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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-2000-10-16 - Budget Meeting BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE BUDGET MEETING 7:30 P.M. OCTOBER 16, 2000 MINUTES Present : Committee Members : Vaughan, Hershey, Taylor, Blumenthal, Spielholz, Farrell, Glasstetter, Pryor Committee Members Excused: Manos, Sams Others Present : Mayor Cohen City Controller Cafferillo Deputy Controller Thayer Police Chief Basile Deputy Police Chief Barnes Fire Chief Wilbur, Deputy Fire Chief Dorman Information Technology Director Twardokus Police Board Member Jones Police Board Staff Falconer GIAC Director Fort GIAC Deputy Director Thomas Fire Dept . Admin. Asst . Camp GIAC Board President Sullivan Board of Fire Commissioners Chair Romanowski Members of the media Members of the public 1 . Opening Comments Chairperson Vaughan stated that the agenda for this meeting was as follows : A. Capital Projects B. Departmental Budget Reviews - GIAC - Community Police Board - Fire Department - Police Department Members of the public were asked to speak; the following individual spoke: BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2000 GIAC Board President Sullivan spoke to the Committee regarding the GIAC programs and facilities. He explained that the facility has not kept pace with the programs. He addressed the following three issues : - Need to allocate funds for a GIAC Building needs assessment . - Need for a computer instructor for the computer lab at GIAC. - Need to increase hours of staff to 40 hours to keep pace with the GIAC programs . No other individuals spoke. 2 . Capital Projects The Mayor proposed a 2001 Capital Project Budget authorization of $4, 544,419 . The allocation among funds is as follows : General Fund $2, 892, 919 Water & Sewer Funds 1, 381, 000 Joint Activity 270, 500 Chairperson Vaughan stated that the request for a GIAC Building needs assessment is part of a large capital project proposed by the Mayor for City Buildings Assessment Study in the amount of $150, 000 . The work will be done by in-house labor and contractor labor. The Committee discussed the West Spencer Street Capital Project. The project was ranked high by the CIRC in the amount of $694, 500, but was left out of the project funding by the Mayor. Mayor Cohen explained that the project amount was soft and he has provided funds for an initial Spencer Street study in the South of the Creek Traffic Study project. The Mayor was hoping to develop a good number. The Mayor stated that once the costs are developed, then the project can be established by Council . Not all of Council was in agreement with this process. The Mayor stated, in terms of money, the project established from the Traffic Study might be a substantial project. There is a possibility of assistance from New York State for some of these projects. This project will relate to the Six Point Plan. Alderperson Taylor stated she wondered why the Cass Playground Project was funded over the Cass Rink/Pool Water Conservation Project . Mayor Cohen 2 BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2000 explained that the water project was not going to save enough water to warrant the expenditure of funds . These two projects will be researched and brought back to the Committee. The Mayor explained that The Commons and Peripheral Street Improvement Project for $250, 000 is undefined and needs to be determined by Council and the Commons Committee. A discussion concerning the CIRC recommendation of a Street Light Pole Replacement project followed. The Mayor stated he did not include the project because he is waiting for the Street Light Pole Study, which was authorized in 2000, to be done. The recommendation of a project for improvements to the Common Council Chambers in the amount of $75, 000 was discussed. Mayor Cohen explained that he meant to include this project to his authorized projects, but overlooked it. He recommended that Council authorize this project . The project would fund the following items : Furniture Sound System Physical change for the Council area Wall and window treatment New floor Alderpersons Farrell and Taylor stated they were not in favor of the Council Chamber project . Mayor Cohen explained that Council should at least consider new furniture and sound system improvements. Alderperson Blumenthal stated Council Chambers needs improvements. Some Council members thought the assessment study should determine what needs to be corrected or improved in Council Chambers. A discussion concerning Police Vehicles followed. It was noted that funds for replacement of police vehicles and two community service officer cars were in the Capital Fund. Alderperson Taylor was concerned over the extensive use of the Tahoe vehicles. Police Chief Basile explained that the first year the vehicles were driven, the Tahoes were used more than expected. He stated that the Tahoes are to be used for limited use only when weather conditions are hazardous or other vehicles are in for repairs. 3 BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2000 Alderperson Hershey stated he has asked the Controller' s office to determine if additional items from the budget could be capitalized or adjusted to reduce the 4 . 5% property tax increase. This item will be discussed at the last budget meeting. No changes in Capital Projects were made at this time. 3 . GIAC Budget Review The Mayor proposed a 2001 GIAC Budget in the amount of $1, 122 , 061 . GIAC Director Fort requested the following additions to the budget : A. Four Program Supervisors should be changed from 35 hours a week to 40 hours a week to more accurately reflect their time. Total cost $15, 319 . B. A need for computer instructor for the GIAC computer lab, which currently has nine computers. The cost calculation for the instructor was determined by 45 weeks @ 20 hours a week, @$13 . 50/hour for a total cost of $12, 150 . The computer equipment was donated to GIAC last year. C. Weekend and evening program hours extension. Total cost of $7, 904 . D. Ithaca City Midnight Basketball League program funding for 2001 : January - March $ 9, 610 .50 October - December 5, 915 . 00 Total cost $15, 525 . 