HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-2000-04-12COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Special Meeting 7:30 P.M. April 12, 2000
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Alderpersons (7) Pryor, Sams, Blumenthal, Manos, Farrell, Vaughan,
Hershey
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
Planning and Development Director – Van Cort
Economic Development Director – McDonald
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
Transfer of Parcel 100.-2-1 (Cherry Street II) Determination of
Environmental Significance – Resolution
By Alderperson Blumenthal: Seconded by Alderperson Pryor
WHEREAS, Common Council is considering conveyance of Parcel 100-2-1
(Cherry Street II) to the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency for future development
and leasing, and
WHEREAS, the proposed action is an “unlisted” action under the State
Environmental Quality Review Act, and is a Type I action under the City
Environmental Quality Review Ordinance, and
WHEREAS, appropriate environmental review of the proposed transfer including
the preparation of a Long Environmental Assessment Form has been completed,
including forwarding of the LEAF to the Conservation Advisory Council for their
review of the proposed conveyance, and
WHEREAS, it appears that the proposed action will not have a significant effect
on the environment; and
WHEREAS, subsequent actions related to the development of this parcel,
including such potential subsequent actions as site plan review, leasing or any
other actions subject to environmental review, will be subject to their own specific
review; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Common Council, as lead agency in this
matter, hereby determines that the proposed action at issue, namely the transfer
of Parcel 100-2-1 from the City of Ithaca to the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency,
will not have a significant effect on the environment, and that further
environmental review of this action is unnecessary under the circumstances, and
be it further
RESOLVED, That this resolution shall constitute notice of this negative
declaration, and the City Clerk, be, and hereby is, directed to file a copy of the
same, together with the attachment, in the City Clerk’s Office and forward the
same to any other parties as required by law.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the comments submitted by the
Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) on both the conveyance and the Site Plan
Review.
Planning and Development Director Van Cort clarified that this action only
pertains to the transfer of land to the Urban Renewal Agency, and separated out
the CAC comments to that particular action. He further explained what areas are
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subject to design guidelines, and what would be covered during the Site Plan
Review process. He further confirmed that transferring the land to the IURA
does not exempt it from the Site Plan Review process.
Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the two delineated wetlands in
the southerly area and environmental segmentation. Mayor Cohen suggested
that language be added to the Conveyance Resolution stating that no change
could be made to the wetland areas without Common Council approval.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Conveyance of Parcel 100.-2-1 (Cherry Street II) to the Ithaca Urban
Renewal Agency (IURA) for Future Development and Leasing – Resolution
By Alderperson Blumenthal: Seconded by Alderperson Pryor
WHEREAS, The City of Ithaca Common Council is desirous of continuing a
program of industrial development within the City of Ithaca, and
WHEREAS, the development of a portion of Cherry Street as an industrial park
under the management of the IURA has been successful in the past as
evidenced by the implementation of effective lease/purchase agreements, the
construction of several industrial-type buildings and the creation of more than
150 jobs, many of which have been made available to persons of low and
moderate income, and
WHEREAS, on December 29, 1999 the City of Ithaca acquired an 8.2 acre plot of
land adjacent to the existing Cherry Street Industrial Park, known as Parcel 100.-
2-1, presently zoned for industrial uses (I-1), for purposes of extending the
development of the Cherry Street Industrial Park, and
WHEREAS, prospective development projects for portions of the land known as
Cherry Street II are presently being proposed and negotiated, and
WHEREAS, the IURA is authorized to acquire and dispose of property in
accordance with Sections 506 and 507 of NYS General Municipal Law, and
WHEREAS, the IURA is authorized to dispose of property by outright sale or
through various leasing or lease/purchase arrangements to qualified and eligible
sponsors, and in previous situations the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency has
actively marketed lots in the Cherry Street Industrial Park for lease and sale;
now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Common Council does hereby authorize conveyance of
Parcel 100.-2-1 to the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency for disposition following
completion of appropriate environmental review, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That it is the intent of Common Council that subsequent
development of this parcel be substantially in accordance with the policies, goals
and objectives of the earlier development of the Cherry Street Industrial Park by
the IURA, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That any net proceeds from the lease/purchase or sale of parcels
as Cherry Street II is subsequently developed, after reimbursement to the IURA
of expenses incurred by the IURA in the development, administration or
management of Parcel 100.-2-1, shall be returned to the City, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor, upon review by the City Attorney, is hereby
authorized to sign any and all instruments necessary for the conveyance of this
property to the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency.
