[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6378181,"mediaKeyId","2138341-eb08b29271d4aa7d0f4bda31d1d62556","parentId",2138341,"title","Residents and legislators raise safety, shelter and hotel-denial concerns; legislature calls executive session on DSS matters","audioSeconds",4800,"startMs",920000,"endMs",5720000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2138341-eb08b29271d4aa7d0f4bda31d1d62556&start=920&end=5720","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2138341-eb08b29271d4aa7d0f4bda31d1d62556/thumbnail_920000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6378181/Tompkins-County/New-York/Residents-and-legislators-raise-safety-shelter-and-hotel-denial-concerns-legislature-calls-executive-session-on-DSS-matters","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6378181-81907a5f2b83a7b1fda625c7401e605f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448096&Signature=SAR2nHqXohh1kTepJQHd9id~DUZQmI1urYVo36mtZaIIoQBU9M4zEz-KNzs~vbfN8x~DIggq8twtItIsexjT4eVy1nFlIR-czjpivS1UZL86KCCf9EdXXBJZvi4qx0cFIhZ9R-o0YzasY14s9pXjl4zvDGPwqy~7bAgNLdGgjJOsu0qbE1q6GtammXYxaIWal~WrfFMoa6riSci1lJdudvglDI~-ty7nvlO7YRqGHvOH4NG0OCUjTC0HnV1yTY~wQQ5vypFoPFdGz5gZHEwIvrHY~d0cyDrgVxGSCVoBvw82BeZB1abVlwaKn2RFHxqO0V6nP0yjzD9OF~zpwch4PA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tompkins County, NY","date","2025-01-07T00:00:00Z","article","Speakers at the Tompkins County Legislature’s Jan. 7 meeting urged the legislature to investigate health and safety conditions at the Asteri building in Ithaca and raised operational concerns about the county Department of Social Services (DSS) and the Code Blue shelter. Legislators then pursued follow-up, and the meeting moved into executive session on related personnel and confidential matters.

Community member Zach Wynne told the legislature the Asteri building has continued incidents that required first-responder assistance, including overdoses and two deaths listed on the Ithaca police community dashboard. He asked the legislature to determine the county cost in first-responder man-hours and to investigate how many people have died at the building since it opened. Wynne also asked whether a move-in coordinator position funded with $95,000 in ARPA funds remained unfilled and whether the county would seek to recoup funds if the position remained vacant. \"I look forward to the discussion of the Vicino Group's tax abatement ... I think it would be helpful to determine exactly how much the responses to the Asteri building are costing the county,\" Wynne said.

During public comment and later in legislators' privilege of the floor, multiple speakers described problems at the Code Blue shelter and DSS service delivery, including delayed distribution of funds intended to get people access to showers and a case in which a person with a registered service dog was denied a hotel room. A municipal speaker, Terry Rose, said she had been provided temporary housing but was denied when bringing a registered service animal. Legislator Travis Brooks described the immediate situation of a man present at the meeting with a service animal who had been denied hotel entry because DSS would not pay the pet deposit. Brooks urged the legislature to find a near-term fix; \"We have somebody who has nowhere to go,\" he said.

County administrator Corso Kunfik said DSS issues are a top agenda item for his office. County attorney Maury Josephson reported the county had received a response from DSS about the specific complaints but noted that discussing particular cases can implicate confidentiality and personnel matters and therefore may require an executive session. Josephson also said, as a matter of policy the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) does not reimburse for pet deposits, information he said the legislature received from DSS.

After discussion, a motion to enter executive session to consider matters involving the medical or employment history of particular persons and legal advice passed unanimously; the presiding chair announced that no action would be taken when the legislature reconvened. The transcript records the executive session motion and a unanimous vote to enter into the private session.

Legislators and staff also noted federal deadlines on ARPA spending and said the county cannot \"claw back\" previously distributed ARPA funds but must use them for similar purposes or return them to the federal government. The legislature asked for further follow-up from administration and DSS, and several legislators urged a report back to the Health and Human Services committee on an advisory council to provide community input to DSS operations.

