(Photo provided by Kevin L. Smith of The Cortland Voice).
Here is the agenda for Tuesday’s (May 7th, 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 May 11, 2024 as MDA/IAFF Local 2737 Boot Day Drive
WHEREAS, the Muscular Dystrophy Association/Cortland Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2737 is
promoting a “Fill the Boot” drive on May 11th, 2024; AND
WHEREAS, the Muscular Dystrophy Association has requested that May 11th, 2024 be proclaimed as MDA/IAFF Local 2737 Boot Drive Day; AND
WHEREAS, to date over $679 million has been raised by over 300,000 firefighters through seven decades to save and improve lives of MDA families; AND
WHEREAS, the Muscular Dystrophy Association is the leading health agency providing scientific, medical and emotional support for individuals and families affected by neuromuscular disease; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, I, Scott Steve, Mayor of Cortland, do hereby proclaim May 11, 2024 as MDA/IAFF Local 2737 Boot Drive Day in the City of Cortland, and I urge citizens to learn more about Muscular Dystrophy through news media coverage or by calling their local MDA office for more information.
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 - Home Rule Message Requesting the New York State Legislature to Amend the Tax Law, in Relation to Authorizing the City of Cortland to Establish Hotel and Motel Taxes by adoption of Assembly Bill A.10014 and Senate Bill S.09175
WHEREAS, Section 1202 of the New York State 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WHEREAS, the City of Cortland had prior authorization under New York State Tax Law 1202-gg which expired and was repealed on September 1, 2023; AND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 Assembly Bill A.10014 and Senate Bill S.09175 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 Common 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 of Cortland Common Council hereby requests that the New York State Legislature enact Assembly Bill A.10014 and Senate Bill S.09175, titled “An Act to amend the tax law, in relation to authorizing the city of Cortland to establish hotel and motel taxes” which authorizes 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 with a New York State Legislative Home Rule Request form to the City of Cortland’s state legislative representatives Assembly Member Dr. Anna Kelles (AD125) and Senator Lea Webb (SD52).
Agenda Item #2 - Approve Parade Permit for the CNY Mustang Club Cruise Night Car Show May 19, 2024
WHEREAS, the CNY Mustang Club has submitted a parade Permit Application for their Cruise Night Car Show
coming from Marathon to the Cortlanes Bowling Center on Tompkins St. on May 19, 2024; AND
WHEREAS, the Cortland County Sheriff's Department has offered to provide escort and the City police Department has agreed to provide traffic safety and control along Port Watson St. and Tompkins St.; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby approve Parade Permit for the CNY Mustang Club Cruise Night Car Show to proceed along Port Watson St. and Tompkins St. at approximately 2:15 to 2:45 p.m. on May 19, 2024.
Agenda Item #3 - Approve Special Event and Related Permits for St. Anthony’s Day Festival to be held at 50 Pomeroy St. on June 8 and 9, 2024
WHEREAS, St. Anthony’s Church has submitted a Special Event Application for the purposes of holding the St.
Anthony’s Day Festival at 50 Pomeroy Street on June 8 and 9, 2024; AND
WHEREAS, St. Anthony’s Church has submitted an application for the closing of Pomeroy Street from Elm Street to Central Avenue from the hours of 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on June 8, 2024 and from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on June 9, 2024; AND
WHEREAS, St. Antony’s Church has submitted a Sound Device Permit Application for 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. June 8, 2024 and 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. June 9, 2024; AND
WHEREAS, St. Anthony’s Church has submitted an Operating Permit Application for an occupant load of more than 100 persons, and the use of a stage, tents and propane gas storage containers; AND
WHEREAS, the Police Department, Fire Department and City Clerk’s Office have reviewed applicable aspects of these permit applications; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby approve a Special Event Permit, an Application for Street Closing, a Sound Device Permit without fee, and an Operating Permit for the St. Anthony’s Day Festival to be held 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. June 8, 2024 and 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. June 9, 2024.
