HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-1996-02-14COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Continuation of
February 7, 1996 Meeting6:30 P.M. February 14, 1996
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Alderpersons (10) - Marcham, Johnson (arrived at 7:50 p.m.),
Gray, Sams, Thorpe, Efroymson, Mackesey (arrived at 7:30 p.m.),
Shenk, Hanna
ABSENT:
Alderperson (1) - Blumenthal
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Attorney - Geldenhuys
Deputy City Clerk - Kaupe
Fire Chief - Wilbur
Proposed Resolution to Consider Participation of the City of
Ithaca in the Lawsuit Brought by New York City Against FCC to
Overturn the Social Contract with Time Warner Cable
By Alderperson Shenk: Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson
WHEREAS, the New York City Department of Information, Technology
and Telecommunications has filed a petition for review against
the Federal Communication Commission and the United States of
America
in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia Circuit, Case No. 96-1027, to review and set aside the
Memorandum, Opinion and Order adopted by the Federal
Communications Commission, whereby the Commission entered into a
Social Contract with Time Warner Cable, and to review and to set
aside the order adopted and released by the Commission regarding
the Social Contract on December 15, 1995, and
WHEREAS, the New York City Department of Information, Technology,
and Telecommunications has requested that the City of Ithaca
intervene as petitioner in this action, and contribute to the
legal costs of the action; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca shall intervene as petitioner
in the aforementioned action, on condition that legal
representation for the City of Ithaca be provided by counsel
retained by the New York City Department of Information,
Technology and Telecommunications, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca agrees to contribute $100.00
towards the legal fees for this action and that this amount shall
be transferred from the unrestricted contingency fund.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor with City Attorney
Geldenhuys answering questions from Council members.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (7) - Marcham, Gray, Sams, Thorpe, Efroymson, Shenk, Hanna
Nays (0)
Carried 7-0
COMMUNITY ISSUES COMMITTEE:
1996 Budget Directions
By Alderperson Sams: Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson
WHEREAS, this Common Council has adopted the 1996 City of Ithaca
Municipal Budget, and
WHEREAS, it will be necessary throughout 1996 and beyond, to
exercise great caution in the expenditure of City tax monies and
to insure the collection of projected City revenues; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That effective January 1, 1996, no position for a City
employee that is vacant for any reason on or after said date
shall be filled unless and until the position is reviewed and
voted on by the Vacancy Review Committee, which Committee shall
consist of the Mayor, one representative of the Budget and
Administration Committee to be designated by that Committee, and
one member of Common Council to be appointed by Common Council,
and
That the Vacancy Review Committee shall work in conjunction with
the Controller, the Personnel Administrator, and the applicable
department head in determining whether or not to fill any vacant
position, and
That the Vacancy Review Committee shall not approve the filling
of any vacant position in the City government unless and until
the Committee determines either 1) that the filling of a
particular position is essential to the proper functioning of the
City government and/or essential to the protection of life and
safety of the residents of the City, and that such position must
be filled immediately; or 2) that the department in which a
vacant position exists proposes that the vacant position be
filled and that another position(s) be vacated and left vacant,
and that the department has the means available to accomplish
these actions, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Vacancy Review Committee shall require any and
all departments to submit information, plans or proposals
regarding the reduction of personnel costs throughout 1996 and in
future years, and
That the Vacancy Review Committee shall report all of its actions
at least once a month to Common Council, and
That Common Council shall retain authority and decide any matter
that has been, or might be, reviewed and voted on by the Vacancy
Review Committee, and
That the Vacancy Review Committee shall have the authority to
refer any matter subject to its review to the full Common Council
for its decision, and
That the Vacancy Review Committee shall have authority to adopt
such reasonable procedures including but not limited to setting
meeting dates and agendas and requiring the submission of
documentation relative to any request to fill a vacancy as it
deems necessary to carry out its authority under this resolution.
Amending Resolution
By Alderperson Efroymson: Seconded by Alderperson Hanna
RESOLVED, That three paragraphs be added to the first Resolved
Clause, after the second paragraph, to read as follows:
"The Vacancy Review Committee shall meet following notification
by the Personnel Administrator.
Withdrawal of items from the Vacancy Review Committee agenda
requires the consent of at least two members of that committee.
The Chair of the Vacancy Review Committee shall be chosen from
among its members at its first meeting."
Ayes (7) - Marcham, Gray, Sams, Thorpe, Efroymson, Shenk, Hanna
Nays (0)
Carried 7-0
Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the set-up of
the Vacancy Review Committee.
