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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-1997-09-03 1 COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m. September 3, 1997 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Alderpersons (10) - Vaughan, Sams, Shenk, Mackesey, Hanna, Gray, Thorpe, Marcham, Blumenthal, Efroymson OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk - Conley Holcomb City Attorney - Geldenhuys City Controller - Cafferillo Deputy Controller - Thayer Building Commissioner - Eckstrom Planning and Development Director - Van Cort Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Police Chief - Basile PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Alderperson Efroymson requested a correction to the April 2, 1997 minutes on Item 16.1. Alderperson Efroymson would like the record to reflect that his abstention was due to the fact that the item was not reviewed or discussed adequately. Alderperson Shenk requested a correction to the August 6, 1997 minutes on Item 19.5. City Clerk Conley Holcomb reported that the Resolved clause will be changed to read “Resolved, That retroactive to July 21, 1997, Deputy Police Chief Barnes salary be increased by $4,000.” Resolution RESOLVED, That the minutes from March 5, April 2, May 7, May 13, May 21, June 4, June 18, July 2, July 16 and August 6, 1997 Common Council meetings be approved. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Community Issues Committee Alderperson Sams requested the additions of Item 18.1 Disability Advisory Council - Resolution, and Item 18.2 Southside Community Center - Resolution to the agenda. No Council member objected. Executive Session Mayor Cohen requested the addition of an Executive Session to discuss a personnel item. No Council member objected. City Clerk Conley Holcomb reported that there is a correction to Consent Agenda Item 16.10 regarding the Neighborhood and Historic Preservation Planner. The correction adds language assigning the position to the CSEA Administrative Unit at salary grade 21. This item was withdrawn from the Consent Agenda and placed with the Budget and Administration Committee items. September 3, 1997 2 Item 16.11 was withdrawn from the consent agenda and placed with the Budget and Administration Committee items. YOUTH AWARD: Alderperson Mackesey presented the September 1997 Youth Award to the Immaculate Conception School Student Council for their “Pennies from Heaven” fundraising campaign. These students collected nearly $400. in pennies from their classmates, which will be used to purchase new equipment for the school gymnasium. Members of the Student Council include: Jim Bonnaci, Kyle Franklin, Elizabeth Frantz, Amanda Kirchgessner, Claire Louge, Napalie Louge, Caitlin Parsons, Anthony Raggi, Norbert Shickel, John Shickel, Reggie Shickel, Mark Zaharis, Elizabeth Zaharis. MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS: Community Police Board By Alderperson Efroymson : Seconded by Alderperson Shenk RESOLVED, That Arlene Richardson be appointed to the Community Police Board with a term to expire December 31, 1997. Carried Unanimously Community Police Board By Alderperson Efroymson: Seconded by Alderperson Shenk RESOLVED, That Ralph Jones be appointed to the Community Police Board with a term to expire December 31, 1998. Carried Unanimously Alderperson Sams arrived at the meeting at 7:15 P.M. PETITIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE COUNCIL: City Clerk Conley Holcomb read a memorandum from Betsy Darlington regarding the acceptance of the Tompkins County Waterfront Plan. Susan Blumenthal read letters from Barbara Blanchard, County Board of Representatives, and Linda Daybell, Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, regarding the adoption of the Waterfront Plan Tompkins County Waterfront Plan The following people spoke in support of the Tompkins County Waterfront Plan: Herb Godfreid, Cascadilla Boat Club Herb Engman, Town of Newfield Doria Higgins, Town of Ithaca Cynthia Yahn, City of Ithaca Traffic Calming Measures Jutta Dotterweich, City of Ithaca, addressed Council in support of the proposed traffic calming measures around Beverly J. Martin School. David Nutter, City of Ithaca, addressed Council regarding the effect that the Beverly J. Martin traffic calming measures will have on bicyclists. He further noted that Bicycle Advisory Council was not appraised of the proposed measures and could have offered constructive input to the project. September 3, 1997 3 Cass Park Ball Fields/Softball Association The following people addressed Council regarding the increased fees for use of the Cass Park ball fields, and the decrease in services provided: Arthur Watkins, City of Ithaca Sarah McGowan, City of Ithaca Glen Howser, City of Ithaca Denise Pritchard, Town of Dryden Deedee Smith, Town of Newfield, President of Softball Association Lisa Wabble, City of Ithaca Building Department Steven Gomprecht, City of Ithaca, addressed Council regarding harassment by the Building Department for plantings on his property. Mitchell Street Bryna Fireside, City of Ithaca, addressed Council regarding the Mitchell Street construction project. Aurora Street Fay Gougakis addressed Council regarding Aurora Street traffic and noise. She further spoke about student housing, the skateboard park at Stewart Park, the Waterfront Plan, and the Cornell Lake Source Cooling Project. Alderperson Thorpe arrived at 7:35 P.M. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC: Cass Park Ball Fields/Softball Association Alderpersons Shenk and Mackesey stated that they would like to work with the Department of Public Works and the Softball Association to ensure that a viable softball program remains in the City. Tompkins County Waterfront Plan Alderperson Blumenthal reported that the Waterfront Plan has five goals with built in environmental protection. Alderperson Vaughan stated that the Waterfront Plan is a guide to future activity. Alderperson Efroymson stated that there are no compelling reasons for adoption vs. acceptance of the Waterfront Plan. Alderperson Marcham stated that the word “acceptance” will not slow down development along the waterfront. Alderperson Mackesey responded to comments about the Waterfront Plan. She stated that she resents the battlelines being drawn over the plan. Alderperson Sams reported that she will vote to “adopt” the Waterfront Plan. Mayor Cohen responded to comments about the Softball Association, softball lights, Mitchell Street, and Spencer Road. Alderperson Hanna arrived at 8:15 P.M. September 3, 1997 4 COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMON COUNCIL: Alderperson Efroymson requested that the Mayor fill the Bicycle Advisory Council vacancies. REPORT OF CITY BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES: Board of Public Works Vice Chair Ehrhardt reported on the following: The Board approved the traffic calming capital project at Beverly J. Martin School, Immaculate Conception, and GIAC and the $12,000 capital project for transit consolidation The Board rejected a trash violation expungement The Board approved expungement of a water and sewer bill The Board approved the use of DeWitt Park by the First Church of Christ Scientist on September 13, 1997 with amplified sound but ruled however that this would not set a precedent The Board denied a request for the pavilion use fee for the Stewart Park Pavilion for a performance The Board approved a resolution for adoption of the Tompkins County Waterfront Plan PARKS COMMISSION Joanne Cornish-Epps requested that the Parks Commission be included in the discussions with the Softball Association. She further noted that the Commission was not included in the Board of Public Works decisions about the use DeWitt Park and Stewart Park mentioned above. She further reported that the Parks Commission voted unanimously to recommend adoption of the Tompkins County Waterfront Plan. REPORT OF CITY CLERK: City Clerk Conley Holcomb reported that she delivered the five referendum items to the Board of Elections for the November general election. Three items were held over from 1996 and two items were passed in 1997. City Clerk Conley Holcomb also informed Council that the City Clerk’s Office will be issuing Commons Use Permits as the Commons Coordinator’s office has been closed. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS: BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE: .1 Youth Bureau - Request to Amend Youth Bureau Budget By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson WHEREAS, the cost of referees for the City's Adult Hockey League has increased by $10 per game to $50 with an overall program cost of $1,000, and WHEREAS, the increased cost will be offset by increased revenues generated by a $10 increase in the league fee; now, therefore, be it September 3, 1997 5 RESOLVED, That the 1997 Youth Bureau Budget be amended as follows for said hockey league costs: Increase Revenue Account: A7310-2065-1511 $1,000 Increase Appropriation Account A7310-5440-1551 $1,000 Carried Unanimously .2 Youth Bureau - Request to Amend Youth Bureau Budget By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson WHEREAS, the Cass Park Ice Rink would like to sell advertising space on the rink's dasher boards, and WHEREAS, the estimated cost to prepare the dasher boards for advertising is $3,500 for printing and other associated costs, and WHEREAS, the cost of said preparation would be offset by advertising revenue; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 1997 Youth Bureau Budget be amended as follows for the purpose of selling Cass Park Rink dasher board advertising: Increase Revenue Account A7310-2070-1511 $3,500 Increase Appropriation Account A7310-5477-1511 $3,500 Carried Unanimously .3 DPW - Request to Establish Capital Project for Traffic Calming By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works has submitted a proposed Capital Project to implement traffic calming measures in the area of the Beverly J. Martin School, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received many requests over the past several years to