Common Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening [clears throat] and welcome to the final meeting of the Ethic common council for 2025. Uh which is not technically called to order yet. Not least of which because we do not have a quorum. Hm. Uh, but thank you uh to our Rotarian friends for coming to uh present the Pride of Ownership Awards. And I will gently remind everyone to please illuminate your microphone so it is green and speak directly into it so that my dad and the other handful of people watching on YouTube can uh can hear everyone because sometimes we don't do that and then everyone just sees a lot of mute clapping uh on YouTube. We want to make sure everyone hears about these uh tremendous projects. So I will turn it over to you. Thank you for joining us this evening.

Okay. My name is Margaret Hobby and I'm currently the chair of the um Susan Blumenthal Pride of Ownership Awards uh committee and we are in our 28th year. So this has been a long-term collaboration between the city and the Ithaca Rotary. Susan Blumenthal who died a few years ago was a common council member in the 90s and um she is the founder of this program and um after her death we named it after her. Common Council named it after her. Susan felt that developers and property owners should receive recognition for their work that went above and beyond the requirements of the project. And so the awards are focused on projects that are thoughtful, unexpected, and lift the aesthetic experience of their setting and surroundings. They have to be improvements that are visible from the public right of way. So we don't include interior projects lovely though many of them are. Um and the current members we have seven members at present um some of whom are Rotarians and some of whom are city residents. Um I am the city historian amongst other things. And Scott Whidam is um the um landscape designer. We have Pauline Morin and um Emily Patrina who are architects and Frost Travis who's a developer and Brett Bosard who is at Ithaca College and John Baratus who's late and who has the awards and is a very talented architect as well. So

not punctual.

Let's start with the first one. How exciting. So as you get that set to uh advance it to so the first award is 601 East State Street owner Charlie Oconor Modern Living Rentals who is here architects trade design build also Mike Baraski is here um from that we'll ask you to step up and accept an imaginary award in a minute 601 East State Street is a new multifamily six-unit building situated in the rear yard of a lot adjacent to an existing historic building. It's the result of a collaborative partnership between the owner Modern Living Rentals Designers Trade Design Build and the City of Ithaca. And maybe someone Brett, if you could help sort of direct uh slides as they go so we've not leaving you in the lurch. Um, the thoughtfully designed 5,700 ft three-story residential building responds admirably to the neighborhood's historic architectural character while at the same time providing muchneeded missing middle housing through urban infill. To receive entitlements to build, the project team sought and received an area variance from the city of Ithaca Board of Zoning, a recommendation from the Itha Landmarks Preservation Commission, and site plan approval from the city of Ithaca Planning Board. The project accommodates and enhances the historic visual characteristics of the street on which it fronts in its massing and form and takes inspiration from the adjacent historic buildings with its distinctive hip roof oriented along the street

facade to emphasize the building's horizontality. The porch helps break down the weight of the facade and connects it to the street. Natural wood trim and structural elements provide warmth as the design of the building successfully straddles the line between modern and historic. The porch is imagined as a modern interpretation of the traditional front porch with it flat roof, clean horizontality and materials include architectural shingle roof, composite wood siding, marvin aluminum clad windows, wood entry door and stucco base course. The 601E state project improves the public context of the East Hill historic district by providing appropriate infill in which the modern construction exists in harmony with the sensibilities of the past. So to accept the reward award, Charlie, where are you? Uh and and Mike, if you would come up and we're going to pretend to hand you something you're going to receive. It's just like congratulations.

As we congratulate them, let's all just sear this image into our mind of what a sixunit building can look like in our neighborhoods. How tremendous. Nothing to be scared of when we talk about sixunit housing. So, thank you very much. Exactly. And thanks again. You have the second one, Dr.

Yes. The second award is for 404-404 a 12 North Kyuga Street. And I should add, uh, with four architects on our committee, it's inevitable that every few years somebody on the committee receives an award, just so you know. and you can't self-nominate and you can't vote on your nomination, but um anyway um but this building is owned by Whidham Planning Design and Landscape Architecture. Um, the house, the original house was built in 1870 as a residence in the then popular Italian style with a low pitched roof, asymmetrical facade, projecting eaves with decorative brackets, tall firststory windows, and pedimented windows and doors. It started out as a single family residence, but over time was expanded to include income apartments. At one point it housed a real estate office and from 1972 to 2022 it contained medical offices. First Dr. Serno and then Dr. Law. In 2022 the property was purchased by WHID planning design landscape architecture. The firm undertook a careful renovation of the house and availed themselves of the opportunity to showcase their skill in landscape design. They repaired and replaced siding, as you saw earlier, corrected down spouts, and hired blue spruce painters to repaint the exterior in the firm's signature color, Essex green, with contrasting white details. Hoham porch lights were replaced with matching schoolhouse style pendant lights, and even the house numbers were replaced with a font appropriate to the age of the house. The front of the house presented challenges. A large concrete slab had been laid at the southeast corner of the building for ambulance parking because

it was a doctor's office for 50 years. When it was removed, it proved to be about a foot thick. Um, overgrown ornamental and lawn were also removed all the way to the street curb. Local Mason Kevin Riley brought in sections of blue stone and he and WPD staff created paths that made the space more functional and more interesting. The paths divided the space into six planting zones with existing public sidewalk, two direct entries into the two sides of the building, and a meandering garden walk north to south through the site. Additional soil was brought in to create greater soil volume for planting, creating the illusion that the walks were carved out of an existing landscape. The planting area adjoining the street was blended into the overall scheme. It doesn't just end at the sidewalk. Throughout the project, um WPD used local resources wherever possible. Everything from shopping at reuse and found and significant elements. They used Kauga landscape and the plantsmen. They incorporated an ancient compost heap from the rear of the property into the soil at the front. And all of the professional administrative staff got involved in the actual construction and planting process yielding pickaxes and shovels. And here they are on their lunch break in the photo. So congratulations There were there were many the whole staff was involved and particularly um landscape architect Jacob von Mechco and Graham Feldum.

You can keep it. Hey, the awards have stealthily arrived. Open. I'd like to welcome Bala and Dean Learner. Oh,

I'd like to welcome Provos Ballot and Dean Learner who have taken some time out in their busy schedules to come and receive this award tonight. I guess we're going to need another slide. Could you go forward one please? Yep. The an SB College of Computing and Information Science designed by the Lear's Wines Apple Associates is a new 1,300 1,00 got the number wrong. 1 134972 I guess I can't say the number square foot building that combines the departments of computer science, information science, statistics, and data science. It's located at 127 Hoy Road, the eastern entry to Cornell campus. The new quad created the Bowers building that created the Bowers building will accommodate the university rapidly growing computing and informationational sciences. The four-story building consists of two wings forming an L framing a shared green space with Gates Hall to the north. A five-story building edging the east west access of the former Hoy baseball field. The Bowers building's minimalist facade with its strong vertical rhythms of glass and metal provide a sympathetic contrast with Gates Hall's complex horizontal glass sunscreens. Bower's faceted ribbon of sculptural metal repeat, but they vary geomet geometrically creating a suble subtle syncopation on the facade. The polygon gonal faces are manipulated to create new combinations. The overall rhythm of the fins seems to compress as you move past the building, creating a new experience of the facade. The open spaces created by the dynamic duo bowers and gates include the quad, a terrace protected bower's western cantaliever and sunken gardens with native planting along the western and southern edges of the site. Together, they provide exciting spaces to gather and enjoy. The union of landscape and building create a

world-class entry to welcome and impress visitors to Cornell campus. Thank you. Couldn't see anything. And we'll take some and thank you so much. This is a labor of love as I was saying five years. I love every There's anybody.

All right. Our next uh awardee is going to the Dorothy Cotton Mural at 415 North Tyogga Street in downtown Ithaca, home of Photosynthesis Productions. Uh the project team on this included uh Shawn Dun Woody, the artist, photosynthesis productions, Ithaca murals, and of course the Dorothy Cotton Institute. The new mural honoring Dorothy Foreman Cotton brings vibrant color, historical relevance, and serves as a striking gateway to the Fall Creek neighborhood at 415 North Tyogga Street. Dorothy Cotton, a former Ithaca resident and of course a national civil rights leader, served as education director for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Southern Christian Leadership Conference and was the only woman on his executive staff. Her work in citizenship education laid the foundation for the civil rights movement and continues to inspire generations. Installed on the exterior of the building that houses photosynthesis productions, the mural connects Cotton's legacy to an organization dedicated to advancing social justice through film. The group's award-winning documentary, Move, When the Spirit Says Move, the legacy of Dorothy Foreman Cotton, inspired the design. The collaboration was guided by Ithaca Murals, a community-driven network that transforms gray walls into vibrant works of art, reflecting local stories and values. IA Murals played a key role in coordinating the project, engaging community members, and ensuring that the mural reflected the spirit of inclusion and empowerment. Created by Rochester based artist Shaun Dun Woody, the mural celebrates Cotton's legacy of justice and education. Its bold imagery and dynamic lettering echo Dun Woody's belief that quote, "Activism informs art and art affects activism." In addition to stylized portraiture of the civil rights icon, the piece features three-dimensional accents that spread beyond the facade of the building, encouraging heightened engagement with the neighborhood and pedestrians strolling along Cascadola Creek. As Senator Leah Webb remarked at the ribbon cutting that unveiled the project, quote, "Dorothy Cotton's legacy will continue to live on through her work, and this mural will be a memorial in Ithaca for generations to come." This

Dorothy Cotton mural installation exemplifies the power of art, storytelling, and community collaboration to improve neighborhoods and enhance community conversations around important issues. And to accept the award, we have uh Deborah Horde from Photosynthesis Productions. interview

probably for the best. Did you keep the little guys though?

Did you Did you keep the little guys who were helpful painters? Right. Yes. The final award is the Ithaca Farmers Market at Steamboat Landing. Often called Ithaca's gem and featured on nationally ranked must visit lists, the Ithaca Farmers Market is an institution in our city. Formerly on a debris site, volunteers helped build the pavilion and transform the landscape around it into a community gathering space. The market first opened for business in 1973 in a different site. This year, during their 52nd year in operation, the market completed the first phase of a multi-step and several year-long process to update and modernize aspects of the market. This first phase included extensive changes to the parking lot and its southeasterly approach by a third street. Longtime visitors will remember not and not so long time will remember the dusty wild west approach to parking which required loads of patience and a car wash afterwards. Today, drive aisles have been reoriented for clear lines of sight. Bike and bus lanes have carefully been located to promote alternative approaches to the market. A walking path on the southern border is better defined and separated from park cars with a wide buffer of plantings. Perhaps the most significant change was the formalized network of sidewalks which allowed pedestrians to navigate from all reaches of the parking lot into the market safely. As with everything in the Ithaca, As with everything the Ithaca farmers market does, the changes were loyal to their mission of promoting

local agriculture and sustainability. The majority of new paving is porous, allowing rainwater to reabsorb into the earth. Native plant species populate the garden beds between aisles and along pedestrian paths, and multimodal transportation is promoted throughout. New brick pavers line the drive aisle closest to the market, which is reserved for vendor parking and ride share drop offs. This lane symbolizes a threshold and formalizes one's entry into the market. Large stones line the planting beds here, providing a place to sit and wait for friends or enjoy some of the market's offerings. The new brick paving is reminiscent of a yellow brick road, leading us happily home to the market we know and love. And here to accept the award are uh Monica Roth and Jan Rhodess Norman from the Ithaca Farmers Market and Michelle Palmer and Jacob Fonmechco and Scott Whidam from Whidom Design. And we're still fundraising to finish.

