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Council approves opioid‑settlement authority, key appointments and procedural motions
Summary
At its April 8 meeting the Ithaca Common Council authorized city attorneys to execute opioid‑settlement documents, appointed a new city controller and HR director with effective dates of May 6, 2026, extended a legal‑opinion timeline for a special committee, and approved several routine appointments; most votes carried unanimously.
The Ithaca Common Council on April 8 approved a set of administrative and legal actions including authorization to execute opioid‑related settlement documents and several personnel appointments.
After an executive‑session discussion on pending litigation, the council passed a resolution authorizing the city attorney to coordinate with outside counsel to execute documents necessary to resolve opioid claims and authorized the city controller to accept and transfer any funds pursuant to a memorandum of understanding with Tompkins County dated 01/23/2024. The resolution passed unanimously.
Council also approved appointments recommended by the acting city manager. Carissa Reblofsky was appointed city controller effective May 6, 2026, at grade 12, step 4, with an annual salary of $145,188; the council approved the appointment unanimously. The council likewise appointed Dr. Kehar Khan as director of human resources effective May 6, 2026, at grade 11, step 4, with an annual salary of $133,199.
Separately, the mayor moved a timeline extension for the city attorney to deliver a legal opinion to the special committee on wrongful discharge and labor protection. Council clarified that the extension applies to the legal opinion; a separate finance analysis remains subject to a 90‑day review schedule established in committee documents. The extension carried unanimously.
Council also appointed Sam Poole and Victoria (surname uncertain in the record) to the Sustainability and Climate Justice Commission through Dec. 31, 2027, and adopted a ceremonial resolution designating a folkloric creature, "Old Greenie," as an official cryptid of the city.
Meeting business ended with discussion of parking kiosk decommissioning, accessible parking and building‑inspection follow‑ups before the council recessed into executive session for personnel matters.