improve safety, and WHEREAS, a cost estimate of $23,142 has been established to implement the traffic calming measures, which includes new traffic signals; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby authorizes the establishment of Capital Project #349 Traffic Improvements BJM in an amount not to exceed $23,142 for the installation of traffic signals and other traffic calming measures in the area of the Beverly J. Martin School, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Traffic Engineer be directed to collect data on the traffic calming measures and report back to Council within six months from installation date on the impact said traffic calming measures have on the area, and be it further September 3, 1997 6 RESOLVED, That said funds shall be derived from the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) Funds and authorizes the Controller to make necessary transfers. Carried Unanimously .4 Common Council - Request Approval of City-wide World Wide Web Policy By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson WHEREAS, for several years, it has been the policy of Common Council to support all expedient efforts to use the Internet to help meet the mission of service to the citizens of City of Ithaca, and WHEREAS, Council action has already resulted in such major steps as putting the needed technology in place, and creating a new position in City government dedicated to the purposes of network services, and WHEREAS, every department of the City, and several members of Common Council have participated in supporting and building our networking capacity to its present state, and WHEREAS, the City has been well represented in several intermunicipal and inter-entity efforts to assure that the benefits of the Information Revolution reach all citizens of the city, and WHEREAS, it is now recognized that the Internet and the World Wide Web are very effective methods of delivering information to people, and WHEREAS, cities throughout the United States have already established very extensive and interactive Web sites to provide information in support of their mission, including promotion of economic development, support of tourism, pursuit of fugitives, protection of citizen safety, and promotion of citizen participation in government, and WHEREAS, it is the policy of the City of Ithaca to support, rather than inhibit, the flow of information to the public; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That it is the policy of the City of Ithaca that: 1. All Departments shall develop a proposal, with a timeline, to move information to the World Wide Web, with a priority on (a) already published or soon-to-be published information, (b) information that answers citizens' "frequently asked questions" about city government and (c) information that (once put on the web) tends to save staff time, and release staff time to higher level tasks. 1A. A Committee shall be formed by Common Council to review classes of information designated by City Departments for placement on the World Wide Web. 2. Each Department shall designate a "web point-of-contact" from among current staff, to assist the Network Administrator and the Deputy Clerk in the movement of public information to the World Wide Web, and be it further September 3, 1997 7 RESOLVED, That under this policy, Department heads or their designees 3. Shall review posted materials to the Web for appropriateness, accuracy, and effectiveness in supporting the mission of the Department and the City, and 4. Shall assure that Web publishing is consistent with existing policies that protect private and confidential information from being made public. Carried Unanimously .5 Finance/Chamberlain - Request Approval to Deny Waiver of Tax Penalty By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson WHEREAS, the property owner at 230 Willard Way has requested a waiver of tax penalty for 1997 City Second Installment tax bills, and WHEREAS, the City Chamberlain and Budget and Administration Committee have reviewed the supporting documentation for the taxpayer's request and are recommending to deny the waiver of tax penalty; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby denies the request for waiver of tax penalty, based upon New York State Real Property Tax Law, for the property owner at 230 Willard Way. Carried Unanimously .6 Finance/Chamberlain - Request Approval to Deny Waiver of Tax Penalty By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson WHEREAS, the property owner at 616 West Buffalo Street has requested a waiver of tax penalty for 1997 City Second Installment tax bills, and WHEREAS, the City Chamberlain and Budget and Administration Committee have reviewed the supporting documentation for the taxpayer's request and are recommending to deny the waiver of tax penalty; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby denies the request for waiver of tax penalty, based upon New York State Real Property Tax Law, for the property owner at 616 West Buffalo Street. Carried Unanimously .7 Finance/Chamberlain - Approval of