No formal policy change was adopted at the Jan. 7 meeting; instead, the legislature requested further information from administration and county counsel and moved into executive session to discuss confidential personnel and client matters.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tompkins County Tompkins County Legislature 2025-01-07","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenters and legislators described repeated overdoses and poor housing conditions at the Asteri building, operational problems at the Code Blue shelter and a hotel denial for a person with a registered service animal; county counsel advised on confidentiality and OTDA reimbursement rules, and the legislature voted to enter executive session.","taxTitle","Tompkins County, New York","taxId",52737,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6378186,"Tompkins County Legislature elects Dan Klein chair, Greg Mezey vice chair for 2025",364,302000,666000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2138341-eb08b29271d4aa7d0f4bda31d1d62556&start=302&end=666","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2138341-eb08b29271d4aa7d0f4bda31d1d62556/thumbnail_302000.jpg","/articles/6378186/Tompkins-County/New-York/Tompkins-County-Legislature-elects-Dan-Klein-chair-Greg-Mezey-vice-chair-for-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6378186-6b2b6b7fa053b12db0691157bc35581a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448096&Signature=HCGfVS9hirZNyqvQqOyPOP5Qa8U3~zWPX9XtR3eiiXCCik0TI-Oaw-rTIDR3CeLyhZ5d7eJKCEysTrMu1M7qIms0wTuA78Bp67-zQgCT4NPdAlShZxqwlKIADS2pBx-DNax5y4UCNZhJETSe1TrEoFNnMnzO9cMobf90fle6W~UnO3FsWy4uleHuFvfT5MsktU9I2Mm3bkFevzpxe3nV0CSUlosCusWxyq6R6GLAK7YlW1kzb36SsFwXYrqAMzgg-p5qbYavLxVC-4YUrBXHj96ygnBP-QesOQtRF5NILvpJWnZJ5PzdRlRK7fysr6R6ebp4DkPWOV2VPptel7xRxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tompkins County Legislature on Jan. 7 elected Legislator Dan Klein as chair for 2025 and Legislator Greg Mezey as vice chair, following the meeting’s annual organizational procedures.

Klein was the sole nominee for chair and was elected unanimously. Earlier in the meeting Legislator Mike Lane was chosen as temporary chair to preside over nominations and the initial vote.

The legislature elected Greg Mezey as vice chair in a separate roll call; the vice-chair vote passed 12–2.

Veronica Pillar nominated Klein and outlined his record as a steady communicator and listener. \"Dan is steady and straightforward ... he's diligent about making sure everyone gets to be heard,\" Pillar said when nominating him. After the vote Klein said, \"My goal is to live up to your expectations, those who voted for me.\" Greg Mezey, after his election as vice chair, said he appreciated the confidence and called it a privilege and an honor.

The temporary chair vote to close nominations and to elect Mike Lane as temporary chair passed by show of hands with 14 ayes, the clerk announced. The full legislature later closed nominations for the permanent chair and voted on Klein, with a unanimous result.

The leadership votes are routine annual actions required by the county charter to set the chair and vice chair for the coming year; the legislature holds organizational votes each January.

No other changes to leadership were made at the meeting.","At its Jan. 7 organizational meeting the Tompkins County Legislature selected Dan Klein as chair for 2025 and Greg Mezey as vice chair; temporary chair Mike Lane presided over the opening votes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6378171,"Votes at a glance: Tompkins County Legislature, Jan. 7, 2025",1981,3042000,5023000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2138341-eb08b29271d4aa7d0f4bda31d1d62556&start=3042&end=5023","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2138341-eb08b29271d4aa7d0f4bda31d1d62556/thumbnail_3042000.jpg","/articles/6378171/Tompkins-County/New-York/Votes-at-a-glance-Tompkins-County-Legislature-Jan-7-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6378171-15555fb7d2fe64a3eecdfb35170b1444/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448096&Signature=Zfx2yIplit4348qnn7YfYZsXom2akbyc4NpgpEMtm8cjGbRF18qvpLuh~7hauQl7-2Q0Ll3hNG67vNWThcNLeet86RRGilsoExAgkorqqczt8Fn7QbqAz8UkEjg5A3iZafJvKsfsARvXBOe-ehoeaTuoA7oNgvaPIRtE-ocvOwjrz5rto7vbQs9qjrNK~mQnfB4IYkHQGoSqi9svx5lu0tDa1pUsOBsKbvZ-rGI5xV-ImIlZb2qkMAyuD0SV~ZJMLHDRPlhXQQF7drjcz2bYWtESmyYW4e0C4KxrfXJHu~Kg1ae3dpbdoHZzE3DjQ2F3zrJADU4vbvfT1cxgKn2cHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","This summary lists the formal motions, resolutions and recorded votes from the Tompkins County Legislature meeting on Jan. 7, 2025.

- Temporary chair: Mike Lane elected temporary chair to open the organizational meeting by show of hands, 14 ayes; no opposed votes recorded.

- Chair election: Dan Klein elected chair for 2025 by unanimous vote (recorded unanimous by presiding temporary chair).

- Vice chair election: Greg Mezey elected vice chair, 12–2 (two opposed votes recorded; no individual names attributed in the transcript for those opposed).

