HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-2008-01-02COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m. January 2, 2008
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Alderpersons (9) Coles, Dotson, Rosario, Clairborne, Tomlan, Zumoff,
Myrick, Cogan, Korherr
NOTE: Fourth Ward Alderperson David Gelinas submitted a letter of resignation
effective December 31, 2007.
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
City Attorney – Hoffman
City Controller – Thayer
Planning and Development Director – VanCort
Fire Chief – Wilbur
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Peterson led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
4. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
4.1 Appointment of Acting Mayor - Resolution
Opening of Nominations
Alderperson Tomlan nominated Alderperson Daniel Cogan for the position of Acting
Mayor; Alderperson Coles seconded the nomination.
Alderperson Tomlan stated that Alderperson Cogan was attentive to the duties as Acting
Mayor during the past year. She further stated that as a senior member of Common
Council he has a broad knowledge of community and city government.
Hearing no further recommendation, the nominations were closed.
Resolution
RESOLVED, That Alderperson Daniel Cogan be appointed to the position of Acting Mayor
with a term to expire December 31, 2008.
Carried Unanimously (9-0)
4.2 Appointment of Alternate Acting Mayor - Resolution
Opening of Nominations
Alderperson Dotson nominated Alderperson Maria Coles for the position of Alternate
Acting Mayor; Alderperson Zumoff seconded the nomination.
Hearing no further recommendations, the nominations were closed.
Resolution
RESOLVED, That Alderperson Maria Coles be appointed to the position of Alternate
Acting Mayor with a term to expire December 31, 2008.
Carried Unanimously (9-0)
4.3 Appointment to fill the 4th Ward Vacancy
By Alderperson Coles: Seconded by Alderperson Cogan
WHEREAS, the resignation of David Gelinas, effective December 31, 2007 left a Fourth
Ward seat vacant on the Common Council, and
WHEREAS, the Charter of the City of Ithaca provides that, “if a vacancy shall happen in
any elective office other than Mayor, the Common Council shall fill the same by
appointment”, and
January 2, 2008
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WHEREAS, the Fourth Ward Democratic Committee has submitted a recommendation
to appoint Nancy Schuler to fill the Fourth Ward seat; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council, pursuant to Section C-100 of the Charter of the
City of Ithaca, hereby appoints Nancy Schuler to serve as a Common Council
representative of the Fourth Ward through December 31, 2008.
Alderperson Coles stated that she has known Ms. Schuler for many years and
appreciates her friendliness, devotion, and attentiveness to detail in the community.
No other nominations were put forth.
Alderperson Rosario voiced his concern with the process that was being followed in
filling the 4th Ward vacancy. He noted that former Alderperson Gelinas’ resignation was
effective December 31, 2007 and a new name is being put forth for appointment without
an appropriate amount of time to research the background of the candidate. He
explained that Ms. Schuler was proactive and reached out to him and he was able to
spend time getting to know her and understanding her positions, however he would
have liked the opportunity to review resume or recommendations for her. He further
voiced concern regarding the placement of this item on the agenda prior to the public
comment period.
Amending Resolution:
By Alderperson Rosario: Seconded by Alderperson Clairborne
RESOLVED, That the following Whereas clause be added as the last Whereas clause:
“WHEREAS, in Common Council’s estimation Nancy Schuler has demonstrated strong
qualifications for the role of Alderperson based on a long record of effective service to
our community, including but not limited to twenty years of public service as an elected
official on the Common Council representing the 4th Ward for two terms and more
recently on the Tompkins County Legislature for four terms; now therefore, be it”
Carried Unanimously (9-0)
Mayor Peterson explained that she hadn’t wanted to presume the appointment of Nancy
Schuler, but her nomination was the only party nomination that the City received for the
vacancy in the 4th Ward of the City of Ithaca.
Alderperson Rosario stated that the resolution should reflect that other people/parties
had an opportunity to nominate a candidate.
