient capacity exist to allow ❑ Yes ❑No ® N/A
connection? ❑ Yes ❑No ® N/A
b. If Yes, will improvements be necessary to yes ❑No ®N/A '
allow connection?
B. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Fr 1. Physical dimensions and scale of project (fill m dimensions as appropriate)
amw ,
Ja. Total contiguous area owned by project sponsor in acres 61 acres
J1b Project acreage developed 25 acres initially 25 acres ultimately m„ Pm
1 lc. Project acreage to remain undeveloped: N/A
ld Length of project m miles (if appropriate)N/A or feet N/A
le If project is an expansion, indicate percent of change proposed N/A
lf. Number of off-street parking spaces existing: N/A proposed: N/A
1g.Maximum vehicular trips generated(upon completion of project)per day: N/A and per hour N/A E
5
B. PROJECT DESCRIPTION (cont.)
lh.Height of tallest proposed structure feet N/A
11
1Linear feet of frontage along a public street or thoroughfare,that the project will occupy?N/A
__ _.__
112. Specify what type of natural material (i.e., rock, earth, etc.) and how much will be removed from the site
N/A or added to the site: N/A
3. Specify what type of vegetation (trees, shrubs, ground cover) and how much will be removed from the site:,
l� acres: N/A type of vegetation: N/A
4. Will any mature trees or other locally important vegetation be removed by this project? N/A y u,
re
Are there any plans for re vegetation to replace that removed during construction? N/A
6 If single phase project, anticipated period of construction N/A months (including demolition)
17 If multi phased project, anticipated period of construction N/A months (including demolition)
W,
7a Total number of phases anticipated N/A
3
7b Anticipated date of co
mmencement for first phase N/A month year (including demolition)
? 7c Approximate completion date of final phase N/A month year
._...
7d.Is phase one financially dependent on subsequent phases? ❑ Yes ❑No ® N/A
8. Will blasting occur during construction? ❑ Yes El No ®N/A; if yes, explain
9. Number of jobs generated during construction 0 after project is completed 0
3
10.Number of jobs eliminated by this project 0 Explain•
.......... «.»._ ..... __ .............. ....... .. ...... t
<:.. .......A,.,,,,,
f
11. Will project require relocation of any projects or facilities? ❑Yes ® No ❑N/A; if yes, explain.
12a. Is surface or subsurface liquid waste disposal µ � � �involved. ❑Yes ® No ❑N/A if yes, explain:
12b If#12a is yes, indicate type of waste (sewage, industrial, etc) N/A
r
2c If surface disposal, where specifically will effluent be discharged?N/A
13. Will surface area of existing lakes, ponds, streams, or other surface waterways be increased or decreased
by proposal?❑Yes ®No ❑N/A; if yes, explain
........
14a Will project or any portion of project occur wholly or partially within or contiguous to the 100 year flood,
plain? ❑ Yes ❑No ®N/A _
14b. Does project or an portion of project occur wholly or partially.m., m � _ _ _
� all within or contiguous to. Cayuga Inlet
� p J any p J Y p Y g
1 Fall Creek, Cascadilla Creek, Cayuga Lake, Six Mile Creek, Silver Creek? (Circle all that apply)
14c. Does project or any portion of project occur wholly or partially within or contiguous to wetlands as
described in Article 24 Of the ECL?❑ Yes ®No ❑N/A
14d. If#14a, b or c is es explain: N/A
m. _ .
�15a Does project involve disposal or solid waste?❑ Yes ®No ❑N/A
115b If#15a is yes, ..........................
will an existing solid waste disposal facility be used? ❑Yes ❑No N/A
15c. If#15b is yes, give name of y
,x ,disposal facility N/A and its location r.�.,
6
B. PROJECT DESCRIPTION (cont.)
F1 5d. Will there be any wastes that will not go into a sewage disposal system or into a sanitary landfill?
❑Yes ❑No ®N/A; if yes, explain
,315e. Will any solid waste be disposed of on site ElYes ElNo ®N/A, if yes, explain:
. ..... ................ ........ ....
,16 Will project use herbicides or pesticides? ❑ Yes ❑No ®N/A; if yes, specify:
17. Will project affect a building or site listed on or eligible for the National or State Register of Historic
Places or a local landmark or in a landmark district? ®Yes ❑No ❑N/A; if yes, explain: The area
to be rezoned is partially located within the Cornell Heights Historic District; however, the
rezoning should be more protective of the historic characteristic of the area
v
18 Will project produce odors? ❑ Yes ❑No ®N/A if yes, explain
19. Will project product operating noise exceed the local ambient noise level during construction?
5
❑ Yes ❑No ® N/A After constructions ❑ Yes ❑No ® N/A
20 Will protect result m an increase of energy use? ❑Yes ❑No ®N/A, if yes, indicate type(s) N/A
�1 Total anticipated water usage per day gals/day N/A Source of water
C. ZONING & PLANNING INFORMATION
1. Does the proposed action involve a planning or zoning decision? ®Yes El No ❑N/A; if yes, indicate
the decision required: r
®Zoning Amendment ❑ Zoning Variance ❑New/revision of master plan ❑ Subdivision
❑ Site Plan ❑ Special Use Permit ❑ Resource Management Plan ❑ Other:
What is the current zoning classification of site? R U
F. If the site is developed as permitted by the present zoning, what is the maximum potential developments
Under current R-U zoning, maximum building size would be 40-feet in height.
