Ithaca Charter Revision Commission organizes, sets working groups and opts into city video‑conference rules

The City of Ithaca Charter Revision Commission voted to adopt an organizing resolution and to opt into the city's video‑conferencing provisions, then announced steering‑committee and working‑group assignments as it moves toward drafting charter amendments for the November ballot.

Chair Billy Noseworthy opened the meeting and confirmed a quorum before calling for a motion to adopt an organizing resolution. "We definitely have a quorum, so we can start," Noseworthy said. Clyde Letterman moved the organizing resolution, which Victor Kessler seconded. The measure establishes meeting times and procedures, appoints the city attorney's office as parliamentarian and authorizes the chair to create and appoint working groups. Noseworthy said the commission will generally meet the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. in Common Council Chambers. The organizing resolution was adopted by unanimous consent.

The commission also voted to opt into Local Law No. 5 of 2022, which tracks the state Public Officers Law provisions governing remote participation. "This resolution opts us into Local Law number 5 of 2022," Clyde Letterman said during the motion. Victor Kessler and Isaac Gaylord of the city attorney's office clarified that remote voting is intended for "significant or unexpected" circumstances (for example, illness or childcare emergencies) and that routine, preplanned travel typically would not qualify for official remote voting, though members may log in to observe. The opt‑in passed without objection; Isaac said the attorney's office will provide a formal determination and update at the next meeting.

On process, Chair Noseworthy emphasized the calendar that will govern the work: proposed ballot wording must be submitted to Steve DeWitt's office (Board of Elections) by Aug. 3 to appear on the November ballot, and the commission should try to provide materials to the city attorney's office before the July Fourth holiday for legal review. "If the public has a better understanding of the charter and we do, then we have succeeded," Noseworthy said, framing public education and clarity as measures of success.

Victor Kessler, speaking for the attorney's office, outlined the legal constraints the commission must respect, citing the Municipal Home Rule Law and calling out Section 36 (the process for charter commissions), Section 10 (municipal powers) and Section 11 (matters the commission cannot change). Kessler said the attorney's office will help research preemption issues, draft language and ensure proposals meet legal requirements.

To divide the work, Noseworthy announced a steering committee and three working groups: Legislative Powers (chair Christina Thielen), Elections (chair Donna Fleming) and a General Charter Revisions group (chair Ariel Jackson). The steering committee was named as Billy Noseworthy (chair), Chris Haynes Sharp (vice chair), Clyde Letterman (secretary), Victor Kessler and Miranda Pagan. Each working group will include an additional nonvoting city attorney designee to provide legal support; working groups are advisory to the full commission and will share notes with the full body within one week of meeting to preserve transparency.

Several members warned against siloing. Cynthia Brock urged mechanisms so small working groups do not advance interdependent charter changes without broader commission awareness. In response, Noseworthy and Letterman said they will circulate memos to all commissioners, ask chairs to share meeting notes promptly and allow commissioners to attend other groups' meetings where feasible.

Next steps: Noseworthy said memos outlining work plans will be sent the following day and asked working group chairs to set initial meeting times; the commission's next meeting is tentatively scheduled for the third Thursday of next month. The meeting adjourned after Victor Kessler moved to adjourn and Tiffany Kumar seconded.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 1 (Organizing resolution): Mover Clyde Letterman; second Victor Kessler. Adopted by unanimous consent. - Resolution 2 (Opt into Local Law No. 5 of 2022 / video‑conferencing provisions): Mover Clyde Letterman; second Nels (member). Adopted by unanimous consent. The city attorney's office will provide a formal written determination on eligibility for remote voting at the next meeting.

What happens next

Working group chairs will receive memos outlining initial questions and are expected to set meetings and circulate notes; the attorney's office will serve as legal support and will follow up with guidance on remote participation and other legal questions at the commission's next meeting.