HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-17-18 City Administration Committee Meeting AgendaCA Meeting
City Administration Committee
DATE: January 17, 2018
TIME: 6:00 p.m.
LOCATION: 3rd Floor,
City Hall, Council Chambers
AGENDA ITEMS
Item Voting
Item?
Presenter(s) Time
Allotted
Chair, Deb Mohlenhoff
1. Call To Order * Note: We will review the number of 15 Min*
1.1 Agenda Review No cards received at the beginning of each
1.2 Review and Approval of Minutes Yes meeting and adjust time if needed.
Approval of December 2017 Minutes
1.3 Statements from the Public No
1.4 Statements from Employees No
1.5 Council Response No
2. Consent Items Yes
3. City Administration, Human Resources and Policy
3.1 DPW – Amendment to Personnel Roster Yes Mike Thorne, Supt. DPW 5 Min
3.2 W&S – Amendment to Personnel Roster Yes Mike Thorne, Supt. DPW 5 Min
3.3 W&S – Amendment to Personnel Roster Yes Mike Thorne, Supt. DPW 5 Min
3.4 YB – Changes to City Code Yes Liz Klohmann, YB Director 10 Min
4. Finance, Budget and Appropriations
4.1 Local Law to Improve and Strengthen the Yes Nick Goldsmith, Sustainability Coord. 10 Min
Sustainable Energy Loan Program
4.2 Agreement with Energy Improvement Corp. Yes Nick Goldsmith, Sustainability Coord. 10 Min.
5. 2018 Budget Process – Discussion No All 15 Min
6. Common Council Rules of Procedure
6.1 Amendment to Rules of Procedure for Yes All 15 Min
Local Phone Numbers
7. Meeting Wrap-up All 5 Min
7.1 Announcements No
7.2 Next Meeting Date: February 21, 2018 No All 5 Min
7.3 Review Agenda Items for Next Meeting No
7.4 Adjourn Yes
7:40 p.m.
Committee Charge: The CA committee will:
Review financial and administrative issues pertaining to the City, along with items relating to the City of Ithaca workforce
environment, intergovernmental relations and human resources.
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3. City Administration, Human Resources and Policy
.1 DPW - Amendment to Personnel Roster
WHEREAS, the Streets and Facilities Division of DPW has a vacant, funded Custodian (40
hours/week) position at Ithaca Police Department (IPD), and
WHEREAS, DPW has determined that the existing Custodian position can be changed to a
Buildings and Grounds Maintenance Worker (40 hour per week) position because the Custodian
position allows for supervisory duties, yet there are no other Custodial Worker positions to
supervise at IPD, and
WHEREAS, this change will provide more efficient use of City resources, as the Building and
Grounds Maintenance Worker title more accurately reflects the work that is performed; now
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Personnel Roster of the Department of Public Works be amended as
follows:
Add: One (1) Building and Grounds Maintenance Worker (Grade 4)
Delete: One (1) Custodian (Grade 5)
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3. City Administration, Human Resources and Policy
.2 W&S - Amendment to Personnel Roster – Add Two (2) Senior Wastewater Treatment
Plant Operators
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility (IAWWTF) is in the process of an
organizational restructuring to more effectively and efficiently conduct its operations, and
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility (IAWWTF) has immediate need of
two (2) Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators, and
WHEREAS, two (2) Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators were included in the 2018
Final Budget for the IAWWTF, and
WHEREAS, with the funding and authorization of two (2) Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant
Operators to the roster, the current titles of Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Mechanic and
Wastewater Treatment Plant Instrumentation Technician will be defunded and removed from the
roster, and
WHEREAS, a new job description and new position duties statement have been prepared for
Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator and vetted by the City of Ithaca Human Resources
Department; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Personnel Roster of the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility be
amended as follows:
Add: Two (2) Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators
Delete: One (1) Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator/Mechanic
One (1) Wastewater Treatment Plant Instrumentation Technician
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the position of Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator shall be
assigned to the CSEA Administrative Unit at salary grade 13, and be it further
RESOLVED, That for the sole purpose of determining days worked reportable to the New York
State and Local Employees’ Retirement System, the standard workday for this position shall be
established at eight (8) hours per day (forty (40) hours per week), and be it further
RESOLVED, That the funding for this roster change shall be obtained from within the allocated
departmental budget.
