(Photo Source: Kevin L. Smith of The Cortland Voice).
Here is the agenda for Tuesday’s (April 2nd, 2024) 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
Proclamations
Proclamation #1 - Declaring April as Fair Housing Month in the City of Cortland
WHEREAS, in accordance with Title VIII Fair Housing Policy of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988; AND
WHEREAS, the month of April 2024 has been designated by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity as Fair Housing Month; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED that the Common Council of the City of Cortland hereby declares and proclaims April as Fair Housing Month in the City of Cortland, New York.
Proclamation #2 - Declaring April 22 Earth Day in the City of Cortland
WHEREAS, the City of Cortland is committed to protecting and preserving its natural resources and recognizes the important role its citizens play in this endeavor; AND
WHEREAS, Earth Day is an opportunity to come together with the rest of the world's citizens to celebrate and join the efforts of people who strive to improve the environment for ourselves and future generations; AND
WHEREAS, Earth Day reminds all of us to be good stewards of our natural resources by which we help build a stronger economy, sustainable environment and a healthier future; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, I, Scott Steve, Mayor of the City of Cortland, do hereby proclaim April 22, 2024 Earth Day in the City of Cortland, and urge all citizens to celebrate the day and be attentive every day to preserving our natural resources by participating in efforts to reduce consumption and waste, encourage recycling, utilize renewable resources, eliminate pollution and conserve water, land and energy.
Proclamation #3 - Declaring April 26 Arbor Day in the City of Cortland
WHEREAS, in 1872, the Nebraska Board of Agriculture established a special day, to become known as Arbor Day, for the planting of trees; AND
WHEREAS, trees are a renewable resource, reduce the erosion of topsoil, moderate the temperature, produce oxygen, clean the air, and provide habitat for wildlife; AND
WHEREAS, trees in our city increase property values, enhance the vitality of business areas, and beautify our community; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, I, Scott Steve, Mayor of the City of Cortland, do hereby proclaim April 26, 2024 Arbor Day in the City of Cortland, and urge all citizens to celebrate the day, support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands, and plant trees to promote the well-being of this and future generations.
Financial Reports & Updates
Year to Date Actuals
Grant and Capital Projects
- 2022 Water and Sewer Lateral Program
- 2022 Microenterprise Assistance Program
- Local Waterfront Revitalization Program at Tioughnioga River
- Downtown Revitalization Initiative – Main Street Improvements
- 2021 Income Property Rehabilitation Funding
2023 Year-End Process
Supporting Documents
Call to Order
- Roll Call
- Salute to the Flag
- Moment of silence/reflection
- Privilege of the floor
- Financial Reports
- Mayor’s report
- Ward Reports
- Approval of Minutes
Resolutions
Agenda Item #1 - Approve Special Event and Sound Device Permits for an Event in Observance of the National Day of Prayer to be held May 2, 2024 in Courthouse Park
WHEREAS, the Salvation Army has submitted a Special Event and Sound Device Permit Application for the purpose of holding a National Day of Prayer observance in Courthouse Park from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on May 2, 2024; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby approve a Special Event Permit and Sound Device Permit without fee for the National Day of Prayer observance to be held in Courthouse Park from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on May 2, 2024.
Agenda Item #2 - Approve Special Event Permit for a Mental Health Awareness Walk and Information Session on May 7, 2024 in and around the vicinity of Parker School
WHEREAS, the Cortland County Mental Health Department has submitted a Special Event Permit Application for the purpose of holding a Mental Health Awareness Walk and Information Session in and around the vicinity of Parker School from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on May 7, 2024; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby approve a Special Event Permit for the Mental Health Awareness Walk and Information Session in and around the vicinity of Parker School from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on May 7, 2024.
Agenda Item #3 - Set Required First Public Hearing Relating to the Proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Community Development Block Grant Program and Upcoming Funding Round to Allow the Public an Opportunity to Participate in the Grant Process
WHEREAS, the City of Cortland intends to submit an application or applications under the NYS Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program for the 2024 fiscal year, which requires a public hearing be held prior to submission of any application or applications to provide information to the public about the CDBG Program and an opportunity to participate in the grant process; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that a public hearing shall be held prior to the Common Council’s scheduled regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. on April 16, 2024 at City Hall, 25 Court St., Cortland NY on the proposed 2024 Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and upcoming funding round, to provide information to the public about the CDBG Program and to allow the public to provide input into the grant process; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that public notice of such public hearing shall be published in the official newspaper of the City of Cortland.
Agenda Item #4 - Amend the 2024 Adopted Budget by $11,675 to Recognize Receipt of State Funding and a Donation
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 19, 2023, the Common Council adopted the City Budget for 2024; 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
WHERAS, the Youth Bureau received funding through the Office of Children and Family Services in the amount of $11,175 to be appropriated to A7110-540500 for the purchase of a new storage shed, lifeguard certifications and new football helmets; AND
WHEREAS, this resolution amends the City’s 2024 Adopted budget by $500 with appropriations to the Youth Bureau Donald Sharpe Trust Account TE0-2090; AND
WHEREAS, the Youth Bureau received a generous donation from Kiwanis Club of Cortland for the annual Hershey Park Field Trip; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the City of Cortland Common Council on this 2nd day of April 2024, that the 2024 budget be, and is hereby, amended in the amount of $11,675.
