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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PEDC-2022-11-16Approved at the December 2022 PEDC Meeting City of Ithaca Planning & Economic Development Committee Wednesday, November 16, 2022 – 6:00 p.m. Minutes Committee Members Attending: Laura Lewis, Chair; Alderpersons Cynthia Brock, Phoebe Brown, Rob Gearhart, and Patrick Mehler Committee Members Absent: Other Elected Officials Attending: None Staff Attending: Lisa Nicholas, Director, Planning and Development Department; Megan Wilson, Deputy Director, Planning and Development Department; Thomas Knipe, Deputy Director, Economic Development; Nels Bohn, IURA Director; Jennifer Kusznir, Senior Planner; Victor Kessler and Ari Lavine, City Attorney’s Office; and Deborah Grunder, Executive Assistant Others Attending: Chair Laura Lewis called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 1) Call to Order/Agenda Review 2) Public Comment Zach Winn, 229 South Geneva Street, Ithaca, New York, spoke on the unsanctioned encampments. They need to be addressed by Spring. Theresa Alt, 206 Eddy Street, provided written comment which is attached to these minutes. Alderperson Brock provided her own public comment regarding the November 2nd Common Council meeting regarding the public comment that night. Mayor Lewis stated that due to the unrest at the November 2nd meeting that outside legal counsel will be employed to join the negotiating team. Approved at the December 2022 PEDC Meeting 3) Special Order of Business 4) Announcements, Updates, Reports Mayor Lewis informed the group of a prestigious award.for the City’s work on sustainability. a) Unsanctioned Encampments – Working Group Update Director Lisa Nicholas provided an update on the working group. The group has met two time since the last PEDC meeting. They have been working on the feedback received from the department heads. The next meeting is scheduled for December 1st with the Office of Continuum Care. . b) Short-Term Rentals – Next Steps Deputy Director Megan Wilson provided an update on next steps for short- term rentals. The full report of Josie’s report provided at the September PEDC meeting will be made available in December. c) Adult Recreation Cannabis Use – Update Tom Knipe, Deputy Director, Economic Development and Megan Wilson, Deputy Director, Planning and Development provided the update on this topic. The sale of cannabis is still illegal in New York State. In Mach of 2022, an application process was opened for a card license. Three (3) licenses will be made available for this region. One location on the Commons is being considered. Megan Wilson stated that there are a number of regulations on such locations. There will be strict regulations on signage and location near schools, etc. We will await more information from the State going forward. Alderperson Brown asked for clarification as to whether the State is reaching out to black and brown populations. What is the City doing to see that this happens? Tom Knipe stated that the City is happy to inform people about this to such groups. Alderperson Brock asked whether there has been a discussion as to who will be responsible for overseeing these licenses. Approved at the December 2022 PEDC Meeting Mayor Lewis stated the City will have to see where the locations are before we can determine who will be responsible for overseeing said licenses. Acting Chief Joly stated that it is illegal to sell cannabis. Right now, it is seen as a civil not a criminal act. d) December PEDC Meeting Date The December meeting will be held on December 14, 2022. Alderperson Gearhart will serve as alternate chair. 5) Voting Items (to Council) a) Ithaca Gun Development Agreement Modifications Nels Bohn, IURA Director, provided an overview of this project. It was first formed in 2013 under a different owner. Approve Amended and Restated Development Agreement for the Former Ithaca Gun Factory Site Moved by Mayor Lewis; seconded by Alderperson Mehler. Carried unanimously. WHEREAS: A development agreement was executed in 2007 between the City of Ithaca and Fall Creek Redevelopment, LLC (“FCR”) to implement a public/private program for demolition, remediation, and redevelopment of the former Ithaca Gun factory site (“2007 Development Agreement”), and WHEREAS: 121-125 Lake St LLC acquired title to Tax Parcels 11.-3-1.22 and 11.-3-1.23 (the “Property”) in December 2021 from FCR and desires to address contamination at the Property and redevelop the Property for productive use as a multi-family residential project, and has already secured the necessary funding to complete the project; and WHEREAS: The City likewise desires to have the contamination at the Property remediated and returned to productive use such that it will be an asset to the neighborhood and the City; and WHEREAS: the City completed its obligations under the 2007 Development Agreement to secure funding for demolition of the former factory building and complete environmental remediation on Tax Parcel 11.-3-1.21, known as the Ithaca Falls Overlook Site, that was donated to the City from FCR; and WHEREAS: The City acknowledges that site conditions, market conditions, and ownership have substantially changed since 2007 requiring a revised agreement, but the fundamental objectives and commitments contained in the 2007 Development Agreement should be retained; now, therefore, be it Approved at the December 2022 PEDC Meeting RESOLVED that the Common Council does hereby approve the execution of an Amended and Restated Redevelopment Agreement Between the City of Ithaca and 121-125 Lake Street LLC, regarding redevelopment of the former Ithaca Gun Factory site, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Mayor for the City of Ithaca, subject to review by the City Attorney, is hereby authorized to execute the above referenced agreement in a form substantially in conformance with the draft attached hereto. b) Public Safety Facility – Allocation of Funding for Property Acquisition and Associated Costs Authorizing the Establishment of a Capital Project for a Public Safety Facility Moved by Mayor Lewis; seconded by Alderperson Mehler. Carried unanimously. WHEREAS, in 2016 a Facilities Master Planning Working Group was formed to evaluate City facilities, and WHEREAS, in 2017 the facilities working group recommended hiring Kingsbury Architects, to evaluate all City facilities to determine current and future space needs and to assess current building conditions and capacities, and WHEREAS, Kingsbury Architects toured each of the City facilities, interviewed key staff, researched space needs for various job functions, and produced an inventory of space needs for various City Departments, and WHEREAS, the report findings showed various costly repairs and safety improvements needed for the Police facility, and an immediate need for additional space to house current staff that could not be accommodated in the existing facility, and WHEREAS, the existing facility is not large enough to accommodate the existing and future needs of the Public Safety Department, and WHEREAS, Mitchell Associates was hired in 2022 to review the previous reports and develop a site plan, and WHEREAS, Mitchell Associates determined that expansion on the existing site would not be feasible, and WHEREAS, based on size and location requirements, staff estimates site acquisition and associated costs to be between $3-4 million dollars, and now therefore be it Approved at the December 2022 PEDC Meeting RESOLVED, that Common Council does hereby establish capital project #917 for a public safety facility in an initial amount not to exceed four million dollars, and be it further RESOLVED, that such funds shall be derived from the issuance of serial bonds. 6) Voting Items (For Circulation) a) Amendment to Chapter 8 of the City Code This will add another commission to the already four commission structure. It will be a sustainability commission. Alderperson Brock stated that these commissions have not been active over the past two years during COVID. Will the four commissions be re-enacted? The Deputy City Clerk will be responsible for the recruitment and coordination of the five commissions. Ordinance to Amend Chapter 8 (Advisory Commission) of Part I (Administrative Legislation) of the Code of the City of Ithaca to Establish a Sustainability and Climate Justice Commission Moved by Alderperson Mehler; seconded by Alderperson Gearhart. Passed unanimously. WHEREAS: the City of Ithaca has demonstrated its desire and commitment to be a leader in sustainability and social equity, as exemplified by the adoption of the Ithaca Green New Deal (IGND) on June 5, 2019; and WHEREAS; the IGND set out specific climate and social justice goals, and WHEREAS; Common Council subsequently funded two positions, a Director of Sustainability and Sustainability Planner to lay out a strategic plan and to coordinate across departments and community-wide to meet the stated goals, and WHEREAS; Sustainability staff, working in coordination with other staff and departments have, and will continue to, bring forward policies, plans and other proposals that may impact city operations, staffing, urban design, capital budgeting and existing programs, and other areas, and WHEREAS: a dedicated advisory group is needed to support this work to provide the guidance of subject area experts, coordinate public outreach and information and advice Council and other bodies on the impact of proposed initiatives, now, therefore Approved at the December 2022 PEDC Meeting 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. Council affirms its commitment to sustainability and social justice as laid out in the adoption of the IGND of June 5, 2019, and 2. In considering programs, policies, plans and initiatives to meet the goals of the IGND Common Council and other bodies, require the input and advise of subject area experts and outreach to and input from the public, 