HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CA-2018-05-16CITY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 6:00 p.m. May 16, 2018
PRESENT:
Alderperson Mohlenhoff – Chair
Alderpersons (4): Gearhart, Kerslick, McGonigal, Nguyen
Mayor (1): Myrick
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Attorney – Lavine
Bridge Systems Engineer – Gebre
Youth Bureau Director – Klohmann
Superintendent of Public Works – Thorne
Director of Parking – Messmer
Chief of Staff – Cogan
HR Director – Michell-Nunn
Controller - Thayer
Deputy Controller – Andrew
1. Call to Order
1.1 Agenda Review: The following item was pulled from the agenda and will be on next month’s agenda:
4.1 – Mayor – Safer Consumption Spaces.
1.2 Review/Approval of Minutes: Alderperson Kerslick made a motion to approve the minutes from the
April 18, 2018 meeting of the City Administration Committee. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart.
Motion carried unanimously.
1.3 Statements from the Public
Fay Gougakis, of Ithaca, expressed her concerns about lime bikes being left on bike racks and asked that
signage regarding dogs on commons be made larger.
1.4 Statements from Employees. None.
1.5 Council Response
Alderperson Nguyen stated that the rollout about lime bikes was confusing and that these bikes are not
supposed to be left on bike racks.
Alderperson McGonigal responded that the issue about dogs on the Commons had not been resolved and
that the regulations in the Charter are not enforced. This item will be included on the agenda for the
Public Safety Commission.
Alderperson Kerslick stated that the Chief of Staff’s e-mail encouraged people to move lime bikes off
the racks.
City Administration Committee Meeting
May 16, 2018
Page 2
2. Consent Agenda Items
2.1 W&S - Amendment to Personnel Roster
Moved by Alderperson Kerslick. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart.
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Department of Public Works Water & Sewer Division has need of a
Senior Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist, and
WHEREAS, the new job description and new position duties statement have been approved by the City
of Ithaca Human Resources Department and the Civil Service Commission, and
WHEREAS, the total additional salary difference entailed in adding a Sr. GIS Specialist and deleting a
GIS Specialist is approximately $2,116, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Department of Public Works Water & Sewer Division has the funds
available in the 2018 Budget in the Administrative salary lines and will incorporate the necessary funds
in the 2019 and future Budgets; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Personal Roster of the City of Ithaca Department of Public Works Water & Sewer
Division be amended as follows:
Delete: One (1) Geographic Information Systems Specialist (40 hours)
Add: One (1) Senior Geographic Information Systems Specialist (40 hours),
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the position of Senior Geographic Information Systems Specialist shall be assigned
to the CSEA Administrative Unit Compensation Plan at salary grade 13, 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 the Senior Geographic Information
System Specialist position shall be established at eight (8) hours per day (forty (40) hours per week).
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Passed unanimously.
2.2 HR – Request to Amend Authorized Budget for a Safety Grant
Moved by Alderperson Kerslick. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart.
WHEREAS, the City applied for and received an Occupational Safety and Health Training Education
Program Grant from the New York State Department of Labor in the amount of $11,810, and
WHEREAS, the grant will run until July 31, 2018, and provide City staff with various safety training,
including, but not limited to: confined space, trenching, excavation, lockout/tagout, hazard
communications and work zone safety; now, therefore, be it
City Administration Committee Meeting
May 16, 2018
Page 3
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends the 2018 Authorized Human Resources Budget to
account for the $11,810 Safety and Health Training and Education Program Grant from New York State
as follows:
Increase Revenue Account:
A1430-3489 NYS Aid Health $ 11,810
Increase Appropriations Account:
A1430-5435 Human Resources Contracts $ 11,810
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Passed unanimously.
2.3 Access Oversight Committee Recommendations for 2019 Budget
Moved by Alderperson Kerslick. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart.
