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Human Services Committee Minutes
23 March 1992
Present: John Johnson, Chairman, Neil Golder, Barbara Blanchard
Excused: Richie Berg, John Efromyson
I. Human Services Coalition
Nancy Burston, Acting Director, reviewed the 1992 Work Plan. Five
agencies have agreed to participate in a joint funding review this year.
This is an effort to continue streamlining the review process. 1992
Funding Criteria distributed. Nancy asks that we review the City and
County criteria and suggest areas where consolidation could be
accomplished.
Actions:
1 . Human Service Committee to have a resolution re: funding
criteria for adoption by Council at the May meeting.
2. Resolution to be forwarded to Council for April meeting stating
that the H.S. Committee supports a "no decrease in 1991 "
funding level for 1992. Moved by Blanchard, seconded by
Golder, 3-0 aye.
FOCUS Update from Nancy summarized progress made on major
problem areas as identified in the survey conducted two years ago.
Information on FOCUS will be provided to new committee members.
Coalition expects to select a new Director by May.
II. Arts/Cultural Coordinator
Jean Demming reported on activities of her office including new
programs focusing on the Commons renovation as well as ongoing
programs ie., work with IFM at Steamboat Landing to promote greater
use of this resource, continued work with Centennial Arts/Cultural
Committee, etc. (See attached list).
Richard Driscoll reported on the upcoming activities of the Community
Arts Partnership. 1991 was a "rev up" organizational period for CAP;
1992 emphasis will be on fully integrating arts into community life
and strengthening public/private sector partnerships. Work with the
Downtown Leadership Committee includes a space needs assessment
(for all types of arts functions, not just performances) and an evalua-
tion of available facilities Downtown and on both college campuses. A
proposal for use of the Annex by the Arts community is being devel-
oped for City consideration.
Ill. Special Needs Housing and Community Facilities
B. Blanchard addressed the Committee on the issue of special needs
housing and community facilities. Concerns cover potential problems
in the zoning ordinance related to regulation of group care facilities
and concerns expressed by residents in the Washington Park area over
the impact of such facilities on residential neighborhoods. Blanchard
asked that the Committee begin an investigation of these concerns
starting with the zoning issues.
Actions:
1 . The Assistant City Attorney will be asked to meet with the
Committee in April to discuss her findings re: aspects of the
zoning ordinance that may pose constitutional issues.
2. Policy issues involving neighborhood impact questions to be
tackled after the initial zoning discussion. This to involve Police-
Fire-Building Departments perspective on these facilities,
residents' perspective, Housing Providers perspective, others as
may be useful.
Meeting adjourned 9:10 p.m. Next meeting: Monday April 27th 7:00 p.m.
•
I
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, it is to the benefit of the City of Ithaca to employ a
workforce that accurately reflects the diversity of its population, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has adopted an affirmative action program
to achieve this diversity; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Vacancy Review Committee shall, when reviewing
requests to fill vacant positions, take into consideration the affirmative
action employment data for the department in which the vacancy exists, and
be it further
RESOLVED, that if a department is below the labor force percentage for
the employment of minorities and/or women, the Vacancy Review Committee shall
withhold approval for filling a vacancy until such time
as appropriate minority or female candidates can be found, or until such time
as the department head is able to demonstrate to the Committee that a sincere
and concerted effort has been made to recruit such candidates, and be it
further
RESOLVED, that the Personnel Administrator or his/her delegate shall act
as liaison between the Affirmative Action Advisory Committee and the Vacancy
Review Committee for the purpose of aiding the Vacancy Review Committee in
evaluating the status of each City department as relates to affirmative
action efforts and employment data, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Personnel Administrator or his/her delegate shall
also be available to assist department heads in evaluating their departmental
employment data and in planning recruitment strategies, if necessary.
1JRAfl-- tQg3.
