Council advances Vision Zero, HUD plan and multiple agreements; REST Act referred to committee

At its June 4 meeting the Ithaca Common Council approved a package of resolutions and took one scheduling vote on a state housing bill. Key outcomes:

- Vision Zero policy adopted (unanimous). The council adopted a resolution to pursue a Vision Zero policy and the joint safety action plan with goals to eliminate traffic deaths by 2040 and reduce serious injuries.

- 2025 HUD entitlement action plan adopted (9–0, one recusal). The council adopted the recommended 2025 HUD entitlement draft with contingencies; the final tally reported was 9–0 with one member recused.

- DOT utility work agreements approved (unanimous). The council authorized New York State DOT to adjust city water and sewer frames and valve boxes related to state resurfacing on Meadow and Elmira streets and accepted the associated maintenance agreements.

- Harassment code update (unanimous). Council adopted an ordinance to bring local harassment code into compliance with state and federal regulations.

- Eminent domain payments ratified (unanimous). The council ratified advanced payment agreements related to New York State eminent domain actions on Buffalo Street, Meadow Street and Wood Street.

- Access Oversight Committee equipment budget (unanimous). The council approved the AOC recommendation of a $14,000 contingency budget for PEG (public, educational and governmental access) equipment.

- Conveyance to allow redemption in tax‑foreclosure matter (unanimous). The council adopted a member‑filed resolution authorizing conveyance of title back to a former owner upon payment of delinquent taxes and fees by the stated deadline; council members approved allowing the owner until the specified Friday (June 6) to complete payment.

- Appointment: superintendent of Public Works (unanimous). The council appointed Adam Potter as superintendent of the Department of Public Works effective July 7, 2025, at grade 12, step 5, with an annual salary of $150,000.

- REST Act advocacy moved to committee (7–3). The council considered a resolution supporting the state-level "Rent Emergency Stabilization for Tenants" (REST) Act as an advocacy matter. After debate about process and public engagement, a motion to refer the item to a council committee meeting in August passed 7–3. Alderpersons Letterman, Matos and Fabrizio voted against referral; the minutes recorded the split vote and scheduling to August.

Several consent‑agenda items were carried earlier in the meeting; individual motions were moved and seconded in the meeting record as noted in the minutes. There was no ordinance implemented at the meeting that would directly enact rent stabilization in Ithaca; any local application of state legislation would require subsequent local action and stakeholder processes.