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3. City Administration, Human Resources and Policy
.3 W&S - Amendment to Personnel Roster – Add Maintenance Worker
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility (IAWWTF) has immediate need of
a full time Maintenance Worker, and
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Water Treatment Plant also has immediate need for a full time
Maintenance Worker, and
WHEREAS, both plants previously shared a single Maintenance Worker position, and
WHEREAS, a full time Maintenance Worker for each plant was included in the 2018 Final
Budget, and
WHEREAS, the existing shared position is being reassigned to the Water Treatment Plant on a
full-time basis, and
WHEREAS, a new position duties statement has been prepared specifically for the new
Maintenance Worker position at the IAWWTF and vetted by the City of Ithaca Human
Resources Department; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Personnel Roster of the IAWWTF be amended as follows:
Add: One (1) Maintenance Worker
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3. City Administration, Human Resources and Policy
.4 YB – Changes to City Code
An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 120 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code Entitled
“Youth Council”
ORDINANCE 2018-
BE IT ENACTED by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca as follows:
Section 1.
Chapter 120 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code entitled “Youth Council” is hereby
amended to read as follows:
§ 120-1 Creation.
In recognition of the history of youth councils in the Ithaca community, the Common Council of
the City of Ithaca hereby creates an entity that shall be known as the "City of Ithaca Youth
Council," hereinafter also referred to as the "Youth Council," in accordance with the following
conditions.
§ 120-2 Purposes and duties.
The purposes and duties of the Youth Council shall be as follows:
A. To develop future leaders by providing the teenage members opportunities to participate in
city governance and have an active role in addressing community issues.
B. To give a formal voice to the youth of the community. The Youth Council will provide
ongoing, two-way communication with policymakers, especially the Common Council, so as to
better address youth and community issues. The Youth Council will develop mechanisms to
receive input regularly from other youth about their ideas and concerns.
C. To help provide a hands-on civic education to participating members through direct
experience with democratic processes and practical skill development.
D. To contribute to the community in a concrete way. The Youth Council will plan and execute
projects to improve conditions for teenagers.
E. To submit a written annual report on the membership and activities of the Youth Council, to
the Mayor and Common Council (and the City Clerk), and to report on a regular basis to the
Mayor.To help youth build their social networks, engage with the opportunities available
within their local community, and help their peers make positive connections to the local
community.
F. To submit a written annual report on the membership and activities of the Youth
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Council, to the Mayor and Common Council (and the City Clerk), and to report on a
regular basis to the Mayor.
§ 120-3 Membership.
A. The Youth Council shall consist of 7 10 members, all of whom shall be voting members,
appointed by the Youth Council Advisory Board subject to the approval of the Common
Council. The appointing entitiesstaff shall commit to assembling a diverse, multicultural and
inclusive membership of the Youth Council, with regard to the protected classes and other
unique characteristics that represent the needs of the entire community.
B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 103 of this Code, at least five½ of the Youth
Council members shall be residents from the City of Ithaca. The remaining members shall be
selected from within the municipalities comprising the Ithaca City School District. The members
of the Youth Council must be at least 16 years old and not past the 12th grade (or the age of 19,
if not enrolled in high school).
C.The members of Ithaca Youth Council shall hereinafter referred to as Youth Council
Ambassadors or Ithaca Ambassadors
§ 120-4 Associates.
The Youth Council Advisory Board may designate up to four associates who are 14 or 15 years
of age. Such associates shall be invited to attend and participate in Youth Council meetings and
events but shall have no voting authority and may not hold office in the Youth Council.
§ 120-45 Terms; vacancies.
A. Except as provided for in Subsection B below, the The members of the Youth Council shall
be appointed for terms of two years1 year or until the time of their high school graduation, if that
occurs first. A member who has reached the end of a two-year appointment while still in high
school may elect to extend his or her term by one additional year. Terms shall begin in
September (or, in the initial year of the Youth Council's operation, as soon as is practical after its
establishment), except in the case of members appointed to fill vacancies. Vacancies shall be
filled in the same manner as the original appointment, except that a vacancy occurring other than
by the expiration of a term of office shall be filled only for the remainder of the unexpired term.
B. Notwithstanding the above, the initial terms for members of the Youth Council shall be set at
one or two years, such that staggered terms are established for subsequent appointments. The
appointing entities may make an appointment for a one-year term, as needed, in order to
maintain a balance of staggered terms.
§ 120-6 Officers.
A. At the start of each year, the Youth Council shall select its officers, for the purpose of
providing general leadership, recordkeeping and fiduciary oversight. The manner of such
selection and the titles and specific responsibilities of the officers shall be set forth in operational
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rules adopted by the initial Youth Council and as amended from time to time as needed by the
Youth Council.
