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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-2000-10-19 - Budget Meeting a I BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE BUDGET MEETING 7:30 P.M. OCTOBER 19, 2000 MINUTES Present : Committee Members: Vaughan, Sams, Hershey, Farrell, Blumenthal, Pryor, Glasstetter, Manos, Spielholz, Taylor (late) Others Present : Mayor Cohen City Controller Cafferillo Deputy Controller Thayer City Clerk Holcomb Youth Bureau Director Cohen Deputy Youth Bureau Director Green Youth Development Coordinator Green City Prosecutor McCarthy City Chamberlain Parsons Director of Economic Development McDonald Members of Community Services Agencies Members of the public Members of the media 1 . Opening Comments Chairperson Vaughan stated that the agenda for this budget meeting was as follows: A. Departmental Budget Reviews: - Clerk' s Office - Planning & Development - Traffic Violations/City Chamberlain' s Office - City Prosecutor' s Office - Finance Department B. Service Agency Budget Reviews : - Southside Community Center - Ithaca Neighborhood Housing (INHS) - Tompkins County Area Development Corp. (TOAD) - Other Community Service Agencies - Human Services Coalition Members of the public were asked to speak; no individuals spoke. BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 19, 2000 A 2 . Clerk' s Office/Elections Budget Review The Mayor proposed a 2001 City Clerk' s Budget in the amount of $172, 793 and an Elections budget in the amount of $16, 000 . Mayor Cohen stated that the contractual salary increases have been included in the Clerk' s budget. In addition, the Mayor stated that he increased the office expense line by $500 and the staff development line by $320 to better reflect actual expenditures. After a brief discussion, the Clerk' s Office budget remained unchanged. 3 . Youth Bureau Budget Review The Mayor proposed a 2001 Youth Bureau Budget in the amount of $2, 705, 337 . Mayor Cohen stated the Youth Bureau Budget was funded as proposed except that additional funds were placed in the 110 Salary account to reflect contractual salary increases. Youth Bureau Director Cohen stated that he could manage with the Mayor' s proposed budget, but would like to request five budget amendments, which have a net zero impact, as follows : A. New position request for a Receptionist/Data Entry in the Youth Bureau and Cass front office. Cohen explained that the position is designed to provide better customer service at the front office during April to September and at Cass Park Rink October to March. He explained that P/T and Seasonal workers have been used in the past, but with annual turnover in this position, customer service has suffered. Director Cohen explained that a transfer of $21, 000 within the department' s budget can fund this position for 2001 . The following 2001 budget transfer was proposed: Increase Accounts : A7310-5110-1511 $ 8, 750 A7310-5110-1400 8, 750 A7310-9060 3, 500 $21, 000 2 BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 19, 2000 Decrease Accounts : A7310-5120-1511 $ 7, 000 A7310-5120-1513 1, 750 A7310-5120-1400 8, 750 A7310-5435-1400 3, 500 $21, 000 The Committee agreed to the transfer. B. Director Cohen explained that in September, Council approved a temporary reduction in hours for Monica Bosworth of the Outing Program. The reduction in hours will expire in April, 2001, and it requires a budget transfer. When the transfer was done in September, it could only cover the 2000 year. This request would fund the 2001 portion of the budget transfer needed to April 15, 2001 . The transfer of $1, 340 would be derived within the department' s 2001 budget. The following 2001 budget transfer was proposed: Increase Account : A7310-5110-1221 $1, 340 Decrease Account : A7310-5120-1221 $1, 340 The Committee agreed to the transfer. C. Director Cohen explained that as a result of the personnel change and related adjustments in staffing assignments, the Paul Schreurs and One- to-One Programs, he would like to transfer $3, 000 within programs as follows: Increase Account : A7310-5120-1206 $3, 000 Decrease Account : A7310-5120-1201 $3, 000 The Committee agreed to the transfer. 3 BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 19, 2000 D. Director Cohen explained that the Youth Bureau will be receiving $2, 688 in additional revenue from the Ithaca School District to expand the work at the BJM Elementary School . The project would allow the hiring of a Homebase Coordinator for the after school hours program at BJM. The following 2001 budget transfer was proposed: Increase Revenue Account : A7310-3820-1203 $2, 688 Increase Appropriation Accounts: A7310-5110-1203 $1, 790 A7310-5460-1203 720 A7310-9030 137 A7310-9040 41 The Committee agreed to the transfer. E. Director Cohen explained that the Youth Bureau received a 2000 grant from the Ithaca Housing Authority, but has not been able to use the funds . Cohen requested that the $2,800 