Sustainability commission urges council to reaffirm Ithaca Green New Deal; council liaisons to draft resolution

Siobhan Hull, a commissioner on the city's Sustainability and Climate Justice Commission, briefed the Common Council on March 19 and asked the council to consider a resolution reaffirming the city’s commitment to goals in the 2019 Ithaca Green New Deal amid federal policy uncertainty.

"It is important to reaffirm that our city's work remains important within this shifting federal context, and that we remain committed to upholding the goals that we first outlined in the Ithaca Green New Deal in 2019," Siobhan Hull said, summarizing the commission's recommendation.

Council members asked for specifics about near‑term goals cited in the commission's draft language. Alderperson Bureau asked whether the city had met a stated goal to reduce emissions from the city vehicle fleet by 50% by 2025; Hull answered that the city will not hit that target but is receiving an initial delivery of roughly 30 electric vehicles and is working through charger installation and leasing arrangements.

Council members pressed for clarity on funding and operational implications if federal climate funding were cut. Hull said projects funded through congressional appropriations that have been invoiced continue; projects that have not begun would not incur spending if federal funds fail to materialize. She said the commission and department staff are tracking grants and working with state and federal delegates on outstanding awards.

Council members also asked detailed questions about the vehicle-leasing approach and incentives. A city staff member provided program details at committee: initial lease payments in the first year netted a favorable cash position because the city is selling older vehicles and expects to receive federal/state tax credits and rebates; an illustrative first‑year net figure discussed in committee included roughly $240,000 in lease payments offset by about $200,000 in vehicle sales and a six‑figure amount in rebates (figures discussed at the meeting were approximate). The staff member also said leases commonly run five years, though police vehicles may have different terms.

No formal council vote was taken on the commission's recommendation at committee. The mayor said he would ask the council's two liaisons to work with Commissioner Hull and the commission to convert the recommendation into a resolution for a future committee meeting; no objections were raised.

What happens next: Council liaisons will work with the Sustainability and Climate Justice Commission to adapt the commission's recommendation into a draft resolution for committee and potential future adoption. Staff will provide details about fleet leasing, costs, and incentives to inform council deliberations.