Cortland council tables resolution to create economic and community development manager

Cortland City Council on April 21 voted to table Resolution R-21-25, a mayor-submitted measure to create a new economic and community development manager position, after roughly an hour of debate over funding, overlap with existing consultants and the timing of grant cycles.

The resolution, submitted by the mayor, would establish the position and list essential duties and functions but does not itself authorize hiring or a specific salary. Supporters said the position is intended to seek grants and nontraditional funding streams to offset city costs and assist capital projects such as downtown waterlines and storm-sewer repairs. Opponents and several council members said residents deserved an opportunity to review and comment before the council moved forward.

Council members who spoke in favor argued that a dedicated staffer could pursue state and federal grants that the city might otherwise miss. One council member told the body the city likely missed out on an estimated $1.5 million in Department of Transportation funding for a storm-sewer project in the St. Andrews neighborhood and said several grant deadlines fall within weeks. Supporters also noted the city currently spends about $49,000 annually on outside consultants for downtown and grant work and estimated creating a full-time position could cost roughly $100,000 a year once benefits were included; they said the position could reduce consultant reliance over time.

Opponents urged more public notice and input, noting the council had not given the item the three readings an ordinance would receive and that residents might want to weigh in. Several council members raised questions about whether the new job would duplicate responsibilities already in contract with consultants now under a contract through June and whether other city positions left on the books should be cleaned up instead of creating a new slot.

A motion to table the resolution until the next council meeting was moved and seconded and carried. The roll-call exchange recorded Yes votes from Mitch McClain, Don Moore and Al McCurry and No votes from Scott Riley, Jim Bradley and Kevin (surname not specified in the transcript). The clerk announced that R-21-25 was tabled and that the item will return to a future agenda for additional public input and further council consideration.

The mayor told council that, if approved in a later meeting, the position would be posted and the mayor would evaluate applications and make a hiring recommendation to council under the city’s standard hiring and ordinance process for nonadministrative positions. Council members asked staff to consider whether two existing associate service director slots could be removed from the city’s staffing list to avoid duplication; council members agreed that structural cleanup could be addressed at a later meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance O-09-25 (third reading): ordinance amending planning and zoning and general offenses codes — third and final reading taken; roll-call recorded affirmative votes (details not fully specified in the transcript). - Ordinance O-10-25 (third reading): contract with Alexander's Pest Control Inc. for mosquito control — third and final reading taken; roll-call recorded affirmative votes (details not fully specified in the transcript). - Resolution R-20-25: participation in Ohio Department of Transportation contract award process — approved; one council member abstained because he works for ODOT. - Ordinance O-21-25 (first reading): contract with SE Blueprint to digitize city maps and drawings — first reading; no final action taken. - Ordinance O-22-25 (first reading): contract with Shelly & Sands Inc. for 2025 asphalt resurfacing program — first reading; no final action taken. - Ordinance O-23-25 (emergency): authorization to purchase two used maintenance trucks for the service department — emergency ordinance approved by council. - Routine approvals: minutes, schedule of bills ($168,303.27) and bank reconciliation ending 03/31/2025 were approved earlier in the meeting.

The resolution will return to a future meeting and council asked staff to publish information so residents may review the job description and offer comment. Council members encouraged residents who wish to discuss the measure to attend the next meeting or call the mayor’s office.