in funds be moved to 2001 . The following 2001 budget transfer was proposed: Increase Revenue Account : A7310-2070-1206 $2, 800 Increase Appropriation Accounts: A7310-5120-1206 $ 450 A7310-5460-1206 2, 300 A7310-9030 35 A7310-9040 15 The Committee agreed to the transfer. A discussion concerning the Mechanical All-Stars Program followed. No other Youth Bureau budget changes were made. 4 . Planning & Development Department Budget Review The Mayor proposed a 2001 Planning and Development Budget in the amount of $842, 020 . Director of Economic 4 K BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 19, 2000 Development McDonald discussed the Mayor' s proposed budget for the Planning Department with the Committee. McDonald explained that the department was comfortable with the budget proposed by the Mayor, which provides the Planning Department with adequate staffing levels and the resources to carry out the department' s work plan. McDonald explained that the department is involved in the following areas: Southwest Development Downtown Inlet Island West End Cornell Projects Neighborhood Issues Traffic Calming Grant Application/Community Development McDonald stated that the Mayor' s Budget includes the two half-time temporary positions for the entire year in 2001 . Mayor Cohen explained that these positions were recently hired, and will be evaluated after a period of time to determine if permanent positions need to be created. Mayor Cohen also explained that the department' s 105 account includes a Deputy Planning Director position, and the 110 account includes the temporary positions . He also stated that the GIS project is in the Capital Fund for 2001. After a discussion concerning the department' s work program, the department' s proposed 2001 budget remained unchanged. 5 . Traffic Violatinos/Chamberlain' s Office Budget Review The Mayor proposed a 2001 Traffic Violations budget in the amount of $92, 020 and a Chamberlain' s Office budget in the amount of $301, 614 . City Chamberlain Parsons stated the budget as proposed is adequate to provide the department' s necessary services. Parsons explained that most of her budget includes items that must be funded for the collection of taxes, parking tickets and utility bills . Parsons further explained that the Mayor' s budget includes a full staff for her department . After a discussion, the department' s proposed 2001 Budget remained unchanged. 5 BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 19, 2000 ` 6 . City Prosecutor' s Office Budget Review The Mayor proposed a 2001 City Prosecutor' s Budget in the amount of $178, 052 . City Prosecutor McCarthy discussed her budget with the Committee. McCarthy explained that the budget would allow the department to continue doing a good job for the City. She further explained that the budget includes a federal grant from the Violence of Women Grant Act . The grant allows for funding of one FTE attorney position in the Prosecutor' s Office. Currently, the Deputy Prosecutor position has been upgraded to a full-time position, and there is a half-time attorney position moving up the one FTE position from the grant . After a discussion concerning the grant, the City Prosecutor' s 2001 budget remained unchanged. 7 . Southside Center Budget Review The Mayor proposed a 2001 Southside Community Center Budget in the amount of $147, 214 . The budget includes funds for DPW maintenance of the Southside Community Center, and the City contract amount to the Southside Community Center. The Southside contract (City portion) is $68, 060 . It is noted that an additional $19, 524 is derived from Tompkins County through the sales tax agreement . Together these amounts fund the total contract at $87, 584 . Southside Board President Graham and Christine Barksdale were present to discuss the contract with the Committee. Graham explained that the full-time maintenance staff added in 2000 is working well . A discussion concerning the Southside Community. Center programs, including the Ellis Hollow Apartments and Well Pet Clinic followed. After the discussion, the Southside Community Center budget remained unchanged. Alderperson Taylor arrived during the South Community Center Contract discussion. 8 . Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) Budget Review The Mayor proposed a 2001 INNS funding amount of $85, 000. The funding level has not changed for several years. INHS Executive Director Mazzarella was present to discuss the budget with the Committee. Mazzarella presented the Committee with information regarding the agency' s major programs and what INHS has accomplished over the past five years. 