Ithaca meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Ithaca boards weigh grants, housing projects as decisions pending

Over the past two weeks, Ithaca's boards and committees met to review a range of items, from public safety grants to large housing developments. No final decisions have been published yet, as minutes from these meetings are not yet available. The most consequential items on the table include a $250,000 law enforcement technology grant and a 200-unit mixed-use development at 683 Third Street.

Public safety grants

The Common Council, meeting as a Committee of the Whole on August 12, considered several public safety items. The council discussed accepting a $50,000 FY2023 Tactical Team Grant for SWAT equipment and training, applying for a $250,000 2026 Law Enforcement Technology Grant for cameras, radios, and other equipment, and accepting a $9,700 Community Foundation grant for the Community Justice Center. The agenda also included an update on the Roots program. No votes were recorded in the agenda.

Housing and development

The Project Review Committee met on August 14 to review several development proposals. The Waters Edge project, at 683 Third Street, would include 200 residential units and about 1,000 square feet of micro-retail, with an amended negative declaration discussion. The Southworks Gateway project, at 620-640 South Aurora Street, would consist of two 5-story buildings with 100 mixed-income units, plus a minor subdivision into 1.64-acre and 93.36-acre parcels. The committee also reviewed the Building 21 renovation, a 43,400-square-foot commercial building with childcare for 150 slots, and a 10-space parking lot for Beginnings Credit Union at 409 North Meadow Street.

The Planning & Development Board will take up these same projects at its August 25 meeting. The board will review the Waters Edge site plan and subdivision, which now includes about 4,000 square feet of commercial space and demolition of two DOT buildings. It will also consider the Southworks Gateway project (two 5-story buildings, 100 mixed-income units, 40 parking spaces), Building 21 renovations (construction incubator, workforce training, childcare), an electrical structure at 777 Stewart Avenue, and the Beginnings Credit Union parking lot.

Other meetings

The Sustainability & Climate Justice Commission on August 10 heard a presentation on the city's participatory budget program and voted on a commission recommendation. The IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee on August 13 considered a resolution to designate FLRU as a Community-Based Development Organization for 2025. The Special Committee for Unhoused Services met on August 17 to discuss coordinated services and the 2027 budget. The Landmarks Preservation Commission on August 18 reviewed a proposal to demolish a contributing three-bay garage at 214 Wait Avenue in the Cornell Heights Historic District.

One Common Council meeting on August 19 had an unreadable agenda due to PDF parsing errors, so no items could be identified.

Coming up

The Planning & Development Board meets August 25 at 6:00 p.m. to review the Waters Edge and Southworks Gateway projects. The Cable Access Oversight Committee also meets August 25 to discuss a PEGASYS equipment purchase and cablecasting issues. Both meetings are open to the public.

Ithaca boards weigh housing projects, youth employment funding

Ithaca's boards and committees met over the past two weeks to consider housing developments, labor protections, and youth employment funding. All items were on agendas; minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are reported.

Planning & Development Board

The Planning & Development Board met July 28 to review several site plans and subdivision requests. Key items included a subdivision and site plan for 200 residential units and 1,000 square feet of retail at 683 Third Street, and a site plan for two 5-story buildings with 100 mixed-income rental units at 620-640 South Aurora Street. The board also held a public hearing for electrical structure and ADA improvements at 777 Stewart Avenue, considered two variances to create a 10-space parking lot at 409 North Meadow Street, and discussed general development policy to inform zoning code rewrites.

Common Council

The Common Council met August 5 to discuss amending the 2026 Youth Bureau budget to accept several grants for youth employment programs. Proposed amendments include $236,000 for the Tompkins Summer Youth Employment Program, $80,500 for the Joint Youth Commission First-Time Work Program, and $47,312 for the school year Tompkins Youth Employment Program. The council also considered renewing Pre-Treat and Plant to Plant agreements with the Village of Cayuga Heights and proposed updates to the city's special event permitting requirements.

Housing Board of Review

The Housing Board of Review met July 28 to hear an appeal regarding a rental unit deficiency. The board reviewed whether a bathroom located in a hallway at 525 W Green Street meets city code requirements. The appeal is designated HBR-26-03.

Special Committee on Wrongful Discharge and Labor Protections

The Special Committee met July 29 to consider a proposed just-cause employment ordinance. The committee heard presentations from the Cornell Labor Law Clinic, Collegetown Community Collective, Downtown Ithaca Alliance, and Gimme Coffee Workers Union, and received a legal opinion from the City Attorney's office on feasibility. The committee was scheduled to develop and vote on a policy statement for labor protections, and discussed potential preemption and home-rule authority under New York State law, as well as New York City's just-cause ordinance as a model.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days.

Ithaca boards weigh housing, labor, and preservation items; outcomes pending

Six Ithaca boards and committees met between July 21 and July 29, but minutes have not yet been published for any of them, so no outcomes — votes, approvals, or denials — can be confirmed from the public record. The agendas show the most consequential items involved residential development proposals, a proposed just-cause employment ordinance, and federal grant extensions.