Amending Resolution:
By Alderperson Dotson: Seconded by Alderperson Cogan
RESOLVED, That the following Whereas clause be added to the resolution as the last
Whereas clause:
“WHEREAS, no recommendation for appointment to the seat has been received from
any other political party; now therefore, be it”
Carried Unanimously (9-0)
City Attorney Hoffman explained that Alderperson Gelinas’ intention to resign was
publicized in the media in September 2007. He further explained that the item’s
placement on the agenda was so the new Council member could be sworn into office
prior to the business portion of the meeting.
Alderperson Tomlan thanked Alderpersons Rosario and Dotson for their improvements
to the resolution and stated that she is delighted to have Ms. Schuler fill this seat and
welcomes her contributions to Common Council.
January 2, 2008
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Alderperson Clairborne stated that he has known Ms. Schuler through the Tompkins
County Legislature and as a vocal constituent. He stated that he welcomes her addition
to Common Council and feels that due to her extensive work as a former Council
member and County legislator, she should not be treated as a “newbie”.
A Vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously (9-0)
Mayor Peterson administered the oath of office to Nancy B. Schuler and she took her
seat on Common Council representing the 4th Ward.
Alderperson Schuler thanked Common Council for their kind words and stated that she
is looking forward to working with everyone.
4.4 Appointment of Marriage Officers – Resolution
By Alderperson Cogan: Seconded by Alderperson Clairborne
RESOLVED, That the following Alderpersons be designated as Marriage Officers for
the year 2008:
Alderperson Dotson Alderperson Schuler
Alderperson Clairborne Alderperson Rosario
Alderperson Myrick Alderperson Cogan
Alderperson Korherr
Alderperson Dotson stated that despite the fact that she cannot marry her partner in this
State or Country, she is looking forward to being a Marriage Officer.
A Vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
PETITIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE COUNCIL:
Sylvester Johnson addressed Common Council in support of a Federal carbon tax and
requested that Common Council consider a resolution on emission trading that could be
forwarded to State representatives.
Fay Gougakis, City of Ithaca, congratulated the new members of Common Council and
apologized for her behavior at the last meeting. She stated that she is concerned about
citizens using the dog park who did not disclose what municipality they live in. She
further voiced her concerns regarding the use of cell phones while driving and asked
Common Council to exercise their influence to enforce laws in public spaces.
Bren Pillar, addressed Common Council to question when the fence would be installed
at the temporary off-leash dog area. She explained that volunteers have placed posts
for the fence but noted that it is still illegal to use the off-leash dog area until the fence is
completely erected. She asked Common Council to ensure that this work gets
completed quickly and stated that there are volunteers who would be willing to assist.
City Clerk Holcomb read into the record a communication from the Ithaca Urban
Renewal Agency regarding a Public Hearing Notice for the 2008 Action Plan
Development – Community Development Block Grant and HOME Programs. The
public hearing will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 24, 2008 in Common
Council Chambers at City Hall, 108 E. Green Street, Ithaca, NY.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR – COMMON COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR:
Alderperson Zumoff responded to comments made by Ms. Gougakis regarding the off-
leash dog area, and explained that the Committee on Open Government has
determined that speakers do not have to give their names or addresses when they
address Common Council.
Alderperson Rosario responded to comments made regarding the off-leash dog area
and wondered if an update could be provided to Common Council on the status of the
installation of the temporary fence.
January 2, 2008
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Mayor Peterson stated that the City has limited staff to work on the fence in the off-
leash dog area and that snow and ice removal has been their priority. She further
stated that the Department of Public Works wants to string the top wire of the fence but
perhaps volunteers could do the rest. She stated that she checks on the status of the
fence on a daily basis.
Alderperson Tomlan explained that the Planning Committee agenda was abbreviated
last month and that it was also the last meeting for Planning & Development Director
Thys VanCort. She shared her thoughts and memories of working with Mr. Van Cort.
