HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CA-2016-11-16CITY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 6:00 p.m. November 16, 2016
PRESENT:
Alderperson Mohlenhoff – Chair
Alderpersons (3): Fleming, Gearhart, McGonigal
Mayor (1): Myrick
EXCUSED:
Alderpersons (1): Smith
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works – Thorne
Chief of Staff – Cogan
City Attorney – Lavine
Manager of Organizational Development – Moskowitz
Bridge Systems Engineer – Gebre
IURA Director – Bohn
INHS Executive Director – Mazzarella
TC Director of Assessment – Franklin
HR Director – Michell-Nunn
Controller - Thayer
Deputy Controller – Andrew
1. Call to Order
1.1 Agenda Review: Chairperson Mohlenhoff stated that the following agenda items will be combined and
discussed together later in the meeting:
3.5 HR – Amendment to Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy
3.6 HR – Communication Technology Ordinance
3.7 HR – Contracts Ordinance
3.8 HR – Commons, Responsible Permit Holder Ordinance
3.9 HR – Human Rights Protection Ordinance
3.10 HR – Bias-Motivated Crimes Ordinance
3.11 HR – Licensing of Businesses and Occupations – Taxicabs
3.12 HR – Gender Identity Ordinance
1.2 Review/Approval of Minutes: Alderperson Gearhart made a motion to approve the minutes from the
October 19, 2016 meeting of the City Administration Committee. Seconded by Alderperson Fleming.
Motion carried unanimously.
1.3 Statements from the Public. None.
1.4 Statements from Employees. None.
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November 16, 2016
Page 2
1.5 Council Response. None.
2. Consent Agenda Items
2.1 GIAC – Amendment to Roster
Moved by Alderperson Fleming. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart.
WHEREAS, the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) has proposed to add one (1) full time (35-
hours) GIAC Program Leader to the roster, and
WHEREAS, this position will provide an opportunity for internal promotion for qualifying GIAC
Program Assistants, and
WHEREAS, the work performed by this positions will support GIAC programming effectively, and
WHEREAS, GIAC’s 2016 budget as approved has funding to support this position, and
WHEREAS, no additional funds are being requested for this position, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Personnel Roster of GIAC shall be amended as follows:
Add – One (1) GIAC Program Leader Position (35-hours)
and be it further,
RESOLVED, That while the additional position is filled via promotion, the 1 GIAC Program Assistant
position shall remain vacant, and be it further
RESOLVED, That said roster amendment will be made within the existing funds of the 2016 authorized
GIAC budget.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Passed unanimously.
2.2 Finance – Authorization to Cover Red Accounts
Moved by Alderperson Fleming. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart.
RESOLVED, That the City Controller be empowered to make transfers within the 2016 Budget
appropriations, as needed, for the remainder of the 2016 Fiscal Year.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Passed unanimously.
2.3 Finance – Release of Funds from Contingency Account
Moved by Alderperson Fleming. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart.
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WHEREAS, as part of the 2016 Budget, funds were placed in Restricted Contingency to fund the
Outreach Coordinator Program through Family and Children’s Services for $10,000 and to fund the
Grant Lobbyist activity of Sustainable Strategies for $20,000, and
WHEREAS, funds are being expended for both services in 2016 and need to be transferred to cover the
costs; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby transfers $30,000 from Account A1990 Restricted
Contingency to the following accounts:
A8020-5345 Planning Contracts $20,000, to fund Sustainable Strategies
A1210-5435 Mayor Contracts $10,000, to fund Outreach Coordinator
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Passed unanimously.
2.4 Finance – Request to Amend 2016 Budget
Moved by Alderperson Fleming. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart.
WHEREAS, during 2106, City of Ithaca departments have received revenue from various unanticipated
sources including reimbursements, grants and donations that need to be accounted for in the 2016
budget, and
WHEREAS, the reimbursement total $36,312 as follows:
Tompkins County Celebration Grant $15,600
Insurance Recovery $17,712
Donations $1,000
Reimbursements $2,000
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends the 2016 authorized budget as follows to account
for said receipts and related expenditures of funds:
Increase Revenue Accounts:
A1012-2379 Community Celebrations $15,600
A3120-2705 Police – Donations $1,000
A3120-2665 Police – Sale of Equipment $2,000
A3410-2680 Fire – Insurance Recovery $17,712
$36,312
Increase Appropriations Accounts:
A1012-5435 Community Celebrations $15,600
A3120-5425 Police – Donations $1,000
A3120-5476-5001 Police – Sale of Equipment $2,000
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A3410-5476-12250 Fire – Insurance Recovery $17,712
$36,312
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Passed unanimously.
