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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-1995-02-08February 8, 1995 COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Special Meeting7:00 p.m. February 8, 1995 PRESENT: Mayor Nichols Alderpersons (10) - Booth, Efroymson, Mackesey, Johnson, Thorpe, Schroeder, Hanna, Gray, Sams, Shenk OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy City Clerk - Conley Holcomb Planning and Development Deputy Director - Sieverding City Attorney - Guttman PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: Cornell/City Relations Alderperson Mackesey requested the addition of a Resolution concerning Cornell/City relations. No Council member objected. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: Public Hearing to Consider the City of Ithaca's 1995 Abbreviated Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) Resolution to Open Public Hearing By Alderperson Schroeder: Seconded by Alderperson Gray RESOLVED, That the public hearing to consider the City of Ithaca's 1995 Abbreviated Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy be declared open. Carried Unanimously Deputy Director Sieverding gave a brief outline of the Comprehensive Housing Affordability Study, and answered questions from Council members. Resolution to Close Public Hearing By Alderperson Booth: Seconded by Alderperson Johnson RESOLVED, That the public hearing to consider the City of Ithaca's 1995 Abbreviated Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy be declared closed. Carried Unanimously Public Hearing to Consider the City's Comprehensive 1995 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Application Submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under HUD's Small Cities Block Grant Program Resolution to Open Public Hearing By Alderperson Shenk: Seconded by Alderperson Mackesey RESOLVED, That the Public Hearing to consider the City's Comprehensive 1995 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Application submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under HUD's Small Cities Block Grant Program be declared open. Carried Unanimously Alderperson Schroeder gave a brief description of the CDBG grant application. Deputy Director Sieverding answered questions from Council members. Mr. Michael Shay, President of Evaporated Metal Films, spoke to Council regarding EMF's commitment to this program. Mr. Paul Mazzarella, Director Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, answered questions from Council members relating to INHS operations. February 8, 1995 Resolution to Close Public Hearing By Alderperson Mackesey: Seconded by Alderperson Schroeder RESOLVED, That the Public Hearing to consider the City's Comprehensive 1995 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Application submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under HUD's Small Cities Block Grant Program be declared closed. Carried Unanimously Approval of 1995 CDBG Application By Alderperson Schroeder: Seconded by Alderperson Gray WHEREAS, Common Council recognizes the need to support efforts which promote affordable housing, job creation, and increased public services for Ithaca's low and moderate income population, and WHEREAS, the Planning Committee has reviewed the proposed projects for the 1995 CDBG, and WHEREAS, the program and budgets for the proposed 1995 three year Comprehensive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application have been reviewed by the Community Advisory Committee (CAC), and adopted by the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA); now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council endorses the schedule of projects and budgets for the 1995 CDBG application and hereby directs and authorizes the IURA to submit the proposed 1995 CDBG application to HUD, and be it further RESOLVED, That Common Council authorizes staff to make minor modifications in the proposed projects and budgets as may be necessary in order to conform to HUD/CDBG feasibility and impact guidelines, with the understanding that any significant modifications will be brought back to Common Council for their review, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor is authorized to execute any and all documents necessary to submit the 1995 CDBG application, and be it further RESOLVED, That Common Council authorizes the IURA to implement all CDBG activities in accordance with HUD regulations contained in Federal Register 24 CFR 570. Carried Unanimously Cornell/City Relations By Alderperson Mackesey: Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson RESOLVED, That Common Council supports Mayor Nichols' position in the City's current negotiations with Cornell University. Carried Unanimously Statement by Mayor Nichols regarding Cornell/City Relations Mayor Nichols read the following statement into the record: "In an unprecedented action the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC) last night gave Cornell University "conceptual approval" for a major reconstruction of Sage Hall on the Cornell campus. Normally the ILPC would have waited for final plans before taking any action in a project that requires its approval. However, in the interest of saving the University unnecessary costs, the City arranged for the unusual step of asking the ILPC to consider conceptual approval. As a result of the discussion of that approval, which was given by a narrow 4-3 vote, the University now understands what will be required for final approval. This action may save Cornell University millions of dollars and enables the university to continue its architectural and other work in anticipation of the zoning change that will be required for the project to proceed. February 8, 1995 I believe that this is an example of the kind of cooperation that can save the City and Cornell time and money, for the benefit of all the community. I hope that the University will now be equally cooperative in proceeding to immediate discussion of an agreement on long-term financial contributions to the City." ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Julie Conley Holcomb Benjamin Nichols Deputy City Clerk Mayor