HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-2021-12-01COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 6:00 p.m. December 1, 2021
PRESENT:
Mayor Myrick
Alderpersons (10) Brock, McGonigal, Murtagh, Nguyen, Gearhart, Fleming,
Mehler, Kerslick, Lewis, Mohlenhoff
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
City Attorney – Lavine
City Controller – Thayer
Human Resources Director – Michell-Nunn
Chief of Staff – Vavra
Fire Chief – Parsons
Deputy Fire Chief – Covert
Acting Director of Planning and Development - Nicholas
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Mayor Myrick requested the deletion of Item 5.2 - A Resolution to Request the
Establishment of a Capital Project to Fund the Evaluation and Design of Traffic,
Parking, Loading, and Safety Improvements to Allow for the City to Safely Continue to
Implement the Seasonal Aurora Streatery.
No Council member objected.
Mayor Myrick further requested the addition of an Executive Session to discuss a
personnel matter.
No Council member objected.
PROCLAMATIONS/AWARDS:
Proclamations for Outgoing Alderpersons Donna Fleming, Graham Kerslick,
Joseph “Seph” Murtagh, and Deborah Mohlenhoff.
Mayor Myrick honored Alderperson Donna Fleming with the following proclamation:
WHEREAS, Donna has been a longstanding contributor for the Planning and Economic
Development Committee, a special joint committee to the Ithaca Area Wastewater
Treatment Facility, an assignment she begged me for each year and I allowed her to do
it, liaison Ithaca Landmark Preservation Committee, where her summary notes are the
best I’ve ever seen, from a committee liaison, where those notes kept colleagues well
informed, and;
WHEREAS, Donna’s talent for researching issues is met for more educated discussions
and decisions on several issues including most recently an alternate form of city
government; and
WHEREAS, Donna richly deserves more time walking with her friends or her dog Willy,
along the miles of sidewalks she helped to promote on the Sidewalk Improvement
District Taskforce, rather than spending all of her days on Zoom meetings. For all of
those reasons and more, now therefore be it
RESOLVED the City of Ithaca expresses deep appreciation for Donna Fleming’s
leadership and dedication throughout her 10 years of public service.
December 1, 2021
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Mayor Myrick honored Alderperson Graham Kerslick with the following proclamation:
WHEREAS, Graham Kerslick, has represented the Fourth Ward in the City of Ithaca
Common Council for three terms, serving on the City Administration Committee for
much of that time,;
WHEREAS, one of Graham’s most noticeable accomplishments on Council has been
his role on the revision of the Collegetown Plan, that resulted in the expansion and
improvement of much needed student housing and the diversification of businesses in
Collegetown; and
WHEREAS, Graham served as a steadfast member of the Collegetown Neighborhood
Council and as a liaison to the Community Police Board, at a time of great upheaval and
change for both organizations, and his leadership in both of those bodies, has led to
tremendous progress and change; and
WHEREAS, Graham’s ward includes a significant number of students, and he has
appreciated representing this diverse population and while preserving the surrounding
residential neighborhoods.
WHEREAS, Graham’s work as Director of Cornell’s Atkinson’s Center for Sustainability,
may mean future calls from city staff for consultation and implementation for our Green
New Deal, efforts Graham has supported throughout his terms on Council; and
WHEREAS, Graham may not be stopped as frequently by constituents as he walks
from home to his campus office once he retires from Common Council, and because it
is our hope that he will be able to enjoy more evenings at home with Jennifer. For all
those reasons and more, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED the City of Ithaca wishes to express appreciation for Graham Kerslick’s
dedication, leadership and public service for these past 10 years.
