[{"_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",6211790,"mediaKeyId","3689785-36eecfce18d981c07ecbd621049865f5","parentId",3689785,"title","Council advances Vision Zero, HUD plan and multiple agreements; REST Act referred to committee","audioSeconds",1721,"startMs",5699000,"endMs",7420000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3689785-36eecfce18d981c07ecbd621049865f5&start=5699&end=7420","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3689785-36eecfce18d981c07ecbd621049865f5/thumbnail_5699000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6211790/New-York/Council-advances-Vision-Zero-HUD-plan-and-multiple-agreements-REST-Act-referred-to-committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211790-69160147306e7da865dd4ee04ba0092c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775411583&Signature=RgOw~EwGgnNRWgbUm-pNfZB~zMXEAw7jJ24Qo5TzaozH4F-agWsJMIRcH8ATC4kHE-AEZ1R~XXOCNoYYZ~VhihxfhUYG76v72wEHAa915tTl6XIko5Ktw8tQLiB--ULhmHHOIwtBPxML9OazPK2NHl7MXXZjeY8ns1Dv1KQY6StmkTqOY2LjNbIKWqcy~5AE4K4V1a70mT~H1ixwCm3h12aqqDJ~cSDIH2ChWKNClkWuUQY8lx0sENKkT8HcHYHTt6nJ3iope47cZRexFG8mvgPXlJFY1o1u-OuAnUpHfktmTKubXJI5wKHxs45~crhRyGXip7P7qxfgSEkJBRPWHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ithaca City","date","2025-06-05T12:31:36Z","article","At its June 4 meeting the Ithaca Common Council approved a package of resolutions and took one scheduling vote on a state housing bill. Key outcomes:

- Vision Zero policy adopted (unanimous). The council adopted a resolution to pursue a Vision Zero policy and the joint safety action plan with goals to eliminate traffic deaths by 2040 and reduce serious injuries.

- 2025 HUD entitlement action plan adopted (9–0, one recusal). The council adopted the recommended 2025 HUD entitlement draft with contingencies; the final tally reported was 9–0 with one member recused.

- DOT utility work agreements approved (unanimous). The council authorized New York State DOT to adjust city water and sewer frames and valve boxes related to state resurfacing on Meadow and Elmira streets and accepted the associated maintenance agreements.

- Harassment code update (unanimous). Council adopted an ordinance to bring local harassment code into compliance with state and federal regulations.

- Eminent domain payments ratified (unanimous). The council ratified advanced payment agreements related to New York State eminent domain actions on Buffalo Street, Meadow Street and Wood Street.

- Access Oversight Committee equipment budget (unanimous). The council approved the AOC recommendation of a $14,000 contingency budget for PEG (public, educational and governmental access) equipment.

- Conveyance to allow redemption in tax‑foreclosure matter (unanimous). The council adopted a member‑filed resolution authorizing conveyance of title back to a former owner upon payment of delinquent taxes and fees by the stated deadline; council members approved allowing the owner until the specified Friday (June 6) to complete payment.

- Appointment: superintendent of Public Works (unanimous). The council appointed Adam Potter as superintendent of the Department of Public Works effective July 7, 2025, at grade 12, step 5, with an annual salary of $150,000.

- REST Act advocacy moved to committee (7–3). The council considered a resolution supporting the state-level \"Rent Emergency Stabilization for Tenants\" (REST) Act as an advocacy matter. After debate about process and public engagement, a motion to refer the item to a council committee meeting in August passed 7–3. Alderpersons Letterman, Matos and Fabrizio voted against referral; the minutes recorded the split vote and scheduling to August.

Several consent‑agenda items were carried earlier in the meeting; individual motions were moved and seconded in the meeting record as noted in the minutes. There was no ordinance implemented at the meeting that would directly enact rent stabilization in Ithaca; any local application of state legislation would require subsequent local action and stakeholder processes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","06-04-2025 Common Council Regular Voting Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Ithaca Common Council approved several resolutions on June 4 — including Vision Zero adoption, a HUD entitlement action plan, DOT utility agreements, eminent domain payments and appointment of a DPW superintendent — and voted to refer a state rent‑stabilization advocacy resolution (the REST Act) to committee for further study.","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},6211793,"Dozens urge Ithaca council to adopt 'just cause' worker protections",1430,2578000,4008000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3689785-36eecfce18d981c07ecbd621049865f5&start=2578&end=4008","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3689785-36eecfce18d981c07ecbd621049865f5/thumbnail_2578000.jpg","/articles/6211793/New-York/Dozens-urge-Ithaca-council-to-adopt-just-cause-worker-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211793-fb4ec0d28234431472b82d69648e93d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775411583&Signature=afOEWYIWEuiaA6lro2obCcuFYVm4fiVYgQwpkSURUC-fvpoPXVrqhT2XY4-NtkdTdWPsJi8gqqVscZdPvVh8zdJtJHg7q9hlAbofAYQvX2Pl1YsnEkrUCrEfD3tuku63zzHzWvDmgODibX1pjx~2e-mskjlj9z7gqjvYff6~GzDYcLn7GTz2uGDyD8OhwdzJqwNoiLRmpCuiiMN0K1Oq2PRsGDHgEGkdz1rMiosNMCtSx7tMUe4ydyfdf9YXT36hEv4HU0SJdMhhtge5uqchI2yBFZnUdNecAyGxskhWAzsCFzPkDecKhL7TihtfnMeFAIF7YlmNwQvsoa5~GLdueQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents, labor advocates and academics urged the Ithaca Common Council on June 4 to adopt local \"just cause\" employment protections that would require employers to show a valid reason for dismissing employees.