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Amending Resolution
By Alderperson Blumenthal: Seconded by Alderperson Sams
RESOLVED, That the following language be added as a third Resolved clause:
“RESOLVED, That as a condition of this conveyance no project will be approved
by the IURA which would involve a change to the two delineated wetlands
located toward the southern end of Parcel 100-2-1 without approval by Common
Council, and be it further”
Carried Unanimously
Main Motion as Amended:
A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Support For A Quality Communities Demonstration Program Grant –
Resolution
By Alderperson Blumenthal: Seconded by Alderperson Sams
WHEREAS, the Governor and State Legislature have provided grant moneys for
Quality Communities Demonstration Programs to enhance opportunities and
incentives for innovative planning and community development techniques that
link environmental protection, economic prosperity and community well-being;
and
WHEREAS, the Department of State is soliciting grant applications from local
governments that collaborate with other communities to increase their capacity to
ensure effective planning for long-term community and regional vitality; and
WHEREAS, a primary goal of the program will provide an incentive for local
governments to develop strategies that build important links between
governments and encourage cost-effective inter-municipal collaborations; and
WHEREAS the City of Ithaca, as part of the process of working on a joint sewer
agreement is working to cooperate with the Town of Ithaca, the Town of Lansing,
Village of Lansing, Cayuga Heights and the Town of Dryden and has formed a
regional planning group and
WHEREAS, the regional planning group is working to approve inter-
governmental partnerships to discuss shared services, to develop collaborative
projects in an effort to preserve open and critical environment resources and to
address regional planning issues in the area and
WHEREAS, Tompkins County is providing staff support to this group and
WHEREAS, a successful application will support the existing intergovernmental
partnership, and
WHEREAS, this application will support the Vital Communities Initiative; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Mayor Alan J. Cohen is hereby authorized to submit a Quality
Communities Demonstration Program Application for state assistance payment in
the amount not to exceed one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000.00)
for project development and implementation, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That said application be submitted as a collaboration between the
City of Ithaca and the Town of Ithaca, Town of Lansing, Village of Lansing,
Village of Cayuga Heights, and Town of Dryden in cooperation with Tompkins
County.
Mayor Cohen provided background information regarding this initiative, and
stated that the grant application is due next week. He clarified that no local
match is required for this grant.
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A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Traffic Safety Grant – Report
Mayor Cohen reported on a traffic safety grant that is being submitted by
Tompkins County on behalf of the County-wide traffic safety board. There are
funds available from New York State for various traffic related activities, but not
infrastructure improvements or physical traffic calming products such as
diverters. He is working with John Beach and Steven Ehrhardt, along with input
from the Disability Advisory Council, and the Ithaca Police Department to identify
items/programs that would enhance traffic safety in the city.
Community Police Board Reconfiguration - Report
Alderperson Pryor introduced Maryann Graham and Herb Nelson who serve on
the Community Police Board. The Board has discussed the benefits of adding a
youth representative to the membership and requested that Common Council
amend the Charter to reflect this change.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the Board’s outreach efforts, and their
approach to complaint resolution.
Mayor Cohen stated that this change would require the passage of a local law
and suggested that this item be considered at the May Common Council
meeting.
MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS
By Alderperson Hershey: Seconded by Alderperson Sams
Affirmative Action Advisory Committee:
RESOLVED, That Lillie Cavanaugh be appointed to the Affirmative Action
Committee with a term to expire December 31, 2001 and, be it further
Ithaca Housing Authority:
RESOLVED, That Sam Leonardo be appointed to the Ithaca Housing Authority
Board with a term to expire October 17, 2000 and, be it further
Commons Advisory Board
RESOLVED, That Becca Spiro be appointed to the Commons Advisory Board
with a term to expire December 31, 2001 and, be it further
Conservation Advisory Council:
RESOLVED, That Katherine Lieberknecht be appointed to the Conservation
Advisory Committee with a term to expire December 31, 2001 and, be it further
RESOLVED, That Gregory Thomas be appointed to the Conservation Advisory
Committee with a term to expire December 31, 2001 and, be it further
Natural Areas Commission:
RESOLVED, That Linda Buttel be appointed to the Natural Areas Commission
Board with a term to expire December 31, 2002 and, be it further
Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission:
RESOLVED, That Todd Heron be appointed to the Ithaca Landmarks
Preservation Committee with a term to expire December 31, 2001 and, be it
further
Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council:
RESOLVED, That Donald Tall be appointed to the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory
Council with a term to expire December 31, 2002 and, be it further
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RESOLVED, That Don Parsons be appointed to the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory
Council with a term to expire December 31, 2001 and, be it further
Rental Housing Advisory Commission:
RESOLVED, That Sharon Marx be appointed to the Rental Housing Advisory
Commission with a term to expire December 31, 2002 and, be it further
RESOLVED, That Jane Schafrick be appointed to the Rental Housing Advisory
Commission with a term to expire December 31, 2000 and, be it further
RESOLVED, That Jeffrey Denby be appointed to the Rental Housing Advisory
Commission with a term to expire December 31, 2000 and, be it further
RESOLVED, That Nia Fussell be appointed to the Rental Housing Advisory
Commission with a term to expire December 31, 2002 and, be it further
RESOLVED, That Joyce Muchan be appointed to the Rental Housing Advisory
Commission with a term to expire December 31, 2001 and, be it further
RESOLVED, That Sandra Conrad be appointed to the Rental Housing Advisory
Commission with a term to expire December 31, 2000 and, be it further
RESOLVED, That Alphonse Piper be appointed to the Rental Housing Advisory
Commission with a term to expire December 31, 2001 and, be it further
RESOLVED, That Ernest Bury be appointed to the Rental Housing Advisory
Commission with a term to expire December 31, 2002 and, be it further
Common Council Liaisons:
RESOLVED, That list of Council Liaisons submitted to the City Clerk be
approved.
Carried Unanimously
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Alan J. Cohen,
City Clerk Mayor