Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-2014-11-13COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Special Meeting 6:00 p.m. November 13, 2014 PRESENT: Acting Mayor Mohlenhoff Alderpersons (9) Brock, McGonigal, Murtagh, Clairborne, McCollister, Fleming, Smith, Kerslick, Martell OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk – Conley Holcomb City Attorney – Lavine City Controller – Thayer Deputy City Controller - Andrew Building, Planning, Zoning & Economic Development Director – Cornish Deputy Director of Economic Development – DeSarno Director of Zoning Administration – Radke Senior Planner – Nicholas Senior Planner – Kusznir City Planner – Wilson GIAC Director - Fort GIAC Youth Supervisor - Brooks Superintendent of Public Works – Thorne Human Resources Director – Michell-Nunn Deputy Human Resources Director - Saul Fire Chief – Parsons Chief of Staff - Sutherland SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: 1.1 Discussion of Proposed Amendments to the Mayor's 2015 Budget Managerial Compensation Plan Alderperson Clairborne disclosed that his wife is a member of the City’s managerial staff, so he will recuse himself from the discussion and vote on this item. Discussion followed on the proposed plan. Acting Mayor Mohlenhoff reported that the discussion and vote on the structure of Managerial Compensation Plan will go to the City Administration Committee next week but the plan needs to be funded first. Alderperson McGonigal requested clarification on the funding mechanisms for this plan. Acting Mayor Mohlenhoff explained that $85,000 is already included in the Mayor’s 2015 proposed budget to fund Step 1 of the plan. The second step of the accelerated plan will be funded by the money reserved for vacation buy-outs which will be suspended for 2015 and 2016. Funding for future steps will be included in the 2016 and 2017 budgets if approved by Common Council. Alderperson Kerslick clarified that the vote tonight will not affect the 2016 budget. He voiced his support for the plan but is not ready to commit to the timeline. Alderperson Brock raised questions about the ability of staff not getting an increase to retain the option to buy-out vacation time. This idea will be explored further at the City Administration Committee. The Managerial Compensation Plan will be considered by Common Council in December. Capital Budget: Discussion followed on the capital project list and which items should be funded through the capital budget and which should be paid through the operational budget. City Controller Thayer recommended having equipment paid for through bonds in the capital budget and leaving the maintenance funding in the operational budget. November 13, 2014 2 Over Target Requests: Fire Truck Resolution: By Alderperson McGonigal: Seconded by Alderperson Clairborne RESOLVED, That $550,000 be added to the capital budget for the purchase of a fire truck. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the old debt that will be retired for IFD and the impact on the City’s budget:  No impact to 2015 budget  Interest only payments (approx. $10,000) in 2016  Principle and interest payments (approx. $40,000) in 2017  Pursuant to the contract with the Town of Ithaca, the Town would pick up 32.18% of the cost A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (8) Brock, McGonigal, Clairborne, Murtagh, Fleming, Kerslick, Martell, Mohlenhoff Nays (2) McCollister, Smith Carried Water Tank Fence Resolution By Alderperson Fleming: Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick RESOLVED, That the installation of fencing around the water tanks not be approved for funding. Carried Unanimously Trucking Contracts Resolution By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson McGonigal RESOLVED, That $40,000 be added to the Department of Public Works operating budget to fund contracts for asphalt transportation. Carried Unanimously Parks & Forestry Seasonal Staff By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Fleming RESOLVED, That $25,000 be added to the Department of Public Works operating budget to fund seasonal staff. Ayes (1) Fleming Nays (9) Brock, McGonigal, Clairborne, Murtagh, McCollister, Smith, Kerslick, Martell, Mohlenhoff Failed Fleet Repair Budget Increase Resolution By Alderperson McGonigal: Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick RESOLVED, That $30,000 be added to the Department of Public Works budget to fund an increased fleet repair budget. Ayes (4) Brock, McGonigal, Clairborne, Fleming Nays (6) Murtagh, McCollister, Smith, Kerslick, Martell, Mohlenhoff Failed Life Cycle Replacements Resolution By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick RESOLVED, That $210,000 be added to the capital budget to replace tools, equipment, and vehicles that have surpassed their life cycle. Ayes (1) Brock Nays (9) McGonigal, Clairborne, Murtagh, McCollister, Fleming, Smith, Kerslick, Martell, Mohlenhoff Failed November 13, 2014 3 Part-time Coordinator for Homeless Services Resolution By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick RESOLVED, That $5,000 be added to the City budget to fund a part-time Coordinator for homeless services. Carried Unanimously Planning Division Salary Adjustments Resolution By Alderperson Smith: Seconded by Alderperson Martell RESOLVED, That $5,128 be added to the Planning, Building, Economic Development Department budget to fund an adjustment for a 30 hour Senior Planner to be promoted to a Principal Planner. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the process involved for job reclassifications. Planning & Development Director Cornish stated that these positions would be contingent upon approval from the Civil Service Commission, but she wanted to make sure the funding would be in place before she started the process. She expressed her appreciation for the increase in hours for three positions (Planner 35 to 40 hours; Senior Planner 25 to 30 hours; Senior Planner 35 to 40 hours) that was included in the Mayor’s proposed budget. Alderpersons McCollister, McGonigal, Smith, and Martell expressed their support for the position reclassifications but felt more comfortable considering the funding increases in 2016 after the Civil Service work has been completed. Alderpersons Murtagh and Clairborne stated that they were glad that the increase in hours was included in the Mayor’s budget but voiced their concerns about increasing the tax rate for the proposed promotions. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (2) Brock, Kerslick Nays (8) McGonigal, Clairborne, Murtagh, McCollister, Fleming, Smith Martell, Mohlenhoff Failed Planning Division Salary Adjustments Resolution By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick RESOLVED, That $6,764 be added to the Planning, Building, Economic Development Department budget to fund an adjustment for a 40 hour Senior Planner to be promoted to a Principal Planner. Ayes (2) Brock, Kerslick Nays (8) McGonigal, Clairborne, Murtagh, McCollister, Fleming, Smith Martell, Mohlenhoff Failed Commons Maintenance Resolution By Alderperson Fleming: Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick RESOLVED, That $58,000 be added to the Department of Public Works budget to fund a full-time position (salary and fringe benefits) for the Commons maintenance crew that would work in the afternoons and on weekends. Ayes (4) Murtagh, Martell, Mohlenhoff, Fleming Nays (6) Brock, McGonigal, Clairborne, McCollister, Smith, Kerslick Failed Commons Maintenance Resolution By Alderperson Kerslick: Seconded by Alderperson Fleming RESOLVED, That $35,000 be added to the Department of Public Works budget to fund staffing for the Commons maintenance crew to cover afternoons and weekends. Ayes (7) Murtagh, Martell, Mohlenhoff, Fleming, McCollister, Smith, Kerslick Nays (3) Brock, McGonigal, Clairborne Carried November 13, 2014 4 Adjustment to the City Clerk Position in Managerial Compensation Plan By Alderperson Kerslick: Seconded by Alderperson Murtagh RESOLVED, That $6,200 be added to the City budget to move the City Clerk position from Grade 9 to Grade 10 in the Managerial Compensation Plan. Extensive discussion followed regarding the reasons why the Human Resources Department cannot support the movement of the City Clerk position from Grade 9 to Grade 10. Human Resource Director Michell-Nunn explained the criteria used to score positions and noted that the employee in the City Clerk position does not meet the educational and specialized skill requirements to qualify for Grade 10. She further explained that Common Council could remove the position from the Managerial Compensation Plan and compensate it at the equivalent of the Grade 10 positions if it chose to do so. Planning and Development Director Cornish expressed her opposition to the removal of the City Clerk position from the plan stating that it was not equitable to other employees. On a motion, this item was withdrawn from the agenda and will be considered at the City Administration Committee meeting when the structure of the Plan is discussed. Increase Mayor’s Salary Resolution Alderperson Fleming: Seconded by Alderperson Smith RESOLVED, That $10,000 be added to the budget to fund a salary increase for the Mayor. Ayes (3) Mohlenhoff, Smith, Fleming Nays (7) Brock, McGonigal, Clairborne, Murtagh, McCollister, Kerslick, Martell Failed Safety Training Contract Resolution By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Clairborne RESOLVED, That $10,000 be added to the Human Resources Department budget to fund a contract for safety training. Ayes (2) Brock, Clairborne Nays (8) McGonigal, Murtagh, McCollister, Fleming, Smith, Kerslick, Martell, Mohlenhoff Failed Workforce Climate Survey Resolution By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Clairborne RESOLVED, That $13,000 be added to the Human Resources Department budget to fund a workforce climate survey. Ayes (2) Brock, Clairborne Nays (8) McGonigal, Murtagh, McCollister, Fleming, Smith, Kerslick, Martell, Mohlenhoff Failed Motion to Reconsider the Commons Maintenance Funding at $35,000 By Alderperson Smith: Seconded by RESOLVED, That the vote for the Commons Maintenance Funding be reconsidered. The motion failed for the lack of a Second. 1.2 Adoption of 2015 Budget - Resolution By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick WHEREAS, this Common Council is now considering adoption of the Amended Executive Budget for 2015 as approved by the Committee of the Whole, and WHEREAS, it is the consensus of this Common Council that the total appropriations and estimated revenues, as set forth in said Amended Executive Budget for 2015, and as those amounts may be altered by action of this Common Council at its November 13, 2014 meeting, are adequate for the operation of the City during 2015; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That this Common Council accepts and approves said Amended Executive Budget for 2015, together with any additional changes made in said budget at November 13, 2014 5 Council's November 13, 2014 meeting as the City of Ithaca Budget for 2015, in the total amount of $66,784,799 and be it further RESOLVED, That