Alderperson Dotson thanked Mr. Johnson for speaking up on climate change and the
carbon emission issues.
Alderperson Clairborne reported that the Tompkins County Legislature has appointed
Michael Koplinka-Loehr as its Chair, and Leslyn McBean Clairborne as its Vice Chair for
2008. He also welcomed Ithaca’s newest citizen to the community, his mother, Beverly
Clairborne.
8. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:
8.1 Finance/Controller - Designation of Official Newspaper
By Alderperson Cogan: Seconded by Alderperson Zumoff
RESOLVED, That, pursuant to Section C-113 of the City Charter, the Ithaca Journal be
and is hereby designated as the official newspaper of the City of Ithaca for the year 2008.
Carried Unanimously
8.2 Finance/Controller - Collateral to Secure Deposits
By Alderperson Cogan: Seconded by Alderperson Zumoff
RESOLVED, That the collateral deposited by the Tompkins County Trust Company, Bank
of America, JP Morgan Chase, Citizens Bank and M & T Bank as reported, be approved
as to form and sufficiency.
Carried Unanimously
8.3 Finance/Controller - Public Employee's Blanket Bond
By Alderperson Cogan: Seconded by Alderperson Zumoff
RESOLVED, That pursuant to Section 11 of the Public Officers Law, the following Bond,
which is on file in the Office of the City Clerk, be, and is hereby approved in all respects for
the year 2008.
Faithful Performance Blanket $250,000 National Grange
Bond Coverage Mutual Insurance Co.
Carried Unanimously
8.4 Finance/Controller - Designation of Common Council Meetings
By Alderperson Cogan: Seconded by Alderperson Zumoff
RESOLVED, That the regular meetings of the Common Council, for the year 2008, be
held at 7:00 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.
Carried Unanimously
8.5 Finance/Controller - Designation of Official Depositories
By Alderperson Cogan: Seconded by Alderperson Zumoff
RESOLVED, That pursuant to Section C-34 of the City Charter, the Tompkins County
Trust Company, the Fleet Bank and the M & T Bank be, and they are, hereby designated
as the official depositories of all City Funds for the year 2008 and are currently deposited
as follows:
January 2, 2008
5
TOMPKINS COUNTY TRUST COMPANY
ACCOUNT NAME ACCOUNT NUMBER
City of Ithaca Operating Fund 01-201-001004
Employees Group Insurance Deductions 08-201-001004
City of Ithaca Payroll Fund 04-201-001004
City of Ithaca-Wire Transfer 06-201-001004
City of Ithaca BID Assessments 06-201-001055
Employees N.Y.S. Withholding Tax 08-201-001004
Employees U.S. Savings Bonds 08-201-001004
N.Y.S. Police, Fire and Employees
Retirement System 08-201-001004
Payroll Benefits - Flexible Spending 08-201-001004
BC BS Insurance – Health 08-201-001004
BC BS Insurance – Vision 08-201-001004
Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment
JT Account Operating 01-101-110103
Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Capital Fund 02-101-110103
Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Investment Savings 11-101-110103
City of Ithaca Invest Savings 11-201-001004
Fireman’s Relief Fund 14-101-080719
M & T BANK
ACCOUNT NAME ACCOUNT NUMBER
Department of Justice Grant 8890767380
Debt Service Fund 8890767398
Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant
Capital Reserve 9837877209
Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment
Capital Fund 8890767372
Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment
Parking Ticket Payment Account 8890767356
Trust Fund 8890767349
Capital Reserves 8890767331
Construction Fund 8890767315
Guaranty and Bid Deposits 8890767349
Health Facility Agreement 8890878349
Deposit on Water Meters 8890767349
Ithaca Fire Department Bunker Facilities 8890767349
Ithaca Area Wastewater Investment Savings 8890767463
Sale of Unclaimed Property 8890767349
Circle Greenway 8890767349
Conference on College and Community 8890767349
Center for Expressive Arts 8890767349
Peter DeWysocki Memorial Fund 8890767349
Cemetery Fund 8890767349
Commons Cultural Tourism 8890767349
Jack Kiely Scholarship Fund 8890767349
DeWitt Park Improvement Fund 8890767349
Centennial Art Work 8890767349
GIAC Youth Enterprise Fund 8890767349
FICA Overpayment Reimbursement 8890767349
Capital Reserve Fund #4 - Bridges 9837878215
Capital Reserve Fund #11 - Parks and
Recreation Areas 9837878215
Capital Reserve Fund #14 - Parking Areas 9837878215
Capital Reserve Fund #15 - Fire Engine
Replacement 9837878215
