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CITY OF ITHACA 108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York 14850-6590
COMMON COUNCIL Telephone: 607-274-6570 council@cityofithaca.org Fax: 607-274-6432 www.cityofithaca.org BUDGET MEETING October 13, 2022 6:00 p.m.
The meeting will be held in person. Staff and members of the public may attend virtually via Zoom. All meetings will be livestreamed to the City’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CityofIthacaPublicMeetings
Chair: Alderperson Robert Gesualdo Cantelmo AGENDA
1. Call to order
2. Public Hearing #2 People wishing to speak remotely at the public hearing must pre-register the morning of the meeting. Please see details below.
3. Department Review:
• Attorney’s Office
• Department of Planning and Development
• Community Services o Includes: Southside Community Center, Human Services Coalition, Tompkins County Area Development, Community Science
Institute, SPCA, Community Outreach, Others
4. Recess
Next meeting: Wednesday, October 20, 2022
How to Participate in Public Comment Virtually Email Common Council Through the Agenda Link
Written comments can be submitted to Common Council using this form: Budget Meeting Comment Card Comments should be submitted no later than 5:00 pm on the day of the meeting. Any comments received after 5:00 pm will be saved for the next meeting. Register to Speak at a Meeting Via Zoom
At 9:00 am on the day of the Budget meeting, a link will be opened on the Budget webpage for people to register to speak at the beginning of the meeting. The first hour of the meeting will be dedicated to public speaking. Registration will close at 3:00 pm in order to allow time to calculate how long each person will be allowed to speak. If you register, you will be emailed the Zoom link later that day. Use that link to sign in and enter a Zoom
meeting. You will be selected to speak in the order that you were registered. You must be
present in the meeting when it is your turn to speak, or you will forfeit your time. You can use video or telephone to participate.
COMMON COUNCIL Special Meeting Voting Record
BUDGET MEETING #2
Date: Wednesday, October 13, 2022 Location: City Hall, 108 E. Green Street 3rd Floor, Council Chambers Meeting Called to order: 6:00PM
Meeting Adjourned: 8:00P.M.
YouTube Link(s): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk_bHhuyYSc&t=9s
Attendance Record of Voting Members
Name Present (In Person) Remote Absent / Excused
Acting Mayor – Laura Lewis x
1st Ward – Cynthia Brock x
1st Ward – George McGonigal x
2nd Ward – Phoebe Brown x
2nd Ward - Ducson Nguyen x
3rd Ward – Jeffrey Barken x
3rd Ward – Rob Gearhart x
4th Ward – Jorge DeFendini x
4th Ward - Patrick Mehler x
5th Ward – Robert Cantelmo x
5th Ward – Laura Lewis x
Total voting members for this meeting 10
Agenda Item 1: Called to Order – Robert Cantelmo
YouTube Timestamp: 0:05
Agenda Item 2: Public Hearing
YouTube Timestamp: 0:19
Motion to Open: Laura Lewis
Second: Cynthia Brock
Vote Pass: 10-0 All In Favor
Discussion Summary: The remote speaker scheduled for public hearing is not readily available.
Member Approve Deny Abstain Table Cynthia Brock x George McGonigal x Phoebe Brown x Ducson Nguyen x Jeffrey Barken x Rob Gearhart x Jorge DeFendini x Patrick Mehler x Robert Cantelmo x Laura Lewis x
Motion to Close: Jorge DeFendini
Seconded By: Robert Gearhart
Vote Pass: 10-0 All in Favor
Discussion Summary: No Discussion
Member Approve Deny Abstain Table
Cynthia Brock x
George McGonigal x
Phoebe Brown x
Ducson Nguyen x
Jeffrey Barken x
Rob Gearhart x
Jorge DeFendini x
Patrick Mehler x
Robert Cantelmo x
Laura Lewis x
Agenda Item: 3 Department Review
YouTube Timestamp: 1:31
Attorney’s Office
Discussion Summary: City Attorney A Lavine gave brief comments on budget and filling vacant positions. No
discussion questions or comments from council.
Department of Planning & Development
YouTube Timestamp: 5:03
Discussion Summary: Given by Director of Planning and Development Lisa Nicholas. Reviewed funding for
improvements in College Town, “Big Ticket” items to be considered in short-term, briefly talked about ADU –
Accessory Dwelling Units and short term rentals, discussed additional positions, the reallocation of the Zoning
Administrator position. Discussions continued surrounding staffing needs and a sustainability workplan. Briefly
touched based on developing a formal Internship Program. Answered questions about funding for the number of
housing inspector positions. There was some discussion on the South Hill Plan.
