(Photo Source: Kevin L. Smith/The Cortland Voice).
Here is the agenda for Tuesday’s (April 19th, 2022) Cortland Common Council meeting. The meeting will take place at City Hall (25 Cortland Street, Cortland NY 13045) at 6pm. According to the City of Cortland website, the meeting will be live streamed Via Zoom video.
Here is the Zoom Meeting ID: 923 566 4700
Agenda
Call to Order
- Roll Call
- Salute to the Flag
- Moment of silence/reflection
- Privilege of the floor
- Mayor's report
- Ward Reports
- Finance Report
- Approval of Minutes
Proclamations/presentations
Proclamation #1 - Declaring April 25-30, 2022 as YWCA Stand Against Racism Week
- WHEREAS, all residents regardless of race, creed, or ethnicity deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, compassion, and justice; AND
- WHEREAS, Cortland residents value initiatives that will end race-based disparities and make the world a more equitable, inclusive, and dignified place for all to live; AND
- WHEREAS, the elimination of racism can be achieved only with the participation of all residents in dialogue, reflection, and action; AND
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland Common Council supports YWCA in its praiseworthy mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities; AND
- WHEREAS, the Common Council proudly supports YWCA Cortland in celebration of Stand Against Racism, a signature campaign of YWCA USA to build community among those who work for racial justice and to raise awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council of the City of Cortland hereby declares April 29, 2022 as YWCA Stand Against Racism Day and encourages residents, local businesses, educators, and community and faith-based organizations to celebrate diversity and advocate for the elimination of racism by taking the pledge to stand against racism at CortlandYWCA.org; AND BE IT FURTHER
- RESOLVED, that April 25 – 30, 2022 is declared as YWCA Stand Against Racism Week.
Supporting Documents
Resolutions
Agenda Item #1 - Appoint Assessment Review Board Member
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland Charter establishes a Board of Assessment Review to consist of five members appointed by the Common Council; AND
- WHEREAS, each member shall serve a term of five years; AND
- WHEREAS, vacancies exist on the Board of Assessment Review; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that Jerry Hartnett, residing at 64 Floral Avenue Cortland, NY is appointed to the Board of Assessment Review for a term beginning April 6, 2022 and ending April 5, 2027.
Agenda Item #2 - Approve Sound Device Permit for Alpha Sigma Alpha of SUNY Cortland
- WHEREAS, a special event application has been submitted by Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority located at 45 Tompkins Street, Cortland NY for a dunk tank in support of Autism awareness on April 30, 2022; AND
- WHEREAS, a sound device permit application submitted by Alpha Sigma Alpha proposes the use of sound amplification between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on April 30, 2022; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that Alpha Sigma Alpha special event application and sound device permit application are hereby approved without fee.
Agenda Item #3 - Designate Official Newspaper
- WHEREAS, in accordance with the Cortland City Charter Article III §C3-13, official notices and other legal notices which may be required by law shall be published in such newspaper(s) as may be from time to time designated by the Common Council as official newspaper(s) of the City of Cortland; AND
- WHEREAS, Resolution No. 6 of 2022 designated the Cortland Standard and The Cortland Area Tribune as official newspapers; AND
- WHEREAS, The Cortland Area Tribune publishes once every two weeks; AND
- WHEREAS, it has been found that this publication schedule may cause delays in holding of public hearings and other public meetings and in the receipt of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) which may unnecessarily delay important and timely city business, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that Resolution No. 6 of 2022 is hereby repealed; AND BE IT FURTHER
- RESOLVED, that the Cortland Standard, published by the Cortland Standard Newspaper, 110 Main Street, Cortland, New York 13045 be and hereby is designated as the official newspaper fairly representing the Cortland Common Council for the period of January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024
Agenda Item #4 - Recommendation for Mortgage Subordination by NYS Affordable Housing Corporation
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland (the “City) administered a housing rehabilitation program funded by the NYS Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC) under which assistance to a City resident (the “resident”) was provided; AND
- WHEREAS, said resident gave a mortgage to the NYS AHC in the amount of the assistance provided for the rehabilitation project; AND
- WHEREAS, said resident applied for funds from CFCU Community Credit Union (the “Bank”) to refinance the existing mortgage held by CFCU at a lower rate and for a shorter term; AND
- WHEREAS, the Bank approved the resident’s request to refinance resident’s mortgage with the understanding that the Bank’s mortgage would be the first mortgage on their residential property, which it currently held prior to the re-finance; AND
- WHEREAS, the timing of the recording of the NYS AHC mortgage resulted in the AHC mortgage being a superior lien to the Bank’s mortgage; AND
- WHEREAS, when it was discovered that the AHC mortgage would be a superior lien to the Bank’s mortgage, the resident requested that AHC subordinate its mortgage to the Bank’s mortgage; AND
- WHEREAS, AHC requires that the City, as the grant administrator, provide permission for the State to review the request and/or approve the subordination without objection as the mortgagor; AND
- WHEREAS, the City’s Loan Committee, having reviewed the facts of this subordination request and determined that the resident can support the payments of this new debt, recommends to the Common Council that the Council recommend to NYS AHC the subordination of its mortgage to the CFCU mortgage; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED that the City of Cortland recommends that the NYS Affordable Housing Corporation subordinate its mortgage to the CFCU mortgage and further authorizes the Mayor to sign the NYS Affordable Housing Corporation Grantee Recommendation form to allow for the same.
