(Photo Source: Kevin L. Smith of The Cortland Voice).
Here is the agenda for Tuesday’s (May 3rd, 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
Public Hearing
Public Hearing #1 - Creation of a Special Event Temporary Food Vendor License
Call to Order
- Roll Call
- Salute to the Flag
- Moment of silence/reflection
- Proclamations/Presentations
- Privilege of the floor
- Mayor’s report
- Ward Reports
- Finance Report
- Approval of Minutes for April 19th, 2022
Proclamations/Presentations
Proclamations/Presentations - Declaring May 14, 2022 Muscular Dystrophy Association and Cortland Professional Firefighters International Association of Firefighters Local 2737 Boot Day Drive.
- WHEREAS, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and Cortland Professional Firefighters International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 2737 is promoting a "Fill the Boot" drive on May 14, 2022; AND
- WHEREAS, the Muscular Dystrophy Association has requested that May 14, 2022 be proclaimed as "MDA/IAFF Local 2737 Boot Drive Day"; AND
- WHEREAS, to date over $679 million has been raised by over 300,000 firefighters through seven decades to save and improve lives of MDA families; AND
- WHEREAS, the Muscular Dystrophy Association is the leading health agency providing scientific, medical and emotional support for individuals and families affected by neuromuscular disease; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, I, Scott Steve, Mayor of Cortland, do hereby proclaim May 14, 2022 as Muscular Dystrophy Association and International Association of Firefighters Local 2737 Boot Drive Day in the City of Cortland, and I urge citizens to learn more about Muscular Dystrophy through news media coverage or by calling their local Muscular Dystrophy Association office for more information.
Supporting Documents
Financials
Resolutions
Agenda Item #1 – Approve Special Event and Related Permits for St. Anthony’s Day Festival
- WHEREAS, St. Anthony’s Church has submitted a Special Event Application for the purposes of holding the St. Anthony’s Day Festival at 50 Pomeroy Street on June 11 -12, 2022; AND
- WHEREAS, St. Anthony’s Church has submitted an application for the closing of Pomeroy Street from Elm Street to Central Avenue from the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on June 11 - 12, 2022; AND
- WHEREAS, St. Antony’s Church has submitted a Sound Device Permit Application for 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. June 11, 2022 and 12:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. June 12, 2022; AND
- WHEREAS, St. Anthony’s Church has submitted an Operating Permit Application for an occupant load of more than 100 persons, and the use of a stage, tents and propane gas storage containers; AND
- WHEREAS, the Police Department, Fire Department and City Clerk’s Office have reviewed applicable aspects of these permit applications and recommended their approval; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby approve a Special Event Permit, an Application for Street Closing, a Sound Device Permit without fee, and an Operating Permit for the St. Anthony’s Day Festival to be held on June 11 - 12, 2022.
Agenda Item #2 – Adopt Local law No. 4 of 2022 “Amending Article §213 Relating to Mobile Food Preparation Vehicle Vendor Special Event Temporary License”
- WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on May 3, 2022 regarding proposed changes in regulations for vendors operating mobile food preparation vehicles (“MFPV”); AND
- WHEREAS, Article §213-6. Peddling and Soliciting. D. License Required; Exemptions within the City Code has no regulatory framework for a vendor operating an MFPV to obtain a temporary license to operate at authorized special events; AND
- WHEREAS, Article §213-6. Peddling and Soliciting. D. License Required; Exemptions has no regulatory framework for a vendor operating an MFPV to obtain a license to operate on the property of a business that employs at least two hundred (200) individuals should that business allow; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, the Common Council approves adoption of Local Law No. 4 of 2022 amending Article §213 to allow for a mobile food preparation vehicles (MFPV) vendor to obtain a special event temporary license or a license to operate on the property of a local business.
Agenda Item #3 – Transfer of Funds for Fire Apparatus Repair
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland Common Council approved major repair to fire apparatus at the January 18, 2022 regular meeting, with adoption of Resolution 17 of 2022; AND
- WHEREAS, this repair has been completed and is satisfactory; AND
- WHEREAS, additional repairs were needed due to unforeseen issues discovered during annual servicing and testing that if not addressed would leave the apparatus inoperable; AND
- WHEREAS, these repairs facilitate the continuation of the City’s desire to maintain an Apparatus Replacement Plan for the immediate and extended future; AND
- WHEREAS, the Fire Department strives to maintain all its apparatus in a status of immediate readiness while prolonging the service life of each within the fiscal imitations of the City; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council authorizes the transfer of $87,813 from Sales Tax Revenue Line A1325- 41120 to the Fire Department Budget Line A3410-540200 Cont. Motor to pay for repairs to Fire Department Apparatus.