CRITERIA FOR FUNDING: HUMAN SERVICES AGENCIES
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca will consider appropriating a portion of its 1993 general operating
funds for support of local human service agencies, and
WHEREAS, the Human Services Coalition is funded in part by the City of Ithaca to provide an
objective overview of human services needs and provision, and to evaluate requests for City support;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That all 1993 requests for city funding from private agencies seeking to provide non-
mandated human services shall be submitted to the Human Services Coalition for review by their time
deadlines, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Coalition shall report its findings to the Human Services Committee of
Common Council by September 1, 1992, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the following criteria shall be used by the Coalition in its review of requests:
A-1. The application shall be received by the Human Services Coalition by Friday, May 22, 1992
and the applicant must complete the Human Services Coalition review process in a timely
manner.
A-2. An application may be reviewed either through the Human Services Coalition review for
human services proposals, or through the process review for other types of proposals, but not
both.
A-3. The applicant must also request funding from the County and appropriate town(s) if more 1 r
than 5% of those served by the proposal are not city residents.
A-4. Applicant must submit the following materials: budgets for 1992 and 1993, financial report
for 1991, and enumeration of other funding sources.
A-5. If the applicant received city funds in 1992, the applicant shall have demonstrated that they
performed effectively under the contract.
B. The Coalition shall award points for the degree to which the proposal meets the established
criteria, on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being the most desirable rating for each criterion; if applicant
does not supply sufficient information for the Coalition to make a judgement, the proposal
receives zero points in such case.
B-1. Applications from agency programs in operation prior to January 1991 shall be evaluated
according to the following criteria:
a. Proposal will serve city residents in proportion to city funding requested compared to
total program.
b. The proposal will serve an identified need which does not duplicate another service, with
higher points allocated in proportion to the severity of the problem in the city.
c. The proposal demonstrates that the service has effectively met the needs of its clients;
proposal includes measurable objectives.
d. The agency has been effective in managing needed fiscal resources and in containing
costs' e.g.developed internal controls, invested reserves, reduced overhead expenses,
instituted cooperative efforts.
e. Population to be served by proposal can be shown to be a population in financial need
(i.e. federal povertyguidelines).
f. Agency has thoroughly sought and secured other sources of funding.
g. Agency has demonstrated extreme financial need for itself due to increased case load or
loss of funding
h. The request for city funding is less than half of that requested for county funding.
B-2 Applications from agency programs that began operating after January 1991 shall be
evaluated according to the following criteria:
a. Proposal will serve/target city residents in proportion to city funding requested compared
to total program budget.
b. The proposal addresses an identified need which does not duplicate another service, with
higher points allocated in proportion to the severity of the problem in the city.
c. Agency has the expertise and a realistic plan to meet the identified client needs.
d. Proposal includes measurable objectives developed to demonstrate the effectiveness of
the service.
e. The agency has plans and policies in place to manage needed fiscal resources and to
contain costs, e.g. is developing internal controls, seeking other funds, minimizing
overhead expenses, instituting cooperative ventures.
f. Population to be served/targeted by proposal is in financial need.
g. Agency has thoroughly sought and secured other sources of funding.
h. The request for city funding is less than half of that requested for county funding.
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Human Services Coalition shall review all proposals that meet criteria A-1
through A-4, shall recommend whether each request should be fully or partially funded, and shall
consider both new and previously funded agencies, and shall inform the applicant of the Coalition's
recommendation and make a copy of such report available to the applicant, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Human Services Coalition will evaluate and update its plan to reduce by 20%
the total time and money agencies must spend on local review by funders for the 1993 funding cycle
and to continue to reduce time and money agencies spend on review in the future.
q.
CRITERIA FOR FUNDING: HUMAN SERVICES AGENCIES
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca will consider appropriating a portion of its 1992 general operating
funds for support of local human service agencies, and
WHEREAS, the Human Services Coalition is funded in part by the City of Ithaca to provide an
objective overview of human services needs and provision, and to evaluate requests for City support;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That all 1992 requests for city funding from private agencies seeking to provide non-
mandated human services shall be submitted to the Human Services Coalition for review by their time
deadlines, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Coalition shall report its findings to the Human Services Committee of
Common Council by August 15, 1991, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the following criteria shall be used by the Coalition in its review of requests:
A-1. The application shall be received by the Human Services Coalition by Thursday, May 23, 1991
and the applicant must complete the Human Services Coalition review process in a timely
manner.
