City of Cortland Common Council. (Photo Source: Kevin L. Smith of The Cortland Voice).
Here is the agenda for Tuesday’s (September 19th, 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
Presentations
Presentation #1 - Presentation by Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services
A presentation introducing the services of Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services (CARS) presented by Jessica Janssen
Presentation #2 - Presentation of the 2021 and 2022 Final Draft Financial Statements
A presentation of the 2021 and 2022 Financials and related findings from the firm Insero & Co. CPAs, LLP presented by Duane Shoen and Matthew Ball
Call to Order
- Roll Call
- Salute to the Flag
- Moment of silence/reflection
- Privilege of the floor/Presentations
- Mayor’s report
- Ward Reports
- Approval of Minutes
Supporting Documents
Resolutions
Agenda Item #1 - A Resolution to Accept the 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
WHEREAS, the Cortland Common Council is charged by the City Charter and Code with the preparation of an annual audit for the City of Cortland; AND
WHEREAS, General Municipal Law Section 219-a requires the sponsor or designated program administrator of a Length of Service Award Programs (LOSAP) for Volunteer Firefighters to obtain an annual audit of its records by an independent Certified Public Accountant (CPA); AND
WHEREAS, Insero & Co., a public accounting firm, was retained via request for proposal and authorization of a contract to perform the 2021 financial audit; AND
WHEREAS, Insero & Co. has prepared the annual financial audit and corresponding notes and schedules with a presentation to Common Council on September 19, 2023; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the City of Cortland Common Council on this 19th day of September 2023, accept the 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report as presented by Insero & Co.
Agenda Item #2 - A Resolution to Accept the 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
WHEREAS, the Cortland Common Council is charged by the City Charter and Code with the preparation of an annual audit for the City of Cortland; AND
WHEREAS, General Municipal Law Section 219-a requires the sponsor or designated program administrator of a Length of Service Award Programs (LOSAP) for Volunteer Firefighters to obtain an annual audit of its records by an independent Certified Public Accountant (CPA); AND
WHEREAS, Insero & Co., a public accounting firm, was retained via request for proposal and authorization of a contract to perform the 2022 financial audit; AND
WHEREAS, Insero & Co. has prepared the annual financial audit and corresponding notes and schedules with a presentation to Common Council on September 19, 2023; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the City of Cortland Common Council on this 19th day of September 2023, accept the 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report as presented by Insero & Co.
Agenda Item #3 - A Resolution to Amend the 2023 Adopted Budget by $442,151 to Recognize Revenues Not Appropriated in the Original Budget
WHEREAS, the Cortland Common Council is charged by the City Charter and Code with the preparation of an annual budget for the City of Cortland; AND
WHEREAS, on December 20, 2022, the Common Council adopted the City Budget for 2023; AND
WHEREAS, during the course of the fiscal year certain events occur that necessitate changing the budget plan by increasing or decreasing the total budget; AND
WHEREAS, the Department of Administration and Finance recommends the following adjustments to the budget; AND
WHEREAS, this resolution amends the City’s 2023 Adopted budget by $442,151 with appropriations to Fire, Public Works, Youth Bureau and Water Department; AND
WHEREAS, the Fire Department applied for a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) in November 2021 and has been awarded the grant totaling $364,722 of federal assistance, with a 5% match funded via 2023 departmental operating funds, to provide for EMS training and equipment purchases and will be appropriated to multiple lines; AND
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works has deemed two items to be beyond useful life and recommends Common Council declare the items as surplus and list for sale appropriately, a 2009 AL9700 International Dump Truck (Model/VIN 1HTMZSKL1AJ191419) and the associated attachments and a 1987 Hotsy 981a Hot Water High Pressure Washer (Model/VIN H09656); AND
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works will appropriate revenue from the sale of these items to A5110- 540500 to support the purchase of new operating equipment; AND
WHEREAS, the Youth Bureau received $25 in memory of Bob Isaf to support improvements at Sugget Park, to be appropriated to TE0-2090; AND
WHEREAS, the Youth Bureau received $2,283 for field usage and rental fees to be appropriated to A7140- 540500; AND
WHEREAS, the Youth Bureau received $16,000 from Cortland County Health Department as a pass through grant to support youth services and programming to be appropriated to A7310-510000; AND
WHEREAS, the Water Department received $59,121 for participation in the Department of Health Lead Service Line Replacement Plan (LSLRP) for worked performed in the second quarter of 2023, these funds will cover spending associated with lead service lines charged to FX8340-540500; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the City of Cortland Common Council on this 19th day of September 2023, that the 2023 budget be, and is hereby, amended in the amount of $442,151 as outlined in the accompanying table; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the City of Cortland Common Council declare a 2009 AL9700 International Dump Truck (Model/VIN 1HTMZSKL1AJ191419) and the associated attachments and a 1987 Hotsy 981a Hot Water High Pressure Washer (Model/VIN H09656) as surplus property.