Agenda Item #5 - Adopt a Home Rule Message Requesting the New York State Legislature Amend Tax Law To Authorize the Collection of an Occupancy Tax in the City of Cortland (Senate Bill S.____ and Assembly Bill A.____)
WHEREAS, Section 1202 of the New York Tax Law allows municipalities to adopt and amend local laws imposing a tax upon persons occupying hotel or motel rooms, bed and breakfast, and other tourist rental stay facilities; AND
WHEREAS, the City of Cortland had prior authorization under NYS Tax Law 1202-gg which expired and was repealed on September 1, 2023; AND
WHEREAS, the City of Cortland will submit a home rule request which supports Senate Bill S.____ and Assembly Bill A._____ to authorize the City to implement a hotel and motel tax rate of up to three percent (3%) of the perdiem rental rate for each room; AND
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the implementation of a hotel and motel tax rate would benefit the City by providing additional revenues for the promotion of tourism, cultural programs, parks and recreation, and the critical infrastructure and capital improvements necessary to support those items; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby requests that the New York State Legislature enact Senate Bill S._____ and Assembly Bill A._____, which authorize the City to adopt a local law to implement and renew the hotel and motel tax rate at a rate up to three percent (3%) of the per-diem rental rate for each room’ AND BE IT FUTHER,
RESOLVED, the City Clerk is hereby directed to forward copies of this Resolution to Governor Kathy Hochul; to the Majority Leader of the New York State Senate Andrea Stewart-Cousins; to the Speaker of the New York State Assembly Carl E. Heastie; to Senator Lea Webb (SD52); and to Assembly Member Dr. Anna Kelles (AD125).
Agenda Item #6 - Authorize a Temporary Position for Administration & Finance
WHEREAS, the City has identified a need to provide professional technical services on a temporary basis during a vacancy; AND
WHEREAS, it is recommended the position be authorized through the end of the calendar year with the option to extend at the discretion of the Mayor; AND
WHEREAS, funding the temporary position will be reallocated from the Department of Administration and Finance lapse salary; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, the City of Cortland Common Council authorizes a temporary position for the Department of Administration and Finance through the end of calendar year 2024.
Agenda Item #7 - Adopt Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
WHEREAS, it is the objective of the City of Cortland to adhere to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, regional, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, age, marital status, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation or veteran status; AND
WHEREAS, the Common Council affirms the city policy of prohibiting discrimination in the area of recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, retention, discipline, and/or any other aspect of personnel administration, and requiring department heads and others with supervisory authority to take affirmative measures to ensure that all personnel actions are executed without any such discrimination; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the City of Cortland Common Council hereby adopts the policy titled “City of Cortland Equal Employment Opportunity Policy” which shall have an immediate effective date of April 2, 2024.
Agenda Item #8 - Authorize Agreement with Absolutely Clean for Custodial Services at City Hall, the Youth Bureau Offices and the Department of Public Works
WHEREAS, the City of Cortland has contracted for cleaning and custodial services at City Hall 25 Court St., the Cortland Youth Bureau at 35 Port Watson St. and the Department of Public Works at 19 S. Franklin St.; AND
WHEREAS, each of the above departments wish to continue its agreement with Absolutely Clean for these services; AND
WHEREAS, Absolutely Clean requires a contract for services at the three locations to begin on April 1, 2024; 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 City Hall 25 Court St., the Cortland Youth Bureau at 35 Port Watson St. and the Department of Public Works at 19 S. Franklin St. for a monthly amount of $5,390.50 for a period beginning April 1, 2024 and ending March 31, 2027.
Agenda Item #9 - Declare as Surplus Certain Department of Public Works Vehicles and Equipment and Authorize Sale at Auction
WHEREAS, the City of Cortland Department of Public Works has deemed the following equipment as unusable and wishes to declare the following items as surplus and list for sale appropriately; AND
WHEREAS, this sale is necessary as the equipment is well beyond its life expectancy, is unrepairable and is taking up departmental space; AND
WHEREAS, the funding expected from the sale of the surplus equipment should have a greater impact on the purchase of new departmental items; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the following items be deemed as surplus and their sale at auction is approved; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that all revenues be allocated into the appropriate budget lines A5010-42665.
Agenda Item #10 - Authorize Youth Bureau Grant Application to Firehouse Subs Community Grant for Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
WHEREAS, the Cortland Youth Bureau provides numerous youth and adult athletic and recreational programs for our community; AND
WHEREAS, in February of 2024 the public health law was amended by adding a new section 300-f which requires camps and youth sports programs to have available Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) on site for each camp session, game, and practice; AND
WHEREAS, the Cortland Youth Bureau currently possesses three AEDs seasonally used for aquatics, lacrosse, and football; AND
WHEREAS, a grant opportunity is available for 8 Cardiac Science G5 AEDs which will be utilized by the Youth Bureau (3), Police Department (2), and Cortland County Youth Soccer Association (3) and maintained by the Youth Bureau; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Cortland Youth Bureau is hereby authorized and directed to submit the application for grant funding for the Firehouse Subs Community Grant for eight (8) Automated External Defibrillator (AED) units totaling $15,389.24.