Partial Expungement of Sidewalk Assessment By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson WHEREAS, the City Engineer's Office reviewed the sidewalk assessment, previously approved by Common Council, for the property owner at 323 and 325 West Buffalo Street and determined that an error was made, and WHEREAS, the review of the assessment revealed that the original bill of $832.50 was based on incorrect property lines, and the bill should be reduced by $122.50; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby approves the sidewalk assessment adjustment in the amount of $122.50 for the property owner at 323 and 325 West Buffalo Street, and directs the City September 3, 1997 8 Chamberlain to reduce the warrant by said amount for the sidewalk adjustment. Carried Unanimously .8 Finance/Chamberlain - Request Funds for Bankruptcy Representation By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson WHEREAS, Common Council approved $1,425 for training and review of bankruptcy cases at its regular meeting of May 7, 1997, and WHEREAS, that training and review has occurred, and there is a need for additional bankruptcy representation at an estimated cost of $2,000; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That an amount not to exceed $2,000 be transferred from Account A1990 Unrestricted Contingency to Account A1420-5430 for the purpose of providing additional bankruptcy representation to City staff. Carried Unanimously .9 Building Department - Approval to Fill Code Inspector Vacancy By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby authorizes the Building Commissioner to fill the vacant Code Inspector position effective September 8, 1997, and be it further RESOLVED, Funds for said position shall be derived within the existing Building Department budget. Carried Unanimously .12 Finance/Controller - Request to Approve 1997-1998 Civil Service Agreement By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute an agreement between the City of Ithaca and the Ithaca City School District for performance by the City for services in connection with Civil Service matters for the period July 1, 1997 to June 30, 1998, in the amount of $25,868.00, payable to the City of Ithaca on or before November 1, 1997. Carried Unanimously .13 Finance/Controller - Request to Provide Funds for 1997 City Employee Recognition Picnic By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson WHEREAS, the 1997 City of Ithaca Employee Recognition Picnic will be held all day on Friday, September 19, 1997; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That an amount not to exceed $3,500.00 be transferred from the Unrestricted Contingency Account A1990 to Account A1430- 5440 in order to pay for the 1997 City of Ithaca Employee Recognition Picnic. Carried Unanimously .14 DPW - Request to Amend Capital Project for Transit Items By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson WHEREAS, the Ithaca Transit is a partner with Cornell University and Tompkins County in the Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (T- September 3, 1997 9 CAT) and is a recipient of capital funds through the Federal and State Governments, and WHEREAS, the Operations Committee of T-CAT has recommended approval of the capital projects for 1997, totaling $285,616, of which the City of Ithaca's share is $12,166, and WHEREAS, the 1997 Capital Program includes a Fare Consolidation Study, HVAC Upgrades, Video security camera, Spare parts, and Administration, and WHEREAS, the funding allocation for the recommended list of transit capital projects is as follows: Federal Funds (US DOT Section 5307) $228,493 New York State Aid (NYS DOT) 11,062 Cornell University (C.U. Transit) 12,166 City of Ithaca (Ithaca Transit) 12,166 Tompkins County (Tomtran) 21,729 $285,616 now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Capital Project #317 Transit Capital Program be amended by an amount not to exceed $12,166 for said transit projects with the funds derived from Capital Reserve #22, contingent on the receipt of said federal and state funds, and be it further RESOLVED, That the cost allocation among the City of Ithaca, Cornell University and Tompkins County relates to this capital project, and future capital projects and operational costs will be allocated per appropriate agreements among these entities. Carried Unanimously REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS: BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE: .10 Planning Department - Request to Amend Personnel Roster By Alderperson Marcham : Seconded by Alderperson Gray WHEREAS, the Planning Board has reviewed and approved a reorganization of the Planning Department, which included the new position of Neighborhood and Historic Preservation Planner, and WHEREAS, the Budget and Administration Committee has reviewed the new position included in the reorganization plan and concurs with the recommendation from the Planning Board; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 1997 Authorized Personnel Roster of the Planning Department be amended