Agenda Item #4 - A Resolution to Authorize a Letter of Support to OASAS in Favor of Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services (CARS)
WHEREAS, Local data continues to show an increasing need for support to persons struggling with substance use disorder; AND
WHEREAS, Cortland County does not currently have a provider offering Methadone for Opioid Use Disorder; AND
WHEREAS, Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services (CARS) is well positioned to meet the needs of Cortland’s residents with their current evidence-based strategies and extensive experience with small rural communities; AND
WHEREAS, CARS has several community partnerships, including an opioid treatment program for Cortland County Jail; AND
WHEREAS, CARS has offered a viable solution for a substance use program with a proposed location on Euclid Avenue in Cortland, replacing Beacon who closed their outpatient substance use program in Cortland in 2020; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the City of Cortland Common Council authorizes Mayor Steve to write a letter of support to OASAS in favor of Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services (CARS) opening an Opioid Treatment Program in the City of Cortland.
Agenda Item #5 - A Resolution to Authorize the Fire Department the Purchase of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
WHEREAS, The City of Cortland Common Council authorized the Fire Department to apply for and if awarded accept a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Regional Grant and serve as the host applicant along with the Marathon Joint Fire District and the Willet Fire District for Firefighter Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA); AND
WHEREAS, a successful award has been achieved and accepted for a total of $632,000 in which a federal share is $568,800 and a local 10% match of $63,200 will be split proportionally between the three recipient fire departments (Cortland: $42,641.20, Marathon: $12,944.65, Willet $7,614.50): AND
WHEREAS, solicitation of qualified vendors and manufacturers resulted in a thorough evaluation of possible manufacturers and options and interoperability with other local departments and current equipment in use by the Cortland Fire Department; AND
WHEREAS, the lowest qualified responsible quote, also meeting NY State Bid Pricing, has been reviewed for accuracy and intent by the Fire Chief; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the City of Cortland Common Council authorize the Fire Chief to enter into an agreement with Municipal Emergency Services (MES) for the purchase of 83 SCOTT X3 Pro SCBA and appropriate additional equipment needed for the amount of $632,000 with a FEMA contribution of $568,800 and a local contribution of $63,200, which will be divided as predetermined by an MOU with the three fire departments.
Agenda Item #6 - A Resolution to Create a Provision in Article VII Parking Standing, and Stopping of City Code of Ordinances Regulating No All Night Parking in Municipal Parking Lots
WHEREAS, the City of Cortland in July 2023, adopted a City of Cortland Parking Program allowing for the regulation of paid parking for on-street parking and paid and permitted parking in City Parking lots; AND
WHEREAS, the adopted City of Cortland Parking Program did not address the parking of vehicles in municipal parking lots between the hours of 3:00 AM and 6:00 AM.; AND
WHEREAS, prior to the adoption of the City of Cortland Parking Program, parking was not allowed on any City street nor in any municipal parking lot with the exception of portions of parking lots signed for odd/even parking or overnight parking; AND
WHEREAS, the intent of the City of Cortland Parking Program is to not allow parking in any municipal lot with the only exception being portions of the parking lots signed for Residential Parking Permit; AND
WHEREAS, Only vehicles issued current Residential Parking Permits may park in residential parking areas; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the City of Cortland Common Council pass a resolution updating Article VII Parking, Standing, and Stopping Section 11-62 All-night parking to read:
The parking of vehicles is hereby prohibited on all highways, roadways, or municipal parking lots within the corporate limits of this City between 3:00 AM and 6:00 AM with the exception of specific signed area within the municipal parking lot designated for Residential Permit Permits. Vehicles issued a current City of Cortland Residential Parking permit may park in a signed residential parking area of a municipal parking lot at any time of the day or night.
Agenda Item #7 - A Resolution to Renew Intermunicipal Agreement to Provide Wastewater Treatment Services to Village of Homer
WHEREAS, the City of Cortland has provided sewerage conveyance within the City and wastewater treatment services for the Village of Homer since 1971; AND
WHEREAS, the formal agreement entered into in 1971 expired in 2001 save for a continuity clause; AND
WHEREAS, the Village of Homer requires a current, long-term, enforceable contract for sewerage services be in place to access funding for sewerage system improvements; AND
WHEREAS, both municipalities have determined renewing a contract will meet the current need, notwithstanding an intention to negotiate a superseding agreement that better serves each municipality’s needs; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Common Council authorizes the Mayor to negotiate a new contract between the City of Cortland and Village of Homer to continue providing wastewater treatment services.
Discussion Items
Discussion Item #1 - Parker School
Update on the Parker School ad hoc planning committee’s discussions and efforts to identify viable options for the future use of the building. Information is available at https://www.cortland.org/505/Parker-School-2023.