Capital Reserve Fund #16 - Development of 9837878215
Water Sources 9837878215
January 2, 2008
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Capital Reserve Fund #17 - Sewer Construction 9837878215
Capital Reserve Fund #17A – Mandatory
Reserve for Sewer Plant Construction 9837878215
Capital Reserve Fund #20 - West Hill Water
and Sewer Replacement 9837878215
Capital Reserve Fund #22 - Bus Replacement 9837878215
Capital Reserve Fund #23 - Public Works Equipment 9837878215
Capital Reserve Fund #24 - Energy Conservation 9837878215
Capital Reserve Fund #25 - Capital Improvements 9837878215
Capital Reserve Fund #26 - Land Acquisition 9837878215
Capital Reserve Fund #27 - DPW Consolidation 9837878215
Capital Reserve Fund #28 – Mandatory Debt Reserve 9837878215
ECHO 8890767349
Six Mile Creek Natural Area 8890767349
Thermal Imaging Unit 8890767349
Fire Department 175 Anniversary 8890767349
Rick Gray Memorial 8890767349
Stewart Park Carousel Fund 8890767349
Rt. 13 Plaza Light 8890767349
Northside Neighborhood Cleanup 8890767349
1896 Steamer Public Display Fund 8860767349
Moore Memorial 8890767349
Community Risk 8890767349
IFD Bunker Facilities 8890767349
Stewart Park Landscaping 8890767349
Wood Street Benches 8890767349
IPAC Escrow 8860767349
Carried Unanimously
8.6 Common Council - Approval of 2008 Travel Policy
By Alderperson Cogan: Seconded by Alderperson Zumoff
WHEREAS, there is to be held during the coming official year a) the New York State
Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting and Training School; b) the New York State
Conference of Mayors and Fall Training School for Fiscal Officers and Municipal Clerks,
and other national and regional conferences as applicable, and
WHEREAS, it is determined by the Mayor and Common Council that attendance by
certain municipal officials and City employees at one or more of these meetings,
conferences or schools benefits the municipality; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council, the Mayor and City employees are hereby
authorized to attend said conferences or other applicable training events during 2008,
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the cost for all events must be derived from existing 2008
Departmental Budgets with appropriate approvals obtained as applicable, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That this resolution shall take effect immediately.
Carried Unanimously
8.7 Fire Department - Request to Amend Roster – Temporary Fire Lieutenant
Position - Resolution
By Alderperson Cogan: Seconded by Alderperson Zumoff
WHEREAS, a current Ithaca Fire Department (IFD) Lieutenant is a member of the New
York National Guard, and will be ordered to serve on active duty for deployment in
Afghanistan during January, 2008; and
WHEREAS, it is anticipated the Lieutenant will be on active duty with the military for 15
months; and
January 2, 2008
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WHEREAS, Common Council authorized in the 2008 budget the creation of a
temporary fire fighter position to address this situation; and
WHEREAS, the temporary fire fighter position is intended to backfill the vacancy
created by a temporary promotion of a fire fighter to the position of lieutenant to fill the
vacancy created by the absence of the Lieutenant; and
WHEREAS, Common Council must authorize the creation of a temporary fire lieutenant
position to allow this process to proceed; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby authorizes the creation of a temporary fire
lieutenant position in the Ithaca Fire Department, effective eight days prior to and as
needed to cover the absence caused by the training and active duty deployment of the
current IFD Lieutenant; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That funds necessary to accomplish this in 2008 will be derived from
existing appropriations in the 2008 budget; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That funds necessary to accomplish this during 2009 will be incorporated
in the 2009 operating budget; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That authorization for this temporary lieutenant position will expire at such
time as the Lieutenant returns to full duty at the Ithaca Fire Department. Full duty in this
context means that the Lieutenant has returned to work and has been fully oriented and
re-certified as necessary to perform his job.