B. The lead officer of the Youth Council shall serve as liaison to the Common Council and shall
have an opportunity to report at Common Council meetings.
C. The leadership of the Youth Council shall meet regularly with the Mayor at a time convenient
to all, with the goal of meeting not less than bimonthly.
§ 120-7 Youth Council Advisory Board.
A. A Youth Council Advisory Board is hereby established, to oversee the activities of the Youth
Council.
B. The Youth Council Advisory Board shall consist of up to 10 members, each of whom shall be
appointed for a term of three years (or for the remainder of the term in question when a vacancy
is being filled). Membership of the Advisory Board shall be composed of one staff member
appointed respectively by the directors of the Greater Ithaca Activities Center, the Ithaca Youth
Bureau, and the Southside Community Center and up to seven members appointed by the Mayor
and approved by the Common Council, including at least one member of the standing committee
of Common Council responsible for working with the City's youth services departments,
members selected from the local education and youth advocacy communities and representatives
of major funders of the Youth Council.
C. In addition to providing oversight, the Youth Council Advisory Board shall interview all
applicants for membership on the Youth Council and shall make recommendations as to their
appointment, on the basis of the candidates' leadership potential and commitment to effective
service on the Council.
§ 120-58 Staff support.
A staff person(s) from a City Youth Services Department shall act in consultation with the
YouthCommon Council Advisory BoardLiaisons and under the direction and supervision of the
City department head so designated by the Mayor. The duties of this staff person with regard to
the Youth Council shall be set forth in writing and kept up-to-date by the department head and
provided to the Mayor, and a current version of such description shall be appended to the annual
report required by § 120-2 herein.
§ 120-69 Meetings; records; annual report.
The Youth Council shall meet publicly at least monthly regularly to complete projects and
adopt rules tasks towards their annual goals.
The Youth Council shall report twice a year to Common Council regarding youth and
procedures for its meetings. community issues.
The Youth Council shall keep accurate records of its meetings and activities and shall prepare
and submit an annual report as provided for in § 120-2 of this chapter.
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Section 2. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this
ordinance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, then that
decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.
Section 3. Effective date. This ordinance shall take effect immediately and in accordance with
law upon publication of notices as provided in the Ithaca City Charter.
Ithaca Youth Bureau
1 James L. Gibbs Drive
Ithaca, New York 14850
Phone: (607) 273-8364
Fax: (607) 273-2817
“Building a foundation for a lifetime.”
To: City Administration Committee
From: Liz Klohmann, Director
Re: Youth Council Codes
Date: 1/17/18
In 2018 Ithaca Youth Council program will go through some changes in order to meet
the needs of teens in our area, attract a more diverse group of students and provide
experiences that will grow leadership and other skills they need to be successful adults.
The Youth Bureau has met with Youth Council liaisons Deb Mohlenhoff and Ducson
Nguyen to discuss the changes during the program planning process. As a result we
are proposing the following changes to the City Code Chapter 120: Youth Council:
120 – 2 Purposes and duties
Add:
E.
To help youth build their social networks, engage with the opportunities available within their local community, and
help their peers make positive connections to the local community.
120-3 Membership
Create a range of membership from 10 to 7 – 10.
Delete “all of whom shall be voting members, appointed by the Youth Council Advisory
Board subject to the approval of the Common Council.”
Delete “entities” and add “staff” as shown below.
A.
The Youth Council shall consist of 7-10 members, The appointing staff shall commit to assembling a diverse,
multicultural and inclusive membership of the Youth Council, with regard to the protected classes and other unique
characteristics that represent the needs of the entire community.
Delete “at least 5 members; add “at least half of Youth Council”
B.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 103 of this Code, at least ½ of the Youth Council members shall be
residents from the City of Ithaca. The remaining members shall be selected from within the municipalities
comprising the Ithaca City School District.
Add C.
The members of Ithaca Youth Council shall hereinafter be referred to as Youth Council Ambassadors or Ithaca
Ambassadors
Delete section 120-4 Associates
The Youth Council Board may designate up to four associates who are 14 or 15 years of age. Such associates shall
be invited to attend and participate in Youth Council meetings and events but shall have no voting authority and may
not hold office in the Youth Council.
Change “120-5” Terms; vacancies to “120-4” Terms and; vacancies
Change the length of term from 2 years to 1 year as noted below.
