HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-2000-05-03
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COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 7:00 May 3, 2000
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Alderpersons (9) Pryor, Sams, Blumenthal, Manos,
Farrell, Vaughan, Spielho1z, Taylor, Hershey
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
Assistant City Attorney – Dunn
City Controller – Cafferillo
Planning and Development Director – Van Cort
Economic Developer – McDonald
Community Developer Planner - Bohn
Superintendent of Public Works – Gray
Human Resources Director – Michell-Nunn
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the
American flag.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
4.1 A Public Hearing to Consider a Proposed Program Amendment
To Expand the Target Area for the West End Housing Improvement
Program
By Alderperson Farrell: Seconded by Alderperson Manos
RESOLVED, That the Public Hearing to consider Proposed Program
Amendment To Expand the Target Area for the West End Housing
Improvement Program be declared open.
Carried Unanimously
No one appeared to address Council on this issue.
Resolution to Close Public Hearing:
By Alderperson Pryor: Seconded by Alderperson Taylor
RESOLVED, That the Public Hearing on Proposed Program Amendment To
Expand the Target Area for the West End Housing Improvement
Program be declared close.
Carried Unanimously
4.2 A Public Hearing to Consider an Amendment to the
Zoning Map for the West End Development District
By Alderperson Farrell: Seconded by Alderperson Taylor
RESOLVED, That the Public Hearing on Amendment to the Zoning Map
for the West End Development District be declared open.
Carried Unanimously
No one appeared to address Council on this issue.
Resolution to Close Public Hearing:
By Alderperson Hershey: Seconded by Alderperson Taylor
RESOLVED, That the Public Hearing on Amendment to the Zoning Map
for the West End Development District be declared closed.
Carried Unanimously
May 3, 2000
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4.3 Appointments to the City of Ithaca Board of Assessment Review
- Resolution
By Alderperson Farrell: Seconded by Alderperson Manos
RESOLVED, That Alderperson Pryor and Mayor Cohen be appointed to
serve on the City of Ithaca Board of Assessment Review for 2000.
Carried Unanimously
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Alderperson Blumenthal requested that Item 18.3 - Policy and
Procedure for Retention of Historic Stone Sidewalks be deleted
from the agenda.
No Council member objected
MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS:
Board of Zoning Appeals
By Mayor Cohen: Seconded by Alderperson Pryor
RESOLVED, that Nancy Falconer be appointed to the Board of
Zoning Appeals with a term to expire on December 31, 2001.
Ayes (8) Vaughan, Pryor, Taylor, Farrell, Hershey
Glasstetter, Spielholz, Sams
Nays (0)
Abstentions: (1) Blumenthal
Carried
PETITIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE COUNCIL:
Doria Higgins, Town of Ithaca, spoke on swap of parklands;
purchase/appraisals/MOU expiration date. Requested that City
not give away Festival Lands.
Mike Cannon, City of Ithaca, spoke in favor of increase in
funding for BJM crosswalks/traffic lights.
Jutta Dotterweich, City of Ithaca, spoke in favor of increase in
funding for BJM crosswalks/traffic lights.
Ken Vineberg, City of Ithaca, spoke about Cleveland Avenue
neighborhood and his disappointment from statements made
regarding 135’ setback for viable commercial development.
Kathy Young, City of Ithaca, spoke about Cleveland Avenue
neighborhood. There is a meeting Monday at 7:30 regarding Mr.
Lower’s zoning violations.
John Simon, City of Ithaca, spoke on Cleveland Avenue
neighborhood and Mr. Lower’s threats regarding zoning
violations.
Neil Schwartz, City of Ithaca, spoke on BJM traffic lights.
Feels Cleveland Avenue is experiencing a case of extortion. He
would like the Washington Park Association to hold the line.
Joel Harlan, Town of Dryden, spoke on working class people;
hippy ville, development and Cornell University.
Paulette Fisher, President of BJM PTA, urged Common Council to
support the crosswalks at BJM.
May 3, 2000
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Marcia Fort, Director of GIAC urged Common Council to support
the BJM crosswalks and to look at other safety measures as well
on Court Street.
Bill Baker, City Employee, member of CSEA Administrative Unit –
with 28 years of service to the City of Ithaca spoke on contract
negotiation concerns.
Susan Thomas, City of Ithaca employee, works at Cass Park. She
has 10 years of service with the City of Ithaca and she also
spoke on contract negotiations being at impasse.
Lollie Archan, City Employee, works at GIAC, 2 years of service
for the City of Ithaca also spoke about contract negotiations.
Jeff Smith, City Employee, works at GIAC spoke about CSEA
contract negotiations.
Jemma Macera, City of Ithaca, is opposed to the new downtown
hotel.
Fay Gougakis, City of Ithaca, spoke on the bike plan and
Cleveland Avenue.
