Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-C&NS-2006-10-11 T COMMUNITY and NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 11, 2006 Committee members present - Chairperson Robin Holtham Korherr, Alderpersons Michelle Courtney Berry, Shane Seger, J.R. Clairborne, Gayraud Townsend; Mayor Peterson. 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:10 P.M. Chairperson Korherr welcomed all to the meeting and noted the location of the fire exits. 2. The minutes of the September 2006 meeting were not available for review. 3. Agenda Review - Chairperson Korherr reported that members of the GIAC Board and GIAC Director Fort would be delayed due to a meeting with Cornell President David Skorton. She introduced Christine Wilbur, Executive Assistant at the Ithaca Fire Department, who will be taking the minutes of this meeting. 4. Public Comment - Mike Raffe, Emergency Services Director of the Tompkins County Chapter of the American Red Cross, expressed to the Committee his appreciation of the Ithaca Fire Department for their rapid response and prevention of major loss and damage as the result of a fire at 308 W. Seneca St. 10-1 apartments and many tenants were displaced. He also thanked the Ithaca Building Department for their assistance in permitting the repairs and renovations to take place in a timely manner— the time out was about one week. Everyone involved showed much care, concern and good cooperation. Mike also spoke to the Committee as a member of the GIAC Board, Executive and Finance Committee. He advocates support of their program needs in the 2007 budget request — he considers that investments in children pays dividends for a long time; and applauded Marcia Fort and GIAC staff for their professionalism in dealing with the facility deterioration problems this Spring that resulted in minimal program disruption. 5. Response to the Public/Privilege of the Floor— Michelle Berry thanked Mike for his comments and is appreciative of his time to come to the Committee. COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING OCTOBER 11, 2006 PAGE 2 Chairperson Korherr thanked the Tompkins County Legislature who approved and authorized the funding of the Recreation Partnership be put back into permanent funding. The vote on the full budget will take place in November. 6. Department Updates — Greater Ithaca Activities Center Marcia Fort thanked the Committee for rearranging the agenda to allow her to conclude her meeting with Cornell University President David Skorton. She explained that President Skorton had requested to come to GIAC to meet with a group of representatives that advocate for people of color. This is the first time a Cornell president has asked to be involved in this way, with this particular aspect of the community— Marcia describes the gesture as "monumental"! She felt there was a good exchange and there are plans for further discussions. Program updates included: - Fall programs going well — school district starting and ending synchronization has positively affected attendance and programming ability for the after school programs — a good fit for GIAC programming. - Teen program is starting with low numbers — strictly enforcing the $30 registration fee —there are (creative) funding possibilities and participants are strongly encouraged to make an effort to pay. - Late Night (Friday) program funding coming from two grants - $16,000 total — Urban Caf6, large dances at Women's Community Bldg., and concerns regarding activities and issues of violence are being addressed. - Seniors Program continues to move along — everyone invited to October 27 breakfast— 9-10:30 AM — good opportunity to talk and share information with senior citizens of our community. - CDL training program has been a huge success — participants are proud to be in the program; - Preliminary award notification - $80,000 grant from NYS — reimbursement program — City agrees to pay upfront—facility renovations i.e. relocate kitchen to first floor, new stage curtains and lighting. - 1.7 million dollar grant application to Restore NY through the TURA Board and community support— could do lots of things — building renovations, emergency management items, etc. - Marcia reported on a very successful summer pilot program to provide meals (dinners) to children. A decision was made to request $17,080 in the 2007 Optional budget request to continue the program; however, due to an anonymous donation of the exact amount for that specific program, the program will begin in November! - The critical areas of the building structural problems were taken care of; however, due to the busy construction season, final repairs will not begin until Spring 2007. The State Department has inspected the building and is deemed OK to continue with programs. - GIAC continues to collaborate with community resources like the Science Center, CSM&A, and Museum of the Earth; martial arts programs, COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING OCTOBER 11, 2006 PAGE 3 basketball for young women, etc. - all very positive and committed to continue work to address issues and needs of the community. All committee members expressed their appreciation to Marcia and all the staff at GIAC for their inspiration, leadership and optimism in meeting the needs of the community. Mayor Peterson was particularly impressed and thankful for the anonymous donation to the food program — she is very mindful of the need for good nutrition and the availability of fresh foods to promote healthy children and families. 