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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-1996-11-19 - Budget Meeting 4 a ) BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE BUDGET MEETING 7:30 P.M. NOVEMBER 19, 1996 MINUTES Present: Committee Members: Shenk, Thorpe, Marcham, Efroymson, Mackesey Other Alderpersons Present: Sams, Johnson, Hanna, Blumenthal, Gray Others Present: Mayor Cohen City Controller Cafferillo Deputy Controller Thayer Youth Bureau Director Cohen Youth Development Coordinator Green Office Manager Wilson Special Asst. to Director Green Recreation Facilities Manager Doyle Activities Center Coordinator Fort Asst. Activities Center Coordinator Thomas Members of Youth Bureau and GIAC Board Members of the public and media 1 . Opening Comments The Committee observed a moment of silence in honor of the life of Police Officer Michael Padula Chairperson Shenk stated that the agenda for this meeting is as follows: A. Public Comment B. Council Concerns C. SPCA D. INHS E. Southside Center F. Other Community Service G. Specific Department Budgets: GIAC Youth Bureau v . Shenk stated that the Police Department Budget will be reviewed November 25th, and an additional meeting has been set up for December 2, 1996 to discuss the Youth Bureau and carry- over items. 1 B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 19, 1996 Members of the public were asked to speak; the following members spoke: 1 . John Bailey, Program Coordinator for the Youth Bureau' s One-to-One Program, stated that he will be at the County' s budget hearing, and he is committed to requesting the necessary funding from the County. He discussed youth programs, and the employees that would be lost if County funding is not found. He urged Council to support the youth programs, and to find creative solutions to the budget problem. 2. Gino Bush, Youth Bureau Board member, urged Council when making decisions that relate to the Youth Bureau, remember the children of Ithaca. 3. Melody Almonte, keep the youth programs open for the kids. 4. Mike Dietrich, currently in the Mechanical Allstars Program at the Youth Bureau, urged Council not to cut any Youth Bureau programs . 5. Bob Barrow, principal of BJM School, stated that the youth programs are critical to the children of Ithaca. He urged Council to maintain the current level of Youth Bureau programs. 6. Mary Larkin, 109 Farm Street, stated that the Youth Bureau programs are good for our children, and urged Council to keep the youth programs going. 7 . Jon Raimon, stated he has worked with children in Ithaca for years, and the children need to have the Youth Bureau programs available to them. Please support the programs. 8. Meg Ambry, Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance, thanked Council for previous support of the Alliance, and asked for their continued support. 9 . Jackie Merwin, YES Coordinator, thanked Council for support of youth programs in the past. She stated that because some youth programs have mixed participation in. the school district, At is possible that city kids could lose programs if all non-city programs were cut. Must keep a balance among education, prevention and enforcement. Stated that the skateboard park would include non-city kids. She stated she was in favor of a skateboard park, but if youth programs will be cut as a result of the park, then the park should wait. 2 B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 19, 1996 10 . Heather Tallman, 317 Richard Place, urged support for the DeWitt Historical Society, and support for the Youth Bureau programs . 11. Jackie Melton Scott, Southside Community Center Director, stated that it is hard to separate youth services between city and non-city. Look at the long-term affects of cutting youth programs. She stated that Council needs to I be pro-active and think in terms of diversity when making youth program cuts. 12 . Andrea Almonte, spoke in support of the Youth Bureau' s One-to-One Program. She stated that cuts in this program will affect her children. All children deserve a change to participate in youth programs. 13. Ralph Nash, former City Attorney, spoke in support of the Youth Bureau' s One-to-One Program, and maintaining funding for the Mechanical Allstars Program. 14 . Lisa Werninck, Freeville, spoke in support of youth programs . 15 . Dave Lehman, principal of Alternative Community School, stated that the city needs more youth programs, not less. Urged Council to not cut the youth programs, and try to find ways to fund the programs. 16. Judith Scherer, 411 Esty Street, urged Council to support. the Youth Development Program and make the necessary funding decisions to keep the programs going. 17 . Eloise Barrett, Paul Schreurs Program, urged support of all youth programs, and discussed the costs to taxpayers for kids in juvenile prevention. 18 . Bob Navarro, spoke in favor of Youth Bureau budget, and urged Council to support youth programs . 