Planning & Development Board (July 28)

The board was scheduled to review a subdivision and site plan for 200 residential units and 1,000 SF of retail at 683 Third Street, and a site plan for two 5-story buildings with 100 mixed-income rental units at 620-640 South Aurora St. Additional agenda items: a public hearing for electrical structure and ADA improvements at 777 Stewart Ave; a request for two variances to create a 10-space parking lot at 409 North Meadow Street; and a discussion on general development policy to inform zoning code rewrites.

Special Committee on Wrongful Discharge and Labor Protections (July 29)

The committee was scheduled to hear a legal opinion from the City Attorney's office on the feasibility of just-cause employment legislation, and presentations from the Cornell Labor Law Clinic, Collegetown Community Collective, Downtown Ithaca Alliance, and Gimme Coffee Workers Union. The agenda included developing and voting on a policy statement for labor protections, discussion of potential preemption and home-rule authority under New York State law, and review of New York City's just-cause ordinance as a model.

Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (July 23)

The IURA board was scheduled to review resolutions for time extensions on two HOME grants — Learning Web and Habitat for Humanity — and a project modification for The REACH Project, Inc. (Ross House, 2026 CDBG). The agenda also included review of HUD Grant Disbursement, Loans & Leased Receivable Reports, a Board/Committee Vacancies Report, and a Governance Committee Vice-Chairperson Report.

Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (July 21)

The ILPC was scheduled to hold public hearings on: demolition of a contributing three-bay garage at 214 Wait Avenue within the Cornell Heights Historic District; retroactive approval for site lighting at 105 Westbourne Lane; installation of a bronze sign at Sibley Hall; installation of a monument sign at 305 Thurston Ave; and an approval extension for a Certificate of Appropriateness at 222 South Geneva Street.

Housing Board of Review (July 28)

The board was scheduled to hear Appeal HBR-26-03, regarding a determination about a bathroom located in a hallway at 525 W Green St, and whether it meets city code requirements.

Community Police Board (July 22)

The board was scheduled to approve June 2026 meeting minutes, hear reports from the Council, Police Department, and Clerk, and take public comment. New business included discussion of the board's procedural guidelines and, time permitting, completing a survey from the Rochester Police Accountability Board.

Coming up

• **Common Council, Aug. 5:** The council will consider amending the 2026 Youth Bureau budget to accept three grants: $236,000 for the Tompkins Summer Youth Employment Program, $80,500 for the Joint Youth Commission First-Time Work Program, and $47,312 for the school year Tompkins Youth Employment Program. The agenda also includes renewal of Pre-Treat and Plant to Plant agreements with the Village of Cayuga Heights and proposed updates to the City's special event permitting requirements.

Ithaca Common Council to weigh $1.7M property purchase and new community responder program

Ithaca's Common Council is set to consider buying the former U.S. Army Reserve Center at 101 Sunrise Road for $1.7 million and launching a new community responder program called ROOTS with a startup budget of $227,981. Both items are on the July 8 agenda, which also includes a resolution on Ithaca Police Department tactical grant applications and city budget priorities for fiscal year 2027.

All meetings covered below are listed as agenda-only, meaning minutes have not yet been published. Items reflect what bodies were scheduled to take up, not confirmed outcomes.

Common Council — July 8

The proposed $1.7 million acquisition of 101 Sunrise Road includes an environmental review and lead agency designation. The ROOTS community responder program would establish four positions: one full-time Working Supervisor, one full-time Community Responder, and two part-time Community Responders.

Council is also scheduled to vote on revocable license agreements for city properties at 325 College Avenue and 201 Oak Avenue, and on a resolution setting policy for Ithaca Police Department tactical grant applications.

Civil Service Commission — July 8

The commission will vote on adopting job descriptions for two new competitive-class positions: Municipal Legal Analyst in the City Attorney's Office and Planning Coordinator in the Planning Department. It will also revise job descriptions for Director of Engineering and Capital Projects and Working Supervisor - Sanitation.

Eligible lists are on the agenda for Deputy Police Chief (1), Police Chief (1), Police Officer (19), Senior Youth Program Coordinator (3), and Youth Program Coordinator (2).

Planning & Development Board: Project Review Committee — July 10

The committee will discuss environmental review under CEQR for three projects:

• **Southworks Gateway** at 620-640 South Aurora St: two 5-story buildings with 100 mixed-income rental units, 40 parking spaces, and a courtyard.
• **Building 21 Renovations** at the same Southworks site: a 43,400-square-foot commercial building with a construction incubator, workforce training, and childcare for 150 slots.
• **Alpha Delta Phi Cornell House** at 777 Stewart Ave: accessory electrical structure, sidewalks, and an ADA ramp, with a public hearing and CEQR determination.

