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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CA-2020-07-22CITY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 6:00 p.m. July 22, 2020 PRESENT: Alderperson Mohlenhoff – Chair Alderpersons (4): Gearhart, Kerslick, McGonigal, Nguyen Mayor (1): Myrick OTHERS PRESENT: Alderpersons (3) – Brock, Fleming, Lewis City Attorney – Lavine Superintendent of Public Works – Thorne Director of Transportation & Parking – Hathaway Senior Plan Examiner – Fell-DeWalt Chief of Staff – Cogan HR Director – Michell-Nunn Controller – Thayer 1. Call to Order 1.1 Agenda Review. None. 1.2 Review/Approval of Minutes: Alderperson Kerslick made a motion to approve the minutes from the June 17, 2020 meeting of the City Administration Committee. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart. Motion carried unanimously. 1.3 Statements from the Public Patricia McIntosh, Ithaca resident, stated that 5G is clearly a health threat and that this is not good for our community’s health and wildlife. Patricia asked that the City not put everyone at risk for something that is not necessary. 1.4 Statements from Employees. None. 1.5 Council Response. None. 2. Consent Agenda Items. None. 3. Finance, Budget and Appropriations 3.1 Funding of Traffic Signal Replacement at 3 Intersections Moved by Alderperson Kerslick. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart. Whereas, the City of Ithaca has received a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan grant, which includes improvements at the signalized intersections of E. MLK Jr./E. State Street & Stewart Avenue, Cayuga Street & Lincoln Street, and Cayuga Street & Tompkins Street; and City Administration Committee Meeting July 22, 2020 Page 2 Whereas, the grant only covers construction of pedestrian safety enhancements, such as pedestrian signal heads and push buttons; and Whereas, the signal equipment at these intersections is nearing the end of its useful life; and Whereas, the signal head at the intersection of Cayuga & Lincoln is low enough that it was recently struck by a truck and cannot function properly as a result; and Whereas, there would be an increased cost to build only the pedestrian improvements now and the full reconstruction later; and Whereas, the traffic signal at the intersection of Cayuga & Lincoln cannot function properly without $15,000 of equipment replacement that can be reused at other intersections at a later time; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that Common Council approves the funding ($175,000) of the construction costs beyond the grant funded improvements to reconstruct the traffic signals at the signalized intersections of E. MLK Jr/E. State Street & Stewart Avenue, Cayuga Street & Lincoln Street, and Cayuga Street & Tompkins Street; and be it further Resolved, that Common Council approves $15, 000 in equipment funding to make the intersection of Cayuga & Lincoln functional as a three-color signal. Alderperson McGonigal made a motion to vote separately on the funding request for the $175,000 and the $15,000 in equipment. Seconded by Alderperson Nguyen. After further discussion, Alderperson McGonigal withdrew his motion. Alderperson McGonigal made a motion to amend the last resolve to include language that the funding would be derived from the issuance of Serial Bonds. Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick. Motion carried unanimously. A vote on the resolution, as amended, resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 4. City Administration, Human Resources, and Policy 4.1 Extension of Deadlines for Construction Projects Moved by Alderperson McGonigal. Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick. Whereas, on March 7, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order 202 declaring a disaster emergency in the State of New York, and Whereas, the Governor recently signed a bill (S8236A/A 10409) authorizing local governments to extend building permits, zoning board approvals, and planning board approvals for a period of 120 days for the duration of the state disaster emergency declaration; and City Administration Committee Meeting July 22, 2020 Page 3 Whereas, Planning and Building Division staff recognize that various construction projects within the City may have been delayed or continue to be delayed due to the COVID-19 restrictions; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that for the duration of the stated disaster emergency declared pursuant to executive order 202 or 2020, the Director of Planning, Building and Economic Development or her designee may extend for a period of up to 120 days beyond the stated expiration date any building permits, Board of Zoning Appeals approvals and/or Planning Board approvals issued before March 7, 2020. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 4.2 Possible Dissolution of the Board of Public Works The Committee discussed and agreed that discussion on this topic would be suspended until after the budget season and employees return from furlough. 5. Discussion 5.1 Reinstatement of Furloughed Employees HR Director Michell-Nunn reported that five (5) furloughed employees were reinstated due to generous donations from the public. She stated that information regarding the reinstatements were sent to Council members prior to this meeting. 5.2 Special Common Council Meeting: There will be a special Common Council meeting on Wednesday – July 29, 2020. Chairperson Mohlenhoff asked that items for discussion be e-mailed to her, which would be added to the items listed below: • Budget update • Financial savings from furloughs • Golf course • Public comments 6 Meeting Wrap-up 6.1 Announcements. None. 6.2 Next Meeting Date: August 25, 2020. 6.3 Review, Agenda Items for Next Meeting. None. 6.4 Adjourn: With no further business and on a motion by Alderperson Kerslick, the meeting was adjourned at 6:51 p.m.