The purpose of this chapter is to establish advisory commissions
that shall provide the City of Ithaca, City of Ithaca Common Council
and committees thereof, and the City of Ithaca's quasi-judicial boards,
with research, public input, and analysis and other assistance as
necessary in the subject areas impacting the City of Ithaca to which
each advisory commission is tasked.
[Amended 1-4-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-01]
The Common Council of the City of Ithaca hereby establishes
the Public Safety and Information Commission; Community Life Commission;
Mobility, Accessibility, and Transportation Commission; Parks, Recreation,
and Natural Resources Commission; and Sustainability and Climate Justice
Commission. These commissions shall be collectively known as the "advisory
commissions." The advisory commissions serve the City of Ithaca, the
City of Ithaca Common Council and committees thereof, and the City
of Ithaca's quasi-judicial boards. The advisory commissions serve
solely in an advisory capacity and, absent approval of the Common
Council, may take no action binding the City, its officers, or employees.
The general duties of the advisory commissions, in addition
to those specific duties of each advisory commission set forth in
this chapter, are as follows:
A. To
draft and update as necessary a work plan in consultation with the
advisory commission's Common Council liaisons and City staff designees.
B. To
draft and vote on advisory resolutions or summary statements on matters
before the Common Council, committees thereof, or the City's quasi-judicial
boards.
C. To
receive public input on, and facilitate public discussion of, matters
before the Common Council, committees thereof, or the City's quasi-judicial
boards.
D. To
conduct research on matters before the Common Council, committees
thereof, or the City's quasi-judicial boards.
E. To
research and make recommendations regarding City processes and policies.
F. To
hold regular meetings as set forth in this article.
G. To
maintain records of proceedings.
Each advisory commission shall hold regular meetings once each
month. Each advisory commission's Chairperson, or at least three Commissioners,
may call special meetings as required to conduct the business of the
advisory commission. All regular and special meetings of the Commission
shall be open to the public.
All meetings of the advisory commissions shall have an agenda
which shall be available to the public before the meeting.
The advisory commissions shall not conduct public business without
the presence of a quorum, which shall be five voting members.
Each advisory commission shall keep a record, which shall be
open to the public view, of its resolutions, proceedings and actions.
The vote or failure to vote of each voting member shall be recorded.
The concurring affirmative vote of a majority of the full voting membership
shall constitute approval of the adoption of any resolution, motion
or other action of the advisory commission.