HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-COW-2016-04-27COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Committee of the Whole Meeting 6:00 p.m. April 27, 2016
PRESENT:
Mayor Myrick
Alderpersons (8) Brock, McGonigal, Murtagh, Nguyen, Gearhart Fleming,
Smith, Kerslick,
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
City Attorney – Lavine
City Controller – Thayer
EXCUSED:
Alderpersons: Mohlenhoff, Martell
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
Presentation of The Ithaca Plan: A Public Health and Safety Approach to Drugs and
Drug Policy:
Mayor Myrick introduced Lillian Fan, Assistant Director of Prevention Services – Harm
Reduction, Southern Tier AIDS Program and Co-Author of The Ithaca Plan. He
reviewed the history of the initiative which started in 2014 and involved several focus
groups and dozens of meetings with stakeholders. He further identified the four pillars
of the plan: prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and law enforcement. He reviewed
many of the recommendations in the Plan including one to create an independent Office
of Drug Policy.
Mayor Myrick identified next steps that include:
Creation of a Drug Policy Implementation Committee which would prioritize the
recommendations included in the Plan and develop budgets to go with them.
Community events such as movies, speakers, fundraising events
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the role that Tompkins County played in this
initiative. Mayor Myrick explained that many County employees were involved in the
various stakeholder groups; however, he neglected to include members of the
Tompkins County Legislature in the process. Common Council members stressed the
need to have the County involved in this initiative as they are responsible for public
health and they have valuable resources.
Further discussion followed regarding the number of doctors who are certified to
become a licensed prescriber of drugs like Methadone which combat the effects of
heroin. Doctors have to take 10 hours of training in order to prescribe those drugs and
can only issue 30 prescriptions without obtaining additional permissions to issue up to
100 prescriptions.
Alderperson Fleming asked where the former detox center was located and why it
closed. Ms. Fan responded that it was located at the hospital but closed in 2009. She
clarified that it was an alcohol detox center only, not drugs. Mayor Myrick noted that
one of the recommendations that he believes deserves top priority is the creation of a
24-hour crisis center which would include medication assisted and supervised
outpatient detox, with case management services available on-site.
Alderperson Fleming further asked how funding could be diverted from the “war on
drugs” to the “war on drug treatment”. Mayor Myrick responded that the LEAD program
(Law Enforcement Alternative Diversion) is a possible solution as it will save a lot of
court time and money.
April 27, 2016
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Alderperson Gearhart asked about associated timelines and how it would relate to the
City budget. Mayor Myrick responded that he was hopeful that the list of priorities and
related budgets would be prepared by late August/early September. He is expecting
that the only funding requests for 2017 would be related to the LEAD program.
Alderperson Murtagh noted that Police Chief Barber is interested in participating in the
LEAD program before 2017 and asked if the Mayor supported that. Mayor Myrick
indicated that he did support the implementation of the LEAD program earlier; however,
the City needs to make sure that some fundamental pieces are in place first.
Alderperson Kerslick noted that more information is needed on the criteria that law
enforcement officers would use in determining who would be eligible for the LEAD
program vs. incarceration.
Alderperson Brock noted that a mapping project has been started for found needles.
Ms. Fan stated that people could call the Southern Tier AIDS Program to report found
syringes and also noted that sharps containers are available from STAP as well.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
______________________________ _______________________________
Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Svante L. Myrick
City Clerk Mayor