06-10-2026 Special Meeting Of Common Council

The City of Ithaca Common Council held a special meeting on June 10, 2026, focusing on several procurement and budget-related topics. Key actions included the appointment of Dr. Kahar Khan as Director of Organizational Development with a salary of $133,199 and the defunding of two other positions to offset costs. Jaime Flynn was appointed Director of Human Resources with an annual salary of $127,470, bypassing the usual search committee process. The council unanimously approved a collective bargaining agreement with the Ithaca Professional Firefighters Association and the Chief Officers Unit. Additionally, the council authorized the acting city manager to execute an intermunicipal wastewater agreement clarifying ownership and capacity rights among local municipalities. The meeting also included a discussion on a proposed vacant building registry ordinance aimed at improving fire and public safety, with council members emphasizing the need for clear implementation plans and enforcement capacity. A presentation on the city's five-year capital planning framework was provided, outlining principles for fiscally sustainable investments in facilities, infrastructure, and heavy machinery, with an emphasis on accountability and long-term financial health. The council approved scheduling a public information session for a proposed Planned Unit Development (PUD) housing project, with members requesting increased housing density, reduced parking, and enhanced community benefits such as pedestrian walkways and playgrounds. Overall, the meeting addressed personnel appointments, contract approvals, intermunicipal agreements, regulatory proposals, and capital planning strategies relevant to the city's procurement and budgetary activities.