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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-2013-12-31COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Special Meeting 12:00 p.m. December 31, 2013 PRESENT: Mayor Myrick Alderpersons (10): Brock, Dotson, Murtagh, Clairborne, McCollister, Fleming, Smith, Kerslick, Mohlenhoff, Proulx Alderpersons Elect (2): McGonigal, Martell OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk – Conley Holcomb City Attorney – Lavine PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Myrick led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: 2.1 Recognition of Outgoing Common Council Members Denise Malone, Executive Assistant, Human Resources Department, expressed her appreciation to Alderperson Chris Proulx noting how she enjoyed how he ran the City Administration Committee in such an efficient and effective manner. She further thanked Alderperson Jennifer Dotson for her years of service to the City noting that she would be missed. Alderperson Brock noted that the First Ward was diverse and at times challenging. She reflected on both the philosophical differences and the many similarities that she and Alderperson Dotson had shared. She stated that she’s learned a lot since being elected to Council; but learned the most from Alderperson Dotson. She thanked Alderperson Dotson for her service to the City and the First Ward and presented her with several gifts to remind her of her service on Council. Alderperson Dotson thanked Alderperson Brock and noted that her dedication to the City is amazing, along with all of the other members of Common Council. She stated that her service with Council and the City’s staff has revived her faith in local government. She presented Alderperson Brock with a token of her appreciation. Alderperson Mohlenhoff expressed her appreciation for all of the time and dedication Alderperson Proulx offered the City and the Fifth Ward. She stated that as people they were quite opposite of each other but as Ward Representatives, their skill complimented each other’s perfectly. She thanked Alderperson Proulx for being a great partner in the many initiatives they worked on together and presented him with the “Keeping Ithaca Balanced” award. Alderperson Proulx reflected on a book he had recently read about the importance of extroverts to introverts and vice versa. He noted that he learned a lot from Alderperson Mohlenhoff as a mentor and what an honor it was to represent the Fifth Ward with her. Mayor Myrick noted that it is not often that you get to work with people that you are a fan of and who inspire you but he was fortunate enough to have that opportunity. He praised Alderperson Dotson as a champion and leader of environmental sustainability and voiced his pleasure about being able to continue to work with Alderperson Dotson as a continuing member of the TCAT Board and in her role as the Executive Director of Ithaca CarShare. He further noted that Alderperson Dan Cogan had left big shoes to fill; however, Alderperson Proulx had stepped in and filled them quite capably. He hailed Alderperson Proulx as a legislative genius and praised the manner in which he could maneuver complicated and difficult issues. December 31, 2013 2 He reflected on how difficult it would be to see these two fine legislators go but was comforted by fact that two highly qualified people would be filling their seats. Mayor Myrick noted that George McGonigal had previously served on Common Council while filling a vacancy. He voiced his pleasure at having George back on Council and that one thing he values about George is the ability to disagree on an issue while each other appreciates and values the other’s expertise and knowledge. Mayor Myrick further commented on how impressed he is with Josephine Martell’s intelligence and dedication to the Fifth Ward and the City and how much he was looking forward to the opportunity to work with her. Dismissal of Outgoing Council Mayor Myrick dismissed outgoing Common Council members Dotson and Proulx from the floor of Council. Oath of Office – Alderpersons Elect Mayor Myrick administered the oath of office to the returning eight Common Council Members, and the two newly elected Common Council Members. Cynthia Brock, 1st Ward George McGonigal, 1st Ward Joseph Murtagh, 2nd Ward William J.R. Clairborne, 2nd Ward Ellen McCollister, 3rd Ward Donna Fleming, 3rd Ward Graham Kerslick, 4th Ward Stephen J. Smith, 4th Ward Deborah Mohlenhoff, 5th Ward Josephine Martell, 5th Ward NEW BUSINESS: Appointment of Acting Mayor and Alternate Acting Mayor – Oath of Office Mayor Myrick appointed Alderperson Mohlenhoff as Acting Mayor and Alderperson McCollister as Alternate Acting Mayor with terms to expire December 31, 2014. He administered the oath and they were sworn into office. Appointment of Marriage Officers – Resolution By Alderperson Clairborne: Seconded by Alderperson Smith RESOLVED, That the following Alderpersons be designated as Marriage Officers for the year 2014: Alderperson Brock Alderperson Clairborne Alderperson Murtagh Alderperson McCollister Alderperson Fleming Alderperson Smith Alderperson Kerslick Alderperson Mohlenhoff Alderperson Martell Carried Unanimously CONSENT ITEMS: 4.1 Finance/Controller - Designation of Official Newspaper - Resolution By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick RESOLVED, That, pursuant to Section C-113 of the City Charter, the Ithaca Journal be and is hereby designated as the official newspaper of the City of Ithaca for the year 2014. Carried Unanimously 4.2 Finance/Controller - Collateral to Secure Deposits - Resolution By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick RESOLVED, That the collateral deposited by the Tompkins Trust Company, JP Morgan Chase and M & T Bank as reported, be approved as to form and sufficiency. Carried Unanimously 4.3 Finance/Controller - Public Employee's Blanket Bond - Resolution By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick RESOLVED, That pursuant to Section 11 of the Public Officers Law, the following Bond, which is on file in the Office of the City Clerk, be, and is hereby approved in all respects for the year 2014. December 31, 2013 3 Faithful Performance Blanket Bond Coverage by National Grange Mutual Insurance Company $250,000 Carried Unanimously 4.4 Finance/Controller - Designation of Common Council Meetings - Resolution By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick RESOLVED, That the regular meetings of the Common Council, for the year 2014, be held at 6:00 P.M., on the first Wednesday of each month, in the Common Council Chambers, at City Hall, 108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York, unless otherwise determined by Common Council. Carried Unanimously 4.5 Finance/Controller - Designation of Official Depositories - Resolution By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick RESOLVED, That pursuant to Section C-34 of the City Charter, the Tompkins Trust Company, the JP Morgan Chase Bank and the M & T Bank be, and they are, hereby designated as the official depositories of all City Funds for the year 2014. Carried Unanimously 4.6 Common Council - Approval of 2014 Travel Policy - Resolution Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick WHEREAS, there is to be held during the coming official year a) the New York State Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting and Training School; b) the New York State Conference of Mayors Fall Training School for Fiscal Officers and Municipal Clerks, and other national and regional conferences as applicable, and WHEREAS, it is determined by the Mayor and Common Council that attendance by certain municipal officials and City employees at one or more of these meetings, conferences or schools benefits the municipality; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council, the Mayor and City employees are hereby authorized to attend said conferences or other applicable training events during 2014, and be it further RESOLVED, That the cost for all events must be derived from existing 2014 Departmental Budgets with appropriate approvals obtained as applicable, and be it further RESOLVED, That this resolution shall take effect immediately. Carried Unanimously Mayor Myrick distributed the list of committee assignments and liaison appointments, noting that there would only be two Standing Committees in 2014: City Administration Committee, chaired by Alderperson Mohlenhoff; and Planning and Economic Development Committee, chaired by Alderperson Murtagh. City Clerk Holcomb reminded Common Council of the amended January meeting schedule due to the New Year holiday. Common Council’s first Regular Meeting will be held on January 8, 2014; the Planning and Economic Development Committee will meet on January 15, 2014; and the City Administration Committee will meet on January 22, 2014. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m. ______________________________ _______________________________ Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Svante L. Myrick City Clerk Mayor