That's it. Thanks very much for this year. And one other thing, as usual, I was gonna say because I got one in my office. I'm waiting for a companion piece. Sunday. So at the same

beautiful nominate right around nominate other project. Thank you in October. You have some time.

the public here. I'll go ahead and read the emergency evacuation notice. In the case of an emergency, we are to take one of two exits. The door that many folks are currently walking through or the door that is over my left shoulder. We are then to head west towards the corner of South Cuga and Green. Please do not cross the street. those with restricted mobility. In the event of an emergency, it is best to move to one of the stairwells and first responders will arrive to aid you. In the event of other emergencies, you will be notified how to proceed at that time. We want everyone to be aware of their surroundings and offer help when it is not to your own detriment as you are your own best advocate. With that, any additions and deletions to the agenda, Mr. Letterman,

I am adding well, I guess a couple things. Um, first I'm adding resolution to release funds previously placed in restricted contingency the fiscal year 2026 budget. Mhm. Uh, what else am I adding? That's it. Okay. Oh, with the marriage thing.

That'll come up with the Yeah, but thank you. Um, all right. Mr. Letterman is just asking for unanimous consent to add to the agenda our ability to release the TCAT funds that we had the the portion of the TECAT funds that the underwriters agreed to. Any objection? See? Oh, okay. So, let me Any objection? Seeing none, without objection, it has been added. Um, Legislator Pillar, you are recognized for your municipal report. Thank you for joining us. Sorry for getting you as you were trying to take a sip of your water.

It's all good. Thank you for having me. Um, county updates. Since I was last here, our budget did officially pass. um small modifications at the end, but nothing uh drastic or majorly changing its size. Um our code blue shelter is now open, as you probably know, um down at what used to be the founding on Cherry Street. Um it is it sounds like it's going well. Um unlike last year, it is open 247. There is no time when it ever closes and people are kicked out. Um which is good. Spread the word. Um I usually have our housing and economic development committee meeting right before this. So that is in my head. A couple things from that. Um our design process for the new purpose-built shelter is in the works. We got um an update like a some you know potential mockups from our consultant just now and I think the next stage that we've asked for is robust public stakeholder input on what people's needs are um before carrying on. We're looking at a timeline of hopefully having applied for and received um grants to build the shelter um which is a sort of grant funding that to my knowledge has not been undercut anytime recently um and we'll hopefully have that by October. We did hear an update about um HUD funding to the continuum of care um which is terrible. I don't have all the details, but um you can talk to me or Lydia Barger or someone afterwards about uh all the changes and what they're willing to fund. We had a meeting last night where we um had a robust discussion about adding the position of chief equity and diversity officer to

our county charter um which did pass. So our charter um now has that change. Uh for context, many highle positions at a similar level are already listed in the charter. In fact, that's quite a large amount of what ARC charter says. Um, as for the actual, at the moment that position is vacant, but hiring is um ongoing application period closed and we'll hopefully have some to report in a month or two. Um, the center of government project continues on Monday, December 8th at 6 p.m. There is the next like public input feedback session um by our consultants. It is going to be in legislature chambers at 6 p.m. but also it will be livereamed and also if you want to join on zoom you can register for the zoom link at um our center of government web page. And finally obviously this is the last um month of this term. We have one more legislature meeting, but you know, by the time one of us, presumably me, comes here next month, we will have eight new legislators. It's very exciting. So, we're preparing for that. And this is the last time I'm presenting to this very council. So, I just thank you all for your work. Thank you for having me month after month. Um, and a special thanks to those leaving, Clyde, Tiffany, Pierre, my reporting buddy. Uh, it's great to see you on consecutive days monthly. Um, Chris, my older person, and Miss Phoebe, uh, who I knew before all this. We got elected the same year. Uh, you were part of why I keep going. So, thank you. And the rest of you, I'll see you in January.

Thank you, legislator. Um uh this is an opportune time now that you're all back to remind to let you know rather uh the county has offered a gracious invitation to the council to tour the codeblue facility. I will be reaching out to you uh to coordinate times to make that happen. Um so thank you for the report. Thank you Mr. Letterman. Uh if there are any questions for the legislature uh at this time well it looks like they have something to add and then older person Monttos please. Just shout out to uh Volunteers of America, our nonprofit partner, who is running the Code Blue shelter. And so we'll be uh hosting you on the tour. I we a bunch of lots of folks including legislators got to tour it like right before it opened and that was very informative.

Thank you. Alder person Moss, thank you for that. Um, I actually ran into a constituent from Nates Floral the other day and they are pleased um and that the shelter is happening over in that area and there are no complaints thus far. So, I want to thank the county and the volunt and volunteers of America for opening um the code blue shelter and seems like it's running efficiently and smoothly.

That's awesome to hear. Thank you. Um I do one I wasn't part of it but they uh volunteers of America and the county did host a like I think community relations discussion se session I don't know if it was at Nate's floral estates exactly but in that area and the committed to like ongoing receiving feedback and dialogue which I think um sounds like that's good and I commend them for that. older person Brown.

Uh, I want to first thank you for coming, bringing us information. It's been a pleasure just knowing you're coming and knowing you're there. So, thank you and thank you for all that you've done in our community. You've been like my go-to for on the county and thank you. Um, I just have to uh say I was very inspired and really enjoyed listening to the awards that were given out and seeing the pictures of the different places and um just wondering right because I've been to the uh Code Blue shelter. I went over there, you know, I didn't go inside, but to to place some posters. And I must say I wish this group that was here take that on as something to do because I going into the cold blue the the um it's horrible out there the flooding the grounds the parking and all I can think of in my mind is if this is what people who are very vulnerable right now have to engage in not these beautiful places like that. So, I just wanted to bring that up. Like, I mean, I'll be around and I definitely will come for the inside interview, but I think as someone who's been homeless, someone who's been vulnerable, the aesthetics means a lot to me, too. So, when they are doing cold blues next year, um, just have that in mind. Thank you.

