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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CA-2022-01-26CITY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 6:00 p.m. January 26, 2022 PRESENT: Alderperson Cantelmo – Chair Alderpersons (4): Barken, Defendini, McGonigal, Nguyen OTHERS PRESENT: YB Director – Klohmann Director of Engineering Services – Logue Superintendent of Public Works – Thorne IURA Executive Director – Bohn City Attorney – Lavine Deputy Director of Economic Development – Knipe Fire Chief – Parsons Chief of Staff – Vavra HR Director – Michell-Nunn Controller – Thayer Deputy Controller – Andrew 1. Call to Order 1.1 Agenda Review. None. 1.2 Review/Approval of Minutes: Alderperson Nguyen made a motion to approve the minutes from the City Administration Committee meeting held on December 15, 2021. Seconded by Alderperson McGonigal. Motion carried unanimously. 1.3 Statements from the Public. None. 1.4 Statements from Employees. None. 1.5 Council Response. None. 2. Consent Agenda Items 2.1 YB - Amend the Youth Bureau 2022 Roster & Budget Moved by Alderperson Nguyen. Seconded by Alderperson McGonigal. WHEREAS, The Youth Bureau is requesting permission to amend the 2022 personnel roster; and, WHEREAS, the Youth Bureau has worked closely with HR to determine the position that best fits the responsibilities and duties needed in Recreation Support Services; and, WHEREAS, in anticipation of Civil Service Commission approval of a Recreation Specialist for IWD (20 hour); and, now, therefore, be it City Administration Committee Meeting January 26, 2022 Page 2 RESOLVED, That the Personnel Roster of the Youth Bureau shall be amended effective February 1, 2022, as follows: Add: One (1) Recreation Specialist for IWD (20 hours) Defund: One (1) Recreation Program Leader (20 hours) Fund: One (1) Recreation Specialist for IWD (20 hours) and, be it further RESOLVED, That any additional funds associated with this change will come from within the approved 2022 Ithaca Youth Bureau budget. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 2.2 DPW - Amendment to Roster Resolution - Civil Engineer Moved by Alderperson Nguyen. Seconded by Alderperson McGonigal. WHEREAS, the Engineering Division in the Department of Public Works has several large capital projects scheduled for 2022, and with ARPA funds and the recent passage of a Federal Infrastructure bill, is likely to have several more complex capital projects over the next several years; and WHEREAS, the Engineering Division has an immediate need for an experienced civil engineer to manage design and construction efforts for upcoming capital projects; and WHEREAS, the Ithaca Civil Service Commission established a new Civil Engineer position at their December 8, 2021, meeting; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Personnel Roster of the Engineering Division of the Department of Public Works shall be amended as follows: Add: One (1) Civil Engineer Position (40 hours) Defund: One (1) Engineering Technician Position (40 hours) 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. 2.3 PBZ&ED - Amendment to Personnel Roster Moved by Alderperson Nguyen. Seconded by Alderperson McGonigal. City Administration Committee Meeting January 26, 2022 Page 3 WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca (City) has demonstrated its desire and commitment to be a leader in sustainability and social equity, as exemplified by adoption of the Ithaca Green New Deal (IGND); and WHEREAS, in 2020, the city created the position of Director of Sustainability, and in 2021 hired the position, the duties of which are to create and implement programs and initiatives to achieve the goals of the IGND; and WHEREAS, The 2022 City budget includes funding for a new sustainability planner to further these efforts; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Personnel Roster of the Planning and Development Department be amended as follows: Add: One (1) Sustainability Planner (40 hours/week) and be it further RESOLVED, That the position of Sustainability Planner 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 this position shall be established at eight (8) hours per day (forty (40) hours per week), and be it further RESOLVED, That funding for this position shall be derived from the approved 2022 departmental budget. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 3. Finance, Budget and Appropriations 3.1 DPW - Recommendation to Increase Pavilion Reservation Fees Moved by Alderperson McGonigal. Seconded by Alderperson Nguyen. WHEREAS, the Ithaca Youth Bureau has reviewed the pavilion rental fees for the 2022 season; because they handle the rentals and are most familiar with the current use or demand for the facilities in both parks; and WHEREAS, the existing fee structure at Cass Park and Stewart Park pavilions is based on the number of people and allows for pavilion sharing; and WHEREAS, an hourly fee will lead renters to only reserve the amount of time they need for their use which will increase availability and access to additional users and be more conducive to health and safety guidelines; and