A-2. An application may be reviewed either through the Human Services Coalition review for
human services proposals, or through the process review for other types of proposals, but not
both.
A-3. The applicant must also request funding from the County and/or appropriate town(s) if more
than 5% of those served by the proposal are not city residents.
A-4. Applicant must submit the following materials: budgets for 1991 and 1992, financial report
for 1990, and enumeration of other funding sources.
A-5. If the applicant received city funds in 1991, the applicant shall have demonstrated that they
performed effectively under the contract.
B. The Coalition shall award points for the degree to which the proposal meets the established
criteria, on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being the most desirable rating for each criterion; if applicant
does not supply sufficient information for the Coalition to make a judgement, the proposal
receives zero points in such case.
B-1. Applications from agency programs in operation prior to January 1990 shall be evaluated
according to the following criteria:
a. Proposal will serve city residents in proportion to city funding requested compared to
total program.
b. The proposal will serve an identified need which does not duplicate another service, with
higher points allocated in proportion to the severity of the problem in the city.
c. The proposal demonstrates that the service has effectively met the needs of its clients;
proposal includes measurable objectives.
d. The agency has been effective in managing needed fiscal resources and in containing
costs (e.g., developed internal controls, invested reserves, reduced overhead expenses,
instituted cooperative efforts,...)
e. Population to be served by proposal can be shown to be a population in financial need
(i.e., federal poverty guidelines).
f. Agency has thoroughly sought and secured other sources of funding.
g. Agency has demonstrated extreme financial need for itself due to increased case load or
loss of funding.
h. The request for city funding is less than half of that requested for county funding.
B-2. Applications from agency programs that began operating after January 1990 shall be evaluated
according to the following criteria:
a. Proposal will serve/target city residents in proportion to city funding requested compared
to total program budget.
b. The proposal addresses an identified need which does not duplicate another service, with
higher points allocated in proportion to the severity of the problem in the city.
c. Agency has the expertise and a realistic plan to meet the identified client needs.
d. Proposal includes measurable objectives developed to demonstrate the effectiveness of
the service.
e. The agency has plans and policies in place to manage needed fiscal resources and to
contain costs, e.g. is developing internal controls, seeking other funds, minimizing
overhead expenses, instituting cooperative ventures.
f. Population to be served/targeted by proposal is in financial need.
g. Agency has thoroughly sought and secured other sources of funding.
h. The request for city funding is less than half of that requested for county funding.
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Human Services Coalition shall review all proposals that meet criteria A-1
through A-4, shall recommend whether each request should be fully or partially funded, and shall
consider both new and previously funded agencies, and shall inform the applicant of the Coalition's
recommendation and make a copy of such report available to the applicant, and be it further that the
Human Services Coalition will evaluate and update its plan to reduce by 25%the total time and money
agencies must spend on local review by funders for the 1992 funding cycle and by 25% for the 1993
funding cycle.
Human Services Committee Minutes
27 April 1992
Present: John Johnson, Chairman, Barbara Blanchard, Richie Berg, John
Efromyson and Mayor Ben Nichols
PLEASE NOTE: THE NEXT MEETING WILL BEAT 7:30 p.m. ON
WEDNESDAY. MAY 20TH
1 . Affirmative Action Advisory Committee - Personnel Director Valerie
Saul and Brenda Kuhn (Disability Advisory Council) briefed the Com-
mittee on the AAAC's proposed resolution. Not all City Departments
have been successful in meeting affirmative action goals and imple-
menting outreach programs. The purpose of the proposed resolution is
to ensure that all reasonable efforts have been made to seek out and
recruit minority and female applicants. A resolution will be sent to
Council recommending (1) that the Vacancy Review Committee
withhold approval for filling a vacancy until such time as appropriate
minority or female candidates can be found, or (2) until a Department
Head is able to demonstrate to the Committee that a sincere and
concerted effort has been made to recruit such candidates. Adopted
4-0 on motion by Berg, seconded by Efromysom.