WHEREAS, Section 15.12 of the Franchise Agreement between the City of Ithaca and Time Warner
Entertainment-Advance/Newhouse Partnership (TWC) of January 2003, and since assigned to Charter
Communications, Inc. (d/b/a Spectrum Networks) after its 2016 acquisition of TWC, requires the
participating municipalities (City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, Village of Cayuga Heights) to provide it
with an annual budget for Public, Educational and Governmental access operations (PEG) by June 30 of
each calendar year, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca's Ordinance #2003-17, Par 18-4-G, requires the Access Oversight
Committee (AOC) to provide the Participating Municipalities with a recommended annual budget by
May 31 of each calendar year, and
WHEREAS, in 2017 it was resolved not to use the 2018 Budget funds but have them become part of
the 2019 Budget, and
WHEREAS, the AOC has reviewed PEG’s current equipment and anticipates that only a limited
amount of new or replacement equipment will be needed, and
WHEREAS, the AOC anticipates the replacement of computers and the current playback system in the
next few years, and
WHEREAS, such purchases would exceed the available funds of one budget year; now therefore be it,
and
WHEREAS, at their regular meeting on May 1, 2018 the AOC recommended earmarking up to
$5,000.00 as contingency to purchase equipment as needed for the functioning of PEG operations, and
to let the remaining 2018 and 2019 Budget funds accumulate and become part of the 2020 Budget;
now therefore be it
City Administration Committee Meeting
May 16, 2018
Page 4
RESOLVED, That the Common Council of the City of Ithaca accepts the AOC recommended budget
for 2019 such that the participating municipalities may meet their obligation to provide Spectrum TV
with an annual budget for Public, Educational and Governmental access operations.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Passed unanimously.
3. Finance, Budget and Appropriations
3.1A Eng. - Brindley Street Bridge Replacement Project
Moved by Alderperson Kerslick. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart.
WHEREAS, a Project for the Brindley Street Bridge Replacement over Cayuga Inlet, P.I.N. 375611 (the
“Project”) is eligible for funding under Title 23 U.S. Code, 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 involves the construction of a new roadway and bridge on a relocated horizontal
alignment that will connect Taber Street with the West State Street/Taughnnock Boulevard intersection,
and
WHEREAS, as part of the approved 2011 budget, the City of Ithaca established Capital Project #764 in
the amount of $205,000 to cover scoping and development phases of the project, and
WHEREAS, as part of the approved 2015 budget, Common Council authorized an additional $303,000
for the project, and
WHEREAS, as part of the approved 2017 budget, Common Council authorized an additional $134,000
for the project, and
WHEREAS, On June 8, 2017, Common Council approved an increase of CP#764 by an amount not to
exceed $16,650 (80% Federal and 20% City Share) to cover the cost of participation in the Right-of-
Way Acquisition phase of the Project, and
WHEREAS, as part of the approved 2018 budget, Common Council authorized additional $2,788,000
(80% Federal and 20% City Share) to pay in the first instance 100% of the federal and non-federal share
of the costs of Construction and Construction Inspection, and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works has decided to allocate $100,000 in Consolidated Local
Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) fund to be used as a local match to cover
construction cost, and
WHEREAS, On May 15, 2018, an additional $570,000 Project funding was made available by New
York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) for Construction and Construction Inspection
Phases, and
City Administration Committee Meeting
May 16, 2018
Page 5
WHEREAS, to cover a significant project budget shortfall, the Department of Public Works has decided
to bid the following project components as bid alternates: repurposing the existing Brindley Street
Bridge as a pedestrian/bike bridge; additional aesthetic improvements; and additional landscaping
improvements, and
WHEREAS, inclusion of the bid alternates to the project will only be determined based on whether
sufficient funds for the work are available according to the total cost bid for the bid alternate work by
the successful low bidder for the base bid, and
WHEREAS, the amended project budget is projected to be $4,120,000, and
WHEREAS, the current and proposed project costs are outlined as follows:
Authorization Total Project
Cost
City of Ithaca
Share
Federal Highway
Administration Share
NYSDOT CHIPS
Fund
Current $3,450,000 $1,370,000 $2,080,000 $0
Proposed $4,120,000 $1,317,600 $2,702,400 $100,000
Increase/Decrease $670,000
($52,400) $622,400 $100,000
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That, Common Council hereby approves an increase of Capital Project #764 by an amount
not to exceed $670,000, for a total project authorization of $4,120,000, 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 32% of said portion, currently estimated at $1,317,600 of the
$4,120,000 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 exceed 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 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 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 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
City Administration Committee Meeting
May 16, 2018
Page 6
RESOLVED, That 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, and be it further
RESOLVED, That funds necessary for said project amendment shall be derived from the issuance of
Serial Bonds with later payment from Federal Aid.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Yes (1): Kerslick
No (4): Gearhart, McGonigal, Mohlenhoff, Nguyen
Motion failed 1-4.
