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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-1999-10-12 - Budget Meeting BUDGET AND ADKINISTRATION COMMITTEE BUDGET MEETING 7:30 P.M. OCTOBER 12, 1999 MINUTES Present : Committee Members: Marcham, Hershey, Taylor, Blumenthal, Manos, Farrell, Sams, Spielholz, Shenk Committee Members Excused: Vaughan Others Present: Mayor Cohen City Controller Cafferillo Deputy Controller Thayer Deputy Fire Chief Dorman Fire Chief Wilbur Board of Fire Commissioner Member Romanowski Planning Director VanCort Community Service Agency Representatives Members of the public Members of the media 1 . Opening Comments Chairperson Marcham stated that the agenda for this meeting was as follows: A. Agency Reviews • Community Service Agencies • Southside Community Center • Human Services Coalition • INHS • SPCA B. Departmental Budget Reviews • Planning Department • Fire Department Members of the public were asked to speak on the 2000 Budget; no members of the public spoke. BUDGM-- NEBTING-MINUTES OCTOBER., 12, 1999 - 2 . Community Service Requests The Mayor proposed a 2000 Community Services funding level in the amount of $83, 330 . Mayor Cohen explained that he made no changes to the Budget and Administration Committee' s recommendation for the total funding level . Zelda Lockhart, Director of Multicultural Resource Center, requested that Council fund her agency for 2000 at, or close to, the $17, 450 she originally requested. It was noted that MRC was funded at $10, 000 for the year 2000, which is a $500 increase from 1999. After a discussion concerning the request, no changes were made. The mayor' s recommended amount of $83, 330 remains unchanged. 3. Southside Community Center Request The Mayor proposed a 2000 Southside Center contract, City portion, in the amount of $68, 060. It is noted that an additional $18, 538 is derived from Tompkins County through the Sales Tax Agreement to fund the total Southside Center contract of $86, 598 . Southside Director Verde and Board President Graham were on hand to discuss their request. They were concerned over the maintenance staff being funded at half time. A discussion regarding the staff followed. They explained that the current maintenance of the building is poor and needs to be improved. Mayor Cohen stated that he intended to have a full-time custodial staff working in the Southside building. It was noted that the Southside custodial discussion will be brought up during the DPW budget review. No changes were made to the Southside Community Center Budget. 4 . Human Services Coalition The Mayor proposed a 2000 Human Services Coalition funding level in the amount of $26, 707 . The Executive Director of the Human Services Coalition, Dill, was present to discuss the Coalition' s request. Dill discussed various programs that the Coalition will be active in for the year ahead. It was noted that the 2000 funding level was increased by $1, 507 from the 1999 level . After a discussion, no changes were made. Alderperson Spielholz arrived during the discussion. 2 BUDGET MEETING MINUTES .. OCTOBER 12, 1999 5 . INHS The Mayor proposed a 2000 Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services funding level of $85, 000. The funding level has been constant for several years . INHS Executive Director, Mazzarella, was present to discuss his request . Mazzarella explained that the City' s funding level represents 5. 9% of the INNS Budget. Mazzarella discussed the three major programs that the agency will be providing in the year 2000: A. Affordable city rental housing options; B. Low interest loans for housing rehabilitation; C. Low interest loans for first-time home buyers. City Controller Cafferillo explained that the City funding for INHS is derived from Eddygate Park Apartments HODAG repayment and the Comex/Iszards Plaza UDAG repayment. A discussion regarding the possibility of other low-income housing groups applying for these funds followed. No changes were made to the INNS funding request. 6. SPCA The Mayor proposed a $39, 102, Year 2000, funding level for the SPCA. This amount has remained unchanged for several years. Alderperson Taylor requested that SPCA give the City a summary of the SPCA activity within the city. It was noted that the City is mandated by law to provide dog control services to city residents. After a discussion, no changes were made to the Year 2000 SPCA funding level . 