Maryann Graham, Co-Chair, Community Police Board, spoke about
Charter Changes, addition of 1 adult/1 youth Commissioner.
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC:
Alderperson Sams responded to concerns raised about a new hotel
downtown and about the concerns raised about Cleveland
Avenue/Clinton Street neighborhoods.
Alderperson Hershey responded to concerns raised about Cleveland
Avenue. He supports the neighborhoods and will vote to hold the
zoning line where it is.
Alderperson Farrell responded to concerns about Cleveland
Avenue. The neighbors have been more than flexible and she will
vote to hold the zoning line where it is. She also responded to
concern raised about BJM cross lights.
Alderperson Blumenthal responded to comments made about a new
hotel downtown.
Alderperson Spielholz thanked City of Ithaca employees for their
years of service. She also responded to concerns raised about
the Parklands and that any sale of the lands would need to come
back before Council.
Mayor Cohen responded to City employees’ concerns and stated
that the City is going to take steps toward nurturing employees
so that a mutual agreement may be reached.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMON COUNCIL:
Alderperson Taylor announced that the Neighborhood & Community
Issues meeting has been moved to Monday, May 15th at 7:00 p.m.
May 3, 2000
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Alderperson Vaughan announced that the Budget & Administration
meeting has been moved to May 31st.
Alderperson Blumenthal announced that there is a Neighborhood
Traffic Calming Workshop scheduled for Friday and Saturday from
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Women’s Community Building.
Alderperson Sams announced that GIAC will be having an open
house on May 20th from 2-8 p.m. with IPD vs. Youth competition.
There will also be a public meeting at GIAC on May 15th at 7:00
p.m. to talk about bias related crimes.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR:
The Mayor read four proclamations for the month of September:
1) Mental Health month
2) Youth Empowerment Day – May 13th
3) Suicide Survivor’s Day/Suicide Prevention week
4) Drug Court Month
REPORT OF CITY BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES:
Report on Tompkins County Public Library – Janet Stiener
Ms. Steiner shared pictures of the new library and described the
building. She stated that the Library plans to occupy the
building in October. She announced that $750,000 has been raised
toward their one million-dollar goal. She announced that tours
of the new library are planned.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:
16.1 Chamberlain Request Authorization to Amend Personnel Roster
By Alderperson Pryor: Seconded by Alderperson Hershey
WHEREAS, the City Chamberlain, as part of the 2000 Budget,
included funds to re-write the Customer Service Representative
positions to differentiate between entry-level and post-training
level employees, and
WHEREAS, there are three employees in the current Customer
Service Representative position of which two meet the criteria
for post-level status, and therefore be it
RESOLVED, that Common Council hereby amends the 2000
Chamberlain’s Office Authorized Personnel Roster as follows:
Add: One (1) Customer Service Representative Trainee
Upgrade: Customer Service Representative position to CSEA
grade 7
And be it
RESOLVED, That Mary Matthews salary be increased to $14,962 and
Carol Howard’s salary be increased to $17,725 in accordance to
the CSEA contract, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Customer Service Representative Trainee
position be assigned to the Civil Service Employees Association/
Administrative Unit at a salary grade 4.
May 3, 2000
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Carried Unanimously
16.2 Youth Bureau – Request to Amend Personnel Roster
By Alderperson Pryor: Seconded by Alderperson Hershey
WHEREAS, the Mental Health Association has received $10,000 in
new funding through the Drug Free Communities grant, and
WHEREAS, the Mental Health Association has decided to utilize
the funds in the Paul Schreurs Memorial Program, and
WHEREAS, the funding will enable the expansion of the mentoring
component of the Paul Schreurs Memorial Program by adding a part
time staff member, and therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends the 2000 Youth
Bureau Authorized Personnel Roster as follows:
Add: One (1) Youth Development Program Leader (17 hours per
week)
And be it further
RESOLVED, That the part time Youth Development Program Leader
position is contingent upon the life of the grant.
Carried Unanimously
May 3, 2000
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REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS:
17. NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY ISSUES COMMITTEE:
17.1 A Local Law to Amend Section C-16A of the Ithaca City
Charter Regarding the Membership of the Community Police Board
By Alderperson Taylor: Seconded by Alderperson Pryor
WHEREAS, Section C-16. A. of the City of Ithaca Charter
establishes a Community Police Board made up of seven (7)
Commissioners, and
WHEREAS, the workload of the present Community Police Board and
its Commissioners has increased greatly each of the last three
years due to; increased efforts to fulfill the charge to "act as
community liaison to the Police Department, actively fostering
positive communications between police and all segments of the
community" increased attention to the settling of complaints
through the use of dialogue and mediation, which effort is more
time consuming than simply investigating and issuing a finding
regarding the complaint, and
WHEREAS, efforts to better serve the needs of the community as
described above have resulted in an increase in the number of
complaints each of the last three years (1997-11 complaints;
1998-15 complaints; 1999-18 complaints), making it difficult for
seven Commissioners to adequately handle the workload, and
WHEREAS, it is recommended by the Commissioners that one (1)
additional Adult Commissioner be added to the Board, and
WHEREAS, it is additionally recommended by the Commissioners
that a Youth Commissioner be added to the Board to better
represent the voice of youth in discussion and decision making,
as well as in community liaison functions of the board; now,
therefore, be it
LOCAL LAW 2000-
BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED that Section C-16. A. of the
City of Ithaca Charter be amended to read as follows:
A. The Mayor shall appoint a Community Police Board,
subject to the approval of the Common Council. The
Commissioners shall be chosen from a range of culturally and
economically diverse community groups with consideration given
to the effect each appointment will have on the diversity of
representation, including geographic representation, on the
Board. The Community Police Board shall consist of nine (9)
Commissioners, including eight (8) Adult Commissioners and one
(1) Youth Commissioner. Adult Commissioners will be
eighteen(18) years of age or older. The Youth Commissioner will
be sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) years of age. The Youth
Commissioner will fulfill all functions of the Adult
Commissioners except that of investigating complaints against
police officers. The term of office of each Commissioner shall
be three years, commencing on the first day of January,
including the Youth Commissioner in spite of his/her attaining
the age of eighteen (18) years during his/her tenure. No more
than three Commissioners shall be appointed in any one year.
The terms of the existing Commissioners shall continue
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unchanged. No elected city official shall be a member of the
Community Police Board. A Commissioner shall hold office until
his/her successor shall have been chosen and qualified. A
vacancy for an unexpired or newly created term shall be filled
in the manner set forth in this Charter, except that the
limitation on the number of appointments per year, the term of
office and the term’s starting date shall not apply. All
Commissioners shall have been residents of the City of Ithaca
for at least two years immediately preceding their appointment.
All Commissioners shall serve without salary.
This Ordinance shall take effect immediately in accordance
with law upon publication of a notice as provided in the Ithaca
City Charter.
Carried Unanimously
RECESS:
Common Council recessed at 8:20 p.m.
RECONVENE:
Common Council reconvened into regular session at 8:40 p.m.
PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
18.1 Authorization for Support of, and Participation in, North
Campus Gateway Committee
By Alderperson Blumenthal: Seconded by Alderperson Farrell
WHEREAS, Cornell University, the Town of Ithaca, the Village of
Cayuga Heights, Tompkins County, the Ithaca-Tompkins County
Transportation Council, and the City of Ithaca have agreed that
it would be desirable to pursue the implementation of a new
north entrance to the Cornell University campus, to be referred
to as the North Campus Gateway, and
WHEREAS, goals and benefits of such a gateway might include, but
not be limited to, the following: better management of existing
traffic to result in reductions in traffic in certain
residential neighborhoods, or at least creating no adverse
change; intercept campus traffic where parking is provided;
improve multi-modal access to North Campus; create a sense of
arrival to the Cornell campus; and reduce
vehicle/pedestrian/bicycle conflicts, and
WHEREAS, implementation of such a Gateway would involve not only
Cornell University but also, at minimum, approvals of several
municipalities including the City of Ithaca, the Town of Ithaca,
and the Village of Cayuga Heights, as well as Tompkins County,
and the Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council (I-TCTC)
agreed to coordinate meetings of all of the involved parties
through the North Campus Gateway Committee, and
WHEREAS, representatives of the participating municipalities and
organizations in the North Campus Gateway Committee have agreed
to the following process structure:
The North Campus Gateway Committee (NCGC) will serve as the
principal planning oversight party for this project. The I-TCTC
will coordinate the meetings and provide administrative support
to the committee. Cornell’s landscape architecture,
transportation, design and planning resources will be used to
May 3, 2000
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staff the project. The NCGC will work with Cornell professional
staff to develop North Campus Gateway Concept alternatives. The
NCGC will develop a project proposal to be presented to the
involved municipalities and Cornell. All concepts, project
drafts and planning statements will be proposed by the NCGC.
Final approval of the work of the NCGC will be subject to review
and approval by all involved municipalities and Cornell. The
overriding purpose of the NCGC is to provide a collaborative
forum to advance a mutually-supported North Campus Gateway
project that will benefit Cornell and the surrounding
municipalities now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Common Council of the City of Ithaca hereby
supports the goals and process structure of the North Campus
Gateway Committee, as outlined above, and authorizes the City of
Ithaca’s participation on the North Campus Gateway Committee,
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Common Council of the City of Ithaca hereby
authorizes H. Matthys Van Cort, Director of Planning and
Development, and William Gray, Superintendent of Public Works,
to serve on the North Campus Gateway Committee as the City’s
representatives.
