[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6288452,"mediaKeyId","2539364-4c1ac486aaf817c8a0bd2edd1ee8fb76","parentId",2539364,"title","Commission debates how to frame climate action plan amid federal funding uncertainty","audioSeconds",977,"startMs",3671000,"endMs",4648000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2539364-4c1ac486aaf817c8a0bd2edd1ee8fb76&start=3671&end=4648","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2539364-4c1ac486aaf817c8a0bd2edd1ee8fb76/thumbnail_3671000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6288452/New-York/Commission-debates-how-to-frame-climate-action-plan-amid-federal-funding-uncertainty","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288452-fa48a3bea5eeef195c3cbc98ecb3eee6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770942429&Signature=EMwxXSovbruk8ywcEuF5p6nl74lRwItyKHhxd-OvMJFPaGCXl4SOK6Wjttt0kGwvGYT-TTYagdNlAorNTiaIOchEZMibk4ztr4E8iAIyeICI95k~JAwcTzQ3FX1SAL35MQ6cUwon1sOKzzQ3VgX3LeX~hYSqQQvBbPzzbzXXDA04dtXh2APuF-d-87BpHPRKCnvxf~YzC4n1xDgA0AkJJq9SIRIkrrZtH4YIJflLOf6cGBjrfoH8Zpjdly4f8Dkw7IIIzR4JZ5RoK2MRw~b93GF0LfeORyyLstvIZqV~2YR1ISlmhCWciVtLJTCcL5QTGIpoY0Rlk4yDGcWJi5DUJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ithaca City","date","2025-03-11T10:42:14Z","article","Rebecca opened a broad discussion on March 10 about how to frame the city’s Climate Action Plan in light of shifting federal policy and funding, and whether the plan should explicitly acknowledge those risks or write as if federal support will remain unchanged.

\"A climate action plan by nature will always kind of be benchmarked by best practices,\" Rebecca said, then asked whether staff should include a discussion of federal political changes that could affect funding and implementation. She noted the Green New Deal’s 2030 target and asked whether to prepare a five- or ten-year implementation plan.

Commissioners and staff debated two central choices: whether to change program language to align with what might be more acceptable to federal funders, and whether to document the current federal landscape in the plan. Fernando suggested including a short preamble to acknowledge policy uncertainty and advised that staff can choose language strategically when applying for federal grants (for example, emphasizing congestion management rather than specific modal language when that aids funding eligibility).

Several commissioners, including Scott and Christine, urged staff to acknowledge the current political environment and the resulting funding uncertainty. Commissioner Aaron recommended the plan keep its ambition — \"watering down the goals... is not gonna help us\" — but also said staff should be realistic about funding and call out the need for innovative financing.

Others suggested limiting sector-by-sector discussion of federal risk, because agency actions can change rapidly; instead, use a preamble or a dedicated funding-and-risk section to flag uncertainty and suggest contingencies. Some commissioners favored producing a five-year implementation plan that can be revisited, while others argued for a longer planning horizon with a preamble explaining near-term constraints.

Rebecca closed by asking commissioners to consider whether the implementation plan should be five or ten years; staff will collect feedback and return with drafts. No formal vote or binding decision was taken at the meeting.

Ending: Staff will draft a preamble on federal policy uncertainty and circulate options for a five- or ten-year implementation timeline for further reviewer comment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sustainability and Climate Justice","oneSentenceSummary","Staff asked whether the Climate Action Plan should explicitly acknowledge shifting federal policy and funding risks; commissioners largely supported a brief preamble on uncertainty and keeping the plan ambitious, and they debated whether to adopt a five- or ten-year implementation horizon.","taxTitle","Ithaca City, Tompkins County, New York","taxId",52738,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6288458,"Commission unanimously recommends reaffirmation of Ithaca Green New Deal language for council",1277,2568000,3845000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2539364-4c1ac486aaf817c8a0bd2edd1ee8fb76&start=2568&end=3845","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2539364-4c1ac486aaf817c8a0bd2edd1ee8fb76/thumbnail_2568000.jpg","/articles/6288458/New-York/Commission-unanimously-recommends-reaffirmation-of-Ithaca-Green-New-Deal-language-for-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288458-8348f756e05c8c25a982388fc68b089e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770942429&Signature=Q6Hlxi0lJVOAXMWTAKxWmxLQQCOec~lyYY59Y2ryawnlBFL35esIVMyDtT-hVLbTltBRFKMmv8X4WZGBqj00NjZQ4rRQEr7HV0NrWzn50TkN~kluTFaB53BhpGMcR-KKdmhx~ySe0j7zO1ZLZfMOA7PnMUgnJT6GMrcrlobFR0gsbiAJMIZsyK2XE6Shn-wzMznNlTYk5CrWq0~DWjMTSpq0DUhiojAaP4-66EFn2dP1YZ6-hDoQ9TWAd~w8Cyaejvn7nGU7XwkkZjOvRpbPCmLGhXh8cnkEPs2iSX1Y1qwdH2~0JNp4E7l0xIfwTkrqyslBwgMCjCPWq-t32ELNEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ithaca Green New Deal Commission voted unanimously on March 10 to recommend amended language reaffirming the city’s commitment to the Ithaca Green New Deal and to request that city administration assist the Director of Sustainability and the Sustainability Planner in identifying grants and implementing programs.

Commissioner Christine moved the motion to approve the language as amended; a second was recorded but not named in the transcript. The commission voted unanimously to send the amended version to Common Council for consideration at the April agenda.