The members of the Youth Council shall be appointed for terms of 1 year or until the time of their high school
graduation, if that occurs first. Terms shall begin in September (or, in the initial year of the Youth Council's
operation, as soon as is practical after its establishment), except in the case of members appointed
Delete section 120-6 Officers
Delete section 120-7 Youth Council Advisory Board
Change “120-8” Staff support to 120-5 Staff support
Delete “Youth Council Advisory Board”
Add “Common Council Liaison to read as follows:
A staff person(s) from a City Youth Services Department shall act in consultation with the Common Council
Liaisons and under the direction and supervision of the City department head so designated by the Mayor. The
duties of this staff person with regard to the Youth Council shall be set forth in writing and kept up-to-date by the
department head and provided to the Mayor, and a current version of such description shall be appended to the
annual report required by § 120-2 herein.
Change “120-9” Meetings; records; annual report to 120-6 Meetings; records; annual
reports
Delete “publically at least monthly and adopt rules and procedures for its meetings. Add
“regularly to complete projects and tasks towards their annual goals. The Youth Council shall
report twice a year to Common Council regarding youth and community issues, as noted below.
The Youth Council shall meet regularly to complete projects and tasks towards their annual goals.
The Youth Council shall report twice a year to Common Council regarding youth and community issues.
The Youth Council shall keep accurate records of its meetings and activities and shall prepare and submit an annual
report as provided for in § 120-2 of this chapter.
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4. Finance, Budget and Appropriations
.1 RESOLUTION NO. ____- 2018, ADOPTING LOCAL LAW NO.____ -
2018, A LOCAL LAW TO IMPROVE AND STRENGTHEN THE
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY LOAN PROGRAM
WHEREAS, there was duly presented and introduced to this Common Council at a meeting held
on February 7, 2018, a proposed local law entitled, "A LOCAL LAW TO IMPROVE AND
STRENGTHEN THE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY LOAN PROGRAM"; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that said local law be enacted in form as follows:
LOCAL LAW NO. -2018, ITHACA, NEW YORK
A LOCAL LAW TO IMPROVE AND STRENGTHEN THE
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY LOAN PROGRAM
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ITHACA, as follows:
Section 1. Legislative Intent.
Common Council hereby finds and determines that the City of Ithaca enacted
Local Law No. 1-2015 pursuant to provisions of New York General Municipal Law, to establish
a Sustainable Energy Loan Program. This program authorized the Energy Improvement
Corporation (“EIC”), a local development corporation acting on behalf of the City of Ithaca, to
make funds available to qualified property owners for the installation of renewable energy
systems and energy-efficiency measures.
Common Council further finds that the New York State Legislature recently
amended certain provisions of the municipal sustainable energy loan program to “eliminate
barriers that have been identified that have prevented the program from reaching its full
potential.”
Common Council finds that the amendments to the program, enacted as Chapter
320 of the 2017 Laws of the State of New York, seek to encourage net metered and community
solar projects, will allow the City of Ithaca’s program to use monies available from the State or
any State authority, and will permit a more flexible loan standard for commercial properties.
Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend the City of Ithaca’s Sustainable
Energy Loan Program in conformity with changes recently enacted to the New York State
enabling legislation.
Section 2. Amendments.
Article VII “Energize NY Benefit Financing Program,” Chapter 4 entitled
“Administration of Government” of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code is hereby amended as
follows:
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ARTICLE VII
§4-33. Legislative findings, intent and purpose, authority.
A. It is the policy of both the City of Ithaca (hereinafter, “City”) and the State of New York to
achieve energy efficiency and renewable energy goals, reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
mitigate the effect of global climate change, and advance a clean energy economy. The City
finds that it can fulfill this policy by providing property assessed clean energy financing to
property owners for the installation of renewable energy systems and energy efficiency
measures. This article establishes a program that will allow the Energy Improvement
Corporation (“EIC”), a local development corporation, acting on behalf of the City, pursuant to
the municipal agreement to be entered into between the ____________ and EIC pursuant
to Article 5-G of the New York General Municipal Law (the “Municipal Agreement”), to
make funds available to qualified property owners that will be repaid by such property owners
through charges on the real properties benefited by such funds, thereby fulfilling the purposes of
this article law and fulfilling an important public purpose.
B. The City is authorized to implement this Energize NY Benefit Financing Program pursuant to
the Municipal Home Rule Law and Article 5-L of the New York General Municipal Law.
C. This article law shall be known and may be cited as the “Energize NY Benefit Financing
Program Law of the City of Ithaca”.