City Administration Committee Meeting January 26, 2022 Page 4 WHEREAS, the Ithaca Youth Bureau is proposing a new fee structure that will charge an hourly rate for rentals up to 7 hours and a flat rate for 8+ rental hours, and accommodate one group at a time; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council adopts the following new rental fees at Stewart Park, effective January 1, 2022: City of Ithaca 2022 Pavilion Fees (proposed) (Non-Resident Fee/City Resident Fee) Stewart Park Large Pavilion $65/$50 per hour. 8 + hours for $475/$375. Stewart Park Small Pavilion $50/$35 per hour. 8+ hours for $375/$275. Stewart Park BBQ Pavilion $35/$25 per hour. 8+ hours for $265/$180. Cass Park Pavilion $45/$30 per hour. 8+ hours rent for $330/$225. Cass Park BBQ Pavilion $30/$20 per hour. 8+ hours rent for $225/$150. For events that are applying through the City’s “Special Event” permit process and are required to reserve the pavilions at Stewart and/or Cass in order to operate their event, the fees below will apply. Stewart Park Special Event Pavilion Rental (includes SP Large, SP Small and SP BBQ pavilions) - $600/day Cass Park Special Event Pavilion Rental (includes Cass Park BBQ and Cass Park Pavilion) - $270/day *All reservations/rentals are “exclusive use” (one user group at a time) A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 3.2 DPW - 2022 Water and Sewer Rates Moved by Alderperson Barken. Seconded by Alderperson Nguyen. WHEREAS, in accordance with City Charter, the Board of Public Works has the authority to set water and sewer rates; and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has been unable to obtain a quorum to approve the 2022 water and sewer rates prior to December 31, 2021, or in January 2022, and the Department of Public Works is asking Common Council to approve the 2022 water and sewer rates retroactive to January 1, 2022; and WHEREAS, DPW staff has estimated water and sewer expenses for 2022 and the City Controller has established the appropriate rates as part of the 2022 operating budget; now, therefore, be it City Administration Committee Meeting January 26, 2022 Page 5 RESOLVED, That Common Council adopts the following water and sewer rates and fees starting for bills due on or after January 1, 2022, and the rates are effective until changed: Basic Rates (per 100 cubic feet): Existing 2021 2022 Water $9.36 $9.73 Sewer $5.80 $6.03 Minimum Billing (per quarter year) METER SIZE CU FT ALLOWED WATER SEWER TOTAL Small 1,200 $116.76 $ 72.36 $189.12 1" 3,200 $311.36 $ 192.96 $504.32 1.5" 5,500 $535.15 $ 331.65 $866.80 2" 11,200 $1,089.76 $ 675.36 $1,765.12 3" 16,000 $1,556.80 $ 964.80 $2,521.50 4" 24,100 $2,344.93 $ 1,453.23 $3,798.16 6" 42,100 $4,096.33 $ 2,538.63 $6,634.96 Other Services • Unmetered sprinkler service: $12 per inch diameter per quarter • Metered water for circuses, carnivals contractors, etc., through suitable connection at hydrant installed by Water and Sewer: charged by use, with minimum bill of $200 per day for the first 7 days and $50 per day thereafter. • Bulk Water for street sweepers, tank trucks, spray rigs, etc., available at the Water building: $100 per load up to 500 gallons, and $25 per thousand over 500 gallons. • There will be no allowable sewer credit for pool filling. • Meter removal, meter resetting, turning water off, or turning water on at curb stop: $40 per event. • Residential Meter Testing: $150 if meter is found to be within industry tolerances; no charge if out of tolerance. • Replacement of frosted or damaged residential meter:  During business hours – cost of the meter plus $50  After hours without a call-in – cost of the meter plus $125  After hours with a call-in – cost of the meter plus $220 • Replace damaged AMR meter head, caused by owner/occupant negligence: cost of new meter plus $60. • City of Ithaca “Request for Entry” letters to residence or commercial establishment to service water meter, (each request per billing cycle):  First request – No response by Owner after 15 days, written warning  Second request – No response by Owner after 15 days, $25 administrative surcharge placed on next water bill City Administration Committee Meeting January 26, 2022 Page 6  Third request – No response by Owner after 15 days, $100 administrative surcharge placed on next water bill. $100 administrative surcharge continuously billed thereafter until service has been fulfilled. • Special meter reading with corresponding bill: $45 per special read. • Data Logs: the first obtainable data log is free, delivered electronically in a PDF format. Paper copies will be printed upon request at the cost of duplication. All additional data logs shall be charged at $45 each delivered electronically. If a City issue is found as a result of a data log, there shall be no charge. • All other special services: To be billed at cost (including overhead) with supporting bill documentation. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 3.3 DPW - Use of City Owned College Avenue Telecommunication System Spaces Moved by Alderperson Defendini. Seconded by Alderperson Barken. WHEREAS, the City recently constructed underground conduits and vaults under College Avenue, between Mitchell Street and Dryden Road (“Telecom System Spaces”) to facilitate installation of telecommunications equipment by multiple providers; and WHEREAS, the City expects to receive requests to occupy the Telecom System Spaces; and WHEREAS, City staff is supportive of this use of the Telecom System Spaces; and WHEREAS, the Superintendent does not anticipate any conflicts in the near future with public works uses or needs; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that Common Council hereby sets forth the following annual license fee structure for use of the College Avenue Telecom System Spaces: $3.02 per linear foot of dedicated 4-inch conduit; Each dedicated conduit line licensed shall include a license to use up to 2.25 square feet of wall space in a corresponding vault; $1.01 per linear foot of shared 4-inch conduit; and RESOLVED, the annual use fee set forth above shall be considered the base license fee for use of the City’s Telecom System Spaces, and that at the City’s discretion, the same may be adjusted for each year by an amount up to the amount of the increase in the consumer price index; and RESOLVED, that the license agreement allowing said use of City-owned structure shall contain the usual terms and conditions of the City’s license agreement, including those specified in Chapter 170 of the City’s Municipal Code; and City Administration Committee Meeting January 26, 2022 Page 7 RESOLVED, Common Council hereby authorizes the Superintendent, upon review of the City Attorney, to permit by license interested telecom providers to install telecommunications conduit and equipment within the Telecom System Spaces subject to the following requirements: 1) Proof of bonding or other sufficient security in an amount that the Superintendent deems appropriate to compensate the City for damage to its property during the course of installation and in the event the City must affect removal of the equipment, 2) Submission of an application and fee for Use of City Property, 3) Submission and approval of final installation plan for Superintendent of Public Works’ review prior to installation; and 4) Installation and continued operation of telecom service from within the City’s Telecom System Space(s) contingent on the company’s execution of the City’s license agreement and payment of the applicable application and annual fee, and 5) Issuance of street permit for any work zone traffic control (including but not limited to sidewalk or travel lane closures, reroutes, flagging operations, or bus stop impacts). A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 3.4 DPW – Acceptance of Promenade Easement at Cascadilla Creek and Cayuga Inlet Moved by Alderperson Nguyen. Seconded by Alderperson Defendini. WHEREAS, pursuant to a Development and Maintenance Agreement between City Harbor, LLC and the City of Ithaca dated May 28, 2021 (the “Pier Road Development Agreement”), City Harbor agreed to construct and maintain a pedestrian promenade on the City Harbor Property along the waterfront of Cascadilla Creek and Cayuga Inlet (the “Promenade”) in the location set forth on a certain map prepared by T.G. Miller, P.C. titled “Phase 1, City Harbor Development, City Harbor, LLC and The Guthrie Clinic, 101 Pier Road, Ithaca, New York”; and WHEREAS, the Pier Road Development Agreement requires City Harbor to provide the City of Ithaca with an easement permitting public access to the Promenade (the “Promenade Easement”); and WHEREAS, the City shall have no obligation to maintain the property over which the Promenade Easement shall be granted; and WHEREAS, the City wishes to acquire said Promenade Easement in order to permit members of the public to use and enjoy said Promenade; be it hereby RESOLVED, The City of Ithaca Common Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to accept the Promenade Easement on behalf of the City, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor, subject to review by the City Attorney, is hereby authorized to execute any and all documents, including without limitation an easement agreement, necessary to implement this resolution. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: City Administration Committee Meeting January 26, 2022 Page 8 Passed unanimously. 3.5 IURA - Community Housing Development Fund, Round #21 — Authorize Disbursement of Funds Pursuant to an Executed MOU Moved by Alderperson McGonigal. Seconded by Alderperson Nguyen. WHEREAS, the Community Housing Development Fund (CHDF) was established in 2009, and renewed in 2015 and 2021, by Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among and between the City of Ithaca, Tompkins County and Cornell University to raise and award funds to increase the supply of permanently affordable housing in the County; and WHEREAS, for 2019, Cornell University contributed $300,000 to the CHDF and the City of Ithaca and Tompkins County each contribute $200,000 available for Round #21; and WHEREAS, the Common Council determined that City contributions to the CHDF should be used solely to assist those