3. City Administration, Human Resources, and Policy
3.1 DPW – Amendment to Roster
Moved by Alderperson Fleming. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart.
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works has been reconfiguring its Administrative and Financial
staffing responsibilities to reflect changes in the overall operations of the Department, and
WHEREAS, the DPW has recently conducted interviews and hired one candidate to fill a funded, vacant
Financial Management Assistant position, and due to reorganization, has found the need to hire a second
Financial Management Assistant, and
WHEREAS, the recent interviews for Financial Management Assistant yielded several qualified
candidates, and
WHEREAS, there is currently a full-time funded, vacant Administrative Assistant position and a half-
time funded, vacant Financial Management Assistant position in DPW, and
WHEREAS, DPW has extended a full-time offer to a second qualified candidate under the half-time
Financial Management Assistant position, with the remaining half-time funded as a seasonal employee,
and
WHEREAS, DPW desires to add this Financial Management Assistant position to the roster replacing
the vacant Administrative Assistant position: now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Personnel Roster of the Department of Public Works shall be amended as
follows:
Add: One (1) Financial Management Assistant Position (40 hours)
Delete: One (1) Administrative Assistant Position (40 hours)
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the second Financial Management Assistant currently working as a half-time
permanent employee and half-time seasonal employee be granted full-time benefits retroactive to the
date of hire, 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), and be it further
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November 16, 2016
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RESOLVED, That the funding for this change shall be derived from existing funds within the
Department of Public Works budget, and
RESOLVED, That the City Controller is authorized as necessary to move DPW funding between the
General, Water and Sewer Funds to account for said roster amendments.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Passed unanimously.
3.2 DPW – Amendment to Roster
Moved by Alderperson McGonigal. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart.
WHEREAS, the Streets and Facilities Division of the Department of Public Works is anticipating the
retirements of two senior personnel over the next few years, and
WHEREAS, the Streets and Facilities Division needs to plan for succession of these two key personnel,
and would like to create a senior position to work closely with the Assistant Superintendent and Street
Supervisor over the next few years to help with the transition once the retirements take place, and
WHEREAS, the qualifications for the position to help with this upcoming transition will require
significant background in roadway and other civil construction projects, and
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Civil Service Commission established the newly created classification of
Construction Engineer at their October 26, 2016 meeting, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Personnel Roster of the Streets and Facilities Division of the Department of
Public Works shall be amended as follows:
Add: One (1) Construction Engineer Position (40 hours)
Delete: One (1) Assistant Civil Engineer Position (40 hours)
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the position of Construction Engineer shall be assigned to the City Executive
Association Unit at salary grade A, 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), and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the funding for this change shall be derived from existing funds within the
Department of Public Works budget.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Passed unanimously.
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3.3 DPW – Reallocation of Position
Moved by Alderperson Gearhart. Seconded by Alderperson Fleming.
WHEREAS, the Building Maintenance and Solid Waste Supervisor requested a review of his position
pursuant to the terms of the City Executive Association labor contract, and
WHEREAS, the review determined that a permanent and material growth in the position’s
responsibilities has occurred since the position was last evaluated in June 2001, and
WHEREAS, the Human Resources Department reviewed the point factor evaluation of the Building
Maintenance and Solid Waste Supervisor position and determined that the growth in responsibilities
merits an increased point factor rating, which results in the reallocation of the position to a higher salary
grade; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the position of Building Maintenance and Solid Waste Supervisor be reallocated
from Grade C, to Grade A, of the City Executive Association Compensation Plan, and be it further
RESOLVED, That funding in the amount of $6,029 to cover this salary increase retroactive to January
21, 2016, shall be derived from Account #A1620.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Passed unanimously.
3.4 DPW – Food Scraps Drop Off at Cass Park
Moved by Alderperson Fleming. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart.
WHEREAS, Tompkins County Solid Waste will no longer be supporting the food scrap curbside pickup
program on West Hill, and has requested a pilot food scrap drop off location in Cass Park for
convenience to the West Hill neighborhood, and
WHEREAS, several food scrap drop off locations are currently in existence throughout Tompkins
County and the City of Ithaca, and have been very successful, and
WHEREAS, the proposed food scrap drop off for Cass Park will be a mobile unit, on-site and operating
only on Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the parking lot of the Cass Park Ice Rink for a trial
period of one-year, and
WHEREAS, Tompkins County Solid Waste has been working with Cass Park staff to determine the best
location for the mobile food scraps drop off facility, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works unanimously supported the mobile food scraps drop off location
in Cass Park at the October 24, 2016, BPW meeting; now, therefore, be it
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November 16, 2016
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RESOLVED, That Common Council approves the mobile food scrap drop off location and operation at
Cass Park for a period of one year, beginning January 5, 2017, and will re-evaluate authorization to
continue operation beyond the one-year trial period in September 2017.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Passed unanimously.