7. GIAC Facility Needs —The GIAC Board asked to postpone the discussion to another time. 8. Neighborhood Improvement Incentive Fund — Michelle Berry made a motion to approve a resolution submitted by Leslie Chatterton of the Planning Department regarding a Neighborhood Improvement Incentive Fund for the Utica/Marshall Street Neighborhood seeking assistance in the amount of$156.01. Seconded by Shane Seger. Carried unanimously. (See complete resolution attached to the minutes). 9. Old Business/Updates — - Taxi Operations Review Committee meetings were set for November 21 and December 5, 2006 from 5-7 PM in the second floor conference room at City Hall. Chairperson Korherr will notify the Town of Ithaca and the City Attorney's Office. - The Ithaca City School district is hosting a series of workshops — "People's Institute of Survival and Beyond" — Robin stated that the Director of Staff Development for ICSD has volunteered a subgroup would be present at the January 2007 CNSC meeting to provide an update on several workshops that are provided to the community. The workshops have 3 goals that coincide with the City's long term goals. - The Committee then discussed, at length, the Ithaca City School District's decision to eliminate "courtesy" busing of students within a two- mile radius that attend Boynton Middle School and the Ithaca High School; and their subsequent decision to reinstate busing for those students from the Cayuga Heights area (due to what the Superintendent deems as safety issues). This decision particularly affects students from the Southside area of the City. Some of the options to address this problem that were discussed included: COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING OCTOBER 11, 2006 PAGE 4 -TCAT offering a discount card that could cost $30-$40 could prove to be financially problematic and/or that students should not have to pay; - A petition of those affected asking to rescind their decision;; - Issues of subtle or direct oppression — need to be addressed in larger discussion format for future meetings and agenda item; - Regular attendance at School Board meetings; and better yet, invite School Board members to attend the Community and Neighborhood Issues Committee meetings on a regular basis; -Committee members take turns attending School Board meetings — Robin will provide the committee with the meeting schedule for 2007 and then committee members can volunteer. Michelle Berry volunteered for the January 2007 meeting. -Marcia Fort reported that the busing situation is having an impact on participation at GIAC programs — pre-teens having to walk from Boynton raises a safety issue, and some kids just linger along the way which is another concern. Mike Raffe suggested this issue be presented to the Pedestrian Awareness Committee as well. -J.R. Clairborne agreed to draft a resolution, with committee backing, to file as a member filed resolution at the November Common Council meeting requesting that the ICSD reverse their decision and provide transportation for our youth. 10. Hearing no other business, J.R. Clairborne moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Michelle Berry. Carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Christine M. Wilbur, Executive Assistant Ithaca Fire Department Resolution Extending the Current Recreation Partnership Agreement through December 31, 2007 WHEREAS, Intermunicipal Recreation Partnership has successfully served thousands of young people throughout Tompkins County operating under a five year agreement that expires December 2006, and WHEREAS, the Recreation Partnership's governing board has begun but not yet concluded its internal reflection and process of seeking input from all municipal partners to evaluate and update the partnership agreement for the next five year period, and WHEREAS, Tompkins County, upon recommendation of the Health and Human Services Committee, agree to extend the current Inter-municipal Recreation Partnership Agreement through December 31, 2007, WHEREAS, the Recreation Partnership's governing board will prepare the agreement for the period 2008-2012 by May 2007, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Community and Neighborhood Services Committee approves of the Recreation Partnership evaluation process and also extending the current recreation partnership agreement through December 31, 2007, and be it further RESOLVED, that all terms, conditions, and financial commitments related to the Agreement remain in force through December 2007, and be it further RESOLVED, that the City Clerk will provide a certified copy of the approved final resolution to the Tompkins County Youth Bureau.