4. Is proposed use consistent with present zoning? ❑ Yes ®No ❑N/A
Ir
5. If#4 is no, indicate desired zoning: R 3aa & R 3a
5 f i. 4�,,
6. If the site is developed by the proposed zoning, what is the maximum potential development of the site?
t
The proposed rezonings from R-U to R-3aa will reduce the maximum building height from 40' to
35'. In addition, R-3aa has a maximum building footprint that no new building shall be
constructed to have a building footprint larger than 120% of the average footprint of the existing
s buildings along the entire block front in which the building is located.
For the properties that are being rezoned to R-3a, the maximum building height will remain the
same; however, the minimum lot size is reduced, the maximum lot coverage is increased, and the
setbacks are reduced. _
7. Is the proposed action consistent with the recommended uses in adopted local land-use plans?
` Yes No N/A, If no, explain:
® _ ❑ ;,
8. What is the dominant land use and zoning classification within a'/4-mile radius of the project?
,y (e g., R la or R lb)B 2a, I 1, P 1, R 2a, R 2b, R 3a,R-3b, R-U, and U-1
7
C. ZONING & PLANNING INFORMATION (cont.)
9. Is the proposed action compatible with adjacent land uses? N Yes ❑ No ❑ N/A Explain:
j l0a If the proposed action is the subdivision of land, how many lots are proposed? N/A
10b. What is the minimum lot size proposed N/A
Will the proposed action create a demand for any community-provided services? (recreation, education, z
police, fire protection, etc.)? ❑ Yes N No ❑N/A Explain:
If yes, is existing capacity sufficient to handle projected demand? ❑ Yes ❑No N N/A
l Explain: N/A _
I2. Will the proposed action result in the generation of traffic significantly above p p ...._ y,,;;.�,��,�,�� g y present levels.
❑Yes N No ❑N/A If yes, is the existing road network adequate to handle the additional traffic? i
3 ❑Yes N No ❑N/A Explain:
D. APPROVALS
31. Approvals: Common Council Adoption
2a. Is any Federal permit required. ❑ Yes ®No ❑N/A; Specify.
b Does project involve State or Federal funding or financings ❑ Yes N No El N/A; If Yes, Specify: I
!12c. Local and Regional approvals: All
il Type of Submittal Approval
Agency Yes or No Approval Required Date Date
Common Council Yes Adoption
Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) No
Planning & Development Board No
Ithaca Landmarks Preservation
Commission (ILPC) No
11 Board of Public Works (BPW) No
Fire Department No
Police Department No
Building Commissioner No
Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency
No
(IU
i:::..,,,,,,RA,,,,)
,,,µ ,.. ,,,, .,w,.. ... ,�„ .,w„ w,. .�,,.,m.. ..w,,,,�� ,,,,,,,,m ,,,,�..�„ ,,,,,,,F�
E. INFORMATIONAL DETAILS
Attach any additional information as may be needed to clarify your project. If there are or may be any adverse impacts
associated with your proposal, please discuss such impacts and the measures which you propose to mitigate or avoid
them.
8
F. VERIFICATION
I certify the information provided above is true to the best of my knowledge.
Applicant/Sponsor Name: City of Ithaca
Signature:
Title: Economic Development Planner
9
City of Ithaca Full Environmental Assessment Form (FEAF)
PART 2 — PROJECT IMPACTS & THEIR MAGNITUDES
IMPACT ON LAND
$min _ .
Small to Potential Can Impact be
irlWill there be an effect as a result of aph ysical change to project Moderate Large Reduced by
site? ElYes ®No Impact Impact ,Project Chan e?
_ - p._.. Project . g
p
Any construction on slopes of 15% or greater, (15 foot rise per 100 �
foot of len th), or where the general slope in the project exceeds [ElYes ❑No
10% ....._
,.m .. r »e
Construction on land where the depth to the water table is less than
❑ Yes ❑No
3 feet 2
Construction of parking facility/area for 50 or more vehicles ❑Yes ❑No $z
Construction on land where bedrock is exposed or generally within
❑ Yes El No
3 feet of existing ground surface
Construction that will continue for more than I year or involve
1' more than one p g e hase or sta El Yes El No
-
Evacuation for mining purposes that would remove more than » » N
I,000 tons of natural material(i.e., rock or soil)per year.
