Cortland Common Council Agenda: March 19th, 2024

WHEREAS, the Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) program plays a critical role in funding essential municipal services for cities and villages across New York State; AND

WHEREAS, city and village officials share the same priorities as our state leaders which is to make New York safer and more affordable; AND

WHEREAS, New York’s local governments, who are on the frontlines of controlling property tax affordability and ensuring public safety, are integral to achieving those goals; AND

WHEREAS, the State has not increased AIM funding in 15 years and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation has increased by nearly 45% during that same period; AND

WHEREAS, this neglect from the State has led to rising municipal tax burdens and harmful disinvestment in essential municipal services and staff; AND

WHEREAS, the property tax cap further limits the ability of local governments to properly fund the services their residents need; AND

WHEREAS, the challenges of rising inflation, the increasing costs of labor and supplies, and the end of extraordinary federal aid, only accentuate the need for an increase in AIM funding; AND

WHEREAS, the Governor’s 2024-25 Executive Budget proposes to keep AIM funding flat; AND

WHEREAS, an increase in AIM funding would reduce the local tax burden and help revitalize communities across New York; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the City of Cortland Common Council urges Governor Hochul to work with the leaders of the Senate and Assembly and increase Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) funding in the 2024-25 adopted State Budget; AND, BE IT FURTHER

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, the term of longtime board member Gerald O’Rourke has expired and Mayor Steve recommends his reappointment; AND

WHEREAS, an additional vacancy exists on the Board of Assessment Review, to which Mayor Steve recommends the appointment of Sean T. Mack; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, that Sean T. Mack, residing at 47 Charles St. Cortland, NY is appointed to the Board of Assessment Review for a term ending September 30, 2024; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, that Gerald O’Rourke residing at 16 East Ave. Cortland, NY is appointed to the Board of Assessment Review for a term ending September 30, 2028.

WHEREAS, the SUNY Cortland and Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) have submitted a Special Event Permit Application for the purposes of holding a Juneteenth Celebration event in Courthouse Park from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on June 15, 2024; AND

WHEREAS, organizers have submitted a Sound Device Permit Application for the event; AND

WHEREAS, the Police Department, Fire Department, Youth Bureau 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 Juneteenth Celebration event in Courthouse Park from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on June 15, 2024 contingent on submission of a general liability insurance certificate and any approvals required by state fire prevention and building code and/or city code.

WHEREAS, the City of Cortland has made a commitment to improving the appearance and infrastructure of the Downtown area within the City; AND

WHEREAS, the CCI Companies Inc. put forth a proposal to advance these efforts as part of the work currently being performed on Main Street; AND

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: