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Council advances Vision Zero resolution to regular agenda to pursue Safe Streets goals
Summary
Council voted to move a Vision Zero resolution to the regular agenda for further consideration; the measure would commit the city to a goal of eliminating traffic deaths by 2040 and reducing serious injuries by 50% by 2040 and aligns the city with Tompkins County Safe Streets and Roads for All planning.
Alderperson Letterman introduced a resolution on May 14 asking the Ithaca Common Council to adopt Vision Zero goals: eliminate traffic deaths by 2040 and reduce serious traffic injuries by 50% by 2040. The resolution would align the city with Tompkins County’s Safe Streets and Roads for All joint safety action plan.
The measure was sent to the council’s regular agenda for fuller discussion rather than placed on the consent calendar. Alderperson Letterman read the ordinance summary and moved the item; Alderperson Perez seconded. Council voted to move the item off consent and onto the regular agenda; the motion carried 9–0.
Council members asked about implementation details. Several members said they want follow-up from planning and engineering staff on likely projects and timelines. Alderperson Letterman noted the city previously adopted a 25 mph default speed limit in 2022 and said sign changes are underway. The city manager and staff said Natalie (planning staff) could provide more detailed implementation steps if the item is pulled from consent for a full discussion at a future meeting.
Council members also asked how the resolution affects funding eligibility. The city manager noted that adopting Vision Zero-style safety goals is a prerequisite for eligibility for some New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) funding programs. Alderperson Fabrizio asked about pothole repair capacity; the presiding officer ruled the pothole question not germane to the resolution, but staff noted traffic‑calming measures are among projects that become eligible for some grant programs tied to Vision Zero planning.
Council members expressed support for traffic-calming measures in neighborhoods and asked staff to coordinate with the director of engineering and the city manager’s office to triage specific requests. Because council voted to send the resolution to the regular agenda, staff will have an opportunity to bring detailed implementation information and funding options to a future meeting.
No final funding or program decisions were made on May 14; the council’s vote moved the item to a future regular-agenda discussion.