❑ Yes ❑No
H ;;»
Construction of any new sanitary landfill ❑N❑Yes o
Construction in a designated floodway.
�r �� m� ...
Yes ❑No
Other impacts existing_development is in the 500 year flood plain ❑N
�— an effect on an unique
.�
Yes o
2. Will there be y landforms found on the site?
Small to Potential 1 Can Impact be
t e , cliffs, gorges, geological formations, etc ❑Yes ®No
Moderate Large Reduced by
( g g ) a Impact ,i, Impact 1Proiect Change?1
m. � ,
Spectfic land forms ❑Yes ❑No
3. Will project affect an water body desprotected?
ar _....� Small to Potential i Can Im» � �o
„» pact be
p j y y designated as protected. (Under Moderate Large 11 Reduced by
article 15 or 24 of the Environmental Conservation Law,E.C.L.)❑Yes ®No
Impact Impact , Project Change? f
Developable area of site contains a protected water body El Y ❑N D Yes o
Dredging more than 100 cubic yards of material from channel of a El Yes ❑No
protected stream. -
Extension of utility distribution facilities through a protected water El Yes ❑No
body.
Construction in a designated freshwater wetland ❑N
❑Yes_ o
m
Other impacts: ❑ Yes ❑No it
10
IMPACT ON WATER(cont.)
......... ... _
.µ� a„„�„��,�,,,,,,,,�, ,.,,,,AN ,m, � Small to Can Impact be
Will project affect any non-protected existing or new body of Potential
Moderate Reduced b
water? ❑Yes ® No v Large Impact y
Im act Project Change?
A 10%increase or decrease in the surface area of any body of El Yes ❑No
water or more than a 10,000 sq ft. of surface area.
Construction, alteration, or conversion of a body of water that
exceeds 10,000 s ft. of surface area. El Yes ❑No
q 4
Fall Creek, Six Mile Creek, Cascadilla Creek, Silver Creek, El Yes ❑No
Cayuga Lake or the Cayuga Inlet?
Other impacts _ _ __. ` _ _ _._ 0 Yes El No
Small to Can Impact be
5. Will project affect surface or groundwater quality? El Yes Yes ® No Potential y
Reduced b
Large Impact
� ._...._ �._...�..._
Impact Project Change?
Project will require a discharge permit ❑ Yes ❑No
Project requires use of a source of water that does not have
approval to serve proposed project. El Yes ❑No
Construction or operation causing any contamination of a publicEl yes ❑No
water supply system
�,
Project will adversely affect groundwater. ❑ Yes ❑No
...... .,
Liquid effluent will be conveyed off the site to facilities which
presently do not exist or have inadequate capacity. El Yes El No
-------------
Project requiring a facility that would use water in excess of if
El Yes ❑No
20,000 gallons per day or 500 gallons per minute
„ ro op„a� _
Project will likely cause siltation or other discharge into an
existing body of water to the extent that there will be an obvious ❑ Yes ❑No
visual contrast to natural conditions.
Proposed Action will require the storage of petroleum or chemical f El Yes ❑No
products greater than 1,100 gallons
_....__..,,...._ n..., a
❑yes ❑No
Other impacts:
_..... m vv W ____ �uun e_.._.___......_.._._...:
�6 Will project alter drainage flow, drainage patterns or surface Small to Can Impact be
.water runoff? Moderate Potential11 Reduced by
Large Impact
❑Yes ® No Impact Project Change?
m ,,,,m
Project would impede floodwater flows Yes ❑No
m ... ;, _ ......
Project is likely to cause substantial erosion. ❑ Yes ❑No
Project is incompatible with existing drainage patterns. ❑ Yes ❑No
10ther impacts ❑ Yes ❑No
_. - _ _ ..._ .y
Can Impact be
� ' Small to ModerateE�Potential Large �
7. Will project affect air quality? ❑ Yes ®No Impact Impact Reduced by
- �. � - u
Project Changes i
Project will induce 500 or more vehicle trips in any 8- if
El Yes ❑No
t ..
MPACT ON AIR ®
hour period per day.
�
p p Y _. . . . _ _ �.. .. .__
,, d, ..H. w. ...... .- ..,, � �..-F_ ---
Project will result in the incineration of more than 2 5 ❑ Yes ❑No
I tons of refuse er 24-hour day.
Project emission rate of all contaminants will exceed 5
lbs per hour or a heat source producing more than 10 ❑Yes ❑No
million BTUs per hour.