as follows: Add: One (1) Neighborhood and Historic Preservation Planner Delete: One (1) Planner II and be it further RESOLVED, That the position of Neighborhood and Historic Preservation Planner be assigned to the CSEA Administrative Unit at salary grade 21. September 3, 1997 10 Discussion followed on the floor regarding the salary range for this position. Resolution By Alderperson Sams : Seconded by Alderperson Blumenthal RESOLVED, That this item be tabled pending the submission of additional information. Carried Unanimously .11 Planning Department - Approval of Contract to Permit Elevator Access to Annex By Alderperson Marcham : Seconded by Alderperson Gray WHEREAS, there had at one time existed a connection between the Annex and City Hall, and WHEREAS, this connection was there, in part, to provide elevator service to the Annex, and WHEREAS, the City has been requested to reestablish the connection between the two buildings on the second floor level, and WHEREAS, although the Annex is owned by a private entity, it is in the City's interest to assist the owner of the property in fully leasing the Annex thereby adding to the downtown office population, an important component in the City's downtown revitalization strategy; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Common Council authorizes the Mayor, subject to the advice of the City Attorney, Director of Planning & Development, Superintendent of Public Works to enter into an agreement with Cathleen and Bruno Schickel that would provide for access to the City Hall elevator to the second floor of the Annex for an initial period of five years at a rate of $600.00 per year, pursuant to the terms described in the Schickel’s letter to the Deputy Director of Planning and Development, with an option to extend for another five-year period, contingent upon the following: 1. Evidence of insurance in the amounts recommended by Ithaca Agency 2. That the elevator access will only be available during normal City Hall business hours, 3. That the Schickel’s perform all the code-related renovation necessary to make the existing bridge a code compliant connection at no cost to the City. Discussion followed on the floor with Alderperson Efroymson voicing his opposition to the elevator access as he feels that this issue should have been discussed when other developers inquired about this same usage. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (9) Shenk, Mackesey, Vaughan, Blumenthal, Hanna, Gray, Thorpe, Sams Nays (1) Efroymson September 3, 1997 11 Carried 17.1 Building Department - Request Funds to Demolish Building By Alderperson Marcham : Seconded by Alderperson Shenk WHEREAS, the building at 304 Cascadilla Street has fallen into severe disrepair and is a threat to the health and safety of the surrounding neighborhood, and WHEREAS, the owner has been contacted to either repair or demolish the structure and has, so far, not done so, and WHEREAS, the Building Department staff recommends the removal of the property because of the costly repairs needed, and WHEREAS, the department has contacted a demolition contractor and the estimate for such action is $22,000; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby authorizes the Building Department to contract with a demolition contractor, after appropriate bidding requirements are met, for the demolition of the building at 304 Cascadilla Street at a cost not to exceed $22,000, and be it further RESOLVED, That an amount not to exceed $22,000 be transferred from Account A1990 Unrestricted Contingency to Account A3620-5435 for the purpose of said building demolition, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Building Department, Attorney's Office, and Chamberlain's Office take the necessary steps to recover all or at least a portion of the building demolition cost from the property owner. Amending Resolution By Alderperson Vaughan : Seconded by Alderperson Shenk RESOLVED, That the last Resolved clause be amended to read as follows: “RESOLVED, That an amount not to exceed $22,000 be transferred from Account A3620-110 Unexpended Salary Line within the Building Department for the purpose of said building demolition, and be it further” Carried Unanimously Discussion followed on the floor with Alderperson Hanna speaking in opposition to the demolition being completed in 1997 and felt that it should be planned for the beginning of 1998. Alderperson Thorpe stated that it is important for the City to take a proactive approach for neighborhoods. Main Motion As Amended A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows: Ayes (9) Mackesey, Shenk, Gray, Efroymson, Sams, Blumenthal, Marcham, Thorpe, Vaughan Nays (1) Hanna Carried 17.2 Police Department - Request to Temporarily Amend Personnel Roster By Alderperson Marcham : Seconded By Alderperson Gray September 3, 1997 12 WHEREAS, Fred Muhlsteff has requested that his hours be temporarily reduced to 30 hours, for educational purposes, through December 26, 1997; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That, effective August 25, 1997, Fred