3.1B Eng. - Brindley Street Bridge Replacement Project
Moved by Alderperson Gearhart. Seconded by Alderperson Nguyen.
WHEREAS, a Project for the Brindley Street Bridge Replacement over Cayuga Inlet, P.I.N. 375611 (the
“Project”) is eligible for funding under Title 23 U.S. Code, 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 involves the construction of new a roadway and bridge on a relocated horizontal
alignment that will connect Taber Street with the West State Street/Taughnnock Boulevard intersection,
and
WHEREAS, as part of the approved 2011 budget, the City of Ithaca established Capital Project #764 in
the amount of $205,000 to cover scoping and development phases of the project, and
WHEREAS, as part of the approved 2015 budget, Common Council authorized an additional $303,000
for the project, and
WHEREAS, as part of the approved 2017 budget, Common Council authorized an additional $134,000
for the project, and
WHEREAS, on June 8, 2017, Common Council approved an increase of CP#764 by an amount not to
exceed $16,650 (80% Federal and 20% City Share) to cover the cost of participation in the Right-of-
Way Acquisition phase of the Project, and
WHEREAS, as part of the approved 2018 budget, Common Council authorized an additional
$2,788,000 (80% Federal and 20% City Share) to pay in the first instance 100% of the Federal and non-
Federal share of the costs of Construction and Construction Inspection, and
City Administration Committee Meeting
May 16, 2018
Page 7
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works has decided to allocate $100,000 in Consolidated Local
Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) fund to cover the project construction cost as a
local match, and
WHEREAS, On May 15, 2018, an additional $570,000 Project funding was made available by New
York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) for Construction and Construction Inspection
Phases, and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works is planning to repurpose the existing bridge to serve as
pedestrian bridge for a total cost of $202,000, and
WHEREAS, On November 28, 2017, as part of the project’s Site Plan Approval, City of Ithaca Planning
and Development Board requested additional aesthetic and landscaping improvements for a total cost of
$160,000, and
WHEREAS, the amended project budget is projected to be $ 4,482,000, and
WHEREAS, the current and proposed project costs are outlined as follows:
Authorization Total Project
Cost
City of Ithaca
Share
Federal Highway
Administration Share
NYSDOT CHIPS
Fund
Current $3,450,000 $1,370,000 $2,080,000 $0
Proposed $4,482,000 $1,679,600 $2,702,400 $100,000
Increase $1,032,000 $309,600 $622,400 $100,000
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That, Common Council here by approves an increase of Capital Project #764 by an
amount not to exceed $1,032,000, for a total project authorization of $ 4,482,000; 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 37.5% of said portion, currently estimated at $1,679,600 of the
$4,482,000 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 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 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 be it further
City Administration Committee Meeting
May 16, 2018
Page 8
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, 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, and be it further
RESOLVED, That funds necessary for said project amendment shall be derived from the issuance of
Serial Bonds with later payment from Federal Aid.
Yes (3): Gearhart, Mohlenhoff, Nguyen
No (2): Kerslick, McGonigal
Motion passed 3-2.
3.2 Eng. - South Cayuga Street Bridge Deck Replacement Project
Moved by Alderperson Nguyen. Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick.