.......................................... ,,,m;
Other impacts ❑Yes ❑No
__ ........ .....r __. ..._
�MPACTS ON PLANTS & ANIMALS
Can Impact be
,8. Will project affect any threatened or endangered Small to Moderate �Potential Large : Reduced b
species? ❑ Yes ®No � Impact Impact y
Project Changes s
Reduction of any species listed on the New York or
❑ Yes ❑No
Federal list, using the site, found over, on, or near site
., ,W. m„
Removal of any portion of a critical or significant El Yes ❑No
3
wildlife habitat.
__
Application of pesticide or herbicide more than twic
e a El Yes ElNo 11
$ year other than for agricultural purposes
Other impacts:
El Yes El No
Can Impact be
9. Will proposed action substantially affect non- Small to Moderate Potential Large Reduced by
hreatened or non-endangered species? ❑ Yes ®No Impact Impact
g p pProiect Change? 11
,,m„ m. .
Proposed action would substantially interfere with any ❑Yes ❑No
gg resident or migratory fish or wildlife species '
................ m�,,,,,.�F._. _...._..._ ,,,...,..-._ ._.....__.._ 3
Proposed action requires the removal or more than 1/2
acre of mature woods or other locally important ❑ Yes ❑No
vegetation _
Other impacts: ❑ Yes ❑No
IMPACT ON AESTHETIC RESOURCES
10. Will the proposed action affect views vistas or the Small to Can Impact be
' � Potential Large
lvisual character of the neighborhood or community? Moderate j Reduced by Project,
❑ Yes ® No Impact an S Impact nge.._.?^� '
Ch
Proposed land uses, or proposed action components 1
obviously different from or in sharp contrast to current
El Yes ❑No II
surrounding land use patterns, whether man-made or
natural. `
......... ......_ .
Proposed land use, or proposed action components
p p p p
visible to users of aesthetic resources which will ll
❑ Yes ❑No
eliminate or significantly reduce their enjoyment of
aesthetic qualities of that resource. a r,,,, '
Proposed action will result in the elimination or major I ! 11
screening of scenic views known to be important to the i ❑ Yes ❑No 1i
,
area �
12
MPACT ON AESTHETIC RESOURCES
_
O f �= El El No ther impacts:
.....,,,H,
;....
IMPACT ON HISTORIC & ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES '
111. Will proposed action impact any site or structure of 111 Small to Can Impact be�
Potential Large
�yistoric, prehistoric or paleontological importance? Moderate Reduced by
" Impact R
e Yes ❑No Impact 3 Project Change?
_ _._ ._..__ tiro
Proposed action occurring wholly or partially within o
contiguous to any facility or site listed on or eligible El Yes El No
for the National or State Register of Historic Places
Any impact to an archaeological site or fossil bed ❑ Yes ❑No
located wrthm the project site.
Proposed
contiguous to any site designated as local landmark ® m €
g y par within or
tially
�E g y g � El Yes ❑No
� or in a landmark district.
_-------- ____n. __.._.._�__......... __.---- �_ ....e
L Other impacts �( ❑Yes ❑No
IMPACT ON OPEN SPACE & RECREATION
m;
12. Will the proposed action affect the quantity or 1 Small to s Can Impact be l
Potential Large
quality of existing or future open spaces or Moderate Im act Reduced by11
ecreational opportunities? ❑Yes ®No � Impact p Project Changes
e m ...� mm... 11,
The permanent foreclosure of a future recreational El Yes ❑No
opportunity. :
m , ...
......... .......
A major reduction of an open space important to the ' El Yes ❑No
community. ` if
..: _ _ ..
iim_, ._. ._...., ...... . e
Other impacts: 1 �� ❑ Yes ❑No
IMPACT ON UNIQUE NATURAL AREAS & CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL AREAS
13. Will the proposed action impact the exceptional or unique characteristics of a site designated as a unique
natural area(UNA) or a critical environmental area(CEA)by a local or state agency? ❑Yes ® No
Proposed Action to locate within a UNA or CEA? ❑ Yes ❑No
Proposed Action will result in a reduction in the quality of the resource ElYes ElNo
Proposed Action will impact the use, function or enjoyment of the resource ElYes ElNo
Other impacts: El Yes ❑No
IMPACT ON TRANSPORTATION
Small to y" Can Impact be I
�14. Will there be an effect to existing �
Moderate ' Potential Large Impact Reduced by Project,
ransportation systems? ❑ Yes ® No }
Impact Change
Alteration of present patterns of movement of { `
j � El Yes ❑No
people and/or goods
„WW w _ ... ._ z
Proposed action will result in major traffic 1 El Yes ❑No
problems. ; '
No
Other impacts. El Yes ❑
I APM APM CT ON ENERGY
13
—
m Small to 3" Can Impact be
15. Will proposed action affect the community's x
Moderate Potential Large Impact Reduced by
sources of fuel or energy supply? ❑ Yes ®No Impact Project Changes
,,,�., _ xv.�.. .