Mayor Myrick honored Alderperson Murtagh with the following proclamation:
WHEREAS, Seph Murtagh, has represented the 2nd Ward on the City of Ithaca’s
Common Council for three terms, during which he has also served as alternate acting
mayor, and;
WHEREAS, a key motivation for Seph to run for Common Council was to advocate for
affordable housing in the city, an issue he has championed tirelessly throughout the
past 10 years, and;
WHEREAS, Seph has very effectively chaired the Planning and Economic Development
Committee since 2013, where he has led a discussion on a range of challenging topics
in interest of residents including development projects, the planned unit development,
rezoning of basically every neighborhood in the City of Ithaca, and;
WHEREAS, throughout his tenure on Council, Seph has served the Downtown Ithaca
Alliance, the Greater Ithaca Activities Center, and basically anything else we’ve ever
asked Seph to do;
WHEREAS, we hope, more of Seph’s free time away from his day job, especially
Wednesday evenings, can be spent with Ann and Davis, now therefore be it
RESOLVED that the City of Ithaca, wishes to express deep appreciation for Seph
Murtagh’s leadership and dedication throughout his10 years of public service.
December 1, 2021
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Mayor Myrick honored Alderperson Mohlenhoff with the following proclamation:
WHEREAS, Deb Mohlenhoff, has represented the 5th Ward on the City of Ithaca
Common Council for 12 years, much of that time serving as Acting Mayor and chairing
the City Administration Committee, and;
WHEREAS, Deb has masterfully led the budget process, working alongside City staff
throughout a challenging and uncertain economic period, while providing tax payers
access to the breakdown of how funds are allocated, and;
WHEREAS, throughout her career, including as the longest serving member on this
body, the Common Council, Deb has focused on mentoring and developing other
community leaders through Leadership Tompkins, or work with students at Ithaca
College or TC3, and now is associate vice president at TC3, and;
WHEREAS, Deb’s numerous accomplishments as Alderperson are difficult to capture,
she seems to have the ability to be in two places at once, however her leadership is
noteworthy to all who have worked with her, and she is frequently asked to chair ADHA
committees, including the recent study of structure of city government.
WHEREAS, Deb’s impact on the city will be felt well into the future, with one example
being her role in the rebuilding of the Ithaca Commons,
WHEREAS, we hope Deb has more time for walks on the Finger Lakes Trail with Mark,
Polly and Ginger, or motorcycle rides throughout the region while not talking calls to
address one or another city related question or fill in for the mayor at another ribbon
cutting, now therefore be it;
RESOLVED that the City of Ithaca wishes to express its deepest gratitude and
appreciation for Deb Mohlenhoff’s many years of leadership and service to our
community.
Mayor Myrick presented the four outgoing Council members with a key to the City for
their years of outstanding service and dedication to the citizens of Ithaca.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS BEFORE COUNCIL:
Reimagining Public Safety Collaborative
Human Resources Director Michell-Nunn provided a presentation on the progress of the
Reimagining Public Safety Collaborative:
• Progress Update:
o Plan Kickoff: started with naming the city’s department. Used the website
for community feedback and alternative response evaluation.
o The planning website will be used as an assessment tool for transparency
and collaborative rubric development.
• Community Justice Center
o Project Director Search: Candidate accepted the offer and an
announcement is coming in the next week.
o Onboarding and planning: Making sure that the candidate has the support
and resources they need so they can hit the ground running.
o Role and Responsibilities: will lead the implementation of RPS plans and
oversee the data analyst and administrative assistant.
• Evaluating Alternative Response
o Internal Stakeholders met on 11/16.
December 1, 2021
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o A Plan was launched on the website for Community Input: How should
Tompkins County evaluate existing response models?
o Forum to be held on 11/30: The research kickoff phase will kick-off in
2022.
• Launching Next Plans
o Upcoming: Traffic Stop Enforcement/Data; District Attorney/Assigned
Counsel Data; Officer Wellness; Recruitment/Retention.
o Process for Launch: Seeking community engagement/Launch
Reimagining website.
Aligning/uncovering data
Internal stakeholder engagement.
