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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-1996-11-14 - Budget Meeting r BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE BUDGET MEETING 7:30 P.M. NOVEMBER 14, 1996 MINUTES Present: Committee Members : Shenk, Thorpe, Marcham, Efroymson, Mackesey Other Alderpersons Present: Johnson, Blumenthal, Sams, Gray Alderpersons Excused: Hanna Others Present: Mayor Cohen City Controller Cafferillo Deputy Controller Thayer Supt. of Public Works Gray Asst. Supt. of Public Works Ferrel Asst. Supt. of Public Works Water & Sewer Fabbroni Transit System Manager Oltz Fire Chief Wilbur BPW Vice Chair Reeves BPW members Davidoff, Seligmann, Ehrhardt Members of the media and public I 1 . Opening Comments Chairperson Shenk stated that the agenda for tonight' s budget meeting is as follows: A. Public Comment B. Council' s additional areas of concern C. Specific Budget Areas : DPW - Water & Sewer Funds DPW - General Fund Joint Activity Fund Solid Waste Fund Capital Projects Members of the Public were asked to speak; the following individuals spoke: 1 . Jason Martin, 112 Giles Street, urged Council to support the $65, 000 skateboard project in the Mayor' s Budget. He is a skateboarder and a good place to skate is needed in the city. 1 i B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 1996 2 . Bill Alberta, 751 Elm Street Extension, father of a skateboarder, urged Council to support the Skateboard Park. He stated the sport is a good activity to keep the young people out of trouble. He stated he would help with the construction of the park. 3. Giles Gerhart, 140 Seely Hill Road, Newfield, asked support for the skateboard park. He stated that the skateboarders are good kids that get a bad reputation from the public. 4. Joseph Meyers, 1815 Danby Road, Ithaca, spoke in support of the skateboard park. He.stated that there should also be some alternative places to skate if the person can not get to the park. 5. Meryl Young, 610 N. Aurora Street, mother of a rollerblader and has friends who are skateboarders. All the kids want is a place to skate safely. The park would keep the kids off the streets, off drugs, and off The Commons. 6. Bonnie Harcup supports the skateboard park as a safe place for the kids to skate. The park would be a good place for the young people in the community to use and possibly stay out of trouble. 7 . Jimmy Young stated that the skateboard park is a much- needed investment in the city. The park will be a multi- use facility, skateboard park, and performing state. This park represents a good investment in young people. He stated that the city can not afford not to make this investment. 2 . Alderpersons Additional Concerns for the 1997 Budget Alderperson Mackesey presented her comments: A. Thanked supporters of the skateboard park, and stated that it is important that young people get involved in the community. She stated she will support the skateboard park expenditure. Alderperson Sams presented her comments: A. Impressed with the skateboard presentation. B. Supporting the $65,000 skateboard park. 2 B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 1996 C. She read a state from the Community Issues Committee that stated support for the skateboard park for $65, 000 and stated that because the current skateboard area, outside of City Hall, is unsafe, a temporary skateboard area needs to be found by November 27, 1996 . Alderperson Blumenthal presented her comment: A. Impressed with the involvement of young people with the government process. Alderperson Marcham presented her comment: A. The skateboard park agreement is hopeful, and she supports the park. Alderperson Gray presented his comment: A. Supports the skateboard park and the Community Issues Committee statement regarding skateboarding. Alderperson Thorpe presented her comments: A. Supports the skateboard park. B. Encouraged to see young people involved with the process . Chairperson Shenk presented her comments: A. She will support a skateboard park project at $30,000, instead of $65,000 . The $65,000 project is too large to support in a budget year when City employees will be let go. B. Great to see young people involved in the process of government. 3 . DPW Budget Superintendent of Public Works Gray explained to the committee that the 1997 DPW Budget is the largest budget in the City and very difficult to get a total handle on. He stated that the department submitted a zero percent budget and a negative four percent budget to the Mayor. He also stated that the BPW presented a budget which was $800,000 larger than,_ the zero percent budget. Gray explained that his department is falling behind in terms of what both the Council and the departments want to be accomplished. Gray stated that even though the department is 3 B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 1996 falling behind, he is very proud of his department and its activity. BPW Vice Chair Reeves stated that there are many problems facing the department, however, Council must realize that infrastructure problems are the major items and must be dealt with soon. BPW Commissioner Ehrhardt listed some of his concerns and problems related to the DPW: A. Need DPW maintenance schedules for city infrastructure to determine annual costs for the department. B. There are a number of crisis situations in the city which need to be addressed: 