City attorney presented a draft just-cause ordinance that would apply to employers with physical locations in Ithaca that employ six or more people, create notice-of-discharge requirements, a private right of action for the first year, a two‑year sunset and statute‑of‑limitations options; committee asked clarifying questions and planned public forums for November–December.

The special committee advanced a policy statement asking the city attorney to draft just‑cause wrongful‑discharge legislation that would begin as a pilot, include a 90‑day probationary period, a one‑year statute of limitations and a small‑business exemption for employers with five or fewer employees.

The Ithaca City Common Council special committee heard presentations from New York City officials, legal experts and labor researchers who said New York’s just‑cause model did not reduce fast‑food employment and has court precedent; the committee requested a city attorney legal analysis and will draft policy statements ahead of June.

The Ithaca Common Council voted 9–1 on Feb. 4 to create a five‑member special committee to study wrongful discharge and local labor protections, directing the city attorney to prepare legal and fiscal analyses and setting a schedule for public forums and committee meetings.