HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-03-19 Common Council Meeting AgendaOFFICIAL NOTICE OF MEETING
A Regular meeting of the Common Council will be held on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, at
6:00 p.m. in the Common Council Chambers at City Hall, 108 East Green Street, Ithaca,
New York. Your attendance is requested.
AGENDA
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
2. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
3. PROCLAMATIONS/AWARDS:
4. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
5. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS BEFORE COUNCIL:
5.1 Reports of Municipal Officials
6. PETITIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE COUNCIL:
7. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR – COMMON COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR:
8. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:
Superintendent of Public Works:
8.1 Approval of Mahogany Grill Restaurant Alcohol Permit Request – Resolution
8.2 Approval of Luna Street Food Downtown Restaurant Alcohol Permit Request -
Resolution
8.3 Approval of Mia Noodle Bar and Restaurant Alcohol Permit Request - Resolution
8.4 Approval of Thompson & Bleecker Restaurant Alcohol Permit Request –
Resolution
City Administration Committee:
8.5 Youth Bureau – Approval of Agreement for Printing Services with BOCES -
Resolution
8.6 Department of Public Works (DPW) - Request to Establish Capital Project for
South Aurora Street Sidewalk Replacement - Resolution
8.7 Department of Public Works (DPW) – Request to Establish Capital Project for
Sidewalk on Elmwood Avenue and Valley Road - Resolution
8.8 Fire Department – Amendment to Department Budget - Resolution
9. PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
9.1 Adoption of the Greater Southside Neighborhood Plan as Part of Phase II of the
City of Ithaca Comprehensive Plan – Resolution
A. Declaration of Lead Agency – Resolution
B. Determination of Environmental Significance – Resolution
C. Adoption of the Greater Southside Neighborhood Plan - Resolution
Common Council Meeting Agenda
April 3, 2019
Page 2
9. PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (Con’t.):
9.2 Renewal of Bus Operator Agreements to Continue Bus Operations on East
Green Street - Resolution
10. CITY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE:
10.1 Department of Public Information and Technology Proposal to Replace the City’s
Storage Area Network (SAN) - Resolution
10.2 Planning, Building and Development – Request for Funding for the ‘Doing
Business in Ithaca’ Guide - Resolution
10.3 Planning, Building and Development – Request for Funding for 2019
Collegetown Beautification - Resolution
10.4 Planning, Building and Development - Request from The Ithaca Farmers Market
Board of Directors to the City of Ithaca Common Council to Act as the Sponsor
for a Consolidated Funding Application for Improvements to Vehicular and
Pedestrian Access and Circulation at the Farmers Market Site - Resolution
10.5 An Ordinance to Amend Provisions of City of Ithaca Municipal Code Chapter 181
Entitled “Fire Prevention”
10.6 Human Resources - Amendments to Fringe Benefits for Managerial Personnel -
Resolution
10.7 City Controller’s Report
11. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
12. NEW BUSINESS:
13. INDIVIDUAL MEMBER – FILED RESOLUTIONS:
13.1 Alderperson Murtagh - Recommendation to Tompkins County to Restore
Housing at 111-119 Sears Street - Resolution
13.2 Alderperson Mohlenhoff - Funding for Pilot Program to Provide Child Care at City
Meetings – Resolution
13.3 Alderperson Nguyen – Condemnation of Hate – Resolution (to be distributed
under separate cover)
14. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS:
14.1 Appointment/Re-Appointment to Examining Board of Plumbers – Resolution
15. REPORTS OF COMMON COUNCIL LIAISONS:
16. REPORT OF CITY CLERK:
17. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY:
Common Council Meeting Agenda
April 3, 2019
Page 3
18. MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
18.1 Approval of the March 6, 2019 Common Council Meeting Minutes - Resolution
19. ADJOURNMENT:
If you have a disability that will require special arrangements to be made in order for you
to fully participate in the meeting, please contact the City Clerk at 274-6570 at least 48
hours before the meeting.
Out of consideration for the health of other individuals, please refrain from using
perfume/cologne and other scented personal care products at City of Ithaca meetings.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
______________________________
Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC
City Clerk
Date: March 28, 2019
8. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:
Superintendent of Public Works:
8.1 Approval of Mahogany Grill Restaurant Alcohol Permit Request -
Resolution
WHEREAS, Mahogany Grill restaurant has requested permission to utilize certain areas
along Aurora Street for outdoor dining; and
WHEREAS, this use of public property has been deemed proper and successful, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca wishes to promote diverse uses of the Primary and
Secondary Commons, including outdoor dining; and
WHEREAS, it is Common Council's responsibility to determine whether or not to allow
the serving and consumption of alcohol on the Primary and Secondary Commons; and
WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that the use of this public property for
outdoor dining at the Mahogany Grill Restaurant, including the responsible sale and
consumption of alcohol, is desirable; and
WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that any use of this or similar public
property involving the same and consumption of alcohol should be covered by a
minimum of $1,000,000 insurance under the Dram Shop Act; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, For the year 2019, Common Council hereby approves a revocable
Alcoholic Beverage Permit for the outdoor sale and consumption of alcohol for the
Mahogany Grill Restaurant that includes the sale of alcohol in accord with the terms and
conditions set forth in application therefore, including minimum Dram Shop coverage in
the amount of $1,000,000 and the approval of an outdoor dining permit.
8.2 Approval of Luna Street Food Downtown Restaurant Alcohol Permit
Request - Resolution
WHEREAS, Luna Street Food Downtown Restaurant has requested permission to
utilize certain areas along North Aurora Street for outdoor dining; and
WHEREAS, this use of public property has been deemed proper and successful; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca wishes to promote diverse uses of the Primary and
Secondary Commons, including outdoor dining; and
WHEREAS, it is Common Council's responsibility to determine whether or not to allow
the serving and consumption of alcohol on the Primary and Secondary Commons, and
WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that the use of this public property for
outdoor dining at the Luna Street Food Downtown Restaurant, including the responsible
sale and consumption of alcohol, is desirable; and
WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that any use of this or similar public
property involving the same and consumption of alcohol should be covered by a
minimum of $1,000,000 insurance under the Dram Shop Act; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, For the year 2019, Common Council hereby approves a revocable
Alcoholic Beverage Permit for the outdoor sale and consumption of alcohol for Luna
Street Food Downtown Restaurant that includes the sale of alcohol in accord with the
terms and conditions set forth in application therefore, including minimum Dram Shop
coverage in the amount of $1,000,000 and the approval of an outdoor dining permit.
8.3 Approval of Mia Noodle Bar and Restaurant Alcohol Permit Request -
Resolution
WHEREAS, Mia Noodle Bar and Restaurant has requested permission to utilize certain
areas along the Primary Commons for outdoor dining, and
WHEREAS, this use of public property has been deemed proper and successful, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca wishes to promote diverse uses of the Primary and
Secondary Commons, including outdoor dining, and
WHEREAS, it is Common Council's responsibility to determine whether or not to allow
the serving and consumption of alcohol on the Primary and Secondary Commons, and
WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that the use of this public property for
outdoor dining at Mia Noodle Bar and Restaurant, including the responsible sale and
consumption of alcohol, is desirable, and
WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that any use of this or similar public
property involving the same and consumption of alcohol should be covered by a
minimum of $1,000,000 insurance under the Dram Shop Act; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, For the year 2019, Common Council hereby approves a revocable
Alcoholic Beverage Permit for the outdoor sale and consumption of alcohol for Mia
Noodle Bar and Restaurant that includes the sale of alcohol in accord with the terms
and conditions set forth in application therefore, including minimum Dram Shop
coverage in the amount of $1,000,000 and the approval of an outdoor dining permit.
8.4 Approval of Thompson & Bleecker Restaurant_Alcohol Permit Request -
Resolution
WHEREAS, Thompson & Bleecker Restaurant has requested permission to utilize certain
areas along the Primary Commons for outdoor dining; and
WHEREAS, this use of public property has been deemed proper and successful, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca wishes to promote diverse uses of the Primary and
Secondary Commons, including outdoor dining; and
WHEREAS, it is Common Council's responsibility to determine whether or not to allow the
serving and consumption of alcohol on the Primary and Secondary Commons, and
WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that the use of this public property for
outdoor dining at the Thompson & Bleecker Restaurant, including the responsible sale and
consumption of alcohol, is desirable; and
WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that any use of this or similar public
property involving the same and consumption of alcohol should be covered by a minimum
of $1,000,000 insurance under the Dram Shop Act; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, For the year 2019, Common Council hereby approves a revocable Alcoholic
Beverage Permit for the outdoor sale and consumption of alcohol for the Thompson &
Bleecker Restaurant that includes the sale of alcohol in accord with the terms and
conditions set forth in application therefore, including minimum Dram Shop coverage in the
amount of $1,000,000 and the approval of an outdoor dining permit.
