Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-1994-09-07September 7, 1994 COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting7:00 p.m. September 7, 1994 PRESENT: Mayor Nichols Alderpersons (10) - Booth, Johnson, Sams, Thorpe, Gray, Efroymson, Shenk, Mackesey, Schroeder, Hanna OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney - Guttman City Controller - Cafferillo City Clerk - Paolangeli Deputy Police Chief - Barnes Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Planning and Development Director - VanCort PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of the July 6, 1994 Common Council Meeting By Alderperson Shenk: Seconded by Alderperson Gray RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the July 6, 1994 Common Council meeting be approved as corrected by Alderperson Schroeder. Carried Unanimously Approval of Minutes of the July 27, 1994 Special Common Council Meeting By Alderperson Johnson: Seconded by Alderperson Schroeder RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the July 27, 1994 Special Common Council meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously Approval of Minutes of the August 3, 1994 Common Council Meeting By Alderperson Efroymson: Seconded by Alderperson Thorpe RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the August 3, 1994 Common Council meeting be approved with corrections as given to the Clerk by Alderperson Schroeder. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: New Business Alderperson Sams requested the addition of a resolution declaring September as "Community Awareness and Empowerment Month". No Council member objected. Budget and Administration Committee Alderperson Johnson requested the addition of a Community Services Program funding report. No Council member objected. MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS: Ithaca City Cable Commission Mayor Nichols requested Council approval for the appointment of Richard Entlich, 320 Linn Street, to the Ithaca City Cable Commission with a term to expire December 31, 1998. Resolution By Alderperson Gray: Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson RESOLVED, That this Council approves the appointment of Richard Entlich to the Ithaca City Cable Commission with a term to expire December 31, 1998. Carried Unanimously Rental Housing Advisory Commission September 7, 1994 Mayor Nichols requested Council approval for the appointment of Colin Forth, 110 North Aurora Street, to the Rental Housing Advisory Commission with a term to expire December 31, 1994. Resolution By Alderperson Efroymson: Seconded by Alderperson Gray RESOLVED, That this Council approves the appointment of Colin Forth to the Rental Housing Advisory Commission with a term to expire December 31, 1994. Carried Unanimously Board of Zoning Appeals Mayor Nichols requested Council approval for the appointment of Clarence Reed, 104 Campbell Avenue, to the Board of Zoning Appeals with a term to expire December 31, 1995. Resolution By Alderperson Gray: Seconded by Alderperson Sams RESOLVED, That this Council approves the appointment of Clarence Reed to the Board of Zoning Appeals with a term to expire December 31, 1995. Carried Unanimously PETITIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE COUNCIL: Ordinance on Nuisance Houses Mr. Walter Gangl, 324-328 West State Street, spoke to Council regarding the proposed ordinance on nuisance houses. He urged Council to support the ordinance. Mr. Joe Cassaniti, owner of a business at 330 West State Street, handed a petition to the Mayor to enact a Nuisance House Ordinance. He spoke to Council regarding the proposed ordinance and requested the Council to support it. Ms. Toni Leib, co-owner of the City Health Club at 402 West Green Street, cited numerous problems in the area and requested Council support for the proposed Ordinance on Nuisance Houses. Handicap Parking Mr. Ernest Gray, 252 Floral Avenue, requested Council to consider handicap parking in the area of 252 Floral Avenue. FEIS/Findings Statement for Wal-Mart Project Ms. Doria Higgins, Hillcrest Drive, spoke in opposition to the resolution (14.8) on tonight's agenda. She stated that she does not believe that the City should pay to prepare the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Findings Statement for the proposed Wal-Mart project. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC: Handicap Parking Alderperson Johnson stated that the Board of Public Works will be reviewing special parking needs of residents in the City. Proposed Ordinance on Nuisance Houses Alderperson Efroymson stated that the ordinance on Nuisance Houses will be discussed by Council in the near future. He urged landlords and all residents to take personal responsibility to make the situation in neighborhoods safer. Alderperson Shenk spoke in favor of community groups taking a stand in their neighborhoods. Mayor Nichols noted that in addition to the proposed ordinance there are other actions that the city is taking to help solve these problems. There has been a task force set up of various September 7, 1994 city agencies that will be looking at ways, in addition to the proposed ordinance, to deal with these concerns. Alderperson Mackesey asked community members to join the march that will to take place on September 18th to give support and encouragement to our youth and stem the flow of drugs and violence in our streets. REPORT OF CITY BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES: Circle Greenway Alderperson Gray stated that Circle Greenway has printed a brochure and map showing the Circle Greenway hiking trail that is available to the public at the City Clerk's Office. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY: Therm Spill City Attorney Guttman reported that there now has been an executed consent order between the State of New York and Therm, the goal of which is to clear up abatement and prevention of further problems in the future. The State has acknowledged that Therm has improved its operating procedures and it has taken steps to deal with the problem and based on that, the State has not brought any legal action or attempted to indict Therm. BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE: * 14.1 Building Department - Request to Amend 1994 Personnel Roster By Alderperson Booth: Seconded by Alderperson Johnson WHEREAS, the Building Department will have an upcoming vacancy in its part-time Account Clerk/Typist position, and WHEREAS, this Account Clerk/Typist position is important in helping the Building Department properly maintain its records, and WHEREAS, the department utilizes this Account Clerk/Typist position in a manner that more closely relates to a Typist position; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the 1994 Personnel Roster of the Building Department be amended as follows: Add: One (1) Typist (Part-time) Delete: One (1) Account Clerk/Typist (Part-time) and be it further RESOLVED, That said personnel roster amendments are contingent on approval by the Civil Service Commission. Carried Unanimously * 14.2 Finance/Chamberlain - Recommendation to Deny Waiver of Tax Penalty By Alderperson Booth: Seconded by Alderperson Gray WHEREAS, the property owner of 203 Fair Street has requested expungement of the penalties in the amount of $12.74 owed to the City for late payment of the second installment of City taxes due June 30, 1994, and WHEREAS, the City Chamberlain and the Budget and Administration Committee have reviewed written documentation from the property owner relating to the late payment of City taxes; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That based upon the recommendation of the City Chamberlain, the request to waive the tax penalty is denied. Carried Unanimously September 7, 1994 * 14.3 Finance/Chamberlain - Recommendation to Deny Waiver of Tax Penalty By Alderperson Booth: Seconded by Alderperson Shenk WHEREAS, the property owner of 218 Utica Street has requested expungement of tax penalties in the amount of $12.54 owed to the City for late payment of the second installment of City taxes due June 30, 1994, and WHEREAS, the City Chamberlain and the Budget and Administration Committee have reviewed written documentation from the property owner relating to the late payment of City taxes; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That based upon the recommendation of the City Chamberlain, the request to waive the tax penalty is denied. Carried Unanimously * 14.4 Finance/Chamberlain - Request to Amend 1994 Personnel Roster By Alderperson Booth: Seconded by Alderperson Mackesey WHEREAS, the Chamberlain has recommended that the existing Traffic Violations Senior Account Clerk/Typist position in the Traffic Violations Department be deleted from the roster and that the supervisory duties related to that position be allocated to the Senior Account Clerk in the Chamberlain's Office, and WHEREAS, with the deletion of the Senior Account Clerk/Typist position the Traffic Violations Department would need an Account Clerk/Typist position to allow additional flexibility for counter and telephone coverage; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 1994 Personnel Roster in the Traffic Violations Department be amended as follows: Add: One (1) Account Clerk/Typist (40 hours) Delete: One (1) Senior Account Clerk/ Typist (40 hours) Carried Unanimously Term Limits - Report Alderperson Booth reported that at last month's Council meeting petitions were delivered that were collected around the city relating to the issue of putting term limits for City Offices on the ballot in November. He stated that the City Attorney has done research regarding this matter and has determined that Council has the authority to amend the Charter with respect to term limits. There was no support on the Budget and Administration Committee to change the Charter regarding term limits. Without someone collecting the requisite number of signatures and going through the process designated under State law, there is no mechanism by which this Council may place this term limit item on the ballot in November. * 14.6 Youth Bureau - Request to Amend 1994 Personnel Roster By Alderperson Booth: Seconded by Alderperson Hanna WHEREAS, the Youth Bureau will soon have vacancies in two part- time positions in the Paul Schreurs Memorial Program, and WHEREAS, the Youth Bureau is recommending that one full-time position replace the two part-time positions, which will result in approximately $2,000 in fringe benefit