Speakers said the protections would reduce worker vulnerability, support workforce stability and make it easier for workers to organize without fear of retaliatory firings. \"Just cause means fairness to all employees,\" said Risa Leibowitz, a professor of labor and employment law at Cornell, adding that it requires employers to give a job‑related reason for discharge.

Local organizers and workers amplified that point. Zach Schmidt, an incoming college freshman who described personal financial struggles, said \"Just Cause helps people keep their jobs, helps employers invest in their employees.\" Adam Hart of the Tompkins County Workers Center told the council the center fields frequent calls from workers reporting unpaid wages and alleged wrongful termination and urged passage of protections.

Several speakers cited research and comparative examples. Ian Greer, a Cornell research director, described the United States as an outlier with weak employment protections compared with OECD countries and said stronger local protections could improve labor‑market outcomes. Supporters said coalitions of unions, community groups and small businesses — more than 20 groups and roughly 700 petition signatures, speakers said — back the proposal.

Council members expressed support in general terms during privilege of the floor and subsequent remarks. Alderperson Keel said \"I definitely support just cause labor protections,\" while others called for tailoring protections to avoid undue burden on small businesses, for example by exploring a small‑business exemption.

The council did not vote on a local just cause ordinance at the June 4 meeting. Multiple speakers asked the council to move the initiative forward and to coordinate with community stakeholders to produce draft language for future consideration.","At the council meeting, labor advocates, academics and many residents urged the city to pass local \"just cause\" employment protections to limit at‑will termination and protect workers from retaliatory firing.",{"_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},6211798,"Council hears urgent calls to address safety, sanitation at Asteri and downtown",2198,259000,2457000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3689785-36eecfce18d981c07ecbd621049865f5&start=259&end=2457","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3689785-36eecfce18d981c07ecbd621049865f5/thumbnail_259000.jpg","/articles/6211798/New-York/Council-hears-urgent-calls-to-address-safety-sanitation-at-Asteri-and-downtown","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211798-27e2387b5a84b6f715c4b4145fff8536/orig.mp4?Expires=1775411583&Signature=COSZZoys7FPwYk6i0oq4ucN87GtTHforDylOxFR1SMd1CxnDKkpCMtxO9WYvPpny~K2PCSetWajmbhIPWhiofJbntlSDjTB7eudjMmJw46OMaxOODu89OVZFVyKkmojgpGca9Ou-nNIbav0DZKcRdYMfZslWhYOoYlvqVMOS-Lln-pCWvhsWSFxLWgil~NVKoIC2A6iSvOF6zjz3NseIxsQGzBMy-h~qMrSeORqt70fpvNPiOCbCA9yJvm7Edqj6RMIli1vKM8bdrGyrDjUfrPhHs6IeZhhbAi0FwK-twkOu03YX0NZeMM1nYpdf5V8~Twj9GmmsKtv1qGKxOxFlwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its June 4 meeting, the Ithaca Common Council heard repeated public pleas and a county offer of help to address safety and sanitation problems at the Asteri residential building and across downtown Ithaca.

County Legislator Rich John, chair of the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency, told the council the county \"would be very happy to work with the city to try to address issues\" at the Asteri and that the county is prepared to collaborate on parking, housing studies and emergency medical services planning.

Members of the public, property owners and the Downtown Ithaca Alliance said the problems at Asteri and on the commons are harming businesses and public life. Zachary Wynne, a frequent public speaker, said the Asteri fire being investigated as arson follows a string of stairwell fires since the building opened and has left stairwells and common areas unsanitary. \"Several people have died of overdoses in the building among numerous assaults and drug arrest,\" Wynne said, and he urged elected officials to demand accountability from the building’s owner, the Visino Group.

Nan Rohrer, chief executive officer of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, told the council the BID represents more than 160 property owners and called for \"clean garages, working street lights, clear enforcement on the commons, action against illegal businesses, and accountability for property owners like Fasino.\" Business owners and DIA board members said trash, graffiti, human waste and brazen drug activity are reducing foot traffic and prompting long‑standing establishments to consider leaving downtown.

Council members and staff discussed possible next steps. Legislator John said the county recently authorized a consultant to examine emergency medical services across Tompkins County and invited the city to participate. He also said the IDA is commissioning a housing study with a stronger focus on workforce housing and that the IDA prefers to coordinate with municipal partners on development incentives such as CTAP.

Council members emphasized care for residents living at Asteri while pressing for stronger enforcement from property owners and program partners. Alderperson Phoebe Fabrizio and others urged that the IDA and city use every available leverage, including possible \"clawback authority\" on tax abatement agreements, to ensure project promises are met.

The council did not adopt new policies at the meeting specifically on Asteri. Instead speakers requested more city–county collaboration, an updated memorandum of understanding between the city and the DIA on downtown cleaning and safety, and stronger oversight of property owners whose buildings draw repeated emergency responses.

Looking ahead, Legislator John invited residents to the IDA meeting the following week and said the county hopes to work with municipal partners on both housing and emergency medical services planning.","At the June 4 Ithaca Common Council meeting, county and city officials and dozens of downtown property owners and business leaders pressed the council for action after repeated fires, overdoses and persistent sanitation and safety problems at the new Asteri building and on the downtown commons.","actionData","errors"]

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Council advances Vision Zero, HUD plan and multiple agreements; REST Act referred to committee

Dozens urge Ithaca council to adopt 'just cause' worker protections

Council hears urgent calls to address safety, sanitation at Asteri and downtown