2. Human Service Coalition - Nancy Burston explained that there were no
significant differences in the criteria to be used for evaluation of
human service agency funding requests this year. The Coalition is still
working toward a goal of reducing the amount of time agencies must
spend on proposal development and the application process. The
Committee discussed the criteria related to efforts to secure funding
from the towns; Mayor Nichols restated his strong conviction that the
Towns of Ithaca, Lansing and Dryden, in particular, should contribute
to human service funding. The consensus of the Committee was that
agencies should be encouraged to step up their efforts in this regard.
In furtherance of this principle, paragraph A-3 of the Funding Criteria
resolution was amended on motion by Berg, seconded by Blanchard to
read:
A-3. Applicants must also demonstrate that they have
requested funding from the County and from any town(s)
where 5% or more of the population to be served by the
proposal resides. Approved 4-0.
The main motion to be forwarded to Council approved 4-0 on motion
by Efromyson, seconded by Berg.
•
Nancy Burston reported that the United Way offices will be undergo-
ing renovation necessitating relocation of the Coalition's offices within
the UW Building. Coalition is beginning to consider new location. B.
Blanchard suggested that thought be given to un "umbrella" housing
arrangement for the Coalition and other agencies that could benefit
from a shared services approach. Nancy indicated that there is interest
in this type of approach.
3. Postal Service - Michael Oates (Postal Workers Union) and Brett Nair
(Labor Coalition) addressed the Committee on the current status of
the Tioga Street facility. Mayor Nichols reported on the most recent
meeting of the Community Committee to Save Ithaca Postal Jobs
with the U.S. Postal Service. Given the Postal Service's apparent
intention to renege on past assurances regarding level of service and
handicapped accessibility at the Tioga Street facility, the Human
Services Committee will forward a resolution to Council urging (1) no
diminution of retail service, including bulk mail service, in the Tioga
Street facility and (2) installation of a ramp to meet requirements for
handicapped accessibility. John Johnson will prepare the resolution
for COW meeting on 29 April.
4. Into the Streets Program - John Johnson gave a brief report on this
community participation program that involves a network of colleges
and universities nationwide. More on this next month.
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
CITY OF ITHACA
108 East Green Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
Office of Telephone: 274-6501
Mayor Code 607
To: John Johnson
From: Ben Nichols 61"1
Date: April 15, 1992
Re: Item for Human Services Agenda
In a recent discussion between the Community Committee(chaired by Stuart Stein) and
representatives of the Postal Service we were shocked by two of their assertions about the future of
the downtown Post Office after the completion of the new facility in Lansing.
1. They had previously said that the movement of mail handling to the new building would
free up the space for handicapped access in the rear of the present building. They now say
that there were no plans to provide such access.
2. Previously we were assured that all public services would still be available at the
downtown post office. They now say that the downtown office would not handle bulk
mail. This would be a serious blow to downtown business and social service agencies.
(See letter attached.)
We need a strong Council statement to the Postal Service on both of these points. Please
take this up at the Human Services Committee meeting on April 27.
cc: Stuart Stein
Michael Stamm
Brett Nair
Jean McPheeters
Michael Oates
r.
W-Two Publications, Ltd. RECEJVFD .'APR o 131992
international marketing reports
202 The Commons, Suite 401 Tel. 607-277-0934
Ithaca, NY 14850 USA Fax 607-277-0935
April 7, 1992
Mayor Benjamin Nichols
City Hall,Green Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
Dear Mayor Nichols:
I am writing to protest the actions of the U. S.Postal Service in moving the bulk of the
Ithaca-based service to Lansing.
We are a small publisher located in downtown Ithaca who depends on mail for the bulk of
our business. We spend a minimum of$10,000 a year on first-class postage and$12,000 a
year on third class postage. Our entire income is from business entities outside the Ithaca
area(most outside of New York State and indeed, the United States), but the bulk of our
spending takes place with Ithaca-based businesses.
Our choice of a downtown site was based in part on the convenience of the post office
since one of us makes a trip to it daily and it is such an essential feature of our business.