Muhlsteff be allowed to work 30 hours per week through December 26, 1997. Carried Unanimously RECESS: On a motion Common Council recessed at 9:15 P.M. RECONVENE: Common Council reconvened into regular session at 9:25 P.M. COMMUNITY ISSUES COMMITTEE: 18.1 Handicap Parking By Alderperson Sams : Seconded by Alderperson Gray WHEREAS, the Disability Advisory Council should be empowered to create a survey to be distributed to all handicap parking permit holders in Tompkins County. The purpose of the survey would be to gather information from many people about their experience of parking abuse. This survey would be distributed by mail to all permit holders, and WHEREAS, the City should keep multi-year records of parking tickets issued for handicapped parking violations, and WHEREAS, the city should engage in a public education campaign to be coordinated by the DAC which will include media work to inform residents of the need to respect designated parking, inform people of the penalties for abuse, and announce the City’s intention to assure that spaces be respected, and penalties be enforced; communication with handicap parking permit holders to get a better sense of the adequacy of the amount of designated parking, and the extent of abuse, and WHEREAS, the City should gather in one place the actual number of designated spaces, WHEREAS, the City ADA Coordinator and the DAC should report to Common Council and recommend a common sense number of spaces which ought to be designated based on the following: The number of spaces available, the number of spaces currently designated, the feedback from current handicap parking permit holders, now therefore be it, RESOLVED, That intermunicipal cooperation and coordination should be done with the municipalities within Tompkins County, and joint cooperation with the City Clerk’s Office, ADA Coordinator and the Disability Advisory Council regarding the issue of handicapped parking. Carried Unanimously 18.2 Southside Community Center Report By Alderperson Sams : Seconded by Alderperson Shenk WHEREAS, Common council recognizes the importance and need for the Southside Community Center, and WHEREAS, their responsibility to the cultural diversity and make up of our community is a much needed addition, now; therefore be it September 3, 1997 13 RESOLVED, That the Community Issues Committee recommends $68,000 be put into the 1998 Mayor’s budget for the Southside Community Center. Carried Unanimously PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: 18.1 Acceptance of Tompkins County Waterfront Plan By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson WHEREAS the City of Ithaca, the Town of Ithaca and the County of Tompkins recently conducted a study partially funded by the New York State Council on the Arts, entitled “Tompkins County Waterfront Plan,” and WHEREAS the City, Town and County are endowed with extraordinary natural resources including Cayuga Lake, Cayuga Inlet and the waterways which traverse the City, Town and County, and WHEREAS the aforementioned document sets forth goals concerning the protection, enhancement and enjoyment of these water-related resources, and WHEREAS the plan includes numerous other proposals including: development of such facilities as pedestrian walkways and in-town harbors; recommendations for strengthening planning for, and protecting, the lake and its tributaries; proposals for institutional changes aided at monitoring lake water quality; etc. WHEREAS these recommendations were reviewed and commented on at a series of public meetings, and WHEREAS these recommendations will lead to further study of the waterfront and the waterways, beginning with a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program for which the City, Town and County have received partial funding from New York State’s Department of State, and WHEREAS no projects suggested will be implemented without an environmental review as called for by the Laws of the State of New York and the City of Ithaca, and WHEREAS many recommendations are proposed which have broad support in the community, and WHEREAS it is understood that not all the recommendations in the plan will be fully supported by everyone and that further public debate and action will be necessary before efforts toward implementation are begun; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that Common Council of the City of Ithaca does hereby accept the Tompkins County Waterfront Plan as a first step in the preparation of an intermunicipal Local Waterfront Revitalization Program for Tompkins County. Extensive discussion followed on the floor with Alderperson Blumenthal noting that the Parks Commission, Board of Public Works and Planning Board have recommended adoption of this plan. Amending Resolution By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Shenk September 3, 1997 14 RESOLVED, That the fourth Whereas clause be amended to read as follows: “WHEREAS, the plan includes numerous other proposals including: development of such facilities as pedestrian walkways and in-town harbors; recommendations