Carried Unanimously
8.8 Youth Bureau - Request to Amend Roster – Creation of Recreation Facility
Maintainer - Resolution
By Alderperson Cogan: Seconded by Alderperson Zumoff
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Youth Bureau has requested permission to amend the personnel
roster in order to complete a planned transition of an employee to a higher level position
now that the employee has acquired the skills, experience and certifications (certified
pool operator) required, and
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Youth Bureau can make the needed changes within the 2008
approved budget without requesting additional funding, and
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Youth Bureau has been working closely with the Human
Resources Department on this reorganization of the Cass Park Maintenance Division
for some time; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends the 2008 Youth Bureau roster,
effective January 7, 2008, as follows:
Add: One (1) Recreation Facility Maintainer
Delete: One (1) Recreation Facility Maintenance Worker
and be it further
RESOLVED, That needed funds for said roster amendment shall be derived within the
2008 Approved Budget.
Carried Unanimously
9. PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
No Items Submitted for Agenda
10. CITY ADMINISTRATION
10.1 Planning and Development - Authorization of Additional Funds for Capital
Project #721 Collegetown Urban Plan and Design Guidelines
By Alderperson Coles: Seconded by Alderperson Myrick
WHEREAS, on December 7, 2005, the Common Council authorized the establishment
of a Collegetown Client Committee, later renamed the Collegetown Vision Task Force,
charged with “formulating a vision for Collegetown development that will reflect the
January 2, 2008
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interests and concerns of that community and the city as a whole, and with
recommending steps to reach that vision,” and
WHEREAS, on June 6, 2007, the Common Council endorsed the Collegetown Vision
Statement as a guide for shaping the growth and form of Collegetown, and established
the Collegetown Vision Implementation Committee (“CVIC”), charged with prioritizing
the recommendations of the vision statement and preparing a strategy for their
implementation, and
WHEREAS, at its meetings on August 14 and 28, 2007, the CVIC determined that the
highest priority recommendation of the vision statement was to prepare an urban plan
for Collegetown, and
WHEREAS, on September 5, 2007, the Common Council approved Capital Project
#721 Collegetown Urban Plan and Design Guidelines in an amount not to exceed
$75,000 with a commitment from Cornell University to contribute a dollar-for-dollar
match up to $75,000, and
WHEREAS, on September 5, 2007, the Common Council extended the charge of the
CVIC and expanded its membership, to conduct a search for a firm to work with the City
on the preparation of an urban plan and design guidelines, and
WHEREAS, in light of the priority recommendation of the vision statement and the
anticipated urban plan, on October 3, 2007, the Common Council established a 12-
month moratorium on new development in Collegetown intended to allow a reasonable
period for the city to prepare the urban plan and design guidelines, and to implement
any zoning recommendations of the plan so that new construction conforms to the
principles of the vision statement, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Department of Planning & Development issued a
Request for Qualifications from urban design firms interested in the Collegetown Urban
Plan and Design Guidelines and received seventeen responses from firms nation-wide,
and
WHEREAS, the selection committee chose to conduct in-depth interviews with four of
the seventeen firms, resulting in the selection of Goody Clancy, headquartered in
Boston, Massachusetts, and
WHEREAS, the Goody Clancy team includes sub-consultants strong in the areas of
transportation planning and real estate economics, but the preparation of code
language necessary to implement the plan’s design guidelines and zoning
recommendations through adoption as part of the Municipal Code was included as an
“add-on,” and
WHEREAS, the preparation of new legislation appropriate for inclusion in the Municipal
