HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-G&IMR-2006-05-22 GOVERNANCE AND INTERMUNICIPAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting Monday May 22, 2006 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT:
Chair Joel Zumoff
Alderpersons (3) David Gelinas, Shane Seger, Mary Tomlan
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Attorney— Daniel Hoffman
Information Management Specialist - Cindie Day
Assistant City Attorney - Robert Sarachan
Deputy Chief- Edward Vallely
Ithaca Police - Lt. Timothy Williams
EXCUSED:
Alderperson Michelle Berry
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 24, 2006
By Alderperson: Tomlan Seconded by Alderperson: Gelinas
Resolved, That the minutes of the April 24, 2006 meeting be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ching Po (Betsy), City of Ithaca, addressed the Committee in support of the
enforcement of the Exterior Property Maintenance Ordinance. However she feels that
the fines should be issued to the responsible individual and not passed on to the
landlord.
Kyle Couchman, City of Ithaca, suggested that the Code Enforcement Officer go
through the trash to determine who left the garbage, and fine that individual. He stated
that landlords try to keep their properties cleaned up, however being located in a college
town presents many challenges.
DISCUSSION OF EXTERIOR PROPERTY MAINTENANCE ORDINANCE:
Assistant City Attorney Robert Saracan explained the offense levels and the
corresponding fine structure. He did not have the statistics regarding how many
individuals are repeat offenders. The fee structure for trash can lid violations is the
same as for garbage. Offenders can try to negotiate a reduction in their fine through the
court system.
Further discussion followed on the floor regarding a separate fine structure being
established for offenses of lids off the can as opposed to garbage offenses. This could
be referred to the Rental Housing Committee with a request to complete a cross
comparison of the fine structure which could be brought back to the Committee for
further discussion.
DISCUSSION OF RECORD-KEEPING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SECOND HAND
DEALERS LEGISLATION:
Deputy Police Chief Edward Vallely, Lt. Timothy Williams of the Ithaca City Police
Department and business owner Joe Wetmore discussed the requirements of the
Second Hand Dealers Legislation.
Joe Wetmore voiced his concern over personal privacy issues. He stated that recently
he purchased 800 books from the Friends of the Library sale and noted how time
consuming it would be to log all of the books, especially since one would not know
where the books originally came from.
Deputy Chief Vallely stated that only certain personnel from the Ithaca Police
Department are authorized to look at the records and the intent is not to see what a
person is reading, but the applicability to a specific crime.
Deputy Chief Vallely stated that if the legislation wasn't in place, some second hand
dealers would not give the police information for criminal investigation.
DISCUSSION OF COMMON COUNCIL RULES OF PROCEDURE (VOTING RULES):
Chair Zumoff stated that he supported leaving the Rules of Procedure as they stand.
Alderperson Gelinas and Seger concurred.
Chair Zumoff noted however, that there should be a short resolution drafted for the July
meeting to change one line in the Rules so it does not specifically refer to Individual
Filed Resolutions, but to include other motions such as ordinances and Local Laws as
well.
DISCUSSION OF NOISE ORDINANCE :
City Attorney Hoffman updated the Committee on the recent court decision regarding a
man preaching loudly on the Ithaca Commons. The man was issued a ticket for a
violation of the City's Noise Ordinance. The court did not deem that the Ordinance was
unconstitutional, however it did find that it was not enforced properly. Changes are not
required to the legislation at this time. However attention does need to be paid to proper
enforcement of the law. The outcome did not say that it was unconstitutional, or not
proper order. Therefore there is not a problem with the ordinance, but it needs to be
enforced properly.
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ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
CILIA Uo
Cindie L. Day I Jo Zumoff
Information Management Specialist Chair