for strengthening planning for, and protecting the lake and its tributaries; proposals for institutional changes aimed at monitoring lake water quality; proposals to encourage appropriate economic development, including tourism, and” Carried Unanimously Amending Resolution By Alderperson Hanna : Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson RESOLVED, That a seventh Whereas be added to read as follows: “WHEREAS, Common Council has a strong commitment to the environmental quality of the lake front area, and” Discussion followed on the floor regarding the proposed wording. This amendment was withdrawn by Alderpersons Hanna and Efroymson. Amending Resolution By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Shenk RESOLVED, That the fourth Whereas be amended to read as follows: “WHEREAS, the plan includes numerous other proposals including: development of such facilities as pedestrian walkways and in-town harbors; recommendations for strengthening planning for, and protecting the environmental quality of the lake and its tributaries; proposals for institutional changes aimed at monitoring lake water quality; proposals to encourage appropriate economic development, including tourism, and” Carried Unanimously Amending Resolution By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Vaughan RESOLVED, That the Resolved clause be amended to read as follows: “RESOLVED, That Common Council of the City of Ithaca does hereby adopt the Tompkins County Waterfront Plan as a first step in the preparation of an intermunicipal Local Waterfront Revitalization Program for Tompkins County”. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding adopting vs. accepting the Waterfront Plan. A vote on the amendment resulted as follows: Ayes (3) Blumenthal, Sams, Vaughan Nays (7) Mackesey, Shenk, Hanna Efroymson, Marcham, Thorpe, Gray Motion Fails Alderperson Blumenthal stated that she is in opposition to this Resolution as she would have preferred the adoption of the plan. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding support for the acceptance of the plan. Main Motion As Amended A vote on the Main Motion as amended resulted as follows: Ayes(9) Mackesey, Shenk, Sams, Efroymson, Vaughan, Hanna, Marcham, Gray, September 3, 1997 15 Thorpe Nays(1) Blumenthal Carried EXECUTIVE SESSION: By Alderperson Mackesey : Seconded by Alderperson Blumenthal RESOLVED, That Common Council adjourn into Executive Session to discuss personnel items. Carried Unanimously RECONVENE: Common Council reconvened into regular session at 10:20 P.M. with no items being brought forth. 19.2 Authorization to Create the position of Director of Economic Development in the Department of Planning and Development By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Mackesey WHEREAS, the Common Council Subcommittee on Planning and Development Department Reorganization has met to consider the organization within the department, and WHEREAS, this committee has unanimously recommended that a Director of Economic Development be added to the roster in the Department of Planning and Development in place of the existing Deputy Director of Planning and Development position, and WHEREAS, those members of the Planning and Economic Development Committee of Common Council present at the August 20, 1997 meeting did unanimously concur with the recommendation of the Subcommittee regarding the creation of the Director of Economic Development position; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the position of Director of Economic Development be added to the approved City Roster in place of the existing Deputy Director of Planning and Development, subject to Civil Service Commission approval, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the position be designated as managerial and assigned to the Management Compensation Plan, and, be it further RESOLVED, That consideration of salary range and compensation for the position be referred to the Budget and Administration Committee of Common Council for its consideration and recommendation to Common Council Carried Unanimously 19.3 Authorization to Fill Position for Economic Development By Alderperson Blumenthal: Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby authorized the Director of Planning and Development to fill the vacant Director of Economic Development position effective immediately, and be it further RESOLVED, That funds for said position shall be derived with the existing Planning Department budget. Carried Unanimously NEW BUSINESS: Herman Sieverding, Deputy Director of Planning and Development, announced his resignation to take a position with Integrated Acquisition and Development. Deputy Director Sieverding thanked Planning Director Thys Van Cort for his support over the years, September 3, 1997 16 and noted how much he enjoyed working with the City’s dedicated staff members. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 10:30 P.M. _________________________ _______________________ Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Alan J. Cohen, City Clerk Mayor