[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5982124,"mediaKeyId","5807048-37d4d628add8d90bc11f3c8205439dd7","parentId",5807048,"title","Developers offer Herald Square on the Commons as lower-cost alternative to proposed county Center of Government","audioSeconds",5567,"startMs",468000,"endMs",6035000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5807048-37d4d628add8d90bc11f3c8205439dd7&start=468&end=6035","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5807048-37d4d628add8d90bc11f3c8205439dd7/thumbnail_468000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5982124/Tompkins-County/New-York/Developers-offer-Herald-Square-on-the-Commons-as-lower-cost-alternative-to-proposed-county-Center-of-Government","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982124-07529bc1d67d5b93e082ee0c09dd49a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773557042&Signature=EFRX7cf1-L0jBkdNyfHw~9TKOt5Mo4Fp2U6-pwmiZDYI4qII~tffNIZ7jq58HzShGAAtzpM29GFUKrHRioVSlvW9gxPkuoGL550WLCSEYyUsOnXLE5uJRJAYw~GTmOzVAblRXw9lxhZpagA9dthiElpvtysHxlWQaLKxkoTts0A2glX8ckgKCf5bX9N4UQThiz6x3-fEeKwiZaqVUc7ri2I2g5kbdH4OwxSxvCnhapCcr3FcciL6WJr9tDcxrtgKqEIG8gpgIxTsQBo~hMK5m30YzoqYJ~U4BpxVWUkzlOXPMrvn-S-n7VDBXbZHI1OWKn8nPWIGVW-xC5haZFOIVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tompkins County, NY","date","2025-09-17T00:00:00Z","article","Developers and local advocates on Sept. 16 urged the Tompkins County Legislature to examine Herald Square on the Ithaca Commons as an alternative location for county offices planned for a new Center of Government.

Why it matters: The county has budgeted for a multi-year project to consolidate offices; members of the public said Herald Square, which has roughly 57,000–58,000 square feet of office space, could be occupied in about a year and for materially less cost than the county’s current estimate for new construction.

Martha Robertson, former chair of the Tompkins County Legislature and a longtime local official, urged the body to tour the property and said the developer offered flexible terms including leasing with options to buy. Robertson said Herald Square “has got almost 58,000 square feet of existing office space that is ready for the county to take possession” and argued the county could “have occupancy in a year instead of 4 years.” Sam Lubin, representing Herald Square, reiterated that the property could be delivered more quickly and said “the total cost come in at a third of the proposed cost” if the county chose to lease and have the developer build out interiors.

Developers and their partners suggested multiple approaches — lease, lease-to-buy or purchase of portions of the building — and said the shell and infrastructure are largely in place, reducing construction time and cost compared with a ground-up project.

Legislators and staff noted tradeoffs. Randy Brown (Member, Tompkins County Legislature) and downtown facilities committee members said Herald Square’s locations and ready-built space are attractive but raised concerns about ceiling heights, parking and fit for certain departments that interact with the courthouse. County staff noted the county’s capital estimate for the Center of Government includes demolition, moves, temporary space and renovations across county-owned properties — items that raise the project budget above a raw per-square-foot construction number. Randy Brown also observed the county’s long-term interest in owning a facility versus leasing, which affects future maintenance and capital planning.

Taper: The county’s downtown facilities special committee said it expects updated drawings and additional cost details from the project architect and will continue evaluating the county’s capital plan and alternative locations; the county did not commit to a site at the Sept. 16 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tompkins County Legislature - September 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Developers and local advocates on Sept. 16 urged the Tompkins County Legislature to examine Herald Square on the Ithaca Commons as an alternative location for county offices planned for a new Center of Government.","taxTitle","Tompkins County, New York","taxId",52737,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5982129,"Tompkins County public, legislators press pause on Flock camera renewal amid privacy and immigration concerns",2966,319000,3285000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5807048-37d4d628add8d90bc11f3c8205439dd7&start=319&end=3285","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5807048-37d4d628add8d90bc11f3c8205439dd7/thumbnail_319000.jpg","/articles/5982129/Tompkins-County/New-York/Tompkins-County-public-legislators-press-pause-on-Flock-camera-renewal-amid-privacy-and-immigration-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982129-030c98d1cef6817677fad3daf21f1b3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773557042&Signature=EVoTlOrGtobPx21MHsnOOF9XgHYITLZvC5xVrm77242HEIdcewK7QJEtKr0km5d3dpPM0XTGwogkPiXdPWDnQPQA~cWUg0SfmvLz6Ix7Kl1xMKbMs0xduUWz7MomGjT9o8Vx2vlRYLeFbt2nX1lw9BTjfsBn2n8dLjUieiXj8NUsPwGowvwO8eh0HzCx47CN5MM0XwQ6WMjuuABp6q-iJyfYy9zFFq7bGkSTiXGfm0ueStUaAe~6hHGCFIIWAEgySqy63dbObi733pcT~-ZyqnffKUVfzc6sjAlzYQLJN~P0DXi6Dp0A6SycTUoNh64pcD3BTzcGHDfdCq1ySx9y6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents and several county legislators on Sept. 16 urged the Tompkins County Legislature to suspend action on the county's contractual relationship with Flock Safety, a private provider of license-plate and video surveillance.

Public commenters said the system risks privacy violations and could expose community members — including immigrants — to federal enforcement. Several speakers requested adoption of stronger local guardrails or a pause while the county examines how Flock stores and shares data.

Why it matters: Speakers argued the cameras create centralized searchable data and that outside agencies and companies can access or exploit that data. Several speakers tied the issue to the county’s stated sanctuary policies and to recent national reports of misuse of similar systems.

During public comment, multiple residents described concrete concerns about how Flock has been used elsewhere and what the county's audit and retention practices actually mean. Joshua Ganger (resident) said, “I passed no fewer than 3 cameras on the way here,” and noted public audit logs that list vague search reasons and entries labeled \"test.\" Katie Church (resident, librarian) told legislators, “The Flock network and all of its tentacles into other systems is a threat to us, all of us.” Nicholas Taylor (resident) said some outside agencies have used Flock data without clear warrants and added that “20% of searches in the Flock database did not come with proper warrants or attribution,” citing examples he said are public.

Legislators and staff described next steps. Shauna Black (Member, Tompkins County Legislature) told the body she intended to propose postponing action and announced Flock representatives would be invited to a public safety meeting and to the Oct. 7 legislature meeting to answer questions. The resolution on the meeting agenda that would have authorized continued funding was withdrawn during the meeting so the issue could be discussed further with the company present.

What commenters asked for: Residents urged the legislature to adopt the ACLU model ordinance or similar restrictions on database access, independent auditing of retention and search logs, limits on who may query the system, and explicit prohibitions on sharing data with federal immigration enforcement. Several commenters expressed that policy-only protections were insufficient without enforceable law. Mary Anne Grady Flores (resident) framed the issue as a matter of whether the county will be “complicit” in deportations if it continues to supply data.

County response and process: County and sheriff representatives have previously engaged with Flock about transparency features and audit logs, and county staff confirmed further briefings are planned. Legislators said they want the company and the sheriff to appear publicly to answer questions; Shauna Black said she could not support continuing the Flock cameras in their current structure.

Next steps: Legislators set a plan for further public engagement: Flock will be on the agenda at an upcoming public safety meeting and at the Oct. 7 legislature meeting so the company can respond to questions. The resolution that had been scheduled was withdrawn and will be reintroduced for the public floor with the company present.

Taper: The county did not take formal action to extend or cancel any contract at the Sept. 16 meeting; the matter will return to the legislature with public presentations and additional review.
","Dozens of residents urged Tompkins County legislators on Sept. 16 to halt renewal of the county's contract with Flock Safety cameras, citing privacy, potential misuse by federal agencies and lack of transparency; lawmakers withdrew a related resolution from the agenda to allow more public meetings and a company presentation Oct. 7.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5982107,"County committee schedules public hearing on proposal to require odd-numbered legislature after 2030 reapportionment",120,10608000,10728000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5807048-37d4d628add8d90bc11f3c8205439dd7&start=10608&end=10728","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5807048-37d4d628add8d90bc11f3c8205439dd7/thumbnail_10608000.jpg","/articles/5982107/Tompkins-County/New-York/County-committee-schedules-public-hearing-on-proposal-to-require-odd-numbered-legislature-after-2030-reapportionment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982107-f4a10820047e964c0821b4fa5b0d0890/orig.mp4?Expires=1773557042&Signature=R~aX1T6ZwWyfXnezwcGLq6XN2QOE3p7~EXAX7xvZsZTXHtcSRB81TZawZ6mpLPwlPe9~JULelMoOyMEX~6-KD~6f0Q64TEwXa7esV2xdJFEqKkwCxujiyp~HAa~JeKrzHqFmdKkZjRzbC4aCo8CkymlFnsnd9UDguhaEpaScnl~nW1DNZcLeTC2nCYSbryXdqX3mbKLa6aDrb0L3WlES26hN9t6uO71KTwm8ErjpCUZ7K3uV6gztUNAN1A7287TLpFyNik5ITW3-oFLiRTArX6WyAwdyfuO5pv2EFldojUsa5FlsfpNEIxXi0wte6bPShhHRjShm~dcezjzDwnFuOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tompkins County Legislature on Sept. 16 authorized a public hearing on a proposed charter amendment that would require the legislature to have an odd number of members after the 2030 federal decennial reapportionment.