WHEREAS, a project for the rehabilitation of the South Cayuga Street Bridge over Six Mile Creek,
P.I.N. 375616 (“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 City of Ithaca desires to advance the Project by making a commitment of 100% of the
non-Federal share of the costs of Scoping, Preliminary Design and Detailed Design, 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
WHEREAS, As part of the approved 2018 budget, Common Council already authorized $155,000 (80%
Federal Share and 20% Local Share) to cover the cost of participation in Scoping and Preliminary
Design Phases and an additional $25,000 (100% Local Share) to cover project administration cost, and
WHEREAS, in October 2018 an additional $210,000 (80% Federal and 20% Local Share) in funding for
the project will be made available by the New York State Department of Transportation to cover the cost
of participation in Detailed Design; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Common Council hereby approves the above subject project, and
be it further
City Administration Committee Meeting
May 16, 2018
Page 9
RESOLVED, That the Common Council hereby authorizes the City of Ithaca to pay in the first instance
100% of the Federal and non-Federal share of the cost of Scoping, Preliminary Design and Detailed
Design thereof, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Common Council hereby amends CP#848 to add $210,000 for a
total of $390,000, and be it further
RESOLVED, That funds needed for said project shall be derived from the issuance of Serial Bonds with
the City’s estimated share of the project cost not to exceed 25.1% or $98,000, 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 New York State Department of
Transportation thereof, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor of the City of Ithaca of the County of Tompkins be and is hereby
authorized to sign all necessary Agreements with New York State Department of Transportation to
secure Federal Aid and Marchiselli Aid on behalf of the City of Ithaca and the Superintendent of Public
Works is authorized to sign all necessary construction documents, contracts, certifications and
reimbursement requests, and be it 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.
3.3 DPW - Amend Capital Project 777 for Green and Seneca Garages
Moved by Alderperson Gearhart. Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick.
WHEREAS, Capital Project 777 was established in 2012 and has been amended each year for the
purchase of parking related equipment, and
WHEREAS, the automated parking equipment at Green and Seneca Garages is past its useful life,
requiring frequent, expensive repairs using parts that are no longer commercially available, and is
unreliable to the point that exit gates need to be raised after 11:00 p.m. to prevent vehicles from being
stuck in the garages after hours, representing a significant loss in revenue, and
City Administration Committee Meeting
May 16, 2018
Page 10
WHEREAS, the lost revenue from raising the exit gates at Green and Seneca Garages is estimated at
$7,500 per month, and repair costs associated with the outdated parking equipment were approximately
$58,000 for 2017, for a total of nearly $150,000, and
WHEREAS the replacement cost for newer, reliable equipment for Green and Seneca Garages is
estimated at $485,000, representing a payback period of approximately 3.5 years; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends Capital Project 777 by an amount not to exceed
$485,000 for a total authorized project amount of $1,746,000 for the replacement of automated parking
equipment at the Green and Seneca Garages, and be it further
RESOLVED, That funds necessary for said amendment shall be derived from the issuance of Serial
Bonds.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Passed unanimously.
3.4 YB – Request for Authorization to Apply for a New York State Consolidated Funding Application
Grant for the Cass Park Rink Enclosure Project
Moved by Alderperson McGonigal. Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick.
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Youth Bureau would like to apply for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF)
Grant Program for Parks, Recreation, Preservation and Heritage, Consolidated Funding Application
(CFA) 2018, for the Cass Park Rink Enclosure Project on behalf of the City of Ithaca and
WHEREAS, The Cass Park Rink serves as the hub of all Cass Park facilities and programs, serves
thousands of Ithaca area residents on a year-round basis, and is widely recognized as a valuable public
asset, and
WHEREAS, the City has completed a series of Rink improvements as recommended in structural and
operational reports to complete Phase 1 and Phase 2; Year 1 of the planned 3-phase renovation project,
and
WHEREAS, The Friends of the Ithaca Youth Bureau (FOIYB) has been actively fundraising in the
community, and
WHEREAS the grant funds would enable the City to move forward with the help of FOIYB to complete
Phase 2; Year 2 of the project, which will enclose Cass Park Rink as recommended for optimal
operations; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Director of the City of Ithaca Youth Bureau, is hereby authorized to file an
application for funds in an amount not to exceed $500,000 for the Cass Park Rink Enclosure Project
from the New York State CFA, and upon approval of said request, the Mayor, upon the advice of the
City Attorney, is hereby authorized to enter into and execute a project agreement with the State for such
financial assistance to the City of Ithaca for the Cass Park Rink Enclosure Project; and be it further
City Administration Committee Meeting
May 16, 2018
Page 11
RESOLVED, that The City of Ithaca is authorized and directed to agree to the terms and conditions of
the Master Contract with OPRHP for such Cass Park Rink Enclosure Project.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Passed unanimously.
3.5 Bond Resolution Request
Moved by Alderperson McGonigal. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart.