projects located within the City of Ithaca; and WHEREAS, the Program Oversight Committee, which includes three City appointees, reviews, and recommends projects for awards, including the amount and funding source; and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Common Council retains authority to approve, modify or reject the POC’s recommendation for use of City funds; and WHEREAS, action to authorize disbursement of City funds requires prior completion of environmental review for housing projects; and WHEREAS, the POC recommends the following affordable housing projects for funding: Community Housing Development Fund Round #21 Recommended Funding Awards Applicant Project # Units Municipality Funding ($1,000s) Cornell County City Dryden Total IHA/CHD C Northside Apartments 82 rentals (C) Ithaca 0 57.8 102.2 0 160 INHS CHT – Scattered Sites 8 for-sale (C) Ithaca & (V) Freeville 284.8 15.2 0 0 300 Second Wind Dryden House 4 rentals (V) Dryden 0 70 0 50 120 Visum W State St Apartments 57 rentals (C) Ithaca 0 0 100 0 100 Red Tail/ Habitat White Hawk Ecovillage 1 for-sale (T) Danby 40 0 0 0 40 Totals 152 units 324.8 143 202.2 50 720 City Administration Committee Meeting January 26, 2022 Page 9 and, WHEREAS, pursuant to the MOU, Tompkins County administers the CHDF, including collection of contributions to the CHDF and distribution of funds to project sponsors; and WHEREAS, the Northside Apartments project completed environmental review by the City Planning and Development Board and is scheduled for a closing on financing in March 2022; and WHEREAS, annual City contributions to the CHDF are placed in Restricted Contingency, now; therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Common Council for the City of Ithaca hereby authorizes an expenditure of up to $102,200 to Tompkins County for the following affordable housing project to implement a recommended funding award for rounds #21 of the Community Housing Development Fund: Project Name: Northside Apartments Location: Hancock Street, Ithaca, NY Applicant: Cayuga Housing Development Corp., an affiliate of Ithaca Housing Authority Project Summary: Construction of 82 rental housing units to replace the existing 70-unit project and be it further, RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby directs the Controller to use encumbered housing funds in an amount not to exceed $102,200 from Account A8020-5435 Planning Contracts, and be it further, RESOLVED, That the $102,200 be appropriated from the current balance in the Housing Fund of $182,200, to fund the $102,200 City portion of the City/County/Cornell Housing Trust for the above listed project, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor, subject to advice of the City Attorney, is hereby authorized to execute a fiscal agency agreement with Tompkins County to implement this resolution. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 3.6 IURA - Reinvest Mortgage Recording Tax Revenues Back Into the Green Street Garage Redevelopment Project Moved by Alderperson Barken. Seconded by Alderperson Nguyen. WHEREAS, the City approved an urban renewal project and bond financing support to redevelop the Green Street parking garage to include vertical expansion of the parking facility and construction of a community conference center (the “Project”); and City Administration Committee Meeting January 26, 2022 Page 10 WHEREAS, the Project was funded by issuance of $49 million in revenue bonds backed by a pledge of City room occupancy tax revenues and a 30-year City lease of the parking garage; and WHEREAS, a mortgage on the property is held by the bond trustee to secure bondholders; and WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency (“TCIDA”) delivered incentives to the project including sales tax exemption, a payment-in-lieu of tax agreement, and a mortgage recording tax exemption; and WHEREAS, in accordance with TCIDA policy, the New York State portion of the mortgage recording taxes were exempted on the Project, but the local portion remained in effect; and WHEREAS, the Project financing plan anticipated both State and local portions of the mortgage recording taxes would be exempted, thereby creating an unplanned project expense to pay the local portion due; and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca received $247,350 in unanticipated mortgage recording tax revenues from the Project; and WHEREAS, due to rising inflation and supply chain issues, the conference center component of the Project scheduled to begin construction in May 2022, and is experiencing significant cost escalation on construction, and several unanticipated expenses; and WHEREAS, the City faces unbudgeted expenses to timely plow and clear snow around City Hall during construction of the adjacent Project; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Common Council for the City of Ithaca hereby authorizes the transfer of an amount not to exceed $247,350 of mortgage tax revenues received in 2021 to be used to cover future expenses related to the Green Garage Redevelopment project as follows: • Debit $247,350 from Mortgage Revenue Tax revenue account A0001-3005 • Credit $237,350 to account A6989-5435, the room occupancy revenue account, • Credit $10,000 to account A6989-5435, the room occupancy revenue account, to be available to address snow plowing and removal around City Hall during construction of the Project, and be it further RESOLVED, That the City Controller is authorized to encumber and release above referenced funds from the encumbrance account upon receipt of eligible cost documentation from the applicable parties. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 3.7 Attorney - Parking Ticket Pilot Protocol for Not-For-Profit Motor Vehicle Multiple Offenses Moved by Alderperson Nguyen. Seconded by Alderperson Defendini. WHEREAS pursuant to NY Vehicle & Traffic Law §239, parking tickets are the responsibility of the registered owner of the vehicle; and City Administration Committee Meeting January 26, 2022 Page 11 WHEREAS Qualified Car-Sharing Entities (“QCSE”), as defined in Ithaca City Code §346-1(b), exist in the City of Ithaca for purposes that include reducing traffic congestion, reducing the need for private vehicle ownership, and reducing demand for parking within the city; and WHERAS, QCSE owned vehicles are shared by multiple drivers; and WHEREAS, a driver of such a shared vehicle can receive a second or third offense parking ticket with a higher fine than a first offense, even if it is the driver’s first offense, because it is a multiple offense for the particular shared QCSE vehicle; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the following Pilot Protocol shall be employed, commencing retroactive to January 1, 2022, and expiring for violation dates after December 31, 2022: A driver of a QCSE who receives a second or third offense parking ticket for whom it is a first offense in 18 months, can submit a Pre-Trial Appeal Form, currently available at: www.cityofithaca.org/686/Parking-Tickets The sworn statement in the Pre-Trial Appeal Form must include an assertation that the driver was a member of the QCSE at the time of the violation, that the registered owner of the ticketed vehicle in question was the QCSE, that the driver has no prior parking tickets in the City of Ithaca in the prior 18 months from the date of the parking ticket in any vehicle, and that the driver has not made this application in the prior 12 months. If the above criteria are met, the fine for the ticket shall be reduced to the fine for a first offense. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 3.8 IFD – Award of Bid for Protective Jackets and Pants Moved by Alderperson Defendini. Seconded by Alderperson Nguyen. WHEREAS, on December 13, 2021, the City of Ithaca posted a Notice to Bidders with specifications for Protective Jackets and Pants for Structural Firefighting; and WHEREAS, on January 11, 2022, the City of Ithaca Controller’s Office received sealed bids from two bidders; and WHEREAS, Chief Parsons, Assistant Chief Farwell, and the Deputy City Controller Andrew have reviewed the bids, specifications, options, and proposals made by each bidder; and WHEREAS, after reviewing the bid documents, the Fire Chief recommends the award of the bid be made to First Out Rescue Equipment of Tonawanda, New York; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby approves the award of bid between the City of Ithaca and First Out Rescue Equipment in accordance with the pricing and bid specifications for Protective Jackets City Administration Committee Meeting January 26, 2022 Page 12 and Pants for Structural Firefighting at the cost of twenty-six hundred and thirty dollars ($2,630.00) per set of jacket and pants. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 3.9 Attorney - Amendment to City Code Chapter 178 and 210 Moved by Alderperson Barken. Seconded by Alderperson Nguyen. ORDINANCE __-2022 An Ordinance Amending Chapters 178 and 210 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code WHEREAS the City has an interest in enforcing the City Code as it applies to property owners, including owners of rental properties; and WHEREAS it is desirable for both the City and for property owners to have an efficient method for receiving notice of relevant information from the City; now, therefore, BE IT ORDAINED AND 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: 1. Historically, some property owners have not sufficiently received from the City notice of Code violations associated with their property due to ambiguities in the process for providing such notice. 