2 . Council's Additional Concerns: Alderperson Mackesey presented her comments: A. Impressed with the community involvement in the budget process . , B. Will make every effort to fund the youth programs in full. 3 B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 19, 1996 Alderperson Efroymson presented his comments : A. Thanked young people for speaking tonight. == B. The proposed cuts in the Youth Bureau are from the Mayor' s proposal; Council will make some changes to his budget. Alderperson Johnson presented his comments: A. Find a way to continue the funding for the Youth Bureau. B. City has and will continue to invest in the youth of our community. C. Hoping that the County Board will be responsible in terms of the Youth Bureau program request. Alderperson Blumenthal presented her comment: A. We will find a resolution to the lack of funds for the youth programs . Alderperson Hanna presented his comments: A. Must trust County. Board. and City Council to make the appropriate decision .on who pays what share of the youth- programs. B. Youth service agencies must support the youth programs to the highest degree possible. Alderperson Marcham presented her comments: A. Wants to see that the County pays its fair share of the youth programs. B. The Mechanical Allstars Program must be funded. Chairperson Shenk presented her comment: A. Encouraged public to talk with the Mayor regarding City vacancies on the County Youth Bureau Board. Mayor Cohen presented his comments: A. His proposed budget provides for full funding of Youth Bureau programs, and it provides for a contingency plan if the City cannot get full funding from the County. 4 B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 19, 1996 B. Difficult to subsidize services for non-city tax payers when the City is looking at cutting staff and services. C. Conditions in the city for our city youth are deteriorating, and we need to pay for city services first. 3 . SPCA The Mayor recommended a 1997 SPCA Budget in the amount of $39, 102 . It was noted that the SPCA had requested $40, 157, or a 27% increase. John Spence, Executive Director of the SPCA, stated that the 1997 SPCA budget will include a 10% cut in the operations, and include layoffs and reductions in services. He requested Council to put the 27% increase back into the City' s 1997 Budget. The following motion was made: RESOLVED, That the 1997 SPCA Budget be approved as proposed in the amount of $39, 102 . The motion passed 10-0. 4 . INNS The Mayor recommended a 1997 INHS Budget in the amount of $85,000. This amount is the same as 1996. - Executive Director Paul Mazzarella discussed current INNS projects, and the development of a new program to encourage more home owners. After a discussion concerning the INHS program, the following motion was made: RESOLVED, that the 1997 INHS Budget be approved as proposed in the amount of $85,000. The motion passed 10-0. 5 . Southside Community Center The Mayor recommended a 1997 Southside Community Center. contract in the amount of $66,560 . This amount is the same as 1996. It was noted that in addition to the City's funding to Southside, the County funds $16, 846 by way of the City' s sales tax agreement. The total funding amount for Southside is $83,406. The following motion was made: RESOLVED, That the 1997 Southside Community Center contract for the City be approved as proposed in the amount of $66,560 plus the County share. The motion passed 10-0. 5 B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 19, 1996 6 . Other Service Agencies The Mayor recommended a 1997 Other Community Services Budget in the amount of $98,990, which includes $22,000 for the Human Services Coalition and $6,000 for the CDRC. The Mayor proposed the following changes from the B&A Committee' s recommendations: i - Funded DeWitt Historical Society at $5,000, which is $5,000 less. - Did not fund Finger Lakes Association, which is $600 less. - Funded Sciencenter Afterschool Program at $1,800, which is $70'0 less. - Funded Labor Coalition at $5,000, which is $8,500 less. It was noted that the HOST Program is now. sponsored by the Office of the Aging, instead of the Cooperative Extension. The Sciencenter funding was discussed. Mayor Cohen stated that he funded only the staffing and actual office expense costs, which totaled $1,800. He did not fund the admissions portion of the budget. The Mayor stated he was in support of this program. A discussion regarding the Labor Coalition followed. It was noted that the Coalitiorf was funded at $5,000. The Committee agreed to place a possible addition of $5,000 to the Coalition on the additions list. A discussion concerning the DeWitt Historical Society followed. It was noted that the Society was funded at $5,000. The Committee agreed to place a possible addition of $2,500 to the Society on the additions list. Alderperson Mackesey stated that the City should reward agencies for managing their agency well. ' She hoped that in the future the City could look at this particular item when dealing with Community Service Agencies . The following motion was made: RESOLVED, That the Other Community Service Agencies 1997 Budget be approved as proposed in the amount of $70,990. The motion passed 10-0. 