Community Service
South Side Community Center
Timestamp: 17:51
Discussion Summary: Presented by Kayla Matos Deputy Director. Southside Budget request has an increase
from last year; also asking a one-time request of $400 Thousand for Capital Project to go towards the Kitchen and
Computer Lab. Pre-Teen Coordinator position funding is also included in the asking budget. There has been an
increase in the number of families being served, exceeding 50 families per night as well as over 40 families being
served in the afterschool program. Discussed an increase in staff and staff wages. Discussions continued around
funding for the Kitchen. Kayla discussed South Side fundraising efforts and Capital Campaign. Some discussion
on redesigning South Side Website. Council requested a formal proposal for the Capital Project.
Friends of Stewart Park
Timestamp: 43:41
Discussion Summary: Presented by Diana Riesman Executive Director of Wharton Studio Museum and Board
President of Friends of Stewart Park and colleague Executive Director and Co-Founder of Friends of Stewart Park
Rick Manning. Discussions began with looking back on the history of the successful city funded projects in the
past 10 years. Discussed phase 3 of Stewart Park Revitalization by introducing a New Splash Pad for all ages
along with a New Accessible Seasonal Bathroom. An invitation to tour the playground was offered. Discussions
continued around the development of the splash pad and bathrooms. In response to George’s suggestion to
separate the projects, moving to bathrooms to next year, Rick explained that it would be a challenge causing
issues with funding from the state. Some discussion touched on the next and final phase of revitalization of the
Stewart Park with main focus being on improving the facilities.
Community Science Institute
YouTube Timestamp: 1:10:14
Discussion Summary: Presented by Executive Director of Community Science Institute Grascen Shidemantle.
Grascen is the new Executive Director of CSI, announced Founder Steve Penningroth has since retired. Is
requesting a 2% increase in the amount requested from 2022, in the amount of $10,790.00 to cover the increase
in costs in lab supplies, as well as the hiring of new staff members, a formal proposal was submitted to the
mayor’s office on August 10th. Cynthia thanked and acknowledged CSI for their amazing work and services
provided to the city; recognized CSI as being a huge asset to organizations and to our community.
Tompkins County Public Library
YouTube Timestamp: 1:16:49
Discussion Summary: Presented by Acting Director, Assistant Director Teresa Vadakin. A request has been
submitted to Mayor’s office on June 28th for $15,000 to help support Sunday hours of operation, the Town of
Ithaca also received a request of $15,00. Discussed the need for Sunday hours as being crucial to the community
as, Sunday hours support working parents, families, and teens. Discussions continued surrounding the amount of
monies contributed by the city as part of the sales tax agreement in addition to what the county already
contributes. Teresa responded to Ducson’s comment as to providing a warm space as being part of the homeless
response and seeing a rise in homelessness. Briefly talked about a 2019 Survey that was conducted on library
usage, pointed out that out of 38,000 card holders, 13,200 are city residents. Discussed the various ways the
community uses the library outside of book usage.
Unbroken Promise Initiative
YouTube Timestamp: 1:36:16
Discussion Summary: Presented by Jordan Clemons Founder of Unbroken Promise Initiative. Last year
received $50,000 for programing geared towards at risk youth on the West End. This year requesting $100,000;
now serving up to 30 youths and would like to expand on the project as it is in high demand. Discussed the
positive impact UPI has had on families, will be providing full Impact Report with quantitative data on the impacts
the program has had on participating families. Briefly discussed various aspects of UPI including nutritional
program, mentorship program, and responded to George’s comments on collaborating with agencies without
duplicating one another. In response to Mayor Lewis’ questions as to the Scope of Work, this is being worked on
in detail specifically focusing on the programming and is almost complete and still needs to be submitted.
Community Organizations Not In Attendence
YouTube Timestamp: 2:00
Discussion Summary: Comments provided by Faith Vavra Chief of Staff.
Ithaca Area Economic Development with a 2% increase
Hangar Theater with a 2% increase, Council has both proposals for funding. George asked to confirm which
proposal is number one. Faith will follow up.
Human Services Coalition with a 2% increase
Black Hands Universal is listed in the Mayor’s Budget, received $50 Thousand dollars in the budget, an
accounting of funds will be shared with Council. Faith will be speaking with Harry Smith in regard to what BHU is
asking in the budget.
Agenda Item 4: Call To Recess
YouTube Timestamp: 2:02
Motion to Recess until 6pm on October 20th – Robert Gearhart
Seconded By: Jorge DeFendini
Vote Pass: 10-0 All In Favor
Discussion Summary: No Discussion
Member Approve Deny Abstain Table
Cynthia Brock x
George McGonigal x
Phoebe Brown x
Ducson Nguyen x
Jeffrey Barken x
Rob Gearhart x
Jorge DeFendini x
Patrick Mehler x
Robert Cantelmo x
Laura Lewis x