Main Motion as Amended
A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows:
Ayes (7) - Marcham, Gray, Sams, Thorpe, Efroymson, Shenk, Hanna
Nays (0)
Carried 7-0
The Main Motion as Amended shall read as follows:
WHEREAS, this Common Council has adopted the 1996 City of Ithaca
Municipal Budget, and
WHEREAS, it will be necessary throughout 1996 and beyond, to
exercise great caution in the expenditure of City tax monies and
to insure the collection of projected City revenues; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That effective January 1, 1996, no position for a City
employee that is vacant for any reason on or after said date
shall be filled unless and until the position is reviewed and
voted on by the Vacancy Review Committee, which committee shall
consist of the Mayor, one representative of the Budget and
Administration Committee to be designated by that Committee, and
one member of Common Council to be appointed by Common Council,
and
That the Vacancy Review Committee shall work in conjunction with
the Controller, the Personnel Administrator, and the applicable
department head in determining whether or not to fill any vacant
position, and
The Vacancy Review Committee shall meet following notification by
the Personnel Administrator.
Withdrawal of items from the Vacancy Review Committee agenda
requires the consent of at least two members of that Committee.
The Chair of the Vacancy Review Committee shall be chosen from
among its members at its first meeting.
That the Vacancy Review Committee shall not approve the filling
of any vacant position in the City government unless and until
the Committee determines either 1) that the filling of a
particular position is essential to the proper functioning of the
City government and/or essential to the protection of life and
safety of the residents of the City, and that such position must
be filled immediately; or 2) that the department in which a
vacant position exists proposes that the vacant position be
filled and that another position(s) be vacated and left vacant,
and that the department has the means available to accomplish
these actions, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Vacancy Review Committee shall require any and
all departments to submit information, plans or proposals
regarding the reduction of personnel costs throughout 1996 and in
future years, and
That the Vacancy Review Committee shall report all of its actions
at least once a month to Common Council, and
That Common Council shall retain authority and decide any matter
that has been, or might be, reviewed and voted on by the Vacancy
Review Committee, and
That the Vacancy Review Committee shall have the authority to
refer any matter subject to its review to the full Common Council
for its decision, and
That the Vacancy Review Committee shall have authority to adopt
such reasonable procedures including but not limited to setting
meeting dates and agendas and requiring the submission of
documentation relative to any request to fill a vacancy as it
deems necessary to carry out its authority under this resolution.
Nominations for Members of Council for an At-Large Member to the
Vacancy Review Committee
Alderperson Hanna nominated and Alderperson Thorpe seconded the
nomination of Alderperson Gray as an At-Large-Member to the
Vacancy Review Committee.
No Council member objected.
Budget and Administration Committee Designation of Representative
to the Vacancy Review Committee
Alderperson Efroymson nominated and Alderperson Shenk seconded
the nomination of Alderperson Mackesey as representative from the
Budget and Administration Committee to the Vacancy Review
Committee.
No Budget and Administration Committee member objected.
MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS:
Conservation Advisory Council
Mayor Cohen requested Council approval for the appointments of
Daryl Anderson, Guy Gerard, and Jill Brantley, as well as the re-
appointments of Dan Hoffman and Martin Violette to the
Conservation Advisory Council, all are two year terms.
Resolution
By Alderperson Shenk: Seconded by Alderperson Gray
RESOLVED, That this Council approves the appointment of Daryl
Anderson, Guy Gerard and Jill Brantley and the re-appointment of
Dan Hoffman and Martin Violette to Conservation Advisory Council
for two year terms.
Carried Unanimously
Rental Housing Advisory Commission
Mayor Cohen requested Council approval for the appointments of
Sivilay Somchanhmavong, Myra Malkin, Rick Milton, and the
reappointment of Jane Schafrik to the Rental Housing Advisory
Commission, all are three year terms.
Resolution
By Alderperson Gray: Seconded by Alderperson Hanna
RESOLVED, That this Council approves the appointment of Sivilay
Somchanhmavong, Myra Malkin, Rick Milton and the reappointment of
Jane Schafrik to the Rental Housing Advisory Commission for three
year terms.
Carried Unanimously
Disability Advisory Council
Mayor Cohen requested Council approval for the appointment of
Mark Hassan and Bob Newhart for one year terms to the Disability
Advisory Council and for Frank Schaefer and Joanne Parke for
three year terms.
Resolution
By Alderperson Thorpe: Seconded by Alderperson Shenk
RESOLVED, That this Council approves the appointment of Mark
Hassan and Bob Newhart for one year terms to the Disability
Advisory Council and for Frank Schaefer and Joanne Parke for
three year terms.
Carried Unanimously
Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission
Mayor Cohen requested Council approval for the appointment of
David Beer to the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission with a
three year term.
Resolution
By Alderperson Sams: Seconded by Alderperson Shenk
RESOLVED, That this Council approves the appointment of David
Beer to the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission with a three
year term.