Breaking out into Working groups and Subcommittee timelines, followed
by a breakdown analysis of IPD workload and calls for service
2022 Annual Pride of Ownership Awards
The Ithaca Rotary Club presented the 2022 Pride of Ownership Awards to the following
people:
Zach Boggs and Isabella Fernandez, owners, 701 Cliff Street
Joshua Adams and Jon Barnes, owners, 511 Cliff Street
Britt Johnson, artist mural in honor of Ms. Harmony Malone
Laura and Christopher Batten, owners, 225 Ridgedale Road
John Novarr and Phil Proujansky, owner, College Townhouse
Bruce Adib-Yazadi, owner, 130 Cherry Street
PETITIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE COUNCIL:
The following people addressed Common Council:
Jerone Gagliano, City of Ithaca - Amendment to the 5G Ordinance
Zachary Winn, City of Ithaca - Reimagining Public Safety Initiative
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR – MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Alderpersons Nguyen and Fleming responded to comments made by Mr. Winn.
December 1, 2021
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CONSENT AGENDA:
CITY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE:
3.1 Public Information and Technology - Amendment to Personnel Roster
By Alderperson Mohlenhoff: Seconded by Alderperson Nguyen
WHEREAS, the Information Technology positions in the Department of Public
Information and Technology were created in 2001 when the IT Department was initially
created, and
WHEREAS, the positions have been modified over the years to respond to new trends
in technology and the City’s expanding needs, and
WHEREAS, the level of flexibility and adaptability in departmental job descriptions
needs to be adjusted to create a level of depth and redundancy in staff skill levels and
responsibilities, and
WHEREAS, the Information Systems Manager title eliminates a narrow, specialized job
title and creates a broader job classification that encompasses a variety of advanced
technical duties and responsibilities and allows for flexibility as needed in the future, and
WHEREAS, the opportunity to move into the Information Systems Manager title was
offered to both senior technical staff members of the Public Information and Technology
Department in 2017, and now both employees have elected to do so; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the Personnel Roster of the Department of Public Information and
Technology be amended as follows:
Add: One (1) Information Systems Manager
Delete: One (1) Senior Network Administrator
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the funding for this roster change shall be obtained from with the
allocated departmental budget.
Carried Unanimously
December 1, 2021
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3.2 Fire Department - Fee Increases
By Alderperson Mohlenhoff: Seconded by Alderperson Nguyen
WHEREAS, section 181-9 F(1) of the Code of the City of Ithaca states the Fire Chief
shall promulgate a fee schedule applicable to the permits authorized under such code,
and
WHEREAS, §181-9 F states that fees established in the fee schedule shall reasonably
reflect the cost of receiving, investigating, processing, and issuing each of said permits,
and
WHEREAS, §181-9 F requires that any schedule and said changes proposed thereto
shall be submitted to the Common Council for adoption prior to the collection of such
fees, and
WHEREAS, the permit fee schedule is based on the cost of labor, fringe benefit, and
operational costs of performing the inspections and processing the permits, and
WHEREAS, the fees were last adjusted and approved by Common Council on
December 4, 2019, and the current fees do not reflect the actual costs of the service
provided, and
WHEREAS, the proposed fee schedule for 2022 increases the hourly rate for
inspections and plan reviews, from $58.00 to $60.00 per hour, and from $87.00 to
$90.00 per hour for work performed during non-business hours, which will result in such
fees reflecting current costs, and
WHEREAS, the prepared proposal includes additional permit fees for Outdoor
Assembly Events and Commercial Outdoor Fire Places, which are permits required
under 19 NYCRR 1225, The Fire Code of New York State, and
WHEREAS, all current fire permit fees will remain unchanged in 2022; now, therefore
be it
RESOLVED, The Common Council of the City of Ithaca does hereby approve the
proposed increase in permit fees as proposed, and, be it further
RESOLVED, These changes shall be authorized upon adoption of this resolution by the
Common Council, with an effective date of January 1, 2022.
Carried Unanimously
3.3 Finance – Approval of 2021-2022 Civil Service Agreement with the Ithaca City
School District
By Alderperson Mohlenhoff: Seconded by Alderperson Nguyen
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Controller be authorized and directed to execute
an agreement between the City of Ithaca and Ithaca City School District for performance
by the City for services in connection with Civil Service matters for the period July 1,
2021, to June 20, 2022, in an amount of $65,332 payable to the City of Ithaca on or
before December 1, 2021.
