TCOG approves Dec. 5 minutes, names Ulysses supervisor as vice chair; IDA expansion resolution tabled

The Tompkins County Council of Governments on an agreed voice vote approved minutes from its Dec. 5, 2024, meeting and appointed Caitlin Olson, supervisor for the Town of Ulysses, as TCOG vice chair for 2025. The meeting also received and then tabled a late-filed resolution asking for TCOG endorsement of state enabling legislation to expand the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency board.

The approval of the Dec. 5 minutes was taken by voice; no roll-call was recorded in the transcript. The vice chair nomination was moved and seconded and carried by voice; one participant stated they were abstaining. The late-filed IDA resolution drew questions about definition of “rural” representation, appointment processes and quorum implications; members asked for more information and more time. The chair moved to table that resolution for more in-depth discussion at the March meeting, and the motion to table was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: These organizational actions set leadership and the near-term agenda for TCOG. The IDA governance change proposal would require state legislation and members asked for additional detail before endorsing any change.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes (Dec. 5, 2024): Motion moved and seconded; carried by voice vote (no roll-call recorded). - Appointment: Motion to appoint Caitlin Olson (Town of Ulysses supervisor) as TCOG vice chair for 2025: Motion moved and seconded; carried by voice vote with one abstention (speaker not named in transcript). - Resolution regarding expanded IDA board membership: Motion to consider and endorse was introduced and seconded; following discussion the motion to table for more information and to take up in March was moved, seconded and carried by voice vote.

Next steps: The IDA expansion proposal will be returned to a future TCOG meeting (March) with additional background and opportunity for member review.