...___. o __ ......_
Proposed action causing greater than 5/o
increase in any form of energy used in ❑Yes ❑No
municipality. j
_.
Proposed action requiring the creation or _
extension of an energy transmission or supply
system to serve more than 50 single or two ❑ Yes ❑No
family residences.
Other impacts: __...... ❑Y ❑N
�..... .__ .__... ... — _.- ..�.. _ y
es o
IMPACT ON NOISE & ODORS
�16. Will there be objectionable odors noise � g
Small to
glare, vibration or electrical disturbance during Moderate �' Potential Large Can Impact be Reduced .
construction of or after completion of this 11 Impact by Project Change?
roposed action? [I Yes ®No
Impact ,
Blasting within 1,500 feet of a hospital, school,1
❑Yes ❑No
or other sensitive facility? _
_ __ __ m.
4 Odors will occur routinely (more thanone hour ❑ Yes ❑No
per daY)
14
5IMPACT ON NOISE & ODORS (cont.) Ji
»_,, ,,,
Proposed action will produce operating noise '.
exceeding the local ambient noise levels for ❑Yes ❑No 1
noise outside of structure.
Proposed action will remove natural barriers El Yes ❑No
that would act as a noise screen.
i
9
Other impacts: ❑Yes ❑No
IMPACT ON PUBLIC HEALTH
--- --Small to
EI7. Will proposed action affect public health and safety Potential Can Impact be Reduced by
Moderates E_
110 Yes ® No Large Impact'j Project Change9
s �3 Impact ,,,,,,»...
,,, ..,
Proposed action will cause a risk of explosion or release '
of hazardous substances (i.e., oil,pesticides, chemicals, ;
radiation, etc.) in the event of accident or upset _ ❑ Yes ❑No
conditions, or there will be a chronic low-level discharge
or emission. t:
......v
F
Proposed action may result in the burial of"hazardous
wastes" in any form (i.e., toxic, poisonous, highly El Yes El No
reactive, radioactive, irritating, infectious, etc.)
Proposed action may result in the excavation or other j
�E
disturbance within 2,000 feet of a site used for the El Yes ❑No
disposal of solid or hazardous wastes.» _ ,,, » ..
...
» „A
Proposed action will result in the handling or disposal or 1E
hazardous wastes (i.e.,toxic,poisonous,highly reactive, ; j
radioactive, irritating, infectious, etc., including wastes El Yes ❑No
that are solid, semi-solid, liquid or contain gases)
.............
. __.. . :: ,..
Storage facilities for 50,000 or more gallons of any liquid, �'': El Yes ❑No
�f
fuel. 0 a A ,yr_, �., '
Use of any chemical for de-icing, soil stabilization or the
control of vegetation, insects or animal life on the
g ,
�� ,� s �: El Yes ❑No
premises of any residential, commercial or industrial
property in excess of 30,000 square feet.
_.
' Other impacts: ❑ Yes ❑No
»
IMPACT GROWTH & CHARACTER OF COMMUNITY OR NEIGHBORHOOD
18. Will proposed action affect the character Small to I,° Potential Large Can Impact be Reduced by
10f the existing community ❑Yes ®No Moderate Impact Impact Project Change? 1
..._ ..._.�. _... ..__. . ... _ _ .. ..�.. �.. W �.. . W_ _ T.......
_ z
The population of the City in which the .
Y row
proposed action is located is likely to
p g ;E ❑ Yes ❑No
by more than 5%of resident human I
population.
15
IMPACT GROWTH& CHARACTER OF COMMUNITY OR NEIGHBORHOOD (cont)
The municipal budgets for capital
expenditures or operating services will
❑ Yes ❑No
increase by more than 5%per year as a t'
result of this proposed action. !
...� T...� �mar,,.,.,.rz .... .
........::.......� ,,,,,__..........�..., .,,. ...... .... .:.._. ..... ._,,,.... ..... _ .,...i
Proposed action will conflict with officially 1 ' El Yes ❑No
adopted plans or goals: I j
Proposed action will cause a change in the El Yes El No
density of land use.
,,u
The proposed action will replace or pjj gy
�E gl 3
eliminate existing facilities, structures, or bb ❑ Yes ❑No
areas of historic importance to the
community ? 1
....... ........
Development will create a demand for I3
additional community services (e.g. schools,1 ❑ Yes ❑No
police, and fire, etc. __..._ .........
_ _., re,
'1[ Proposed action will set an important : El Yes ❑No
1 precedent for future actions.
Proposed action will relocate 15 or more El Yes ❑No
employees in one or more businesses J'
_._........... __... ,._.............. _
._
.............
