(Photo Source: Kevin L. Smith of The Cortland Voice).
Here is the agenda for Tuesday’s (February 21st, 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
Call to Order
- Roll Call
- Salute to the Flag
- Moment of silence/reflection
- Privilege of the floor
- Mayor’s report
- Ward Reports
- Approval of Minutes
Supporting Documents
Resolutions
Agenda Item #1 - Set Public Hearing on Local Law No. 12 of 2023 to Amend Chapter 300 to Allow for Building or Property Repurpose that Serves a Substantial Public Benefit
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland seeks authority to approve a special use permit for a vacant or unoccupied building, structure or property where the original or permitted use is no longer feasible, regardless of whether the proposed repurpose use for said vacant or unoccupied building, structure or property is expressly prohibited by Chapter 300 of the Cortland City Administrative Code; AND
- WHEREAS, special use permit approval would be preceded by a declaration of the Common Council that the proposed repurpose for the vacant or unoccupied building or property serves a substantial public benefit; AND
- WHEREAS, such action requires local law amendments to the City Administrative Code; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that, pursuant to Section 20 of the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, a public hearings shall be held prior to the Common Council’s scheduled regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. on March 7, 2023 at City Hall, 25 Court Street, Cortland NY on proposed local law to allow for building or property repurpose that serves a substantial public benefit; AND BE IT FURTHER
- RESOLVED, that the City Clerk shall publish notice of such public hearings in the official newspaper of the City of Cortland.
Agenda Item #2 - Set Public Hearing on Local Law No. 13 of 2023 to Amend Applicable City of Cortland Charter and Administrative Code Provisions Relative to Code Enforcement to Comply with the Latest New York State Local Code Requirements
- WHEREAS, New York State recently adopted provisions requiring all municipalities, as is does from time to time, to make updates to their respective charters/codes relative to the administration of the NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and the NYS Energy Conservation Code; AND
- WHEREAS, the majority of the applicable provisions in Cortland’s Charter/Code are already in compliance, but as do all municipalities, the City needs to make certain revisions so that our Code Enforcement Program is in compliance with the latest state regulatory revisions at the state level; AND
- WHEREAS, the state has provided a model local law to guide the amendments that the City will make; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that, pursuant to Section 20 of the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, a public hearings shall be held prior to the Common Council’s scheduled regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. on March 7, 2023 at City Hall, 25 Court Street, Cortland NY on proposed local law to allow for building or property repurpose that serves a substantial public benefit; AND BE IT FURTHER
- RESOLVED, that the City Clerk shall publish notice of such public hearings in the official newspaper of the City of Cortland.
Agenda Item #3 - Abolish Payroll Clerk Position and Create Payroll/Benefits Manager Position within the Department of Administration & Finance
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland conducts numerous activities in support of City personnel including payroll, management of health insurance and benefits programs, compliance with civil service requirements and contractual obligations, data and record keeping, and reporting; AND
- WHEREAS, the City currently has a position with the title Payroll Clerk which is within the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 200United; AND
- WHEREAS, the incumbent Payroll Clerk is vacating the position; AND
- WHEREAS, Mayor Steve proposes to abolish said Payroll Clerk position and create a position of Payroll/Benefits Manager with expanded job duties, and which would be a non-union, management position; AND
- WHEREAS, a job description for said position has been reviewed and approved by Cortland County Personnel/ Civil Service Department; AND
- WHEREAS, said position would involve administrative responsibility for personnel management functions which include processing of payroll and related activities; serving as the primary contact for benefits-related questions and working directly with benefits providers regarding enrollment, claims and payment transactions; coordinating with Cortland Country Personnel/Civil Service Department, department heads and appointing authorities to ensure that posting for and hiring of vacant positions are done in accordance with civil service laws and regulations; AND
- WHEREAS, the work of said position would be performed under the direction of the City Administrator, and in coordination with department heads, employees and municipal officials for personnel-related issues; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby abolish the position of Payroll Clerk and create the position of Payroll/Benefits Manager within the Department of Administration & Finance; AND BE IT FURTHER
- RESOLVED, that the newly created position of Payroll/Benefits Manager shall be considered a management position, and in accord with the job description filed with the Cortland County Personnel/Civil Service Department.
Agenda Item #4 - Approve Special Event Permit and Sound Device Permit for the Overdose Awareness Candle Vigil
- WHEREAS, organizers of an annual Overdose Awareness Candle Vigil have submitted a Special Event Application for the purposes of holding this year’s event on August 31, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; AND
- WHEREAS, organizers have submitted a Sound Device Permit Application for the event; AND
- WHEREAS, the Youth Bureau, Police Department, Code Office 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 and a Sound Device Permit without fee for the Overdose Awareness Candle Vigil to be held on August 31, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Agenda Item #5 - Authorize Memorandum of Agreement with Cortland County Health Department for Operation of Closed Points of Distribution
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland works to enhance its preparedness for emergency events and engages in discussions, planning and response efforts with partners including the County of Cortland; AND
- WHEREAS, the Cortland County Health Department operates Open Points of Distribution (PODS) to provide Medical Counter Measures (MCMs) to the general public during certain public health emergencies; AND
- WHEREAS, MCMs prevent, protect against, treat or diagnose diseases or health effects caused chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) agents, and emerging infectious diseases; AND
- WHEREAS, because Open POD sites can easily become overwhelmed, public health departments work to establish partnerships to develop alternate MCM dispensing options, or Closed PODS, which serve a preidentified segment of the population; AND
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland has collaborated with the County Health Department to develop a Memorandum of Agreement enabling the City of Cortland to operate Closed PODS to administer emergency medications, treatments and protections to City employees and their families; AND
- WHEREAS, City administered Closed PODS will relieve the County’s efforts in distributing MCMs to the general public and supports the City’s continuity of operations efforts and helps the City maintain essential functions during an emergency event; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby authorize Mayor Steve to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement on behalf of the City of Cortland with the Cortland County Health Department for the purpose of the City conducting planning and training for, and operating Closed Points of Distribution (PODs) to administer Medical Counter Measures (MCMs) to City employees and their families during public health emergencies.