6 B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 19, 1996 CDRC The Mayor recommended a 1997 budget for the CDRC in the amount of $6,000 . The B & A Committee had recommended a 1997 Budget amount of $17,500 to the Mayor. Judy Saul, Executive Director of the CDRC, explained that the CDRC is concerned about the lack of support for changes that need to happen. The funding was designated to support the Police Advocacy group and community relations . The current problem is not being solved through the CDRC. Saul stated that she is requesting that the CDRC 1997 funding request be withdrawn. She explained that there is a problem that needs to be solved, but the method to solve it is not working. Current problems include: - Lack of supervision - A Community Police Board that is not involved. - An Acting Police Chief that will be replaced. - What type of administrative support needs to be made. Judy Saul stated that the request to withdraw is not in any way a reflection on the work done by advocates and staff during the past two years. A discussion regarding the process for police-community relations followed. Mayor Cohen stated that many more police training funds are going into the Police Budget in an attempt to fix the problem. Alderperson Johnson stated that it' s time to re-evaluate the process. Chairperson Shenk suggested that an amount be placed in contingency to be used for the police- cominunity relations problems, and that the entire process be reviewed to bring about a new process. After a discussion concerning this issue, the following motion was made: RESOLVED, That $6,000 be transferred from A1014-435 to A1990 Restricted Contingency for the purpose of funding the evaluation of the police-community relations process. The motion passed 10-0. The Committee also agreed to place an additional $2,000 in funds for the police community relations process on the additions list. Labor Coalition A discussion regarding the Tompkins Cortland Labor Coalition followed. The Mayor recommended a 1997 funding level of $5,000, which was $8,500 less than the B & A Committee recommendation. It was noted that previously the Committee 7 B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 19, 1996 agreed to place $5,000 additional funds for the Labor Coalition on the additions list. Chuck Wynns, Labor Coalition Coordinator, discussed the impacts of the decreased funding amount to his budget. He also discussed various labor programs which are currently being done, and labor services which are proposed to be done. There was an attempt to place $8,500 on the additions list for the Labor Coalition, but it did not have enough support. After a discussion concerning the Labor Coalition funding, the Committee agreed to maintain the $5,000 funding level with a possible addition of $5,000 to be discussed later in the budget meetings. Finger Lakes Association A discussion concerning the Finger Lakes Association followed. Conrad Tunney, director of the Association, discussed his services and .requested :.that at least $600 be restored to his funding line. 'He discussed the. services the Association provides, and stated that both Tompkins County and the Chamber are no longer supporting. the Association. It.was noted that- Tompkins County will be doing their own promotions . Alderperson Marcham requested that $500 be placed on the additions list for the Association. There was no Council support for the request. 7. Council to Proceed into Executive Session The Committee voted, 10-0, to move into executive session to discuss contract negotiations. 8 . Report from Executive Session After the Committee voted, 10-0, to move back into regular session, Chairperson Shenk reported .that the Committee took no . action during the executive session. 9 . Update on City/County Youth Bureau Agreement Chairperson Shenk reported that Tompkins County has made a counter offer to the City's proposal regarding Youth Development. The County offer stated the following: Six month planning period to develop Jong-term agreement on Youth Development between the City and County from January to June, 1997 . County would pay City $48,000 for six-month period to serve all children. in the county. 8 B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 19, 1996 Shenk stated that the City was looking for $50,000 to support a six-month planning period, and a $22,000 cost of living increase for the past three years. The City does not feel the County officer is a fair cost sharing between the City and the County. 10 . GIAC Budget The Mayor recommended a 1997 GIAC Budget in the amount of $651, 188. Activities Center Coordinator Fort stated that the budget represents a zero percent budget increase from 1996. A discussion concerning the program budget transfers and the utilization of GIAC programs followed. It was noted that the Alex Haley Pool was transferred into the GIAC Budget for 1997 . After a discussion concerning the budget, the following motion was made: RESOLVED, That the 1997 GIAC Budget be approved as proposed in the amount of $651, 188. The motion passed 10-0. 