Thank you for that feedback.

Thank you very much. Great to see you as always. Um, with that, I'm going to turn next to our quarterly recognition award. Uh, this quarter's nominee, awardee, excuse me, is uh Kim Olsen, who has been submitted and nominated by Alex Reynolds. Um, I'm going to just kind of paraphrase the award here that, uh, Kim is being recognized for being an outstanding supervisor and mentor. Uh, they are a rare person who leads with both heart and dedication. uh always there for their team, not just giving direction, but rolling up their sleeves and working right alongside the staff, especially when things are tough. Um they are one of the first to step up when there's a chance to support the community, no matter how big or small the need. And while I rec while I understand from director How that uh Kim is not able to join us this evening, I do have this award and I would hope you would all join me in expressing our appreciation for Kim uh and I'll make sure that this gets to them as soon as possible. So, thank you very much. Uh with that may I please have someone move the special meeting minutes from the 17th and the 15th and the 5th of September, October and November respectively. Moved by all the person St. Perez, seconded by all the person Kumar. All those in favor of adopting those minutes that carries unanimously. Also I will let the record note uh Mr. Keel is out on business this evening and Mr. Shapiro, I understand, will be joining us later. Uh, with that, we'll turn to public comment. We have four this evening. My first speaker is Emily Thuja. Emily, as you know, you have three minutes once you begin.

Got to find it. Okay. Um, so I'm here for my usual reason um to uh uh urge and uh encourage the hiring of a controller so that we can get caught up on our audits. Um it is a busy time of the year. Um so I'm just going to reread my comments from June. So these are the basics of why it's bad that this city is so far behind on its financial reporting. Um, it's bad because financial reporting is one of the basic duties of a municipal government. The city not having audits done is like a grown adult not ever checking their credit card bill. Uh, it's bad because city residents deserve to know how their money is being spent and the level of debt and unfunded liabilities the city has. This is about basic transparency. Um, it's bad because in my line of work, a lack of timely financial statements is a strong predictive indicator that an organization is likely to be in financial distress and is trying to hide that fact. Or it can also be an indicator of fraudulent activity. So, of course, we hope that this is not Ithaca's problem, but until we get proper audits, that's my worry, and it should be any citizen's worry. Uh it's bad to not have our financials because without a clear picture of our financial strength or weakness. Um uh the people on the common council and voters don't have a clear understanding of what projects and priorities we can or could not afford. It's bad because the entities who the city would like to borrow from can have no idea how likely they are to be made whole on the funds that they might loan. Wise investors should know better than to purchase bonds from a credit creditworthiness black hole. I think I stumbled on that last time I read this, too. Um, [snorts] and it's bad because we're in a particularly tenuous period um, politically for Ithaca. We're under threat. Cornell is under threat from the current um, federal administration who

is targeting us financially. A strong financial position would buttress us from those kinds of threats. Uh, but instead, we find ourselves having no idea whether we're standing in a house in a house of bricks or of straw. Thanks.

Thank you very much. My next speaker is Teresa. Welcome Teresa. As you know, you have three minutes once you begin. I'm Teresa Alt of 206 Eddie Street, College Town. Oddly, today my remarks are about two items in the consent agenda. Designation of official newspaper. You have designated the Ithaca Journal. The journal is hidden behind a payw wall. It provides very little local news. I do read the legal notices there, but I'm sure very few citizens do. I have heard I think that the county is looking into getting state permission to designate the Ithaca voice instead. I hardily recommend that the city do that too. Second, designation of official deposiitories. Your short list includes the JP Morgan Chase Bank. This bank is one of the worst investors in fossil fuels in the country. Every Saturday morning there is a demonstration by environmentalists there. I realize that you may have to designate them because you already have money there, but please don't put any more money in. Thank you. My next speaker is Jordan Clemens. Welcome, Jordan. As you know, you have three minutes. Why don't you begin? Hello, my name is Jordan Clemens, uh founder of uh the grassroots revitalization nonprofit Unbroken

Promise Initiative. I'm coming to you again in the fifth year asking that the city um make UPI whole for the services rendered to the city in the last 5 years as was alluded to in the previous council um by Phoebe. We've been I've been coming here speaking with you all, meeting with officials in the background. I've contacted some of the common council members around this issue and still UPI despite delivering and over overd delivering for the service of the community during the height of a pandemic and social and racial unrest has still not been made whole. And so why do I bring that up? Because when I got pulled into this arena, one of the things that I brought to the city's attention was the historical and current racial and social unrest that was covertly and underlying in the city. Now my organization myself have led countless uh volunteers organized countless community members in uh socioeconomic distress as well as the city mayor's office, city staff and city officials in the last 5 years towards many opportunities to help address the the financial issues that we were having at that time. Now 5 years later, I'm finding out that the financial duress of the city is even greater than it was during the pandemic. Why is that concerning? Well, during 2020 and 2021, UPI was brought to the table to the US Department of Treasury when ARPA, the program of ARPA was being put together and the aspect of addressing economic distress communities was led by the voice of UPI

at that table. And so when I had agreed and met with the mayor around collaborating, it was understood before ARPA even was rolled out around the country that we would be receiving ARPA. And it was understood that the agreement that was laid out by me and the mayor's office, the ask to the service that we were agreeing to justified the means because of ARPA and the terms and conditions around ARPA to ensure that economic distress and disparities were addressed through ARPA funding. So I ask and encourage you all please so that I could move on because the this you know around the country other communities are also in need of the services that we have been able to provide the last 5 years. Would someone please from the city please have the decency to make UPI whole? Thank you.