Carried Unanimously
3.4 Finance – Authorization to Cover Red Accounts
By Alderperson Mohlenhoff: Seconded by Alderperson Nguyen
RESOLVED, That the City Controller be empowered to make transfers within the 2021
budget appropriations, as needed, for the remainder of the 2021 Fiscal Year.
Carried Unanimously
December 1, 2021
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3.5 Mayor - Wellness Incentive
By Alderperson Mohlenhoff: Seconded by Alderperson Nguyen
WHEREAS, in the face of the pandemic in 2020, the City changed health insurance
options for the Mayor—in addition to Management and Confidential employees, among
others—to establish the Platinum Plan as the standard health insurance available, and
WHEREAS, in summer 2021 the CSEA Administrative Unit likewise agreed to a labor
contract establishing the Platinum Plan as the standard health insurance option for its
membership, and in support thereof the City agreed to provide all employees in that
bargaining unit (and confidentials) who are enrolled in the Platinum Plan the opportunity
to receive substantial financial incentives for successful participation in the Platinum Plan’s
wellness program, and
WHEREAS, on September 1, 2021, as updated on November 3, 2021, the Common
Council adopted a resolution that implemented wellness program incentives for
management (and likewise expanded 2021 payment eligibility for the same for
confidentials), providing those employees who were
• “enrolled in the Platinum Plan as of July 1, 2021 [with] applicable wellness
amounts in 2021 prorated at 50% value without any need to satisfy wellness
targets in 2021 (i.e., $1,000 for family plan participants, and $375 for individual
plan participants), but in succeeding full years at 100% value subject to achieving
applicable targets”; and
• “enrolled in the Platinum Plan as of January 1, 2021, and remain employed by
the City as of November 3, 2021, shall receive applicable wellness amounts in
2021 at 100% value without any need to satisfy wellness targets in 2021 (i.e.,
$2,000 for family plan participants, and $750 for individual plan participants), and
in succeeding full years at 100% value subject to achieving applicable target”;
and
WHEREAS, those prior resolutions were premised upon the belief that “Management
should receive not only the burden of organization-wide shifts in the City’s labor contracts,
but also the benefits”, and
WHEREAS, Mayor’s role as a working chief executive officer of the organization justifies
providing the Mayor with benefits equivalent to those provided to management
employed by the City; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, The Mayor, if enrolled in the Platinum Plan, shall be eligible for the
wellness incentive on the same terms as Management, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That in light of the inability to administer Wellness testing in the short
remainder of 2021, the Mayor, if enrolled in the Platinum Plan as of January 1, 2021,
shall receive applicable wellness amounts in 2021 on the same terms as did
Management, namely, at 100% value without any need to satisfy wellness targets in
2021 (i.e., $2,000 for family plan participants, and $750 for individual plan participants),
and in succeeding full years at 100% value subject to achieving applicable targets as
provided in the “Fringe Benefits for Managerial Personnel” policy and associated
implementation of the Wellness Program, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That this resolution shall cease to apply to the position of Mayor at such
time, if any, as the City shifts to a Council-Manager form of government.
Carried Unanimously
December 1, 2021
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CITY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE:
4.1 A Local Law to Amend Chapter 107 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code
Regarding the Salaries of Common Council and the Mayor
By Alderperson Mohlenhoff: Seconded by Alderperson McGonigal
WHEREAS, the annual salaries of the members of the Common Council and the Mayor
were last adjusted effective January 2016; and
WHEREAS, at that time those salaries were adjusted to their current levels of $10,141
and $58,561, respectively; and
WHEREAS, the Common Council approved a 2022 budget that funds these salaries in
2022 at the levels of $13,141 per member and $61,489, respectively; and
WHEREAS, the Common Council seeks to amend Chapter 107 of the City Code in order
to effectuate these amended salaries as funded by the approved budget; now therefore,
BE IT ENACTED by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca as follows:
Local Law No. 2021 -
Section 1. Legislative Findings, Intent, and Purpose.