The committee will also preview projects for the July 28 board meeting, including Waters Edge at 683 Third Street (200 residential units and roughly 1,000 square feet of micro-retail) and a 10-space parking lot at 409 North Meadow St for Beginnings Credit Union, which requires two variances.

Special Committee for Unhoused Services — July 6

The committee scheduled a policy discussion with Acting City Manager Dominick Recciko and a 2027 budget discussion for unhoused services. The agenda also includes approval of minutes from June 1, 2026, public comment, and departmental check-ins.

Sustainability & Climate Justice Commission — July 13

Claire Burnet and Niki Ray-Israelsohn are scheduled to give a 45-minute presentation on participatory budgeting. The commission will also vote to adopt meeting minutes from April, May, and June 2026. No other decisions are listed.

IURA Governance Committee — July 17

The committee will consider a resolution to adopt a draft Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Ithaca and the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency for joint projects. Reports are also scheduled on upcoming urban renewal projects, board and committee vacancies, PY25 CDBG timeliness expenditure, and policy requirements in CDBG/HOME grant agreements.

Coming up

• **July 21 — Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission:** Public hearings on demolishing a contributing three-bay garage at 214 Wait Avenue in the Cornell Heights Historic District, retroactive site lighting approval at 105 Westbourne Lane, a bronze sign at Sibley Hall, and a monument sign at 305 Thurston Ave. The commission will also consider an extension for a Certificate of Appropriateness at 222 South Geneva Street.
• **July 28 — Planning & Development Board:** Waters Edge and Beginnings Credit Union parking lot are listed for review.

Ithaca Council Set to Consider $1.7M Property Purchase and New Community Responder Program

Ithaca's Common Council was scheduled this week to vote on a $1.7 million property acquisition and the launch of a new community responder program, according to agendas published for recent city meetings. Minutes for all four meetings covered below have not yet been published, so outcomes are not yet confirmed.

Common Council: 101 Sunrise Road and ROOTS Program

The Common Council's July 8 agenda included a resolution to approve purchasing the former U.S. Army Reserve Center at 101 Sunrise Road for $1.7 million. The agenda also called for an environmental review and lead agency designation as part of the acquisition.

Council members were also scheduled to vote on establishing the ROOTS community responder program, including job descriptions and a startup budget of $227,981. The proposed staffing includes one full-time Working Supervisor, one full-time Community Responder, and two part-time Community Responders.

Additional agenda items included a resolution setting policy on Ithaca Police Department tactical grant applications, a resolution establishing city budget priorities for fiscal year 2027, and approval of revocable license agreements for city properties at 325 College Avenue and 201 Oak Avenue.

Because minutes have not been published, it is not yet known which items passed, failed, or were tabled.

Civil Service Commission: Job Classifications and Eligible Lists

The Civil Service Commission's July 8 agenda called for votes on adopting and revising several job descriptions. New positions included a Municipal Legal Analyst (competitive class) for the City Attorney's Office and a Planning Coordinator (competitive class) for the Planning Department. Revised job descriptions were listed for Director of Engineering and Capital Projects and Working Supervisor - Sanitation.

The commission was also scheduled to establish eligible lists for multiple positions: Deputy Police Chief (1), Police Chief (1), Police Officer (19), Senior Youth Program Coordinator (3), and Youth Program Coordinator (2). An executive session for personnel matters was also listed.

Outcomes are pending publication of minutes.

Planning & Development Board: Southworks Gateway and Other Projects

The Project Review Committee's July 10 agenda included environmental review discussions under the city's CEQR process for three projects:

• **Southworks Gateway**: Two 5-story buildings with 100 mixed-income rental units at 620-640 South Aurora Street, including 40 parking spaces and a courtyard.
• **Building 21 Renovations**: A 43,400-square-foot commercial building at the same Southworks site, planned to house a construction incubator, workforce training, and childcare with 150 slots.
• **Alpha Delta Phi Cornell House**: An accessory electrical structure, sidewalks, and an ADA ramp at 777 Stewart Avenue, listed for a public hearing and CEQR determination.

The committee also previewed projects for the July 28 board meeting: Waters Edge (200 residential units and approximately 1,000 square feet of micro-retail at 683 Third Street) and a 10-space parking lot at 409 North Meadow Street for Beginnings Credit Union, which requires two variances.

Special Committee for Unhoused Services: 2027 Budget Discussion

The Special Committee for Unhous Services met July 6 for a policy presentation and discussion with Acting City Manager Dominick Recciko, followed by a 2027 budget discussion for unhoused services. The agenda also included approval of minutes from June 1, 2026, a public comment period, and departmental check-ins. Minutes have not been published.

Coming Up

The Sustainability & Climate Justice Commission meets today, July 13, to receive a 45-minute presentation on participatory budgeting from Claire Burnet and Niki Ray-Israelsohn. The commission will also vote to adopt meeting minutes from April, May, and June 2026. No other decisions are scheduled.