3.5- HR: Amendment to Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy; Communication Technology
-3.12 Ordinance; Contracts Ordinance; Commons, Responsible Permit Holder Ordinance; Human Rights
Protection Ordinance; Bias-Motivated Crimes Ordinance; Licensing of Businesses and Occupations –
Taxicabs; Gender Identity Ordinance
These agenda items were combined and were for discussion only.
Chairperson Mohlenhoff gave some background information on what language was being updated in the
Code and why. Ms. Mohlenhoff explained that the Ordinances contained outdated language when it
made reference to the word “gender”. HR Director Michell-Nunn and Chief of Staff Cogan found other
City documents with outdated or conflicting language in reference to gender. To be more inclusive, the
City will add the wording “gender identity and expression” in the documents containing the word
“gender”.
The Committee discussed whether or not other words should be included since the language is being
updated and inclusive (e.g. weight, sex; etc.). HR Director Michell-Nunn will check with experts in this
area to determine what wording should be used. The revised documents and ordinances will be put on
the agenda for the December meeting of the City Administration Committee. If updates are needed to
the language in the Charter, it will be handled by the City Attorney’s Office.
4. Finance, Budget and Appropriations
4.1 DPW - Authorization to Execute Contract with DoS for Local Flood Hazard Analysis
Moved by Alderperson McGonigal. Seconded by Alderperson Fleming.
WHEREAS, Common Council established Capital Project (CP) #806 in the 2015 City of Ithaca budget
in the amount of $153,000, for the purpose of performing Drainage and Dredging studies, and
WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Public Works applied for, and was awarded, a Local Waterfront
Revitalization Project (LWRP) grant in the amount of $150,000 to be used in conjunction with matching
funds from CP #806, and
WHEREAS, the Department of State has recently issued an unexecuted contract for the City of Ithaca to
enter into a Master Contract with the State of New York to receive the matching funds, and one of the
requirements to enter such contract is an “Authorizing Resolution”, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council authorizes the City of Ithaca to execute a Master Contract with the
State of New York, for Contract #C1000677 “Local Flood Hazard Analysis” in the total amount of
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November 16, 2016
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$303,000 with $153,000 coming from CP #806 and $150,000 to be reimbursed from the Department of
State, and be it further
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends Capital Project #806 City Drainage and Dredging
study in the amount not to exceed $150,000 for a total project authorization of $303,000 for the purposes
of accounting for said state grant.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Passed unanimously.
4.2 DPW – Authorization to Amend CP #818
Moved by Alderperson Gearhart. Seconded by Alderperson Fleming.
WHEREAS, a project for the rehabilitation of the Stewart Avenue Bridge over Cascadilla Creek, P.I.N.
3755.94 (“the Project”) is eligible for funding under Title 23 U.S. Code as administered by the Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA), as amended, that calls for the apportionment of the costs such
program to be borne at the ratio of 80% Federal funds and 20% non-Federal funds, and
WHEREAS, on March 4, 2015, Common Council authorized the City of Ithaca to pay in the first
instance 100% of the Federal and non-Federal share of the costs of Scoping, Preliminary Design and
Detailed Design, and
WHEREAS, the sum of $80,000 has been appropriated from Capital Project #818 and made available to
cover the cost of participation in the above phases of the project, and
WHEREAS, as part of the approved 2017 budget, Common Council authorized $27,000 additional
funding to cover Project administration cost, and
WHEREAS, on October 21, 2016, additional $923,000 (80% Federal,15% State and 5% City share)
Project funding made available by New York State Department of Transportation for Construction and
Construction Inspection Phases, and
WHEREAS, the amended project budget is projected to be $1,030,000, and
WHEREAS, this Project constitutes a reconstruction of facility in-kind on the same site as well as
maintenance or repair involving no substantial change in an existing facility, and is therefore a Type II
action under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Regulation and in accordance with 6
NYCRR Part 617 requiring no environmental review; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Common Council amends the Capital Project budget
authorizations for the Project by the sum of $950,000 (which includes $27,000 authorized in 2017
Capital Project Budget and the $923,000 covered in the supplemental agreement from New York State
Department of Transportation [NYSDOT] ) for a total project cost not to exceed $1,030,000, and be it
further
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November 16, 2016
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RESOLVED, That this project be undertaken with the understanding that the final cost of the Project to
the City of Ithaca will be roughly 7.5% of said portion, currently estimated at $77,150 of the $1,030,000
authorized for this project, and be it further
RESOLVED, That in the event the full Federal and non-Federal share costs of the project exceeds the
amount appropriated above, Common Council of the City of Ithaca shall convene as soon as possible to
appropriate said excess amount immediately upon the notification by the NYSDOT thereof, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor of the City of Ithaca be and is hereby authorized to execute all necessary
Agreements on behalf of the City of Ithaca with the NYSDOT in connection with the advancement or
approval of the Project and providing for the administration of the Project and the municipality’s first
instance funding of Project costs and permanent funding of the local share of federal-aid and state-aid
eligible Project costs and all Project costs within appropriations therefore that are not so eligible, and it
is further
RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be and is hereby authorized to administer the
above project, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a certified copy of this resolution be filed with the New York State Commissioner of
Transportation by attaching it to any necessary Agreement in connection with the Project, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That this Resolution shall take effect immediately.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Passed unanimously.