Why it matters: The county currently has 14 legislators; the local-law proposal would direct the reapportionment commission to draw legislative districts so the body has an odd number of seats (for example, 11, 13 or 15) following the 2030 census. Proponents said an odd-numbered legislative body reduces the risk of tie votes for leadership and other procedural actions.

Mike Lane (Member, Tompkins County Legislature and chair of the Budget, Capital and Personnel Committee) described the measure as a procedural reform proposed after prior reapportionment work and committee discussion. Lane said the change would not take effect until after the reapportionment process following the 2030 census and that the proposal would be subject to public comment before the county took further action. He moved the resolution to schedule a public hearing; the motion for the hearing carried with one dissent on the final tally.

Taper: The resolution scheduled a public hearing; no change to elected seats will occur until reapportionment following the 2030 census and any subsequent formal adoption of a charter amendment.","The legislature scheduled a public hearing on a local-law proposal to require an odd number of seats on the Tompkins County Legislature after the 2030 reapportionment, aiming to avoid tie votes on leadership and procedural matters; the hearing was authorized unanimously except one dissent on final motion.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5982112,"Tompkins County approves $570,000 IDA contribution to Community Housing Development Fund; committee funds multiple local projects",0,8617000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5807048-37d4d628add8d90bc11f3c8205439dd7&start=8617&end=8617","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5807048-37d4d628add8d90bc11f3c8205439dd7/thumbnail_8617000.jpg","/articles/5982112/Tompkins-County/New-York/Tompkins-County-approves-570000-IDA-contribution-to-Community-Housing-Development-Fund-committee-funds-multiple-local-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982112-7b3e62801aad96862f77767fd219017b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773557042&Signature=HUHi6ca00N5~QEOIjbMjyC4V~J5h7nMafPb0bLgQ3PBopZnWa5avsxBwEGKN606xkWyURI6IbEQ1DIHYXRomnxccB4AY5wdjb21NC~yG9e-QBocjLwYjj5DGRc0IN2yUwGaih6iNRkdpA3mo2hy9z0ugLu3Jzae47WfkPXiqbcdeiHgJDNwXYQFr52cl2-XlTBAXl-3TTOWimLGpYjzqndeXyQK1dLL9LwQYOtE2tzalUGb8SFlo-NYZy6OP6c3xOlYrbU7D1LplUV~D5toj3fHK7I4Vvh4XFh-eUoStVqRYa0VRkAaszcwgaEYMKwPVahrP0mOYINFI9TAhFRa3Xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tompkins County Legislature voted on Sept. 16 to authorize disbursement of Community Housing Development Fund awards supported by county program income and new Industrial Development Agency contributions.

Why it matters: The Community Housing Development Fund (CHDF) supports local affordable-housing projects. At the Sept. 16 meeting staff explained the fund this year had an unusually large balance because of program income from past federal grants and a new contribution from an IDA housing policy tied to recent development projects.

David West, senior housing planner for Tompkins County, summarized the funding sources: “The funds that the county puts in is what's called program income from previous grants that we got... So it's not coming out of the county budget or, county taxes. It's funds that we granted out and received back that were originally federal,” he said. West said the IDA contribution increased available funding to more than $3 million for this round, allowing the committee to fund the projects recommended by the program oversight committee at the requested amounts.

The legislature approved the resolution on the consent calendar. County staff described the application and review process: applicants respond to an annual call; technical review is performed by an application review committee; allocations are approved by the program oversight committee that includes representatives of contributing partners. Projects in the current round included requests from neighborhood housing organizations and municipal partners; staff reported that some IDA funds remain available for future rounds through 2027.

Taper: The action releases funds recommended by the oversight committee; specific project award letters and grant agreements will be handled administratively.","The legislature approved distribution of community housing development funds on Sept. 16 after the program oversight committee recommended awards; county program income and new IDA contributions expanded available funds this year.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5982118,"Tompkins County authorizes Cherry Street site for 2025–26 Code Blue shelter; legislators urge better city–county coordination",734,6775000,7509000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5807048-37d4d628add8d90bc11f3c8205439dd7&start=6775&end=7509","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5807048-37d4d628add8d90bc11f3c8205439dd7/thumbnail_6775000.jpg","/articles/5982118/Tompkins-County/New-York/Tompkins-County-authorizes-Cherry-Street-site-for-202526-Code-Blue-shelter-legislators-urge-better-citycounty-coordination","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982118-066e748a3f222d4af49560909f0844af/orig.mp4?Expires=1773557042&Signature=c6q6w4JzAjyJW~r9pNNVbW~4d4mnUW2W4ipw1X3r94RJPVlRh021A7DesUWcaLI4MvOTIL15mvWUFO21yad1auLBIyoAad~qULKUZ8yvZlS7KwP63jA0E2kIKOWsN~F-XHKIsEbJ3U6IGyah-xuubRnPk5AAv0I59-i9HmyAkgmkj9Y2u1FAbZvFH0S~mH3zqoNxaTBh~pZHoLh8J0jlRAU10LQjPEVU9kmYVzo7edcX3Gzywq8U0Rq46bWJchk24XaowQXQlfFZY5lmGh6d6aL9G-TRJiyqPXWpxYPyHX4a2IFWyeud~0Xpp4K2WS~BT0c3l4P07J01MVRNxbyW0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tompkins County Legislature voted 10–1 on Sept. 16 to authorize development of the county-owned Cherry Street property for Code Blue emergency sheltering during the 2025–26 cold-weather season and to continue collaboration with the City of Ithaca on a long-term navigation hub and shelter plan.

Why it matters: County policy requires emergency shelter for people during Code Blue conditions, defined in the resolution as when temperatures drop below 32 degrees; county staff determined the previously selected location at 100 Commercial Avenue would not be ready by Nov. 1 after necessary flood mitigation and mechanical upgrades.

Anne Korman (Legislator) read the resolution and explained the county’s findings: the planned site at 100 Commercial Avenue would require substantial upfits — flood-plain mitigation, water-service upgrades, HVAC, plumbing, fire alarms, and restroom and shower installation — and therefore could not be prepared for the upcoming cold season. The resolution authorizes use of 2227 Cherry Street, stating that the property “includes suitable physical structures and interior space sufficient for Code Blue sheltering and co-location of the navigation hub, if the city desires to do so on a temporary basis.”

Discussion and dissent: Dan Nolan (Legislator) said he would not vote for the resolution because, while he did not oppose a compromise solution per se, he objected to how the decision process unfolded and to the timing: “I’m actually not gonna be voting for this. Not because I necessarily disagree with any compromise solution, but because I do believe that we conducted ourselves not in the...best manner with this.” Shauna Black (Legislator) said she shared concerns about a lack of timely intergovernmental collaboration and urged better information-sharing.

Supporters said the Cherry Street plan was the practical path to ensure Code Blue protection by the required date. County Administrator Corso told the body the county has executed a contract with Volunteers of America of Upstate New York to partner on shelter development and that kickoff meetings had occurred; county staff said they expect the Cherry Street site to be ready before the cold-weather season.

Vote and next steps: The resolution passed 10–1. It authorizes the county administrator and department staff to use Code Blue allocation funds to develop Cherry Street for the 2025–26 season and to continue negotiations with the City of Ithaca about a co-located navigation hub for subsequent seasons. Legislators said they intended to pursue closer city–county collaboration on future, longer-term shelter solutions.

Taper: The action authorizes short-term shelter operations to meet the impending cold-weather mandate while keeping longer-term planning and potential city–county co-location on the table.","The legislature authorized use of the county-owned property at 2227 Cherry Street as a temporary Code Blue shelter and co-located navigation hub for the 2025–26 season, after county staff determined a previously planned location would not be ready in time; vote carried 10–1 amid criticism that the county and city did not collaborate sooner.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Developers offer Herald Square on the Commons as lower-cost alternative to proposed county Center of Government

Tompkins County public, legislators press pause on Flock camera renewal amid privacy and immigration concerns

County committee schedules public hearing on proposal to require odd-numbered legislature after 2030 reapportionment

Tompkins County approves $570,000 IDA contribution to Community Housing Development Fund; committee funds multiple local projects

Tompkins County authorizes Cherry Street site for 2025–26 Code Blue shelter; legislators urge better city–county coordination