Carried Unanimously
18.2 Program Amendment to the 1996 Year #3 CDBG Grant to Expand
the Target Area for the West End Home Improvement Program
By Alderperson Blumenthal: Seconded by Alderperson Farrell
WHEREAS, the City was awarded $150K in the third year increment
of the 1996 CDBG multi-year award from the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to implement a West End Home
Improvement Program to bring 10 -12 substandard residential
units owned and occupied by low/mod income households into
standard, code compliant condition through deferred loans to
assist in stabilizing the remaining residential fabric of this
transitional neighborhood adversely impacted by the Rt. 96
highway project, and
WHEREAS, initial and follow-up targeted marketing to the owners
of the 29 potentially eligible owner-occupied properties in the
West End target area has resulted in two closed loans and a
third approved loan to date, and
WHEREAS, the West End target area is defined as the area south
of Court St. between Fulton and Meadow Streets, and
WHEREAS, several owner-occupied residential properties in the
target area are no longer owner-occupied or are occupied by
households that do not meet income eligibility requirements and
other owner-occupants have indicated they are not interested in
participating in the program, and
WHEREAS, the predominantly low/mod residential neighborhood
located within the first block east of Meadow Street has also
been adversely impacted by the Rt. 96 highway project, and
WHEREAS, on May 17, 1999 the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency
recommended redefining the boundaries of the West End Home
May 3, 2000
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Improvement Program target area to include the area referred to
as “East of Meadow,” a one block area between Meadow Street and
Corn Street and Meadow Street and Washington Street from the
north side of Seneca Street to the south side of Cascadilla
Street, upon a finding that the program cannot be fully
implemented within the existing target area, and
WHEREAS, IURA staff has determined that the program cannot be
fully implemented within the existing target area on a timely
basis, now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Common Council hereby authorizes and directs
the IURA Executive Director to seek HUD approval for a program
amendment to expand the West End target area for the West End
Home Improvement Program (1996 Year #3 CDBG, Activity 2.2) to
include the four-block area bounded by Seneca Street on the
south, Corn Street and Washington Street on the east, Cascadilla
Street on the north and Meadow Street on the West, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the IURA Executive Director is authorized, upon
advice from the City Attorney, to sign any and all documents
necessary to carry out this resolution.
Carried Unanimously
18.4 Proposed Amendment to Article II, Section 325-8 "District
Regulations Chart" of the City of Ithaca Zoning Ordinance --
Call for Public Hearing
By Alderperson Blumenthal: Seconded by Alderperson Hershey
WHEREAS it has been proposed that Article II, Section 325-8
"District Regulations Chart" of the City of Ithaca Zoning
Ordinance be amended to create a new Sub-District within the Use
District to be known as "CBD-140" and to define boundaries for
said Sub-District, and to provide for design review for proposed
new construction projects within the new Sub-District, by the
Design Review Board, as provided for in Article VII, Section
325-41 of the City Zoning Ordinance, and
WHEREAS, details of the proposed amendment are being circulated
to all appropriate boards, councils, departments and individuals
for their consideration and recommendations, and
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that responses from these boards,
councils, departments and individuals either have already been
received, or will be received during the month of May; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the proposed amendment to Article II, Section
325-8 "District Regulations Chart" of the City of Ithaca Zoning
Ordinance to create a new Sub-District entitled "CBD-140," and
to create a boundary for the Sub-District, and to provide for
design review by the Design Review Board, is hereby introduced
before the Common Council of the City of Ithaca, New York, and
be it further
RESOLVED, That Common Council shall hold a public hearing in the
matter of the adoption of the aforesaid amendment in the Common
Council Chambers, City Hall, 108 East Green Street, in the City
May 3, 2000
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of Ithaca, New York, at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7, 2000,
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the City Clerk shall give notice of such public
hearing by the publication of a notice in the official newspaper
specifying the time when and the place where such public hearing
will be held, and in general terms describing the proposed
ordinance. This notice shall be published once at least fifteen
(15) days prior to the public hearing, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the City Clerk shall transmit forthwith to the
Tompkins County Planning Board and to the City of Ithaca
Planning and Development Board true and exact copies of the
proposed zoning ordinance for their reports thereon.
The Zoning Ordinance Amendment to be considered shall be as
follows:
Within the new Sub-District the Columns shall be as
follows:
Column #6:"Area in Square Feet" “No minimum lot size"
Column #7 "Width in Feet at Street Line "10"
Column #8 "Maximum Building Height
Number of Stories" "12"
Column #9 "Maximum Building Height
in Feet" "140"
Column #10"Maximum Percent Lot Coverage "100% Except
as required for By Buildings" rear yard"
Column #11"Yard Dimensions-Front "None"
Column #12"Yard Dimensions-Side" "None"
Column #13"Yard Dimensions-Side" "None"
Column #14/15"Yard Dimensions-Rear" "10 Feet Minimum"
Column #16 "Minimum Height of Building
in Feet" "25"
The new Sub-District will be defined by boundaries as drawn on
the attached map.