City Administration Committee:
8.5 Youth Bureau – Approval of Agreement for Printing Services with BOCES -
Resolution
WHEREAS, the Youth Bureau typically contracts for card and brochure printing service,
and currently students of Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga Board of Cooperative Education
Services (hereafter “BOCES”) help sort and pack the brochures; and
WHEREAS, BOCES has a print shop, from which it can offer printing services for a
reasonable cost to the City; and
WHEREAS, BOCES may offer such printing services upon the City’s entry into a
memorandum of agreement under General Municipal Law 119-0, which requires each
participating municipal corporation and district to approve by majority vote of its
governing body; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, The Common Council approves of entering into this agreement with
BOCES for printing services, and hereby authorizes the Mayor, upon consultation with
the City Attorney, to execute such agreement.
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: Municipal Agreement with BOCES Print Shop
Date: 3/1/19
The Ithaca Youth Bureau prints information about its recreation programming seasonally. Once
printed we utilize the help of BOCES classes to help sort and pack the info-cards for distribution.
We recently learned that the BOCES Print Shop could print our materials at a considerable
savings.
In order to use the TST BOCES Print Shop and receive discounted rates we need to have a
municipal agreement in place. The Youth Bureau is requesting that the City of Ithaca enter into
a memorandum of agreement under General Municipal Law 119-0, which requires each
participating municipal corporation and district to approve by majority vote of its governing
body.
If approved this agreement will give access to the BOCES Print Shop services for all City
departments and could provide significant savings.
8.6 Department of Public Works (DPW) - Request to Establish Capital Project
for South Aurora Street Sidewalk Replacement - Resolution
WHEREAS the City of Ithaca Common Council passed a resolution on November 7,
2018 allocating up to $386,583 of NYS administered Community Development Block
Grants (CDBG) for the South Aurora Street Sidewalk Extension; and
WHEREAS the Board of Public Works completed the Environmental Review for this
project on May 15, 2018 which resulted in findings that the project will result in no
significant impact on the environment and issuance of no negative declaration; and
WHEREAS the Board of Public Works discussed and approved the South Aurora Street
Project at the December 18, 2018 meeting; and
WHEREAS the total project cost of $386,583 will be funded by the Ithaca Urban
Renewal Agency (IURA) through the CDBG program; and
WHEREAS, the project shall include 1200 linear feet of sidewalk construction along
South Aurora Street from the City line to Hillview Place; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby establishes Capital Project #865 South
Aurora Street Sidewalk Extension in the amount not to exceed of $386,583; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That funds needed for said Capital Project shall be derived from IURA
funds from the CDBG Program.
8.7 Department of Public Works (DPW) – Request to Establish Capital Project
for Sidewalk on Elmwood Avenue and Valley Road - Resolution
WHEREAS, the 2019 Sidewalk Improvement District Assessments (SID), Budget, and
Schedule of Work was approved by Common Council on 7 November 2018; and
WHEREAS, part of that approved schedule of work included new sidewalk along
Elmwood Avenue & Valley Road bordering Belle Sherman School; and
WHEREAS, the estimated construction budget with financing costs is $195,000 with
funding from the issuance of Serial Bonds and budgeted in SID #2; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby establishes Capital Project #866 Sidewalks
along Elmwood Avenue and Valley Road in the amount not to exceed $195,000; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That funds for said project shall be derived from the issuance of Serial
Bonds and funded out of SID #2; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be hereby authorized to execute
these contracts subject to approval by the City Attorney’s Office.
Proposed 2019 Sidewalk Improvement Distric (SID) budgetsDistrict12345 TOTAL2019 SID Levy157,968$ 150,032$ 273,748$ 165,226$ 116,450$ 863,424$ Percentages18%17%32%19% 13% 100%Admin & Supplies19,527$ 18,546$ 33,839$ 20,424$ 14,395$ 106,731$ Insurance2,744$ 2,606$ 4,756$ 2,870$ 2,023$ 15,000$ Subtotal - funding available 135,697$ 128,880$ 235,153$ 141,931$ 100,032$ 741,693$ Capital Projects4,200$ 4,200$ Balance for 2019 work plan 135,697$ 128,880$ 235,153$ 137,731$ 100,032$ 737,493$ Construction100,800$ 91,225$ 184,800$ 102,000$ 74,000$ 552,825$ % of Balance74%71%79%74% 74%Design10,000$ 14,000$ -$ 8,000$ -$ 32,000$ % of Balance7%11%0%6% 0%Construction Inspection/14,798$ 13,829$ 26,150$ 15,306$ 10,893$ 80,975$ Engineering Technician11%11%11%11% 11%Miscellaneous10,099$ 9,826$ 24,204$ 12,425$ 15,139$ 71,693$ Maintenance/Concrete Cutting7%8%10%9% 15%updated 15 Aug 2018
2019 PROPOSED Sidewalk Work Plan and BudgetDistrict OneSide of StreetEstimated SF cost Cost Available BudgetConstruction100 Linn St East 100 21$ 10,500$ 200 Linn StEast12021$ 12,600$ 400 Linn StEast10021$ 10,500$ 100 Utica StEast20021$ 21,000$ 800 N. Cayuga St West22021$ 23,100$ 900 N. Cayuga St West22021$ 23,100$ 960Subtotal 100,800$ Design projects300 Fall Creek Dr North 650 10,000$ TOTAL110,800$ 120,899$ ContingencyConstruction100 Triphammer Rd West 300 21$ 31,500$ 300 Utica StEast16521$ 17,325$ 1000 N. Cayuga St West51021$ 53,550$ 1100 N. Cayuga St West16021$ 16,800$ 600 Stewart AveWest60021$ 63,000$ 600 Willow St East22021$ 23,100$ 200 Franklin StNorth22021$ 23,100$ Design projectsTotal Contingency 228,375$ Future Collaboration with City Streets' Crews/Grant Money/Captial Projects100 Thurston Ave North120,000$ 900 Stewart AveWest65,000.00$ City BlockAppr. Length of sidewalk (linear feet)
2019 PROPOSED Sidewalk Work Plan and BudgetDistrict TwoSide of StreetEstimated SF cost Cost Available BudgetConstruction300 Elmwood Ave East 170 21$ 17,850$ 200 Bryant AveEast30021$ 31,500$ 200 Dryden RdNorth 27521$ 28,875$ SID 2 Capital Finance Construction Project Elmwood & Valley Rd (bordering the school) 600 13,000$ annual cost for 15 yrs; $195,000 Sum1,345Subtotal 91,225$ Design projects500-900 Giles St Either 575 14,000$ TOTAL 105,225$ 115,051$ ContingencyConstruction500 Mitchell St South 150 21$ 15,750$ 100 Ithaca RdSouth 16521$ 17,325$ 200 Cornell StEast9021$ 9,450$ 200 Cornell StWest9021$ 9,450$ 300 Stewart AveEast5021$ 5,250$ Design projectsTotal Contingency 41,475$ Future Collaboration with City Streets' Crews/Grant Money/Captial Projects1100 E. State StSouth 450120,000$ 400 Oak AveNorth 900244,000$ City BlockAppr. Length of sidewalk (linear feet)
2019 PROPOSED Sidewalk Work Plan and BudgetDistrict ThreeSide of StreetEstimated SF cost Cost Available BudgetConstruction100 Lake Ave West 420 21$ 44,100$ 500 W. Clinton St North 400 21$ 42,000$ 200 N.Geneva St East 100 21$ 10,500$ 300 Cascadilla St South 210 21$ 22,050$ 300 Cascadilla St North 180 21$ 18,900$ 200 S. Cayuga St East 330 21$ 34,650$ 400 Adams St South 120 21$ 12,600$ 1,760 Subtotal 184,800$ Design projectsTOTAL 184,800$ 209,004$ ContingencyConstruction100 E. Green St (vault membrane repair) North 300 25$ 37,500$ 600 W. Green St South 100 21$ 10,500$ 500 W. Green St South 160 21$ 16,800$ 200 N. Geneva St East 100 21$ 10,500$ 300 W. Buffalo St South 80 21$ 8,400$ Total Contingency 46,200$ Future Collaboration with City Streets' Crews/Grant Money/Captial ProjectsCity BlockAppr. Length of sidewalk (linear feet)
2019 PROPOSED Sidewalk Work Plan and BudgetDistrict FourSide of StreetEstimated SF cost CostAvailable BudgetConstruction100 E. Spencer St & Curb Ramps North/South40021$ 42,000$ 300 Wood St & Fair St Curb Ramps South46060,000$ 860 Subtotal102,000$ Design projects200 Cecil A Malone Dr South 775 8,000$ TOTAL110,000$ 122,425$ ContingencyConstruction300 Pleasant St South 370 21$ 38,850$ 100 Hawthorne PlNorth35021$ 36,750$ 200 Columbia St South38521$ 40,425$ Design projectsTotal Contingency 116,025$ Future Collaboration with City Streets' Crews/Grant Money/Captial Projects400 Hillview Pl South650223,000$ 600-700 S. Aurora StEast1650190,000$ 800 S. Aurora StBoth650217,000$ 100 Giles StSouth450360,000$ City BlockAppr. Length of sidewalk (linear feet)
2019 PROPOSED Sidewalk Work Plan and BudgetDistrict FiveSide of StreetEstimated SF cost CostAvailable BudgetConstructionElm St & Chestnut St Intersection (bordering school)50,000$ Subtotal50,000$ SID 5 Capital Finance Project: Finance $360,000 of $2.1 Million Project (1.4 Million grant)100-1100 Hector St North/East 715024,000$ annual cost for 15 yrs; $360,000 SumTOTAL74,000$ 100,032$ ContingencyConstruction700 W. Court St North 50 21$ 5,250$ 300 N. Meadow St West8021$ 8,400$ 400 N. Meadow St West4021$ 4,200$ 500 N. Meadow St West4021$ 4,200$ Design projectsTotal Contingency 22,050$ Future Collaboration with City Streets' Crews/Grant Money/Captial Projects100-1100Hector StNorth/East71501,700,000$ City BlockAppr. Length of sidewalk (linear feet)
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2019 Proposed Sidewalk and
Curb Ramp Construction
City of Ithaca, NY
NY State Plane, Central GRS 80 Datum
Map Source: Tompkins County Digital Planimetric Map 1991-2018
Data Source: City of Ithaca Department of Engineering, 2018
Map Prepared by: GIS Program, City of Ithaca, NY, June, 2018
±0 500 1,000 Feet
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8.8 Fire Department – Amendment to Department Budget - Resolution
WHEREAS, work began in February of 2019 to replace damaged carpet in the training
room at Central Fire Station; and
WHEREAS, during the preliminary work, asbestos-containing flooring tile was
discovered under the rug; and
WHEREAS, the carpet cannot be removed without damaging the asbestos tile, and
therefore the asbestos tile needs to be removed before the carpet replacement can
continue; and
WHEREAS, funds to pay for the replacement of the damaged carpet is coming from
A3410-5475, Property Maintenance; and
WHEREAS, the cost of the asbestos remediation, which was not anticipated before the
carpet work began, was not included in the 2019 Fire Department budget; now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council authorize the transfer of $11,000 from Account
A1990 Unrestricted Contingency to account A3410-5475.