Code is a project component deemed especially important by the selection committee
and the Department of Planning & Development in light of the time constraint of the
moratorium, and
WHEREAS, Department of Planning & Development staff have interviewed firms on
the basis of information contained in the RFQ responses, and recommend Code Studio
as the most highly qualified to prepare the legal code for the Collegetown design
guidelines and zoning amendments, and
WHEREAS, the cost of this addition to the project scope is $30,000, toward which it is
hoped that Cornell University will increase its dollar-for-dollar match by up to $15,000;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Common Council approves an addition to Capital Project #721 in
an amount not to exceed $15,000 for a total project authorization of $90,000, contingent
upon an equal match from Cornell University, for the purpose of engaging Code Studio
to prepare the code amendments necessary to implement the urban plan and design
guidelines for Collegetown, in a format ready for consideration by the Common Council
for adoption as part of the Municipal Code, and be it further
January 2, 2008
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RESOLVED, That funds necessary for said project amendment shall be financed by a
General Fund Advance with later repayment by the issuance of serial Bonds if
applicable.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the development of the plan and
the importance of having legislation in place to support it. Planning and Development
Director Van Cort explained the need for additional funding and why this component
was placed as an “add-on” element instead of being included in the RFQ. Further
discussion followed on the floor regarding the building moratorium that is currently in
place and the need to stick to a strict timeline for the implementation of this plan.
A Vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (8) Coles, Dotson, Clairborne, Tomlan, Myrick, Schuler, Cogan,
Korherr
Nays (2) Rosario, Zumoff
Abstentions (0)
Carried
10.2 City Controller’s Report:
City Controller Thayer welcomed new members of Common Council and reported on
the following:
Year-end activity is on-going and further information will be available in a few weeks
Sales tax is $60,000 below the 2007 budget amount, but there was a 6.4% increase
over 2006 activity.
Parking revenues – meters exceeded the 2007 budget by $11,000
Health insurance totals $6.1 million and claims are over budget by $193,000. This
should even out with employee contributions.
Fine revenues are on budget at $850,000
Overtime costs are $360,000 over budget, however there was improvement over 2006.
Building permits are $466,000 over budget
Snow removal costs are under budget
Overall budget should be on the positive side
11. ENVIRONMENT & NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY COMMITTEE:
11.1 2007 Environment & Neighborhood Quality Work Plan Review - Discussion
Alderperson Korherr reported on the following 2007 activities:
Pedestrian Advisory Committee recommendations are being implemented and there
was public recognition for snow removal efforts with the presentation of the 2007
Golden Shovel Award. There are still outstanding issues with education and
enforcement.
The following topics were also discussed:
Local Action Plan for reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Issues of Race and effects of racism. The Ithaca City School District was
brought in to participate in the discussion and the committee would like to
institutionalize this issue
Youth Services/Recreation Partnership – GIAC/Youth Bureau programs
The off-leash dog park issue dominated agendas and work will continue to find a
permanent solution.
Smoke free zone – public input needs to be gathered
Federal tax on fossil fuels
Truck traffic through the City of Ithaca
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Ithaca Car Share – designated parking spaces
Exterior Property Issues
Emerson contamination issues on South Hill
Sister City Relationship with the 7th Ward of New Orleans
Alderperson Korherr reported that overall it was a productive year and she has great
respect for the level of energy and dedication of the committee members to these
issues. She further thanked City Attorney Hoffman and his staff for their hard work on
behalf of the committee.
