Ithaca meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

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.