HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PSI-2019-02-04PUBLIC SAFETY AND
INFORMATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
PRESENT:
Chair Jackson
Commissioners (6) Segerson, McLaurin, Holmes, Contraccia, Spadolini, Cantelmo
OTHERS PRESENT:
Common Council Liaison Gearhart
City Clerk Conley Holcomb
Public Information Specialist Faraday
EXCUSED:
Comella
Council Liaison Smith
ABSENT:
Hayton
Meeting was called to order at 6:06pm
Approval of the January 7, 2019 Public Safety & Information Commission Meeting
Minutes- Resolution:
Moved by Commissioner Segerson: Seconded by Commissioner Cantelmo
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the January 7, 2019 Public Safety & Information
Commission meeting be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
Public Comment:
Peter Parks, Owner Benjamin Peters Shop on the Commons, Commissioner for the
Mobility, Accessibility & Transportation Committee. Spoke in opposition to dogs being
allowed on the Commons. Voiced his concerns re garding the potential for human injury,
urination, waste, and possibility of issues arising between dog owners and business
owners.
Date: February 4, 20198
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Common Council Chambers,
3rd Floor, City Hall
Commons:
Dogs on the Commons
Commissioner Segerson shared that he and Commissioner Comella have gone through
city code for 9 cities that have a Pedestrian Mall, all the cities do allow dogs in their
pedestrian mall areas and seemed surprised to hear that Ithaca does not.
Segerson & Comella reached out to Duane Ross regarding maintenance of the
Commons and his concern with dog waste. The Downtown Ithaca Alliance also handles
Commons maintenance and would have to collaborate with the city to establish a viable
clean-up plan if dogs are allowed on the Commons.
The next step in this process is to contact the other municipalities that allow dogs in
their pedestrian mall areas and find out what they do to address the waste.
Tompkins County Visitor’s Bureau Planning Director, Nick Helmholdt shared via email
that he would like to see dogs allowed in all public spaces throughout the city, believes
that the current inconsistency in dogs being permitted some places but not others is
negatively impacting visitors and travel/ visitor-oriented local businesses.
Downtown Ithaca Alliance Operations Director Kris Lewis spoke about the present
situation, that dogs are already on the Commons, the issue is a lack of a way to
navigate this or communicate the rules that presently exist. She chaired the Commons
Advisory Board for a long time and referenced an email that they distributed to local
business owners in which 13 of 16 business owners whom responded stated that they
would favor allowing dogs on the Commons.
There is a concern from the DIA regarding clean up as well.
Ms. Lewis expressed that the DIA does field complaints from people who are upset that
dogs are not allowed on the Commons. Signage in place does not boldly communicate
the rules regarding dogs or other regulations, the present signage was held in aesthetic
consideration when implementing and it tends to get overlooked. Several shops one the
Commons do allow dogs indoors presently.
The Commissioners expressed interest in knowing how much dog traffic would increase
if allowed, and how the allowance or disallowance would affect the number of people
visiting and chopping on the Commons.
Lieutenant Scott Garin, Ithaca Police Department, spoke to the Commissioners about
IPD’s experience with dogs on the Commons. He shared that there weren’t many tickets
issued for violation of dogs on the Commons policy. Officers will enforce ticketing for
dogs on the Commons when it is practical. The absence of clear signage is an issue, as
most visitors are unaware of the rules. In comparison with the rest of the city, IPD does
not receive a lot of calls about dogs on the Commons. He also stated that it is difficult to
enforce something that is not happening in sight of an Officer.
A discussion between all parties ensued. Chair Jackson expressed that she would
prefer the PSIC offer information rather than a decision regarding the issue of dogs on
the Commons. The issue of informing those using the Commons of the rules.
The Commission would be interested in the results of viewing video of the Commons
and seeing how many dogs were present at any given time, City Clerk Holcomb will look
into this number.
Chair Jackson will request demographics about dog complaints from IPD.
Chair Jackson stated that the Mobility, Accessibility, and Transportation Commission
will likely be the first to hold a public forum to gain information on resident’s opinions
regarding issuing a city snow removal program.
The next meeting will take place on Monday, March 4, 2019.
Please note that the September meeting of the PSIC will be held on Thursday the 5 th
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 pm.
Respectfully Submitted by,
Melody Faraday, Public Information Specialist