12. COMMUNICATIONS & EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMITTEE:
12.1 2008 Common Council Orientation – Report
Alderperson Clairborne reported that the 2008 Orientation Session will be open to all
Common Council members to discuss communication issues and to share information
with each other. He stated that additional topics will include: creating a safe space for
Council members to discuss issues, improving/maintaining relationships, establishing
trust between Common Council members and with the workforce, Robert’s Rules of
Order, constituency service. The orientation will be conducted in multiple sessions to
provide a comprehensive approach and a leadership development series will also be
established. He further stated that the next orientation planning session is scheduled
for Tuesday, January 8, 2008.
16. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS:
16.1 Mayor’s State of the City Address:
Mayor Peterson presented the following 2008 State of the City report:
“Our city administrative legislation states that the Mayor shall address the Common
Council at the first regular meeting of the year with “respect to the needs and resources
of the city, including such programs and proposals for the good of the city as he/she
may wish to recommend.”
I would like to start by quickly reviewing some of the 2007 state of the city remarks in
order to check our progress. Many issues will remain from work in 2007 that will
continue into 2008. They all show progress, some greater than others depending on the
complexity of the topic. The 2007 report listed:
The Green Garage and Cayuga Green. This year, the Green Garage is nearly
ready to open and the Cayuga Green project of housing and retail is up and out
of the ground, with work on its third floor commencing.
Ithaca Gun. The city is awaiting a decision on a Restore New York grant for this
vitally important project. We are the closest we have been in creating a solution
for site cleanup, demolition of a hazardous eyesore, the construction of more
than 30 living units, and a new city park.
The implementation committee for the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King
Junior diversity walkway, based on the vision work of a committee in 2007, has
been established and will have its first meeting this month.
The Collegetown vision was completed and the next stages for a revitalized
Collegetown are well underway with a strict timeline for 2008.
Both the sustainability/Local Action Plan and Public Information initiatives were
started in 2007 and will see concrete steps in 2008. Both areas will see some
funding directed toward part time consultant positions to focus on and expand
green initiatives in the case of the Local Action Plan (which will be supervised by
the mayor), and to improve the city’s web presence and information sharing in
the case of the public information position (which will be supervised by the city
clerk).
Projects in the planning stages in 2007 included Inlet Island, dredging, and the
Southwest Urban Neighborhood. I am pleased to say that the Southwest Urban
Neighborhood project is progressing with site studies. The consultant contract for
dredging planning will be signed within a week. The Inlet Island development is
waiting a reworking of the proposals for that site, including the possibility of an
agreement with the State that combines issues around the Festival Lands as
well.
Major priority areas of new housing in all income ranges, intermunicipal
cooperation and joint planning efforts will still headline 2008. With Cornell
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University’s offer of twenty million dollars countywide to assist with such issues,
discussions on housing and intermunicipal cooperation have taken on an
additional direction in efforts to create a proposal for the university and the use of
some of that funding.
The resolution for the city’s water plant should occur in 2008 with the completion
of environmental review this spring.
There is also a great deal of work that is being conducted by city departments, staff, and
Council members, both ongoing and to be started. Early in the year, search committees
will be organized, following the city charter, to select a department head for the planning
department and for the police department. City staff and council members are laying the
ground work for the process of charter review and a new comprehensive plan. Next
week the consultant’s analysis of the GIAC facility will be presented. The building
department is progressing well on streamlining its procedures and using up to date
information technology. The police department is embarking on a new public information
tool.
This list alone seems like a daunting one for the city, yet many other projects are not
mentioned. To manage this huge workload, one of the key administrative areas that
senior staff and I will be working toward is project management tools including
organization of work, follow through on requests and regular consistent updates on
progress. From the above list it is clear that this is a multi-tasking organization with a lot
on its plate. Creating a structure and a list of priorities will only be successful with
cooperation between departments, with my office, and with the elected officials. It will be
a challenge, but an important one for success for the city.
As I did last year, I would like to reiterate a theme of our governor, Eliot Spitzer, that is
to revitalize and rebuild the economy of New York State, especially in our upstate cities.
