HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-2009-12-03
COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Joint Meeting with Town of Ithaca Board 6:30 p.m. December 3, 2009
PRESENT:
Acting Mayor Daniel Cogan
Town Supervisor Herb Engman
Common Council Members: Dotson, Rosario, Clairborne, Tomlan, Zumoff, Myrick,
Mohlenhoff
Town of Ithaca Board Members: Leary, DePaolo, Goodman, Hunter, Levine, Stein
OTHERS PRESENT:
Joint City/Town Study Group Members: Tom Neiderkorn, Nathan Fawcett, Ellen
McCollister, Peter Stein, Paul Eberts by teleconference
City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
City Attorney – Hoffman
City Controller - Thayer
Deputy Economic Development Director – DeSarno
Acting Fire Chief – Dorman
Superintendent of Public Works – Gray
Acting Asst. Supt. of Streets & Facilities – Benjamin
Board of Public Works Commissioner – Wykstra
Tompkins County Legislature Members: Robertson, Keifer, Chock, Burbank
EXCUSED:
Mayor Peterson
Alderpersons (2): Schuler, Coles
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Acting Mayor Cogan led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
Presentation by the Joint City/Town Study Group on Shared Services and
Consolidation
Town Supervisor Engman thanked the Study Group for all of their work on this initiative,
and noted that shared services and consolidation has become a hot topic in New York
State.
Mr. Neiderkorn also extended his thanks to the members of the Study Group for their
dedication and work on this study. He explained the City’s and Town’s long history of
exploring the possibilities of consolidation, noting that the first consolidation study was
conducted in 1946. The most recent Study Group held its first meeting on December 1,
2006 and worked through April, 2009.
Town Board Representative and Study Group member Peter Stein briefly described the
budget difficulties that New York State and most municipalities are facing. He
highlighted various consolidation/shared services initiatives that are occurring across
the State. He noted that this study only included the City and Town; however, it would
be logical to include the Village of Cayuga Heights as well, as all three entities are
geographically connected.
He noted that the 1946 Greater Ithaca Fact Finding Commission concluded that
consolidation did not make sense at that time. In 1957, the Greater Ithaca Regional
Planning Board embarked on another study and hired Tom Neiderkorn as the
consultant for that study.
Mr. Stein reviewed the median family income and poverty figures for the City, Town,
and Village of Cayuga Heights. He further discussed the benefits of shared services
such as utilizing economies of scale, potentially lower property taxes, and reduction in
December 3, 2009
2
duplication of services. He noted that many City, Town, and County departments
already share equipment and provide services and supplies when needed. He
highlighted existing joint service initiatives such as Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit
(TCAT), the Wastewater Treatment Plant, Bolton Point Water Commission, and the
City/Town Fire contract. He noted that an unrealized benefit of consolidation would be
creating an “area-wide view” when considering issues such as integrated planning and
funding for projects.
Mr. Stein reported that the Study Group’s analysis showed that the amount of money
saved by consolidating services would not be great; however, the Group came to the
conclusion that “area-wide views” should be seriously taken into consideration. He
referred Council and the Board to page 20 of the report that details commonly
expressed arguments in favor of, and in opposition to, full consolidation.
Mr. Stein also reviewed the different property tax rates illustrated on page 21 of the
report, noting that property taxes are not well understood by members of the
community. He explained that the Fire Services tax is not included in the Town tax rate
but is included in the City’s. He further noted that levels of debt and debt service are
the main reason that the tax rates are different. If an agreement was made stating that
debt would not be shared, Town residents would see a tax increase of approximately
$150.
Mr. Stein stated that in order for this type of initiative to be successful, it would be
imperative that everyone better understands:
• Tax rate issues
• Identity politics
• The government perspective
• The design of a unified government of Greater Ithaca (the re-drawing of election
districts for equal representation).
The recommendations of the Study Group are for the City and Town (and possibly
legislators from the Village of Cayuga Heights) to:
• Find funding to conduct further studies
• Develop a shared vision and a broad policy decision to consolidate over time
• Create joint City/Town neighborhood associations in border areas so that the
concerns of residents could be handled in a coordinated manner
• Initiate broad-based public discussions of shared services and consolidation
A question and answer period followed on the floor between Common Council and
Town Board members, and the Study Group.
Town Board member Tee-Ann Hunter inquired about the possibility of accelerating the
process to pay-down the debt of the City. She also noted that the following items
should be added to the list of items that need to be better understood:
• Intermunicipal infrastructure needs
• Differences in fiscal constraints between the Town and the City
• The election / representation differences such as at-large vs. by Ward
Town Board member Patricia Leary inquired as to when the Town and City could further
discuss / debate the topic, noting that the Town of Ithaca has already voted not to
pursue this issue. She stated that the basic issue is one of control / governance. She
noted other differences between the Town and City such as approaches to
development, and the at-large vs. by ward representation. She commented that post-
consolidation studies have shown that property tax rates do not go down, and things do
not really change. The action turns out to be more like an annexation.
Alderperson Dotson expressed an interest in exploring the idea of a joint legislative
committee, noting that it would be helpful for issues like the development of
comprehensive plans that both the City and Town are undertaking currently.
December 3, 2009
3
Further discussion followed on the floor with the legislators voicing their opinions
regarding the benefits of increased coordination between the two municipalities.
Town Supervisor Engman questioned whether the Study Group considered the
possibility of consolidating all municipalities into one County entity, or dissolving the
County government, leaving only the Towns & the City. He noted that the configuration
of the County has not changed in 150 years and the structure of land use has not
changed either; however, County services have vastly increased. Mr. Stein responded
that it was not studied as it was not within the scope of work the group was given.
Alderperson Cogan stated that he supports further exploration and seeking grant
opportunities to fund additional studies. Town Board member Stein noted that New
York State grants are available that would require a 5% match from the Town and a 5%
match from the City.
Mr. Neiderkorn commented that if the Town Board or Common Council does not believe
that consolidation would work, then it doesn’t make sense to pursue the issue further.
He noted that staff from both municipalities have voiced their willingness to share
additional services and suggested that both legislative bodies conduct conversations
with staff to develop those ideas.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
______________________________ _______________________________
Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Daniel Cogan
City Clerk Acting Mayor