To: Common Council
From: Tom Parsons, Fire Chief
cc: Svante Myrick, Mayor
Date: 3/11/2019
Re: Amendment to the Fire Department Budget
Last month we began a project as part of station maintenance to replace damaged and worn
carpeting in the meeting/training room at Central Fire Station. This room is used daily, and the
carpet in the room is almost 30 years old. The carpet has tears, stains, and thinning areas. The
estimate for the carpet replacement is approximately $5,000 that is funded out of A3410-5475,
the property maintenance account.
During the work to lift the carpet for our contractor, it was discovered that there is tile
underneath the carpet, which was installed when the building was constructed in 1966. The
carpet replacement contractor would not do any work until it was determined if the tile contained
asbestos. There was evidence of cracked tile under the carpet, and the glue holding the carpet
could break out the floor tiles as the carpet is removed.
Two weeks ago, we had a contractor, who is licensed for asbestos removal, inspect the room.
The contractor determined that the tile and mastic, due to its age, most certainly contained
asbestos materials and would require removal and remediation of the tile and the floor under the
tile. The cost of the work would be $9,995.
I am requesting an amendment to the 2019 Fire Department Budget, with the transfer of $11,000,
from unrestricted contingency to A3410-5475 for the asbestos abatement in this room. The
amount requested would cover the cost of the asbestos abatement, and includes a 10%
contingency if additional work was required as part of the abatement.
I will be attending the City Administration meeting and will answer any questions you might
have.
9. PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
9.1 Adoption of the Greater Southside Neighborhood Plan as Part of Phase II of
the City of Ithaca Comprehensive Plan – Resolution
A. Declaration of Lead Agency – Resolution
WHEREAS, State Law and Section 176-6 of the City Code require that a lead agency
be established for conducting environmental review of projects in accordance with local
and state environmental law; and
WHEREAS, State Law specifies that, for actions governed by local environmental
review, the lead agency shall be that local agency which has primary responsibility for
approving and funding or carrying out the action; and
WHEREAS, the proposed adoption of an amendment to the comprehensive plan is a
“Type I” Action under the City of Ithaca Environmental Quality Review Ordinance, and
the State Environmental Quality Review Act and is subject to environmental review;
now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Common Council of the City of Ithaca does hereby declare itself
lead agency for the environmental review of the adoption of the Greater Southside
Neighborhood Plan as part of Phase II of the City of Ithaca Comprehensive Plan.
B. Determination of Environmental Significance – Resolution
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca is considering the adoption of the Greater Southside
Neighborhood Plan as part of Phase II of the City’s Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, appropriate environmental review has been conducted including the
preparation of a Full Environmental Assessment Form (FEAF), dated February 20,
2019; and
WHEREAS, the proposed plan has been reviewed by the Tompkins County Department
of Planning and Sustainability pursuant to §239-l-m of New York State General
Municipal Law, which requires that all actions within 500 feet of a County or State
facility, including County and State highways, be reviewed by the County Planning
Department, and has also been distributed for review by the City of Ithaca Parks,
Recreation, and Natural Resources Commission and the City of Ithaca Planning and
Development Board; and
WHEREAS, the proposed action is a “Type I” Action under the City Environmental
Quality Review Ordinance and the State Environmental Quality Review Act; and
WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Ithaca, acting as lead agency, has
reviewed the FEAF prepared by planning staff; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That this Common Council, as lead agency in this matter, hereby adopts
as its own the findings and conclusions more fully set forth in the Full Environmental
Assessment Form, dated February 20, 2019; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That this Common Council, as lead agency in this matter, hereby
determines that the proposed action at issue will not have a significant effect on the
environment, and that further environmental review is unnecessary; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That this resolution constitutes notice of this negative declaration and that
the City Clerk is hereby directed to file a copy of the same, together with any
attachments, in the City Clerk’s Office, and forward the same to any other parties as
required by law.
C. Adoption of the Greater Southside Neighborhood Plan as Part of
Phase II of the City of Ithaca Comprehensive Plan – Resolution
WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan outlines a vision for the city’s future and serves as
a guide for future decision-making, policies, and funding; and
WHEREAS, the City decided to pursue a two-phased approach to its new
Comprehensive Plan, where Phase I entailed the preparation of an “umbrella” plan,
Plan Ithaca, that sets forth broad goals and principles to guide future policies throughout
the city and where Phase II includes the preparation of specific neighborhood and
thematic plans; and
WHEREAS, the Common Council adopted Plan Ithaca in September 2015, and the
planning process then began to focus on the Phase II plans; and
WHEREAS, the Phase II plans provide an opportunity to take a proactive look at
specific areas throughout the city, particularly those with significant potential for change,
and to implement policies and capital improvements to help implement a shared vision;
and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the City of Ithaca Municipal Code and New York State
General City Law, the Planning and Development Board is responsible for preparing
and recommending a new Comprehensive Plan to the Common Council for adoption;
and
WHEREAS, formed in September 2016, the Southside Neighborhood Plan Committee
was composed of 15 area residents, including members of the Planning and
Development Board and Common Council, and worked with City Planning staff to
conduct public outreach and prepare the draft plan; and
WHEREAS, the complete draft Greater Southside Neighborhood Plan was made
available for public review in September 2018, and the Committee hosted community
events, neighborhood meetings, and an online survey to gather comments on the draft
plan; and
WHEREAS, following its review of the comments, the Committee revised the draft plan
to incorporate public input; and
WHEREAS, at its meeting on December 19, 2018, the Southside Neighborhood Plan
Committee voted to recommend the draft Greater Southside Neighborhood Plan, dated
December 19, 2018, for review and consideration by the Planning and Development
Board as part of Phase II of the Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board reviewed the draft plan
at its December 2018 and January 2019 meetings and voted unanimously on January
22, 2019 to recommend the draft Greater Southside Neighborhood Plan, dated
December 19, 2018, for review and adoption by the Common Council as part of Phase
II of the Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, the draft plan was presented to the Planning & Economic Development
Committee on February 13, 2019, and following that meeting, was circulated for
additional comment; and
WHEREAS, the draft Greater Southside Neighborhood Plan was submitted for review
by the Tompkins County Department of Planning and Sustainability pursuant to §239-l-
m of New York State General Municipal Law, which requires that all actions within 500
feet of a county or state facility, including county and state highways, be reviewed by
the County Planning Department, and was also distributed for review by the City’s
boards and commissions; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of the Greater Southside Neighborhood Plan as part of Phase
II of the Comprehensive Plan is a Type I action, and the Common Council, as lead
agency, has completed environmental review and determined that the action will not
have a significant impact on the environment; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing for the adoption of the plan was held on March 13, 2019;
and
WHEREAS, the Common Council has considered the draft Greater Southside
Neighborhood Plan as recommended by the Southside Neighborhood Plan Committee
and the Planning and Development Board; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Common Council hereby adopts the Greater Southside
Neighborhood Plan, dated December 19, 2018, as part of Phase II of the
Comprehensive Plan; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That this Comprehensive Plan shall serve as a guide for future decisions
made by Common Council, City boards and commissions, and City staff; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That Common Council shall establish regular reviews and updates of the
Comprehensive Plan every five years.
To: Planning & Economic Development Committee
From: Megan Wilson, Senior Planner
Date: March 7, 2019
RE: Draft Greater Southside Neighborhood Plan
Following the last Planning & Economic Development Committee meeting, staff circulated
the draft Greater Southside Neighborhood Plan, dated December 19, 2018, for additional
review and comment. No comments have been submitted to date, and no additional
revisions have been made. The draft plan was also submitted to the Tompkins County
Department of Planning and Sustainability for review pursuant to §239-l-m of New York
State General Municipal Law. The County’s response to this review will be distributed
separately once received.