2. The Council desires to establish a simple and streamlined approach for such notice. Based upon the above findings, the intent and purpose of this ordinance is to amend the City Code to enable service of notice of code violations associated with a property by first class mail to the property owner or their agent. Section 2. Chapter 210 of the City Code, §210-81(c) opening paragraph only, is hereby amended as follows: C. Delegation of responsibilities to local agent. Property owners who do not reside in Tompkins County or one of its contiguous counties must file an agency agreement with the City Building Department designating the property owner or an agent to be responsible for all of the responsibilities outlined in this chapter, and all other chapters of this code related to housing code, building codes, property maintenance and zoning, and to accept service of process by first class mail on behalf of the property owner. Property owners residing within Tompkins County or one of its contiguous counties may delegate the responsibilities outlined in this chapter to an agent so long as, at the time of any violation of this subsection, an agency agreement is on file in the City Building Department. The property owner and agent shall both be liable for violations of this chapter, and the City may bring an enforcement action against either the property owner or agent, or both. If a property owner who does not reside in Tompkins City Administration Committee Meeting January 26, 2022 Page 13 County or one of its contiguous counties fails to file an agency agreement with the Building Department within 60 days of the effective date of this law, then the City Clerk shall be deemed to be the owner's agent for the limited purpose of accepting service of process on behalf of the owner. All agency agreements shall be in the form specified by the City Building Department and shall contain, at a minimum, the following information: Section 3. Chapter 178 of the City Code, §178-10(B), is hereby amended to insert at the very end thereof: Service by first class mail of an appearance ticket to the property owner at the property address or other address indicated by the owner, or if an agent has been designated pursuant to §210-81 to that agent, shall be deemed complete. Section 4. Severability Clause. Severability is intended throughout and within the provisions of this Ordinance. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Ordinance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, then that decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. Section 5. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect immediately and in accordance with law upon publication of notices as provided in the Ithaca City Charter. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 4. Discussion 4.1 HSC Funding Application Discussion Chief of Staff Vavra updated the Committee on this item. During the 2021 Budget season, Common Council agreed to look at the way the City gives funds to non-profit organizations. Ms. Vavra was tasked with contacting Tompkins County Human Services Coalition (HSC) to discuss the application process they use to award funds to non-profit organizations. Funders receiving funds from the County must complete the application that was included in the packet. The City wants to improve the application process for non-profit organizations applying for City funds by using this application or a similar application. The Chief of Staff brought this item to the Committee to get them involved and to get their feedback on the application and the process. After discussion, the Committee asked that the non-profit organizations include in the application process or answer the following questions: • How do they measure for success in the event they are awarded City funds? • What did they do with, or how did they spend, City funds? • How did they serve the community, especially City residents? City Administration Committee Meeting January 26, 2022 Page 14 • What are the demographics of their staff? • Are their staff City residents or do they commute into the City? • Are their staff being paid adequately or the standard living wage? • What is the expectation of trying to rent in the City of Ithaca? • If the organization is doing community outreach, what does that look like? • What connections have they established? • What other organizations will they be working with? Chairperson Cantelmo asked to be included in future conversations. The Chief of Staff welcomes any suggestions, advice, or support from the Committee. The Committee thanked the Chief of Staff for the worked done and information provided. 4.2 2022 Tax Bills Controller Thayer explained that the City has had some issues with the 2022 tax billing. A press release was sent out in January, informing the community about the issues. The problems have been corrected. The bills have been printed and mailed. Questions were asked about the extending the date due for payments because of the issues and the bills being sent late. Mr. Thayer stated that the Real Property Tax Law does not allow for extending the due date. According to the law, sending out a tax bill is a courtesy and that even if the taxpayer did not receive the bill, payment was still due at the end of January. Mr. Thayer apologized to the public for the issues and stated that they can review or pay their tax bill online by visiting the City’s website. 5 Meeting Wrap-up 5.1 Announcements: Members welcomed each other to the Committee and looked forward to working together. 5.2 Next Meeting Date: February 23, 2022 5.3 Review, Agenda Items for Next Meeting. None. 5.4 Adjourn: With no further business and on a motion by Alderperson Defendini, the meeting was adjourned at 7:26 p.m.