HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-2004-01-07 COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 7:00 pm January 7, 2004
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Alderpersons (10) Coles, Mackesey, Berry, Whitmore, Tomlan, Zumoff, Taylor
Townsend, Cogan, Holtham Korherr
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Attorney – Luster
City Controller – Thayer
Deputy City Controller- Andrew
Planning and Development Director – Van Cort
Superintendent of Public Works – Gray
Human Resources Director – Michell-Nunn
Fire Chief – Wilbur
Greater Ithaca Activities Center Director - Fort
Information Management Specialist - Myers
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Peterson led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Alderperson Whitmore requested that Item 11.1 – Request to Transfer Funds for
Southside Community Center be moved ahead of Item 9.1 – City Attorney –
Amendment to Personnel Roster.
No Council Member objected.
Mayor Peterson requested the addition of an Update from the Planning Department on
development downtown.
No Council Member objected.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
4.1 Election of an Acting Mayor - Resolution
By Alderperson Cogan: Seconded by Alderperson Berry
RESOLVED, That Alderperson Whitmore be appointed Acting Mayor with a term to
expire on December 31, 2004.
Carried Unanimously
4.2 Election of an Alternate Acting Mayor - Resolution
By Alderperson Coles: Seconded by Alderperson Taylor
RESOLVED, That Michelle Berry be appointed Alternate Acting Mayor with a term to
expire December 31, 2004.
Carried Unanimously
4.3 Appointment of Marriage Officers – Resolution
By Alderperson Mackesey: Seconded by Alderperson Holtham Korherr
RESOLVED, That the following Alderpersons be designated as Marriage Officers for
the year 2004:
Alderperson Berry Alderperson Mackesey
Alderperson Coles Alderperson Cogan
Alderperson Holtham Korherr Alderperson Townsend
Alderperson Taylor
Carried Unanimously
January 7, 2004
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PETITIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE COUNCIL:
The following people addressed Council regarding keeping the vacant lot on First and
Madison Street as a neighborhood community space:
Elizabeth Disson
John Hamilton (who also read a letter from Tim Hayes who was unable to attend the
meeting)
Ilonka Wloch
Elizabeth Hayes
Joanna Green
Kip Wilcox
Joel Harlan, Town of Newfield – welcomed new Council, development in the City
Fay Gougakis, City of Ithaca – welcomed new Council, Cornell Vet School
medicine/waste management facility and health concerns related to that project
Joe Wetmore, Town of Ithaca - replacement of City trees, and revenue collected by the
City to replace trees for property owners
Neil Oolie, City of Ithaca - expressed his vision of hope for the city which will be going
through difficult times in the future, welcomed new Council.
Guy Gerard, City of Ithaca, welcomed the new Council, encouraged the Council to learn
what they can do as stewards for the City, follow Parliamentary procedures, and to use
staff who are a great source of information.
RESPONSE TO PUBLIC:
Alderperson Coles responded to comments by stating that they reinforce some of the
reasons she ran for office. She stated that she appreciated the love that has been
expressed by the public tonight. She further responded to comments made about
Cornell Vet School and explained that she had spent 2 ½ years working with Cornell
regarding the waste of the veterinary sciences, and what is being done is not harmful.
Alderperson Zumoff thanked the public for their kind words of welcome. He stated that
Common Council wants to educate the public on the flow of information and explained
that meetings are televised and requested that when the public uses acronyms in
addressing the Council that they identify what they stand for, so the public will be well
informed and understand the issues.
Alderperson Mackesey responded to comments made about the empty lot on the corner
of Madison and First streets. This may be an item that can go to the Planning
Committee, and meetings could be set up with INHS to see how this item can be
addressed.
Alderperson Whitmore responded to comments made regarding the vacant lot on
Madison and First streets. He has been encouraged by the neighborhood’s desire to
keep the lot as a green space. He explained that funds that have been set aside by the
IURA for INHS to build low to moderate income housing, and if the lot is kept as a green
space that an alternate site for the housing will need to be found in order to keep the
funding. He further addressed concerns raised about city trees and stated that Ithaca
has a tree law, and that he will look into this concern.
January 7, 2004
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Alderperson Tomlan thanked the public for coming and stated that she understood the
commitment and time that has been spent on these issues and encouraged the public
to keep coming to the meetings. She further stated that the vacant lot concern will be
addressed by Council.
Alderperson Berry responded to comments on the vacant lot at Madison and First
streets and stated that she has researched community gardens versus low income
housing and the possibility of neighbors being on opposite sides of the issue. She
stated that she is encouraged to see so many people from the second ward come out
for this issue and will work to find a way for a community compromise on this issue.
Mayor Peterson explained that the challenge faced by the new administration is how
information is shared within City Hall, and finding the best way to communicate with the
public. She noted that the Executive Director from INHS is in the audience and has
heard the concerns raised by the residents of the northside.
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE:
11.1 Request to Transfer Funds for Southside Community Center - Resolution
Lynn Jackier, Southside Community Center Board, Karl Graham, Southside Community
Center Board, Margo Hittleman, GIAC Board, and Marcia Fort, Director of GIAC gave a
presentation on the history of Southside, the current financial situation of the Center,
and the discussions that have been taking place with a working group to explore ways
to get to the root of the problems facing Southside Community Center.
Decreased funding has made fulfilling the Center’s mission very challenging. The
Center has continued to provide programs to serve the community. The working group
has met for the past month and identified a general direction which includes some form
of collaboration with GIAC. Several possible scenarios have been discussed and the
group is gathering data for each alternative. Each organization’s Board of Directors has
been kept informed and has voted agreement with the general direction that the working
group is taking. It is vitally important that the Southside Community Center keep its
doors open and continue to provide at least the level of programming currently in
operation. To that end, the Southside Community Center working group requests that
Common Council release funds for the first quarter to allow the working group time to
develop and implement a final plan.