The Committee approved the resolution authorizing the issuance of Bonds in the amount of $2,252,000;
to pay the cost of certain capital improvements in and for the City of Ithaca.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Passed unanimously.
4. City Administration, Human Resources, and Policy
4.1 Mayor – Resolution Urging the New York State Legislature to Pass the Safer Consumption Services Act
that Authorizes Safer Consumption Spaces as an Emergency Public Health Tool to Combat Overdose
Deaths
This item was removed from the agenda.
4.2 Establishment of a Charitable Gifts Reserve Fund Pursuant to General Municipal Law § 6-u
Moved by Alderperson Kerslick. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart.
WHEREAS, on March 30, 2018, the New York State legislature passed the 2018-19 New York State
Budget, and
WHEREAS, under the Budget, the State legislature added a new section 6-u to Article 2 of the New
York State General Municipal Law that enables the Common Council of the City of Ithaca to establish a
reserve fund known as a charitable gifts reserve fund that may receive unrestricted charitable monetary
contributions to the City of Ithaca, and
WHEREAS, the Common Council finds it beneficial to establish such a charitable gifts reserve fund for
the potential benefit of the City and its taxpayers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Common Council hereby establishes a charitable gifts reserve fund under section
6-u of the New York State General Municipal Law, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Common Council hereby delegates to the City Controller the duty to secure and
invest money deposited into the charitable gifts reserve fund in conformity with the requirements of
General Municipal Law § 6-u and all other applicable provisions of the General Municipal Law, and be
it further
City Administration Committee Meeting
May 16, 2018
Page 12
RESOLVED, That the Common Council hereby establishes the following procedure for contributions to
the charitable gifts reserve fund: charitable gifts may be made into the charitable gifts reserve fund by
presenting such gifts to the City Chamberlain’s Office, which Office shall provide in duplicate to the
contributor a written acknowledgment of the gift, all in accord with such additional procedures as the
City Controller, in consultation with the City Chamberlain, may establish, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the written acknowledgment of the gift shall, per Real Property Tax Law § 980-
a(3)(a), be provided, in duplicate, on a form prescribed by the New York State Commissioner of
Taxation and Finance (the “Commissioner”) and shall specify the amount of the contribution, the name
and address of the donor, the date the contribution was received, the authorized signature of a member
of the Chamberlain’s Office, and such other information as the Commissioner shall require.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Yes (4): Gearhart, Kerslick, Mohlenhoff, Nguyen
No (1): McGonigal
Motion passed 4-1.
4.3 Local Law - Authorization for a Charitable Gifts Reserve Fund Tax Credit Pursuant to Real Property
Tax Law
Moved by Alderperson Nguyen. Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick.
Local Law No. __-2018
A local law entitled “Authorization for a Charitable Gifts Reserve Fund Tax Credit Pursuant to Real
Property Tax Law § 980-a.”
WHEREAS, on March 30, 2018, the New York State legislature passed the 2018-19 New York State
Budget; and
WHEREAS, under the Budget, the State legislature added a new section 6-u to Article 2 of the New
York State General Municipal Law that enables the Common Council of the City of Ithaca to establish a
reserve fund known as a charitable gifts reserve fund that may receive unrestricted charitable monetary
contributions to the City of Ithaca; and
WHEREAS, under the Budget, the State legislature also added a new section 980-a to Article 9 of the
New York State Real Property Tax Law that authorizes real property tax credits for contributions by real
property taxpayers to a charitable gifts reserve fund; now, therefore,
BE IT ENACTED by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca as follows:
Section 1. Legislative Findings, Intent, and Purpose
The Common Council makes the following findings of fact:
City Administration Committee Meeting
May 16, 2018
Page 13
1. The Common Council has established a charitable gifts reserve fund under General Municipal
Law § 6-u.
2. The Common Council seeks to extend a real property tax credit to real property taxpayers in the
City of Ithaca for their contributions to the charitable gifts reserve fund provided for in Real
Property Tax Law § 980-a.
Based upon the above findings of fact, the intent and purpose of this Local Law is to authorize a tax
credit pursuant to Real Property Tax Law § 980-a to real property taxpayers in the City of Ithaca for
their contributions to the charitable gifts reserve fund.
