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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-1999-01-06 1 COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 7:00 P.M. January 6, 1999 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Alderpersons (10) Shenk, Sams, Blumenthal, Marcham, Hershey Manos, Farrell, Vaughan, Spielholz, Taylor OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk – Conley Holcomb City Attorney – Geldenhuys Deputy Controller – Thayer Building Commissioner – Eckstrom Planning and Development Director – Van Cort Superintendent of Public Works – Gray Human Resources Director – Michell-Nunn Fire Chief – Wilbur Economic Development Director – McDonald Youth Bureau Director - Cohen PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: New Business: Alderperson Sams requested the addition of Item 20.2 – Hate Crimes Resolution No Council member objected. Budget and Administration Committee: Alderperson Marcham requested the addition of Item 18.95 – Report by Ithaca Downtown Partnership Director SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: Public Hearing to Amend the Community Development Abbreviated Consolidated Plan Resolution to Open Public Hearing By Alderperson Farrell: Seconded by Alderperson Spielholz RESOLVED, That the public hearing regarding amending the Community Development Abbreviated Consolidation Plan be declared open. Carried Unanimously No one appeared to address Council. Resolution to Close Public Hearing By Alderperson Hershey: Seconded by Alderperson Farrell RESOLVED, That the public hearing regarding amending the Community Development Abbreviated Consolidation Plan be declared closed. Carried Unanimously Public Hearing to Consider a Local Law Providing for a Partial Tax Exemption for Real Property Owned by Persons with Disabilities Whose Incomes are Limited by Reasons of Such Disabilities Resolution to Open Public Hearing By Alderperson Sams: Seconded by Alderperson Marcham RESOLVED, That the public hearing regarding a Local Law providing for a partial tax exemption for real property owned by persons with disabilities whose incomes are limited by reasons of such disabilities be declared open. Carried Unanimously January 6, 1999 2 No one appeared to address Council. Resolution to Close Public Hearing By Alderperson Sams: Seconded by Alderperson Marcham RESOLVED, That the public hearing regarding a Local Law providing for a partial tax exemption for real property owned by persons with disabilities whose incomes are limited by reasons of such disabilities be declared open. Carried Unanimously Public Hearing on the Canal Corridor Initiative Community Development Abbreviated Consolidated Plan Resolution to Open Public Hearing By Alderperson Vaughan: Seconded by Alderperson Shenk RESOLVED, That the public hearing on the canal corridor initiative community development abbreviated consolidated plan be declared open. Carried Unanimously The following people spoke in support of the project: Steven Pentibianco Brook Olson Elizabeth Salon Patrice Jennings Arthur Birnbaum Resolution to Close Public Hearing By Alderperson Hershey: Seconded by Alderperson Spielholz RESOLVED, That the public hearing on the canal corridor initiative community development abbreviated consolidated plan be declared closed. Carried Unanimously YOUTH AWARD: Fourth Ward Alderpersons Marcham and Spielholz presented the January, 1999 Distinguished Youth Award to the children of the Southside Community Center who coordinated the 1998 Kwanzaa Celebration. MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS: Youth Bureau Board By Alderperson Manos: Seconded by Alderperson Vaughan RESOLVED, That William Murphy be appointed to the Youth Bureau Advisory Board with a term to expire December 31, 2001, and be it further RESOLVED, That Jim Walker be appointed to the Youth Bureau Advisory Board with a term to expire December 31, 2000, and, be it further RESOLVED, That David Delchamps be reappointed to the Youth Bureau Advisory Board with a term to expire December 31, 2001, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Scott Miller be appointed to the Youth Bureau Advisory Board with a term to expire December 31, 2000, and, be it further Building Code Board of Appeals RESOLVED, That Ed Franquemont be reappointed to the Board of Review on Building Code with a term to expire December 31, 2001, and, be it further Board of Public Works RESOLVED, That John Perko be appointed to the Board of Public Works with a term to expire December 31, 2000, and, be it further January 6, 1999 3 RESOLVED, That Leonardo Vargas-Mendez be reappointed to the Board of Public Works with a term to expire December 31, 2001, and, be it further Affirmative Action Committee RESOLVED, That Robin Jenks be appointed to the Affirmative Action Committee with a term to expire December 31, 2001, and, be it further Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee RESOLVED, That Nadine Baker be reappointed to the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee with a term to expire December 31, 2000, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Yarrow Nelson be reappointed to the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee with a term to expire December 31, 2001 and, be it further RESOLVED, That Andy Ruina be appointed to the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee with a term to expire December 31, 2001, and, be it further Board of Zoning Appeals RESOLVED, That William Olney be reappointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals with a term to expire December 31, 2001, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Kieran Killeen be appointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals with a term to expire December 31, 2001, and, be it further Civil Service Commission RESOLVED, That Arlene Richardson be appointed to the Civil Service Commission with a term to expire May 31, 2004, and, be it further Community Police Board RESOLVED, That Sean Killean be appointed to the Community Police Board with a term to expire December 31, 2002, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Ted Skibinsky be appointed to the Community Police Board with a term to expire December 31, 2000, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Marianne Graham be appointed to the Community Police Board with a term to expire December 31, 2001, and, be it further Conservation Advisory Council RESOLVED, That Paul Salon be reappointed to the Conservation Advisory Council with a term to expire December 31, 2000, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Judith Jones be reappointed to the Conservation Advisory Council with a term to expire December 31, 2000, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Betsy Darlington be reappointed to the Conservation Advisory Council with a term to expire December 31, 2000, and, be it further Housing Board of Review RESOLVED, That Scot Raynor be reappointed to the Housing Board Of Review with a term to expire December 31, 2001, and, be it further RESOLVED, That William Korherr be reappointed to the Housing Board Of Review with a term to expire December 31, 2001, and, be it further Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Committee RESOLVED, That David Beer be reappointed to the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Committee with a term to expire December 31, 2001, and, be it further January 6, 1999 4 RESOLVED, That Nancy Falconer be appointed to the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Committee with a term to expire December 31, 2000, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Darcy Bedore be reappointed to the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Committee with a term to expire December 31, 2001, and, be it further Natural Areas Commission RESOLVED, That John Booker be appointed to the Natural Areas Commission with a term to expire December 31, 2000, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Nancy Ostman be appointed to the Natural Areas Commission with a term to expire December 31, 2001, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Nancy Ramage be appointed to the Natural Areas Commission with a term to expire December 31, 2002, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Harry Littell be appointed to the Natural Areas Commission with a term to expire December 31, 2001, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Richard Fischer be appointed to the Natural Areas Commission with a term to expire December 31, 2002, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Darmayne (Crow) Marley be appointed to the