HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-YB-2017-06-12
June 13, 2017
Meeting Minutes
Attendance: Eric Nichols, Liz Klohmann, Dave Warden, Barnaby Knoll,
Jesse Tedora and George McGonigal.
Excused: Caitlin Moss, Jason Hecht and Jody A. Hallett-Harris
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Meeting called to order at 6:02 p.m. by Eric Nichols
Roll call and introductions of Board Members and guests.
Guests:
Suki Tabor – Deputy Director
Deb Mehlonoff - Rep of 5th Ward of City Council
Dan Cogan – Chief of Staff
Matt Yarow – Conservation Advisory Council and works at TCAT
Deb Mehlonoff and Dan Cogan – Copies of handouts given
Deb gave an overview of the restructuring of committees:
Grouping themed issues together to try to do a number of things: Up the level of engagement from
people and community, how to be engaged and create a ladder of opportunity to people. This will
create 4 umbrella commissions that will deal with bigger picture issues. It will create a pool of
advisors, so every commission will be officially affiliated with that commission with a team of
visionaries, special topics, and expertise. If you are one of those advisors you are not obligated to
come to every meeting – we are trying to structure it like diversity consortium – there are voting
members and associates: Voting members and affiliates – advisory level and Commissions would
be people appointed by the mayor – they work on various issues
Questions from members and answers from Deb: What happens to the current YB Advisory Board
– there will be a transition plan for each existing Board. There was discussion on the Board’s
current work load and the issues that are being worked on? These have to be integrated into the
new plan. What are your concerns and what IYB Advisory Board needs of us?
Budget at IYB is very complex – we act as advisory board for that budget and we go through that
extensively with Liz and we do have a lot of involvement with that process. The Board has an
Executive Committee Meeting in July and the Board signs off on the budget to the Mayor. Liz
advised that Executive Meeting in July and signs of on the budget to the mayor explained that it’s
been helpful when we there are needs for advocacy. Liz asked how things are split up – it makes
sense to have all the youth organization should be together – GIAC and Southside are currently not
there. Monitoring of programs for current contractual funding obligations, Friends cannot do the
monitoring - we have to monitor in order to continue funding for BBBS to continue under the
BBBS National organization and PSMP also needs to be monitored for contractual obligation.
Eric explained the monitoring procedure and asked how this would happen with just a few
commissioners? Would they have time to do this?
Deb stated that the new system’s advantage is by working with the umbrella commissions and
making those meetings with notes and public notice – it does not preclude departments – Deb will
want to work on this for the BBBS program – would it not be advisable to maintain. Another
advantage is overhaul of application process and appointment – this new system we have online
application system, put you in the cue to where they expertise remain in a database that’s –
Meetings once a month of approximate 2-3 hours – broader public engagement for the public and
what is important to them – allows for public question and answers – that will enhance and make
the public more engaged – we are finding a lot of time consuming ongoing things – after doing
several surveys and reviewing the minutes. There is hope that some of the current members would
want to be commissioners or be in the advisors pool and will be taking a look at new application
process – they will have the city experience or particular areas and also looking at the mayor
appointing a chair then a commissioner – in the transition is there going to be a balance of people
that have an interest in different areas – we don’t have a number set of advisors we have two
standing committees of council – advisor would be just giving information then to the chair
BBBS needs a board, the budget piece – our group will be disbanded and they will be getting in
more details from each committee if this is approved then the rest of pieces will fall into place in
July – January to get those pieces together – there is a lot collaborate efforts with this board and
focused – we want people to feel like something is accomplished with these meetings and how can a
system that allows no meetings and dedication and people at the time. We come here and tell you
what’s going on here and we have built in PR and wonder how we will keep everyone informed –
with so many topics of the groups – issue based or how our information is going to get out in the
future. They need to know what can be done that can’t be done another way – every board does
something of value/importance. Currently, the Mayor makes over 100 appointments to various
groups/boards and that is overwhelming.
Example: Pavilion – issue from Public Works – damage to pavilions – friends of SP have redone
the pavilions – Dave Warden brought that to this committee because we handle pavilion
reservations and we changed the language in the permit for people to sign – this went to Board of
Public Works for approval. That type of issue could be brought up and where this would go to
commission and possibly a working group if something lengthy or time consuming. Chair of
commission can convene that group.
What happens to the members of this board – what does the new systems look like. Hope that some
of you become commissions or in the advisors pool as well. New application process will be in place
with first priority hopefully to currently serving members. Mayor will appoint a chair who will
have more work than just a commissioner – this chair will be confidence/comfortable to take on this
role.
The boards currently running will be disbanded once this is passed – July, 2017 to January, 2018 to
work on getting those pieces together.
Authorized locations will be needed for these monthly meetings and can be held at different
approved locations.
They have collected rules of procedure and manuals, etc., there will be a Rules of Procedure
Manual for the new Committee Structure which will have the legal language for state, etc.
Commissioners will have to be City of Ithaca residents – write on application your affiliation – (7
out of 9 for City of Ithaca residents). This goes to City Administration – then to Council in July –
then referendum – change the power of the mayor reducing or increasing the power of him – goes
to referendum cause reducing the number of appointments the mayor does; takes this complicated
restricting Referendum in November – start identifying people for chairs – January 1st have these
up and going and functioning –
BBBS – legal requirements that needs to be met – should go through to Ari – youth/youth
development and youth recreation should be together not be split - youth services, recreation,
employment – all youth together in one spot – recreation partnership should not be named under
any of them; challenges are hot topic issues that come and go and some are chores that have to be
done.
The April and May Minutes were tabled for next month’s meeting as there wasn’t a quorum.
Kim Olsen with Outings cancelled the shadowing with Eric and will reschedule.
Radio spot – brief discussion regarding the 30 second spot for the radio – this due to studio for running in
July. Jesse will email final to Liz for final approval.
Staff and Program Updates:
Friends of the IYB submitted a grant to M&T Bank and $1,020 was awarded for summer camp
scholarships. Heath Duncan was hired at Cass Park for the Recreation Assistant position; Heath has
grown up with the IYB and been in the community for a long time. He has worked as a seasonal worker
at Cass Park and will now be working at Cass Park as well as some programming recreation programming
here at the IYB. Administrative Assistant position will not be filled at this time; had done some
interviews and at this time going to take a pause on hiring for this position. Fall registration is currently
open and the Fall I-playbook passed around.
George McGonigal – Common Council – discussion and again regarding the Committees on Committees
restructuring
Meeting Adjourned: 8:30 p.m.
Next Meeting:
Executive Committee Budget Review - July 17, 2017 at 4-6:00 p.m., 2nd Floor Conference
Room
Regular meeting – July 25, 2017 at 6:00p.m., Green Room