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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-COMSERV-2005-05-11 T Page 1 of 2 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES - UNAPPROVED May 11, 2005 Committee Members Present: Alderpersons Maria Coles, Mary Tomlan, and David Whitmore (Chair) Staff and Other Council Members Present: Tim Logue, Neighborhood 86 Economic Development Planner; Carolyn Peterson, Mayor 1. Meeting called to order at 7:02 pm 2. Greeting from the Chair Whitmore explained that Council members Taylor and Korherr were not able to make the meeting. He also announced that this would be his last meeting as committee chair. 3. Approval of Minutes On a motion by Coles, seconded by Tomlan, the March 9, 2005 minutes of the Community Services Committee were approved unanimously (3-0) as written. 4. Review Agenda There were no changes to the agenda. 5. Public Comment Joel Harlan, a resident of Newfield, said that he would miss Whitmore on the committee and encouraged him to pursue higher levels of government. He spoke about Slope Day and the Harbor Fest at Oswego. He ended his comments by saying, "I've got the power. I can move mountains." 6. Response to Public Comment/Committee Privilege of the Floor Tomlan and Coles both thanked Whitmore for his time and efforts as committee chair and as a Common Council member in general. 7. Intermunicipal Communications A. Report from Tompkins County Liaison - Coles reported that there have been a series of meetings at the County level to discuss possible cost reductions and consolidation of services, including a focus on municipal health insurance costs, streets and facilities services, and the court system. Despite looking at a number of options, no solutions have been found yet that municipalities aren't already taking advantage of, she said; discussions will continue. • Page 2 of 2 B. Town of Ithaca Liaison Report- No report. 8. Community Police Board - Report Bob Wigden, chairman of the Community Police Board, reported to the committee on the function and activities of the Board. He handed out a Citizen Information Sheet, a list of required activities of board members, and statistics on cases from the past seven years. He spoke of some of the difficulties the board has faced in years passed, including Police Chief turnover, weak connections to Common Council, a lack of knowledge about the efficacy of their recommendations, and the frequent absence of witnesses in cases before the board. Though encouraged by the new chief, he said, the board does not have much power, especially compared to other community police boards around the country, some of which even have the power to subpoena and discipline police officers. A short question and answer period followed, during which time Mayor Peterson arrived. 9. Taxi Rates - Discussion/Possible Resolution While Whitmore gave some background on this item, John Kadar and Ron Fay of Ithaca Dispatch, Inc. joined the committee for discussion. Mr. Fay presented information about fares and expenses in the first quarter of 2004 and 2005. Discussion ensued. Coles and Tomlan both expressed disappointment that they did not receive information ahead of time for consideration. Peterson said that she would be interested to see ridership numbers during this time period. After further discussion, Coles made a motion to extend the existing sunset on increased fares for three more months (to the end of September 2005). Tomlan seconded the motion and it carried unanimously (3-0). Whitmore said he would write up the ordinance amendment and forward it to the Clerk's Office for the next Council meeting. 10. Transportation Demand Management (TDM) - Update Whitmore gave a short update on the work of the TDM subcommittee, which has been focused on developing goals, objectives, and strategies for a downtown TDM program. He hopes that the committee will be ready to make some recommendations by this summer. A short discussion followed, including a discussion of how Council's current deliberations on the future of the Green Street garage relate to a TDM program. 11. On a motion by Coles, seconded by Tomlan, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:15 pm.