Natural Areas Commission with a term to expire December 31, 2001, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Astrid Jirka be appointed to the Natural Areas Commission with a term to expire December 31, 2002, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Daniel Hoffman be appointed to the Natural Areas Commission with a term to expire December 31, 2002, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Elizabeth Mulholland be appointed to the Natural Areas Commission with a term to expire December 31, 2000, and, be it further Parks Commission RESOLVED, That Rick Manning be reappointed to the Parks Commission with a term to expire December 31, 2001, and, be it further Shade Tree Advisory Committee RESOLVED, That Marvin Adleman be reappointed to the Shade Tree Advisory Committee with a term to expire December 31, 2001, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Kathleen Sprague be reappointed to the Shade Tree Advisory Committee with a term to expire December 31, 2001, and, be it further Planning Board RESOLVED, That Ellen McCollister be reappointed to the Planning Board with a term to expire December 31, 2001. Carried Unanimously Nomination for Acting Mayor Alderperson Manos nominated Alderperson Blumenthal as Acting Mayor. Motion to Close Nominations By Alderperson Manos: Seconded by Alderperson Vaughan RESOLVED, That the nominations for Acting Mayor be closed and that Alderperson Susan Blumenthal be appointed Acting Mayor of the City of Ithaca. Carried Unanimously January 6, 1999 5 Nomination for Alternate Acting Mayor Alderperson Hershey nominated Alderperson Manos as Alternate Acting Mayor. Motion to Close Nominations By Alderperson Spielholz: Seconded by Alderperson Marcham RESOLVED, That the nominations for Alternate Acting Mayor be closed and that Alderperson Paulette Manos be appointed Alternate Acting Mayor of the City of Ithaca. Carried Unanimously Alderperson Sams stated that Alderpersons Blumenthal and Manos would be working on setting up a retreat for Common Council improve communication skills and focus on working better together. PETITIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE COUNCIL: Benjamin Nichols, City of Ithaca – support of the Hate Crimes Resolution Daniel Hoffman, City of Ithaca - expressed appreciation for the appointments to the Natural Areas Commission, and NAC recommendations regarding Southwest Park. Joel Harlan, Town of Dryden, spoke regarding the Southwest Park and West End. The City of Ithaca needs growth. Tom Edwards, Mutual Housing Association of Tompkins County Board of Directors - request for funding for an Executive Director or Administrator position on the Board. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC: Alderperson Marcham stated that the Mutual Housing Association request is before the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency, and will be considered at their next meeting. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR: Mayor Cohen read the following State of the City Address: “1998 was for the most part a great year for the City of Ithaca. The most notable exception to this was the tragic death of Alderperson Rick Gray. Rick was a dedicated and tireless public servant whose energy kept a number of important initiatives going and whose keen insights added much to our policy discussions. He is missed by all, and lives on in our thoughts and prayers. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Common Council this past year. As communication between the Council and Mayor continues to improve, there has been more enthusiasm, more collaboration and more substantive progress in our proceedings than the City has seen in many years. The fact that Council members can agree to disagree and still work together is critical to a group dynamic that is cooperative and supportive of both personal initiative and the development of group consensus. I appreciate the individual partnerships I have formed with members of Council as we focus on specific areas of interest. The partnerships have produced real results as we move our agenda forward. I am grateful to each member of Common Council for their personal commitment to bettering our community. Our economic development program took several important steps towards our goal of more city growth that will improve our local economy, strengthen our tax base and help to stem sprawl in our community. We hired our first ever Director of Economic Development, who has hit the ground running. Council authorized funding of the GEIS for the Southwest Area and passed the Inlet Island plan. It is close to passing the West End plan, and will soon be looking at the City’s new comprehensive Economic Development plan. We also successfully acquired millions of dollars of development aid from both state and federal sources. January 6, 1999 6 Downtown saw some improvement this past year, with the promise for better things to come. The Board of Public Works authorized free outdoor dining, which resulted in numerous cafes that added much to the ambiance of downtown. The Commons Design Review Committee was formed and has developed some exciting ideas. Its report is due out soon. Council significantly increased funding to the Ithaca Downtown Partnership and authorized a major project to improve the lighting and other aesthetic and safety features of the parking garages. The Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency authorized a $100,000 investment in the State Street Theatre, and is currently working on developing a targeted revolving loan fund for downtown façade improvements and business expansions and creations. The problems with downtown are more perception than anything else, not only regarding the conditions of our downtown, but the focus of government on it. While we have actually put more resources into downtown than in the past, that effort has been overshadowed by the fact that there is development activity happening in other parts of the City. That activity will continue to happen, and will be of benefit to our community, including downtown. One challenge we face will be in making the connections between downtown and our other areas of economic activity that will serve to bring people from those areas to the downtown. This can and will be done as we look at marketing and transportation initiatives to accomplish this goal. The other challenge we face is in working to strengthen our downtown neighborhoods. We will continue to look for ways to increase housing density in appropriate places downtown. We will also continue to focus on quality of life issues for city residents, particularly the concerns about traffic safety that exist in every neighborhood throughout the City. Traffic volumes must be mitigated where possible, vehicle speeds must be reduced to safe levels, and violations like the running of red lights must be stopped before a tragedy occurs. The Commons, the rest of the central business district and the surrounding neighborhoods all have great potential to thrive. I applaud the efforts of the members of the Neighborhood Initiative as they endeavor to find solutions and more importantly spread the word that downtown is a great place to live. Downtown Ithaca is the heart of our community, and is the priority of our community. We in city government must make it one of our top priorities to redouble our efforts this year to improve the physical and economic conditions of downtown and its surrounding neighborhoods. I look forward to working with the Planning and Economic Development Committee, chaired by Susan Blumenthal, on this important goal. On the intermunicipal front, substantive discussions were started in several areas. Preliminary discussions have started on expanded fire protection and youth recreation services. The city is considering joining the Bolton Point regional water system, and along with its partners in the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant, is discussing the extension of sewer service. This sewer project, a result of a joint municipal New York State Environmental Bond Act funding application, would not only bring in significant revenue for us and our partners, but would be the most important environmental improvement package Cayuga Lake has ever seen. As we move forward this year, intermunicipal cooperation will continue to be on the front burner. We already have a special committee of Council that is taking the lead on this, and is putting in extraordinary time to sort through the complex issues of existing agreements and future relationships. The City has always had a lot to offer our neighbors, and our