savings for 1994 without compromising the quality of the Paul Schreurs Program; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 1994 Personnel Roster in the Youth Bureau be amended as follows: Add: One (1) Full-time Youth Development Program Leader (35 hours) Delete: One (1) Part-time Youth Worker (25 hours) September 7, 1994 One (1) Part-time Volunteer Coordinator (28 hours) and be it further RESOLVED, That said personnel roster amendments are contingent upon the approval by the Civil Service Commission. Carried Unanimously * 14.7 Attorney - Request To Extend Tax Sale Redemption Period By Alderperson Booth: Seconded by Alderperson Shenk WHEREAS, Fleet Bank, which represents the successor in interest to the mortgage of 602 West State Street, has requested an extension of several months to permit redemption of said property, and WHEREAS, the City Chamberlain and the Budget and Administration Committee have reviewed written documentation requesting an extension for property redemption at 602 West State Street; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Fleet Bank be permitted to redeem the property at 602 West State Street up to February 26, 1995, for the total lien amount outstanding, plus additional interest, penalty and related costs through the date of redemption. Discussion followed on the floor on the merits of this resolution. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (6) - Booth, Shenk, Johnson, Gray, Efroymson, Schroeder Nays (4) - Mackesey, Thorpe, Sams, Hanna Carried (6-4) * 14.8 Planning Department - Request To Provide Funds for FEIS/Findings Statement for Wal-Mart Project By Alderperson Booth: Seconded by Alderperson Schroeder WHEREAS, the Planning and Development Board, as the lead agency for the environmental review of the proposed Wal-Mart Project, is responsible for preparing the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) respecting said project, and WHEREAS, the FEIS document will have to respond to all substantive comments made during the public hearing, and WHEREAS, the FEIS document will have to be followed by a findings statement which details the Planning Board's decision on the application, and WHEREAS, the City's SEQR ordinance requires that both the FEIS document and the Findings Statement must be completed within forty-five (45) days following the Public Hearing, and WHEREAS, the Planning Department has recommended that the firm of Clough-Harbour Associates be retained to prepare the FEIS document and the Findings Statement at a cost not to exceed $15,000, and WHEREAS, a Stenographer needs to be retained by the City to prepare a transcript of all comments made during the Wal-Mart project public hearing at a cost not to exceed $2,500; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That an amount not to exceed $17,500 be transferred from Account A1990 Unrestricted Contingency to Account A8020-435 Planning Contracts for the purpose of: (a) retaining the firm of Clough-Harbour Associates to prepare the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Findings Statement for the proposed Wal-Mart Project for an amount not to exceed $15,000 and (b) retaining a September 7, 1994 Stenographer to prepare a transcript of the public hearing for an amount not to exceed $2,500. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the requirement that the City pay the costs for the FEIS/Findings Statement. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously * 14.9 Planning Department - Request To Approve MHA Refinance Proposal By Alderperson Booth: Seconded by Alderperson Gray WHEREAS, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (INHS) has applied for and received tentative approval from the Neighborhood Housing Services of America, Inc. (NHSA) for a refinancing of the loan made by INHS to the Mutual Housing Association of Tompkins County for construction of Phase I of the Northside Mutual Housing Development, and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca holds a $90,000 third mortgage on the Phase I construction of the Northside Mutual Housing Development, and WHEREAS, the City originally established the requirement that no more than $425,000 of debt be placed in front of the City's mortgage on Phase I of the Northside Mutual Housing Development, and WHEREAS, INHS's refinancing of the Northside Mutual Housing Development Phase I loan would result in the placement of a total of $469,000 of debt in front of the City's mortgage, and WHEREAS, INHS will commit $200,000 of the anticipated proceeds from the NHSA refinancing to Phase II of the Northside Mutual Housing Development, which decision will benefit the city by expanding the supply of affordable housing; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. be allowed to place a total of $469,000 of debt in front of the City's third position mortgage on the loan for construction funds for Phase I of the Northside Mutual Housing Development. Carried Unanimously * 14.10 DPW - Request to Release Funds from Contingency Fund for Transit ADA By Alderperson Booth: Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson WHEREAS, $10,000 was placed in restricted contingency in the 1994 Budget for the purpose of funding the City of Ithaca's portion of the 