Agenda Item #5 - Authorize Administrative Contract for Fiscal Year 2020 Community Development Block Grant
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland was awarded a fiscal year 2020 Community Development Block Grant (“Grant") pursuant to Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended ("Act") in the amount of $500,000 for the rehabilitation of substandard, one and two family homes, owned and occupied by low-tomoderate income persons and for administrative and program delivery services; AND
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland has entered into an agreement ("Grant Agreement"), which governs the administration of the Grant with the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation; AND
- WHEREAS, the Grant Agreement and/or regulations of the Grant require grantees to issue a Request for Proposals (RPF) for administrative and program delivery services of the Grant if not administered by the municipality; AND
- WHEREAS, the City has chosen to use a third party to administer the Grant and, accordingly, issued said RFP receiving one response from Thoma Development Consultants (the “Consultant”); AND
- WHEREAS, the City reviewed the Consultant’s response and has determined it is acceptable, meeting all qualifications for administration and delivery of said Grant; AND
- WHEREAS, the City forwarded the information pertinent to the RFP to the NYS Office of Community Renewal (OCR), which administers the NYS Community Development Block Grant Program, and OCR has determined that the City met its obligations under the required RPF process; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the City authorizes the Mayor to enter into a contract with Thoma Development Consultants to administer the City’s fiscal year 2020 Community Development Block Grant pursuant to the Consultant’s response to the Request for Proposal.
Agenda Item #6 - Authorize Administrative Contract for fiscal year 2021 Community Development Block Grant
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland was awarded a fiscal year 2021 Community Development Block Grant ("Grant") pursuant to Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended ("Act") in the amount of $500,000 for the rehabilitation of substandard, income properties in the City of Cortland that are tenanted primarily by residents that are low-to-moderate in income and for administrative and program delivery services; AND
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland has entered into an agreement ("Grant Agreement"), which governs the administration of the Grant with the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation; AND
- WHEREAS, the Grant Agreement and/or regulations of the CDBG Program require grantees to issue a Request for Proposals (RPF) for administrative and program delivery services of the Grant if not administered by the municipality; AND
- WHEREAS, the City has chosen to use a third party to administer the Grant and, accordingly, issued said RFP receiving one response from Thoma Development Consultants (the “Consultant”); AND
- WHEREAS, the City reviewed the Consultant’s response and has determined it is acceptable, meeting all qualifications for administration and delivery of said Grant; AND
- WHEREAS, the City forwarded the information pertinent to its RFP process to the NYS Office of Community Renewal (OCR), which administers the NYS CDBG Program, and OCR has determined that the City met its obligations under the required RPF process; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the City authorizes the Mayor to execute a contract with Thoma Development Consultants to administer the City’s fiscal year 2021 Community Development Block Grant pursuant to the Consultant’s response to the Request for Proposal.
Agenda Item #7 - Declare Equipment Surplus and Authorize to Sell
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland Department of Public Works, Youth Bureau and Water Departments have deemed the following equipment as unusable and wish to declare the following items as surplus and list for sale appropriately; AND
- WHEREAS, the equipment is well beyond its life expectancy, is taking up departmental space and is unrepairable; AND
- WHEREAS, the funding expected from the sale of the surplus equipment should have a greater impact on the purchase of new departmental items; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the items listed below be deemed as surplus and all revenues be allocated into the respective budget lines for departmental use as follows DPW A5110-5405-00, Water FX8320-5407-00 and Cortland Youth Bureau.
