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