Fiscal pressures, including several new state mandates, continue to impact finances in
cities. Restoring state aid to levels commensurate with the late 1980s, support of urban
centers and infrastructure, and statewide economic future plans will all improve the
outlook for Ithaca. The city will continue to advocate for this key state support.
Notably, the administrative legislation emphasizes areas with “respect to the needs and
resources of the city”. One of the key resources of our city, both internal and external, is
people—our employees, our residents, our visitors, our children, the people who work in
Ithaca. Our work this year will also address issues of race, class, and inequality in the
city as we work daily to remember our vision to make Ithaca a Model Community: A
great place to create, dream, live, learn, work, and play with a mission to deliver high
quality services to preserve and enhance the well-being of our community through
valuing people as our greatest asset, believing in effective and responsive relationships,
and by striving to produce excellent results in service and continuous improvement.
A great deal of this work is set by policy of the Common Council. The Common Council
also has a workload that needs good management. In discussing the committees with
acting mayor Cogan, our brainstorming inspired a very different approach to the
committee structure in 2008. The structure meets several goals: one less committee, a
built in full council session in addition to the common council monthly meeting, and an
opportunity to have all of council together regularly to discuss issues around council
orientation and significant issues that are better discussed in a fully constituted meeting
rather than a committee of five.”
16.3 Common Council 2008 Standing Committee Structure:
Mayor Peterson presented the 2008 Standing Committee Structure as follows:
Planning and Economic Development Committee will meet the 3rd Wednesday of each
month at 7:30 p.m. The committee will consist of: Alderperson Tomlan, Chair,
Alderperson Rosario, Vice Chair, and Alderpersons Cogan, Myrick, Dotson.
City Administration Committee will meet the last Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
The committee will consist of: Alderperson Coles, Chair, and Alderpersons Zumoff,
Schuler, Korherr, Clairborne.
January 2, 2008
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Community & Organization Issues Committee – the first meeting will be Wednesday,
January 23, 2008 and future meeting dates will be determined at that meeting. This
committee will consist of all 10 members of Common Council
Committee Appointments:
16.2 Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council:
By Alderperson Cogan: Seconded by Alderperson Korherr
RESOLVED, That Matthew Freedman be appointed to the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory
Council to fill a vacancy with a term to expire December 31, 2010, and be it further
Board of Zoning Appeals:
RESOLVED, That Kenneth Reardon be reappointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals
with a term to expire December 31, 2010, and be it further
Public Art Commission:
RESOLVED, That Richard Driscoll be appointed to the Public Art Commission to fill a
vacancy with a term to expire June 30, 2009, and be it further
RESOLVED, That Wilka M. Roig be appointed to the Public Art Commission to fill a
vacancy with a term to expire June 30, 2010, and be it further
Youth Bureau Board:
RESOLVED, That Jeri Gallucci be reappointed to the Youth Bureau Board with a term
to expire December 31, 2010.
Carried Unanimously
REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY:
City Attorney Hoffman reported that there has been no new litigation filed against the
City. He further reported that two cases had been settled, an Article 78 hearing against
the Board of Zoning Appeals regarding the Building Department’s refusal to grant a
variance where the previous variance had lapsed; the variance was eventually granted.
The other case involved a labor matter where health care expenses exceeded the $1
million limit/lifetime; the parties came to an agreement and the insurance carrier will
cover the expenses.
MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Approval of the November 28, 2007 Special Common Council Meeting Minutes –
Resolution
By Alderperson Tomlan: Seconded by Alderperson Korherr
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the November 28, 2007 Special Common Council
Meeting be approved with noted corrections.
Alderperson Schuler stated that she would abstain from voting on this resolution as she
was not a member of the Common Council until January 2008.
A Vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (9) Coles, Dotson, Clairborne, Rosario, Zumoff, Tomlan,
Myrick, Korherr, Cogan
Nays (0)
Absentions (1) Schuler
Carried
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
______________________________ _______________________________
Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Carolyn K. Peterson,
City Clerk Mayor