Discussion before the vote focused on how strongly the resolution should ask Common Council to provide more resources. Some members said the resolution was intended as a reaffirmation and not an explicit funding request; others, including staff, said the intent had been to clarify that implementation will require additional staff effort and council support. Commissioner Aaron asked whether the language would represent an increase in support for sustainability staff; staff responded that identifying and applying for grants is primarily handled through the office and that the resolve seeks assistance rather than a guaranteed new funding line.

City staff member Pierre advised changing wording from “the City of Ithaca” to “city administration” to be clearer about who would carry out the assistance, and the group accepted that edit. Several commissioners said they preferred a general reaffirmation now and to pursue any specific, funded requests later during budget season when financial context is clearer.

Savannah and other staff said they would finalize the edits, submit the item for the April Common Council meeting, and seek member-filing if necessary to meet submission deadlines.

Ending: The recommended resolution will be transmitted to Common Council for consideration; staff and at least one commissioner offered to member-file if staff submission deadlines are missed.","The commission voted unanimously to send amended language reaffirming the Ithaca Green New Deal to Common Council, asking city administration to assist sustainability staff with grant-seeking and program implementation; members debated whether the resolution should explicitly request additional resources.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6288462,"Ithaca commission details participatory budgeting rules, youth track and Earth Day outreach",804,477000,1281000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2539364-4c1ac486aaf817c8a0bd2edd1ee8fb76&start=477&end=1281","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2539364-4c1ac486aaf817c8a0bd2edd1ee8fb76/thumbnail_477000.jpg","/articles/6288462/New-York/Ithaca-commission-details-participatory-budgeting-rules-youth-track-and-Earth-Day-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288462-48aaff4361de44901ab231315af9a223/orig.mp4?Expires=1770942429&Signature=NvHogtXmEe2cwZhQBQkP8kk1zA74cv6-nb3wwAvplxuNbwfdzS~tAUnfsT~4taUoiQclAZt2Kvf0vBS-PvAslBGkx7Yh7gPlU77cAt9NP5~jxFG8pGm92OFEzCpzZnrV5N4MK~lNLzRr~xtd8hANyUqlKvIBNS07FyrSIlNBZYWIrp3~s7w-4zg4mpwmas4GmEIJSYRoDx2DXtyyY6v5LXcyzJTFLKGw9q3BzPHXDqMDcf75eRBFfr4vwBDrcp9rxvKiN-dl6CjF2fDlZ9lyaljywzmvO7hzcy7EFT7KdmWF3G6CwRsjRJi0MF7rreLNHA96gkx9~g6PapxJ3tDM8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rebecca, a staff member for the city program supporting the Ithaca Green New Deal, told the commission on March 10 that Justice 50 commits the city to reserving 10% of the capital budget for participatory budgeting and described how staff plan to set up the process.

Rebecca said the city’s capital budget “is around $5,000,000. So 10% of that is 500,000,” and said staff will form two working groups: an internal group of city staff to set legal guardrails and implementation procedures, and a community working group made up of neighborhood and organizational “network nodes” who would both help design the process and encourage voting.

The staff working group will determine what the New York State Constitution and other legal limits allow the city to fund through participatory budgeting and will clarify who is responsible for implementing projects after voting. The community working group will be populated by recommended community members; Rebecca said the pilot year will also include a separate, smaller allocation for 12- to 16-year-olds, with the Ithaca Youth Council designing the youth process.

Savannah, a city staff member organizing outreach, said the commission will use the April 19 Earth Day event on the Ithaca Commons (12 p.m.–5 p.m.) to run a short, public-facing participatory-budgeting activity and to recruit volunteers. The planned “vote with your dollars” activity will give each participant mock money they can allocate across pictured project ideas; a QR code will link to a practice OpenGov page where residents can try the digital tool that the city plans to use for the official process.

Savannah also described shifts for volunteers: a setup shift (roughly 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.), a main table shift (12–3 p.m.), and a cleanup/close shift (3–5 p.m.), and asked commissioners to sign up or respond by email if they cannot volunteer so staff can plan accordingly.

Commissioners raised participation and representativeness questions. Some members, including a commissioner who recalled that many visitors at last year’s event were from outside the city, recommended limiting feedback used for official decisions to city residents; others noted the Commons hosts countywide foot traffic and argued informal input can still generate useful ideas. Staff said the Earth Day activity is not intended to produce rigorous, representative data but to introduce participatory budgeting and collect informal preferences.

Commissioners and staff discussed outreach for all ages: lower tables and coloring activities for children, a bubble machine to attract families, and stickers and small takeaways. Savannah said the city will try to have stickers printed for the event and hopes to show a full suite of branding materials at the next meeting.

The commission did not take a formal vote on the participatory budgeting design at this meeting; staff said they plan to gather nominations for the community working group, convene the internal working group, finalize legal guardrails, and present a recommended process to council before midsummer so it can be implemented in 2026 after the fall budget adoption.

Ending: Staff will circulate detailed project lists and volunteer sign-up materials in follow-up emails; commissioners were asked to send nominations for community working-group members and to indicate volunteer availability for the April 19 event.","City staff and commissioners discussed forming internal and community working groups to run a participatory budgeting pilot that would reserve 10% of the capital budget for public voting, a small youth allocation, and public outreach at an April 19 Earth Day event on the Ithaca Commons.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission debates how to frame climate action plan amid federal funding uncertainty

Commission unanimously recommends reaffirmation of Ithaca Green New Deal language for council

Ithaca commission details participatory budgeting rules, youth track and Earth Day outreach