4.3 DPW – Authorization to Amend CP #802
Moved by Alderperson Fleming. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart.
WHEREAS, Cascadilla Creekway Project, P.I.N. 3950.58 (“the Project”) is eligible for funding under
Title 23 U.S. Code as administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), as amended, that
calls for the apportionment of the costs such program to be borne at the ratio of 80% Federal funds and
20% non-Federal funds; and
WHEREAS, the Project includes the following four infrastructure components (Cascadilla Avenue
enhancement; railing replacement along Cascadilla Creek; Sears Street Pedestrian Bridge Replacement;
and intersection improvement at Cascadilla Ave /N Cayuga Street, and
WHEREAS, this Project constitutes a reconstruction of facility in-kind on the same site as well as
maintenance or repair involving no substantial change in an existing facility, and is therefore a Type II
action under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Regulation and in accordance with 6
NYCRR Part 617 requiring no environmental review, and
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November 16, 2016
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WHEREAS, on June 4, 2014,Common Council authorized the City of Ithaca to pay in the first instance
100% of the Federal and non-Federal share of the costs of all work for the Project, and
WHEREAS, the sum of $750,000 has been appropriated from Capital Project #802 and made available
to cover the cost of the Project with the understanding that the cost to the City would be 20% or
$150,000,and
WHEREAS, as part of the approved 2017 budget, Common Council authorized additional $90,000
funding for the Project, and
WHEREAS, on September 12, 2016, Dormitory Authority of New York State (DASNY) awarded the
City additional $250,000 funding to cover additional Project cost as part of a reimbursement program
with no local match, and
WHEREAS, the current and proposed project budget are outlined as follows:
Authorization
Total
Project
Budget
City of Ithaca
Share
FHWA Share
DASNY
Current $750,000 $150,000 $600,000 $0
Proposed $1,090,000 $240,000 $600,000 $250,000
Increase $340,000 $90,000 $0 $250,000
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That, Common Council hereby approves an increase of Capital Project #802 by an amount
not to exceed $340,000, which includes $90,000 in the 2017 Capital Project budget and the funding in
the first instance for $250,000 of DASNY funds, for a total project authorization of $1,090,000, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That this project be undertaken with the understanding that the final cost of the Project to
the City of Ithaca will be roughly 22% of said portion, currently estimated at $240,000 of the $1,090,000
authorized for this portion of the project, and be it further
RESOLVED, That in the event the full federal and non-federal share costs of the project exceeds the
amount appropriated above, the Common Council of the City of Ithaca shall convene as soon as possible
to appropriate said excess amount immediately upon the notification by the New York State Department
of Transportation thereof, and it is further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor of the City of Ithaca be and is hereby authorized to execute all necessary
Agreements on behalf of the City of Ithaca with the NYSDOT and the DASNY in connection with the
advancement or approval of the Project and providing for the administration of the Project and the
municipality’s first instance funding of Project costs and permanent funding of the local share of
federal-aid and state-aid eligible Project costs and all Project costs within appropriations therefore that
are not so eligible, and it is further
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November 16, 2016
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RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be and is hereby authorized to administer the
above project, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a certified copy of this resolution be filed by attaching it to any necessary
Agreements in connection with the Project, and it is further
RESOLVED, This Resolution shall take effect immediately.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Passed unanimously.