It is the intent of this local law to amend Chapter 107 of the City Code in order to
effectuate the revised 2022 salaries of Council members and the Mayor as funded in
the 2022 approved budget, with said salary to be effective as of January 1, 2022.
The Common Council makes the following findings of fact:
A. The members of the Common Council and the Mayor expend substantial
efforts and devote large amounts of time to their duties, and
B. The annual salaries of the members of the Common Council and the
Mayor were last adjusted nearly six years ago, and there has been some
inflation in the intervening years.
Section 2. Code Amendments.
Section 107-1 of the City Code is hereby amended as follows:
The annual salary of the Mayor shall be the sum of [$58,561] $61,489.
Section 107-2 of the City Code is hereby amended as follows:
The annual salary of the Council members shall be the sum of [$10,141]
$13,141.
Section 3. Severability Clause.
Severability is intended throughout and within the provisions of this Local Law. If any
section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Local Law 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 Local Law.
Section 4. Effective Date.
Upon filing in the office of the Secretary of State, this Local Law shall take effect
retroactive to January 1, 2022. This Local Law is subject to referendum on petition
pursuant to Municipal Home Rule Law Section 24.
A roll call vote resulted as follows:
Alderperson Brock- Aye Alderperson McGonigal- Aye
Alderperson Nguyen- Aye Alderperson Murtagh- Aye
Alderperson Gearhart - Aye Alderperson Fleming – Aye
Alderperson Mehler - Aye Alderperson Kerslick – Aye
Alderperson Mohlenhoff- Aye Alderperson Lewis Aye
Carried Unanimously
December 1, 2021
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REPORT OF THE CITY CONTROLLER:
City Controller Thayer reported on the following:
• Audit – work is ongoing and the report should be available in early 2022.
• 2021 activity:
o Sales tax – $12.8 million collected to date. This is 20% higher than 2020
($2 million)
o Parking revenue – showing signs of slow improvement but currently
$400,000 under budget due to the pandemic and the Green Street garage
construction.
o Building permit revenues – $1.6 million has been collected; however, $2.7
million was budgeted.
o Fine revenue – 4530,000 collected to date – could be off budget as much
as $180,000.
o CPI for 2021 – there was a spike in March at 5.5% with October reflecting
highest CPI to date at 6.2%. The average is 4.3% for the year to date.
o 2021 Pension payment – is due in February 2022. The City will make that
payment on December 15th to receive a discount.
The City has already received half of the Federal funds for ARPA, approximately $8
million. The second half of the money will be received in 2022. Additional funds in the
range of $100,000 are expected to be received from FEMA and will help with 2021
expenses due to COVID.
PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
No items were submitted for consideration.
Alderperson Murtagh noted that the December PEDC agenda will likely include
discussion on the Good Cause Legislation. He stated that all existing and incoming
Council members are encouraged to attend as this legislation will likely move on to
Common Council early in 2022.
INDIVIDUAL MEMBER FILED RESOLUTION
Mayor Myrick recused himself from the discussion of Item 5.1 for the sake of continuity
as he has a family member who is a former employee of Verizon, and he has recused
himself from all previous consideration of this legislation.
5.1 An Ordinance to Amend Data Transfer Rate Provisions in Small Cell
Ordinance
By Alderperson McGonigal: Seconded by Alderperson Brock
WHEREAS, on 10/6/2021 Common Council voted to amend City Code § 325-29.5
(Definitions), § 325-29.10 (Submittal requirements), and § 325-29.12(B)(1)(a) (Tiered
permit process), which regulate the placement of telecommunications facilities, to
include the use of minimum wireless data transfer speeds as a method for proving
significant gap in coverage; and
WHEREAS, the City retained a legal expert on wireless small cell installations (Andrew
Campanelli), who has since specifically advised the City not to include a minimum data
download speed requirement to prove a significant gap in coverage, stating that the City
will not be able to ascertain if reports provided by the applicant on download speed are
accurate, and
WHEREAS, legally dropped calls are required as proof of a significant gap in coverage
because voice calls (not data) are classified as Title II, and thus are the only service that
carries federal pre-emption from local codes, and
WHEREAS, it is unduly burdensome to task the City and the BZA with determining
whether or not submissions of hard wireless data speeds by the applicants are accurate
and not specious; now therefore
December 1, 2021
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Ordinance No. 2021-__
BE IT ORDAINED 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. Wireless data transfer speeds can fluctuate and vary widely at the same location,
using the same device, and can be adjusted up or down by the
telecommunications companies.