neighbors have much to offer us. I am heartened by the fact that Tompkins County Board of Representatives Chairperson Barbara Mink has made this a priority of her administration. I look forward to working with her and the rest of the elected officials across the county. January 6, 1999 7 Our drug interdiction efforts showed great results in 1998. With the addition of two more drug investigators and the canine unit, drug arrests are up significantly. We are successfully pushing the problem out of the City and must now look to cooperate with other county law enforcement agencies to push to problem out of the county. This is not a problem with a quick fix or overnight solution. And just because we have pushed activity out of the City does not mean that City residents are no longer affected by it. Realistically, we will always have problems with substance abuse. The efforts of the city/town/school district Community Drug Task Force to mitigate the effects of drugs are already paying off with initiatives that are educating community members, expanding treatment opportunities and focusing community resources on dealing with this critical problem. That group continues to meet to implement its recommendations and to maintain the visibility of a subject that most people are all too willing to sweep under the rug. Internally, the creation by Council of a Human Resources Department and the Work Environment Task Force were important steps towards creating a better work environment for city employees. Ultimately, happier employees will deliver better customer service to the public. The Council also adopted a new diversity statement for the city. This was not only a message to the community, but a demonstration of commitment in our efforts to diversify our workforce to reflect our community, and in creating a work environment that is supportive and nurturing of all our employees. To underscore the commitment we have to our employees and the improvement of their work environment, I am forming a new standing committee of Common Council this year. The Human Resources Committee, chaired by Paulette Manos, will look at the wide range of issues handled by our Human Resources Department. The committee will run with the recommendations of the Work Environment Task Force, and also look at issues of pay equity, hiring processes and performance management systems, to name a few. The Committee will also evaluate the creation of new positions, and the first one that I will ask the committee to evaluate is the position of City Administrator. I spoke a moment ago about the message we sent to the rest of the community by the passing of the City’s Diversity Statement. As the City takes the lead in addressing issues of workforce diversification, hostile work environments and the ism’s that feed them, we must continue the community dialogue started by the County’s search conference, and look at the other biases that undermine the spirit of our community. The more we celebrate our diversity, the more we will come to understand the strengths of our community diversity, and the easier it will be to overcome the divisiveness that some use to keep us apart as a community. I look forward to working with the Community Issues Committee, chaired by Diann Sams as we continue our work on these issues. The Council authorized a fiscally conservative budget for 1999 that continues our recent efforts to slow the increase in general fund spending and the issuance of debt. Our 5 year budget projections still reflect a significant funding gap, but we are committed to closing that gap and bringing spending in line with revenues. Of note is the fact that all 6 labor contracts with our bargaining units are up for renewal this year, and we will be working cooperatively with our employees to address our budgetary situation. On the Council level, the Budget and Administration Committee, chaired by Jane Marcham, will continue to take the lead in financial stewardship for the City. Also addressing budgetary issues, the Program Analysis Committee, chaired by Pat Vaughan, will continue to analyze program budgets and look for ways to generate new revenues, streamline operations and prioritize services. This committee will also January 6, 1999 8 continue its charge of reshaping our budget process into one that is more understandable and user-friendly for the public, city staff and policy makers. We can point to many exciting initiatives in 1998. The initial deployment of the Residential Parking Permit System is one, as is our successfully implemented strategy to deal with the problems of Senior Week is another. Also of note is the progress we have made and the leadership position we have taken in addressing the issues of Y2K. There are those that romanticize about the new century or new millennium. As we look at our 1999 agenda, we recognize the many down to earth internal and external tasks currently before us. Many of the projects started in 1998 still need more work, and there are many new ones to start this year. As we attend to our myriad responsibilities, I look forward to working with my colleagues on Common Council, city staff and community volunteers to address our problems and to finding the best solutions for them. Ithaca is a great place to be and we are fortunate to be able to say that it is our home. Speaking for my colleagues on Common Council, it is a privilege to serve our community. We pledge to honor the public trust, and to work together for the betterment of our community.” REPORT OF CITY BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES: Board of Fire Commissioners Cynthia Yahn reported that fire chiefs have been meeting weekly to work out the details of the 3 new firefighter positions approved for 1999, and are integrating work with the union. A new aerial truck is due for delivery at the end of January. There have been several fires: Chestnut Hill, Taughannock Boulevard, and Trumansburg Road, which were all subdued quickly. This month the Commission will be reviewing proposed amendments to the Fire Prevention Code. Negotiations with Ithaca College are ongoing. Report of the City Attorney: City Attorney Geldenhuys stated that a decision was received from the Appellate Division in the case of Rabinor vs. City of Ithaca regarding the building code. The case pertains to the issue of whether the city can enact building code provisions that are stricter than the provisions contained in the Uniform State Building Code. The decision was that the City can enact such strict provisions, but cannot apply such provisions to any buildings that were constructed prior to 1984 when the initial City ordinance was passed and was made applicable to the older buildings. When the State law was initially passed, it was anticipated that financial incentives would be made available to assist in upgrading the older buildings, however that never happened. As a result, the Court held that since that requirement was never met, revisions that are stricter than the State Building Code can only apply to buildings constructed after 1984. The Attorney’s Office will be holding an internal meeting to discuss the implications of the decision for the Building and Fire Departments, and to identify adjustments that must be made. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS: 16.1 Finance/Controller – Designation of Official Newspaper By Alderperson Farrell: Seconded by Alderperson Shenk RESOLVED, That pursuant to Section C-113 of the City Charter, the Ithaca Journal be and is hereby designated as the official newspaper of the City of Ithaca for the year 1999. Carried Unanimously 16.2 Finance/Controller - Collateral to Secure Deposits By Alderperson Farrell: Seconded by Alderperson Shenk RESOLVED, That the collateral deposited by the Tompkins County Trust Company, M & T Bank and the Fleet Bank as reported, be approved as to form and sufficiency. Carried Unanimously January 6, 1999 9 16.3 Finance/Controller - Public Employee's Blanket Bond By Alderperson Farrell: Seconded by Alderperson Shenk RESOLVED, That pursuant to Section 11 of the Public Officers Law, the following Bond, which is on file in the Office of the City Clerk, be, and is hereby approved in all respects for the year 1999. Faithful Performance Blanket $250,000 Peerless Insurance Co. Bond Coverage Carried Unanimously 16.4 Finance/Controller - Designation of Common Council Meetings By Alderperson Farrell: Seconded by Alderperson Shenk RESOLVED, That the regular meetings of the Common Council, for the year 1999, be held at 7:00 P.M., on the first Wednesday of each month, in the Common Council Chambers, at