Other impacts: ❑ Yes El No
_.. ............_..._........._.... _..__.........._ ........ ..... .., w
E
119. Is there public controversy concerning thee Small to potential Large 11 Can Impact be Reduced by
1 Moderate �' Project Change? V
�tro—,
posed action. ®Yes ❑No Impact J Impact 1
Either government or citizens of adI acent -
communities have expressed opposition or El Yes ❑No
rejected the proposed action or have not
been contacted
1 Objections to the proposed action from llfl
;
within the community. �, El Yes El No
— -
- If any action in Part 2 is identified as a potential large impact, or if you cannot determine the
magnitude of impact, proceed to Part 3. —
16
City of Ithaca
Full Environmental Assessment Form (FEAF)—Part III
Proposed Rezoning of Portions of R-U Zoning District to R-3a & R-3aa
November 22,2013
PROPOSED ACTION
The proposed action is the rezoning of properties located in the R-u Zoning District to Re-3a and R-3aa. The
attached map shows the location of the proposed zoning changes.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Impact on Historic Resources—Small to Moderate Impact
The proposed area to be rezoned is located partially within the nationally and locally designated Cornell
Heights Historic District. Re-zoning to R-3aa within the Historic District will offer some additional
protection to the historic character of this area by limiting the building footprint size to be in-scale with the
surrounding buildings. In addition, removing the parking requirement is also expected to offer some
additional protection by not requiring new construction to construct large parking lots that may not be in
character with the historic district.
17
10. GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE:
10.1 End of Year Report for 2013 from Committee Chair Mohlenhoff
Date: December 18,2013 Back-Up Item for 10.1
To: Mayor Svante Myrick
From: Members of the GPA committee
RE: Year End Report
The following is a year-end summary of the work of the Government Performance and Accountability committee and
the status of various projects and issues.
Performance Measurement
Issue Summary Status&Future Tasks
City Report Card The GPA committee published the New Chief of Staff Kevin Sutherland
first city report card in January of will work with the GPA to develop a
2013. template for a Report Card moving
forward.
City Resident Survey Survey was put on hold in lieu of other -Invite staff from CISER to a GPA
city projects. meeting to talk about current survey
technologies and projected expenses
for a new survey.
-Plan to execute a City Resident
Survey in the Fall of 2014.
Charter/Code Revisions
Issue Summary Status&Future Tasks
Analysis of Boards and Committees Held retreat with Council and Senior Separate report will be developed by
Staff as well as with Chairs and the GPA committee to outline next
members of several boards and steps and a timeline.
committees.
Taxicab Legislation Passed legislation removing the strict -Ongoing conversations about other
requirements for medical exams for issues related to taxi legislation are
Taxi Drivers to now allow Nurse occurring with an inter-municipal
Practitioners and Physician Assistants working group
to perform certifications for licenses.
Building Commissioner Position Performed necessary adjustments to Final step of the process was
the City Charter to accommodate the completed with the approval of the
merger of the Building& Planning referendum in the November 2013
departments as well as the election.
elimination of the Building
Commissioner position.
Sidewalk Policy Comprehensive overhaul of the city's Sidewalk Improvement Districts,and
sidewalk policy was completed, the new system,will begin in 2014.
through the diligence of a small
working group appointed by the
Mayor.
Crossing Guard Safety The City of Ithaca was asked to pass City Clerk was going to research some
legislation supporting a New York issues (what is the current penalty,
State Bill that would implement are there issues with City crossing
stricter penalties on those who assault guards?)and the committee was open
school crossing guards. to reconsidering a draft of a
supportive resolution in the future.
Common Council Training and Development
Issue Summary Status&Future Tasks
Common Council Rules of Procedure Through several GPA committee work -Proposed changes reflected in the 5-
sessions,we revised Section 1 15-13 and 8-12-13 minutes.
(Meetings)and Section II (Order of -Need to continue to work on the rest
Business). of the sections as well as update the
Budget Process section to reflect our
new process.
Council and Volunteer Orientation GPA designed an ongoing training -Staff in the City Clerk's office need to
schedule with rotating topics to be work to schedule the sessions and
presented once per month on publish the calendar of the trainings
Thursday afternoons. Some sessions offered for 2014.
are required;some suggested for -The City Clerk is also working on
members of Council, committee updating the presentation content
Chairs, and committee members.All with the respective city staff
sessions are open to any interested presenters as well as using new
person. software to make all the training
modules available online at anytime.
Strategic Planning Retreats 2 retreats (February and May)were All feedback from these joint sessions
held in 2013 with members of with Council and Senior Staff was
Common Council and City staff.At incredibly positive and the
these retreats we: recommendation of the GPA
-Developed the city's Strategic committee was to to plan 2 retreats
Themes per year to continue integrating the
-Designed changes to the budget strategic themes into the daily work of
process the city.