2. In passing the 10/6/21 ordinance, Council sought to “balance the simultaneous
objectives of enabling wireless carriers to provide personal wireless services
within the City while protecting the City’s zoning authority and concerns in
minimizing the number of facilities used to provide such coverage, avoid
unnecessary, redundant wireless infrastructure, and avoiding to the greatest
extent possible, any unnecessary adverse impacts upon residential homes and
residential communities.”
3. Establishing a data speed threshold as the basis for establishing a significant gap
in coverage increases the potential to upset the foregoing balance that the
Common Council seeks to maintain.
Based upon the above findings, the intent and purpose of this ordinance is to amend the
City Code to remove minimum wireless data transfer speed requirements from the
Telecommunications Facilities and Services sections of the City Code.
Section 2. Amendments to Article VA “Telecommunications Facilities and
Services” of City Code Chapter 325 “Zoning”
(a) Amend §325-29.5 “Definitions” to amend the following definition as follows:
SIGNIFICANT GAP IN COVERAGE or SIGNIFICANT COVERAGE GAP
A significant coverage gap exists when a remote user of those services is unable
to either connect with the land-based national telephone network, or to maintain
a connection capable of supporting a reasonably uninterrupted communication. A
significant coverage gap exists when customers cannot receive and send
signals, and when customers pass through a coverage gap their calls are
disconnected. An applicant’s claim that it needs the proposed tower for “future
capacity” or to “improve coverage” is not sufficient to establish that it suffers from
a significant gap in service coverage.
(b) Amend §325-29.10(B)(7), “Submittal requirements” as follows:
(7) For purposes of submitting the maps required by subparagraphs B.5 and
B.6 above, the applicant shall demonstrate network performance based
on a sample of on-the-ground testing (drive tests) data and certify the
accuracy of the data under penalty of perjury and that the testing is
statistically appropriate for the area tested. The applicant shall provide
the hard data that was employed to create such map or maps, including
drive test data demonstrating the existence, location, and geographic
boundary of the gap in coverage which the PWSF is intended to remedy,
or if demonstrating capacity deficiency, actual dropped call records from
the carrier, and the location and geographic boundary of the capacity
deficiency.
(c) Amend § 325-29.12, “Tiered permit process”, to amend subsection (B)(1)(a)
as follows:
(B)(1)(a) reliable drive test data to demonstrate the significant gap in coverage or
actual dropped records to demonstrate a capacity deficiency, including the
location and geographic boundaries of such, that the PWSF proposes to
remedy;
Section 3. Severability Clause.
December 1, 2021
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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 4. Effective Date.
This ordinance shall take effect immediately and in accordance with law upon
publication of notices as provided in the Ithaca City Charter.
Alderperson McMonigal explained that this Ordinance is intended to revert the language
back to what was agreed upon in October prior to the Amending Resolution regarding
minimum data transfer speed requirements related to significant gap in coverage. He
thanked everyone who worked on this legislation.
A vote on the Ordinance resulted as follows:
Ayes (7) Brock, McGonigal, Gearhart, Fleming, Mehler, Kerslick, Lewis
Nays (3) Mohlenhoff, Murtagh, Nguyen.
Carried (7-3)
5.2 A Resolution to Request the Establishment of a Capital Project to Fund the
Evaluation and Design of Traffic, Parking, Loading, and Safety Improvements to
Allow for the City to Safely Continue to Implement the Seasonal Aurora Streatery
This item was withdrawn from the agenda.
