(Photo Source: Kevin L. Smith of The Cortland Voice).
Here is the agenda for Tuesday’s (January 3rd, 2023) 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 also be live streamed Via Zoom video.
Here is the Zoom Meeting ID: 923 566 4700
Agenda
Public Hearings
Public Hearing #1 - Application for Restore New York Funding for the Potential Redevelopment of the Building Which Formerly Housed Parker Elementary School Located at 85-99 Madison Street (Tax Parcel ID 86.49-01-02.000)
Oaths to Office
- Fire Chiefs and Fire Police
Proclamations
Proclamation #1 - Declaring January 14, 2023 a Day in Honor of Dan McNeil, Jr. in the City of Cortland
- WHEREAS, Dan McNeil, Jr. is known in the City of Cortland as a visionary and admired businessman and developer, dutiful citizen, discerning mentor, and steadfast friend; AND
- WHEREAS, his mission as a businessman and developer has served the community through the renovation and creation of properties that have encouraged revitalization and provided business and employment opportunities; AND
- WHEREAS, Dan has also served his community through his support of and active engagement in philanthropic and civic organizations and the Rose and Dan McNeil Foundation with a focus of supporting music in the Cortland community; AND
- WHEREAS, Dan is a person for and with others, meeting everyone he encounters in humility and generosity of spirit; AND
- WHEREAS, the legacy of Dan’s contributions to the community extend far into the future and are carried forward through his children; AND
- WHEREAS, Dan will celebrate his 100th birthday on January 14, 2023; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, I, Scott Steve, Mayor of the City of Cortland, do hereby proclaim January 14, 2023 as a Day in Honor of Dan McNeil, Jr. in the City of Cortland in commemoration of his 100th birthday and in gratitude for his benefaction; AND BE IT FURTHER
- RESOLVED, that the City of Cortland will honor Dan McNeil, Jr. with a flag raising ceremony at 9:00 a.m. January 13, 2023 in front of City Hall.
Call to Order
- Roll Call
- Salute to the Flag
- Moment of silence/reflection
- Privilege of the floor
- Finance Report
- Mayor’s report
- Ward Reports
- Approval of Minutes
Supporting Documents
- Supporting Documents #1
- 2022 YTD Budget
- 2021-2022 Budget Comparison
- Grant Project Updates
- Common Council Minutes 2022.12.20
Resolutions
Agenda Item #1 - Set 2023 Common Council Meeting Schedule
- WHEREAS, Section C3-7 of the City Charter provides that the Common Council shall hold regular meetings on the first and third Tuesday evenings of each month and special meetings at such other times as it may designate; AND
- WHEREAS, in accordance with this schedule, the Common Council would meet on June 6, 2023 and July 4, 2023; AND
- WHEREAS, June 6, 2023 is the date on which the Cortland County Dairy parade is held, and July 4, 2023 is a City, State and Federal Holiday; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that during the year 2023 the City of Cortland Common Council shall hold regular meetings at 6:00 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month except that the Common Council does hereby cancel its meetings which would otherwise be held on June 6, 2023 and July 4, 2023; AND BE IT FURTHER
- RESOLVED, that in accordance with Section C3-7 of the City Charter, a special meeting of the Common Council may be scheduled by the Mayor or any three Councilpersons upon not less than 24 hours’ notice when such need exists.
Agenda Item #2 - Authorize Agreement with Thoma Development Consultants for Program Delivery Services as Part of the Community Development Block Grant
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland was awarded a Community Development Block Grant Project No. 285WS315-22 ("Grant") pursuant to Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended ("Act") in the amount of $500,000 to enable the City of Cortland to provide assistance to fund a water and sewer lateral replacement program for single family owner occupied and income properties 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 for review by the NYS Office of Community Renewal (OCR), which administers the NYS CDBG Program; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the City of Cortland Common Council authorizes Mayor Steve to execute an agreement with Thoma Development Consultants for Program Delivery Services as part of the Community Development Block Grant (Project No. 285WS315-22) in the amount of $88,000 pursuant to the Consultant’s response to the Request for Proposal and pending review and approval by the NYS Office of Community Renewal.