A new Section will be added to the City Zoning Ordinance calling
for design review by the Design Review Board. The language of
the new Section will be as follows:
Construction of new buildings within the CBD-140 Sub-District
shall be subject to review and approval by the Design Review
Board, as provided for in Section 325-41 of the City Zoning
Ordinance. In performing such review the Design Review Board
shall pay particular attention to the visual effect of the
project on the character of the area. Approval of new
construction within the CBD-140 Sub-District by the Design
Review Board shall be binding and shall be a prerequisite to the
issuance of any other permits for the proposed new construction
project.
Section 325-41 of the City Zoning Ordinance shall also be
amended to add the new zoning Sub-District CBD-140 to the list
of zones subject to Design Review.
Carried Unanimously
May 3, 2000
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18.5 Amendment to Adopt Zoning Map for West End Development Zoning
District
By Alderperson Blumenthal: Seconded by Alderperson Farrell
WHEREAS, at the meeting held on March 1, 2000, the Common
Council adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 325 of the Ithaca
Municipal Code entitled "Zoning" to change existing zoning
designations in certain areas from B-2 and B-4 (Business
Districts), I-1, (Industrial District) and M-1 (Marine
Commercial District) as applicable to West End Development
Zoning District (WEDZ), and
WHEREAS, in conjunction with adoption of the new zoning
district, a proposal has been submitted to amend the Official
Zoning Map of the City of Ithaca, New York, Chapter 325,
entitled “Zoning” of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code, and
WHEREAS, areas to be designated in the WEDZ District are
indicated on the map entitled City of Ithaca, West End Urban
Design Plan, Proposed Zoning Districts, dated March 2000. The
tracts to be changed are bounded on the west by the center line
of the Cayuga Inlet, on the north by the south edge of
Cascadilla Street and moving northeasterly along the south edge
of Route 13 (Fulton Street), and moving northeasterly across
Route 13 (South Meadow Street) along the south edge of Hancock
Street to the rear line of the parcel at the intersection of
Route 13, (North Meadow Street.) The east boundary runs between
the south edge of Hancock Street and the north edge of West
Clinton Street along the rear property line of parcels fronting
the east side of Route 13, (North and South Meadow Street). The
south boundary runs northwesterly across Route 13, (South Meadow
Street) to the northwest corner of Fulton and Meadow Streets and
moves south along the west edge of south Meadow Street to Six
Mile Creek and runs northwesterly to the center line of the
Cayuga Inlet, and
WHEREAS, appropriate environmental review of the zoning
amendment has been conducted including the Long Environmental
Assessment form,
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Common Council, acting as Lead
Agency, has determined that the proposed action will not have a
significant effect on the environment; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Common Council hereby adopts the proposed
amendments to the official zoning map as outlined above, and be
it further
RESOLVED, That this resolution constitutes notice of this
amendment 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
May 3, 2000
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18.6 Parking Agreement with The Thomas Group
By Alderperson Blumenthal: Seconded by Alderperson Pryor
WHEREAS, the 1993 Parking Agreement between the City of Ithaca
and the Thomas Group (formerly known as "Fred Thomas
Associates”) will expire on October 31, 2000, and The Thomas
Group has not exercised its right to extend the existing
Agreement, and
WHEREAS, The Thomas Group has expanded its downtown offices and
plans to sign a new lease for further expansion which will
continue to make them a vital asset to the vitality and economy
of Downtown, and
WHEREAS, The Thomas Group has requested and negotiated with the
City of Ithaca a proposed new Parking Agreement between the City
and The Thomas Group; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Common Council of the City of Ithaca hereby
approves the proposed Parking Agreement between the City of
Ithaca and The Thomas Group that would include the following
terms:
1) Thomas can purchase up to 200 parking permits, with at
least 150 available for use in the Green Street/Lot D
facility. Of the 150, 100 would be for use in the upper
level and 50 would be for use in the lower level. The
balance would be available for use within the City of
Ithaca's downtown off-street parking system. While the City
of Ithaca recognizes Thomas' preference for use of the
Green Street parking facilities, it is understood that
Thomas recognizes that the City may need to offer parking
in other parts of the City's off-street parking system to
balance demand and to respond to changing conditions.
2) permit pricing for The Thomas Group will be the same as
for any other parking customer based on the current permit
rate schedule,
3) "Value Cards" will be available for appropriate Thomas
personnel,
4) Thomas will be eligible for any discount programs that
may be developed by the City of Ithaca,
5) the terms of the length of this Agreement will be
concurrent with the terms of The Thomas Group's proposed
new building leases.