11. Youth Bureau Budget The Mayor proposed a 1997 Youth Bureau Budget in the amount of $1,947,709 . The Committee agreed that they would not vote on the Youth Bureau Budget until they knew the outcome of the City' s Youth Development request to the County. Youth Development Coordinator Green discussed Youth Development demographics trends and funding. - He stated that the City should find alternate funding for the needed program funding instead of layoffs of Youth Bureau employees. A discussion followed concerning the City/County agreement for Youth Development. Youth Bureau Director Cohen stated that the City' s proposal offered full county-wide service int he City' s Youth Development programs during the first six months of 1997 . He explained that the six-month period would allow for careful joint planning to develop the best long-term plan for all interested parties. Cohen stated that with a six- month period of planning, the following could be accomplished: 1 . Examine each program carefully. 2 . No disruption of service. 3 . Review the programs' operations, procedures, effectiveness, and budget. 4 . Make recommendations to the County Board of Representatives and Common Council. 9 B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 19, 1996 Nancy Zahler stated that next year the City' s Budget could be changed to better coordinate with other local municipalities budget schedules, and hopefully prevent the last minute budget items. Zahler discussed the County' s background regarding the Youth Development request. She stated that the City wants a 60/40 split in the Youth Development costs, with the County at 60 percent. The County is looking for a 50/50 split of costs. City Controller Cafferillo stated that the City pays their share of the Youth Development costs and 27% of the County taxes . A discussion concerning the funding of Youth Development programs followed. Alderperson Hanna stated he would like to have a longer planning period, because he is not sure the planning needed will be completed in the six-month time frame. A discussion regarding the Youth Bureau Budget followed. Director Cohen stated that the Mayor made $34, 808 in reductions from the department' s request in the areas of hourly P/T and Seasonal and program supplies. He explained that he would like to reallocate the reductions to better suit the Youth Bureau' s needs. The Committee agreed to the request as long as the same reduction would take place. Cohen stated that he would come back with the changes at a later meeting. No vote on the Youth Bureau Budget was taken. 12 . Mayor - Funeral Costs Mayor Cohen stated that he would-like the City to contribute an amount of $4,000 to assist in the overall payment of funeral costs for Police Officer Michael Padula. Cohen explained that the costs for the funeral will range from $10,000 to $11,000 with various contributions from outside sources. He explained that the City' s workers' compensation insurance will pay for the reasonable costs of the funeral. Council agreed to fund the request, and the item will be placed on the next Council agenda for a formal vote. The meeting adjourned at 12 : 10 A.M. :J> k" 10 B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 19, 1996 BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS REVENUES Mayor' s Recommendation $27, 134,705 Net increase in Mayor' s Budget Revenues through 11/14/96 -0- Balance Mayor' s Revenues prior to Budget meeting of 11/19/96 $27, 134,705 No action taken during meeting of 11/19/96 : Mayor' s Adjusted Revenues as of conclusion of 11/19/96 B&A/COW meeting $27, 134,705 Net increase in revenues from 11/19/96 meeting $ -0- Combined net increase in Mayor's revenues after 11/7 , 11/12, 11/14 and 11/19/96 meetings $ -0- Combined net increase in Mayor's Budget (Revenues & Appropriations) after 11/7, 11/12, 11/14 and 11/19/96 meetings $ 194,684 11 B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 19, 1996 BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS APPROPRIATIONS Mayor' s Recommendation $27,464,296 Net increase in Mayor' s Budget Appropriations through 11/14/96 194, 684 Balance Mayor' s Revenues prior to Budget meeting of 11/19/96 $27, 658, 980 Action taken during meeting of 11/19/96: Other Agency - CDRC Decrease A1014-5435 Contractual Services CDRC move to restricted contingency (Vote 10-0) (6,000) Contingency Increase A1990 Restricted Contingency to reflect move of Police Community Relation Funds for 6,000 future program establishment (Vote 10-0) Mayor' s Adjusted Recommendation as of conclusion of 11/19/96 B&A/COW meeting $274658,980 Net overall increase in Mayor' s. Budget Appropriations _ from 11/19/96 meeting $ -0- Combined net increase in Mayor' s Budget Appropriations after 11/7, 11/12, 11/14 and 11/19/96 meetings $194, 684 12