50 Fort explained that she understands the City' s current financial status, but also understands that specific community services from GIAC are needed. She urged Council to fund the $50, 898 in additional requests from GIAC. Controller Cafferillo stated that $9, 200 was placed in the 120 account to cover weekend and evening program hours extension. Fort stated she was not sure she could commit the full $9, 200 to regular weekend and evening hours. Currently, in the 120 account, $118, 000 of the $126, 751 total budget for 2000 has been expended. It was noted that the GIAC Board subsidizes the GIAC Budget by about $30, 000 annually. 4 BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2000 After a discussion concerning the GIAC Budget and the additional requests, no changes were made to the budget. The requests will be discussed at the final budget meeting. 4 . Community Police Board Budget Review The Mayor proposed a 2001 Community Police Board Budget in the amount of $8, 192 . It was noted that the Police Board amount is located in the legislative contract line. Ralph Jones and Nancy Falconer from the Community Police Board were present to discuss their budget request with the Committee. Jones urged Council to approve their budget . He discussed some of the items the Police Board is currently working on. Jones also stated that the budget includes a 3% contract increase for Nancy Falconer, who is the administrative person for the Board. After a discussion, no changes were made. 5 . Fire Department Budget Review The Mayor proposed a 2001 Fire Department Budget in the amount of $5, 849, 488 . Fire Chief Wilbur, Deputy Chief Dorman, Administrative Assistant Camp and Board of Fire Commissioners Chair Romanowski were present to discuss the budget with the Committee. Romanowski stated that the Board of Fire Commissioners supports the Mayor' s proposed budget, but the optional 2001 budget submitted is the Board' s preferred budget. It was noted the 2001 optional budget included the request of: - 10 new fire fighter positions - 1 training officer - change of title for the Volunteer Coordinator to Development Officer Fire Chief Wilbur and Chair Romanowski stated that the Fire Department is understaffed, and has been for years. The bunker and volunteer recruiting efforts are not working. The department needs more fire fighters to reduce the level of risk to the community. Chief Wilbur presented the Committee with a summary of data for the last four years, which related to the Fire Department' s staffing issues. Some of the information presented included: 5 BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2000 - Number of incidents per year continues to increase, now at 3, 500 . - The two largest types of incidents include alarm activation and rescue and EMT. - Ward Two and Ward One have the highest incidents by ward. - September has the highest number of incidents. - The LOAM to 5PM time period have the highest number of incidents. A discussion regarding the Volunteer Coordinator position followed. The optional budget includes a request to change the title of this position to Development Officer. Wilbur explained that many funding opportunities are available. He stated that the department would like to concentrate on finding other funding sources to address the staffing shortages. The responsibilities of recruitment would be shifted to the Ithaca Volunteer Fire Fighters' Unit. Mayor Cohen stated that the change of title in this position can be done during the year when all the appropriate committees have approved the title and duties . At this time, no salary change was proposed. A discussion concerning the fire engines in the downtown core followed. Wilbur stated that as a result of taking vehicles and fire stations out of service to increase minimum crew sizes from one to two fire fighters, and of opening all four stations for 24 hour operation, seven days a week, there is now only one engine in service for downtown. Wilbur explained that it takes 5 . 67 fire fighters to fill one position for 24 hours. Three engines are on order, but they will all replace current engines . A discussion regarding revenue from Cornell and Ithaca College followed. Cornell is making an annual contribution to the fire department . In 2001, it will be $400, 000 . Ithaca College is not making a contribution. Mayor Cohen explained that Ithaca College is in the Town, so it' s much more difficult to get a funding agreement in place. Some in-kind services from IC are currently taking place. Fire Capital Projects were discussed. Deputy Fire Chief Dorman explained that the $90, 000 project for reconstruction of Station 9 includes a new roof and a standby generator. Mayor Cohen explained that the $10,494 of computer equipment requested by the Fire Department is included in the 2001 Network project . 6 BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2000 No budget changes were made to the 2001 Fire Department proposed Mayor' s Budget . 6 . Police Department Budget Review The Mayor proposed a 2001 Police Department Budget in the amount of $7, 008, 439 . Mayor Cohen stated that the Police Department Budget is not a zero percent budget . He explained that contractual salary increases are in the budget . The overtime account was increased to $189, 381 . An additional $10, 274 was placed in the 440 account for training. Police Chief Basile and Deputy Chief Barnes were present to discuss the budget . The overtime account was discussed. It was noted that the account was budgeted for $154, 000 in 2000 . As of September 30th, $159, 000 has been expended in overtime. In 1999, $465, 000 was expended in overtime. Police Chief Basile explained that the department is monitoring overtime in an attempt to keep it under control . Mayor Cohen and Controller Cafferillo explained that the $189, 381 overtime number was an attempt to come up with a more realistic amount for overtime. It may take a number of years to determine the appropriate overtime number for the Police Department . Basile explained that the overtime amount is difficult to pinpoint due to emergencies that occur during the year. Controller Cafferillo stated that with the police monitoring of overtime, the usage of overtime and related costs have decreased. He explained that the amount should be $150, 000 under the 1999 amount . A discussion concerning crossing guards followed. Basile explained that they have 16 school guard positions and only nine are filled. The salary and time constraints have made it difficult to fill these positions. It was noted that the positions are budgeted at $7 per hour. A discussion regarding the wage and places to find the needed people followed. The Committee wanted to discuss further a possible hourly wage increase for the guards. The item was added to the discussion list . The meeting adjourned at 11 :15 P.M. 7