REPORTS OF COUNCIL LIAISONS:
Alderperson Lewis reported that the HUD Entitlement Grant Program dates are earlier
in 2022 than they have been in previous years. The first public hearing will be held on
January 28, 2022; the second public hearing will be held at the Planning and Economic
Development Committee meeting on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. Council’s vote to
approve the proposed action plan will remain at the beginning of June. Funding levels
are expected to be similar to 2021 levels.
She further reported that the Ithaca Guaranteed Income Program is in the process of
being launched. It is a research pilot program that will provide $450 a month to qualified
participants for a 12-month period. City residents who are caregivers to children,
elderly, or have disabilities are eligible to participate in this program. This program is
being funded by “The Mayors for Guaranteed Income Program”; there is no financial
impact to city taxpayers. Information about this program can be obtained on the Human
Services Coalition website. The application window is very narrow at 7-10 days.
Mayor Myrick commented that the IURA did an incredible job crafting this program and
bringing in the funds that are going to make it possible to not only change the lives of
this test group, but to also add to the mountain of evidence that indicates that this is a
form of benefit that should go nationwide to help reduce poverty.
Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the 80% AMI.
MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION:
A Motion to Enter into Executive Session to discuss Collective Bargaining
Negotiations
By Alderperson Lewis: Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick
RESOLVED, That Common Council enter into Executive Session to discuss collective
bargaining negotiations.
Carried Unanimously
December 1, 2021
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RECONVENE:
Common Council reconvened into Regular Session with no formal action taken.
Common Council – Approval and Authorization to Execute Contract with Ithaca
Police Benevolent Association
By Alderperson Mohlenhoff: Seconded by Alderperson Murtagh
RESOLVED, That the Common Council approves the agreement between the City of
Ithaca and the Ithaca Police Benevolent Association for a ten‐year term commencing
January 1, 2014 and expiring December 31, 2023; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor is authorized to fully execute the agreement on behalf of
the City.
Mayor Myrick thanked the City’s negotiating team and explained the compensation
steps.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Common Council – Approval and Authorization to Execute Memorandum of
Agreement with Ithaca Police Benevolent Association
By Alderperson McGonigal: Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick
RESOLVED, That the Common Council approves the memorandum of agreement
between the City of Ithaca and the Ithaca Police Benevolent Association providing a
monetary incentive to persons legally authorized to serve as police officers in the State
of New York and deemed appropriate for hire by the Ithaca Police Department (the
“Department”), in the amount of $15,000 per officer hired, to transfer laterally to the
Department and commit to service with the Department for not less than three (3) years,
such incentive to remain in effect until June 30, 2022; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor is authorized to fully execute the memorandum of
agreement on behalf of the City.
Amending Resolution:
By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick
RESOLVED, That a Resolved Clause be added to the Resolution as the second
Resolved to read as follows:
“RESOLVED, That the Common Council affirms its commitment to actively seek, hire
and retain police officers with diverse backgrounds; and be it further”
Carried Unanimously
Main Motion as Amended
A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
A Motion to Enter into Executive Session to discuss the Proposed Acquisition,
Sale or Lease of Real Property the Publicity of Which Would Substantially Affect
the Value Thereof
By Alderperson Mehler: Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart
RESOLVED, That Common Council enter into Executive Session to discuss the
proposed acquisition, sale or lease of real property the publicity of which would
substantially affect the value thereof.
Carried Unanimously
Reconvene:
Common Council reconvened into Regular Session with no formal action taken.
December 1, 2021
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A Motion to Enter into Executive Session to Discuss a Personnel Matter
By Alderperson Mehler: Seconded by Alderperson Lewis
RESOLVED, That Common Council entered into Executive Session to discuss a
personnel matter.
Carried Unanimously
Reconvene:
Common Council reconvened into Regular Session with no formal action taken.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
______________________________ _______________________________
Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Svante L. Myrick
City Clerk Mayor