4.4 DPW – Authorization to Amend CP #791
Moved by Alderperson McGonigal. Seconded by Alderperson Fleming.
WHEREAS, a project for the rehabilitation of the Lake Street Bridge Over Fall Creek, P.I.N. 375534
(“the Project”) is eligible for funding under Title 23 U.S. Code as administered by the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA), as amended, that calls for the apportionment of the costs such program to be
borne at the ratio of 80% Federal funds and 20% non-Federal funds, and
WHEREAS, On September 4, 2013, Common Council authorized $1,464,250 to cover the cost of the
total Project, and
WHEREAS, On December 1st, 2014, the Board of Public Works unanimously authorized Staff to
undertake Enhancement of Ithaca Falls Public Area (“the Enhancement”) as part of the Project, and
WHEREAS, On February 5, 2015, Common Council approved an increase of CP #791 by an amount
not to exceed $30,000 to cover the design phase of the Enhancement for a total project authorization of
$1,494,250, and
WHEREAS, On December 2, 2015, Common Council approved an increase of CP #791 by an amount
not to exceed $229,750 which included $169,000 for Enhancement construction and $60,750 for the
Project with an understanding that $60,750 would likely eligible for federal and state reimbursement up
to 95% of that amount ($57,000), and
WHEREAS, On September 30, 2016 ,New York State Department of Transportation has provided a
supplemental agreement for the Project that provides $19,927 more than the $60,750 that was
considered on December 2, 2015, and
WHEREAS, both the $60,750 and the $19,927 will be eligible for Federal (80%) and State (15%)
reimbursement, and
WHEREAS, the current and proposed project costs are outlined as follows:
Authorization
Total
Project
Cost
City of Ithaca
Share
NY State
Share
FHWA
Share
Other Funding
Sources (For Park
Enhancement)
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November 16, 2016
Page 12
Current $1,724,000 $106,250 $228,750 $1,220,000 $169,000
Proposed $1,743,927 $107,246 $231,739 $1,235,942 $169,000
Increase $19,927 $996 $2,989 $15,942 $0
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That, Common Council here by approves an increase of Capital Project #791 by an
amount not to exceed $19,927, for a total project authorization of $ 1,743,927, and be it further
RESOLVED, That this project be undertaken with the understanding that the final cost of the Project to
the City of Ithaca will be roughly 6% of said portion, currently estimated at $107,246 of the $1,743,927
authorized for this portion of the project, in monies and in-kind services as managed by the
Superintendent of Public Works and monitored by the City Controller, and be it further
RESOLVED, That in the event the full federal and non-federal share costs of the project exceeds the
amount appropriated above, the Common Council of the City of Ithaca shall convene as soon as possible
to appropriate said excess amount immediately upon the notification by the NYSDOT thereof, and it is
further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor of the City of Ithaca be and is hereby authorized to execute all necessary
Agreements on behalf of the City of Ithaca with the New York State Department of Transportation in
connection with the advancement or approval of the Project and providing for the administration of the
Project and the municipality’s first instance funding of Project costs and permanent funding of the local
share of federal-aid and state-aid eligible Project costs and all Project costs within appropriations
therefore that are not so eligible, and it is further
RESOLVED, That a certified copy of this resolution be filed with the New York State Commissioner of
Transportation by attaching it to any necessary Agreement in connection with the Project, and it is
further
RESOLVED, This Resolution shall take effect immediately, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be and is hereby authorized to administer the
above project.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Passed unanimously.
4.5 Attorney – MOU with Cornell for Funding and Performance of Forest Home Drive Project
Moved by Alderperson Gearhart. Seconded by Alderperson Fleming.