City Hall, 108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York, unless otherwise determined by Common Council. Carried Unanimously 16.5 Finance/Controller-Designation of Official Depositories By Alderperson Farrell: Seconded by Alderperson Shenk RESOLVED, That pursuant to Section C-34 of the City Charter, the Tompkins County Trust Company, M & T Bank, and the Fleet Bank be, and they are, hereby designated as the official depositories of all City Funds for the year 1999 and are currently deposited as follows: TOMPKINS COUNTY TRUST COMPANY ACCOUNT NAME ACCOUNT NUMBER City of Ithaca Operating Fund 01-201-001004 Employees Group Insurance Deductions 08-201-001004 City of Ithaca Payroll Fund 04-201-001004 Guaranty and Bid Deposits 05-201-001004 Health Facility Agreement 05-201-001004 Deposit on Water Meters 05-201-001004 City of Ithaca-Wire Transfer Community Enterprise Opportunity 06-201-001004 Ithaca Fire Department Bunker Facilities 05-201-001004 Sale of Unclaimed Property 05-201-001004 Circle Greenway 05-201-001004 Conference on College and Community 05-201-001004 Center for Expressive Arts 05-201-001004 Peter DeWysocki Memorial Fund 05-201-001004 Cemetery Fund 05-201-001004 Fire Department Recognition Banquet 05-201-001004 Commons Cultural Tourism 05-201-001004 West End Trees 05-201-001004 Gene Slater Memorial Fund 05-201-001004 Jack Kiely Scholarship Fund 05-201-001004 DeWitt Park Improvement Fund 05-201-001004 Employees N.Y.S. Withholding Tax 08-201-001004 Employees U.S. Savings Bonds 08-201-001004 Centennial Art Work 05-201-001004 Central Business District Trees 05-201-001004 N.Y.S. Police, Fire and Employees Retirement System 08-201-001004 GIAC Youth Enterprise Fund 05-201-001004 FICA Overpayment Reimbursement 05-201-001004 Juvenile Firesetter’s Program 05-201-001004 Capital Reserve Fund #4 – Bridges 01-201-001055 January 6, 1999 10 Capital Reserve Fund #11 – Parks and Recreation Areas 01-201-001055 Capital Reserve Fund #14 – Parking Areas 01-201-001055 Capital Reserve Fund #15 – Fire Engine Replacement 01-201-001055 Capital Reserve Fund #16 – Development of Water Sources 01-201-001055 Capital Reserve Fund #17 – Sewer Construction 01-201-001055 Capital Reserve Fund #17A – Mandatory Reserve for Sewer Plant Construction 01-201-001055 Capital Reserve Fund #20 – West Hill Water and Sewer Replacement 01-201-001055 Capital Reserve Fund #22 – Bus Replacement 01-201-001055 Capital Reserve Fund #23 – Public Works Equipment 01-201-001055 Capital Reserve Fund #24 – Energy Conservation 01-201-001055 Capital Reserve Fund #25 – Capital Improvements 01-201-001055 Capital Reserve Fund #26 – Land Acquisition 01-201-001055 Capital Reserve Fund #27 – DPW Consolidation 01-201-001055 Payroll Benefits – Flexible Spending 08-201-001004 ECHO 05-201-001004 Six Mile Creek Natural Area 05-201-001004 Keith Andrew Riggs Memorial 05-201-001004 Hydraulic Rescue Tool 05-201-001004 Moore Memorial 05-201-001004 Skateboard Park 05-201-001004 IPAC Escrow 14-303-468203 Capital Reserve Fund – Joint Activity Fund 01-101-099762 Debt Service Fund 02-201-001004 Joint Activity Capital Fund 01-101-116535 Southern Tier Bus Rodeo 05-201-001004 Co. #2 175 Anniversary 05-201-001004 Rick Gray Memorial 05-201-001004 FLEET BANK ACCOUNT NAME ACCOUNT NUMBER Firemen’s Relief Fund 267-010001 Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant – Phase III 267-365187 M & T BANK ACCOUNT NAME ACCOUNT NUMBER City of Ithaca – Construction Fund 01528-781-6 Carried Unanimously 16.6 Finance/Controller - Approval of 1999 Community Services Agencies Contracts By Alderperson Farrell: Seconded by Alderperson Shenk RESOLVED, That the Mayor be authorized to execute the following 1999 contracts with Community Services Agencies, in accordance with the adopted 1999 City budget: Celebrations - Flag Day 350 Celebrations - Veterans Day 600 Cayuga Chamber Orchestra 250 The Clear Foundation 2,000 Community Arts Partnership 10,000 Community Arts Partnership Visitor Ticket Center 7,000 Community School of Music and Arts 2,000 January 6, 1999 11 Cornell Cooperative Extension 5,000 DeWitt Historical Society 7,725 Firehouse Theater 3,000 Historic Ithaca - State Theater 11,000 Housing Options for Seniors Today (HOST) 500 Ithaca Festival 8,000 Kitchen Theater Company 2,500 Leadership & Multicultural Alliance 1,000 Multicultural Resource Center 9,500 Project Growing Hope 500 Sciencenter Afterschool Program 1,800 Teen Community Center Project 2,000 Tompkins County Area Development Corporation 7,000 The Labor Coalition 8,000 Women's Community Building 2,000 Carried Unanimously 16. 7 Chamberlain - Request to Amend 1999 Tax Roll By Alderperson Farrell: Seconded by Alderperson Shenk WHEREAS, certain taxes remain unpaid on property located at 305 E. Falls Street, and WHEREAS, until recently, a court ordered stay prohibited the enforcement of taxes against this property, and WHEREAS, the stay has since been lifted; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That taxes in the amount of $7,802.20 be relieved against property identified as tax map number 12.-3-3, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the taxes so relieved become a part of the 1999 City first installment to be collected as a part thereof. Carried Unanimously 16. 8 Chamberlain - Request to Extend Tax Sale Redemption Period By Alderperson Farrell: Seconded by Alderperson Shenk WHEREAS, a request for an extension of time for property redemption from past due City Tax Sales for the property at 606 Cascadilla Street has been received, and WHEREAS, the Budget and Administration Committee has reviewed the request and recommends approval of the extension; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the existing owner be permitted to redeem the property at 606 Cascadilla Street, up to May 30, 1999, for the total lien amount outstanding, plus additional interest, penalty and related costs, through the date of the redemption. Carried Unanimously 16.9 Fire Department - Request to Amend 1999 Personnel Roster By Alderperson Farrell: Seconded by Alderperson Shenk WHEREAS, the Ithaca Fire Department anticipates that a vacancy in an existing position will be created upon the retirement of Lt. Charles E. Fish, and WHEREAS, due to Lt. Fish's premature absence caused by an injury, approval has already been provided to temporarily appoint a fire fighter to the rank of lieutenant to replace Lt. Fish, thus creating a vacancy at the fire fighter level, and WHEREAS, to be eligible for a retirement bonus, Lt. Fish's retirement must occur no later than March 1, 1999, and January 6, 1999 12 WHEREAS, in order to select and hire a replacement, approval to do so needs to occur prior to the start of the basic fire fighter training program at the New York State Academy of Fire Science on March 15, 1999, and WHEREAS, the hiring time line developed indicates the optimum time for appointment to fill the anticipated vacancy to be from February 22 to February 26, 1999, and WHEREAS, appropriations were made to fund the three new positions from the beginning of the year, but hiring won't take place until mid-February, thus leaving unused funding available to hire the vacancy replacement; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby temporarily amends the personnel roster of the fire department by one temporary fire fighter position to permit the hiring of a replacement fire fighter prior to the retirement of Lt. Fish, but no sooner than February 1, 1999, and be it further RESOLVED, That the temporary addition to the roster will be rescinded upon retirement of Lt. Fish, which will occur no later than March 1, 1999. Carried Unanimously 16. 10 DPW - W/S - Request to Amend Personnel Roster By Alderperson Farrell: Seconded by Alderperson Shenk WHEREAS, Sally Alario, a Principal Account Clerk at the Water and Sewer Operations has been needed full time since her appointment in 1997 to assist with data input transition to water and sewer billing, to assist in presenting financial records to NYSEFC and to assist with current and future water and sewer construction activities; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends the 1999 DPW Water and Sewer Authorized Personnel Roster as follows: Delete: One (1) Principal Account Clerk (20 hours) Add: One (1) Principal Account Clerk (40 hours) and, be it further RESOLVED, That Sally Alario be appointed to the position of Principal Account Clerk assigned to the CSEA Administrative Unit at a 1999 salary of $22,819 effective January 11, 1999, and be it further RESOLVED, That said funds necessary for the Principal Account Clerk upgrade shall be derived from existing 1999 Water and Sewer Budgets. Carried Unanimously 16. 