- Addition to agenda: Resolution D (ID 13014) — Appointments to the Industrial Development Agency and Tompkins County Development Corporation Board of Directors — was added to the agenda by vote and later approved as a separate resolution (see below). Vote to add: unanimous.

- Resolution withdrawals: Resolution C (ID 12904) directing the Department of Assessment to pause the annual equity maintenance program was withdrawn from the agenda.

- Resolution A (ID 12824) — Establish 2025 meeting dates: The legislature moved an amendment to remove July 1 from the list of meeting dates. The amendment passed 10–4. The amended resolution to adopt meeting dates without July 1 then passed unanimously.

- Resolution B (ID 12917) — Authorize public hearing on proposed local law adopting the tax exemption pursuant to Real Property Tax Law 421‑p: The legislature set a public hearing date; the motion passed unanimously.

- Resolution D (ID 13014) — Appointments to the Industrial Development Agency and Tompkins County Development Corporation Board of Directors: The legislature approved a 30‑day extension of at‑large IDA members so the IDA would be fully staffed for its meeting the next day. Vote recorded as unanimous.

- Minutes: The minutes of the Dec. 17, 2024 meeting were approved by voice vote, unanimous.

Where votes were recorded by count the tally above is taken from announcements in the public transcript; when the transcript recorded only that a motion carried unanimously, this summary reports that result without individual vote attributions.","Summary of formal actions and recorded votes at the Jan. 7 Tompkins County Legislature meeting, including meeting-date schedule, public hearing authorization, and a 30-day extension of IDA appointments.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6378176,"Ithaca council members brief Tompkins County Legislature on rezoning, homelessness task force and short-term rental enforcement",126,1338000,1464000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2138341-eb08b29271d4aa7d0f4bda31d1d62556&start=1338&end=1464","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2138341-eb08b29271d4aa7d0f4bda31d1d62556/thumbnail_1338000.jpg","/articles/6378176/Tompkins-County/New-York/Ithaca-council-members-brief-Tompkins-County-Legislature-on-rezoning-homelessness-task-force-and-short-term-rental-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6378176-9f9e5fe7466b19c307ca56a7567510eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448096&Signature=BbJ9fxzPfLAPaMFMSY5y36JDkGxi4fV8EWTGlguPBcVNOHXHqDLimF0m92InfZM-Hv9T~T9TUD~mPA1on1pk9msIF1fYhoLEEGokNFhXpI0Dg2EDAXTEZcEJZH2al20bY71v2RIlWvrFVULcv84VQFOks7v8HoGYSxUOp31BNkKJEAeyY8ehFPwZngD6jClCjzv3JLMEvxcvVtkI-cyyXwA6BntFkHL4J8H8pC7fLql-xb~ObIwRZOxmy-TW8baYMP-AU9sskCcH7Bj9uppKUcVFsG9K4f3unWNczAgj2N2wZnxkTQL5tFN84i9-5Z~J9V4MeRF9tqmHRWVrRrwd3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ithaca Common Council members Pierre Saint Perez and Patrick Keel addressed the Tompkins County Legislature Jan. 7 to summarize the mayor’s recent state of the city remarks and to flag policy initiatives the city will pursue in 2025.

Saint Perez and Keel said the mayor will propose incorporating a bike-share program into the city budget for 2026, that the city believes it has a competitive Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) application, and that the mayor announced a city task force on homelessness that will work with community groups and the county. \"We are trying and I'm sure with our rezoning we will continue to try ... I'm asking each every one of you to work with your town boards ... your communities need to pitch in,\" Saint Perez said, urging cooperation across municipalities.

Keel said the city is moving to curb short-term rentals by ordinance, limiting rentals to owner-occupied properties through a strict permitting process. He told the legislature the city will pair the ordinance with an enforcement plan that compares online listings to permits; \"we're anticipating it decreasing significantly once that policy is in full effect,\" Keel said.

Keel and Saint Perez also noted state support for a comprehensive city rezoning and said the city will share progress reports with other local governments. The council members did not propose county actions but asked legislators to coordinate where possible on housing and planning issues.

Legislators asked for clarification about timing and enforcement; council members said committee and staff reports will follow and encouraged county-level cooperation on housing supply.","Two members of the Ithaca Common Council updated county legislators on the mayor’s state of the city, including plans for a homelessness task force, a large downtown rezoning effort, and a tighter short-term rental permitting regime.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents and legislators raise safety, shelter and hotel-denial concerns; legislature calls executive session on DSS matters

Tompkins County Legislature elects Dan Klein chair, Greg Mezey vice chair for 2025

Votes at a glance: Tompkins County Legislature, Jan. 7, 2025

Ithaca council members brief Tompkins County Legislature on rezoning, homelessness task force and short-term rental enforcement