Agenda Item #6 - Establish Property Compliance Certificate Fee for Certification Reports Conducted by the Code Enforcement Division
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland maintains a fee schedule with set pricing for various types of certificates requested by property owners and the list of certificates is added to periodically; AND
- WHEREAS, upon request for these certificates, the employees of the City of Cortland Fire Department Code Enforcement Division must research and generate reports in issuing such certificates; AND
- WHEREAS, New York State as of December 23, 2022 amended the Property Condition Disclosure Act which requires property owners to provide potential buyers with documents disclosing property condition; AND
- WHEREAS, part of this documentation is ensuring current compliance with local ordinances and state codes; AND
- WHEREAS, attorneys and lending institutions are more frequently requesting these compliance certification reports\letters from the Code Enforcement Division; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby authorize the Code Enforcement Division to establish and charge a fee for property compliance certifications in the amount of $25.00 for residential properties and $50.00 for commercial properties.
Agenda Item #7 - Affirm Annual Service and Maintenance Agreements for Department of Public Works
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland Department of Public Works utilizes a variety of equipment, services, software, and digital and electronic systems as part of its operations; AND
- WHEREAS, some such equipment, services, software, and digital and electronic systems necessitate annual service agreements or maintenance agreements; AND
- WHEREAS, the need for such agreements are reviewed and validated annually, and invoices and records are audited and maintained; AND
- WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works has determined there to be continued need for the annual service and maintenance agreements with vendors as listed below; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby affirm and authorize the service and maintenance agreements the City of Cortland Department of Public Works maintains with vendors as listed below:
Agenda Item #8 - Affirm Annual Service and Maintenance Agreements for Police Department
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland Police Department utilizes a variety of equipment, services, software, and digital and electronic systems as part of its law enforcement operations; AND
- WHEREAS, some such equipment, services, software, and digital and electronic systems necessitate annual service agreements or maintenance agreements; AND
- WHEREAS, the need for such agreements are reviewed and validated annually, and invoices and records are audited and maintained; AND
- WHEREAS, the Police Department has determined there to be continued need for the annual service and maintenance agreements with vendors as listed below; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby affirm and authorize the service and maintenance agreements the City of Cortland Police Department maintains with vendors as listed below:
Agenda Item #9 - Accept and Recognize Donations to Cortland Youth Bureau
- WHEREAS, donations have 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 these donations 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 accounts outlined below.
Agenda Item #10 - Authorize Agreements with Absolutely Clean for Custodial Services at the Youth Bureau Offices and Wickwire Pool House
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland Youth Bureau has contracted for cleaning and custodial services at the Cortland Youth Bureau, 35 Port Watson St. and Wickwire Pool House at Suggett Park; AND
- WHEREAS, the Youth Bureau wishes to continue its agreement with Absolutely Clean for these services; AND
- WHEREAS, Absolutely Clean requires a contract for services at the Youth Bureau to begin on March 1, 2023; AND
- WHEREAS, Absolutely Clean requires a contract for services at Wickwire Pool House to begin on June 24, 2023; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby authorize Mayor Steve to enter into an agreement on behalf of the City of Cortland with Absolutely Clean for custodial services at the Youth Bureau for a monthly amount of $792.00 for a period beginning March 1, 2023 and ending December 31, 2023; AND BE IT FURTHER
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby authorize Mayor Steve to enter into an agreement on behalf of the City of Cortland with Absolutely Clean for custodial services at Wickwire Pool House at Suggett Park for a monthly amount of $900.00 for a period beginning June 24, 2023 and ending August 20, 2023.
Agenda Item #11 - Authorize Contract with Chimera for Fire and Intrusion Monitoring System at the Beaudry Park Building and Youth Bureau Offices
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland Youth Bureau has contracted for fire alarm and intrusion alarm monitoring services at the Beaudry Park Building and Youth Bureau Offices at 35 Port Watson Street; AND
- WHEREAS, the past service provider’s company has been sold to another service provider; AND
- WHEREAS, Chimera will provide updated services, equipment, and monitoring for a lesser cost than the other service provider; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby authorize Mayor Steve to enter into an agreement on behalf of the City of Cortland with Chimera for a monthly monitoring cost of $35.00 per facility for a period beginning March 1, 2023 and ending December 31, 2023.
Agenda Item #12 - Authorize Contract with Chimera for Access Control System at the Beaudry Park Building
- WHEREAS, the City of Cortland Youth Bureau has contracted with Chimera to replace current locks, install an open path smart reader, train staff, and monitor a cloud based access control system for the Beaudry Park Building; AND
- WHEREAS, the current system of lock and key has created issues with security, access to the building, and additional staff required to lock and unlock bathrooms during special events, and athletic contests; AND
- WHEREAS, the access control system will allow users access to the building and bathrooms only when allowed based on the schedule and access control system installed on the door; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
- RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby authorize Mayor Steve to enter into an agreement on behalf of the City of Cortland with Chimera for installation of an OpenPath Cloud Access Control System at the Beaudry Park Building.
Discussion Items
Discussion Item #1 - Director of Administration & Finance Search Update
- Milestones leading to screening of candidates have been achieved. Additional milestones leading to hiring of a City Administrator are:
