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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CA-2022-03-23CITY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 6:00 p.m. March 23, 2022 PRESENT: Alderperson Cantelmo – Chair Alderpersons (4): Barken, Defendini, McGonigal, Nguyen OTHERS PRESENT: Alderperson (1) – Brown City Attorney – Lavine Director of Engineering Services – Logue City Clerk – Holcomb Director of Transportation & Parking – Hathaway Deputy YB Director – D’Alterio Superintendent of Public Works – Thorne YB Director – Klohmann 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 Defendini made a motion to approve the minutes from the City Administration Committee meeting held on February 23, 2022. Seconded by Alderperson McGonigal. Motion carried unanimously. 1.3 Statements from the Public: Public comments have been attached to the minutes 1.4 Statements from Employees. None. 1.5 Council Response Chairperson Cantelmo thanked everyone for their comments. He especially appreciated the advocacy of the people who spoke on behalf of the Gayogohó:nǫ’ resolution. Since this resolution was presented as last month’s meeting, the Committee has been actively engaging in research and conversation to address the issue. They have spoken with several community representatives organizing on this issue as well. It is privilege and responsibility of Common Council members to lend their voices to this issue in a way that recognizes both the challenges and injustices surrounding this issue. Council members continues to work on this resolution and have not yet submitted another resolution for consideration. Mr. Cantelmo, also, thanked those who raised the issue of snow removal and will look to address this issue with his colleagues. Alderperson Defendini thanked everyone for the comments in support of the Gayogohó:nǫ’ resolution and stated that the Committee is working to address this issue. The question of sovereignty is important to him and he wants to lend his support to the Gayogohó:nǫ’ struggles. A letter will be written on behalf City Administration Committee Meeting March 23, 2022 Page 2 of Common Council members with the help from Gayogohó:nǫ’ community members that is reflective of their needs demanding that the Department of Interior withhold making a decision on the land and trust application as it is being considered until the violence has stopped and the leadership dispute has ended. Alderperson McGonigal talked about what was happening in Seneca Falls and stated that Common Council takes this matter seriously. He encouraged people to read the letter written by Seneca County Board of Supervisors to the Department of Interior, which gets into the specifics of what the problems are in Seneca Falls. Because of taking this matter seriously, Common Council is doing their due diligence when it comes to this resolution. 2. Consent Agenda Items 2.1 Youth Bureau - Amendment to the 2022 Roster & Budget Moved by Alderperson Defendini. Seconded by Alderperson Barken. WHEREAS, The Youth Bureau is requesting permission to amend the 2022 personnel roster; and WHEREAS, the Youth Bureau has worked with HR to determine the positions that best meet our current needs in the Recreation Department; and WHEREAS, the Civil Service Commission approved the New Position Duty Statement for two (2) Recreation Specialist (40 hour); and, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Personnel Roster of the Youth Bureau shall be amended effective April 11, 2022, as follows: AddTwo (2) Recreation Specialist (40 hours) Defund:One (1) Recreation Program Leader (17 hours) Defund:One (1) Administrative Assistant (35 hours) Defund:One (1) Recreation Program Leader (40 hours) FundTwo (2) Recreation Specialist (40 hours) and, be it further RESOLVED, That any existing 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 Approval of Recreation Partnership Agreement Moved by Alderperson Defendini. Seconded by Alderperson Barken. City Administration Committee Meeting March 23, 2022 Page 3 WHEREAS, the undersigned municipalities enter into this Intermunicipal shared services agreement for a five year renewable recreation partnership, and WHEREAS, the membership of the Recreation Partnership (RP) includes Towns of Caroline, Danby, Dryden, Enfield, Groton, Ithaca, Newfield, and Ulysses (including Trumansburg School District), the Village of Lansing, City of Ithaca, and Tompkins County, and WHEREAS, this agreement shall become effective upon execution by each and every participating municipality and shall be in force for the period beginning January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2027, and may be renewed for an additional five years by appropriate resolutions by each of the municipal partners on or before December 31, 2027; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca will continue its membership in the Recreation Partnership Agreement from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2027, and be it further RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca will continue to contribute one quarter of the total cost of the Recreation Partnership, an amount that is determined and recommended by the RP board annually to participating municipalities, and be it further RESOLVED, That Common Council votes to approve this Recreation Partnership Agreement for 2023 - 2027 and authorizes Acting Mayor Lewis to enter into the contract. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 2.3 PIT - Amendment to Personnel Roster – Event Permit Specialist Moved by Alderperson Defendini. Seconded by Alderperson Barken. WHEREAS, Common Council included funding in the 2022 Budget to create a new position that would oversee the special event permitting process for the City; and WHEREAS, after collaboration between members of the Planning, Building and Economic Development Department, the Chief of Staff, and the City Clerk, it was determined that this position would be better placed in the Department of Public Information and Technology so that the issuance of additional permits could be consolidated into the position duties and responsibilities; and WHEREAS, the consolidation of responsibilities would provide both a comprehensive view of events happening throughout the city at any given time, as well as a single point of contact to answer questions and resolve issues; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Personnel Roster of the Department of Public Information and Technology be amended as follows: Add: One (1) Event Permit Specialist and, be it further City Administration Committee Meeting March 23, 2022 Page 4 RESOLVED, That the Personnel Roster of the Planning, Building and Economic Development Department be amended as follows: Delete: One (1) Event Permit Specialist and, be it further RESOLVED, That the position of Event Permit Specialist shall be assigned to the Management Compensation Plan at salary grade 5, 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 the funding for this change shall be derived from the transfer of funds from the following Planning Department accounts: A8020-5110 Staff Salaries $53,256 A8020-9010 Retirement $5,645 A8020-9030 FICA/Medicare $4,074 A8020-9040 Workers Comp $1,065 A8020-9060 Health Insurance $16,651 A8020-9070 Dental $250 To the following Department of Public Information and Technology accounts: A1316-5110 Staff Salaries $53,256 A1316-9010 Retirement $5,645 A1316-9030 FICA/Medicare $4,074 A1316-9040 Workers Comp $1,065 A1316-9060 Health Insurance $16,651 A1316-9070 Dental $250 A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 3. Action Items 3.1 DPW - Request to Increase Authorization of CP 869 College Avenue Reconstruction and Award Contract for Construction Moved by Alderperson Defendini. Seconded by Alderperson Nguyen. City Administration Committee Meeting March 23, 2022 Page 5 WHEREAS, Common Council authorized Capital Project # 869, College Avenue Reconstruction, as part of the 2020 adopted budget in the amount of $1,000,000; and WHEREAS, the scope of the Project includes designing and building an underground telecommunications system, accommodating the City-directed and NYSEG sponsored undergrounding of overhead electric facilities, and then fully reconstructing the street and sidewalks from Mitchell Street to Dryden Road; and WHEREAS, the Project is a Type II action in accordance with SEQR (6 NYSCRR Part 617.5 Section C5) and CEQR (City Code Chapter 176-5 Section C3); and WHEREAS, after committing approximately $550,000 to accomplish the telecommunications system, there remains a balance of $450,000; and WHEREAS, the Engineering division of DPW designed the streetscape and on February 16, 2022, advertised construction documents for bidding; and WHEREAS, on March 9, 2022, three bids were received and publicly read aloud, with the low bidder being Seneca Stone Corporation from Seneca Falls, NY in the amount of $2,260,000; and WHEREAS, to accommodate other construction and financing needs, the Engineering Division is recommending an additional authorization of $1,850,000, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Common Council hereby approves the above-subject project; and it is hereby further RESOLVED, That the sum of $1,850,000 is hereby appropriated from the issuance of serial bonds and made available to cover the costs of the Project, and be it further RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends Capital Project # 869, College Avenue Reconstruction, to include the additional Project costs of $1,850,000, bringing the total authorization to $2,850,000, and be it further RESOLVED, That Common Council directs the Engineering division to submit all eligible costs in excess of the original $1,000,000 authorized for this Project to the New York State Department of Transportation for reimbursement, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works is hereby authorized to award the construction contract to Seneca Stone Corporation, 2747 Canoga Road, Seneca Falls, NY for their low bid of $2,260,000 and proceed with the project. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 3.2 DPW - Amendment to Capital Project 733 for Cass Park Rink Enclosure Moved by Alderperson McGonigal. Seconded by Alderperson Barken. City Administration Committee Meeting March 23, 2022 Page 6 WHEREAS, Capital Project 733 was established in 2008 in an amount of $45,000 to design and renovate the Cass Park Rink; and WHEREAS, Common Council has amended this project over the years (including, most recently in the 2022 adopted budget), for a total authorization of $3,352,700 in order to fund, in various phases, the design and construction of complete replacement of the ice making equipment, concrete slab and sub-slab utilities, dasher boards, roof and roof extension, modern lighting and sound system, and the design of a project to enclose and dehumidify the rink building (the Rink Enclosure project), leaving a current balance of authorization of $722,523; and WHEREAS, on July 17, 2018, the Board of Public Works, acting as the lead agency, reviewed the Rink Enclosure project and declared that it would not have a significant negative environmental impact in accordance with the NYS Environmental Quality Review Act and the City of Ithaca Environmental Quality Review Ordinance; and WHEREAS, the Youth Bureau has been successful in receiving a New York State, State and Municipal Facilities grant in the amount of $300,000 and a NYS Environmental Protection Fund grant in the amount of $523,269 for the Rink Enclosure project; and WHEREAS, the Friends of the Ithaca Youth Bureau have been successful in fundraising a total amount of $475,000, and are prepared to make such a donation to the City of Ithaca this summer for the Rink Enclosure project; and WHERAS, bids were opened on April 1, 2022, for the Rink Enclosure project and the low bidder for General Construction was Bouley Associates of Auburn, NY at $1,544,500, and the low bidder for Electric Construction was Knapp Electric of Auburn, NY at $99,940, and the low bidder for HVAC Construction was AFT Mechanical of Elmira, NY at $541,824, for a total construction cost of $2,186,264; and WHEREAS, Engineering staff is recommending award of contract to the low bidders conditioned on additional budget, plus an allowance for construction administration, inspection, material testing and a 5% construction contingency; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends Capital Project #733 by $400,000 for the project, bringing the total authorization to $3,752,700; and, be it further RESOLVED, That funds needed for said amendment shall be derived from issuance of Serial Bonds; and be it further RESOLVED, Common Council hereby authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to award and execute contracts with the low bidders for the Cass Park Rink Enclosure project. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. City Administration Committee Meeting March 23, 2022 Page 7 3.3 DPW - Support of State Legislation to Allow the Reduction of the City-Wide Default Speed Limit From 30 Miles Per Hour to 20 Miles Per Hour Moved by Alderperson Nguyen. Seconded by Alderperson Defendini. WHEREAS, the observed speeds that citizens report as feeling unsafe in their communities has been shown to be less than 30 miles per hour through speed evaluations; and WHEREAS, Federal Highway Administration methodologies recommend speed limits 25 miles per hour and under on the type of roadways common in the City of Ithaca; and WHEREAS, a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety demonstrated that a City-wide speed limit reduction in Boston from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour resulted in lower speeds, especially in excess of 35 miles per hour; and WHEREAS, reduced speeds minimize stopping distance of vehicles and the likelihood of injury or fatality as a result of a collision with a pedestrian; and WHEREAS, reduced speeds narrow the difference in operating speeds of vehicles and bicycles, which can improve safety for these vulnerable users of the roadway network; and WHEREAS, in pandemic we have seen an increase in the rates of pedestrian and bicyclist injuries and deaths nationally; and WHEREAS, lower speeds provide greater flexibility in roadway design; and WHEREAS, a reduction in speed from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour represents an increase in travel time of only 24 seconds per mile under free flow conditions; and WHEREAS, the State Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1643 prohibits cities and villages outside New York City from establishing area-wide speed limits below 30 miles per hour and also prohibits establishing any speed limit under 25 miles per hour on any roadway (except school zones). WHEREAS, in some cases, this law prevents the City from establishing appropriate speed limits based on accepted engineering practices; and WHEREAS, New York State Assemblymember Amy Paulin has introduced Assembly bill 1007 which is the same as Senate bill 2021 introduced by Senator Rachel May, which would enable cities, villages and towns to establish a maximum speed limit applicable throughout the municipality of 25 mph; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, By the Common Council of the City of Ithaca, NY, that: SECTION 1. The City of Ithaca hereby expresses its support for Assembly bill 1007 and Senate bill 2021 and requests that its state representatives, Assemblymember Anna Kelles and Senator Tom O’Mara, support this legislation, ask the prime sponsors to amend the bill to allow reductions to 20 mph, City Administration Committee Meeting March 23, 2022 Page 8 and that our representatives do all in their power to advance this bill, with the 20-mph amendment, in the New York State Legislature. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 3.4 DPW - Authorization of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Application Moved by Alderperson Defendini. Seconded by Alderperson Nguyen. WHEREAS, the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) has announced the availability of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds for Presidential Declaration: DR-4480 (COVID-19); and WHEREAS, prioritization criteria for the award of the grant includes: projects that address climate change adaption and resiliency, projects that reduce risks associated with flooding, projects that protect and/or mitigate risk to critical infrastructure and utilities, and projects that are identified in a FEMA approved Hazard Mitigation Plan; and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca completed a Local Flood Hazard Analysis (LFHA) in 2020, which identified flood risks from a 100-year (1% probability) event along with specific mitigation measures to reduce those flood risks; and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca recently adopted the FEMA approved Hazard Mitigation Plan update prepared by Tompkins County, which includes the mitigation measures identified in the LFHA; and WHEREAS, FEMA recently issued draft flood maps for the City of Ithaca which are consistent with the flood risks identified in the LFHA, and will eventually replace the 1981 Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and show a significantly larger flood zone than the 1981 FIRMs which will greatly affect the number of properties requiring flood insurance; and WHEREAS, the proposed mitigation measures will increase flow capacity for Fall, Cascadilla, and Six Mile Creeks, prevent backflow related flooding through the storm system, reduce flood risk for large portions of the City, and reduce the flood zones shown on the proposed FEMA maps; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Mayor of the City of Ithaca, is hereby authorized and directed to submit an application in accordance with the provisions of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for Presidential Declaration DR-4480, in an amount not to exceed $12,000,000, and upon approval of said request to enter into and execute a project agreement for such financial assistance to the City of Ithaca for design, right-of-way acquisition, construction and construction inspection of a project as described above; and be it further City Administration Committee Meeting March 23, 2022 Page 9 RESOLVED, That contingent upon award of the HMGP funds, the Common Council hereby authorizes the establishment of Capital Project #913 to pay in the first instance 100% of the federal and non-federal share of the cost of all work for the Project; and be it further RESOLVED, That contingent upon award of the HMGP funds, the sum not to exceed $3,000,000 is hereby appropriated from serial bonds and made available to cover the cost of participation in the above Project in the first instance; and be it further RESOLVED, That the total project cost shall not exceed $12,000,000 with the understanding that the breakdown of funds to be approximately $9,000,000 in HMGP funds, and $3,000,000 in City of Ithaca serial bond financing, to be administered by the Superintendent of Public Works; 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 City of Ithaca Common Council shall convene as soon as possible to appropriate said excess amount immediately upon the notification by the NYSDHSES thereof; and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor of the City of Ithaca be and is hereby authorized to execute all necessary Agreements, and that the Superintendent of Public Works is hereby authorized to execute all certifications or reimbursement requests for HMGP funding on behalf of the City of Ithaca 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 all Project costs that are not so eligible; and be it further RESOLVED, That this resolution shall take effect immediately. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 3.5 DPW - Authorization to Acquire Real Property for a Public Sidewalk Easement at 130 Cherry Street Moved by Alderperson Barken. Seconded by Alderperson Defendini. WHEREAS, on April 23, 2019, and amended on July 23, 2019, the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board declared itself the lead agency for environmental review of the project, 130 Cherry St—known as “Ithaca Arthaus”, and determined that the project would have no significant negative environmental impact; and WHEREAS, on July 23, 2019, Planning and Development Board granted preliminary and final site plan approval with nine conditions, and one of them being “execution of an easement agreement between the City and the property owner for portions of the sidewalk on private property”; and WHEREAS, in order to progress this easement agreement as approved, the City’s Attorney Office and Engineering Division produced the enclosed “Public Sidewalk Easement” agreement and map, as prepared by T.G. Miller P.C. dated September 16, 2021; and City Administration Committee Meeting March 23, 2022 Page 10 WHEREAS, in accordance with City Charter §63, the Board of Public Works has the authorization to acquire property in the name of the City of Ithaca for public works purposes; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works hereby determines that the abovementioned easement is required for public works purposes, namely transportation improvements; and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor of the City of Ithaca or his/her/they designee is hereby authorized to formalize the acquisition and to execute any and all documents to obtain such property, following consultation with the City Attorney. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 3.6 Hangar Theatre Company Request for Study and Insurance Moved by Alderperson Defendini. Seconded by Alderperson Nguyen. WHEREAS, the City and the Hangar Theatre Company have an agreement that the City will maintain the property around the theatre and the Hangar Theatre Company maintains the interior; and WHEREAS, the Hangar Theatre Company continues to flood on a regular basis; and WHEREAS, the City staff has done significant research on the property and held several meetings regarding the property; and WHEREAS, City staff have determined that an engineering study can be performed with an estimated cost of no more than $30,000 to assess the flood possibilities for the Hangar Theatre property and building; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca fully fund an engineering study to assess flood mitigation opportunities for an amount not to exceed $30,000 with the funds being derived from Capital Project #875 Assessment of Cass Park Fields and Buildings, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Hangar Theater Company will assist in raising funds for flood mitigation efforts revelated by the engineering study and will make decisions in partnership with the City of Ithaca, and be it further RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca shall add the cost of flood insurance, currently estimated at $5,800 annually, to the Hangar Theatre building until the completion of the study to determine what can be done to prevent the further flooding of the property and the building, and be it further RESOLVED, The Hangar Theatre Company respectfully requests the following of City of Ithaca: 1) Fully fund an engineering study to assess flood mitigation opportunities 2) Carry flood insurance on the hangar building including premium and deductible City Administration Committee Meeting March 23, 2022 Page 11 3) Support Hangar Theatre in finding a new location should the results of the engineering study indicate that continuing to use the building as a theatre over the long term prove unfeasible The Hangar Theatre will: 1) Work with the City to raise funds for feasible flood mitigation efforts revealed by the engineering study and make decisions in partnership with the City; 2) Continue to make investments in the building to minimize damage from floods and take the lead on clean up and reporting to insurance when the theatre floods; 3) Continue to support efforts by the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission to get on the historic register; 4) Supply the City with records and information about the historic hangar building and its significance in our community. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 3.7 Release of Southside Community Center Funded in 2022 Budget Moved by Alderperson Defendini. Seconded by Alderperson Nguyen. WHEREAS, the Common Council included within the 2022 budget funding in restricted contingency $200,000 for Southside Community Center which has been previously funded by the City; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That said $200,000 in Southside Community funding be hereby released from Account A1990 Restricted Contingency to Account A1016-5435 Southside Contracts, after execution of an MOU “substantially similar to the previous City-Southside MOU”. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 3.8 MOU’s for Outside Organizations Funded in 2022 Budget Moved by Alderperson McGonigal. Seconded by Alderperson Defendini. WHEREAS, the Common Council included within the 2022 budget funding in restricted contingency for two new non-profits to which the City has not previously directed funding; and WHEREAS, Common Council asked for all new non-profits to fill out a form to be turned into the Controller no later than April 15, 2022; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That such funding as Council budgeted in restricted contingency for potential expenditure on services to be rendered by Black Hands Universal (“BHU”) and Unbroken Promises Initiative (“UPI”) shall be processed by the Common Council through satisfactory review and approval of the review and MOU’s required by the following provisions of this resolution, and thereafter released from restricted contingency in such amount as the Common Council may determine; and be it further City Administration Committee Meeting March 23, 2022 Page 12 RESOLVED, That the City shall request, a brief financial form to be filled out as they have previously for other organizations receiving City or County funding, turning the form into the Controller’s Office by April 15, 2022, and the controller will provide the same to the Common Council for review; and be it further RESOLVED, That, upon the Mayor’s approval of the program reviews, the Attorney’s Office shall prepare for the Mayor’s approval, separate MOU’s for BHU and UPI: • specifying the community services that each organization is required to deliver in exchange for the City’s funding; • requiring each organization to prepare and, no later than September 1, 2022, file with the City Controller for usage in the 2023 budget process, a report detailing the manner in which City funds were expended by that organization in 2022, how many people were served by that organization and in what manner; and • requiring each organization to agree to collaborate with and amongst other non-profit and city organizations to the maximum extent possible to ensure that services reach a broad population, avoid redundancy, and assist each other in becoming more efficient at serving their overlapping goals. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 3.9 Authorization of Transitional Rules for Health Insurance Plan Selection for Active Managerial and Confidential Employees and for Those Who Retire Through 2023 Moved by Alderperson Nguyen. Seconded by Alderperson McGonigal. WHEREAS, during the early months of 2020 the City suffered a steep drop in revenue and dire financial projections due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (the “Emergency”); and WHEREAS, the Emergency required the City to implement immediate and sustainable cost reductions; and WHEREAS, prior to the Emergency, the City had been seeking, through collective bargaining and voluntary employee elections, to implement the Platinum Health Insurance Plan (the “Platinum Plan”) offered by the Greater Tompkins County Health Insurance Consortium (the “Consortium”), which offers coverage comparable to the Classic Blue Indemnity Plan (the “Indemnity Plan”) at materially reduced cost to the City and most employees, as the default plan for City employees; and WHEREAS, on April 29, 2020, as part of the response to the Emergency, Common Council resolved to establish the Platinum Plan as the default health insurance plan for the City’s managerial and confidential employees as collective bargaining for these groups is, by definition, not required to do so (the “Platinum Savings Resolution”); and WHEREAS, the Platinum Savings resolution allowed managerial and confidential employees then enrolled in the Indemnity Plan to retain such enrollment, provided that the City’s contribution to the City Administration Committee Meeting March 23, 2022 Page 13 premium equivalent for such coverage would not exceed 80% of the premium equivalent for the Platinum Plan, with the employee required to pay the remainder; and WHEREAS, since the time of the Platinum Savings Resolution, the Platinum Plan has obtained greater acceptance among City employees, with two of the City’s largest collective bargaining units, the CSEA Administrative Unit and the Ithaca Police Benevolent Association, agreeing to collective bargaining agreements establishing the Platinum Plan as the default health insurance plan for employees, with an option to remain in the Indemnity Plan at an increased employee contribution rate by limiting the City’s contribution for such coverage to 80% of the premium equivalent for the Platinum Plan; and WHEREAS, it has been the consistent policy of the City that an employee who is retiring and desires to retain health insurance provided by the City in retirement would continue under the plan in which the employee is enrolled at the time of retirement, at a retiree contribution rate established by Common Council; and WHEREAS, on September 1, 2021, the Common Council approved an updated Summary of Fringe Benefits for Managerial Personnel (the “Summary”), without negotiation for the reasons stated above; and WHEREAS, Section 10 of the Summary provides that for so long as the Consortium offers the existing Indemnity Plan those employees enrolled in the Indemnity Plan on July 1, 2021, and who do not thereafter leave the Indemnity Plan, may retain the Indemnity Plan by paying an additional employee contribution; and WHEREAS, employees have raised questions about: (1) how the shift to the Platinum Plan as the default health insurance plan affects an employee’s ability to elect the Indemnity Plan as an active employee if they switched to the Platinum Plan in 2020 or 2021, and (2) whether an employee who has elected the Platinum Plan as an active employee can, upon retirement, elect enrollment in the Indemnity Plan; and WHEREAS, Common Council now deems it advisable to adopt certain transitional rules to apply in 2022 and 2023 to address the foregoing questions; and WHEREAS, the transitional rules are contained in a document titled Transitional Rules for Health Insurance Plan Selection for Active Managerial and Confidential Employees, and for Those Retiring through 2023 (the “Transitional Rules”), a copy of which is attached hereto; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Transitional Rules shall take effect immediately, and, be it further RESOLVED, That to the extent there exists any conflict between the terms of this Resolution and the attached Transitional Rules, on the one hand, and the Platinum Savings Resolution, on the other, the terms of this Resolution and the attached Transitional Rules shall prevail, and, be it further RESOLVED, That confidential employee compensation, fringe benefits, and terms and conditions of employment shall, in all respects not addressed by this resolution, continue to be indexed now and in the City Administration Committee Meeting March 23, 2022 Page 14 future to the provisions of the negotiated collective bargaining agreements of the CSEA Administrative Unit, as has long been the City’s practice. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 4. Discussion 4.1 Taxicab Fare Regulation City Clerk Julie Holcomb shared with the Committee a conversation that she had with taxicab owners about the current taxicab fare structure. This conversation “highlighted some of the issues that have had a crippling impact on their businesses including the loss of fares due to the pandemic, the difficulty in hiring drivers, and the significate increase in the cost of fuel”. After discussion, the consensus of the Committee was to have a public hearing where taxicab businesses and taxicab users could express their thoughts and concerns about this topic. In the meantime, the Committee would have discussions about approving a fuel surcharge. 5 Meeting Wrap-up 5.1 Announcements. None. 5.2 Next Meeting Date: April 27, 2022. 5.3 Review, Agenda Items for Next Meeting. None. 5.4 Adjourn: With no further business and on a motion by Alderperson Nguyen, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. City Administration Committee Meeting March 23, 2022 Public Comments 3/23/2022 - Snow removal on sidewalks & crosswalks in the City Margaret Johnson, Ithaca, NY "We’ve all just lived through another Ithaca winter. We’ve all just discovered one more time that getting around on foot after a snowstorm is much harder than it has to be. Uncleared sidewalks are a big problem. Blockages where the sidewalk meets the crosswalk are the worst. Our coalition for Snow-Free Sidewalks & Crosswalks (SSC), composed of Bike Walk Tompkins, the County Office for the Aging and the Finger Lakes Independence Center, has formed to support Ithaca clearing snow from pedestrian ways more effectively. In particular, we believe the pivotal issue is clearing crosswalks end-to-end, and that DPW’s job of clearing the streets is not completed until the crosswalks are clear. In my comments, I will pose some questions about why this isn't happening and what the Committee thinks may be needed in order for it to happen. 3/23/2022 - Snow and Ice Removal Larry Roberts, Ithaca, NY "I want to introduce myself to the new common council members. I've lived in the city since 1986. I have been involved in discussions of snow and ice removal for a long time first as chair of the Disability Advisory Council and now as a member of MATCOM; I've also had a long association with the Finger Lakes Independence Center (FLIC). I look forward to working with you. I've seen much change and improvement in snow and ice removal, but the city is still largely inaccessible in the winter. As others have told you, a remaining problem is a clear path of travel across intersections. I have often been able to get onto a sidewalk at one intersection but can't get off at the other end because snow and ice blocks the path of travel into the intersection. There has got to be a solution to this problem. My experience suggests two things: Solutions come when the city prioritizes a problem and staff and citizens work together to solve it, and I believe that the city should take over snow and ice removal responsibilities, similarly to the sidewalk repair program. Whatever we do, we can make a difference and address this problem. I look forward to helping make that happen. 03/23/2022 - 25 mph Speed Limit Resolution Margaret Johnson, Ithaca, NY "I will speak in support of the resolution, on behalf of Bike Walk Tompkins.", 03/23/2022 Emily Cotman, Ithaca, NY "I support the Resolution that urges the Department of Interior and Bureau of Indian Affairs to heed Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ removal of Clint Halftown from a representative role. I sincerely hope the Ithaca Common Council will make this a priority, as poor and working-class members of the Cayuga Nation are in immediate danger of losing their homes." 3/23/2022 - Calling on the US Department of the Interior and Bureau of Indian Affairs to respond to and support the request from the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ Council of Chiefs, Clanmothers, Faithkeepers that Clint Halftown be removed from his role as representative of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ people" Daniel Flerlage, Ithaca, NY "Greetings Ithaca Common Council members, I am writing to ask that Ithaca Common Council join other local municipalities calling on the US Department of the Interior and Bureau of Indian Affairs to respond to and support the request from the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ Council of Chiefs, Clanmothers, Faithkeepers that Clint Halftown be removed from his role as representative of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ people. Our local members of the Cayuga Nation have made it clear that the actions taken by Clint Halftown in recent years are not representative of their beliefs, hopes, or traditional governing process. The request is to allow the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ people to follow their own form of governing, which means adhering to the Great Law of Peace and in so doing have the freedom to choose their own representative. Currently, Clint Halftown is being recognized by the US government via the Bureau of Indian Affairs as the official representative of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ, even as he continues to hurt his people. In a letter written in May of 2021, the Cayuga Nation Council of Chiefs and Clanmothers state clearly that Clint Halftown has failed as a Federal representative to the traditional Cayuga citizens. See(https://gayogohono.org/#learnmore) I urge the Council to actively address this local call for support and do so in a timely manner. In addition to impeding the traditional means of decision-making of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ people, the actions of Clint Halftown continue to create fear and cause damage and suffering to these members of our community. An example of this is the razing of the schoolhouse and daycare centers and the destruction of the people's community gardens in Seneca Falls in February of 2020, along with threats of eviction during the height of the pandemic to members of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ people. I am not a member of the Cayuga Nation, but I am a member of this community who strongly believes in supporting the diversity of beliefs, cultures and decision-making processes making up our numbers, and in doing so, providing a place to live safely and have our voices heard. You are being asked to listen and to use your representative positions to act accordingly. Please heed this request. Respectfully, Dan Flerlage (While I live just outside the city limits, I taught in ICSD for decades and see myself as an Ithacan. Accordingly, I would very much like our city to take a clear position on this issue.) 03/23/2022 – Halftown Resolution Caitlin Blanchfield, Ithaca, NY "Dear Ithaca City Council, I am a resident of Ithaca and am writing in support of the resolution calling on the federal government to honor the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ decision to remove Clint Halftown as Cayuga Nation representative to the BIA. I support this resolution because the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ Council of Chiefs has condemned Halftown's leadership and is calling for his removal. The City of Ithaca should follow the lead of Dryden, as well as many local community groups, and pass this resolution that supports Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ sovereignty. All best, Caitlin Blanchfield 3/23/2022 - Dryden passage of Halftown / Cayuga Nation Resolution Kathy Russell, Dryden, NY Dryden Town Board Passes Resolution Supporting Cayuga Nation Self-Determination On March 17th, 2022, the Town Board in Dryden, NY passed a resolution calling on the federal government to honor the traditional Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ (Cayuga Nation) decision to remove Clint Halftown as a representative to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Department of Interior (DOI). The resolution includes a provision requiring that a copy be sent to state and federal elected representatives and appointed officials, including Governor Kathy Hochul, US Senator Chuck Schumer, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, and President Joe Biden. “As the Town of Dryden stands on Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ territory, it was our civic