If the Post Office carries out its plan to transfer all bulk mail operations to Lansing and limit
window service in downtown to make it even more time-consuming than it already is to use
their services, we will have to consider leaving downtown.
While I can understand the Post Office's need for more room to sort mail, there is no
reason that it cannot maintain a downtown third class mail drop and provide decent window
service downtown, including the ability to pick up supplies for third class mail.
I know the city doesn't exercise much control over the Post Office these days, but I thought
you should know that you have constitutents who are unhappy with the level of current
service as well as the decisions being made for the future.
As a small business that makes some contribution to the Ithaca economy and is trying to
survive and export in a difficult economy, we need help—not hindrance—from
government agencies.
Thank you for listening.
Sincerely,
Ae-;
Doris L. Walsh
Publisher
publishers of MARKET:EUROPE and MARKET:ASIA PACIFIC
1 .--- - .
RE!E!VED
, r
Cf� EF' O FILE
3 `
. MAY - 6 1992
J . % e
9.
ITHACA POLICE DEFT:
May 6, 1992
Dear Mayor Nichols,
On Tuesday May 5th at 7:30pm a public meeting' was held at Southside
Community Center. Over a hundred community residents attended in which
z}4 issues were discussed regarding police relations in Ithaca. The following
is a list of what we consider to be concrete solutions to improve police
and community relations in Ithaca, NY:
4
1 . Acknowledge "double standard",(racism) in police behavior.
i
2. Provide sensitivity training for a I I officers.
3. Establish a mentor program between cops and kids.
4. Order racially abusive officers to perform community service in
Southside.
5. Change the rules that govern the Police Review Board.
6. Change the jury selection process.
I
Sincerely,
•
0-275...
Amy Lewis
N:inutes of Human Services Committee Meeting of May 20, 1992
Present: John J., John E. , Neil, Barbara, Ben Nichols
1. Ithaca Meal Programs--Laberta NacGruder reported an the increasing need
for meals for poor people in Ithaca. Currently, meals provided by the
Friendship Center, Salvation Army, and Loaves and Fishes, cover one meal
per day, with no breakfasts supplied. The Friendship Center would like to
start a breakfast program, starting with breakfasts two days a week (Tues
and Thurs), probably at GIAC, if the GIAC Board approves of the proposal.
It is hoped that eventually this would be increased to five days a week.
Approximately 5 volunteers would be needed. (Presently people may volunteer
to help with the Saturday lunches by calling the Friendship Center at
273-4417). Laberta will report back to the committee after the two day a
week breakfast program has been running, with information on the number of
people served and a possible request for a five day a week program. (Funding
is currently available for the two day a week program until the end of 1993.)
2. Police/community relations--John J. 18 resolution was discussed and edited
to reflect the committee's desire that a community task force be farmed to
begin taking action and plan for future actions to help improve community
and police relations. Resolution had committee support, was to be rewritten
by JJ, JE and the Mayor for presentation at the Committee of the Whole.
There was discussion with the Mayor about where to draw the membership of
the Task Force from, the importance of a good co-ordinator and the involvement
of yound people; the Mayrand the committee endorsed the idea of a Task Force
with major membership from the community, and inclusion of the Mayer, Chief of
Police, member(s) of the Community Police Board , the PBA, and Human Services Comm.
It was pointed out that as a result of three community meetings and the six
point agenda which came out of the 'lost recent meeting, working groups had
already been formed and were beginning to meet. The final make-up of the
task Force was not decided.
Chief McEwen reported on some of the steps that have already been taken to
improve community/police relations: 1) some officers have attended a Cornell
course on racism; 2) the Chief attended a conference on racial issues in
pacing, brought back information and ideas which are being put into practice,
e.g. 3) a one officer experiment in "neighborhood policing" where the officer
is regularly in the neighborhood getting input and getting to know the r.
residents (the Chief pointed out that he has received a lot of positive feedback
on this experiment and that a side benefit is that residents get increased
voice in getting other city services); 4) the Mayor pointed out the appointment
during the past year of more African-Americans to the police force.