And our final speaker is Ewin. Welcome, Zach. As you know, you have three minutes. Why don't you begin?

Thank you. Uh, I sent you, uh, photographs of a fire that occurred in the jungle exception zone behind Walmart and Lowe's on November 26 where a campsite was consumed in, uh, the blaze. Thankfully, there were no major injuries as far as I understand. Uh, these types of fires happen consistently around this time of year as people struggle to keep warm in the encampments. Uh, there's also been another call about a campfire in the area that was extinguished. Uh this fire and others like it are very high-profile and bring negative attention to the conditions in the area with smoke and the smell of burning wafting across the parking lot of a major retailer on a consistent basis. Uh it is one of the reasons why people avoid coming downtown. Uh the potential for someone to burn or freeze to death in the exception zone is very real. Uh in a positive turn of events, the county code blue and warming center uh code blue shelter and warming center are now open. I hope the city and outreach workers can take the opportunity to encourage people to leave the dangerous conditions of the encampments uh which present equal risks of fire and cold and accept services and housing instead of sleeping rough behind a fence. Uh by the time spring arrives, I hope the city can make progress at providing more basic amenities like the recently installed water supply with camera coverage, electricity, and Wi-Fi being small but significant improvements to the conditions in the city's sanctioned camping area where people have been encouraged to live for several years now. Thank you. Thank you. We'll turn to privilege of the floor. I'll just quickly note um that uh Theresa Alt was correct that there is an effort uh not just the county although I know they passed res or are considering a resolution on this issue. Uh Nikon, the New York Conference of Mayors is also trying to get the state to change what I imagine is just basically a carveout for the newspaper lobby. Uh, I will appeal to the representative from the Ithaca voice if you'd like to meet the criteria of being a daily. I'm pretty sure that we would all love to would all love to put our notices with you, but as as as is uh suggested by the speaker, uh we are kind of constrained in in what we do at this

time. Um, and with respect to the audits, thank you very much for bringing that up. We of course uh will continue to make this a major priority. Uh, I would recommend any organization that has a contract with the city that has not received all of their funds to please submit any reimbursement materials that may exist. And, uh, thank you again, Zach, for your comments about, uh, the Southwest parcel. Mr. Letterman, you're recognized.

Sure. Uh, as always, thank you for coming. I'm glad it's always, uh, all repeat speakers, but it's always good to see you. Uh, your sort of shadow council of sorts, uh, our alter ego, our image in the mirror. Um this is my last meeting uh after two years here and I just wanted to sort of one offer a couple of thank yous uh to people. There are sort of more more than enough to go around but just some city staff. Uh first to start off our city attorney Victor Kesler who's spent an inordinate amount of time for which he has not paid dealing with my questions and his administrative assistant Jod for putting me on his calendar. Um Sheniqua our wonderful and very capable and always friendly uh deputy clerk. Um Chris, the city manager's uh executive assistant, who is always helpful. Um Katherine Muskin, who's now serving as our

Not anymore. anymore. Oh,

you formerly serving as our interimm director of HR. Um and then Wendy, our controller, Dominic Reo, our deputy city manager. um and plenty of other folks who deserve attention, but these people have been made this a a lot of our product any pro legislative productivity here is owed to them in many ways. So, I just wanted to say uh thank you. And just a couple of other notes um on my way out the door. Uh it was said once as someone who I won't won't attribute this to saying I was the future once. I don't feel exactly that was true for me but uh it serve my service on council was the future one. So now looking at back in the rearview mirror, I think it beca was a real privilege for reasons that I did not anticipate, which was principally being able to walk down a city street and understand who did the work that made this place work and seeing it as sort of a living breathing organisms organism where so many different people and efforts and initiatives came together to make it work and deliver service for residents. And it's not always perfect. Um, and I think it's bettered in a great deal um by local democracy and thank you to all my colleagues for making that happen. I did not say making it work, but making it happen. Um, but uh it's been a real privilege. Um, and it's a this is a wonderful place. I wish everyone had the opportunity to serve in local government because it gives you a great sense of the place of where you live um and how it works. And I've had that sort of curiosity my whole life. And so uh if nothing else it sort of satiated um a real desire to understand uh who made who makes Ithaca Ithaca every day. Um [clears throat] and then I think just one other piece of advice to offer to the folks who are coming in uh next month uh which I

didn't I now appreciate looking looking in retrospect is how much of a difference you can make if you care about something that nobody's paying attention to and there are a lot of issues that nobody in this community or nobody has the time to pay attention to or it's not in their job description or it is for a myriad reasons is not there. Um, and I can't say I've had many of those personally, but the limited ones that I have had have been exceptionally rewarding. Um, but I think even more importantly are rewarding to a lot of people that you often don't know or don't meet and sort of only get a a glimmer of sort of the the impact there. Um, so I'm I'm very fortunate to have been able to serve and thrilled to have done it with all of you. Um, and to the public for being engaged. I think we're very lucky in Itha to have a public that cares about local government and what we're doing. Um, and to all of you who come and the four speakers, I mean, I can't count how many times you all have been here. Uh, Teresa, Emily, Jordan, Zach, and you all care about different issues. Um, but you care and that's what make this makes this work. So, uh, yeah, thank you all.

Thank you. My next speaker is all the person Hannah Sharp. Thank you to all the speakers who um spoke this evening. Again, as Clyde said, um feel like you're kind of members of this body here. Um, I just want to say that serving on council is very humbling actually and you realize how little you know and how much you have to learn from the people that um are there and the people who make this city um work. And I've I've learned a lot and I have a lot more to learn. I just want to thank all of um all of the people who make Ithaca Ithaca

hold the person Brown.