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor of the City of Ithaca is hereby
authorized to enter into the proposed Parking Agreement under
the terms described above, upon approval by the office of the
Attorney of the City of Ithaca.
Carried Unanimously
May 3, 2000
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Alderpersons Blumenthal and Hershey thanked Economic Developer
Director, Doug McDonald and the Ithaca Downtown Partnership for
working hard to keep Thomas Associates downtown.
May 3, 2000
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE:
20.1 DPW – Appeal of Sidewalk Assessment for 417 Cascadilla
Street – Possible Resolution
By Alderperson Vaughan: Seconded by Alderperson Hershey
WHEREAS, Russell Brann, owner of 417 Cascadilla Street, received
a 1999 sidewalk assessment for sidewalk work completed on his
property, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Brann explained to the Board of Public Works that
he did not receive notice of when the city would complete the
work after the 1996 notice, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Brann stated that had he been aware of the city’s
intention to do the work in 1999, he would have replaced the
sidewalk himself at a lower cost, and
WHEREAS, it is the department’s policy to notify the homeowner
prior to sidewalk replacement, and staff has not produced the
July 22, 1999 letter sent to other properties on the assessment
list; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed
information provided by staff and Mr. Brann concerning the
sidewalk assessment appeal for 417 Cascadilla Street, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has denied the request
for full expungement of the sidewalk assessment for 417
Cascadilla Street, and be it further
RESOLVED, That Mr. Brann be billed for the work related only to
the 175 feet of 6” sidewalk, and be it further
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby approves the 1999 Sidewalk
Assessment for 417 Cascadilla Street as amended by the Board of
Public Works, and directs the City Chamberlain to make the
appropriate billing for said assessment.
Carried Unanimously
20.2 DPW – Amendment to BJM Traffic Calming Capital Project
By Alderperson Vaughan: Seconded by Alderperson Farrell
WHEREAS, Common Council approved in 1997 an important safety-
related capital project to install pedestrian activated walk
signals at three intersections around Beverly J. Martin Elementary
School, the Greater Ithaca Activities Center, the Immaculate
Conception School, and
WHEREAS, the intent of the City in 1997 was to integrate and
coordinate this project with another project, the Traffic Signal
Upgrade (TSU) Project.
WHEREAS, this project has languished while we have waited for
State approval on funding for the TSU project, and
WHEREAS, it is now expected that the earliest the TSU project
would proceed is the summer of 2001, and quite likely the summer
of 2002, and
May 3, 2000
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WHEREAS, the Common Council is concerned about pedestrian safety
in the impacted neighborhood, and feels that the City can no
longer wait to implement this important safety project, now
therefore be it,
RESOLVED, That Capital Project #349 be amended by $210,000.00 to a
total maximum authorization of $233,142, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the funds necessary to finance this amendment be
derived from the issuance of serial bonds.
Carried Unanimously
20.3 Mayor – Request Funds for Litigation
By Alderperson Vaughan: Seconded by Alderperson Hershey
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby approves an amount not to
exceed $5,000 be transferred from account A1990 Unrestricted
Contingency to account A1420-5430 Attorney Fees to cover
additional legal fees in the City’s defense of the Board of Zoning
Appeals.
Carried Unanimously
20.4 Common Council – An Ordinance to Amend Section 232-70 of the
City of Ithaca Municipal Code Entitled Taxi Cab Fare Rates –
Possible Ordinance
By Alderperson Vaughan: Seconded by Alderperson Spielholz
WHEREAS, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased since the
Common Council last set taxicab rates in March of 1997, and
WHEREAS, the price index of non-leaded gasoline has also increased
since 1997; now, therefore
ORDINANCE 2000-
BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the Common Council of the City of
Ithaca, New York, as follows:
Section 1. The City of Ithaca Municipal Code, Section 232-70
entitled “Rates” is hereby amended as follows:
A. Taxicab zones and rates. The City of Ithaca is hereby
divided into zones as shown on a map and schedule entitled
“Taxicab Zones and Rates, City of Ithaca,” which said map
and schedule appended herewith are hereby declared to be a
part of this article. Except as provided in Subsection B
below, the prices that may be charged by the owners or
drivers of taxicabs for the transportation of passengers
within the city shall not exceed the amounts shown on said
map and schedule under the heading “Zone Charges – One
Passenger,” or for additional passengers, all as shown on
said schedule. Every three (3) years, during the month of
April, the amounts shown on said map and schedule will be
reviewed to determine if the rate schedule in force at the
time remains appropriate. The following notice shall be
conspicuously posted in full view of passengers: “Rate maps
and schedules for fares in the City of Ithaca, together
with the full text of the city’s rate law, are available
upon request from the driver of this taxicab, according to
city ordinance.”