-Discussed the structure of the city's
boards and committees and identified
areas for improvement
Public Information&Communication
Issue Summary Status&Future Tasks
Social Media Policy Developed a communications sub- Begin work on a Public Information
committee to review the policy. Protocol—this can be facilitated with
Recommendation was made to the new merger of the IT and City
develop an overall Communications Clerk's office.
policy instead of a specific social
media policy.
E-mail System Replacement Worked with staff in the City Clerk's GPA recommended a new system and
office to identify advantages and forwarded the issue to City
disadvantages to several new e-mail Administration for funding.
system options. Implementation is in process.
Legislation Preparation A recommendation was made to the The GPA committee is ready to review
GPA committee that we look at the a new proposed template and style
issues of consistency and formatting guide when it is prepared by the city
with regard to the preparation of staff. This is to be included with the
legislation for city committees. revised Council Rules of Procedure.
11. CITY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE:
11.1 Human Resources — Request to Amend Various Departmental Rosters -
Resolution
WHEREAS, as part of the authorized 2014 City of Ithaca Budget various positions were
added or deleted; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 2014 Authorized Personnel Roster be hereby amended, effective
January 1, 2014, as follows:
Delete: One (1) Office Manager (Building Department)
One (1) Director of Information Technology (IT)
11.2 Department of Planning, Building and Development - Amendment to
Personnel Roster - Resolution
WHEREAS, the Building Department was incorporated into the Department of Planning
and Development on January 1, 2013, thereby creating the Department of Planning,
Building and Development, and
WHEREAS, the merger of the two departments resulted in staffing changes at the
managerial level, and
WHEREAS, the Civil Service Commission classified the position of Director of Code
Enforcement and adopted the job description for the position at their December 11,
2013, meeting; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Personnel Roster of the Department of Planning, Building and
Development shall be amended as follows:
Add: One (1) Director of Code Enforcement (40 hours)
Delete: One (1) Deputy Building Commissioner (40 hours)
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the position of Director of Code Enforcement shall be assigned to the
Managerial Compensation Plan at Salary Grade 4, and be it further
RESOLVED, That for the sole purpose of determining days worked reportable to the
New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System, the standard workday for
this position shall be established at eight (8) hours per day (forty (40) hours per week).
11.3 Transfer of Function for Information Technology Departmental
Consolidation - Resolution
WHEREAS, the Common Council enacted on November 12, 2013, a Local Law entitled
"City of Ithaca Local Law to Consolidate the Department of Information Technology Into
the Department of the City Clerk", and
WHEREAS, the above-referenced Local Law did, effective January 1, 2014, create a
Department of Public Information and Technology, headed by the City Clerk, and
containing, among others, those positions previously contained in the Department of
Information Technology , and
WHEREAS, a transfer of function pursuant to Section 70.2 of New York State Civil
Service Law provides the most administratively efficient manner of transferring positions
from one department of the City to another; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That effective retroactive to January 1, 2014, all functions of the
Department of Information Technology and all employees who were as of December 31,
2013, employed by that Department in a manner that did not otherwise terminate on or
before January 1, 2014, shall be transferred to the Department of Public Information
and Technology, pursuant to Section 70.2 of New York State Civil Service Law.
11.4 Amendment to Capital Project#768 for Ithaca Falls Overlook Investigation
and Remediation Project - Resolution
WHEREAS, on March 2, 2011, Common Council established Capital Project#768
Ithaca Falls Overlook Investigation & Remediation in an amount not to exceed $778,000
to account for project expenses to be reimbursed through the Environmental
Restoration Program grant (ERP) from New York State, and
WHEREAS, the 0.95 acre City-owned Ithaca Falls Overlook site adjoins the former
Ithaca Gun factory building and extends from Lake Street north over the roadway to an
overlook of Ithaca Falls in the approximate area of 121-125 Falls Street, and
WHEREAS, capital project funding has been used to conduct an investigation to
determine the nature and define the limits of contamination both on-site and off-site and
devise alternative strategies to remediate environmental contamination for a future
public park use and facilitate private-sector redevelopment of the adjoining former
Ithaca Gun factory site, and
WHEREAS, the project is anticipated to include three interim remedial measures to
remove existing sources of subsurface lead contamination, of which interim remedial
measure #1 on the western access way of the site was completed, and
WHEREAS, on September 5, 2013, the City of Ithaca was awarded a $200,000
reimbursable grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Brownfield Cleanup
Program (EPA BCP) to conduct environmental remediation activities at the Ithaca Falls
Overlook site, and
WHEREAS, on December 2, 2013, the City of Ithaca's application for $500,000 in
additional ERP funding was approved by New York State (ERP Amendment), and
WHEREAS, the ERP provides 90% reimbursement for eligible on-site expenses and