Carried Unanimously
Commons Advisory Board
Mayor Cohen requested Council approval for appointments of Cece
Vargas and Madeline Schuler, and the reappointments of Allison
Hogue, Jerry Martins, Joseph Wetmore, and Andrew Gillis to the
Commons Advisory Board, all are two year terms.
Resolution
By Alderperson Efroymson: Seconded by Alderperson Sams
RESOLVED, That this Council approves the appointment of Cece
Vargas and Madeline Schuler and the reappointments of Allison
Hogue, Jerry Martins, Joseph Wetmore, and Andrew Gillis to the
Commons Advisory Board, all with two year terms.
Carried Unanimously
Bicycle Advisory Council
Mayor Cohen requested Council approval for the appointment of
John Roberts and the reappointment of Ron Chapman to the Bicycle
Advisory Council, with three year terms.
Resolution
By Alderperson Gray: Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson
RESOLVED, That this Council approves the appointment of John
Roberts and the reappointment of Ron Chapman to the Bicycle
Advisory Council, with three year terms.
Carried Unanimously
Board of Public Works
Mayor Cohen requested Council approval for the appointment of
Leonardo Vargas and the reappointment of Albert Smith to the
Board of Public Works, with three year terms.
Resolution
By Alderperson Sams: Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson
RESOLVED, That this Council approves the appointment of Leonardo
Vargas and the reappointment of Albert Smith to the Board of
Public Works, with three year terms.
Carried Unanimously
Community Police Board
Mayor Cohen requested Council approval for the appointments of
Laberta McGruder and Miriam Lane to the Community Police Board,
with three year terms.
Resolution
By Alderperson Marcham: Seconded by Alderperson Sams
RESOLVED, That this Council approves the appointments of Laberta
McGruder and Miriam Lane to the Community Police Board, with
three year terms.
Carried Unanimously
Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee
Mayor Cohen requested Council approval for the reappointment of
Peter Fortunato to the Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee with a
three year term.
Resolution
By Alderperson Hanna: Seconded by Alderperson Gray
RESOLVED, That this Council approves the reappointment of Peter
Fortunato to the Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee with a three
year term.
Carried Unanimously
Parks Commission
Mayor Cohen requested Council approval for the reappointments of
JoAnne Cornish-Epps, David Fernandez, and Rick Manning for terms
of three years and the appointment of Ahn Look for one year.
Resolution
By Alderperson Hanna: Seconded by Alderperson Marcham
RESOLVED, That this Council approves the reappointments of JoAnne
Cornish-Epps, David Fernandez and Rick Manning for three year
terms and the appointment of Ahn Look for one year.
Carried Unanimously
Shade Tree Advisory Committee
Mayor Cohen requested Council approval for the reappointments of
Marvin Adelman, Monika Roth, and Kathleen Sprague to the Shade
Tree Advisory Committee for three year terms.
Resolution
By Alderperson Hanna: Seconded by Alderperson Sams
RESOLVED, That this Council approves the reappointments of Marvin
Adelman, Monika Roth, and Kathleen Sprague to the Shade Tree
Advisory Committee, with three year terms.
Carried Unanimously
Advisory Commission on Art and Design for Public Space
Mayor Cohen requested Council approval for the appointment of
Peter Newell and the reappointment of Richard Driscoll to the
Advisory Commission on Art and Design for Public Space, with
three year terms.
Resolution
By Alderperson Sams: Seconded by Alderperson Marcham
RESOLVED, That this Council approves the appointment of Peter
Newell and the reappointment of Richard Driscoll to the Advisory
Commission on Art and Design for Public Space, with three year
terms.
Carried Unanimously
Examining Board of Electricians
Mayor Cohen requested Council approval for the reappointment of
Thomas Blecher to the Examining Board of Electricians, with a
three year term.
Resolution
By Alderperson Sams: Seconded by Alderperson Hanna
RESOLVED, That this Council approves the reappointment of Thomas
Blecher to the Examining Board of Electricians, with a three year
term.
Carried Unanimously
Design Review Board
Mayor Cohen requested Council approval for the appointment of Ray
DiPasquale to the Design Review Board, with a three year term.
Resolution
By Alderperson Hanna: Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson
RESOLVED, That this Council approves the appointment of Ray
DiPasquale to the Design Review Board, with a three year term.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
By Alderperson Shenk: Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson
RESOLVED, That this Council recess to Executive Session at 7:20
p.m. to discuss a personnel item.
Carried Unanimously
Motion to Continue Meeting
By Alderperson Efroymson: Seconded by Alderperson Johnson
RESOLVED, That this Common Council meeting be continued on
February 28, 1996 to consider the approval of the 1996 CDBG
application and the 1996 Abbreviated Consolidated Plan.
Carried Unanimously
William Kaupe Alan J. Cohen
Deputy City Clerk Mayor