Uh first I'd like to thank everybody who came out today and spoke. It's always inspiring to have people come out and and uh speak to us and the community. But what is most important is hearing from people who have continuously uh felt unheard but continue to come back you know um come back and express what they're asking for what they need is very important and I would hope that the people who come consistently and those who don't uh take a clue of how important it is we need your voice here in in the room, you know. Um, I want to thank everybody for putting up with me for the last five, four years, right? I know I've been a handful, and that's how I'm going to always be. But most importantly, um, I have done what I need. I thank city staff, especially the ones who are on the ground making sure the roads are work working, making sure the garages are as clean as they can get it, making sure that things that are sometime not as as um rewarded uh for uh get gets missed, right? and they have been spectacular and I really want to thank them for all their work they do in the background. Um, I want to thank the administrative staff that's done the work that they needed to do. Also say you've been paid well and that's why your job should be done well, right? Um, one thing about Ithaca, we've been very gracious with making

sure that they are um, paid in good and I and that that's what keeps me proud. Chenique, well, you know, I love you to pieces and so glad that you came and joined us, right? I do know for me as being the only black woman or person on this council is my only regret of leaving. So, I put out a real cry to ask other black women, men, LGBTQ plus to come and join this council. We need your voices. Um, I know I have Kayla and Jorge who I know are going to push is many issues and everybody else that I'm really um really dedicated to. Um, I have to say this has been a learning process for me that I tell you this work is not easy. Um, I admire and respect everybody on this council who've done this work. It is not easy, right? They have taught me so much. Um, taught me consistency, taught me community, taught me to listen. You know, I don't like that, but have taught me to really listen to them. I have so much respect for this council and the new members and I and I'm just looking forward and just because I won't be sitting up here, I will be sitting in the audience because I can never in push people to come out and then I stay home. So I'll still be here raising S, raising king, keeping you on your game because you all keep me on minds, you know. So, I've been really grateful to do this for four years, right? I learned so much. I didn't know nothing when I came on here. Nothing

much other than I want what I want and I want y'all to do it now. And that's not how it works. So, that I learned very well. But I am really glad that I had the opportunity to do it. And I firmly want to really tell community to please come out and voice your concerns and bug us. You know, I apologize to my constituents that in later time I I haven't been well as I could be. So, I haven't been able to get to them in the way that I envisioned when I was coming on council. Um, but anyway, I do want to say thank y'all for letting me uh be a part of you and Jordan, please continue to come and and inspire and be the voice. I I enjoy every time you come and every time I look at you, I remember working at Southside, taking you and your brothers and a few more to open up account with Alternative. And to watch you grow, it just fills my heart. So, thank you. I'm always happy to see your see you here. You too win.

Older person Kumar.

Um yeah, I mean uh good evening. I hope everyone had a really good Thanksgiving. Um I've had a lot of time to reflect on what I am grateful for. It's been um a really um inspiring and amazing last four years. And I would be remiss if I uh did not express my overwhelming gratitude for all the people who helped see me through. Um, I could not have done it without the mentorship and support of Mayor Kentelmo and Alder person win or the inspirations uh from alderperson Cynthia Brock, George McGonagal, and Donna Fleming and for all the people sitting around this table. Um, I owe a huge thank you to the city planning department, to city attorney Victor Kesler, um, to Chief Kelly and patrol Chief Schwarz, to Sheniqua, uh, to every single worker at the Southside Community Center, and to really every city employee uh, for guiding me through the intricate processes uh, required to keep this city running and for working tirelessly every single day to lift up all Ians. I want to thank Clyde and Patrick uh for always being down to talk through my pie in the sky ideas. And despite our differences, I would like to thank the solidarity slate and the Ithaca DSA for inspiring myself and other young people to serve their community. Thank you to Congressman Riley, to our state reps Leo Webb and Anna Kellis, Alderperson Haynes Sharp, and future legislator Iris Pacman for entrusting me with your campaigns and letting me be part of your work. But most of all, I owe a huge, huge debt of gratitude to the community that has embraced me. To every single person who came on their porch and talked to me when I knocked on your door. Uh to every single public commenter, every long email, every late night message, and even every raised voice because you've proven to me what real public service looks like. You made me a better council member, and you made me a better person. I filed to run for election when I was 19 years old, still figuring out who I wanted to be, what I wanted to become. And I am so lucky that I got to grow into adulthood, surrounded by a community that never uh stopped teaching me. Uh people who held me accountable,

who invited me in, who pushed me to be better, and believed in me long before I fully believed in myself. I can only hope that I've made you proud and that I've represented you with the same integrity, courage, openness, and love that you've shown me. And I know that the work must go on and I'm very grateful to be passing this responsibility to Alder person elect Robin Trumbull who I know will step into this seat with the compassion, strength, and care it deserves. And I look forward to continuing my organizing work in the community because this past year has been a really difficult time for our city and country, especially for the most vulnerable among us. And I'm really lucky to have found a home here in Ithaca. And although I know the work ahead is tough, I've seen firsthand that we're tougher. I believe in a better future here in Ithaca and I really look forward to continuing to build it alongside all of you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much.

And finally, Mr. St. Perez,

I will attempt to be brief. Um, you know, my my first my first experiences in our our local government here were when I was 16 years old, right? Um, since then I have had the privilege of serving on numerous boards and committees of the city of Ithaca, serving as a representative on our board of education, and now of having served as a member of this common council. I would especially like to thank all of the teachers, mentors, and friends along the way who I can't list in good conscience because there's too many and it would take too long. But, you know, this would not have been possible without you. And to represent the people of Ithaca and especially the people of Bell Sherman and South Hill has been the greatest privilege of my life. Thank you. Thank you very much. Uh with that we'll conclude privilege of the floor. May I please move consent moved by all the person same press second by all the person mottos. All those in favor of adopting consent agenda that carries nine to zero unanimously. Um next order of business Mr. Letterman, you have a new resolution around TCAT. Please summarize and move.