3. Affirmative Action--The previous Council resolution was discussed. There was
general agreement that we need to ensure that department heads are doing
their best to make sure affirmative action goals are being met. Since the
resolution mainly deals with the vacancy committee,we decided that Barbara
would invite the members of the Vacancy Committee and Personnel,Director Val
Saul to our next meeting to discuss it.
4. Other items--John E. raised the idea of a Code of Ethics for Common Council,
the Mayor and City Employees. Discussion focussed on which Committe of
Council to bring this issue to.
1
Human Services Committee Minutes
July , 27 1992
Present: John Johnson Chair , John Efromyson , Neil Golder ,
Barbara Blanchard , Richie Berg , Ben Nichols , Mayor
I . Youth Bureau Fees
Sam Cohen and Jack Sherman spoke with the Committee
about their concerns regarding Youth Bureau fees , par-
ticularly for the recreation department. Concern was
expressed that some fees were too high , especially for
participants who live outside the City and are subject to
triple fees . Director Cohen said the Bureau felt pressure
to maintain high fees in order to meet the revenue
requirements of the City . Mr . Sherman expressed concern
that high fees were deterring participation in some
programs .
It was noted that although scholarship help is available,
lower income families appear to be dropping out of some
programs at a higher rate than other families . It was also
noted that the availability of scholarships is not widely
known among the public . Alderperson Efromyson suggested a
sliding scale fee schedule .
The Committee discussed inter—municipal partnerships
for youth programs . Director Cohen reported that other
communities have expressed interest in participating, but
have said their resources to help with funding were a
limiting factor . Mayor Nichols expressed concern that when
we talk to other communities about funding , that they not be
allowed to cherry—pick amongst just a few of the programs.
There was wide agreement of the Committee and staff that
participating communities buy into the entire program.
Alderperson Blanchard noted that other communities should
also be helping to pay for the capital costs of the
facilities .
II . Partnership for Youth
Director Mary Fitzpatrick—Warfield gave the Committee
an update on the organization , noting the placement of some
youth in important apprenticeship positions . It was noted
that Partnership for Youth will be submitting an application
for Community Service funding for the 1993 budget. Packets
of material were distributed to Committee members .
III . Police—Community Relations
Mayor Nichols reported that a task force has been set
up and that a steering committee meets weekly . Several sub
committees have been established . The PBA is involved in
this effort and a report by the Task Force is expected by
September 15 , 1992
IV. Incentive Zoning
There was a brief discussion about incentive zoning and
about recently enacted State legislation . Assistant City
Attorney Pat Kennedy noted that the City definitions for day
care are out of tune with State Law. She said that a way to
provide for day care or group care was to provide for a
density bonus .
Developer Mark Finkelstein passed out a memo arguing for
"step—up" zoning , as a means for providing more lower cost
housing as a component of new housing developments .
V. Ethics
Alderperson Efromyson thought the Committee should
study , with a goal of improving and tightening up the city ' s
code of ethics . There was agreement by the Committee that
public figures should make disclosures when there may be
possible conflicts of interest. The Committee agreed to
take this up at future meetings .
•
Human Services Committee Minutes
24 August 1992
Present: Chairman John Johnson, B. Blanchard and J. Efromyson
Ithaca Housing Authority
Mary Louise Battisti (Exec. Dir.) described the background of the IHA, its
funding mechanisms and accomplishments. Major points included:
o 600 units on Sec. 8 vouchers/certificates in addition to the Author-
ity's 300 public housing units.
o PILOT to the 3 taxing jurisdictions = $50,000+ in 1991; PILOT
calculated as 10% of shelter rent.
o Programs include after school, GED tutoring, literacy education, pre-K
and other supportive education programs.
o Authority's philosophy has been to help tenants reach full potential
through education.
o Family Self Sufficiency is newest HUD initiative
Community Services Funding
Review of Sub-committee (Efromyson, Berg, Blanchard) recommendations.
