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Cortland City Council approves zoning, façade grant changes, replats and liquor-permit application; enters executive session
Summary
At a Jan. 22 special meeting, the Cortland City Council approved multiple ordinances and resolutions including a residential zoning change, amendments to the city façade grant program, two lot replats, and authorization to begin a liquor-permit application review; the council then moved into an executive session on employment contracts.
The Cortland City Council on Wednesday, Jan. 22, approved a series of ordinances and resolutions, including a zoning reclassification, amendments to the city’s business façade grant program, two property replats and authorization for the mayor to begin the process for a liquor license application. After those votes the council entered an executive session to discuss employment contracts.
The measures passed with routine roll-call votes and little debate. The council approved scheduled bills to be paid totaling $725,064.23 and accepted the bank reconciliation ending Dec. 31, 2024. The meeting then moved through several items that were on third and final reading or came from the Planning, Zoning and Building Commission.
On its third and final reading the council adopted Ordinance O-72-24, which changes the zoning classification for 0.2170 acres of land located behind 136 Andrews and in Waldeup Run Estates Phase 2 from R15 to R12 Residential District. The ordinance was submitted by the Planning, Zoning and Building Commission and carried by roll call.
The council also adopted Ordinance O-75-24 and an associated amendment to Ordinance O-27-24, which revise the City of Cortland Business Façade Grant program (third and final reading). No substantive discussion about program details was recorded at the meeting.
Two planning-related resolutions were approved. Resolution R-06-25 authorizes the mayor to sign the replat of Lot 84 of Walnut Line Estates Phase 2 (part of Section 59 in the original survey of Zetta Township). Resolution R-07-25 authorizes the mayor to sign the consolidation replat of Lot 23 of Walnut Resources Plat 1. Both resolutions were submitted by the Planning, Zoning and Building Commission and were approved on motion and roll call.
The council unanimously approved Resolution R-08-25 supporting participation in the state program tied to the United States Semiquincentennial (the nation’s 250th anniversary). The mayor said the resolution enables the city to apply for state funding to host events for the 250th anniversary, but that the city currently has no events planned and would “submit this to them and get the ball rolling.”
Under Resolution R-09-25 the council authorized the mayor to sign an application that begins the liquor-permit process for a site (site not specified in the record). City staff explained that signing the application starts a state liquor-department investigation of the proposed owner; the state must complete its background review and approve the owner before issuing a permit. The council’s action was limited to authorizing the mayor to sign the application, and the city’s authorization does not itself issue a license.
After completing those agenda items, a councilmember moved to convene an executive session “for purpose of employment contracts” that will include the mayor, law director, finance director and Mr. Sean Wright (and other staff listed in the motion). The council voted to enter executive session; the mayor stated that no decisions would be made in executive session and that the public meeting would resume afterward.