Because it's new. Do I have to read it or can I just do the title and uh if you could just read the resolved.

Okay, sure. This is a resolution to release funds previously placed in restricted contingency for the fiscal year 2026 budget. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the common council authorizes the additional payment of 280,000 to be issued to TCAD Incorporated in 2026 from the 2026 approved budget. And be it further resolved, an amount not to exceed $280,000 for said payment shall be derived from account A1990-5,000 restricted contingency and transferred to A5 630-5435 and be it further resolved the remaining funds originally set aside for this purpose be returned to the general fund balance. I so move.

Is there a second? Second by the person win. All those in favor. Those opposed. Let's try that one more time. All those in favor. That carries unanimously. Thank you. Um with that, may I please have a motion to enter into executive session to discuss personnel matter? The moving council member is moving to enter into executive session with the common council, the city attorney, deputy city manager, and the five present older persons elect in the audience. Moved by all the person St. Perez, second by all the person Letterman. All those in favor of moving into executive session. That carries unanimously. We will anticipate having voting items coming out of this. You were one of those people that was previously mentioned. We'll be back from our broadcast after we are back out of executive session. Thank you.

May I have a motion to exit executive session? Moved by all the person St. Perez, seconded by all the person Matoss. All those in favor of exiting executive session. That carries unanimously. I have a resolution to introduce into the record. Uh this is a resolution to accept the resignation of the city manager. Whereas on December 6th, 2023, the common council passed a resolution appointing Deborah Molenhoff as city manager effective January 1st, 2024 in accordance with and subject to all provisions of the Ithaca City Charter. And whereas an employment agreement dated December 15th of that year entered into by Miss Mullenhoff in the city governs certain terms and conditions of Miss Molenhoff's employment. And whereas Miss Molenhoff will conclude her service as city manager at the end of the year. And whereas the common council and Miss Mullenhoff wish to amend this agreement to account for Miss Mullenhoff's separation from service. Now therefore be it resolved the common council hereby accepts Miss Mullenhoff's resignation. Be it further resolved that the mayor subject to the advice of the city attorney is authorized to execute document memorializing the separation and amending the agreement accordingly and substantially the same form as the accompanying document to this resolution. Be it further resolved that any funds required to be paid under the amended agreement shall be derived from the city manager salary line with the corresponding account code. And be it further resolved that the common council thanks Miss Mullenhal for her service to the city and wishes her well in future endeavors. May I have a second? Seconded by Mr. Letterman. Uh tonight the common council has decided to accept the resignation of city manager Deb Molenhoff. Speaking for myself, I want to recognize the service of our departing city manager and make clear the scope for impact on this organization. I've worked with Deb in almost every configuration you can in local government. She mentored me when I first came into public service. I represented her ward after she retired from council. And over the past two years, I've worked with her daily as mayor. This vantage point makes one thing unmistakable. Deb's approach is public service with

integrity, discipline, and an uncommon commitment to this community. Across more than two decades, she's taken on nearly every major leadership role the city offers. The council member, longtime budget chair, acting mayor, chief of staff, and finally city manager. These roles required different strengths. She delivered in many of them. Her institutional knowledge is deep, precise, and consistently used to strengthen the organization around her. I can personally attest to her commitment to this community. She stepped into the city manager role during a period of transition and did so with the clear intention of stabilizing the organization and advancing its professional management. She gave everything she had to that responsibility. Deb's record speaks for itself. She is a seasoned municipal leader with a resilience, judgment, and strategic perspective to add value where she goes. On behalf of the city, I want to thank her for her years of service and wish her well in what comes. I will now move to a vote. All those in favor of accepting the resolution as moved. That carries unanimously. I have another resolution to introduce. This is a resolution of the common council of the city of Ithaca establishing oversight and performance reporting protocols for the acting city manager. I will read the resolved resolve that the common council of Ithaca hereby establish the following oversight and performance protocols for the acting city manager. The acting city manager shall meet weekly with the mayor to review administrative performance, discuss ongoing operations, and identify matters requiring council input. The mayor shall serve as council's designated point of operational oversight and administrative coordination for the acting city manager, ensuring alignment of the council's legislative priorities and administrative execution. The acting city manager shall provide monthly executive session briefings to the full council regarding personnel issues, operational status, departmental updates, and fiscal conditions to the extent permitted by law. The acting city manager shall acknowledge council inquiries within two business days and provide full responses within five business days unless otherwise agreed. The mayor in consultation with the city attorney human resources shall conduct an interim 90-day review and a final

180day review of the acting city manager's performance to be submitted to the incumbent and to the common council. Findings shall be reported to the full council in executive session summarizing the public record as appropriate. Beginning February 1st, the acting city manager shall submit a monthly vacancy report summarizing active recruitments, anticipated separations, and hiring timelines. Beginning February 1st, the acting city manager shall submit monthly financial reports including revenue and expenditure status, debt service schedule, fund balance position, and audit progress as authorized by the November 19th, 2025 resolution. The acting city manager shall deliver and implement in consultation with the mayor 2026 executive work plan for common council's legislative priorities and direction aligning departmental goals, identifying responsible staff and timelines. After approval by common council, the acting city manager shall provide quarterly administrative performance of reports summarizing departmental outcomes, project milestones, and progress towards legislative objectives within six months. Acting city manager shall inventory the elements for developing a comprehensive municipal communications and public information system. Be it further resolved that the mayor designates and council affirms that deputy city manager Dominic Reio pursuant to section C12D of the charter shall serve as acting city manager until such time as a new city manager is selected or a new acting city manager is designated by the common council and shall perform all the duties and have all the powers of the city manager. Be further resolved that the mayor shall transmit this resolution to the acting city manager and all department heads and shall ensure the prescribed reporting framework is implemented immediately upon the effective date of this resolution. And be it further resolved that the common council will adopt policy priorities to guide the 2026 executive work plan no later than February 2026. Be it further resolved that in the event of the acting city manager service is required to extend beyond 6 months any resolution to certify the necessity for continuation of the services of an acting city manager as described in section C12D2 of the charter shall be introduced by the mayor and subject to the approval of common council and be a further resolved the oversight protocol shall remain in place to the appointment of a permanent city manager until modified by resolution of the common council. Be it further resolved that the common council requests that the human resources department and city attorney's office provide the common council with guidance prior January 7th 2026 regarding

