HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-GOV-2005-05-02 GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Continuation of April 25, 2005 Meeting May 2, 2005 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT:
Chair Mackesey
Alderpersons (3) Whitmore, Zumoff, Taylor
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Attorney— Luster
Information Management Specialist - Day
Mayor Peterson
Alderperson Coles
Alderperson Tomlan
Alderperson Townsend
Police Chief Signer
Sr. Deputy Police Chief Haus
Deputy Police Chief Curatolo
Community Police Board Members
Excused
Alderperson (1) Korherr
PUBLIC COMMENT
Joel Harlan —Town of Newfield, commented on the city's policies on block parties and
noise.
Guy Gerard — City of Ithaca, addressed the committee regarding the stresses that loud
parties add to residential neighborhoods. He noted that past practices of police officers
warnings to college partiers did not solve the problem.
Proposed amendment to the City of Ithaca Municipal Code Chapter 240 Entitled "Noise"
— Resolution
By Alderperson Taylor: Seconded by Alderperson Korherr
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Common Council spent many months discussing the
problem of noise in the community, and
WHEREAS, the Common Council amended Chapter 240 of the City of Ithaca Municipal
Code entitled "Noise" to increase the maximum fines associated with violating the Noise
Ordinance, and
WHEREAS, proper enforcement was discussed at length with representatives from the
Ithaca Police Department and a new focus on responding promptly to noise complaints
and initiating noise complaints was adopted by Common Council and the Police
Department, and
WHEREAS, that effort has been highly lauded by city residents long affected by
inappropriate noise, and
WHEREAS, the use of handcuffs and detention are necessary elements of getting bail
from individuals accused of violating Chapter 240 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code
entitled "Noise", and
RESOLVED, That the Governance Committee urges Common Council to request that
the Mayor, in her capacity as Director of the Police Department, to reinforce the
language and intent of Chapter 240 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code entitled
"Noise".
RESOLVED, That the Governance Committee urges Common Council to request that
the Mayor, in her capacity as Director of the Police Department, prohibit the use of
arrest and detention in all but the most extreme violations of Chapter 240 of the City of
Ithaca Municipal Code entitled "Noise".
Extensive discussion continued on the floor regarding the resolution and the
enforcement of the Noise Ordinance. Police Chief Signer spoke to the Committee about
the procedures handled by the Ithaca Police Department regarding students and noise
violations. Each school year they try to educate the student population by speaking at
the colleges, sending flyers out regarding local laws and quality of life issues. Educating
students helps to minimize the negative factors that impact residential neighborhoods.
Members of the Community Police Board addressed the committee to explain their
charge and how they respond to complaints about police procedures and individual
police officers.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (1) Taylor
Nays (3)Whitmore, Zumoff, Mackesey
Abstentions (0)
Failed
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
CUnc .gyp
Cindie L. Day amela Mackesey
Information Management Specialist Chair