Section 2. Authority
This Local Law is adopted pursuant to real property tax law § 980-a, which authorizes municipal
corporations to adopt a real property tax credit if it has established a charitable gifts reserve fund.
Section 3. The Charitable Gifts Reserve Fund Tax Credit
a) Having previously established a charitable gifts reserve fund, the Common Council hereby
establishes a charitable gifts reserve fund tax credit for the City of Ithaca.
b) Any owner of real property located within the City who makes an unrestricted charitable
monetary contribution to the City’s charitable gifts reserve fund shall be issued a written
acknowledgement of such contribution and may claim a credit against their City real property tax
equal to ninety-five percent (95%) of the charitable gifts reserve fund donation.
c) The “associated credit year” for administration of the real property tax credit authorized in this
Local Law shall, per Real Property Tax Law § 980-a(2)(a), begin on February 1st of each year
and end on January 31st of the following year, except that in the first instance it shall begin on
such date as this local law takes effect and end on January 31, 2019.
d) Upon presentation during any given associated credit year of a written acknowledgement of
contribution and credit claim form in compliance with Real Property Tax Law § 980-a(3)(b) and
such other procedures as may be established pursuant to this Local Law, the City Chamberlain
shall, to the extent authorized by Real Property Tax Law § 980-a and this Local Law, grant the
property owner a tax credit towards the tax liability arising from the next-due tax installment
specified in § C-42 of the City Charter as to which the last day prescribed by law on which taxes
may be paid without interest or penalty has not yet expired.
e) The City Chamberlain shall administer the real property tax credit authorized in this Local Law
in conformance with such procedures as specified in Real Property Tax Law § 980-a(3)(b) and
(c), and such other procedures, not inconsistent therewith, established by the City Controller, in
consultation with the City Chamberlain.
Section 4. Severability
Severability is intended throughout and within the provisions of this Local Law. If any section,
subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Local Law is held to be invalid or unconstitutional
City Administration Committee Meeting
May 16, 2018
Page 14
by a court of competent jurisdiction, then that decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions of this Local Law.
Section 5. Effective Date
This Local Law take effect immediately upon the filing of the Local Law in the office of the Secretary
of State.
Yes (4): Gearhart, Kerslick, Mohlenhoff, Nguyen
No (1): McGonigal
Motion passed 4-1.
5. Budget Process - June Meeting Prep
There will not be a presentation from DPW – Parking at the Special Common Council meeting in May.
The Parking Division presentation will be included with DPW at the Special Common Council meeting
in June. Chief of Staff Cogan stated that he would work with the Director of Parking on what to include
in the presentation for the Parking Division.
The Committee discussed what information they wanted the Department of Public Works to present at
the Special Common Council meeting in June, such as:
Parking garages and equipment
What expenses would be incurred with the installation of the new parking equipment?
Would the new equipment be good for gathering data?
What parking equipment is currently sitting in storage?
Updated parking data (e.g. that shows a return on investment, increase in revenue, etc.)
Investigate pay parking on evenings and weekends
What the impact would be if the City returned to one-hour free parking
Offsite/remote parking, similar to Cornell. What would the impact be to relocate employee
parking and shuttle employees to worksites?
What are the pros and cons to long term parking and/or short-term parking?
Is Downtown Ithaca Alliance pursuing parking initiatives? If so, why?
Consider hang tag option for parking in garages
Funding for new paving crew. If funded, could the employees be able to work in other jobs?
Water infrastructure
6. Meeting Wrap-up
6.1 Announcements
The Board of Public Works (BPW) meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesdays of the month. There has been
a problem with a quorum at the BPW meeting. Without a quorum, important voting items could be
delayed. It was suggested that resolutions that require a vote on the BPW agenda be included on the
City Administration Committee Meeting
May 16, 2018
Page 15
City Administration Committee (CAC) agenda. If the resolutions are passed at the BPW meeting, they
would be removed from the CAC agenda.
6.2 Next Meeting Date: June 20, 2018.
6.3 Review, Agenda Items for Next Meeting
Future agenda items: Shopping Carts
6.4 Adjourn: With no further business and on a motion by Alderperson Gearhart, the meeting was
adjourned at 8:40 p.m.