1994 Transit American Disability Act Compliance Plan, and WHEREAS, the funds have been requested by Ithaca Transit in relation to the Ithaca Tompkins Transit Center for the purpose of establishing an ADA Compliance Plan, and WHEREAS, the other Ithaca Tompkins Transit Center entities, Cornell University and Tompkins County, are funding similar amounts to satisfy the Transit ADA requirement; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the $10,000 placed in Restricted Contingency Account A1990 be released and transferred to Account A5630-435 Bus Operation Contracts for the purpose of funding the establishment of the 1994 Transit ADA Compliance Plan. Carried Unanimously * 14.11 Attorney - Request to Transfer Funds for Litigation By Alderperson Booth: Seconded by Alderperson Johnson September 7, 1994 RESOLVED, That an amount not to exceed $3,000 be transferred from Account A1990 Unrestricted Contingency to Account A1420-425 Law Office Expense for the purpose of funding litigation fees. Carried Unanimously Attorney - Bankruptcy Retainer - Report Item 14.12 was handled in Executive Session during the Committee of the Whole meeting. No action at this time is appropriate. It will come back to Council at a later date. * 14.13 Finance/Controller - Request To Approve City Investment Policy By Alderperson Booth: Seconded by Alderperson Johnson WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca adopted a written investment policy on November 2, 1988, and WHEREAS, Chapter 708, Section 39 of the General Municipal Law requires this Common Council to adopt a comprehensive investment policy detailing the City's operative policy to officers and staff regarding the investing, monitoring and reporting of funds of the City of Ithaca; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Common Council does hereby adopt said investment policy (dated 8/24/94). City Controller Cafferillo answered questions from Council members regarding the City's investment policy. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously * 14.14 Finance/Controller - Request To Provide Funds for 1994 City Employee Recognition Picnic By Alderperson Booth: Seconded by Alderperson Mackesey WHEREAS, the 1994 City of Ithaca Employee Recognition Picnic will be held on Friday, September 16, 1994 starting at 1:00 P.M.; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That an amount not to exceed $2,500.00 be transferred from the unrestricted contingency account A1990 to Account A1430- 440 in order to pay for the 1994 City of Ithaca Employee Recognition Picnic. Carried Unanimously * 14.15 Finance/Controller - Request to Accept 1993 Annual Financial Report By Alderperson Booth: Seconded by Alderperson Johnson RESOLVED, That the 1993 Annual Financial Report prepared by the Finance Department be accepted as presented. Carried Unanimously * 14.16 Finance/Controller - Request to Approve Domestic Partnership Benefit Affidavit By Alderperson Booth: Seconded by Alderperson Johnson WHEREAS, State Insurance Department guidelines for the inclusion of domestic partners in municipal health insurance programs require an affidavit of economic interdependency to be completed by members of domestic partnerships who seek such health insurance coverage, and WHEREAS, said prescribed State Insurance Department affidavit includes a provision requiring two (2) items of proof showing financial interdependency not required in the City's Domestic Partnership Ordinance, and WHEREAS, a request of waiver from the provision requiring the showing of two (2) forms of financial interdependency has been filed by the Mayor with the State Insurance Department, because this condition constitutes an unreasonable demand not required of September 7, 1994 married couples receiving family health coverage under the City's existing program; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the prescribed Domestic Partnership affidavit developed in conjunction with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, the City's health program administrator, be hereby approved, and be it further RESOLVED, That this resolution shall include the Mayor's letter (dated August 10, 1994) filed with the State Department of Insurance requesting a waiver from the provision requiring two (2) items of proof respecting financial interdependency, and be it further RESOLVED, That should the Mayor's request for a waiver by the State Department of Insurance be granted, this matter shall be reviewed and brought back to Common Council by the Budget and Administration Committee. Following is the Mayor's letter that was filed with the State Department of Insurance: "August 10, 1994 Donna Freireich, Esq. General Counsel State Insurance Department 160 West Broadway New York, New York 10013-3393 Dear Ms. Freireich: In 1990 the City of Ithaca passed an ordinance allowing individuals to register with the City of Ithaca as domestic partners. Earlier this year after Superintendent Curiale's statement of September 29th, that health insurance policies could include domestic partners, the City of Ithaca passed an ordinance providing that in all City labor contracts, when determining when an employee is entitled to receive health insurance benefits for the employee or the employee's family, a