Highlights of the 9/16/25 Tompkins County Legislature meeting
Published on September 19, 2025
Code Blue shelter to move to Cherry Street this season
The legislature approved a resolution introduced by Legislator Koreman (D-Ulysses, Enfield, Ithaca Town), authorizing the development of the county-owned Cherry Street site for the 2025–26 Code Blue season. Last year’s Code Blue location, the former KeyBank building, is slated for deconstruction later this fall and is no longer available for this purpose. Another concept that was considered was co-locating the county’s Code Blue shelter with the City of Ithaca’s planned Navigation Hub at the former Burger King site on Route 13. After careful consideration and analysis, legislators determined that utilizing the county-owned property on Cherry Street is a more responsible use of county resources. The county also lacked confidence that the site could be ready by the first freezing nights due to permitting, leasing, and construction timelines. Because the county already owns the Cherry Street property, it can more quickly and economically open a safe, supervised Code Blue operation while long-term shelter planning continues. Using the Cherry Street site as a Code Blue shelter for this winter season will not delay or hinder the construction of the planned purpose-built emergency shelter. County Administrator Akumfi noted that the county has selected Volunteers of America to partner on the development of the purpose-built emergency shelter on Cherry Street and is in discussion with the provider to operate the Code Blue shelter this season.
The resolution was adopted in a 10-1 vote, with Legislator Nolan (D-Ithaca City) opposed. Nolan objected to the process whereby “preliminary details were hammered out in March, and we didn’t find out that the site was not suitable until August.” Legislator Black (D-Ithaca Town), while voting in favor of the resolution, stated her “disappointment that there was not a collaboration between the county and the city” and hopes for the future that “the legislature will be informed sooner to be able to make decisions in a timely manner.” Chair Klein (D-Danby, Caroline, Ithaca Town) objected strongly to the sentiment that negotiations with the city were not conducted in good faith. Klein stated, “There were construction issues that were found late in the process, and we have a legal mandate to open a Code Blue shelter.”
Legislature seeks more information on license plate cameras
Legislator Black (D-Ithaca Town) removed the resolution authorizing the acceptance of Gun-Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) grant funding from the agenda until the legislature receives more information on the AI-powered license plate cameras from Flock Safety. The vendor will be invited to the next legislature meeting on October 7th. Members of the public have shared their privacy concerns at several public meetings in recent weeks, including a dozen speakers at this most recent legislature meeting.
Other business
The Tompkins County Legislature proclaims, recognizes, and designates the period of September 15, 2025, through October 15, 2025, as Hispanic Heritage Month. Legislator Pillar (D-Ithaca City) read the proclamation, stating that the 500-year-old Hispanic culture, steeped in tradition and centered on principles of family and community, strengthens the fabric of our entire society. Chair Klein (D-Danby, Caroline, Ithaca Town) presented the proclamation to Yen Ospina and Maia Consolo, president and secretary of the Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County, who provided remarks of gratitude.
The legislature unanimously approved a resolution for the disbursement of $670,000 through the Community Housing Development Fund, which provides grant awards to support the construction and rehabilitation of permanently affordable housing units for low- to moderate-income households.
Legislator Lane (D-Dryden) introduced a resolution announcing a public hearing on October 7, 2025 at 5:30 pm in the Legislature Chambers regarding the amendment of the county charter to allow for an uneven number of legislators, effective after the next redistricting following the 2030 census. The resolution passed 10-1, with Legislator Champion (D-Ithaca Town) opposed.
The legislature unanimously appointed former Whole Health Commissioner Frank Kruppa to the Tompkins Cortland Community College Board of Trustees for a seven-year term starting September 16, 2025.
George McGonigal from the Historical Commission presented each legislator with the book ‘Silo Saga,’ a story about a dairy farming family in Slaterville, NY, post-World War II.
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