HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-1998-07-13COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Special Meeting 7:30 P.M. July 13, 1998
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Alderpersons (7) Marcham, Manos, Farrell, Vaughan,
Hershey, Spielholz, Blumenthal,
OTHERS PRESENT:
Administrative Secretary - Stickel
EXCUSED: Alderpersons: Shenk, Taylor, Sams
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to
the American flag.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
Executive Session
By Alderperson Manos: Seconded by Alderperson Vaughan
RESOLVED, That Common Council adjourn into Executive Session
to discussion the employment history of an individual
employee.
Carried Unanimously
Reconvene:
Common Council reconvened into Regular Session with no
formal action taken.
1999 Budget Preparation:
Mayor Cohen explained that Senior Staff has requested that
in conjunction with the request for submission of 0%, -3%, -
6% departmental operating budgets, they be allowed to offer
several alternatives to reach the desired budget goals.
Senior staff is concerned for the welfare of employees who
may be in positions targeted to be eliminated, and the
working environment that is created when a Department Head
targets those positions. They further feel that the Mayor
and Common Council, as policy makers should set priorities
and further determine which programs or services should be
decreased or eliminated.
Common Council expressed their desire to have Department
Head input into these policy decisions.
Program Analysis Committee
Mayor Cohen reiterated the intent of the Program Analysis
Committee meeting schedule. He noted that the daytime
meeting, 3:30 – 5:30 pm, is restricted to two hours. The
nighttime meeting however, has no time restrictions.
Resolution to Name Memorial Paths
By Alderperson Marcham: Seconded by Alderperson Hershey
WHEREAS, the Ithaca community suffered a double loss on May
12, 1998, when a canoeing accident on Cayuga Inlet took the
lives of Richard Charles Gray and Richard Edward Lawrence,
and
WHEREAS, Rick Gray and Rick Lawrence were valued
contributors to many facets of life in this city, where Rick
Gray served as Fifth Ward alderman for more than six years,
and where Rick Lawrence was an artist and musician active in
the founding and production of Public Access television, and
July 13, 1998
2
WHEREAS, these tow long-time friends shared an enthusiasm
for outdoor sports and recreation, including hiking,
running, bicycling and cross-country skiing, and also shared
a deep concern for appreciating and protecting our natural
environment, often becoming activists on the environment’s
behalf, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca wishes to designate an
appropriate and lasting memorial so that their gifts of
time, energy and spirit to the community will not be
forgotten, and
WHEREAS, the official plans for developing Inlet island in
the city’s West End call for building a “multi-modal” trail
along the west shore of the island for use by hikers,
strollers, bicyclists, wheelchair users, cross-country
skiers and others engaged in non-motorized travel; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the trail proposed along the west shore of
Inlet island be hereby named the Richard Gray and Richard
Lawrence Memorial Path, also to be known as “Ricks’ Way”,
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the City Chamberlain’s Office in City Hall
welcomes financial contributions to the Ricks’ Way Memorial
Fund, or designated in memory of either honoree, to be used
for installing a permanent bronze marker and adding
landscaping and other improvements for the beauty and
usefulness of the trail, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That consultation with and advice from the city’s
Parks Commission will be sought before proceeding with the
memorial plans.
Carried Unanimously
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Julie Conley Holcomb, Alan J. Cohen,
City Clerk Mayor