Agenda Item #8 - Create Three Working Foreman Positions at the Department of Public Works
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland has identified the need for additional responsible persons and an increase in participants within the chain of command in the field of work at the Department of Public Works; AND
- WHEREAS, this addition should create a more accountable working environment; AND
- WHEREAS, this job creation should take effect immediately and assist with the overall alignment of departmental goals; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the Cortland Common Council approve the creation of three working foreman positions at the Department of Public Works which shall be filled according to Civil Service protocols.
Agenda Item #9 - Authorize Agreements for Generator and Alarm Services Associated with Maintenance of Parker School
- WHEREAS, the City has acquired Parker Elementary School from the Cortland Enlarged City School District at 89 Madison Street; AND
- WHEREAS, the maintenance of the buildings systems are now the responsibility of the City of Cortland; AND
- WHEREAS, the City solicited service agreement proposals for both the onsite generator and the alarm and monitoring systems; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the Mayor is hereby authorized to enter in agreement with Cummins Sales and Service for $984.79 annually for service and inspection and with Syracuse Time & Alarm Co, Inc. for $2530.00 annually for a period commencing May 1, 2022 and expiring April 30, 2023.
Agenda Item #10 - Appoint Members to the Environmental Advisory Committee
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland Environmental Advisory Committee was established by resolution of the Common Council on December 1, 2009; AND
- WHEREAS, the Committee shall consist of no fewer than five nor more than seven regular members; AND
- WHEREAS, Committee members shall be City residents, and every effort shall be made to ensure representation of a broad cross-section of the community; AND
- WHEREAS, vacancies shall be filled by appointment upon nomination by any member of the Common Council or the Environmental Advisory Committee and may be subject to confirmation by the Common Council; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the John Busch residing at 2 Kent Drive, Cortland NY 13045 is hereby confirmed by the Common Council as a member of the City of Cortland Environmental Advisory Committee.
Agenda Item #11 - Abolish and Create Position in the Mayor’s Office
- WHEREAS, there is a part-time position of Confidential Secretary to the Mayor with an annual salary of $25,000; AND
- WHEREAS, there is a vacancy in this position; AND
- WHEREAS, the position has been advertised and a number of applications have been received; AND
- WHEREAS, none of the applicants met the minimum qualifications; AND WHEREAS, the position of Confidential Secretary to the Mayor was previously a full-time position under previous administrations; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the part time position of Confidential Secretary to the Mayor with an annual salary of $25,000 is hereby abolished; AND BE IT FURTHER
- RESOLVED, that a full time position of Confidential Secretary to the Mayor with an annual salary of $45,000 is hereby created effective immediately.
Agenda Item #12 - Appoint Parker School Ad Hoc Planning Committee
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland purchased the Parker Elementary School building located at 89 Madison Street, and took possession of said building on April 1, 2022; AND
- WHEREAS, the city is responsible for the maintenance of the Parker School building; AND
- WHEREAS, the city seeks to make arrangements with Cortland County Community Action Program, Inc. (CAPCO) and YWCA of Cortland to use the building for the provision of child care services; AND
- WHEREAS, there is considerable architectural design and construction work which will need to occur to facilitate the provision of child care services; AND
- WHEREAS, the city intends to work with CAPCO and the YWCA in the planning for these renovations and services; AND
- WHEREAS, there may be additional purposes for which portions of the building can be used; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby create an ad hoc committee to be referred to as the Parker School Ad Hoc Planning Committee for the purposes of:
- Determining the best use of the portion of the Parker School building not being used for child care purposes;
- Determining the design of said portions, scope of work, timeframes and funding sources;
- Assisting in planning for the proposed use of the Parker School building for child care services by CAPCO and the YWCA; AND BE IT FURTHER
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby appoint Council Members Silliman, Lane, Beckwith and Pennello to the Parker School Ad Hoc Planning Committee; AND BE IT FURTHER
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council Members appointed to the Ad Hoc Committee shall have the authority to appoint other members to the Committee; AND BE IT FURTHER
- RESOLVED, that the Ad Hoc Planning Committee shall elect a chairperson, shall meet as necessary or as requested by the Mayor, shall consider issues referred to it by the Mayor, and may be abolished by the Mayor pursuant to resolution.