3. Therefore, a dedicated Advisory Commission is needed to serve these and other related functions. Based upon the above findings, the intent and purpose of this ordinance is to create a Sustainability and Climate Justice Commission as a fifth Advisory Commission. Section 2. Chapter 8 (Advisory Commissions) of Part I (Administrative Legislation) of the Code of the City of Ithaca, Section 8-2 (Establishment) is hereby amended as follows: § 8-2 Establishment The Common Council of the City of Ithaca hereby establishes the Public Safety and Information Commission; Community Life Commission; Mobility, Accessibility, and Transportation Commission; [and] Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Commission; and Sustainability and Climate Justice Commission. These Commissions shall be collectively known as the "advisory commissions." The advisory commissions serve the City of Ithaca, the City of Ithaca Common Council and committees thereof, and the City of Ithaca's quasi-judicial boards. The advisory commissions serve solely in an advisory capacity and, absent approval of the Common Council, may take no action binding the City, its officers, or employees. Section 3. Chapter 8 (Advisory Commissions) of Part I (Administrative Legislation) of the Code of the City of Ithaca, Article III (Community Life Commission), § 8-12 is hereby amended as follows: § 8-12 Purpose. The purpose of the Community Life Commission is to provide the Common Council, appropriate committees thereof, the City's quasi-judicial boards, and City staff with advisory research, public input, and analysis for matters related to community livability, arts and culture, diversity, community youth and youth development, seniors and aging, refugees and immigrants, college students, LGBTQIA+ issues, housing, [sustainability] food and food systems, and environmental remediation. Section 4. Chapter 8 (Advisory Commissions) of Part I (Administrative Legislation) of the Code of the City of Ithaca, Article III (Community Life Commission), § 8-13 subsections (H) and (I) are hereby amended as follows: Approved at the December 2022 PEDC Meeting H. To advise on issues [of sustainability,] related to food and food systems, and environmental remediation and contamination. I. To serve as a means of engaging in community outreach and receiving community input on the above-described subject matter in a manner consistent with the diversity[,] and accessibility [, and sustainability] goals of the City and in conjunction with all appropriate commissions, as necessary, to achieve such goals. Section 5. Chapter 8 (Advisory Commissions) shall be further amended so as to create a new Article VI thereof, entitled Sustainability and Climate Justice Commission, as follows: Article VI Sustainability and Climate Justice Commission § 8-19. Purpose. The purpose of the Sustainability and Climate Justice Commission is to provide the Common Council, appropriate committees thereof, the City's quasi-judicial boards, and City staff with advisory research, public input, and analysis for matters related to sustainability, climate justice and the City’s goals as described in the June 5, 2019, Resolution adopting an Ithaca Green New Deal. § 8-20. Duties. The duties of the Sustainability and Climate Justice Commission shall include, as needed, the following: A. To advise on issues and programs pertaining to sustainability and climate justice, such as waste reduction, electrification of buildings, electrification of the city fleet, renewable energy, equitable distribution of program benefits, etc., and B. To review and recommend policies, plans and programs to Common Council to implement the goals of the City’s Green New Deal, including but not limited to a climate action plan (CAP) and any subsequent updates, a Green Building Policy for existing buildings, and the Justice50 program framework, and C. To monitor progress towards the goals of the Green New Deal, including the goal that benefits are shared among all of our local communities to reduce historical social and economic inequities. D. To serve as a means of engaging in community outreach and receiving community input on the above-described subject matter in a manner consistent with the diversity, accessibility, and sustainability goals of the City and in conjunction with all appropriate commissions, as necessary, to achieve such goals. Section 6. 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 Approved at the December 2022 PEDC Meeting 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 7. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect in accordance with law upon publication of notices as provided in the Ithaca City Charter. 7) Review and Approval of Minutes a) September 2022 Moved by Alderperson Mehler; seconded by Alderperson Brown. Passed unanimously. 8) Adjournment Alderperson Mehler moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Alderperson Brown. The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.