HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-1997-07-16 COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Special Meeting 7:30 pm July 16, 1997
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Alderpersons (8) Shenk, Mackesey, Efroymson, Vaughan,
Blumenthal, Marcham, Gray, Thorpe
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Clerk - Conley Holcomb
City Attorney - Geldenhuys
Planning & Development Director - VanCort
Deputy Planning & Development Director - Sieverding
BID Director - Pessefal
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to
the American Flag.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
Authorization to Hire an Economic Development Planner
By Alderperson Blumenthal: Seconded by Alderperson Gray
WHEREAS, a committee of Common Council has met to consider
the organizational structure within the Department of
Planning and Development, and
WHEREAS, this committee has unanimously recommended that an
Economic Development Planner be added to the roster in the
Department of Planning and Development; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the position of Economic Development Planner
be added to the approved City Roster at Grade 19 of the CSEA
Administrative Unit, subject to Civil Service Commission
approval, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That funding in an amount not to exceed $9,173 be
transferred to the Department of Planning and Development
salary line #A8020-5110 from line #A1990 Unrestricted
Contingency, subject to determination of the experience
level of the candidate selected, in accordance with the CSEA
Administrative Unit Hire Schedule.
Carried Unanimously
City Contribution to an Economic Impact Analysis of a Museum
of the Earth in the Central Business District
By Alderperson Thorpe: Seconded by Alderperson Gray
WHEREAS, the Paleontological Research Institution (PRI) is
considering an expansion of its facilities which will
include a Museum of the Earth, and
WHEREAS, the proposed expanded facility and museum may have
an ability to draw a substantial number of visitors to the
area, and
WHEREAS, locating such a facility near the City’s Central
Business District (CBD) may have significant economic
benefits for the CBD and City, and
WHEREAS, under the auspices of Tompkins County Area
Development, the Ithaca Business Improvement District, PRI,
July 16, 1997
2
Cornell University, the Tompkins County Trust Company and
M&T Bank have contributed $21,500 of the $25,000 required to
retain a museum planning and development consultant and
downtown economic development specialist to analyze the
feasibility and economic impacts of locating PRI within the
City’s CBD, and
WHEREAS, these organizations have requested that the City
contribute $3,500 to cover the budget shortfall, and
WHEREAS, this Common Council recognizes the potential,
positive economic impact locating PRI downtown may have on
the CBD and concurs that this potential impact must be fully
analyzed prior to any decision to locate this facility
within the CBD; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Common Council will contribute $3,500
toward the analysis described in the scope of services
attached to a memo to Council on this subject from the
Planning and Development Department dated July 11, 1997.
Discussion followed on the floor with BID Director Doug
Pessefal, and Art Pearce, BID Board of Directors, speaking
in favor of the project, and answering questions from
Council members.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
By Alderperson Efroymson: Seconded by Alderperson Shenk
RESOLVED, That Common Council adjourn into Executive Session
at 7:45 pm to discuss contract negotiations.
Carried Unanimously
RECONVENE:
Common Council reconvened into Regular session at 7:55 pm,
with no items being brought forth.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 pm.
Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Alan J. Cohen,
City Clerk Mayor