duty to express our solidarity with the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ Council of Chiefs and Clanmothers,” said Dryden Town Board member Leonardo Vargas-Mendez. “Our passing of the resolution affirmed that we respect the Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s Great Law of Peace and its institutions of self-governance.” Dryden is the first municipality in Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ territory to pass this resolution, which has been spurred on through the #HalftownMustGo campaign. Organizers from HalftownMustGo drafted the resolution over many months while consulting with scholars, attorneys, and the Council of Chiefs. Dozens of community organizations throughout the area have formally endorsed the resolution and asked local governments to pass it. One such organization, Dryden Groton Plus - Human Dignity Coalition, brought the resolution to the Town of Dryden’s attention. 03/23/2022 - Support for making statement requesting removal of Clint Haftown John Burger, Dryden, NY 03/23/2022 - Resolution #HalftownMustGo Patricia Rodriguez, Groton, NY "Hello. I write to ask that you pass this resolution, and that in doing so you take a step toward local government reckoning with the lack of respect with which for centuries we as settlers and immigrant settlers have had toward local indigenous peoples, their land, their rights, and their forms of governance. Here is another such call for this, in the words of a Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ woman who resides in Ithaca: https://ithacavoice.com/2022/03/letter-to-the-editor-a-call-to-turtle-island-the-gayogo%cc%b1ho%ea%9e%89n%c7%ab%ca%bc-are-still-here/ Please pay attention to this. you have been put in positions of power, with which you can do justice, and reflect on what a gesture of solidarity means, truly. thank you." 03/23/2022 - Gayogohono Resolution Siobhan Hull, Ithaca, NY "When Ithaca passed a resolution re-affirming the Two Row Wampum Treaty, the City made a commitment to respect Indigenous rights and sovereignty. The affirmation was necessary given centuries of blatantly ignoring, denying, and violating the treaty. However, a few short years after passing this resolution, Ithaca continues to turn a blind eye to the violence of Clint Halftown’s regime. It is the responsibility of the City to uphold its promise and protect the Indigenous sovereignty of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' community, which means passing the resolution urging the removal of Clint Halftown from his representative role. 3/23/2022 - Resolution in support of Resolution on Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ Liza Cobb, City of Ithaca, NY "Hello, I'm Liza Cobb and I live at the southern end of the lake on South Hill on unceded Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ land. It seems the simplest of asks, passing a resolution -- as Danby has rightfully done -- supporting the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ request to honor their right to choose who will represent their voice, their will, their interests to the US government, to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. And yet some members of the Council want to hide behind the suspect notion of fairness -- as though Mr. Halftown with his mercenary security force, his abuse of power, and his terrorizing of Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ folk has any interest in fairness. Please stop hiding behind bureaucracy and pass the resolution. It is, very literally, the least thing we can do for the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ, whose land we occupy. 03/23/2022 - Pass haltownmustgo Resolution Mona Sulzman, City of Ithaca, NY "I'm Mona Sulzman and I live at 310 Linn St., #1, Ithaca. I'm a non-Indigenous organizer with the halftownmustgo movement and a representative within that movement of the Finger Lakes Branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL). I am asking you to pass the resolution without anymore delay to urge the Fed. Gov't. to heed the Gayogo̱hó:nǫ' Removal of Clint Halftown as a Representative, and to commit to Ithaca engaging, not at all w/Clint HalfTown, but with the Gayogo̱hó:nǫ' Council of Chiefs and Clanmothers in our city's gov't-to-gov't relationship with the Gayogo̱hó:nǫ' nation. Please consider what NOT passing and not committing to this resolution does: it makes the city of Ithaca complicate in perpetuating our U.S. government's history of treaty violations, its unspeakable immiseration of indigenous people and closer to home, a heartless and willed indifference to the safety, stability and well-being of the Gayogo̱hó:nǫ' Citizens. We cannot wait: the current situation of violence and intimidation, which has been going on for way too long now, perpetrated by Clint Halftown with his rogue army, official and unofficial enablers, along with his growing wealth and economic ties-- this situation will undoubtedly only get worse. It's way too risky for the Gayogo̱hó:nǫ' for us to delay. The Town of Dryden just passed this resolution unanimously! The more towns and cities in the region that follow Dryden's lead, the closer we get to ending this unnecessary suffering and tragic devastation of our Finger Lakes neighbors—the Gayogo̱hó:nǫ'. The sovereignty of the Gayogo̱hó:nǫ' Nation must be honored and its Citizens given Ithaca's immediate assurance that we support their right to self-determination, their traditional governance structures, and the sanctity of their lives. THANK YOU." 3/23/2022 - Removal of Clint Halftown Fran Littin, Town of Ulysses, NY I highly support the City of Ithaca making a resolution to remove Clint Halftown from holding his illegal role as the representative of the Gayogoho no people.