Agenda Item #13 - Create ad Hoc Committee to Consider and Review Alternative City Wide Trash and Recycling Options
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland currently has in place a trash system utilizing what is commonly known as blue bags, by which residents and businesses dispose of trash in bags purchased from the City; AND
- WHEREAS, the current contract for garbage and recycling pickup expires December 31, 2022; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby create an ad hoc committee known as Trash and Recycling Ad Hoc Advisory Committee for the purposes of considering and reviewing the most cost effective and environmentally sensible alternatives to the current trash and recycling agreements; AND BE IT FURTHER
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby appoint Council Members Schutt, Thompson and Carpenter to the Ad Hoc Committee; AND BE IT FURTHER
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council Members appointed to the Ad Hoc Committee shall have the authority to appoint other members to the Committee; AND BE IT FURTHER
- RESOLVED, that the Ad Hoc Committee shall elect a chairperson, shall meet as necessary or as requested by the Mayor, shall consider issues referred to it by the Mayor, and may be abolished by the Mayor pursuant to resolution.
Agenda Item #14 - Appoint Ad Hoc Committee (Town and Gown Ad Hoc Planning Committee) to Enhance Cooperation between SUNY Cortland and the City of Cortland
- WHEREAS, members of the Common Council have raised issues and questions relating to the impact of the State University of New York College at Cortland (SUNY Cortland) on the City of Cortland and its residents; AND
- WHEREAS, the Mayor and the Common Council seek ways in which to promote enhanced relationships between SUNY Cortland and its students, and the City of Cortland and its residents; AND
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland regards SUNY Cortland as an asset to the community and local economy, the Common Council also seeks to identify overlooked financial costs and public policy challenges such as providing public safety, code enforcement and public works services within the City’s available resources; AND
- WHEREAS, the City seeks additional SUNY Impact Aid in future state budgets to offset the costs associated with hosting SUNY Cortland; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby create an ad hoc committee to be referred to as the Town and Gown Ad Hoc Planning Committee for the purposes of:
- Enhancing cooperation and collaborative approaches between SUNY Cortland and its students, and the City of Cortland and its residents and organizations;
- Identifying overlooked financial costs and public policy challenges;
- Seeking additional state SUNY Impact Aid or other financial assistance; and
- Making recommendations to the Mayor and Common Council on these issues; AND BE IT FURTHER
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby appoint Council Members Silliman and Lane to the Ad Hoc Planning Committee; AND BE IT FURTHER
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council Members appointed to the Ad Hoc Committee shall have the authority to appoint other members to the Committee; AND BE IT FURTHER
- RESOLVED, that the Ad Hoc Planning Committee shall elect a chairperson, shall meet as necessary or as called upon by the Mayor to meet, shall consider issues referred to it by the Mayor, and may be abolished by the Mayor pursuant to resolution.
Agenda Item #15 - Accept and Recognize Donations to Youth Bureau
- WHEREAS, donation has been given to the Cortland Youth Bureau; AND
- WHEREAS, the Common Council must accept and allocate such funds; AND
- WHEREAS, the Mayor, Common Council, and Cortland Youth Bureau wish to publicly recognize the donation and the generosity of the donors, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council accepts the donations listed below and appropriates funds to the Cortland Youth Bureau operating budget account as outlined below.
Agenda Item #16 - Appoint Member to the Zoning Board of Appeals
- WHEREAS, the Zoning Board of Appeals, as established by the City of Cortland, shall hear and decide appeals and requests for variances from the requirements of Chapter 138 of the City Code; AND.
- WHERAS, the Zoning Board of Appeals shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged there is an error in any requirement, decision, or determination made by the local administrator in the enforcement or administration of this said chapter; AND
- WHEREAS, The Board shall consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor subject to confirmation by the Common Council; AND
- WHEREAS, all appointments shall be made for a term of three years; AND
- WHEREAS, Karen Leahy has submitted her resignation effective April 26, 2022; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that Thomas Larson residing at 42 West Court Street, Cortland NY is hereby appointed as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term beginning April 27, 2022 and expiring April 26, 2025.
Discussion Items
- Parker School Update
- Redistricting