Motion approving recommendations passed 2-1 . Groups appearing before
the Committee included:
o Partnership for Youth - Suggestion to request $15,000 this year,
request $10,000 in 1993-94 is acceptable to PfY.
o_ Finger Lakes Association - Conrad Tunney present to explain FLA's
services to City
o SPCA - Pam Stonebreaker, Stephanie Schaff and Karen Smith ex-
plained services to City emphasizing that SPCA had gone without an
increase in funding for 4 years
o Celebrations - Motions to fund Flag Day at $385 and Veterans Day at
$550, as requested, approved 2-1 and 3-0 respectively.
o Cooperative Extension and Project Growing Hope representative
present to discuss differing views of funding request. Both groups will
present information to the Committee in September. Decision on this
request delayed until that time.
Fire Department Staffing
Mayor Ben Nichols reported on Fact Sheet circulated by the Ithaca Paid Fire
Fighter's Association. No action required. .
Incentive Zoning
Discussion of incentive zoning as a tool to accomplish various human service
goals as well as provide additional housing. Consensus reached to request
Planning and Development Committee to look at potential offered by the
new State enabling legislation for incentive zoning.
Police/Community Relations Commission
Mayor Nichols reported on activities of this Commission and its subcommit-
tees. Discussions has covered:
o Composition of the Community Police Board
o Training and education survey is being developed to identify specific
needs. PBA is actively working on this is conjunction with community
representatives.
, o Jury selection methods are being reviewed to determine better ways
• to involve minority members is jury duty. This work is complete and
will be forwarded to various bodies with power to implement recom-
mendations.
Ethics Legislation
John Efromyson discussed his thoughts on ethics legislation. This item will
be included on the September agenda with attention to John's proposed -
changes in the City's present legislation.
Adjourned at 10:30. Next meeting set for September 28th at 7:30 p.m.
HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
AGENDA
FOR SEPTEMBER 28, 1992
7 : 30 P.M.
COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS
( 1 ) Human Services Coalition 1992 Recommendations for
Funding of Human Services Agencies (Please bring
information packets i 0111 Human Services Coalition) . ( If
you have concerns or questions about any specific program
or agency request, please call Nancy Burston at H. S.C.
office, 273-8686 so she can arrange for the agency to
attend our meeting if necessary . Should you want more
information than you ;.eceived in your packets, please ask
the staff in the Clerk ' s Office for the extensive
background file.
(2 ) Southside Community Center Funding Request (material
enclosed) .
(3) Community Services Funding - Review of Community
Garden/Cooperation Extension Request(s ) .
(4) Ethics - Please bring Town of Ithaca materials . (Action
- plans to refer to the Charter and Ordinance Committee) .
(5) Community Police Relations Report
JJ/cjh
Human Services Committee Minutes
20 October 1992
Present: J. Johnson, Chairman, B. Blanchard, R. Berg, J. Efroymson, N. Golder
Guests: A. Poole, M. Dill, S. McCue, K. Ritter, C. Walker
Southside Community Center Funding Request
Marge Dill reviewed the 1993 funding process for Southside. Some modifications to the
process used in past years resulted in Southside only getting through the first half of the
procedure. Purpose of this meeting is to complete the process.
Ken Ritter reviewed some of the major achievements over the last year emphasizing
staffing needs and techniques currently being used to stretch staff resources.
Sheila McCue reviewed the content and status of programs at the Center including plans
for additional activities. She also noted the pressure on staff resources with the exception
of the Food Pantry which is staffed almost entirely by volunteers. Major program concerns
and staff needs and maintaining continuity.
The Human Service Coalition Review Committee recommends funding at the $48,000
level; the City-County Sales Tax Agreement guarantees funding at the $42,000 level.
RESOLVED, that the Human Services Committee of Common Council recommends funding
of the Southside Community Center at $48,000 with the $6,000 funding gap to be made
up by the City through the General Fund; such funding contingent upon the submission of
monthly financial statements and quarterly statistical reports on the Center's operation to
the Human Services Coalition and the City Controller's Office.
Adopted unanimously on motion by Blanchard, seconded by Berg.