Resolution:
By Alderperson Coles: Seconded by Alderperson Whitmore
WHEREAS, the Southside Working Group formed in November 2003 to address the
future relationship between the Southside Community Center, Inc., the City of Ithaca
and the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC), Inc., and
WHEREAS, the Southside Working Group has only just begun to formulate options for
the successful collaboration between the Southside, the City of Ithaca and GIAC, and
WHEREAS, the Southside Community Center, Inc. and GIAC, Inc. are committed to
further collaboration, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Common Council placed $68,000 for the Southside in
Restricted Contingency Account Number A1990 in order to encourage such
collaboration, and
WHEREAS, the Southside Community Center will not be able to operate without funds
from the City of Ithaca, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Common Council needs further information before it
considers the appropriation of the entire $68,000 held in Restricted Contingency for the
Southside, now therefore be it
January 7, 2004
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RESOLVED, That $17,000 be transferred from Restricted Contingency Account
Number A1990 to the Southside Community Center Account A5435 and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Southside Community Center use these funds to maintain
operations and programs through March 31, 2004.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding current staffing, programming, and
funding. Further discussion took place on the importance of Southside Community
Center to the City of Ithaca and the residents of the neighborhood.
Motion to Call the Question:
By Alderperson Coles: Seconded by Alderperson Berry
RESOLVED, That the Question be called.
Carried Unanimously
Main Motion:
A Vote on the Main Motion resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE:
9.1 City Attorney – Amendment to Personnel Roster – Resolution
By Alderperson Cogan: Seconded by Alderperson Whitmore
WHEREAS, Mayor Carolyn Peterson has appointed Martin A. Luster as the City
Attorney, and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney position is an at will position and therefore does not
require Common Council approval, and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney position is currently a full-time position and Mr. Luster has
agreed to initially come out of retirement on a part-time basis; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the City Attorney position be reduced to 60% time at a pro-rated
salary of $42,900 for 2004 and, be it further
RESOLVED, That upon his appointment, Mr. Luster shall be credited with a one-time
allocation of forty-eight (48) hours of annual leave, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That Mr. Luster will earn annual leave at six (6) hours each month, and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That for all other fringe benefits, he will follow the current benefit package
approved for managerial staff.
Alderperson Holtham Korherr stated that in her experience with the City, the City
Attorney’s position has grown from part-time to fulltime and is now reverting back to
part-time. She inquired whether there is a contingency to outsource attorney services in
the future.
Human Resources Director Michell-Nunn responded that the position was budgeted as
full-time and the difference between the part-time and full-time salaries could be used
for consulting services.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS:
Mayor Peterson reported that her goal is to make committee appointments at the
February meeting, and requested assistance from Common Council and the community
in helping to fill vacancies.
January 7, 2004
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COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR:
19.1 Disclosure Statements:
Mayor Peterson announced that Common Council members need to submit their annual
disclosure statements, using the old form, to the Clerk’s office by February 1st. She
further explained that changes need to be made to the revised form, and when the form
is ready she will request that Council members complete the new form and submit it to
the City Clerk’s office.
19.2 Inter-municipal Joint Sewer Agreement:
Mayor Peterson reported that signed copies of the Joint Sewer Agreement, the Joint
Interceptor Agreement between the City of Ithaca and the Town of Ithaca, and the
Intermunicipal Wastewater Agreement have been received from Attorney Susan Brock’s
office.
19.3 Standing Committees:
Mayor Peterson announced the following new standing committees for the City of
Ithaca:
City Administration, Chair – Alderperson Berry
Governance, Chair - Alderperson Mackesey
Community Services, Chair – Alderperson Whitmore
Planning, Neighborhoods & Economic Development, Chair – Alderperson Tomlan
Mayor Peterson further announced the following Task Forces:
Public Information Commission
Budget Planning
Intergovernmental Relations
Charter & Code Review
Mayor Peterson announced Common Council liaisons to the various boards and
committees. She further reported that 3 representatives need to be appointed to the
TCAT Board, and one representative needs to be appointed to the Business
Improvement District Committee.
Appointment to Business Improvement District:
By Alderperson Cogan: Seconded by Alderperson Whitmore
RESOLVED, That Michelle Berry be appointed to the Business Improvement District
Committee to represent the City of Ithaca.
Carried Unanimously
Mayor Peterson stated that meeting times for the standing committees need to be
determined, and will be announced after she meets with the committee Chairs.
REPORT FROM THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT:
Director of Planning and Development Van Cort and Superintendent of Public Works
Gray gave a presentation to Common Council regarding the recent history of
development downtown and in the southwest area of the city, and reviewed plans for
current and future development in those areas, which include the Cayuga Green
Project, the Cornell/Ciminelli project and the Six Point Traffic Plan. They further
reported on what Council can expect to be coming to them for approval in the coming
months. Common Council members requested that they be given the text of the
presentation to read and become familiar with. Further discussion followed regarding
financial impacts, and funding for the projects.
January 7, 2004
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REPORT OF THE CITY CONTROLLER:
City Controller Thayer reported that sales tax revenue for 2003 will exceed expected
amounts. Revenue from sales tax for 2003 will be eight million dollars. He also
reported that the City has maintained its AA3 bond rating which will bode well for future
interest rates. The City also sold bond anticipation notes at 1.22%, and bonds were
sold at 3.55%.
Alderperson Whitmore expressed his appreciation for the hard work done by the City
Controller’s office.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 9:55 P.M.
___________________________ __________________________
Sarah Myers, Carolyn K. Peterson
Information Management Specialist Mayor