the following sections of the 2015 Budget be approved: A) General Fund Appropriations B) Water Fund Appropriations C) Sewer Fund Appropriations D) Solid Waste Fund Appropriations E) Sidewalk Special District Fund Appropriations F) Stormwater Drainage Special District Fund Appropriations G) General Fund Revenues H) Water Fund Revenues I) Sewer Fund Revenues J) Solid Waste Fund Revenues K) Sidewalk Special District Fund Revenue L) Stormwater Drainage Special District Fund Revenue M) Debt Retirement Schedule N) Capital Projects O) Schedule of Salaries and Positions - General Fund P) Schedule of Salaries and Positions - Water & Sewer Fund Q) Schedule of Salaries and Positions - Sidewalk Special District Fund R) Schedule of Salaries and Positions - Solid Waste Fund S) Schedule of Salaries and Positions – Stormwater Drainage Special District Fund T) Authorized Equipment - General Fund U) Authorized Equipment - Water Fund V) Authorized Equipment - Sewer Fund W) Authorized Equipment - Solid Waste Fund X) Authorized Equipment - Sidewalk Special District Fund Balance Y) Authorized Equipment - Stormwater Drainage Special District Fund Carried Unanimously 1.3 Adoption of 2015 Tax Rate - Resolution By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick WHEREAS, the 2015 City of Ithaca Budget was approved, adopted, and confirmed in the total amount of $66,784,799 on November 13, 2014, in accordance with a detailed Budget on file in the Office of the City Controller, and WHEREAS, available and estimated revenues total $44,615,581 leaving $21,319,218 as the amount to be raised by taxation, and WHEREAS, the Assessment Roll for 2015 certified and filed by the Assessment Department of Tompkins County, has been footed and approved and shows the total net taxable valuation as $1,660,375,229 and WHEREAS, under Charter provisions, the tax limit for City purposes amounts to $31,062,604 for 2015; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the tax rate for general purposes, for the fiscal year 2015, be, and the same hereby is, established and fixed at $12.89 per $1,000 of taxable valuation as shown, certified and extended against the respective properties on the 2015, Tax Roll, thereby making a total tax levy, as near as may be, of $21,402,237, and be it further RESOLVED, That the amount of said tax levy be spread, and the same hereby is levied upon and against the respective properties as shown on said City Tax Roll, in accordance with their respective net taxable valuation, at the rate of $12.89 per $1,000 of such taxable valuation, and be it further RESOLVED, That the City Chamberlain be, and hereby is, directed to extend and apportion the City Tax as above, and that upon the completion of the extension of said Roll, the City Clerk shall prepare a warrant on the City Chamberlain for the collection of said levy; and the Mayor and the City Clerk hereby are authorized and directed to sign November 13, 2014 6 and affix the corporate seal to such warrant and forthwith to file the same with said Tax Roll with the City Chamberlain, and be it further RESOLVED, That upon the execution and filing of said warrant and Tax Roll with the City Chamberlain, the amounts of the City Tax set opposite each and every property shall hereby become liens, due, payable and collectible in accordance with provisions of the City Charter and other laws applicable thereto, and be it further RESOLVED, That the total sum of $66,784,799 be appropriated in accordance with the adopted Budget to the respective Boards, Offices, and Departments of the City, for the purposes respectively set forth therein. The 2015 Assessment Roll has been completed and approved by the Assessment Department of Tompkins County and resulted in the following valuation: Total Value of Real Property $4,105,188,978 Less: Value of Exempt Property $2,470,872,000 $1,634,316,978 Plus: Value of Special Franchises $26,058,251 Net Value of Taxable Property $1,660,375,229 Carried Unanimously 1.4 Adoption of 2015 Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant Budget - Resolution By Alderperson Brock: Seconded by Alderperson Smith WHEREAS, this Common Council is now considering adoption of the Amended Joint Activity Fund Budget for 2015 as approved by the Committee of the Whole, and WHEREAS, it is the consensus of this Common Council that the total appropriations and estimated revenues, as set forth in said Amended Joint Activity Fund Budget for 2015 and as those amounts may be altered by action of the Common Council at its November 13, 2014 meeting, are adequate for the operation of the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant during 2015; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Common Council accepts and approves said Amended Joint Activity Fund Budget for 2015, together with any additional changes made in said budget at Council’s November 13, 2014 meeting, as the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant Joint Activity Fund Budget for 2015, in the total amount of $3,780,756, and be it further RESOLVED, That the following sections of the 2015 Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant Joint Activity Fund Budget be approved: A) Joint Activity Fund Appropriations B) Joint Activity Fund Revenues C) Schedule of Salaries and Positions – Joint Activity Fund D) Authorized Equipment – Joint Activity Fund Carried Unanimously ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. ______________________________ _______________________________ Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Deborah Mohlenhoff City Clerk Acting Mayor