May 3, 2000
16
Section 2.
Zone Charges – One Passenger
Departure Zone
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 4.10 4.60 4.60 4.60 5.10 5.10
2 4.60 4.10 4.60 4.60 5.10 5.10
3 4.60 4.60 4.10 4.60 4.60 4.60
4 4.60 4.60 4.60 4.10 4.60 4.60
5 5.10 5.10 4.60 4.60 4.10 4.60
6 5.10 5.10 4.60 4.60 4.60 4.10
Section 3. Effective Date.
This Ordinance shall take effect immediately in accordance with
law upon publication of a notice as provided in the Ithaca City
Charter.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding how the new
rates were determined.
Amending Resolution:
By Alderperson Farrell: Seconded by Alderperson Sams
RESOLVED, That in section B3 labeled “seniors, passengers 65
years or older” shall be granted a discount of .85 in regulated
fares.”
Carried Unanimously
Main Motion As Amended
A vote on the Main Motion as amended resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
20.5 Finance/Controller - Request to Approve 1998 Annual Financial
Report
By Alderperson Vaughan: Seconded by Alderperson Manos
RESOLVED, That the 1998 Annual Financial Report prepared by the
Finance Department be approved as presented.
Carried Unanimously
Mayor Cohen stated that once again our reports are wonderful. Due
to the fine work of our Controller and Deputy Controller and their
able assistant Carol Shipe; plus the other staff that work in the
department. On behalf of all us, he would like to extend his
sincere thanks to Dominick and Steve.
20.6 Finance/Controller - Approval of 2001 Guidelines for
Community Service Funding
By Alderperson Vaughan: Seconded by Alderperson Spielholz
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has in the past appropriated funds
to agencies for cultural enrichment, economic promotion, and
other purposes aside from human services, and
WHEREAS, the Common Council intends that all such requests be
subject to a standardized review process; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Budget and Administration Committee of Common
Council be authorized to review all 2001 requests for non-
mandated city funding from private, non-profit agencies that are
May 3, 2000
17
not subject to Human Services Coalition review, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the following requirements and criteria shall be
applied to all such requests:
Requirements
All applications for 2001 funding must be submitted in writing
to the City Controller by June 16, 2000.
Each application must include a statement that explains how the
activity proposed for City funding will benefit the social,
cultural, economic, and/or environmental well being of city
residents, in terms as specific as possible. Information
presented should include the groups or individuals to be served,
the number of people to benefit from the activity, and the
duration of the benefit (long term or short term).
A) Each application must include budgets for 2000 and 2001,
financial reports from 1998 and 1999, and an enumeration of
other funding sources.
B) The applications should also include a count of individuals
served, by municipality, for prior years, and a report on any
positive impacts and benefits.
C) The application must include a description of methods for
measuring positive outcomes from 2001 funding.
Criteria and Evaluation Scoring
The Committee shall assign points for the degree to which the
proposed use of City funds meets each of the following criteria.
If the applicant does not supply sufficient information for the
Committee to make a judgment, the proposal shall receive zero
points in each such case.
These criteria and evaluation scores will be used by the Budget
& Administration Committee as guidelines in evaluating requests
for funding:
1. The proposed activity will benefit the social, cultural,
economic and/or environmental well being of residents of the
City of Ithaca.
A) The proposal will service city residents in proportion
to City funding requested.
B) The sponsor of the proposed activity:
has received funding, or
is reasonably assured of receiving funding, or
has made a good faith effort to receive funding from
the County, appropriate towns, school districts, or
other funding sources in proportion to non-city
residents served.
May 3, 2000
18
2. The proposed activity will serve an identified need in the
city and does not duplicate another service.
3. The proposed activity is designed to effectively meet the
needs of those to be benefited; and the proposal includes
measurable objectives and outcomes.
4. The applicant demonstrates sound management practices.
5. The proposed activity will especially benefit a population in
financial need (i.e., below federal poverty guidelines) or the
disabled.
6. The proposed activity will produce a long-term benefit.
Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That by August 1, 2000, the Budget & Administration
Committee shall forward its recommendations to the Mayor for
consideration in the 2001 budget.
Carried Unanimously
21. NEW BUSINESS:
21. 1 Designation of Common Council Meetings:
By: Alderperson Hershey, Seconded by: Alderperson Pryor
RESOLVED, That the regular meetings of the Common Council for
the Year 2000, be held at 6:00 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
Alderperson Hershey stated that he supports this new time for
meetings as it will give Council a chance to do the business of
the public at a time when they are not tired.
Alderperson Taylor stated that it would be a hardship for her to
get here at 6:00 p.m.