The draft Greater Southside Neighborhood Plan remains available for review on the City’s
website at http://www.cityofithaca.org/629/Southside-Neighborhood-Plan. Staff will
attend the March 13th meeting to discuss the plan and address any questions. If you have
questions or comments prior to the meeting, please feel free to contact me at 274-6560 or
mwilson@cityofithaca.org.
CITY OF ITHACA
108 E. Green St. — Third Floor Ithaca, NY 14850-5690
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
JoAnn Cornish, Director
Planning & Development – 607-274-6550 Community Development/IURA – 607-274-6565
E-Mail: dgrunder@cityofithaca.org
9.2 Renewal of Bus Operator Agreements to Continue Bus Operations on East
Green Street - Resolution
WHEREAS, Section 346-31 of the City Code states that no bus shall operate, stop on or
stand on any City street, nor shall such bus pick up or discharge passengers on any
such City street or curb, or any other public property, or within 200 feet of any City bus
stop in the corporate limits of the City of Ithaca, unless a permit is obtained from the
Common Council or its designee; and
WHEREAS, in September 2018, Common Council passed a resolution to allow the use
of East Green Street as an intercity bus stop; and
WHEREAS, staff prepared and executed agreements with the intercity operators for a 6
month trial period; and
WHEREAS, the intercity bus operator agreements will expire on March 1, 2019; and
WHEREAS, staff from Planning and Public Works have been continually evaluating this
program in order to determine whether this location is feasible as a long term solution
for intercity bus use; and
WHEREAS, staff has determined that the inclusion of an intercity bus stop is convenient
for bus patrons to be able to connect to points around the City or to alternate travel
modes, increased foot traffic helps to support local businesses, and on most days
during the trial period there have not been significant issues and all of the buses have
been able to use the street; and
WHEREAS, staff also found that the inclusion of intercity buses to downtown has
created some challenges, including, City crews not having the capacity to remove snow
from the street and sidewalk early enough to allow for the bus stop to remain functional,
intercity buses parking in the TCAT spaces, lack of rest areas for intercity passengers,
drivers and passengers loading luggage on the street side of the buses, and too many
on street buses during holidays and other significant travel days; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends that the Common Council conditionally renew the
agreement until August 31, 2019, in order to allow for a full year of consideration of this
site; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends that the agreement include conditions in order to ensure
that the on street traffic continue to flow safely and effectively; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Common Council approves the continued use of East Green
Street/NYS Route 79 for intercity bus companies to include Shortline/Coach USA, NY
Trailways, and Greyhound to operate transit services for an additional 6 month period,
to expire on August 31, 2019, with the following conditions:
City staff convene a meeting with bus providers to discuss necessary
changes that need to be made in order to continue with Green Street
intercity bus service. The bus companies will also be informed that there
is no room for expansion of future service at this location so that they can
make an informed decision of whether this space meets their needs now
and in the future.
The City will need to paint the bus lanes on Green Street and will charge
the intercity bus providers for this improvement. This will be an additional
charge above the use agreement fee.
Buses will need to specify dates that will have additional buses (holidays,
student arrival and departure dates) and will need to provide on street
staff on these dates to direct customers to their buses, and to direct bus
drivers to the appropriate locations. If the City determines that an
additional Community Service Officer (CSO) needs to be assigned to this
area during heavy traffic times in order to issue tickets, the City will charge
the bus operators for this service. This will also be a charge above the
agreement fee.
All of the bus companies will be required to provide accommodations for
their passengers. This can be accomplished through an agreement with
an existing facility, but they will need to show proof that they have
permission to use existing facilities.
The bus permit agreement should continue to allow for revocation for
failure to comply with requirements. There would be no tolerance of
unloading luggage on the street side, encroaching on the bike lane,
unloading from a travel lane or any other behavior deemed unsafe by the
City.
If additional improvements are determined to be necessary in order to
allow for traffic flow, the City will pass the costs onto the bus operators.
and; be it further
RESOLVED, That the Common Council will re-assess this agreement prior to August
31, 2019, in order to determine whether or not to continue to allow Green Street to be
used for intercity buses.
Page 1 of 1
To: Planning and Economic Development Committee Members
From: Jennifer Kusznir, Senior Planner
Date: March 8, 2019
Re: Inter City Bus Service on Green Street
This memo is intended to provide information regarding the intercity bus service on Green Street. In
October of 2018, the Common Council directed staff to enter into an agreement with the intercity bus
providers in order to allow them to use the Green Street stop for a period of six months. The current
agreement is scheduled to expire at the end of March. This topic was discussed at last month’s meeting
and staff was directed to draft a resolution to extend the agreement for an additional six months.
In order to continue using Green Street as an intercity bus stop, staff recommends that the City include
the following conditions, in order to ensure safety and convenient traffic flow:
City staff convene a meeting with bus providers to discuss necessary changes that need to
be made in order to continue with Green Street intercity bus service. The bus companies
will also be informed that there is no room for expansion of future service at this location
so that they can make an informed decision of whether this space meets their needs now and
in the future.
The City will need to paint the bus lanes on Green Street and will charge the intercity bus
providers for this improvement. This will be an additional charge above the use agreement
fee.
Buses will need to specify dates that will have additional buses (holidays, student arrival
and departure dates) and will need to provide on street staff on these dates to direct
customers to their buses, and to direct bus drivers to the appropriate locations. If the City
determines that an additional CSO needs to be assigned to this area during heavy traffic
times in order to issue tickets, the City will charge the bus operators for this service. This
will also be a charge above the agreement fee.
All of the bus companies will be required to provide accommodations for their passengers.
This can be accomplished through an agreement with an existing facility, but they will need
to show proof that they have permission to use existing facilities.
The bus permit agreement should continue to allow for revocation for failure to comply with
requirements. There will be no tolerance of unloading luggage on the street side,
encroaching on the bike lane, unloading from a travel lane, or any other behavior deemed
unsafe by the City.
If additional improvements are determined to be necessary in order to allow for traffic flow,
the City will pass the costs onto the bus operators.
Enclosed for your consideration is a draft resolution to extend the intercity bus agreements until
August 31, 2019. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
CITY OF ITHACA
108 E. Green St. — Third Floor Ithaca, NY 14850-5690
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
JoAnn Cornish, Director
Planning & Development – 607-274-6550 Community Development/IURA – 607-274-6565
E-Mail: dgrunder@cityofithaca.org
10. CITY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE:
10.1 Department of Public Information and Technology (PIT) Proposal to
Replace the City’s Storage Area Network (SAN) - Resolution
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Information and Technology City’s Storage Area
Network (SAN) has reached its end of life, is no longer under warranty, and is
experiencing intermittent failures, increasing the likelihood of a critical system failure;
and
WHEREAS, the SAN runs all vital network resources including e-mail, voicemail,
financial/MUNIS servers, anti-virus protections, departmental software applications, help
desk functions, network printing, and network file shares; and
WHEREAS, a critical system failure of the SAN would result in a massive interruption of
city services and the possible loss of a significant amount of mission-critical data; and
WHEREAS, PIT staff have taken, and continue to take, preventative precautions to
mitigate the impacts of a critical system failure, but there are no guarantees that these
measures will prove to be effective; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Information and Technology is only able to
redirect $15,000 towards the $115,000 SAN replacement costs; and
WHEREAS, while Capital Project #810 Citywide Computer and Software upgrades was
established in 2015 for $121,000 and has been fully expended, we can amend this
project by $102,000, which includes bonding costs for the SAN replacement; now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends Capital Project #810 Citywide
Computer and Software Upgrades by $102,000 for a total authorization of $223,000;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That funds for said SAN replacement shall be derived from an advance of
$102,000 from the General Fund, with a later repayment by the issuance of serial
bonds.
“An Equal Opportunity Employee with a commitment to workforce diversification”
CITY OF ITHACA
108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York 14850-6590
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK Telephone: 607-274-6570
Department of Public Information & Technology Fax: 607-274-6432
Julie Conley Holcomb, City Clerk www.cityofithaca.org
M E M O R A N D U M
To: Common Council
From: Julie Conley Holcomb, City Clerk/Department of Public Information & Technology
Date: March 8, 2019
Subj: Storage Area Network (SAN) Replacement
The Department of Public Information and Technology is requesting $100,000 of
emergency funding to replace the City’s Storage Area Network (SAN) equipment which is
showing signs system failure. The SAN runs all vital network resources including e-mail,
voicemail, financial/MUNIS servers, anti-virus protections, departmental software
applications, help desk functions, network printing, and network file shares.
The current equipment was purchased and installed in 2014. It had a 5 -year warranty
which expires this month, and the devices have been marked as “end of life”. This means
that we are not able to extend our service contract and all repairs and issues will be
handled on a time and materials basis. We recently replaced three hard disk drives while
they were under warranty, and they proved difficult to obtain due to the age of the
equipment.