Human Services Committee Minutes for 10-26-92 meeting
I. Southside Community Center Funding request: Presentations
by Joe Zanfordino, Tony Poole, and Art Watkins, on Southside ' s
valuable programming for kids and lack of programming for
kids over 10. Presentation of proposed programming for teens
and pre-teens. Discussion which included input from Amy Lewis,
Clay Hamilton, Tirrell Phillips, Diallo House, Diane Milton,
John Effroymonson moved $15, 000 for the Southside budget for
their teen programming to use at their discretion. Amended by
John Johnson requiring Southside to work on program planning
and distribution of the money with the Human Services Coalition,
And to continue co-ordination with the Youth Bureau and GIAC.
Passed 5-0. Barbara Blanchard said she would put on the agenda
of the Transit Operations Committee the idea of getting a used
or retired van available for Southside to use to take kids to
sporting and other events.
II . Task Force on Police-Community Relations
Committee Chairs presented recommendations and reports:
Irene Stein, from the Jury Selection Subcommittee presented the following
recommendations which were unanimously passed by the subcommittee and the
steering committee, requesting that Common Council pass a resolution
supporting:
1) expan44ng the jury selection list (possible state legislttion to assist)
2) having jury questionnaires state that a "no return" means you are on
3) divide selection into two strata and draw from both
4) re-adjust criteria for postponements and excuses for absence
5) public education (may need funding)
6) get changes into state law
AMy Lewis from another Task Force Subcommittee presented the following
recommendations:
1) expand community policing
2) support the P.E.E.R. program
3) support for the "field day" (items one and three budget implic.)
The Training Subcommittee presentadits recommendations
Marilyn Gray from the Citizens' Board subcommittee raised the issues of
1) having support services for the Police Commission outside of the
police dept.
2) exploring the ramifications of an independent investigator
The Human Services Committee accepted these reports, praised the participants
for their work, and endorsed the recommendations of the jury selection
subcommittee.
III. Motion to accept an Earth Flag (from Stephanie and Craig Renee) and
to fly it, moved by Barbara, seconded by Neil , passed 5-0.
IV. Discussion of Ithaca Festival funding request ($5000) and a request
that permits for vendors on the Commons be suspended for the days of the Ithaca
Festival . Wording to be worked out by Richie Berg.
/0/
Human Services Committee Minutes
22 December 1992
Present: J. Johnson, Chairman, B. Blanchard, R. Berg, J. Efromyson.
Excused: N. Golder
Minutes of previous meeting not available at this time
II. Task Force on Police-Community Relations. Present for discussion Chief Harlin
McEwen and Officer Drew Martin. J. Johnson stated that the Committee has heard
from the Task Force and would like to have the Police viewpoint and comments at
this time. Chief McEwen provided background and perspective on the IPD vis a vis
community relations leading up to the formation of the Task Force. Major points
included:
o Impact of Rodney King on the nation as a whole and on City in particular
o Composition of the task force
o Highlights of events on the Commons and at Southside Center meetings as
they affect IPD/Community relations
Chief McEwen reviewed the work of the Mentoring Group and Training Committee,
problems with the Community Police Day project, and other aspects of the Task
Force's work. Noted that there was much support for the recommendations of the
Jury Selection Process Committee; he agreed with the conclusions re: jury compo-
sition/problems with peer representation etc.
Major focus of the discussion was on the Community Police Board recommen-
dations. Officer Martin also commented on this. Both stated strong support for the
Board as now constituted. Feel that the Board is effective but has a problem
convincing the community of this. Better public relations efforts would help.
Comments and responses from the Committee members followed. General percep-
tion in the community is that IPD is doing good work; major differences of opinion
focus on the Community Police Board.
Action Point: All recommendations referred to appropriate implementing commit-
tees for further work.
III. Ithaca Fire Department Grievances
Chief Olmstead and L. Marshall (IPFFA) reviewed the issues related to two grie-
vance filed by the Paid Firefighters Association. Details of these grievances
included in a series of memoranda and correspondence available from the Commit-
tee Chairman upon request. Committee findings and determinations to be recorded
by the Chairman for transmittal to the parties involved.
IV. Topics/Issues for Committee in 1993: To be discussed at January 19 meeting.
Meeting adjourned 10:00 p.m.
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