100% reimbursement for eligible off-site expenses, and
WHEREAS, the EPA BCP provides 80% reimbursement for eligible expenses, and
WHEREAS, the redeveloper of the adjacent former Ithaca Gun factory site, IFR LLC,
has pledged to the City per agreement executed on September 25, 2007, to pay the
10% local match on the initial ERP grant (up to $77,800), and
WHEREAS, a projected additional local match of$40,000 is needed to match the on-
site portion of the additional $500,000 in ERP Amendment funding, and
WHEREAS, IFR LLC managing member, Frost Travis, has pledged to pay up to
$15,000 of the local match on the ERP Amendment, and
WHEREAS, at their December 19, 2013, meeting the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency
(IURA) approved funding the remaining required $25,000 local match on the ERP
Amendment from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, and
WHEREAS, $40,000 of ERP funding may be used to meet the 20% local match for the
EPA BCP, and
WHEREAS, to account for new funding, Capital Project#768 should be increased from
$778,000 to $1,518,000 as shown in the following summary funding table:
Ithaca Falls Overlook — Capital Project #768
Funding Award Amount Local Match Match Source Total Project
Cost
ERP $700,200 $77,800 IFR LLC $778,000
ERP Amendment $500,000 $40,000 IFR LLC: $15,000 $540,000
IURA: $25,000
ERP Subtotal $1,200,200 $117,800 $1,318,000
EPA BCP $200,000 $0 1 ERP ($40,000) $200,000
Totals $1,400,200 1 $117,800 1 $1,518.000
WHEREAS, the investigation phase of the ERP qualifies as a Type II action under the
City of Ithaca Environmental Quality Review Ordinance at §176-5(C)(17):
"Information collection, including basic data collection and research, water quality and
pollution studies, traffic counts, engineering studies, surveys, subsurface investigations
and soils studies that do not commit the agency to undertake, fund or approve any Type
I or unlisted action", and
WHEREAS, any interim remedial measure to remove source contamination shall
undergo a separate environmental review; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That City of Ithaca Common Council authorizes the Mayor, subject to
review by the City Attorney, to execute an amendment to the New York State
Assistance Contract to increase the Environmental Restoration Program funding
amount awarded to the City of Ithaca from $700,200 to $1,200,200 and extend the
schedule for completion to December 31, 2015, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Common Council hereby amends Capital Project
#768 Ithaca Falls Overlook Investigation & Remediation in an amount not to exceed
$740,000 bringing the total authorized amount not to exceed $1,518,000, and be it
further
RESOVLED, That funds necessary for the said capital project amendment shall be
derived from a General Fund advance with later repayment from the issuance of serial
bonds and ERP Grant funds.
15. MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS:
15.1 Appointment of Director and Alternate Director for the Board of Directors of
The Tompkins County Health Consortium - Resolution
WHEREAS, in 2007, the County, on behalf of Tompkins County Council of
Governments, accepted an incentive grant award under the New York State Shared
Municipal Services Program, and
WHEREAS, the grant assisted the municipalities in Tompkins County to create a local
health- insurance consortium with the intent to provide a net savings to the taxpayers of
Tompkins County, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca joined the Greater Tompkins County Health Insurance
Consortium via resolution dated July 1, 2009, and
WHEREAS, the resolution includes the provision for this municipality to enter into an
inter-municipal agreement that outlines duties of the Board of Directors, which is
charged with the operation of the consortium, and
WHEREAS, each participating municipality must appoint a Director to the Board of
Directors who can vote on behalf of the municipality, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Common Council of the City of Ithaca hereby appoints City
Controller Steven Thayer to serve as this municipality's voting Director of the Board of
Directors, and appoints Assistant City Attorney Jared Pittman to serve as an alternate
who can vote in the absence of the Director.
15.2 Appointment of City Representative to the Business Improvement
District/Downtown Ithaca Alliance Board — Resolution
RESOLVED, That Alderperson Joseph Murtagh be reappointed to the Business
Improvement District/Downtown Ithaca Alliance Board with a term to expire December
31, 2014.
15.3 Appointment to Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG) -
Resolution
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Intermunicipal Steering Committee has been meeting
to discuss ways the local governments could work together to reduce costs to the
residents; and
WHEREAS, the Committee has learned that other Counties have created a Council of
Governments made up of local government officials, and
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Council of Governments is intended to be an
association of local governments organized to provide a forum for discussion, study,
and negotiation leading to agreements for more efficient, improved, or more cost
effective delivery of government services; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca desires to be a member of the Tompkins County Council
of Governments; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Mayor Svante L. Myrick is hereby approved as the voting member for
the City of Ithaca of the Tompkins County Council of Governments; and be it further
RESOLVED, That Alderperson J.R. Clairborne is appointed as the alternate voting
member.
15.4 Reappointment to Conservation Advisory Council — Resolution
RESOLVED, That Maureen J. Bolton be reappointed to the Conservation Advisory
Council with a term to expire December 31, 2017.