Alderperson Spielholz stated that would like an attempt to be
made to start meetings at 6:00 p.m.
Alderperson Blumenthal stated that because of family commitments
she would not like Council meetings to start at 6:00 p.m.
Alderperson Manos stated that while she sympathizes with her
colleagues on family commitments, she is also concerned that
members of the public may not be able to rush home, get dinner
on the table and get here by 6 o’clock either.
Alderperson Vaughan stated that she would like to make two
points. The first is that our brethren in the county do their
meetings starting at 5 o’clock and she has not heard comments
that they are unable to have adequate public comment; people
seem to find a way to get to the meeting when it’s an issue
that’s important to them. She thinks that 6 o’clock is a
reasonable compromise. The second item, is that we were elected
to do the public’s business and we were elected partly because
we sounded extremely rational when we were running, but
May 3, 2000
19
sometimes, by the time we finish the end of a meeting, we’ve
lost at least some part of that rationality characteristic or
we’re not at our very best. She would like us to do the public’s
business when Council is fresh enough to be able to do it well
and that’s the least that the public can expect from us and so
this is an attempt to compromise. There are those who would
make other choices, this is not an easy thing to do but it
preserves the opportunity for the public to speak as much as it
wishes and still gets us out somewhat earlier than if we had the
meeting starting at 7.
Alderperson Pryor stated that she agrees with what Alderperson
Vaughan has said and she would also like us to ask us to
remember that there is kind of an assumption in this discussion
that everybody works five days a week, Monday – Friday from 8 to
5 or whatever and simply by the fact that we meet regularly in
the evenings, we’re automatically already ruling out people who
may work a 3-11 shift on a regular basis, so she thinks that it
is very difficult to balance our desire to provide an
opportunity for everybody from the public that wishes to speak
to us to speak to us and she believes that we’re committed to
continuing to do that; but she also believes that we need to be
able to conduct public business in a frame of mind without being
so exhausted that it’s difficult to make good decisions because
we ourselves are so tired. It seems to her, that this is a
compromise to move to 6 o’clock. We’re not suggesting we go the
whole county route and we’re not suggesting that we limit public
comment time. We are suggesting that we start a little bit
earlier and she’d like to personally support this motion and go
with it for a period of time and if that doesn’t seem to be
working we could always come back and re-visit the issue again.
She thinks it’s worth trying to incorporate both those ideals
that we have, which is to allow all the public comment that
people wish to make and at the same time be able to make
decisions when we’re in a position to do that and still be able
to think straight.
Alderperson Sams stated that she sympathizes with her two
colleagues that have families and are talking about trying to
feed children. She would like to suggest that maybe we could do
a compromise and tray 6:30 instead.
Alderperson Hershey stated that he’s a little torn, he lives in
the fifth ward and he’d like to think that his two
representatives are here at the time the meeting starts. He
also would not like to think that we’re taking any action to
dissuade people with families from running or serving on Common
Council. On the other hand, he finds it hard to accept that some
one sits here and says they’re virtually a fulltime council
member and he’s said many times that he salutes Susan and others
who spend many more hours than others of us can on this job.
One day a month, twelve months a year, one hour difference
wouldn’t be a trade off for us in really improving the way we
operate as a group, and the way our government operates in
Ithaca. He’d like to say that if it turns out that 6:00 p.m. is
unworkable for anybody, after due diligence and effort, that
he’d be more than happy to revisit this in a couple of months.
He doesn’t think a half-hour would do it. He thinks an hour is
a compromise as people have said before. We really want to be
May 3, 2000
20
at our best for everybody’s sake and there are times when we
haven’t been. We want to give the public as much opportunity as
the public needs to comment and there are times we are snippy
with the public after the second hour of comment and he doesn’t
want to do that either. So he would urge us to pass this
tonight with the understanding that in the hopes that all of our
colleagues will make every effort to make it work and that if it
turns out that it’s impossible, we can re-visit it. His hope is
that we end up early some night and then there’s some quality
time on the other end.
Mayor Cohen stated that he is also sensitive to the needs of
everyone here. There are also people who have to get up early
the next day and go to work and he knows that there have been
people who have left this meeting early because they want to get
home, because they have to go to work the next day. We want to
avoid having to have people leave as well. The County board
does meet at 5:30 p.m., we’re suggesting 6. There are several
parents on the county board including a single mother who works
with the system and it seems to work quite well and he thinks
this is a good compromise and it’s in the best interest of the
public that we conduct our business when we’re clear minded.
Mayor Cohen asked for further discussion. He thinks this one
will fail from all he’s heard.
Ayes (5) Hershey, Vaughan, Spielholz, Sams, Pryor
Nays (4) Taylor, Blumenthal, Farrell, Manos
Motion Fails
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M.
________________________ _______________________
Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Alan J. Cohen,
City Clerk Mayor