HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-1999-08-06
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COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Continuation of 8/4/99 Meeting 4:30 P.M. August 6, 1999
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Alderpersons (7) Farrell, Blumenthal, Shenk, Vaughan, Sams, Taylor, Manos
EXCUSED:
Alderpersons Hershey, Spielholz, and Marcham
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
City Controller – Cafferillo
Economic Development Director - McDonald
Superintendent of Public Works – Gray
Fire Chief - Wilbur
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
Resolution in Support of Proposal from Town of Ithaca Fire for Protection
Contract
By Alderperson Shenk: Seconded by Alderperson Blumenthal
WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca has a long standing contact with the City of Ithaca for
the purpose of the City of Ithaca providing fire protection to certain sections of the town
and
WHEREAS, the current contract expires December 31, 1999, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca Town Board wished to enter into a partnership
agreement with the City of Ithaca Common Council for fire protection services. now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, The City of Ithaca Common Council agrees to enter into negotiations with
the Town of Ithaca for the purposes outlines below:
1. Creation of a partnership agreement that includes financial accounting through
a Joint Activity Fund.
2. Said partnership agreement will include a system for approval of the Fire
Protection Budget by resolution of the Town Board, and the Common Council.
3. All revenues and expenses related to the operation of the City of Ithaca Fire
Department will be included in the Joint Activity Fund.
4. The percentage of contribution to the City of Ithaca by the Town of Ithaca will
be determined by mutual agreement of the Common Council and the Town
Board based upon the recommendations of the Fire Contract Negotiating
Committee.
and, be it further
RESOLVED, The Common Council and the Town Board will work together in a good
faith effort to achieve the said partnership agreement before the current agreement
expires on December 31, 1999.
Mayor Cohen stated that the Town of Ithaca has requested that all of the financial
revenues and expenditures for fire services be accounted for distinctly. Originally their
interest was in creating a joint activity fund, however City Controller Cafferillo spoke with
the State Controller’s office, and given that fees are not generated as they are with
sewer or water, this was not possible.
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Fire Chief Wilbur explained that the Town of Ithaca is interested in playing a larger role
in Fire Department budget development and programming. He further stated that it
would be easier if IFD was able to perform all of the functions they currently do for the
City in the Town as well. The Town makes up for 32% of the Department’s budget, as
they pay for actual costs.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding fire code enforcement differences between
the municipalities.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Request from Public to Speak:
Common Council approved a request for a member of the public to speak on the
following agenda item.
John Schroeder, City of Ithaca addressed Council regarding regional planning issues
including the inter-municipal sewer agreement. He voiced his concern that additional
growth in the Northeast would have an adverse effect on City residential neighborhoods
and commercial districts.
Mayor Cohen differentiated between the Joint Sewer Agreement, and the Bond Act
application.
Alderperson Blumenthal explained the process of agreement with partners and the
requirement for Environmental Impact Study for City, Town and Town of Dryden.
19.1 DPW-Water & Sewer – Approval of Bond Application
By Alderperson Shenk: Alderperson Vaughan
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca herein called the “Municipality”, after thorough consideration
of the various aspects relating to wastewater treatment and study of available data, has
hereby determined that certain work, as described in its application and attachments,
herein called the “Project” is desirable, is in the public interest, and is required in order to
implement the Project; and
WHEREAS, Article 56 of the Environmental Conservation Law authorizes State assistance
to municipalities for water quality improvement projects by means of a contract and the
Municipality deems it to be in the public interest and benefit under this law to enter into a
contract therewith; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, By the Common Council of the City of Ithaca that
1. The City Controller is the representative authorized to act in behalf of the
Municipality’s governing body in all matters related to State assistance under ECL
Article 56, Title 3. The representative is also authorized to make application,
execute the State Assistance Contract, submit Project documentation, and
otherwise act for the Municipality’s governing body in all matters related to the
Project and to State assistance;
2. That the Municipality agrees that it will fund its portion of the cost of the Project and
that funds will be available to initiate the Project’s field work within twelve (12)
months of written approval of its application by the Department of Environmental
Conservation;
3. That one (1) certified copy of this Resolution be prepared and sent to the Albany
office of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation together
with the Application of State Assistance Payments;
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4. That this Resolution take effect immediately.
Alderperson Farrell stated that planning and service areas were not discussed by
original committee. She voiced her concerns over agricultural zoning districts.
Superintendent Gray stated that the Town and Village of Lansing were prepared to build
their own plant which raised his concerns regarding Lansing recruiting business and
housing development to help pay the costs of that construction.
Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni explained the project and what the grant monies are
intended for.
Alderperson Vaughan stated the importance of keeping the negotiating process going.
Not voting on this resolution would be slow down negotiations and economic
development is derived from having a healthy infrastructure.
Alderperson Blumenthal stated that she would like wording added to the resolution
regarding the need for regional planning. Other municipalities do not appear willing to
talk about future development/zoning plans.
Mayor Cohen stated that no municipality can draw down grant funds without the
unanimous decision of all partners.
Further discussion followed on the floor regarding possible future wastewater rates in
conjunction with the alternative plans.
Alderperson Manos stated that a sub-committee should be created to discuss which
regional planning issues should be addressed.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Cooperative Environmental Impact Statement with Regional Planning by City of
Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, Town of Lansing and Village of Lansing- Resolution:
By Alderperson Blumenthal: Seconded by Alderperson Farrell
WHEREAS, the City, the Town, and the Village of Lansing have applied for money for
improvements, and
WHEREAS, Common Council is committed to improving the condition of the Ithaca area
wastewater treatment plant and improving the negative conditions that inadequate
sewage treatment facilities from surrounding municipalities have on the phosphorus
levels in Cayuga Lake, and
WHEREAS, it has been demonstrated that infrastructure in the form of new roads,
water, and sewer have a direct effect on growth patterns in the region, and
WHEREAS, Common Council is concerned about the effects of growth in outlying areas
of the City as it affects the future viability of the City and the welfare of the larger Ithaca
area and Tompkins County, and
WHEREAS, Common Council does not wish to “control growth” outside the city, but is
concerned about the negative fiscal impacts of growth and sprawl and other effects on
all parts of the region as it affects such issues such as the cost of roads, bridges,
transportation, and the viability of the central core of the County, and
WHEREAS, an environmental impact statement will be done as part of the decision
making process in the grant process, and
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WHEREAS, the environmental impact statement will provide information which will help
all the municipalities understand growth-inducing effects in the area to be served by the
grant and the impacts of growth on all the municipalities entering into the agreement,
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council wishes to work cooperatively with the outlying
municipalities on the environmental impact statement and on a sewer agreement that
will provide mutual benefits to all parties with the understanding that growth and
planning issues are an integral part of the final decisions remaining to be made prior to
final signing of all agreements.
Carried Unanimously
Creation of Sub-Committee of Common Council to Identify Regional Planning
Issues - Resolution:
By Alderperson Manos: Seconded by Alderperson Blumenthal
RESOLVED, That a sub-committee of Common Council be created to identify Regional
Planning Issues. The sub-committee will consist of the Mayor and Alderpersons Farrell,
Blumenthal, Vaughan and Manos and any other Council members who would like to
attend the meetings.
Carried Unanimously
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:30 P.M.
________________________ _______________________
Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Alan J. Cohen,
City Clerk Mayor