6 BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 19, 2000 Mazzarella stated that 25% of the homeowners they assisted over the past year have converted rentals to home ownership. He explained that INNS has, over the past five years, performed the following: - 5 - 6 Housing recycling annually - 6 - 10 Rental rehabilitation annually - 30 Homeowner rehabilitation annually - Buying and performing rehabilitation on rental properties to provide affordable rental housing Mazzarella stated that the City' s $85, 000 funding represents 8% of the INHS Budget . The funds go directly to the agency' s operation. A discussion regarding handicapped renters of homes and the asset management program within the INHS programs followed. No changes were made to the 2001 INHS Budget . 9 . Other Agency - TCAD Budget Review The Mayor proposed a 2001 Tompkins County Area Development (TOAD) funding amount of $7, 000 . It was noted that this amount has now been separated from the other Community Services Agencies funding. TOAD Director Stamm discussed the 2001 funding amount with the Committee. Stamm explained that the City' s funding amount is important to TOAD. Mayor Cohen stated TOAD has increased their level of commitment to the city over the past few years. Cohen explained that he will put a greater amount of funding in the 2002 Budget for TCAD due to the increased economic activity expected in the city and county. A discussion concerning the program followed. The funding amount remained unchanged. 10 . Other Community Service Agencies The Mayor proposed a 2001 Other Community Service Agency funding amount of $81, 850 . Mayor Cohen explained that he funded the Other Community Service Agencies at the level that was recommended by the Budget and Administration Committee. Nancy Rosen of Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service of Tompkins County stated that they had requested $15, 000 from 7 BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 19, 2000 the City to provide a handicapped accessible entrance to their new building. After the B & A Committee recommended a $5, 000 2001 funding, the contractor installing the entrance donated the labor. She thanked the Committee for the $5, 000 and stated they will be able to get the entrance completed. It was noted that this was a new request for funding. Members of the On Site Volunteer Services were present to discuss their request for funding. It was noted this program was a new request for funding. The Agency had requested $10, 000 and received $5, 000 from the Mayor and the Committee . They thanked the Committee and stated they were happy with the $5, 000 funding amount . Chairperson Vaughan explained that the Human Rights Commission has requested $625 for support towards their annual banquet in 2001 . Vaughan stated that the Commission will be speaking with the B & A Committee next week regarding a request from Contingency for the 2000 banquet . Chairperson Vaughan explained that previous years' funding for this event has come out of the Contingency account . Barbara Bear from the Commission was present to discuss her request for funds with the Committee. Bear explained that the total banquet costs $2, 600 to $3, 500 annually. She explained that the tickets cost $13 each. Alderperson Pryor had serious concerns over the event and the cost of tickets . Pryor explained the event is no longer affordable to a large population of the community, and the time it takes to put this event together is a drain on Commission staff members . After a discussion regarding the event, the Committee voted to place this $625 funding request on the addition/discussion list . Voting results on the request to add this item to the list were as follows: Ayes : (8) Vaughan, Farrell, Hershey, Glasstetter, Sams, Spielholz, Manos, Taylor Nays : (2) Pryor, Blumenthal The request was placed on the list . The Other Community Service Agencies 2001 funding level remained unchanged. 8 t BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 19, 2000 11 . Human Services Coalition Budget Review The Mayor proposed the Human Services Coalition 2001 funding at $32, 257 . The Director of the Human Services Coalition, Dill, was present to discuss her request with the Committee. Dill explained some of the programming the Coalition provides to the city. Dill explained that the request is allocated as follows : Human Services Planning $23, 870 Information and Referral 8, 387 It was noted that the City funded the Coalition in 2000 at $26, 707 . Dill explained that the $5, 550 in additional funding is needed to support program maintenance and expansion of a Program Assistant staff position. After a discussion, the Coalition funding level remained unchanged. 12 . Finance Department Budget Review The Mayor proposed a 2001 Finance Department Budget in the amount of $373, 339. Mayor Cohen stated he added the following to the Finance Department to better reflect current expenditures: A $2, 000 addition of funds to the Office Expense account A $1, 150 addition of funds to the Staff Development account Controller Cafferillo stated that the department could work within the budgeted amount and thanked the Committee for their support . No changes were made to the Finance Department budget . The meeting adjourned at 9 :50 P.M. 9