Due to budgetary constraints, we had hoped to nurse the system long enough to submit a
Capital Project budget request for funding in 2020; however, recently we have experienced
a series of small system failures which indicate a higher likelihood of a critical system
failure. Should that occur, city operations would be impacted in a manner not seen before
and a significant amount of data could be lost. PIT staff has been actively working to add
memory and replace corrupted drives to support the SAN and to remove resources from
the SAN to alleviate pressure from the system, but we’re concerned that may not be
enough to stave off a future failure. If approved, we will use encumbered funds from 2018
to remove the e-mail server from the SAN to further protect this critical resource.
The SAN system is designed to have a secondary replication of the primary unit. It is
supposed to maintain a “real-time” copy of everything on the primary unit. Should the
primary unit fail, the secondary unit can be brought on -line, and services can be restored
within minutes. Our replication has begun to fail. We have been successful in restoring it
several times, but we are now often hours, if not days, behind on data capture. Indications
are that it will get more difficult to maintain this replication until it eventually fails. While this
is not currently impacting the live essential network services, it takes away our ability to
quickly restore services and data in the event the primary unit fails.
We have restructured our budget and changed the scope and phases of current projects to
dedicate $15,000 toward this project. The total system replacement co st is $115,000
which includes:
- 2 x HPE NS HF20 Hybrid CTO 21TB storage devices configured in a replication pair
- 2 x HPE 1950 12XGT 4SFP+ Switches
- 2 x HP DL 360 Proliant servers configured in a Windows Failover Cluster
The system improvements would include:
• HPE InfoSight included with SAN provides real-time monitoring and automatic
replacement part(s) deliveries without needed to initiate customer support call.
• Guaranteed SAN up-time is 6-nines; 99.9999% (equates to less than 32 seconds of
down time per year).
• SAN to server communications increased to 10 Gbps from 1Gbps
• Increase usable storage by 4-6 TB (depending upon configuration)
The SAN system replacement is something that should be budgeted for as an approximate
5-year expense. Our current budgeting system is not flexible enough to allow us to include
savings for these types of expenditures, but I will work with the City Controller’s Office to
figure out how best to plan for this type of technology infrastructure maintenance in the
future.
Please let me know if you have questions or would like more in -depth information as my
staff and I would be happy to discuss this request further.
10.2 Planning, Building and Development – Request for Funding for the ‘Doing
Business in Ithaca’ Guide - Resolution
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Office of Economic Development, part of the Department
of Planning, Building and Development, works to encourage and support business
development in the City of Ithaca; and
WHEREAS, the Department has identified a need to better promote the City as a place
to invest and to provide better information to businesses considering locating or
expanding in the City; and
WHEREAS, a new economic development resource, the ‘Doing Business in Ithaca’
Guide, will promote the City as a place to start and grow a business and will provide
comprehensive information in one location on available local resources and required
steps to starting or expanding a business in the City; and
WHEREAS, this new resource will support the City in achieving several economic
development goals articulated in “Plan Ithaca”, the City’s Comprehensive Plan,
including: 1) “the city will attract and retain firms valued by the community including low-
environmental-impact manufacturing, green businesses, locally-owned businesses, and
businesses owned by under-represented groups”, 2) “the economic environment will
retain, nurture, and grow new and existing businesses within the city”, 3) “the creation
and expansion of local employment, particularly well-paying jobs, will provide
opportunities for all income levels and age groups”, and 4) “a variety of businesses will
diversify the economy and reduce economic dependence on a single sector”; and
WHEREAS, the Department has substantially completed research and content
development, including drafting narrative content for the Guide and gathering photos
and testimonials from partners and city businesses, and now seeks to engage
professional document design and layout services and professional printing to complete
the Guide; and
WHEREAS, funding does not exist in the 2019 budget of the Planning, Building and
Development Department for these services; and
WHEREAS, a call for quotes was recently distributed, with seven (7) qualified local
designers submitting quotes ranging from $2,800 to $4,000 to design and layout the
guide, and an estimate for printing from a local printer has also been obtained; and
WHEREAS, funds for said Guide shall be derived from the unrestricted contingency
account, which currently has a $120,000 balance; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That $5,000 in City funding be allocated towards the ‘Doing Business in
Ithaca’ Guide project; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an amount not to exceed $5,000 be transferred from Account A1990
Unrestricted Contingency to Account A8020-5435 Planning Department Contract; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That the Planning, Building and Development Department be authorized
to enter into an agreement with a qualified designer for design and layout of the guide.
Page | 1 Doing Business in Ithaca Guide Budget Request
TO: City Administration Committee, Ithaca Common Council
FROM: Tom Knipe, Deputy Director for Economic Development
DATE: March 8, 2019
RE: Budget Request for Doing Business in Ithaca Guide
The purpose of this memo is to request $5,000 in City funding through the City of Ithaca’s 2019
Contingency budget to support the design and printing of an important new economic
development resource – the Doing Business in Ithaca Guide.
The Doing Business in Ithaca Guide will promote the city as a place to start and grow a business
and will provide comprehensive information in one location on available local resources and
required steps to starting or expanding a business in the City. No such resource exists in the
community today, and one is needed to encourage and support small business development in the
City, which will lead to job growth and increased City sales and property tax revenues. Many of
our partners have expressed enthusiastic support including the Cornell Center for Regional
Economic Advancement, REV Ithaca Startup Works, the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, the
Tompkins Chamber, TCAD, and the NY Small Business Development Center. I will lead the
editing and production of the guide. Naomi Crimm, Economic Development Intern, has
supported the project with research and content development.
Guide contents include the following:
• Invest in Ithaca (facts, figures, and information promoting Ithaca as a place to locate and
grow)
• Basics (essential steps; business planning; business registration; and tax, insurance,
zoning, building, and permitting information, etc.)
• Selecting a Location (zoning map and ordinance, commercial areas/neighborhoods;
things to consider)
• Financing (components of credit, bank financing, alternative lenders)
• Creating Jobs (basic considerations, resources on hiring, employees and related taxes,
etc.)
• Directory (local and regional business resources, startup resources, associations and
referral services, utilities, transportation, City of Ithaca, State of NY, Federal)
The comprehensive guide will also include attractive photos, a message from the Mayor, and
testimonials from current business owners. It will be designed to support periodic in-house
updates to remain fresh and will be formatted as a 36 page 6” x 6” print booklet. It will be a
resource that we expect partners and prospective businesses will keep and refer to on an ongoing
CITY OF ITHACA
108 E. Green St. — Third Floor Ithaca, NY 14850-5690
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
JoAnn Cornish, Director
Planning & Development – 607-274-6550 Community Development/IURA – 607-274-6565
E-Mail: dgrunder@cityofithaca.org
Page | 2 Doing Business in Ithaca Guide Budget Request
basis. We will also repurpose the content to create a companion Doing Business in Ithaca
website, and the guide itself will also be available on the City’s website as a downloadable .pdf.
Usage and impact will be tracked through the number of referrals leading to new or expanded
businesses, number of downloads, number of booklets distributed to qualified leads, and overall
impressions of the business climate in Ithaca as measured by business surveys.
We take inspiration for this guide from a similar resource produced by the City of Burlington,
Vermont’s Community and Economic Development Office:
https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/sites/default/files/2018%20CEDO%20Guide%20to%20Doing%20
Business.pdf
Project Budget
Quotes from qualified local designers and printers form the basis of the following budget:
• Content: Staff, intern, and partner time in-kind $0
• Design: Professional designer to design and lay out the print booklet: $3,000
• Printing: Full Color 6” x 6” booklet, 36 pages, card stock cover $2,000
• Website: Published in-house on the City’s website $0
$5,000
This is a one-time request, with benefits to the City be realized over multiple years.
Project Schedule
Narrative content for the guide has been drafted, and we have also gathered testimonials and
photos for use in the guide. We will be soliciting additional internal and partner feedback
between now and mid-April, before finalizing the content. We have quotes from several
qualified designers in hand and expect to execute a contract with a designer once a final funding
decision has been made by Common Council. The designer will then begin designing and laying
out the guide out in mid-April, and complete it by mid-May. Under this anticipated schedule,
printed guides will be available for distribution by the end of May.