§4-34. Definitions
For purposes of this [Article] law, and unless otherwise expressly stated or unless the context
requires, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Authority – The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, as defined by
subdivision two of section eighteen hundred fifty-one of the Public Authorities Law, or its
successor.
EIC – the Energy Improvement Corporation, a local development corporation, duly organized
under section fourteen hundred eleven of the Not-For-Profit Corporation Law, authorized hereby
on behalf of the City to implement the Energize NY Benefit Financing Program by providing
funds to qualified property owners (as defined in this [article] law) and providing for repayment
of such funds from monies collected by the City tax [collector] collecting officer as a charge to
be levied on the real property and collected in the same manner and same form as the City taxes.
Energy Audit – A formal evaluation or “assessment” of the energy consumption of a permanent
building or structural improvement to real property, conducted by a contractor certified by the
Authority, or certified by a certifying entity approved by the Authority, for the purpose of
identifying appropriate energy efficiency improvements that could be made to the property.
Energy Efficiency Improvement – Any renovation or retrofitting of a building to reduce energy
consumption, such as window and door replacement, lighting, caulking, weather stripping, air
sealing, insulation, and heating and cooling system upgrades, and similar improvements,
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determined to be cost-effective pursuant to criteria established by the Authority, not including
lighting measures or household appliances that are not permanently fixed to real property.
Qualified Property Owner – An owner of residential or commercial real property located
within the boundaries of the City that is determined to be eligible to participate in the Energize
NY Benefit Financing Program under the procedures for eligibility set forth under this [article]
law.
Renewable Energy System – An energy generating system for the generation of electric or
thermal energy, to be used primarily at such property, except when the Qualified Property
Owner is a commercial entity in which case the system may be used for other properties in
addition to the subject property, by means of solar thermal, solar photovoltaic, wind,
geothermal, anaerobic digester gas-to-electricity systems, fuel cell technologies, or other
renewable energy technology approved by the Authority not including the combustion or
pyrolysis of solid waste.
Renewable Energy System Feasibility Study – A written study, conducted by a contractor
certified by the Authority, or certified by a certifying entity approved by the Authority, for the
purpose of determining the feasibility of installing a renewable energy system.
§4-35. Establishment of an Energize NY Benefit Financing Program
A. An Energize NY Benefit Financing Program is hereby established by the City, whereby EIC
acting on its behalf pursuant to the Municipal Agreement, may provide funds to Qualified
Property Owners in accordance with the procedures set forth under this [article] law, to finance
the acquisition, construction and installation of Renewable Energy Systems and Energy
Efficiency Improvements and the verification of the installation of such systems and
improvements.
B. For funds provided to a Qualified Property Owner which is a commercial entity, not-
for-profit organization, or entity other than an individual, EIC shall have the authority to
impose requirements on the maximum amount of funds to be provided, which may
consider factors including but not limited to the property value, projected savings, project
cost, and existing indebtedness secured by such property.
C. For financings made to a Qualified Property Owner who is an individual, the The funds
provided shall not exceed the lesser of: (i) ten percent of the appraised value of the real property
where the Renewable Energy Systems and/or Energy Efficiency Improvements will be located,
or (ii) the actual cost of installing the Renewable Energy Systems and/or Energy Efficiency
Improvements, including the costs of necessary equipment, materials, and labor and the cost of
verification of such systems and improvements.
§4-36. Procedures for eligibility
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A. Any property owner in the City may submit an application to EIC on such forms as have been
prepared by EIC and made available to property owners on the website of EIC and at the City
offices.
B. Every application submitted by a property owner shall be reviewed by EIC acting on behalf of
the City, which shall make a positive or negative determination on such application based upon
the criteria for making a financing enumerated in [subsection A of] section 4-37 of this [article]
law. EIC may also request further information from the property owner where necessary to aid in
its determination.
C. If a positive determination on an application is made by EIC acting on behalf of the City, the
property owner shall be deemed a Qualified Property Owner and shall be eligible to participate
in the Energize NY Benefit Financing Program in accordance with the procedure set forth under
section 4-38 of this article law; provided that in no case shall a property owner that has received
funds from another municipal corporation for the acquisition, construction and installation of
Energy Efficiency Improvements and/or Renewable Energy Systems be deemed a Qualified
Property Owner.
