Michael Lane, chairman of the Old Library/New Futures Committee, announced that the committee is withdrawing its recommendation that the County keep the Old Library building, until a recent purchase offer can be reviewed. The Board discussed the offer in an executive session following the regular Board meeting. Board Chair Barbara Mink said the offer is from the private sector and comes from outside the community.
Lane’s committee agreed the County should hold onto the Old Library building and property, located at 312 North Cayuga Street in Ithaca, potentially for use as County offices. In light of the new offer, however, Lane withdrew a resolution that would have given the recommendation full Board approval.
Mink appointed a new Space Needs Committee, that she will head up, to look at all of the County’s short- and long-term space needs and that will consider the purchase offer in detail. Other members of the committee include Reps. Lane, Peter Penniman, Frank Proto, and Stuart Stein.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS WALKWAYS FOR BETTER HEALTH
The Board unanimously (14-0; Rep. George Totman was absent) approved a recommendation from the County Health Department that communities provide safe walkways linking homes, businesses, and shopping areas, to encourage walking for better health. The U.S. Surgeon General has recommended a minimum of 30 minutes a day of moderate physical activity, and brisk walking is an excellent way to stay active, say Health Department officials.
EXPANDED BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING RESCHEDULED
The expanded Budget Committee meeting, scheduled for Thursday evening in the Board chambers, will start one hour earlier than previously announced. The meeting will start at 4 p.m. Tim Joseph, chairman of the Budget and Fiscal Policy Committee, said he thought the committee, which includes any Board member who attends, might vote on a proposed County budget at the meeting. Six of eight scheduled meetings to review the 2001 County budget have already been held.