11 DPW - W/S - Request to Amend Personnel Roster By Alderperson Farrell: Seconded by Alderperson Shenk RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends the 1999 DPW Water and Sewer Authorized Personnel Roster as follows: Delete: One (1) Senior Account Clerk (40 hours) Add: One (1) Principal Account Clerk (40 hours) and be it further RESOLVED, That Antoinette Napier be appointed to the position of Principal Account Clerk assigned to the CSEA Administrative Unit at a 1999 salary of $31,735 effective January 11, 1999, and be it further RESOLVED, That said funds necessary for the Principal Account Clerk position shall be derived from existing 1999 Water and Sewer Budgets. Carried Unanimously January 6, 1999 13 16. 12 DPW - W/S - Request to Amend IAWWTP Budget for Consultant Contract By Alderperson Farrell: Seconded by Alderperson Shenk WHEREAS, the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant (IAWWTP) was designed in the early 1980’s and completed in 1987, and WHEREAS, Common Council at its meeting of November 4, 1998 approved a $20,000 initial feasibility study for the IAWWTP, and WHEREAS, a review of the feasibility study by the consultant, IAWWTP staff and the SJS has prompted the need to increase the scope of services, and WHEREAS, the Special Joint Subcommittee of the BPW has recommended the compilation of a master plan complete with budget estimates and engineering alternative recommendations for grit removal, sludge dewatering, methane gas storage, enhanced phosphorus removal, disinfection alternatives to gaseous chlorine, trucked grease waste handling, and building space needs at the IAWWTP, and WHEREAS, it has been estimated that an additional $33,800 will be needed in engineering services to complete said Master Plan; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby authorizes an additional amount not to exceed $33,800, for a total engineering services contract of $53,800, be transferred from Account J1990-5000 Joint Activity Contingency to Account J8150-5430 Professional Fees for the purposes of amending the current contract with Stearns and Wheler to prepare a Master Plan and report encompassing said scope of needs for the IAWWTP. Carried Unanimously 16. 13 DPW - Authorize Mayor to Sign NYS Arterial Maintenance Agreement By Alderperson Farrell: Seconded by Alderperson Shenk WHEREAS, the City’s State Arterial Agreement with New York State DOT has been revised due to the additional arterial footage as a result of the Route 96 Octopus Project; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to sign the new State Arterial Agreement between the City of Ithaca and New York State DOT. Carried Unanimously Alderperson Blumenthal arrived at the meeting at 8:15 P.M. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS: PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Alderperson Blumenthal announced that the second of at least three planned meetings on the Southwest Area GEIS would be held on January 19th, 1999 at 7:00 P.M. in the second floor conference room in City Hall. The subjects will be the visual impact of development in that area, and either drainage or landfill, depending on the availability of the consultants. The third meeting will be on February 9th, 1999 at 7:00 P.M. The location is not yet determined. The topics will be traffic impacts and either landfill or drainage, depending on which was discussed at the January 19th meeting. 17.1 New Tompkins County Library Entrance – Resolution By Alderperson Blumenthal: Seconded by Alderperson Farrell WHEREAS, in September of 1998, the County Board of Representatives voted to relocate the Tompkins County Library to the vacant Woolworth Building on Green Street, and WHEREAS, pursuant to that action, the Tompkins County Public Library 2020 Design Committee was formed to advise the County on issues regarding the design of the new library, and January 6, 1999 14 WHEREAS, from the City of Ithaca, one member of Common Council and one member of Planning Department Staff were invited to serve on the 2020 Committee in an advisory capacity, and WHEREAS, the 2020 Committee asked the City’s representatives to report back to the 2020 Committee on design issues considered important to the design of the new library and its connection to other areas in the city, and WHEREAS, in response to the request made by the 2020 Committee, planning staff invited local design professionals, including one architect and three landscape architects, to participate in a discussion with staff and city representatives to the 2020 Committee regarding design issues related to the new library and its connection to other parts of the City, and WHEREAS, on November 10, 1998 the design professionals, together with staff and city representatives met and discussed, at length, various design options which would strengthen and enhance connectivity to other areas of the City, and WHEREAS, while several recommendations were discussed, the design group concluded that the most important recommendation was that the entrance to the new library should be located on either the northeast corner of the building, the northwest corner of the building, or elsewhere along Green Street so that, with additional street and sidewalk improvements, a direct link between the Library and The Commons could be created, and WHEREAS, on December 16, 1998, the Planning and Economic Development Committee of the Common Council discussed and approved this recommendation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Common Council does hereby endorse this recommendation and recommends to the Tompkins County Public Library 2020 Design Committee that the entrance to the new library be located on either the northeast corner of the building, the northwest corner of the building, or elsewhere along the Green Street frontage of the vacant Woolworth building. Carried Unanimously 17. 2 Intermunicipal City/County Coordinated Planning Projects – Resolution By Alderperson Blumenthal: Seconded by Alderperson Farrell WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca and Tompkins County have a long history of intermunicipal cooperation with regard to County projects located within the city, and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Common Council would like to maintain and strengthen this partnership, and WHEREAS, the County is currently discussing and/or planning several development and redevelopment projects in the city, and WHEREAS, many of these projects have the potential for impacts on the city including land use, economic, social and environmental impacts; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council requests that at least two representatives (an elected official and a staff member from the appropriate department), be invited by the County Board of Representatives to participate at the outset as voting members on any County committee working on a project located within the city that has the potential for land use, economic, social and/or environmental impacts, and, be it further RESOLVED, That these representatives be appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the Common Council, and, be it further January 6, 1999 15 RESOLVED, That this request apply to both projects currently underway as well as to future projects. Carried Unanimously 17.3 Subdivision and Transfer of Surplus Property (Part of 127-1-1) – Determination of Environmental Significance – Resolution By Alderperson Blumenthal: Seconded by Alderperson Manos WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca acquired parcel 127-1-1 as substitute park land for Southwest Park, and WHEREAS, Parcel 127-1-1 contains an additional 3.3 acres of land not needed for the intended purpose as substitute park land, and WHEREAS, the surplus portion is zoned for more intensive uses (I-1) than the proposed park portion of the parcel (FW-1), and WHEREAS, the subdivision and sale of the surplus property helps secure the acquisition of other substitute park lands (SW-2 and SW-3) from an adjoining land owner, and WHEREAS, appropriate environmental review has been conducted including the preparation of a Long Environmental Assessment Form (LEAF), and WHEREAS, the proposed action is a Type I action under the City Environmental Quality Review Act (CEQR Sec. 176-12B(7)), and WHEREAS, based on the LEAF, the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the environment; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Common Council, as lead agency in this matter, hereby adopts as its own the findings and conclusions more fully set forth on the