Agenda Item #3 - Set Public Hearing on Proposed Local Law Relating to Planning Commission Membership
- WHEREAS, Article X, Section C10-2 of the City Charter and Section 300-181 of the City of Cortland Administrative Code establish the City Planning Commission and provide for membership and terms of office; AND
- WHEREAS, Section 300-181 of the City of Cortland Administrative Code states that Planning Commission membership shall be in accordance with New York State General City Law Section 27; AND
- WHEREAS, the City Charter provides that the Planning Commission consists of seven (7) members appointed for three (3) year terms by the Common Council; AND
- WHEREAS, New York State General City Law Section 27 provides that the appointment of Planning Commission members shall be for a term of office equal in years to the number of Planning Commission members; AND
- WHEREAS, the Common Council seeks to amend the City Charter and Administrative Code to make Planning Commission members’ terms of office consistent with General City Law; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that, pursuant to Section 20 of the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, a public hearing on a proposed local law to amend the City Charter and Administrative Code relating to the terms of office of Planning Commission members shall be held prior to the Common Council’s scheduled regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. on January 17, 2023 at City Hall, 25 Court Street, Cortland NY and that the City Clerk shall publish notice of such hearing in the official newspaper of the City of Cortland.
Agenda Item #4 - Set Public Hearing on Proposed Local Law Relating to Zoning Board of Appeals Membership
- WHEREAS, Section 138-20 of the City of Cortland Administrative Code establishes the City Zoning Board of Appeals; AND
- WHEREAS, the City Charter and Administrative Code do not specify the number of board members or their terms of office; AND
- WHEREAS, New York State General City Law Section 81 provides that a Zoning Board of Appeals shall consist of three or five members as determined by local law, and that terms of office shall be equal in years to the number of board members; AND
- WHEREAS, the Common Council seeks to amend the Administrative Code to make Zoning Board of Appeals membership and terms of office consistent with General City Law; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that, pursuant to Section 20 of the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, a public hearing on a proposed local law to amend the City’s Administrative Code relating to membership and terms of office of Zoning Board of Appeals shall be held prior to the Common Council’s scheduled regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. on January 17, 2023 at City Hall, 25 Court Street, Cortland NY and that the City Clerk shall publish notice of such hearing in the official newspaper of the City of Cortland.
Agenda Item #5 - Set Public Hearing on Proposed Local Law Relating to Police Commission Membership and Duties
- WHEREAS, New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed Executive Order 203 on June 12, 2020 requiring each local government in New York State to perform a comprehensive review of police department policies and practices; AND
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland convened a committee of Cortland residents to conduct such as review and issue a report and recommendations; AND
- WHEREAS, the Common Council approved the committee’s report and recommendations pursuant to Resolution No. 71 adopted on March 16, 2021; AND
- WHEREAS, the recommendations of the committee have been implemented by the City of Cortland and the City Police Department; AND
- WHEREAS, the Common Council wishes to update Section C12-3 of the City Charter relating to Police Commission membership and Section C12-4 relating to duties of the Police Commission to reflect these policies and practices; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that, pursuant to Section 20 of the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, a public hearing on a proposed local law to amend the City Charter relating to Police Commission membership and duties shall be held prior to the Common Council’s scheduled regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. on January 17, 2023 at City Hall, 25 Court Street, Cortland NY and that the City Clerk shall publish notice of such hearing in the official newspaper of the City of Cortland.
Agenda Item #6 - Authorize the Code Enforcement Office to Enter Into Contract for Snow and Garbage Removal Services
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland strives to promote a vibrant welcoming community through Code Enforcement and regulatory efforts that support property maintenance and safety for all residents of Cortland; AND
- WHEREAS, all efforts made to establish this safe, welcoming and vibrant community through regulatory efforts designated by the City Charter and administered for compliance through the City of Cortland Code Enforcement Office do not always achieve success; AND
- WHEREAS, non-compliance requires specific remedy through local law, policies and procedures administered by the Code Enforcement Office which includes using contractors to remove garbage, mow lawns, shovel sidewalks, and provide other miscellaneous services; AND
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland Clerks Office sent notice of a bid proposal for these services which was printed on December 19, 2022 in the City’s official newspaper; AND
- WHEREAS, a deadline to submit bid proposals was set for December 27, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. with one bid had received; AND
- WHEREAS, the sole bid was submitted by the current contractor for these services, Matthew Taylor: AND
- WHEREAS, for the past two years Mr. Taylor has provided exemplary service to the Code Enforcement Office as the contractor for the above mentioned services, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, the City of Cortland Common Council authorizes Mayor Steve or his designee to enter into an agreement for garbage, snow and other miscellaneous removal services with Matthew Taylorfor a rate of $65.00 per hour and .80¢ per linear foot of sidewalk cleared of snow beginning on January 9, 2023 through January 10, 2024.
Discussion Items
Discussion Item #1 - Parker School
Discussion Item #2 - Director of Administration & Finance Search Update
