A proclamation was read in honor of United in Kindness Month. The proclamation recognized the local Bullying Prevention Task Force’s mission to facilitate comprehensive cooperation across the community in developing and promoting appropriate bullying prevention and response strategies in Tompkins County. Brandi Remington, representing the Task Force, joined the meeting to accept the proclamation, stating “thank you for joining the community and letting everyone know that there is a way forward beyond the fear and the divisiveness and the bullying – and that way forward really is through deep listening skills, empathy, inclusion, and kindness.”
A proclamation was read acknowledging Indigenous People’s Month in Tompkins County. The Resolution states, “the County has committed, through its diversity policy and other non-discrimination policies, to oppose the systematic racism towards all marginalized peoples including the Indigenous People in our region,” and continues, “calling upon the citizens of Tompkins County to officially celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Month in a manner that promotes respect, understanding, and friendship, combats prejudice, and eliminates discrimination stemming from colonization.” Legislator Veronica Pillar (D-Ithaca) thanked the Chair for the proclamation and further acknowledged the contemporary challenges faced by the indigenous Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ people in Tompkins County and the wider region.
Monalita Smiley, Project Director of the Community Justice Center gave a regular update on the Reimagining Public Safety initiative. The update included that work on a “Traffic Calming and Control Study” has begun, primarily to identify areas at which traffic safety can be improved. Smiley also spoke about the plan to support the mental and physical wellness of law enforcement officers, and that a working group including the Ithaca Police Department and Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office has convened.
Legislator Randy Brown (R-Newfield) spoke about his recent visit to encampments where people experiencing homelessness live in the City of Ithaca, a topic which has been frequently brought up during public comment. Brown spoke about the illicit drug use and pollution in the area, and further shared his experience in Newfield, having heard some senior citizens stating that they are afraid of potential crime in the area and to travel to Ithaca. Legislator Travis Brooks (D-Ithaca) encouraged residents who live in the areas near the encampments, or who have lived experience being impacted by these issues, to come to meetings frequently to share their stories and experiences.
Legislator Anne Koreman (D-Ulysses) shared a statement on the recent commentary surrounding a lack of applicants for law enforcement jobs locally and exasperated staffing issues, “I’ve heard this a number of times – that people are saying and claiming certain things like lack of staff at public safety departments (because of) Reimagining Public Safety, and I just want to bring a different perspective of it – that there has been, for hundreds of years, systemic unjust treatment of people of color and we’re trying to do something to remediate that. Might we not be doing everything right the first time? Yes, I do agree that we’re not going to do it perfect, might there be some unintended consequences – yes, I believe there could be and maybe there are, and I’m glad people are bringing that to our attention and let’s work on that. We are working on that. Might some people be hesitant to travel that new path that we’re going to be going on? Yes. And I think keeping these conversations open to listening is one of the best things that we can do. I do believe we are headed in the right direction.”
Legislature Chairwoman Shawna Black (D-Ithaca) further detailed her initiation of an Opioid Task Force, announcing that Legislator Brooks (D-Ithaca) will be the group’s chair, along with Legislator Brown (R-Newfield), and Black herself, they will also be joined by two parents of people who have suffered with substance abuse disorder and a few peers that have either entered into treatment or are using harm reduction, the group will also include Alderperson Phoebe Brown from the City of Ithaca. Chairwoman Black also reported that regarding Emergency Medical Services (EMS) she has met with Michael Stitley, the Director of the Department of Emergency Response and Trumansburg Mayor Rordan Hart, and representatives from Bangs Ambulance, “It was very nice having the conversations, receiving some feedback, and it appears that there is great support for the EMS Coordinator that I believe is an Over Target Request (in the budget).”
A resolution establishing a task force to review the existing relationship between the County and the Ithaca Area Economic Development Agency (IAED) failed 7-5 (Legislators John (D-Ithaca), Lane (D-Dryden), Mezey (D-Dryden), Shurtleff (R-Groton), and Brown (R-Newfield) opposed). The initial resolution was amended so that the Task Force include County Administrator Lisa Holmes, Legislator Rich John (D-Ithaca) who chairs the Industrial Development Agency (administered by IAED), and Airport Director Roxan Noble. The purpose of the task force would be to consider and evaluate the relationship between the County and IAED, as well as to consider what changes might be made to make the relationship more valuable to the County. Members of the task force would be asked to speak with the wider community, so their input is considered. Legislator John opined that perhaps a broader swath of stakeholders should be engaged, similar to an approach used in past reviews, Chairwoman Black (D-Ithaca) responded that ultimately the decisions related to the relationship are the County’s, and that wider community input will be sought. A motion to refer the resolution back to the Planning, Development, and Environmental Quality Committee failed 6-6 (Legislators John (D-Ithaca), Lane (D-Dryden), Pillar (D-Ithaca), Brown (R-Newfield), Mezey (D-Dryden), and Shurtleff (R-Groton) in favor). It was also discussed that the establishment of a task force does not require a vote of the full Legislature.