Long Environmental Assessment Form dated November 9, 1998, and be it further RESOLVED, That this Common Council, as lead agency, hereby determines that the proposed action at issue will not have a significant effect on the environment, and that further environmental review is unnecessary under the circumstances, and be it further RESOLVED, That this resolution constitutes notice of this negative declaration and that the City Clerk is hereby directed to file a copy of the same, together with any attachments, in the City Clerk’s Office, and forward the same to any other parties as required by law. Carried Unanimously 17.4 FY 99 CDBG/Authorization to Submit Application – Resolution By Alderperson Blumenthal: Seconded by Alderperson Farrell WHEREAS, the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) recognizes the need to support efforts which promote affordable housing, job creation, and improve public facilities benefiting Ithaca’s low and moderate income population, and WHEREAS, on November 25, 1998 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the availability of up to $400,000 in funding through the CDBG Small Cities program for single purpose proposals to address housing, public facilities or economic development needs, and WHEREAS, such application must be submitted by February 3, 1999, and WHEREAS, the IURA has issued two requests for proposals seeking projects from for- profit and not-for-profit sponsors, and January 6, 1999 16 WHEREAS, eligible projects submitted to the IURA were evaluated by the IURA’s Community Advisory Committee (CAC), and WHEREAS, the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) endorsed the CAC’s recommendations; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Common Council hereby endorses the IURA recommendation and authorizes submission of up to a $400,000 FY 1999 CDBG Small Cities application to include the INHS Citywide First Time Homebuyers Program/IDA for new Home Ownership project, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor, upon the advice of the Executive Director of the IURA and City Attorney, is authorized to execute all necessary and appropriate documents for the submission of this application and acceptance of funding, including, but not limited to, any required certifications. Carried Unanimously 17.5 FY 99 Canal Corridor Initiative/Authorization to Submit Application – Resolution By Alderperson Blumenthal: Seconded by Alderperson Farrell WHEREAS, on November 25, 1998 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the availability of a special category of funding from the CDBG Small Cities program through its Canal Corridor Initiative (CCI) to assist communities on the New York State Barge Canal System or connecting waterways in revitalizing their waterfront areas, and WHEREAS, such Canal Corridor Initiative application must be submitted by February 3, 1999, and WHEREAS, the funding available through this initiative, Section 108 loans and Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Funds, is intended to leverage private sector commitments to develop projects that lead to the physical and economic revitalization of these waterfront areas including the creation of jobs and expansion of the local tax base, and WHEREAS, the City may apply for a maximum of $300,000 of grant funds through the CCI program and future loan funding commitments of at least $1,000,000 through the Section 108 loan guarantee program assistance in conjunction with the CCI program, and WHEREAS, this present Canal Corridor Initiative application is only for the grant component of the total funding, and WHEREAS, the IURA has issued two requests for proposals seeking projects, and WHEREAS, eligible proposals submitted to the IURA were evaluated and ranked by the IURA’s Community Advisory Committee, and WHEREAS, the IURA endorses the Community Advisory Committee’s recommendations; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Common Council hereby endorses the IURA recommendation and authorizes submission of up to a FY 1999 Canal Corridor Initiative application to include one or more of the following economic development projects, ranked in priority order with the highest ranked project listed first: 1. Building Links and Neighborhood Alternatives, LLC proposal for the Lower West End Complementary Health Care Center 2. M/V Manhattan proposal to acquire an excursion vessel January 6, 1999 17 3. Boulevard Development proposal for a waterfront restaurant and public waterfront promenade on Inlet Island at 407 Taughannock Boulevard, and be it further RESOLVED, That in the event that the above listed priority projects cannot satisfactorily address feasibility issues and rating criteria by the submission deadline, the Common Council hereby authorizes submission of an alternative FY 1999 Canal Corridor Initiatives application proposal to capitalize a generic loan/grant pool to assist unspecified canal-related economic development, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor, upon the advice of the Executive Director of the IURA and City Attorney, is authorized to execute all necessary and appropriate documents for the submission of this application and acceptance of funding, including, but not limited to, any required certifications. Cynthia Yahn clarified that there are two companies working on these projects: Neighborhood Alternatives, LLC and Building Links. Alderperson Shenk asked why the prioritization of projects was inserted in the Resolution. Mayor Cohen stated that if Project #1 is deemed not feasible, then they will go to Project #2, and so on. All of the projects will not be submitted. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 17.6 & 17.7 Amending the Community Development Abbreviated Consolidated Plan – Substitute Resolution By Alderperson Blumenthal: Seconded by Alderperson Spielholz WHEREAS, the Community Development Abbreviated Consolidated Plan adopted in 1996, and amended in 1997, outlines a number of community development needs in the area of affordable housing, economic development, public infrastructure, and public services, and WHEREAS, the Notices of Funding Availability issued by the U.S Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for the 1999 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the 1999 Canal Corridor Initiative (CCI) programs requires submission of an Abbreviated Consolidated Plan that covers activities proposed in the 1999 HUD grant applications, and WHEREAS, the 1999 HUD grant applications propose new housing and economic development activities not adequately addressed in the Abbreviated Consolidated Plan, and WHEREAS, the City has held two public hearings regarding amending the Abbreviated Consolidated Plan, and WHEREAS, according to the City’s Citizen Participation Plan, the Community Advisory Committee is responsible for providing advise on development of the Abbreviated Consolidated Plan, and WHEREAS, following the second public hearing, the Community Advisory Committee developed amendments to the Abbreviated Consolidated Plan; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Common Council hereby endorses the Community Advisory Committee’s recommended amendments to the Abbreviated Consolidated Plan, including the following amendments: Assessment of Economic Development Needs: The Economic Development needs of the City of Ithaca are drawn extensively from the recently completed Economic January 6, 1999 18 Development Zone application submitted to New York State in 1994, and are documented in the Needs Section of the CCI application. The planning effort for this application drew from a wide variety of private and public sector individuals and organizations actively involved in promoting the economic development of the community. The Economic Development needs of the City include job skill training and enhancement for the city’s low income and minority population, technical and financial assistance to persons committed to starting their own business, diversification of the employment base, and financial assistance to local businesses positioned to locate within the CDBG target areas or expand businesses already there. Assessment of Needs – Housing: The City of Ithaca, as documented in the Needs Section of the CDBG application and in the 1995 CHAS has a variety of housing needs including financial and technical support for first time homeowners, financial support for owner occupied home improvements and financial support for the maintenance of both non-profit and for profit affordable rental housing. Resources – Economic Development: The City’s Director of Economic