Agenda Item #4 – Appropriate Police Department Impound Scrap Proceeds
- WHEREAS, the Cortland City Police Department operates and maintains an impound lot for vehicles towed as a result of unlawful activity under the New York State Penal Law and Vehicle and Traffic Law; AND
- WHEREAS, there is a daily charge for each day the vehicle remains at the impound lot; AND
- WHEREAS, many times the owner of the vehicle is not interested in retrieving the vehicle due to the poor condition of the vehicle; AND
- WHEREAS, the Cortland City Police Department routinely needs to clear the impound lot of unwanted and unusable vehicles, under Section 1244(3)(a) of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law; AND
- WHEREAS, the Cortland City Police Department sold seven (7) vehicles to Contento's for scrap on March 16, 2022 and received $1,665.00 on April 22, 2022; AND
- WHEREAS, these funds have been placed in the Minor Sales Account with Cortland City Finance Department, but could assist the Cortland City Police Department with purchasing needed equipment; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council directs the transfer $1,665.00 obtained from scrap vehicles from the Finance Department’s Minor Sales account to the Police Department budget line A3120-540200: Motor Vehicle Equipment and Repair to be utilized towards new vehicles and/or equipment.
Agenda Item #5 – Designate Surplus Police Department Equipment and Appropriate Proceeds
- WHEREAS, the Cortland City Police Department has old, outdated and unusable equipment in their possession; AND
- WHEREAS, this equipment consists in part of: old Hint computer mounting brackets, rifle/shotgun mounts, external light bars, Kenwood VHF radios, Digital Ally mobile video recorders, Panasonic interior ceiling mount cameras, ELSAG LPR (parts), and misc. other items for patrol vehicles which cannot be utilized; AND
- WHEREAS, the Cortland City Police Department wishes to have the Common Council declare these items as surplus and allow it to be sold on Auctions International, an internet auction site; AND
- WHEREAS, the Cortland City Police Department wishes to utilize the funds obtained from the sale of these items towards the purchase of new equipment; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, the Common Council does hereby declare the items listed above as surplus and does grant authority to dispose of such property by means of Auction International, with all proceeds put into the Minor Sales account with the City of Cortland Finance Department and returned back to the Cortland City Police Department budget line A3120-540200: Motor Vehicle Equipment and Repair to be utilized towards new vehicles and/or equipment
Agenda Item #6 – Authorize Agreement for Police Department Body-Worn Camera Grant Application Writing Services
- WHEREAS, the Cortland City Police Department documented in the 2020 Executive Order 203 Law Enforcement Reform and Reinvention report that the implementation of body worn cameras by officers would be explored and implemented if feasible; AND
- WHEREAS, body worn cameras being utilized by police officers would allow for more transparency in the actions of the police and how they engage the public they serve; AND
- WHEREAS, the cost of purchasing, implementing and storing data has always been a prohibitive factor to the Cortland City Police Department implementing body worn cameras; AND
- WHEREAS, a federal grant to purchase body worn cameras is now available through the Bureau of Justice Assistance for fiscal year 2022; AND
- WHEREAS, the Cortland City Police Department is desirous of receiving grant funding to implement a body worn camera program and has already written a policy for the usage of this equipment by members of the agency; AND
- WHEREAS, these grants are highly competitive and require skill beyond the current capacity of the Department to adequately address in a timely manner; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, the Common Council agrees the introduction of Body Worn Cameras in the Cortland City Police Department would be a positive addition to the tools already utilized by the officers, as it would increase transparency and foster better relationships with the community; AND BE IT FURTHER
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to sign an agreement with WCP Consultants of 21 West Franklin Street, West Carthage NY to complete the Bureau of Justice Assistance Body-Worn Camera grant application for a sum not to exceed $1,250.00.
Agenda Item #7 – Appoint Cortland Youth Bureau Director
- WHEREAS, the incumbent Cortland Youth Bureau Director, John McNerney, retired effective April 29, 2022; AND
- WHEREAS, the position has been posted and applicants have been reviewed by the Personnel Committee; AND
- WHEREAS, the Youth Bureau Board interviewed candidates and have recommended the hiring of Andrea Piedigrossi; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby approve the hiring of Andrea Piedigrossi as Cortland Youth Bureau Director effective May 2, 2022 at a salary of $75,000.
Agenda Item #8 – 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, Zoning Board of Appeals member Abigail Cleary has submitted her resignation; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that Tristan Sebastien Laurore, Sr. residing at 148 Main Street Apt F, Cortland NY is hereby appointed as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term beginning May 4, 2022 and expiring May 3, 2025.
Discussion Items
Discussion Item #1 – Director of Administration & Finance
Discussion Item #2 – Corporation Counsel
Discussion Item #3 – Apex Site
Discussion Item #4– Common Council Meeting Video and Audio
Discussion Item #5 – Parker School Ad Hoc Planning Committee
Discussion Item #6 – Trash and Recycling Ad Hoc Advisory Committee
Discussion Item #7 – Town and Gown Ad Hoc Planning Committee