appropriate interim compensation for the acting city manager and be it finally resolved that the effective date of this resolution is January 1st 2026 seconded by all the person St. Perez. All those in favor, that carries unanimously. With that, uh, I believe we have two outstanding items. Um, I move to reappoint, uh, Robert Sparks to the Examining Board of Electrics for a three-year term beginning January 1st, 2026 and ending, uh, 3 years later. Uh, that is seconded. I'm sorry. There is no need for a second or all those any questions all those in favor that carries unanimously. Uh also uh during executive session we were joined by all the person Shapiro so the vote record now reflects uh 10 for all those unanimous votes. Um and now uh I have a few proclamations to provide to my outgoing colleagues if you will indulge me. Whereas older the person Phoebe Brown represented the first ward on the Ethica common council with dedication, resolve, and a deep commitment to her community. And whereas all the person Brown led the effort to establish a task force on reparations for black ethicans, advancing historic and long overdue conversation on justice, equity, and repair within our city. And whereas throughout her term, Alder person Brown consistently centered the lived experiences of residents in discussion of public safety and community well-being, ensuring that the voices of those most impacted were heard at every stage of deliberation. And whereas older person Brown's advocacy, moral clarity, and community rooted leadership strengthened the work of council and elevated the values of justice and inclusion in municipal government. Now therefore, I, Robert Kintelmo, mayor of the city of Ithka, do hereby proclaim and offer sincere gratitude to retiring

elder person Phoebe Brown and celebrate her contributions and four years of service to this community. Whereas older person Chris Haynes Sharp represented the second ward on the city of Ethica council with thoughtfulness, diligence and a strong sense of public responsibility. And whereas older person Hayne Sharp served as council's liaison to the sustainability and climate justice commission, contributing a steady and deliberative voice to the city's climate environmental work. And whereas older person Hayne Sharp represented the city as a committed supporter and board member of Gak Inc. supporting youth programming and community well-being, ensuring that young people and families remain central to city priorities. And whereas through her service on the community housing development fund, all the person Hayne Sharp played a direct role in bringing affordable housing units online, strengthening the city's long-term housing capacity. And whereas in her role as alternate acting mayor in 2024, all the person Hayne Sharp provided dependable leadership and continuity during a period of transition. Now therefore, I, Robert Kelmo, mayor of the city of Ithaca, do hereby proclaim and offer sincere gratitude to retiring alder person Chris Hane Sharp and celebrate her contributions and three years of service to our community whereas all the person Pierre St. Perez represented the third board on the city of Ithaca common council with energy, commitment and clarity. And whereas older person St. Perez also served as council liaison to the sustainability and climate justice commission contributing to the work he helped

envision years earlier as a student advocate bringing a full circle perspective to the city's democratic governance. And whereas older person St. Perez served as a representative of the administration to the town of Ithaca, the Tomkins County Legislature, the Tomkins County Council of Governments, strengthening inter [clears throat] excuse me, strengthening intergovernmental partnerships essential to regional progress and success. And whereas during his term, Alder person St. Perez provided thoughtful engagement on complex issues facing Ward 3 and the city at large, offering principled contributions to deliberation and oversight. Now therefore, I, Robert Kelmo, mayor of the city of Ithaca, do hereby proclaim and offer sincere gratitude to retiring older person, Pierre St. Perez, and celebrate his contribution and two years of service to our community.

Oh man. And he tells me I forgot the perfect attendance record. Whereas older person Tiffany Kumar represented the fourth ward on the city of Ithaca common council with commitment, focus and a steadfast dedication to an active and engaged constituency. And whereas older person Kumar consistently elevated student and neighborhood perspectives, ensuring broad and diverse representation in discussions of city policy. And whereas older person Kumar provided support and leadership in advancing reforms to the board of public works contributing to improved governance, accountability and clarity in the city's infrastructure oversight. And whereas all the person Kumar served as labor lean for 2024, strengthening communication with the city workforce representatives and and supporting constructive labor management collaboration. And whereas throughout her term, Alder personkumar demonstrated a forward-looking approach to community initiatives and civic engagement. Now therefore, I, Robert G. Kintelmo, mayor of the city of Ithaca, do hereby proclaim and offer sincere gratitude to retiring older person Tiffany Kumar and celebrate her contributions and three years of service to our community and last my adult son. Whereas older person Clyde Letterman represented the fifth ward, the coolest seat on council too by the way, uh on the city of Ithaca common council with rigor, discipline, and deep engagement in the city's most complex policy issues. And whereas all the person Letterman played a central role in the successful renegotiation of TCAT underwriting, strengthening long-term regional transit stability. And whereas alter the person Letterman served as labor liaison for 2025 reinforcing collaborative relationships with the city's workforce and supporting efforts to improve operational capacity. And

whereas alter person Letterman served on the Etha area wastewater treatment board and co-led the working group focused on improving staffing at the facility contributing to essential long-term infrastructure stability and service reliability. And whereas in his role as alternate acting mayor in 2025 all the person Letterman provided steady leadership and dependable continuity. Now therefore, I, Robert Kelmo, mayor of the city of Ithaca, do hereby proclaim and offer sincere gratitude to retiring all the person Clyde Letterman and celebrate his contributions of two years of service to our community.

Thank you so much.

With that, business is concluded. This council is adjourned.