domestic partner of the employee as defined by the City of Ithaca Code shall be treated as if he/she were the spouse of the employee. When individuals register with the City of Ithaca as domestic partners they sign a notarized affidavit of domestic partnership. I am enclosing for your reference a copy of the form. Please note that in paragraph 9 the persons that sign agree that if any person/employer/company suffers any loss because of a false statement contained in the affidavit, they bring a civil actions against the signers to recover their losses, including reasonable attorney's fees. In paragraph 10 the individuals certify under penalty of perjury that the statements are true and correct. The City of Ithaca is self insured with respect to providing health care benefits. The provision of health care benefits is administered by Blue Cross. When we contacted Blue Cross to advise them that we wanted the domestic partners of our employees to be covered, we were advised that when enrolling the domestic partners they would, in addition to having to execute the City of Ithaca affidavit of domestic partnership, attach two items of proof showing financial interdependence. We have specifically been advised that the requirement of showing two items of proof of financial interdependence is a requirement imposed by the State Insurance Department. I do not believe such a requirement is either fair or reasonable. September 7, 1994 If any employee wished to have his spouse or dependents covered for medical benefits, the employee does not need to show any documentary proof. The employee is not required to produce a copy of the marriage license. The City and insurance carriers simply take his/her word that they are married. Similarly, when a dependent is covered there is no requirement of documentary proof as to the age of the dependent; whether they are going to school or whether they are sufficiently supported. The insured's word is simply taken. Why should it be otherwise for domestic partners? In point of fact, the domestic partners will be signing a sworn notarized statement which is filed under penalty of perjury. Generally, the purpose of having a statement notarized is to impress on the signer the seriousness of the statement adding the language that is being certified under penalty of perjury also reduces the likelihood of fraudulent statements being filed. I assume that it could be argued that the affidavit of domestic partnership is a self serving statement. However, the proposed items of proof showing financial interdependence such as a joint bank account or joint credit card being joint obligers on a minimal loan, etc. are also self serving statements. They do not actually show financial interdependence. Further, these joint arrangements go beyond any that are required of married couples. I believe that a sworn notarized statement made under penalty of perjury that the two individuals are each other's sole domestic partner and are economically interdependent is at least as likely to be a reliable form of proof of the financial interdependence. In addition, as a matter of fairness, it is not reasonable to require domestic partners to produce documentary evidence when no one else is required to produce documentary evidence as to their marital status or who their dependents are. According, I request that the State Insurance Department allow, as an alternative to the productions of two items of proof showing financial interdependence, that the applicant submit a sworn notarized affidavit certified under penalty of perjury. If you have any further questions or comments regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Please advise me at your earliest convenience as to what position the State Insurance Department will take in this matter. Very truly yours, Benjamin Nichols Mayor" Discussion followed on the floor with City Controller Cafferillo and City Attorney Guttman answering questions from Council members. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously * 14.17 Commons Coordinator - Request to Permit Wine Tasting and Sale of Bottled Wine at Apple Harvest Festival By Alderperson Booth: Seconded by Alderperson Johnson RESOLVED, That Prejeans Winery shall be authorized to sell wine, and to permit tasting of the wines it sells, at a booth during the Apple Harvest Festival held on the Ithaca Commons from September 30 - October 2, 1994, subject to said entity's compliance with all applicable state and local laws and ordinances. September 7, 1994 Carried Unanimously Community Services Program Funding - Report Alderperson Johnson reported that this year the City has received 26 requests from 24 agencies for program funding. A sub- committee recommended funding for 14 of these agencies for a total amount of $75,050., which reflects a 7% increase over what was recommended for funding last year. Alderperson Johnson handed out spread sheets to Council members showing the agencies and amounts recommended. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding how the funding process works. PLANNING COMMITTEE: Update on Route 96 Project - Report Alderperson Schroeder reported that at the Planning Committee meeting on September 19 DoT will be bringing documents to the City for final approval of the Route 96 and Route 13 projects. They will be bringing six resolutions regarding the Route 96 propject, as well as a resolution for the approval of the small section of the Route 13 project that is within the City. If anyone has questions or concerns of a nature that can still be considered, this will be the last opportunity for discussion. It is expected that Council will be voting on resolutions concerning these projects at the November Council meeting. INTER-INSTITUTIONAL COMMITTEE: * 16.1 Approval of 1995-1999 City of Ithaca/Town of Ithaca Fire Contract By Alderperson Efroymson: Seconded by Alderperson Hanna WHEREAS, a committee comprised of representatives of the City's Inter-Institutional Committee, City staff, and members of the Town Board have been meeting for several months, in the interest of negotiating a new Fire Protection Contract for a five-year period commencing January, 1995, and WHEREAS, the negotiating committee has put forth a recommended contract for said five-year period; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Mayor be hereby authorized to execute said agreement as approved and recommended by the negotiating committee, subject to Ithaca Town Board approval. Discussion followed on the floor with Alderperson Efroymson and City Controller Cafferillo answering questions from Council. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Ordinance on Nuisance Houses - Report Alderperson Efroymson reported that the Inter-Institutional Committee, which will be meeting on Tuesday, September 13th, will be discussing the proposed Nuisance Ordinance. He invited everyone to attend. Discussion followed on the floor on what the effect an Ordinance of this nature would have on both landlords and tenants. YOUTH COMMITTEE: Youth Committee Meeting Alderperson Shenk reported that the Youth Committee will be meeting at a new time. The meetings will now be convened on the second Thursday of each month, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. At the meeting on September 8, the Youth Curfew Ordinance will be discussed. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: * 18.1 Acquisition of Additional Property for Cherry Street Industrial Park By Alderperson Mackesey: Seconded by Alderperson Gray September 7, 1994 WHEREAS, Cherry Street Industrial Park was created to retain and expand manufacturing, light industrial and related job opportunities in the City, and WHEREAS, since 1980 six firms have located in the Industrial Park and created over one hundred ten jobs, and WHEREAS, out of nine developable acres only one acre remains available in Cherry Street Industrial Park, and WHEREAS, diversification of the local economy, creation of stable, quality private sector employment and the loss of light industrial and manufacturing jobs are chronic economic problems for the community, exacerbated in the City by limited development opportunities and the high cost of land, and WHEREAS, expansion of Cherry Street Industrial Park will, because of the City's favorable leasing terms, provide a financially attractive alternative to those light industrial and manufacturing firms either expanding or locating in the community, and WHEREAS, there are approximately twelve acres of industrially zoned land for sale adjacent, and immediately south of Cherry Street Industrial Park, and WHEREAS, Common Council has identified a twenty-foot strip along the west edge of this property as substitute park land for the Inlet Island alienation and conversion project; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council agrees to attempt to expand Cherry Street Industrial Park for the retention and creation of light industrial and manufacturing jobs and directs and authorizes staff to negotiate the acquisition price of property immediately south of Cherry Street Industrial Park, including the twenty-foot wide strip along the west edge of the property that is to be used as substitute park land for the Inlet Island project, such terms to be subject to Common Council approval. Carried Unanimously NEW BUSINESS: Community Awareness and Empowerment Month By Alderperson Sams: Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson WHEREAS, a newly formed citizen group called Mothers and Grandmothers Protecting Youth (MAGPY), The Greater Ithaca Activities Center (G.I.A.C.) and the Economic Development Corp. (E.O.C.) along with many active citizens and City government, have been concerned with the increase of drugs and violence in our city, and WHEREAS, these groups have planned community events throughout the month of September, and WHEREAS, these events are planned to help give support, encourage and empower our communities to take back our youth and our streets from the drugs and violence, and WHEREAS, this will only be the beginning to let drug dealers and pushers know that the citizens of the City of Ithaca will no longer stand by and watch our children be lost to drugs and violence; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the month of September be declared "Community Awareness and Empowerment Month". Carried Unanimously ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m. September 7, 1994 Callista F. Paolangeli Benjamin Nichols City Clerk Mayor