§4-37. Application criteria
Upon the submission of an application, EIC acting on behalf of the City, shall make a positive or
negative determination on such application based upon the following criteria for the making of a
financing:
A. The proposed Energy Efficiency Improvements and/or Renewable Energy Systems are
determined to be cost effective based on guidelines issued by the Authority;
B. The [proposed] property owner may not be in bankruptcy and the property may
not constitute property subject to any pending bankruptcy proceeding;
C. The amount financed under the Energize NY Benefit Financing Program shall be
repaid over a term not to exceed the weighted average of the useful life of Renewable
Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements [and/or Renewable Energy Systems will
generate an estimated annual cost savings greater than the annual charge payments] to be
installed on the property as determined by EIC;
D. Sufficient funds are available from EIC to provide financing to the property owner;
E. The property owner is current in payments on any existing mortgage;
F. The property owner is current in payments on any existing real property taxes and has
been current on real property taxes for the previous three years; and
G. Such additional criteria, not inconsistent with the criteria set forth above, as the City,
or EIC acting on its behalf, may set from time to time.
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§4-38. Opt-in, Energize NY Finance Agreement
A. A Qualified Property Owner may participate in the Energize NY Benefit Financing Program
through the execution of an [Energize Finance Agreement] energize NY finance agreement
made by and between the Qualified Property Owner and EIC, acting on the behalf of the City
(the “Energize NY Finance Agreement”).
B. Upon execution of the Energize NY Finance Agreement, the Qualified Property Owner shall
be eligible to receive funds from EIC acting on behalf of the City, for the acquisition,
construction, and installation of qualifying Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency
Improvements; provided the requirements of section 4-39 of this [article] law have been met.
C. The Energize NY Finance Agreement shall include the terms and conditions of repayment set
forth under section 4-40 of this [article] law.
§4-39. Energy audit, renewable energy system feasibility study
A. No funds shall be made available for Energy Efficiency Improvements unless determined to
be appropriate through an Energy Audit as defined in Section 4-34.
B. No funds shall be made available for a Renewable Energy System unless determined to be
feasible through a Renewable Energy System Feasibility Study as defined in 4-34.
C. The cost of such Energy Audit and/or Renewable Energy System Feasibility Study shall be
borne solely by the property owner but may be included in the financed amount if the work is
approved.
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§4-40. Terms and conditions of repayment
The Energize NY Finance Agreement between the Qualified Property Owner and EIC acting on
behalf of the City, shall set forth the terms and conditions of repayment in accordance with the
following:
A. The principal amount of the funds paid to the Qualified Property Owner hereunder, together
with the interest thereon, shall be paid by the property owner as a charge on its City tax bill and
shall be levied and collected at the same time and in the same manner as City property taxes,
provided that such charge shall be separately listed on the tax bill. The City shall make payment
to EIC or its designee in the amount of all such separately listed charges within 30 days of the
[City tax] date the payment is due [date.] to be made to the City.
B. The term of such repayment shall be determined at the time the Energize NY Finance
Agreement is executed by the property owner and EIC, provided that in no case shall the term
exceed the weighted average of the useful life of the systems and improvements as determined
by EIC acting on behalf of the City .
C. The rate of interest for the charge shall be fixed by EIC acting on behalf of the City at the time
the Energize NY Finance Agreement is executed by the property owner and EIC.
D. The charge shall constitute a lien upon the real property benefited by the Energize NY Benefit
Financing Program as set forth in Article 5-L of the General Municipal Law and shall run
with the land. A transferee of title to the benefited real property shall be required to pay any
future installments, including interest thereon.
§4-41. Verification and report
A. EIC shall be responsible for verifying and reporting to the City on the installation and
performance of Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements financed by
such [program] Program.
B. The City shall verify and report on the installation and performance of Renewable Energy
Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements financed by the Energize NY Benefit Financing
Program in such form and manner as the Authority may establish.
Section 3. This local law shall take effect upon filing with the Secretary of State.
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Section 4. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section, or part of this Local Law
shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not
affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof but shall be confined in its operation to the
clause, sentence, paragraph, section, or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which
such judgment shall have been rendered.
Section 5. Effective Date.
This law shall take effect immediately upon its filing in the Office of the
Secretary of State.
[ ] Brackets denote deletion of existing language
___ Underlining denotes addition of new language
DATED:
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4. Finance, Budget and Appropriations
.2 Authorization to Amend Municipal Agreement Between the City of Ithaca and the
Energy Improvement Corporation to Implement and Administer a Sustainable Energy
Loan Program in the City of Ithaca
WHEREAS, by Local Law No. 2015-2, the City of Ithaca created the Energize NY Benefit
Financing Program (also known as the Sustainable Energy Loan Program) utilizing the Energy
Investment Corporation (EIC), a local development corporation acting on behalf of the City, to
provide Property Assessed Clean Energy PACE financing to assist qualified property owners
who undertake energy efficiency measures and install renewable energy systems; and
WHEREAS, in 2015 the City entered into a Municipal Agreement with EIC to administer the
Energize NY Benefit Financing Program; and
WHEREAS, New York State recently amended its PACE Law to make PACE financing more
accessible to clean energy projects; and
WHEREAS, by local law No. 2018-__, the City of Ithaca amended the Energize NY Benefit
Financing Program to enable the changes made by New York State at the local level; and
WHEREAS, an amended Municipal Agreement is required to establish the roles, responsibilities,
and obligations of the EIC and the City in the administration of the amended Energize NY
Benefit Financing Program; and
WHEREAS, Federal practice currently does not enable participation in PACE programs by
individual residential property owners; and if participation is enabled in the future at the Federal
and State level, then written authorization from the City would be required to enable individual
residential property owners to participate in the City program; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Mayor, upon review of the City Attorney, is hereby authorized to enter
into an amended Municipal Agreement with the Energy Improvement Corporation that shall set
forth the duties and obligations of each party in connection with the City s participation in the
Energize NY Benefit Financing Program.
To: Members of City Administration Committee
From: Nick Goldsmith, Sustainability Coordinator
Date: January 5, 2018
Re: Resolution to Amend Solar Power Purchase Agreement
This document provides additional information related to proposed changes to the
City’s PACE law, discussion of which is on the agenda for your January 17 meeting.
Attached are documents for your consideration: the Resolution to Adopt a Local Law
to Improve and Strengthen the Sustainable Energy Loan Program and the Resolution
Authorizing an Amended Municipal Agreement between the City of Ithaca and the
Energy Improvement Corporation to Implement and Administer a Sustainable
Energy Loan Program in the City of Ithaca.
In 2015, by Local Law No 2015-2, The City of Ithaca created the Energize NY Benefit
Financing Program (also known as the Sustainable Energy Loan Program, and the
PACE Financing Program).
Through the Program, the Energy Investment Corporation (EIC), a local development
corporation acting on behalf of the City, provides long-term financing to qualified
property owners for energy efficiency projects in existing buildings and renewable
energy projects. This PACE Financing is repaid through an annual charge on the
property tax bill. A Municipal Agreement establishes the roles, responsibilities, and
obligations of the EIC and the City in the administration of the Program.
New York State recently amended its PACE Law to make PACE financing more
accessible to clean energy projects. The changes listed below, and detailed in tables later
in this document, will expand the usefulness of Energize NY PACE and increase its
appeal to energy efficiency and renewable energy project developers. To date, no PACE
projects have closed in the City. Only one has closed in the County. It is hoped that
PACE 2.0, which incorporates the changes below, will increase participation.
In order to permit these PACE enhancements in the City, the City will need to amend
its local PACE law (2015-2) to incorporate the amendments to NY State’s PACE law
(Article 5L of the NYS General Municipal Law) and the other refinements to PACE 2.0
described below. The local law language in the attached Resolution to Adopt a Local
Law to Improve and Strengthen the Sustainable Energy Loan Program has been
approved by the City Attorney’s Office.
CITY OF ITHACA
108 E. Green St. — Third Floor Ithaca, NY 14850-5690
JoAnn Cornish, Director
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING, ZONING, & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Division of Planning & Economic Development
Planning & Development – 607-274-6550 Community Development/IURA – 607-274-6565
E-Mail: dgrunder@cityofithaca.org
Changes in PACE 2.0 (also see tables below)
1) Amendments to Article 5-L allow the governing administrator (e.g., EIC) to
determine the maximum amount of financing that would be permitted for properties
that are not individually owned.
2) Amendments to Article 5-L change the definition of eligible renewable energy
projects to permit remote net metering and community solar projects.
3) Adopts the positive savings-to-investment ratio (SIR test) used by NYSERDA in its
new commercial PACE guidelines that measures savings and costs over the life of the
project, rather than annually. This change is consistent with industry standards and
PACE programs in other states. It also broadens the range of solar projects that can be
financed with PACE
4) Allows the PACE Charge to be placed on the tax bill at the beginning of construction,
which is the norm in most PACE programs and standard practice for most project
developers. Without the availability of PACE during construction, the types of projects
that can use PACE are limited to smaller projects or those projects where a 3rd party is
willing to finance the cost of construction through to completion.
