HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-2003-06-18 COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Special Meeting 7:30 pm June 18, 2003
PRESENT:
Acting Mayor Pryor
Alderpersons (7) Manos, Whitmore, Blumenthal, Peterson, Cogan, Hershey
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
Economic Development Director – McDonald
Community Development Director – Bohn
Planning and Development Director – Van Cort
Deputy Planning and Development Director – Cornish
EXCUSED:
Mayor Cohen
Alderpersons: Vaughan, Mack, Sams
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Acting Mayor Pryor led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
2.1 A Public Hearing to Consider The Proposed Disposition of Property by the
Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) for the “Cayuga Green” project
Resolution to Open Public Hearing
By Alderperson Whitmore: Seconded by Alderperson Whitmore
RESOLVED, That the Public Hearing to Consider The Proposed Disposition of Property
by the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) for the “Cayuga Green” project be declared
open.
Carried Unanimously
The following people addressed Common Council:
Carl Feuer, City of Ithaca
Joel Harlan, Town of Newfield
Resolution to Close Public Hearing
By Alderperson Hershey: Seconded by Alderperson Whitmore
RESOLVED, That the Public Hearing to Consider The Proposed Disposition of Property
by the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) for the “Cayuga Green” project be declared
closed.
Carried Unanimously
2.2. Cayuga Green – Approve Sub-Lease of Seneca Street and Green Street
Parking Garages by IURA to CDP - Resolution
This item was withdrawn from the agenda.
Alderperson Manos recused herself from discussion on the next agenda item, and left
the floor of Council as her husband owns property in the Southwest Area of the City.
2.3 Call For a Public Hearing for the Establishment and Adoption of a Benefit
Assessment District in the Southwest Area of the City of Ithaca - Resolution
By Alderperson Pryor: Seconded by Alderperson Hershey
WHEREAS, on October 26, 2001, Common Council enacted "A Local Law Providing the
Establishment of a Benefit Assessment District for Local Vehicular Traffic Improvements
in the Southwest Area of the City for the Safe and Efficient Flow of Vehicular Traffic
within the Southwest Area", and
WHEREAS, a map, plan, and report entitled "City of Ithaca Proposed Benefit
Assessment District for the Southwest Area" report has been prepared and is attached
hereto as “Exhibit A” and is in the City Clerk's office where same are available for public
inspection, and
June 18, 2003
2
WHEREAS, the proposed Business Assessment District (BAD) encompasses the
properties in the Southwest Study Area, and the commercial properties on the east side
of South Meadow Street south of Clinton Street to Elmira Road, commercial properties
on Old Elmira Road, and commercial properties on the southeast side of Elmira Road to
the City/Town line as shown on the aforesaid map and report, and
WHEREAS, under a phased construction program, the improvements proposed in the
Benefit Assessment District are the widening of Route 13 to five lanes including one
additional lane on the Six Mile Creek Bridge, and the Taughannock Blvd. Extension,
and
WHEREAS, the total estimated project cost is proposed to be established at
$9,280.250.00 for the widening of Route 13 to five lanes, including one additional lane
on the Six Mile Creek Bridge estimated at $4,000,000.00 (Phase I) and the
Taughannock Boulevard Extension estimated at $5,280,250.00 (Phase I), for a total of
$9,280,250.00, and
WHEREAS, the apportionment of costs associated with the local vehicular traffic
improvements identified in the Southwest Area Generic Environmental Impact
Statement (GEIS), resulting from the total future p.m. peak hour trip allocation, yields
64.7% to be assessed upon all the properties benefited (existing and future
developments), and 35.3% of the cost is to be borne by the City at large (non-local
pass-through trips), and
WHEREAS, the benefit assessment roll shall be established annually, based on the
square footage of commercial buildings, as provided by the Tompkins County Division
of Assessment. The annual July 1 final assessment roll data shall be used to calculate
said assessments. If the Benefit Assessment Boundary runs through a building, the
entire square footage of the building will be included in the benefit assessment formula,
and
WHEREAS, the capital improvements to be undertaken within the Benefit Assessment
District shall be financed through the issuance of Bond Anticipation Notes or Serial
Bonds, and
WHEREAS, at 7:00 p.m. on July 9, 2003, Common Council will meet and hold a public
hearing to hear all persons interested in the subject of the Benefit Assessment District,
and
WHEREAS, a copy of this order and a notice of public hearing will be published at least
once in The Ithaca Journal not less than ten nor more than twenty days before the day
of the public hearing, and
WHEREAS, a copy of this order and the notice of public hearing will be served upon each
owner of real property (residential properties exempt) within the proposed Benefit
Assessment District, as shown upon the most recently completed assessment roll of the
City, not less than ten nor more than twenty days before the day of the public hearing,
now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that Common Council adopts this order and enters the same in the
minutes of these proceedings.
Alderpersons Peterson and Cogan stated that they will vote for this Resolution for the
purpose of moving the public hearing to the July 9, 2003 Common Council meeting, and
further stated that their votes should not reflect support for the issue.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
6-0
June 18, 2003
3
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
________________________ _______________________
Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Patricia Pryor,
City Clerk Acting Mayor