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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-MCAC-1966 . MAYOR'S CITIZEfNS ADVISORY COMMITTF;F: MINUTES June 28, 1966 A regular meeting of the Mayor's Citizens Advisory Committee was held in the City Council Room, City Hall, 108 East Green Street, on Tuesday, June 28, 1966. The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 7:45 p.m. Members present: Myron Stanton, Chairman; Agda S. Osborn; J. Luccarelli; V.A. Fogg; P. Minnick; V.C. Behn; G. Blessis; W.B. Traub; Anne G. Baldwin. Members excused: T.W. Mackesey; T.H. Bennett; A. Petrillose; J. Marcham; H.S. Brown; J. Rothschild; J. True; R. Paolangeli. Members absent: R.G. Fowler; J.L. Gibbs; A.L. Hull; I. Lewis; M. LoPinto; D.A. Saperstone; R.H. Lounsbery; R. Farnsborth. Guests present: R. Daley; A. Golder; M. VanMarter; J. Kaplan. The minutes of the May meeting were approved as printed. Problems of updating the City's zoning ordinance Mr. Blessis reported on a meeting of the Subcommittee on Codes and Ordinances held June 7, 1966, at 7 p.m. in Mr. Mackesey's office, Day Hall. Present were Messrs. Mackesey, VanMarter, Blessis, Stanton, Sinn, Golder, and F.C. Baldwin. No minutes were taken as it was an informai'_discussion of the inadequacies of present ordinances and the policy of exceptions. Following this meeting, Mr, Golder sent a letter with recommendations to Messrs. Mackesey, VanMarter, Blessis, and Sinn to be used as a basis for presentation to the Planning Board at its June 27 meeting. Because this meeting was canceled for lack of a quorum, the matter must wait until the August meeting. Mr. Golder restated his belief that present ordinances retard city growth, citing as examples parking and loading requirements. He kas copies of memoranda dating back to 1962 that recommend changes, and feels that no time should be lost in rewriting the zoning ordinance. Mr. Blessis wound up the discussion by saying that we must protect the landowner as well as encourage the developer. MCAC MINUTES June 28, 1966 Page 2 Ithaca Festival Resolution (Prepared by T. W. Mackesey) The Chairman opened the discussion of whether the Mayor's Citizens Advisory Committee should urge the Common Council to support the Ithaca Festival. He said he had polled a great number of citizens and that about 900 of the merchants are enthusiastic about the Festival but feel the projected costs are too high. Many think the City should not bond itself as has been suggested. All the members of the Committee at the meeting favored the Festival, feeling that it would benefit the whole community, but likewise were not at all convinced the City should give it financial backing. Discussion: Mr. Stanton: The Festival should look into possible State aid, perhaps through the Arts Council. Mr. Fogg: 1) The City could be criticized for bonding public money. Either more private money should be raised or there should be a referendum. 2) Is the Festival going to appeal to a wide enough segment of the community for the City to back it? Mr. Blessis: It is a business venture which rules the City out. Mr. Traub: It is more than just "business." He cited the Bach Festival in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, which is a tremendous success because of the enthusiasm of the community. Do we have the same spark here? After considerable discussion, the resolution was put to a vote and was carried by more than a 2/3 vote. It will be given to the Mayor by the Chairman. The resolution: WHEREAS the proposed Ithaca Festival theater will bring substantial cultural and economic benefits to the Ithaca community; and WHEREAS considerable financial support has been pledged by Ithaca citizens, firms, and institutions; and WHEREAS additional capital financing will secure the benefits of the Festival theater to the entire Ithaca community: RESOLVED, That the Mayor's Citizens Advisory Committee urges the Common Council to consider all appropriate means by which the City of Ithaca may assist in bringing this important project to fruition. MCAC MINUTES June 28, 1966 Page 3 The Workable Program Mr. Daley reported on the conference at which Mr. Cachine, administrative assistant to the regional administrator, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, New York City, and two U.S. government representatives, Mr. Michels and Mr. Turk, reviewed Ithaca's Workable Program with members of the City government and Urban Renewal Agency. Mr. Daley gave the committee members typed reports listing the require- ments for 1967 recertification. Many of these have already been met, others are being worked on, and some present problems that must be solved without delay, such as housing for displaced persons. The government officials were particularly interested in Ithaca's long-range plans. The Mayor's Citizens Advisory Committee was complimented by Mr. Machine and Mr. Midhels. Anti-Litter Campaign Committee Meeting (See minutes on file .) Mr. Stanton reported on the second organizatibtial- meetingrof the Anti-Litter Campaign Committee, held June 15, 1966, Room 205, City Hall. Rrpresentatives of six youth groups attended the meeting, which was chaired by Mr. Stanton. Plans were made to publicize anti-litter laws and to focus public attention on the problem by having pictures in the Ithaca Journal of young people picking up litter in some of the worst areas. An attempt will be made to check block by block tin collection days. Another meeting with representatives of the PTA Council, the Garden Club, and the Garden Information Center along with representatives of all civic associations -- South Hill, East Hill, West Hill, Bryant Park, and Fall Creek -- will be held June 29, 1966, at 8 p.m. in room 205 of City Hall. The Fall meeting of the entire Anti-Litter Committee will be held Wednesday, September 21, 1966, at 8 p.m. The kick-off date for the city-bide cleanup and beautification campaign will be October 1, 1966. Summer Meetings: It was agreed that committee members be on call during the summer. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Anne G. Baldwin Secretary The next meeting of the Mayor's Citizens Advisory Committee will be held September 27, 1966, at 7:30 p.m. in Room 205 of City Hall. ti