Contact
Tom Knipe, Deputy Director for Economic Development
607-274-6554, tknipe@cityofithaca.org
10.3 Planning, Building and Development – Request for Funding for 2019
Collegetown Beautification - Resolution
WHEREAS, The “2009 Collegetown Urban Plan and Conceptual Design Guidelines”
were endorsed by the Common Council in August 2009 and serve as the guide fo r
private development and public improvements in Collegetown, with the Plan
emphasizing improving the pedestrian realm throughout central Collegetown and calling
specifically for improved streetscapes and improved sidewalk and street furniture
maintenance; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Office of Economic Development, a part of the Department of
Planning, Building and Development, in collaboration with the City Forester, Tompkins
County Chamber of Commerce, Tompkins County Beautification Program, Tompkins
County Tourism Program, Collegetown Small Business Association, and Cornell
University, has identified a need to improve the aesthetics of the streetscape in the
center of Collegetown with a set of low-cost near-term beautification improvements; and
WHEREAS, proposals for improvements in the center of Collegetown include
replacement of two worn benches on College Avenue with attractive new benches,
establishment of a new light pole banner program utilizing 18 City-owned and 7 Cornell-
owned street light poles, replacement of several open trash receptacles with closed Big
Belly-type trash receptacles, repair of sidewalk and tree well surfaces in collaboration
with the City Sidewalk Program and tree program, and replacement of rusty bike racks
with attractive community-designed public art bike racks; and
WHEREAS, these improvements are expected to improve the pedestrian realm and
enhance the overall neighborhood identity and sense of place; and
WHEREAS, the proposed public art bike racks would be funded separately by a private
donor, and any selected sidewalk improvements would be supported separately through
the City’s sidewalk program; and
WHEREAS, the budget for the remaining proposed improvements (light pole banner
program, bench replacement, and Big Belly trash and recycling receptacles) is $19,500;
and
WHEREAS, funding in the amount of $14,500 has been secured from the following
partners: Cornell University ($5,000), Tompkins County Tourism Program, ($5,000), and
Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce signage reserve ($4,500); and
WHEREAS, the City’s matching share towards implementation of these improvements
is $5,000; and
WHEREAS, funds for said City match shall be derived from the unrestricted contingency
account which currently has a $115,000 balance; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That $5,000 in 2019 City funding be allocated to a City Collegetown
Beautification Fund in support of the proposed improvements; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an amount not to exceed $5,000 be transferred from Account A19 90
Unrestricted Contingency to Account A8020-5435 Planning Department Contracts.
TO: City Administration Committee, Ithaca Common Council
FROM: Tom Knipe, Deputy Director for Economic Development
DATE: March 11, 2019
RE: 2019 Collegetown Beautification Proposal and Funding Request
The purpose of this memo is to propose several coordinated short-term beautification improvements in
Collegetown in 2019 and to request $5,000 in matching funding from Common Council to support a portion of
the proposed improvements. This effort is a collaboration between the City’s Office of Economic Development,
Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, Tompkins County Beautification Program, Cornell University, and
Collegetown Small Business Association. Partners are contributing funding in the following amounts:
• Cornell University $5,000
• Tompkins County Beautification Program $5,000
• Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce signage reserve $4,500
• City of Ithaca (pending) $5,000
$19,500
Background
The “2009 Collegetown Urban Plan & Conceptual Design Guidelines” were endorsed by the Common Council
in August 2009 and serve as the guide for private development and public improvements in Collegetown. The
plan emphasizes improving the pedestrian realm throughout central Collegetown and calls specifically for
improved streetscapes and improved sidewalk and street furniture maintenance.
In addition, the 2016-2020 Tompkins County Beautification, Signage and Public Art Strategic Plan calls for
streetscapes in key focus areas to be attractive and well-maintained, and for the development of a banner
program in Collegetown.
Further, in recent conversations with the Tompkins County Beautification Committee, the Cornell-Collegetown
Working Group, and with individual business owners and property owners in Collegetown, we identified a
shared interest among community partners in pursuing several short-term aesthetic improvements in the core
commercial area of Collegetown (100-200 Block of Dryden Rd, 300-400 Block of College Ave, and Eddy at
Dryden/Buffalo).
2019 Collegetown Beautification Program
Proposals for short-term improvements in the center of Collegetown include replacement of two worn benches
on College Avenue with attractive new benches, establishment of a new light pole banner program utilizing 18
City-owned and 7 Cornell-owned street light poles, replacement of several open trash receptacles with closed
Big Belly-type trash receptacles, repair of sidewalk and tree well surfaces in collaboration with the City
Sidewalk Program and tree program, and in-kind replacement of rusty bike racks with attractive community-
designed public art bike racks.
CITY OF ITHACA
108 E. Green Street — 3rd Floor Ithaca, NY 14850-5690
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING, ZONING, & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Division of Planning & Economic Development
JOANN CORNISH, DIRECTOR OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
Telephone: Planning & Development – 607-274-6550 Community Development/IURA – 607-274-6559
Email: dgrunder@cityofithaca.org Email: iura@cityofithaca.org
2
Several of the components listed above are to be funded separately, outside of the proposed 2019 Collegetown
Beautification Fund. The public art bike racks would be funded separately by a private donor, and any selected
sidewalk improvements would be supported separately through the City’s sidewalk program.
The budget for the remaining proposed improvements (light pole banner program, bench replacement, and Big
Belly trash and recycling receptacles) is $19,500, as detailed in the table below:
Beautification
Improvement
Proposed
Timing Location(s) Units Source of Funding
2019 CT
Beautification
Fund
Replace Worn Benches
2019
300‐400 block of
College Ave 2
2019 CT Beautification
Fund $7,000
Big Belly Trash &
Recycling Receptacles
2019
TBD ‐ replace
existing; includes
branded signage 4
2019 CT Beautification
Fund $8,000
Light Pole Banners with
Re‐Usable Hardware
2019
300‐400 College,
100‐200 Dryden,
Eddy, Eddygate Walk 25
2019 CT Beautification
Fund $4,500
$19,500
Proposed Light Pole Locations for Banner Program
5 poles – 400 block College Ave
3 poles – 300 block College Ave
2 poles – 200 block Dryden Rd. (new silver poles in front of Breazzano Center)
6 poles – 100 block Dryden Rd.
2 poles – Eddy (Dryden to Buffalo)
7 poles – Eddygate to College (Eddygate creek walk behind Schwartz Hall)
Related Efforts
Notably, the City will be working on larger streetscape improvement projects for College Avenue in the next
several years. The short-term beautification improvements described here are intended to complement those
efforts; designs will be selected that can be repurposed in the new streetscape. For example, as the City
undertakes work on the streetscape of College Ave within the next couple of years, several of the existing light
poles will be replaced. As such, we will select re-useable hardware so that the banners can be repurposed on any
new poles.
This project, combined with other efforts, will help demonstrate a shared interest on the part of local institutions
including the City, Cornell, the County, the Chamber and Collegetown businesses in the economic vitality and
success of Collegetown. Please contact me at your convenience with any questions.
Tom Knipe
Deputy Director for Economic Development, City of Ithaca
607-274-6554
tknipe@cityofithaca.org
10.4 Planning, Building and Development - Request from The Ithaca Farmers
Market Board of Directors to the City of Ithaca Common Council to Act as the
Sponsor for a Consolidated Funding Application for Improvements to Vehicular
and Pedestrian Access and Circulation at the Farmers Market Site - Resolution
WHEREAS, The Ithaca Farmer’s (IFM) Market Board of Directors has been working
with its members and customers to envision a vibrant and successful Farmer’s Market
that will allow them to grow, better serve their customers, and provide opportunity for
economic success for their vendor members; and
WHEREAS, as part of their visioning process, the IFM Board of Directors undertook a
feasibility study in 2017 to investigate the issues related to traffic circulation, parking,
and pedestrian amenities; and
WHEREAS, concerns expressed by vendors and visitors focused on the amount of
available parking; the awkward vehicular circulation due to long rows of parking and
vegetated berms; the lack of dedicated sidewalks for pedestrians; and gravel paving
that is often muddy and full of pot holes, is not ADA compliant, and has a lack of
accommodations for shuttles and buses; and
WHEREAS, The IFM is seeking to renovate the parking lot with improvements which
will include: accommodating ADA accessibility, better overall pedestrian access, and a
reconfiguration of automobile parking with appropriate surfacing and green amenities;
and
WHEREAS, much of the funding distributed by the State of New York happens through
the Consolidated Funding Application; and
WHEREAS, the program most likely to fund this project is the New York State
Department of State, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) implementation
grant, which funds a variety of capital improvements along New York State’s designated
waterways; and
WHEREAS, this program is not open to private entities, but since the City of Ithaca
owns the land upon which the pavilion and parking lot are located, the City could act as
applicant on behalf of the IFM; and
WHEREAS, the IFM intends to seek funding for Engineering/Design, renovation of the
parking lot, and administrative/project management costs; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca agrees to act as sponsor for the project for
purposes of the grant application; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the IFM is not seeking any financial support from the City and will
provide funding to cover all costs associated with preparation of the grant application.
Page 1 of 2
M E M O R A N D U M
Re: Ithaca Farmer’s Market Renovations:
Phase I - Pedestrian Access and Parking Improvements
Date: March 8, 2019
To: Members of City of Ithaca Common Council
From: Ithaca Famers Market, Board of Directors
Michele Palmer, Templeton Landscape Architecture & Planning
The Ithaca Farmer’s (IFM) Market Board of Directors has been working with its members and customers
to envision a vibrant and successful Farmer’s Market Steamboat Landing that will allow them to grow,
better serve their customers and provide opportunity for economic success for their vendor members.
This vision includes educational outreach, more collaboration with public and private organizations
having similar goals and working with their neighbors in the developing West End waterfront. As part of
their visioning process, they undertook a feasibility study in 2017 to investigate the issues related to
traffic circulation, parking, and pedestrian amenities. A study for visioning the future character and
functionality of a renovated Steamboat Landing pavilion is planned to begin soon.
Templeton Landscape Architecture & Planning visited the IFM on Memorial Day weekend 2017 to
observe the workings of the site with the objective of taking a critical look at the busy market on an
historically high traffic weekend. Initial concerns expressed by vendors and visitors focused on the
amount of available parking, but it was observed that there were empty spaces available until about
midday. Anecdotally, some pedestrians stated they didn’t think they would find a space and so parked
a distance away and walked.
