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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-1999-08-06 1 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. August 6, 1999 2 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; August 6, 1999 3 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 August 6, 1999 4 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