Development, and the Community Development Planner both work very closely with the staff of Tompkins County Area Development, a county wide economic development agency, in providing technical and financial assistance to businesses in the community. The City’s financial institutions participate fully in developing the local economy. Both of the major institutions have committed funds, in the form of dedicated loan pools, to assist in the various initiatives described in this and other funding applications. There is a need for other forms of below market rate financing to induce the redevelopment of areas such as Inlet Island in a manner consistent with local plans and consistent with the Community Development/HUD objectives. Attractive financing and other incentives are essential to the City’s ability to achieve these objectives. Resources – Housing: The City’s ability to address its housing needs is predicated on successful application to the CDBG program. While the City makes an annual contribution of over $80,000 to support the Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) organization, programmatic support is provided by a public and private partnership effort. The City’s successful participation in the CDBG program has leveraged large amounts of private sector funding for affordable housing initiatives, primarily though the City’s financial institutions. These institutions have also provided key personnel to serve on the Board and various committees of INHS. This partnership effort is described in nearly every activity presented in this application. In every instance INHS is the nonprofit housing provider. The staff of the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency manages three housing and rental rehab programs. In addition, INHS also has a capable staff that includes loan counseling and processing personnel, a housing rehabilitation group, rental housing personnel and a director. Planning Activities – Economic Development Initiatives: The City’s proposed Canal Corridor Initiative application includes funding for one financial assistance package of $300,000, for a project that will create a total of 10 new, commercial jobs available to low and moderate income individuals. This project will further the objective of developing Ithaca’s West End/Canal Corridor area, by making a significant start on the physical and economic revitalization of the City’s waterfront area assets and create employment opportunities for low and moderate income persons. This proposed private and public sector collaboration (private developers in partnership with the CDC) is the catalyst to creating a critical mass of new development activity essential to revitalization of the entire Canal Corridor area. Planned Activities – Housing Initiative: The application describes one affordable housing initiative. This activity will require a total of $400,000 in CDBG funding. These funds will create 24 new first time homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate- income households. Carried Unanimously January 6, 1999 19 Alderperson Blumenthal and Mayor Cohen commended the CDBG staff, the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency, the Citizen’s Advisory Committee, and all of the other committees and applicants on behalf of Common Council. 18. BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE: 18.1 Local Law Providing for a Partial Tax Exemption for Real Property Owned by Persons with Disabilities Whose Incomes are Limited by Reason of Such Disabilities By Alderperson Marcham: Seconded by Alderperson Vaughan LOCAL LAW # -1998 BE IT ENACTED by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca as follows: Section 1. A. This law is enacted pursuant to Section 459-c of the Real Property Tax Law of the State of New York as enacted by Chapter 315 of the laws of 1997. B. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 459-c of the Real Property Tax Law of the State of New York, real property located in the City of Ithaca owned by one or more persons each of whom is disabled and whose income is limited by reason of such disability or real property owned by husband and wife, or siblings one of whom is disabled and whose income is limited by reason of such disability shall be partially exempt from taxation by said City for the applicable taxes specified in Section 459-c based upon the income of the owner or combined income of the owners. Such partial exemption shall be to the extent set forth in the schedule following: ANNUAL INCOME OF OWNER PERCENTAGE ASSESSED OR COMBINED ANNUAL VALUATION EXEMPT INCOME OF OWNERS FROM TAXATION Less than $18,500 50 percent Equal to or more than 18,500 45 percent but less than 19,499.99 Equal to or more than 19,500 40 percent but less than 20,499.99 Equal to or more than 20,500 35 percent but less than 21, 499.99 Equal to or more than 21,500 30 percent but less than 22,499.99 Equal to or more than 22,500 25 percent but less than 23,499.99 Equal to or more than 23,500 20 percent but less than 24,499.99 Equal to or more than 24,500 15 percent but less than 25,499.99 Equal to or more than 25,500 10 percent but less than 26,499.99 January 6, 1999 20 Equal to or more than 26,500 5 percent but less than 27,499.99 This partial exemption provided by this law shall, however, be limited to such property and persons as meet the conditions, qualifications, exclusions, and limitations set forth in Section 459-c of the Real Property Tax Law of the State of New York. This local law shall be administered in accordance with said sections of the Real Property Tax Law, as now adopted, and as they may be amended from time to time, and the provisions of said section as provided in Section 459-c, shall be applicable to the effectuation of the exemption provided for in this local law. C. Title to that portion of real property owned by a cooperative apartment corporation in which a tenant-stockholder of such corporation resides, and which is represented by his share or shares of stock in such corporation as determined by its or their proportional relationship to the total outstanding stock of the corporation, including that owned by the corporation, shall be deemed to be vested in such tenant- stockholder. D. Applications for such exemption must be made by the owner or all of the owners of the property on forms prescribed by the State Board to be furnished by the Tompkins County Assessment Department and shall furnish the information and be executed in the manner required or prescribed in such forms, and shall be filed in the Assessment Department office on or before the appropriate taxable status date. E. Any conviction of having made any willful false statement of the application for such exemption shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $100 and shall disqualify the applicant or applicants from further exemption for a period of five (5) years. F. This local law, shall be applicable to the City for the year 1999 and thereafter and the provisions of said law shall govern the granting of an exemption under Section 459-c, notwithstanding any contrary provisions of the section. SECTION II. This local law shall take effect immediately in accordance with law upon filing with the Secretary of State. Carried Unanimously 18.2 Common Council - Rejection of City Participation in Permanent Sales Tax Exemption on Clothing and Footwear – Resolution By Alderperson Marcham: Seconded by Alderperson Shenk WHEREAS, the State Legislature's proposal for eliminating the sales tax on clothing and footwear purchases, within state-set dollar limits, ignores the financial impact on municipalities that might otherwise wish to participate, and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca would be forced to reduce staff and services or raise the property tax, a form of taxation more regressive than the sales tax, to close the budget gap, and WHEREAS, this problem is critical in cities such as Ithaca where an unusually high proportion of property is tax-exempt and the sales tax helps spread the tax burden more fairly, and WHEREAS, the year-round clothing exemption would mean revenue losses to the City of Ithaca estimated at $150,000 a year (equivalent to a 2 percent increase in property taxes), in addition to the loss of up to $200,000 annually resulting from the state-imposed January 6, 1999 21 exemption of college textbooks, thus hampering our ability to offset the state Legislature's cutback of $1 million in annual "revenue-sharing" aid eight years ago, and WHEREAS, New York State has many different sources of tax revenue currently yielding big dividends to which it can allowably turn, but the state's localities currently have very few options, meaning that it's time for state legislators to expand revenue-sharing with cities, towns and counties or else allow them new ways of raising their own revenues; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Common Council notifies our state legislators and legislative leaders that the City of Ithaca can not afford to participate in year-round sales tax exemptions for clothing and footwear and therefore joins with Tompkins County and other New York municipalities in rejecting this program, and be it further RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca requests that Governor Pataki and the Legislature look for ways of increasing the revenues needed to operate the state's localities, and meanwhile that they consider the impact on localities before adopting tax exemptions and other policies that may endanger their financial health. Alderperson Marcham stated that only five New York Counties outside of the New York metropolitan area have adopted the exemptions. Mayor Cohen said that once a County agrees to the exemptions, they cannot opt out however, if a County opts out now, they can sign on at a later date. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 18.3 Youth Bureau - Appointment of Deputy Youth Bureau Director – Resolution By Alderperson Marcham: Seconded by Alderperson Vaughan RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends the 1999 Youth Bureau Authorized Personnel Roster as follows: Delete: One (1) Special Assistant to the Director (35 hours) Add: One (1) Deputy Youth Bureau Director (40 hours) and, be it further RESOLVED, That the position of Deputy Youth Bureau Director be hereby assigned to the Management Compensation Plan with a 1999 salary range of $35,825 to $46,125, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Alice Green is hereby provisionally appointed to the position of Deputy Youth Bureau Director at a 1999 Management Compensation Plan annual salary of $45,715, effective January 11, 1999, and, be it further RESOLVED, That said appointment shall be contingent upon all the necessary approvals by the Civil Service Commission at its next meeting. Carried Unanimously 18.4 Youth Bureau - Appointment of Recreation Supervisor – Resolution By Alderperson Marcham: Seconded by Alderperson Spielholz RESOLVED, That Tim Little be reinstated and appointed to the position of Recreation Supervisor at the Youth Bureau at a 1999 annual salary of $23,951, effective January 11, 1999. Carried Unanimously January 6, 1999 22 18.5 DPW - Request Funds for Parking Lot Maintenance Equipment – Resolution By Alderperson Marcham: Seconded By Alderperson Vaughan WHEREAS, the City’s downtown parking equipment maintenance agreement has expired and City staff recommend an annual maintenance agreement for the parking equipment be established, and WHEREAS, the annual parking maintenance agreement will cost approximately $960 per month, or $11,519 annually, and WHEREAS, the maintenance agreement will be effective November 15, 1998 to December 31, 1999; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to enter into an annual maintenance agreement with CTR Systems for the City’s downtown parking lot equipment at a cost not to exceed $12,480 for the period November 15, 1998 to December 31, 1999, and, be it further RESOLVED, That funds needed for said maintenance agreement shall be derived from within existing DPW budget appropriations for 1998 and 1999. Carried Unanimously 18.6 Finance/Controller - Approval of Program Budgets for 1999 – Resolution By Alderperson Marcham: Seconded by Alderperson Manos WHEREAS, the City has been phasing in the concept of program budgets since 1997, and WHEREAS, many of the City departments submitted 1999 program budgets to the Mayor in the required program budget format, and WHEREAS, Common Council would like to test program budgeting for 1999, including payroll, revenues and expenditures, in the areas of DPW, Fire, Police and Youth Bureau; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby authorizes the use of total program budgets in the Department of Public Works, Fire Department, Police Department and Youth Bureau for 1999 and beyond, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the City Controller’s Office in conjunction with said departments shall report back to the Budget and Administration Committee and the Program Analysis Committee with quarterly reports in 1999 to determine the overall effectiveness and benefit of program budgeting to the City for future years. Carried Unanimously 18.7 Finance - Authorize Sale of Surplus Equipment – Resolution By Alderperson Marcham: Seconded by Alderperson Spielholz WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works purchased a multipurpose truck crane during 1998 with water and sewer funds for use in the Water and Sewer Division of Public Works, and WHEREAS, after a few hours of crane operation by DPW staff, it was determined that the piece of equipment, which had a cost of $94,303 with trade-in, was not suited to handle the needs of the Water and Sewer Division of Public Works, and WHEREAS, to maximize the return on the equipment sale, the City has found a municipal buyer for the equipment at a cost of $90,000; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby declares the 1998 Multipurpose Truck Crane surplus City equipment and authorizes the sale of said equipment to Onondaga County for the purchase price of $90,000, and, be it further January 6, 1999 23 RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby authorizes the Controller's Office and DPW to take all necessary steps to complete the sale of said equipment. Carried Unanimously 18.8 POSTERING ORDINANCE REVISION – REPORT Alderperson Marcham stated that this Ordinance is in the process of being drafted. Violation fines are still being discussed. 18.9 MUTUAL HOUSING REQUEST FOR ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS – REPORT Alderperson Marcham stated that this request is before the IURA, and hopefully will be concluded shortly. The request for money from the City from the Ithaca Downtown Partnership to increase the salary of their Director is before Council. They will look for funding sources and will bring it to the B&A Committee for discussion this month. NEW BUSINESS: 20.1 Appointment of Marriage Officers By Alderperson Blumenthal: Seconded by Alderperson Taylor RESOLVED, That Diann Sams, Paulette Manos, Patricia Vaughan, and Joan Spielholz be appointed Marriage Officers with a term to expire January 6, 2000. Carried Unanimously 20.2 Support of NYS and Federal Hate Crime Bills By Alderperson Sams: Seconded by Alderperson Shenk WHEREAS, we are aware of the existence of hate organizations in our state and country, and of the stated intention to organize such a group in our county, and WHEREAS, in response to this threat over 500 members of our community under the leadership of the Coalition for Community Unity rallied and met at the Southside Community Center to express their opposition, and WHEREAS, over 450 people signed the following Pledge for Community Unity and contributed money to have it printed in the Ithaca Times: We pledge that we will not condone nor support intolerance in any way. We will challenge bigotry wherever it is found, using non-violent and lawful means to get the message of unity across to everyone. We will model acceptable and inclusive behavior in public, and WHEREAS, Common Council supports and urges the New York State Legislators to pass the uni-bill No. 572 sponsored by Senator Roy Goodman and the hate crime bill No. HR3081 at the federal legislative level originally sponsored by Representative Charles Schumer; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council adds its support to those promoting respect for the rights of all our citizens and for community unity against intolerance, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Common Council urges the Tompkins County Board of Representatives and the Ithaca City School District Board of Education to adopt similar resolutions. Carried Unanimously Executive Session: By Alderperson Marcham: Seconded by Alderperson Hershey RESOLVED, That Common Council adjourn into Executive Session to discuss a Collective Bargaining Item. Carried Unanimously Regular Session: Common Council reconvened into Regular Session at 9:25 with no action taken. January 6, 1999 24 ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M. ________________________ _______________________ Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Alan J. Cohen, City Clerk Mayor