Agenda Item #4 - Approve Special Event and Sound Device Permit for YMCA 5K Viking Run Starting and Ending Near Courthouse Park on June 15, 2024
WHEREAS, the YMCA of Cortland has submitted a Special Event Permit application for the purposes of holding a 5K Run in Suggett Park and the neighboring vicinity from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on June 15, 2024; AND
WHEREAS, the organizer has submitted a Sound Device Permit application for a fixed-location speaker and microphone to be used during the event; AND
WHEREAS, the Police Department, Fire Department and City Clerk’s Office have reviewed applicable aspects of these permit applications; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the City of Cortland Common Council does hereby approve for issuance by the City Clerk a Special Event Permit and Sound Device Permit without fee for the YMCA Viking 5K Run to be held from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on June 15, 2024.
Agenda Item #5 - Approve Special Event and Related Permits for Cortland LGBTQ Center’s Cortland Pride Festival to be held in Courthouse Park on July 13, 2024
WHEREAS, Cortland LGBTQ Center has submitted a Special Event Application for the purposes of holding the Cortland Pride Festival in Courthouse Park from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on July 13, 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; 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 Cortland LGBTQ Center’s Cortland Pride Festival to be held in Courthouse Park from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on July 13, 2024.
Agenda Item #6 - Authorize Agreement with New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services for the Maple Ave. Culvert Upgrade Project
WHEREAS, the City of Cortland desires to continue upgrading its culverts and waterways; AND
WHEREAS, there is a need for additional services and grant funds to be provided through Contract No. C0011056 with New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services for upgrades to the Maple Avenue Culvert Project; AND
WHEREAS, the state has the authority to regulate and provide funding for the operation of a program or performance of a service; and desires to contract with a responsive and responsible Contractor possessing the necessary resources to provide such services or work; AND
WHEREAS, the contractor is ready, willing, and able to provide such services or work and possesses or can make available all necessary qualified personnel, licenses, facilities and expertise to perform or have performed the services or work, as applicable, required pursuant to and in compliance with the terms of the contract, specifications outlined in the grant solicitation, resulting award, and other associated documents comprising the agreement.; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that Mayor Steve is hereby authorized to sign This State of New York Contract for Grants, including all attachments and appendices not to exceed $2,180,160.00
Agenda Item #7 - Declare Police Vehicles as Surplus and Send to Auction
WHEREAS, the Cortland City Police Department maintains a fleet of vehicles used exclusively for law enforcement purposes and has ongoing need to replace those that are of no further service to the agency; AND
WHEREAS, the Cortland City Police Department has two (2) police vehicles which have served their usefulness they wish to declare as surplus and three (3) motorized bicycles prohibited under NYS law; AND
WHEREAS, the Cortland City Police Department would like to auction the vehicles and motorized bicycles on Auctions International and have any proceeds placed back in the department budget for new equipment; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Common Council herby declares the two (2) police vehicles listed below as surplus and grants permission for the agency to sell the vehicles and three (3) motorized bicycles on Auction International, with any proceeds from the sale being placed in the Cortland City Police Department 2024 budget account A3120-520600 (Operating Equipment) to be used for the purchase of new police vehicles and/or equipment.
Agenda Item #8 - Appropriate Annual Cortland City Police Bike Sale Proceeds
WHEREAS, the Cortland City Police Department annually comes into possession of dozens of discarded bicycles, which remain unclaimed by owners; AND
WHEREAS, the Cortland City Police Department has limited space to store these bicycles and conducts a public sale to place the bicycles back in public use, while reducing the number of bicycles requiring storage; AND
WHEREAS, the funds generated from these sales are donated to a worthy cause which benefits the public; AND
WHEREAS, the Cortland City Police Department wishes to hold the annual bicycle sale on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Armory on Wheeler Avenue, in order to place 80 bicycles back into public use; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the City of Cortland Common Council does hereby authorize the Cortland City Police Department to conduct the sale of unclaimed bicycles and affirms the funds from the above noted sale shall be allocated to the the Water Works Deer Fund.