5) Amendments to Article 5-L allow the use of State as well as federal sources to fund
PACE reserves, which creates the opportunity for municipalities with lower credit
ratings to participate in PACE.
The tables below compare PACE 1.0, the current version (first table) with PACE 2.0 (the
version recently adopted by the state).
http://energizeny.org/images/uploads/ENY_PACE_1dot0_Standards.pdf
http://energizeny.org/images/uploads/ENY_PACE_2dot0_Standards.pdf
As before, the City may make modifications that limit how PACE is offered to its
constituents. The City currently has stipulations, mirrored by Tompkins County’s
PACE law, that require that
(1) property owners be current on City and County property tax payments and
(2) the property not house a business primarily engaged in the sale of gasoline, and that
the property not present a high risk of environmental contamination.
The City has also placed a limit of $5 million on the cumulative amount of outstanding
loans.
A recent article on Governing.com described new regulations that California is putting
in place to protect homeowners from less reputable contractors and lenders. It should
be noted that our local program is protected from the issues that California has faced for
two major reasons:
1. In New York, individual residential property owners are not able to participate in the
PACE program, and
2. In New York, there is one PACE program, enabled by state legislation and with state
oversight. The program is administered by EIC, a NYS non-profit controlled by its
member municipalities. PACE is not administered locally, (as it is in California), so the
programs do not vary across the state.
I am happy to discuss the items above in more detail with you; feel free to contact me at
your convenience. Also, Energize NY is very responsive, and I would be happy to reach
out to them to obtain answers to any detailed questions before (or after) the meeting.
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6. Common Council Rules of Procedure
.1 Addition to Common Council Rules of Procedure
WHEREAS, Common Council believes that interaction with constituents is a high priority for
elected officials, and
WHEREAS, some constituents do not have access to long distance phone service without paying
a fee per call; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Section XI of the Common Council Rules of Procedure be amended as
follows:
XI. Communication and correspondence with Council Members and the Public
XI. A Communications between Council Members and Staff
XIA - 1. Council members who need information from City staff to assist them in
developing policy or in responding to a request from a constituent, shall transmit
information requests to the department head or directly to the department staff.
XIA - 2. Whenever Council members seek information directly from departmental
staff, the following procedures should be pursued since individual Council members
do not supervise staff nor do they establish or change programs.
1) If the information request is more than minimal in terms of staff time
required, the Council member should direct the inquiries to the Mayor or
the chair of the committee to which the department reports. If the
Mayor or the committee chair declines to authorize the request, an
appeal may be made to the appropriate committee; and if that fails, to
the whole Council.
XIA - 3. A Council member should never attempt to influence the conduct of a staff
person on the job. Any concerns that a Council member has about a staff person’s
conduct on the job or job performance should be directed to the Department Head, the
Mayor, the Human Resources Director or the appropriate committee.
1) In the event that any Council member does so attempt to influence the
conduct of a City staff member on the job, the staff person should bring
this to the attention of the department head who will in turn notify the
Human Resources Director, the Mayor and the Chair of the committee to
which the department reports.
B Use of Council letterhead
XIB – 1 The primary use of Common Council letterhead stationery is to
communicate official Council positions on matter of public concern. These
positions may be communicated by members of Council designated to speak for
the whole when a majority of Council members have consented.
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XIB – 2- A secondary use of Common Council letterhead stationery is to allow
individual Council members to express views regarding matters of official City
business. In these instances it shall be clear that that the opinion expressed by the
Council member is that member’s opinion only and may not be the official
opinion of the City or Council as a body.
XIB - 2 – a – When expressing her/his own position on City letterhead, a
Council member shall use letterhead designating her/his office, e.g. “Ezra
Ithacan, Sixth Ward Alderperson, Common Council, City of Ithaca.” This
personal letterhead may also be used, for example, for letters of reference
or recommendation if the Alderperson, in her/his capacity as a City
official, has known the subject.
XIB – 2 – b – When two or more Council members collaborate to express
a view not officially advocated by the majority of Council, those
Alderpersons may electronically design their own joint letterhead
indicating their names and offices, or use Council letterhead, but in either
case shall explicitly state in the letter that their view is not that of the
majority or the official view.
XIB – 3 – Council members shall not use City letterhead stationery or the
City logo for their private correspondence or on behalf of private
individuals or organizations. Correspondence on letterhead should never
give the appearance of using the office of Alderperson for personal gain or
influence.
C. Access by telephone.
XIC -1. Every Alderperson shall maintain and publicize a local telephone
number such that members of the public can reach him/her by telephone
without incurring long-distance fees.