WHEREAS, in September 2015, the City closed Forest Home Drive to vehicular access from Thurston
Avenue to the service drive of Olin Laboratory due to the deteriorating condition of the gorge wall and
structural impact of such on the roadway; and
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WHEREAS, the closure of the above described portion of Forest Home Drive has resulted in restricting
access to portions of the Cornell University campus, namely its Human Ecology Building and parking
garage, and impeding circulation of campus traffic; and
WHEREAS, Cornell University previously set aside $800,000 to support the reconstruction of Stewart
Avenue; and
WHEREAS, Cornell University is now offering to reallocate such funds for the Forest Home Drive
project in the form of a one-time grant in an amount up to $800,000 to enable the City to stabilize the
underlying structural issues and reconstruct Forest Home Drive, reconfigure and improve drainage to
prevent erosion, re-route and/or stabilize the utility lines running from Forest Home Drive under
Thurston Avenue Bridge, and stabilize and reconstruct the retaining wall and sidewalk along Forest
Home Drive; and
WHEREAS, such grant will be distributed upon execution of a memorandum of understanding with
Cornell University concerning the scope and terms and conditions of the project; and
WHEREAS, City staff is supportive of entering into a memorandum of understanding with Cornell and
receiving such funds to perform the work; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council authorizes the City to accept the grant and, upon the advice of the
City Attorney and Superintendent of Public Works, the Mayor to execute a memorandum of
understanding with Cornell University to govern the transfer of the funds and the scope, terms and
conditions of the work, and be it further
RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the executed memorandum of understanding, the funds received
from Cornell University shall be deposited in Capital Project Number 778 for the Forest Home Drive
Project and be used to perform the work.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Passed unanimously.
4.6 IURA – Local Law to Adopt a Restricted Sale Price Exemption for Housing Trust Homes under NYS
Real Property Tax Law Section 467-j
Moved by Alderperson Fleming. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart.
Local Law No. ____-2016
A local law entitled the “City of Ithaca Local Law to Adopt a Restricted Sale Price Exemption for
Housing Trust Homes under NYS Real Property Tax Law Section 467-j”
WHEREAS, there is a demonstrable and critical shortage of affordable housing within the City of Ithaca
and Tompkins County; and
WHEREAS, on May 4, 2016, the Common Council adopted a resolution urging the New York State
Legislature to amend the Real Property Tax Law to authorize taxing jurisdictions to grant a partial tax
City Administration Committee Meeting
November 16, 2016
Page 14
exemption so that an owner-occupied, affordable home subject to a ground lease or deed restriction
which restricts the resale price of the property for at least 30 years incur a property tax bill similar to
residential properties with similar resale values, and
WHEREAS, Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton and Senator O’Mara introduced such legislation that was
enacted into law as Section 467-j of Real Property Tax Law on September 29, 2016, which authorizes
local taxing jurisdictions in Tompkins County, such as the City of Ithaca, to adopt such exemption to
support affordable, owner-occupied housing following adoption of a local law by the County, and
WHEREAS, Tompkins County adopted a local law enacting Section 467-j of Real Property Tax Law on
November 1, 2016, and
WHEREAS, to the extent this constitutes an action as defined by the State and City Environmental
Quality Review, it is a Type II action under §176-5(C)(26) and (8) of the City of Ithaca Environmental
Quality Review Ordinance and is therefore not subject to further environmental review, and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Municipal Home Rule Law Section 10(1)(ii)(a)(8) and (9) the City of Ithaca is
authorized to adopt a local law relating to the levy, administration and collection of local taxes
authorized by the legislature and of assessments for local improvements; now, therefore,
BE IT ENACTED by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca as follows:
Section 1. The City of Ithaca seeks to preserve and expand the amount of affordable, owner-occupied
housing throughout the City.
Section 2. The exemption authorized by Section 467-j of the Real Property Tax Law is hereby adopted.
Section 3. This Local Law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State and
shall be applicable for all assessments rolls filed after this date.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Passed unanimously.
5. Committee Working Group
Alderperson Gearhart and Chairperson Mohlenhoff reported that the survey was distributed to the chairs
of the Boards/Committees to review at its meeting in October or November. Once the completed survey
is returned, responses will be compiled. A brainstorming/visioning session is scheduled for December
1, 2016, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. At this meeting, they will have more discussion on the purpose
behind the restructuring of the Boards/Committees and what the restructure would look like.
6. Meeting Wrap-up
6.1 Announcements
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November 16, 2016
Page 15
Law Enforcement Shared Services: City Attorney Lavine gave an update on this item. A study is being
conducted to determine the feasibility of combining the City of Ithaca Police Department with the
Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office. A search was conducted, proposals were received and a consultant
was selected to conduct the study. Tompkins County will be the municipality to contract with the
consultant. A grant for $50,000 was received from NYS Department of State to use toward conducting
the study. If the cost exceeds $50,000, the Shared Services Committee would request equal funds from
both legislative bodies. The study is slated to be completed by early summer with a presentation to be
given to the County and the City.
6.2 Next Meeting Date: December 16, 2016.
6.3 Review, Agenda Items for Next Meeting. None.
6.4 Adjourn: With no further business and on a motion by Alderperson Fleming, the meeting was adjourned
at 8:00 p.m.