1 . Safety concerns over trees; 2 . Safety concerns over rusty light poles; 3 . City playground problems, including equipment and sites; 4. Problems with bridges; 5. Cost of. engineering time and annual maintenance costs in various Capital Projects; r 6. Need to improve overall city infrastructures and facilities. Ehrhardt stated that he hoped Council would understand the department' s problems and make every effort to fund the department where applicable to support city infrastructure and preventive maintenance. The committee decided to discuss the Skateboard Park activity prior to its specific DPW discussion. Capital Project - Skateboard Park Discussion The Mayor proposed a $65, 000 Capital Project in his 1997 Budget for the construction of a skateboard park. The CIRC Committee recommendation on this project was ranked 10th out of 14 projects. Controller Cafferillo stated that the skateboard project would not impact the budget until 1998 with an estimated cost of $6,500 a year. He explained that the City has two years from the original date of issue to make the first Principal payment. Mayor Cohen stated that the exact location of the skateboard park has not been determined. However, sites at Cass Park, 4 B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 1996 Stewart Park, and the Youth Bureau are being considered. A discussion on the Skateboard Park Project followed. Cohen stated that the total cost of the project has been estimated at $80, 000 to $100,000 . He stated that community fund raising will raise the difference between the City' s amount of $65, 000 and the total cost of the park. Possible donations from Santaro and various corporate sponsors to the park were discussed. The following motion was made: RESOLVED, That the 1997 Budget include a Capital Project for the construction of a skateboard park at a cost not to exceed $65,000 . Voting results on the motion were as follows: Ayes: (7) Thorpe, Marcham, Efroymson, Gray, Mackesey, Johnson, Sams Nays: (2) Blumenthal, Shenk The motion passed 7-2 . Water and Sewer Budget Mayor Cohen recommended a 1997 Water Fund Budget in the amount of $2, 350,753 and a Sewer Fund Budget in the amount of $2, 976,424 . It was noted that the water and sewer rates for 1997 were included in this budget as follows : Water Rates Sewer Rates From: To From: To: $1 .54/ $1. 69/ $1 . 70/ $1.70/ 100 cu. ft. 100 cu. ft. 100 cu. ft. 100 cu. ft. Controller Cafferillo stated the water rates are being increased ten percent a year to offset a portion of the anticipated costs related to the new Water Treatment Plant project at a cost of between $2, 000, 000 and $10,000, 000. The debt service alone on such a project would be between $500, 000 and $900,000 . Mayor Cohen stated that the budget should have inciAided the Water and Sewer reorganization of positions in the schedule of authorized positions, which was originally discussed by B & A in June. Cohen stated that the funding for positions are included in the 1997 budget. However, the authorized 5 B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 1996 positions have not been included. Asst. Superintendent of Public Works Water & Sewer Fabbroni stated that his staff has accomplished a great deal of work, but there is a lot of work yet to be done. Fabbroni stated that the recent floods have allowed the City to see where the additional problems with the water and sewer system are. A discussion regarding the current water and sewer system followed. Fabbroni stated that he will be more comfortable with the general fund transfer if he will get back his percentage of the cost he pays for. It was noted that it will be monitored over 1997 to determine if the chargeback percentages are accurate. A discussion regarding the position reorganization followed. The Council agreed that the position changes, including additions and deletions of. positions, will be brought forward separate from the 1997 budget so that there will be no misunderstandings . That resolution will be made in December or January. A discussion concerning various aspects of the Water and Sewer budget followed. The crane replacement in accounts F8316-220 for $30, 000 and G8116-22.0 for $45, 000 was discussed. It was noted that .the general fund portion of the crane replacement was not in the General Fund Budget or the Capital Fund Budget. DPW staff will . examine the crane replacement and make a recommendation at a later date. After a discussion regarding the budget, the following motion was made: RESOLVED, That the 1997 Water and Sewer Fund Budgets be approved, as proposed, in the amounts of $2, 350,753 and $2,976,424 respectively. The motion passed 9-0. DPW - General Fund Budget Asst. Superintendent of .Public Works Ferrel discussed the work DPW does and how they do it. Ferrel stated that the Mayor made some last-minute minor changes to the DPW Budget which should be addressed. He stated that the department is behind on the infrastructure work, and their overall staff and funding continues to decrease. He also stated they are now operating with three seasonal crews, instead of four. 6 B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 1996 Ferrel stated that he was concerned about the changes in the Parks and Forestry department, as they relate to the deletion of a working supervisor position and the transfer of another position. He also stated concern over the deletion of the parking