The IFM Board is investigating how their market might be positioned in a redeveloped waterfront with
residential units and offices nearby. IFM has met with owners and consultants working on the West End
waterfront development projects in progress. Board members met with Whitham Planning & Design to
discuss the Carpenter Business Park Redevelopment project to understand their plan and the potential
influx of residents and consumers to the area. The IFM Board also met with Lincoln Morse of Organic
Elements to discuss the City Harbor project. Morse indicated that he believes it likely that an agreement
could be reached to allow the proposed medical office building parking (approximately 150 spaces,
largely empty on weekends) could be used as overflow parking for the IFM, as it is only a five-minute
walk away.
Based on parking counts, anecdotal conversations and collaborative investigations, it became clear that
many of the site issues were related more to the quality of parking than simply the quantity. The most
pressing include:
• Circulation for customer parking is awkward due to the long rows of parallel parking bays and
vegetated berms
• Pedestrian circulation is also awkward for similar reasons; there are no dedicated sidewalks
• The gravel surfacing is often muddy and is not A.D.A. compliant
• There is little accommodation for anyone with even minor physical impairments
Page 2 of 2
• Fire code has changed since the lot was constructed 30 years ago, and the layout will not be
grandfathered once any changes are proposed
• There is no accommodation for shuttles or buses
As a first phase, the IFM is seeking to renovate the parking lot with improvements which will include:
accommodating A.D.A. accessibility, better overall pedestrian access, and a reconfiguration of
automobile parking with appropriate surfacing. Green amenities such as rain gardens and electric
vehicle charging stations are planned. Renovation of a parking lot of this size is a costly venture and
many potential sources of funding have been investigated. Much of the funding distributed by the State
of New York happens through the Consolidated Funding Application, where most of the State’s grant
programs are represented.
Since the IFM is a private entity, many of those programs are not available to them. In our opinion, the
program most likely to fund this project is the New York State Department of State, Local Waterfront
Revitalization Program (LWRP), implementation grant, which funds a variety of capital improvements
along New York State’s designated waterways. This program is not open to private entities but since
the City of Ithaca owns the land upon which the pavilion and parking lot are located, the City could act
as applicant on behalf of the IFM. The City of Ithaca is part of a multi-municipal LWRP that is
substantially complete, which is a requirement for participation in this program.
Applications are due at the end of July and the IFM intends to seek funding for Engineering/Design,
renovation of the parking lot, and administrative/project management costs.
The IFM respectfully requests that the City of Ithaca act as sponsor for the project for purposes of the
grant application. The IFM is not seeking any financial support from the City and will provide the
consultants and funding to cover all costs associated with preparation of the grant application. If
Common Council approves this request, a resolution must be passed that states the City will act as
applicant and a letter will be required from the City describing the relationship between it and the IFM,
including its support for the project.
We ask that this request be placed on the April 3, 2019 Common Council meeting agenda. IFM
understands the grant application will not move forward without the sponsorship of the City as the
application would not be viable coming from a private enterprise.
The Ithaca Farmer’s Market is thankful for the longstanding support of the City of Ithaca and we will
work to continue to improve our ability to serve the residents of the City and all of Tompkins County.
Templeton Landscape Architecture and Planning
153 Pearsall Pl, Ithaca New York 14850
10.5 An Ordinance to Amend Provisions of City of Ithaca Municipal Code
Chapter 181 Entitled “Fire Prevention”
WHEREAS, the Fire Department and City Prosecutor have identified various updates to
portions of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code Chapter 181, entitled “Fire Prevention” to
clarify existing code provisions and improve enforcement; now, therefore
ORDINANCE 2019- ____
BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca as
follows:
Section 1. Legislative Intent and Purpose.
The Common Council makes the following findings of fact:
A. Fire prevention is a priority of the City.
B. Clarifying and updating the code provisions pertaining to fire prevention
will better inform the public of the City’s requirements and improve
enforcement of these requirements.
C. Therefore, the Common Council intends for this ordinance to implement
these changes for greater clarity about the requirements and to improve
enforcement thereof.
Section 2. Amendment of Section 181-2, entitled “Damage to fire apparatus
prohibited”, to create a new section entitled “Fire Department Access.”
The City of Ithaca Municipal Code shall be amended so as to delete this section in its
entirety, and replaced with the following section, newly entitled “Fire Department
Access”:
181-2 Fire Department Access
A) It shall be unlawful to interfere with, attempt to interfere with, conspire to
interfere with, obstruct or restrict the mobility of or block the path of travel of a
fire department emergency vehicle in any way, or to interfere with, attempt to
interfere with, conspire to interfere with, obstruct or hamper any fire department
operation.
B) Fire Lanes. Designated fire lanes, shall not be obstructed in any manner,
including the parking or standing of vehicles, on private or public property.
C) The fire department shall not be deterred or hindered from gaining
immediate access to fire protection equipment or fire hydrants. A 3-foot (914mm)
clear space shall be maintained around the circumference of fire hydrants, except
as otherwise required or approved. Unobstructed access to fire hydrants shall be
maintained at all times.
D) Violations of the provisions of the Fire Department Access section of this
Code shall be punishable by a fine of $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second
offense, and $150 for subsequent offenses.
Section 3. Amendment of Section 181-3, Fire Alarms.
The City of Ithaca Municipal Code shall be amended so as to delete subsections (a) and
(c) in their entirety, and re-letter accordingly, as follows:
A. Tampering prohibited. No person shall meddle or in any manner touch or
interfere with the fire alarm wires or boxes of the City, except on proper
occasion to give an alarm of fire; nor shall any person place any obstruction
or suffer or permit any pole, tree, building or other obstruction to fall upon or
against any fire alarm box or wire in the City.
B. A. Construction/maintenance activities. No person, who will perform
maintenance, construction, cleaning, or other such activities which are likely
to activate a fire detection or fire suppression system device in a building
protected by a fire detection or suppression system, shall initiate any such
activities until such time as they have determined that the fire detection or
fire suppression system has been properly protected against inadvertent
activation of such system. Protective measures include, but are not limited
to, device and/or zone isolation, or system isolation. When any question
exists as to whether or not such system has been properly isolated, the Fire
Department shall be consulted prior to any such work commencing.
C. Fees for master box connections to municipal fire alarm system.
1) An annual fee shall be assessed to each premises which has a master
fire alarm box which interconnects the building fire alarm system with
the municipal fire alarm system. This fee shall be the reasonable and
expected costs associated with the maintenance of the municipal fire
alarm system, as developed through the program budget accounting
system. This cost will be divided by the number of master fire alarm
boxes connected to the system, as documented by the Fire Chief. The
fee for a master box connection shall be calculated each year and
approved by the Fire Chief. Upon approval, the Fire Chief shall send
notices of such charge and the locations of each master box to the City
Chamberlain, but not sooner than March 1 of each year.
2) The property owner shall be billed for the annual fee as established in
Subsection C(1) above. This fee shall be paid to the City Chamberlain
within 30 days of the billing date. If the required fee is not paid within
30 days of the billing date, the City Chamberlain shall enter the same
as a lien against the premises as provided in § C-54 of the Charter of
the City of Ithaca. The Chamberlain shall add the same to the next
assessment roll of general City taxes and shall collect and enforce the
assessment in the same manner and by the same proceedings, at the
same time and with the same penalty as the general City tax and as
part thereof, except that, in addition to the penalties provided for in the
aforementioned provisions, interest shall accrue from the date of billing
to the date of actual payment at 12% per annum or $3 per month,
whichever is greater.
Section 4. Amendment of Section 181-7, entitled “Code Enforcement Official;
inspectors”
The City of Ithaca Municipal Code shall be amended as follows, and to add a new
subsection C as follows:
A. Enforcement. Pursuant to part 381 of the New York Executive Law, the City of
Ithaca shall be the entity responsible for enforcement of the New York State Uniform
Fire Prevention and Building Code (the Uniform Code) within the City of Ithaca. This
article provides for the enforcement and administration of the International Fire Code
and the International Property Maintenance Code, incorporated by reference in 19
NYCRR Part 1225.1.
B. Code enforcement official. The Chief of the Fire Department or the Chief’s
designee shall be considered the code enforcement official for the International Fire
Code and International Property Maintenance Code within the City of Ithaca.
C. It shall be a violation of this section of the Ithaca City Code to violate any
provision of the International Fire Code or the International Property Maintenance
Code referenced in 19 NYCRR Part 1225.1.
Section 5. Amendment of Section 181-9 (E)(4) entitled “Operating permits for
certain uses and materials; fees”
The provisions of subsections (E)(4) and (E)(8) of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code
Section 181-9 shall be amended as follows, with all other provisions contained in this
section remaining in their current form:
Section 5A:
(4) Hazardous materials.
(a) An operating permit shall be required for the manufacturing, storing or handling of
hazardous materials in quantities exceeding those listed in Table 2703.1.1(1),
2703.1.1(2), 2703.1.1(3) or 2703.1.1(4) in the publication entitled "Fire Code of New
York State" the Tables contained in 5003.1.1 (1), (2), (3) or (4) of the International
Fire Code, incorporated by reference in 19 NYCRR Part 1225.1.