7 . Planning Department Budget Review The Mayor proposed a 2000 Planning Department Budget in the amount of $659, 032 . Planning Director VanCort explained that the only difference between his 2000 Budget request and the Mayor' s recommendation was $40, 000 in GIS funding. He explained that $40, 000 in GIS software and hardware purchases can be put off until the 2001 Budget year because he will have funds from 1999 to carry over. VanCort explained that Doug Foster has done an excellent job in developing the GIS system at a minimal City cost. After a discussion concerning the Planning Department Budget, no changes were made to the Mayor' s recommendation. 3 BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 1999 8 . Fire Department Budget Review The Mayor proposed a 2000 Fire Department Budget in the amount of $5, 599, 679. Mayor Cohen explained that he funded the Fire Department' s zero percent budget request, including the 20 contractual salary increases. Fire Chief Wilbur stated that his optional budget included seven new firefighters. He explained that the optional budget includes the number of firefighters the department believes it needs to perform under the City-Town Contract. It was noted that the City-Town Contract expires at the end of 1999 and negotiations for a new five-year contract are 75% complete. Wilbur explained that all four fire stations are operating 24 hours. He stated that to get 24-hour service, one engine was taken out of service at Central and shifted to the West Hill Station. A discussion concerning Fire Department revenues followed. It was noted that due to the delay in hiring the Code Enforcement Officers, the 1999 Department revenues will be short by approximately $50, 000. Chief Wilbur explained that legislation will be approved late in 1999 to increase some department fees . He fully expects to meet 2000 revenue estimates. A discussion concerning inspection fees and fire alarm fees followed. K Board of Fire Commissioner Romanowski stated that the City is making progress with Ithaca College regarding , the possibility of the College paying for some City fire service. He explained that while it' s unlikely Ithaca College will make a direct contribution anytime soon, several in-kind services are being made by the College. A brief discussion concerning the sale of Fire Station 7 followed. A meeting later this month with the City Attorney and the Board of Fire Commissioners will take place regarding the sale. It was noted that the 2000 budget does not include any funds from the sale of Fire Station V . Chief Wilbur stated that he will live with the Mayor' s 2000 budget recommendation, but the department will continue to make the request for additional firefighter positions . Wilbur did make one last request to fund $14, 400 in emergency operation center equipment acquisitions which were included in his optional budget. He explained that 4 BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 1999 the funds would be used citywide for use in the City' s emergency management program. Wilbur suggested that the funds be placed in the restricted contingency account for the year 2000. After a discussion, no changes were made to the Mayor' s Budget. The meeting adjourned at 9: 45 P.M. 5 2000 Budget Adjustments Revenues Amount Mayor's Recommendation $28,237,789.00 Net increase in Mayor's Budget Revenues through 10/7/99 meeting $ - Balance Mayor's Revenues prior to Budget meeting of 10/12/99 $28,237,789.00 Action taken during meeting of 10/12/99: No changes made Mayor's adjusted Revenues as of conclusion of 10/12/99 Budget meeting $28,237,789.00 Net increase in revenues from 10/12/99 meeting $ - Combined net increase in Mayor's Revenue after 10/7, and 10/12/99 meetings $ - Combined net increase in Mayor's Budget(Revenues and Appropriation)after 10/7, and 10/12/99 meetings $ - City of Ithaca Schedule 1 2000 Budget Adjustments Appropriations Amount Mayor's Recommendation $28,904,504.00 Net increase in Mayor's Budget Appropriations through 10/7/99 meeting $ - Balance Mayor's Appropriations prior to Budget meeting of 10/12/99 $28,904,504.00 Action taken during meeting of 10/12/99: No changes made Mayor's adjusted Appropriations as of conclusion of 10/12/99 Budget meeting $28,904,504.00 Net increase in Appropriations from 10/12/99 meeting $ - Combined net increase in Mayor's Appropriations after 10/7, and 10/12/99 meetings $ - City of Ithaca Schedule 2