Section 5B:
(8) Welding or cutting Hot Work, acetylene generators, calcium carbide and acetylene
cylinder charging plants.
(a) Operating permit required for welding or cutting hot work. This includes
operations such as cutting, welding, thermal welding, brazing,
soldering, grinding, thermal spraying, thawing pipe, installation of
torch-applied roof systems or any other similar activity.
1) An operating permit shall be required of each company, corporation, co
partnership or owner/operator performing welding or cutting hot work
operations, except as provided by the provisions of § 325-3 below in
8(a)(2). This permit shall not be required for each welding or cutting
hot work job location. The company, corporation, co partnership or
owner/operator shall notify the Fire Chief or the Fire Marshal in
advance where such work is done in response to an emergency call
that does not allow time to issue the necessary permit.
2) An operating permit shall not be required of any company, corporation,
co partnership or owner/operator:
(a) Where the welding or cutting hot work is performed in areas
approved for the purpose; or
(b) Having an approved permit system established for control of the fire
hazards involved.
Section 6. Severability clause.
Severability is intended throughout and within the provisions of this ordinance. 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 7. Effective date.
This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon publication as provided in the City
Charter.
To: Common Council
From: Tom Parsons, Fire Chief
cc: Svante Myrick, Mayor
Date: 3/11/2019
Re: Changes to Chapter 181, Fire Prevention, Code of the City of Ithaca
At the end of 2018, Assistant Chief Gillian Haines-Sharp working with City Prosecutor Robert
Sarachan, and Assistant City Attorney Krin Flaherty recommended various updates to Chapter
181, Fire Prevention, of the Code of the City of Ithaca.
The revisions included updates to the referenced chapters of the Uniform Fire Prevention and
Building Code of New York State; new enforcement language for the maintenance of Fire
Department Access; the elimination of the language regarding master boxes which the City no
longer maintains; and revised language regarding operating permits for Hot Work.
I will be attending the City Administration meeting and will answer any questions you might
have.
10.6 Human Resources - Amendments to Fringe Benefits for Managerial
Personnel - Resolution
WHEREAS, managerial positions are typically filled by individuals who have years of
experience; and
WHEREAS, employees newly hired into managerial positions start out with no leave
time and accrue leave time at a rate of ten (10) hours per month, or three weeks per
year, for the first two years; and
WHEREAS, concerns have been raised as to whether the City will continue to attract
the quality talent desired, with the proven experience expected, from organizations
where these individuals have achieved a higher rate of leave time; and
WHEREAS, recent managerial hires have had to take time off without pay due to pre-
offer vacation commitments; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Human Resources was asked to make a recommendation to
address the above issues and has determined that an initial credit of two weeks, upon
hire, would address the leave time comparability for someone leaving a position, and
would allow for new hires to honor prior commitments without penalty; now therefore be
it
RESOLVED, That Common Council approves the amendments included herewith,
effective retroactively to all managerial employees hired since January 1, 2018.
13. INDIVIDUAL MEMBER – FILED RESOLUTIONS:
13.1 Alderperson Murtagh - Recommendation to Tompkins County to Restore
Housing at 111-119 Sears Street - Resolution
WHEREAS, Tompkins County has identified a need to consolidate several offices into a
single location to maximize efficiencies and minimize lease payments; and
WHEREAS, properties located at 408, 412, and 414 N. Tioga Street and 111, 113, 117,
and 119 Sears Street are all available for sale by a single owner; and
WHEREAS, Tompkins County has entered into a purchase option agreement for the
above-listed properties; and
WHEREAS, 412 – 414 Tioga Street office building is in the CSU zone and is a legal
non-conforming use due to area deficiencies; and
WHEREAS, 111, 113, 117, and 119 Sears Street, formally consolidated with the Tioga
Street properties, is in a separate zoning district, R-2b, which allows only residential use
and does not allow office parking as a permitted use; and
WHEREAS, 408 Tioga Street is a contributing property in the Dewitt Park Historic
District; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca’s Comprehensive Plan, Plan Ithaca, identifies these
properties on the Future Land Use Map1 as medium density residential “opportunities
for infill development on vacant or underutilized sites. Such development should be
sensitive to the character and setting of the existing neighborhood”2; and
WHEREAS, as stated in Plan Ithaca, “the City recognizes the need to increase the
supply of high-quality, safe, and accessible housing that is afford-able to both renters
and homebuyers across all income levels, with particular attention to those with low,
moderate, or middle incomes.”3; and
WHEREAS, while not envisioned in the City’s Comprehensive Plan, the redevelopment
of 412, 413, and 414 N. Tioga Street offers an opportunity for the County to consolidate
several of their offices into one location; and
WHEREAS, the 2017 Tompkins County Housing Strategy identified a target for 500 new
housing units per year to meet needs of the workforce earning up to 100% of the Area
Median Income; and
WHEREAS, production of such housing is falling far below the target need; and
1 Plan Ithaca, Page 35
2 Plan Ithaca, Page 37, Future Land use Categories, Residential, Medium Density
3 Plan Ithaca, Page 73, Housing
WHEREAS, redevelopment of the project site creates an opportunity for Tompkins
County to directly advance its Housing Strategy by incorporating affordable residential
use along Sears Street in their office consolidation project; and
WHEREAS, it has long been the City vision for the Sears Street properties to be
returned to residential use should an opportunity arise; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Common Council strongly recommends that the
County honor the City’s Comprehensive Plan and respect the character of the
neighborhood by dedicating the entire Sears Street frontage of the County’s proposed
office consolidation project site for affordable residential use; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That this resolution be sent to each member of the Tompkins County
Legislature and the County Administrator.
13.2 Alderperson Mohlenhoff - Funding for Pilot Program to Provide Child Care
at City Meetings - Resolution
WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Ithaca values citizen feedback and
participation at public meetings; and
WHEREAS, Common Council recognizes that some members of the public are unable
to attend meetings due to the demands of caring for young children; and
WHEREAS, the 2019 City of Ithaca budget includes $5,000 to pilot a program to provide
child care at some public meetings; and
WHEREAS, the local Child Development Council provided input about best practices for
providing drop-in child care; and
WHEREAS, the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) has experience providing child
care at meetings by employing teens overseen by GIAC staff; and
WHEREAS, employing teens to provide child care provides valuable work experience to
our community’s young people; and
WHEREAS, the money budgeted for 2019 appears sufficient to provide child care at five
meetings per month for the remainder of the year; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That GIAC will begin providing child care at the monthly meetings of
Common Council and monthly meetings of the four commissions, starting no later than
May 2019; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby transfer $5,000 from Account A1990
Restricted Contingency to the following accounts for the purpose of funding child care at
City meetings for 2019:
A7311-5120-1158 GIAC Salary Part-Time $2,500
A7311-5435-1158 GIAC Contracts $2,500
13.3 Alderperson Nguyen - Resolution Condemning Violence and Hate Speech
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca’s Diversity Statement declares that “we will strive to learn
about diversity; educate city employees, members of boards and committees and other
volunteers; and promote acceptance of the differences of others within our workforce
and our community”; and
WHEREAS, white supremacists in the United States continue to promote bigotry and
hatred, targeting traditionally persecuted peoples, including but not limited African
Americans, Latinx people, Indigenous people, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and
other people of color, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, LGBTQA persons, and immigrants;
and
WHEREAS, in 2017 the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported a 37 percent increase
in hate crimes against Jews or Jewish institutions and found that attacks against Jews
or Jewish institutions made up 58.1 percent of all religious-based hate crimes; and
WHEREAS, on October 27, 2018, the perpetrator of the deadliest attack on Jewish
people in the history of the United States killed 11 worshippers at the Tree of Life
Synagogue building in Pittsburgh; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that hate crimes against
Muslims or Muslim institutions in the United States increased by over 99 percent
between 2014 and 2016; and
WHEREAS, in 2017, mosques were bombed in Bloomington, Minnesota and burned in
Austin, Texas, Victoria, Texas, Bellevue, Washington, and Thonotosassa, Florida, and
mass attacks on Muslim communities were planned against communities in
Jacksonville, Florida in 2017, Garden City, Kansas in 2016, and Islamberg, New York in
2015 and 2019; and
WHEREAS, on March 15, 2019 a white supremacist murdered 50 worshippers at two
mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand in the deadliest mass shooting that country has
ever seen; and
WHEREAS, watchdog groups have observed a sharp rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes
following the New Zealand massacre, including those that reference the attack; now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council will continue to advocate for strong gun safety laws
in New York State and the United States; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Common Council condemns acts and statements that are anti-
Muslim, anti-Semitic, racist, sexist, and of any form of bigotry; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That Common Council commits to pursuing a policy agenda that affirms
civil and human rights, and ensures that those targeted on the basis of race, sex,
religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, or immigration status can turn to
government without fear of recrimination; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca calls upon its state and national leaders to set an
example of rationality, compassion, and nonviolence through their words and actions.
14. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS:
14.1 Appointment/Re-Appointment to Examining Board of Plumbers –
Resolution
RESOLVED, That Marcus Williamee be appointed to the Examining Board of Plumbers
to fill a vacancy with a term to expire December 31, 2021; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That David Warden be reappointed to the Examining Board of Plumbers
with a term to expire December 31, 2019.