lot attendants . A discussion regarding the parking lot changes followed. Ferrel stated that the 1997 changes include the following: - New parking lot equipment for downtown and possibly Dryden Road lots; - One staff booth and an express lane in Green Street Ramp/Woolworth lot; - One staff booth and an express lane at Seneca Street; - Keep to one shift a day, eliminating need for P/T individuals; - Overall, one less staff booth downtown; - Dryden Road garage operates 8 AM to 1: 30 AM, 7 days a week, use three F/T attendants; - Additional staff during rush hour in Green Street/Woolworth lot on a weekly basis. Alderperson Blumenthal expressed concern over the possibility of a decline in service to parking customers prior to the implementation of the new parking equipment. A discussion concerning parking continued. Alderperson. Efroymson expressed concern over the hours of operation for the Dryden Road garage. He felt that opening at 8 : 00 A.M. is too late to open, because students would park overnight for free if they move their vehicle every morning. He would like to see the garage opened earlier in the morning and closed later on the weekend. He would also like to look at the possibility of adding a staffed booth to the Green Street lot. The Committee agreed to put these items on the addition list, and discuss them at another budget meeting. The Committee discussed the Parks and Forestry account. The Mayor recommended deleting one Working Supervisor and transferring one Maintainer from the Parks and Forestry Department. Ferrel stated that he was uncomfortable with the personnel changes in Parks, but the department would make it work. He stated that the Parks Department will now be down three employees . Superintendent Gray stated that the DPW was not interested in losing additional personnel. Further discussions regarding the Mayor' s inclusion of $40,000 in contract funds for tree removal followed. BPW Vice Chair Reeves stated that the Shade Tree Advisory Committee requested 7 4 Y` B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 1996 that an additional tree trimmer position be added to the budget, and if that was not possible, that $45, 000, in each of the next three years, should be placed in the contracts line to contract out the tree trimming work. It was noted that the $45,000 each year would allow for the removal of the most hazardous trees in the city' s R-1 zone. The Mayor stated that he was told by the City Forester that $4,000 could remove 16 trees. A discussion regarding the city' s current classification of hazardous trees followed. The following motion was made: RESOLVED, That Account A7111-435 be reduced by $20, 000 . Voting results on the motion were as follows : Ayes: (3) Shenk, Gray, Efroymson Nays : ( 6) Johnson, Mackesey, Sams, Blumenthal, Marcham, Thorpe The motion failed 6-3 . Alderperson Thorpe stated that the City needs to spend an additional $72, 000, or a 1% property tax increase on the city streets and infrastructure. She explained that the condition of the city' s current infrastructure is declining. Ferrel stated that if $72, 000 were to be spent for roads, then $40,000 should be placed in materials, and $32,000 for P/T Seasonal. Council agreed to place this item on the additions list to discuss at a later budget meeting. City Controller Cafferillo stated that the City is increasing the Capital Fund program to increase the city' s infrastructure work. He stated that we are authorizing new projects at the same rate we are paying off old projects to maintain a constant debt outstanding amount. A discussion regarding the Mayor' s deletion of a bus driver position for $21,757 followed. Transit System Manager Oltz discussed the need for the additional bus driver position. She stated that based on a 1996 arbitration ruling, the City needed to provide each bus driver with two 15 minute breaks on a daily basis . As a result of the arbitration, the City needed to provide an additional bus driver to maintain the current schedule. She stated that the current schedule requires 16 drivers, and the City currently has-,.. only 15 drivers . Oltz explained that the 1997 budget includes a bus driver position for the East Hill shuttle and a request for an additional bus driver for the arbitration settlement. Mayor 8 B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 1996 Cohen explained that he felt, with involvement from Nancy, that a new schedule could be produced that would maintain service and delete one driver. However, it may take a period of time to produce this schedule. Supt. Gray stated that it would be difficult to produce such a schedule. The Committee agreed to put the additional bus driver on the additions list. A discussion regarding various other DPW accounts followed. Alderpersons Johnson and Sams were excused for the remainder of the meeting. Asst. Supt. Ferrel explained that, based on 1996 expenditures, he needed additional funds in his A5111-487 Highway Paving account. He proposed to transfer the purchase of an air compressor machine to Capital Projects, and use the $14,000 for that purchase to fund the purchase of highway paving materials . The following motion was made: RESOLVED, That the purchase of an air compressor for $14, 000 be transferred to Capital Project 1996 DPW Equipment Acquisitions from the A5111-225 account and delete a sign machine for $15, 000 in the Capital Project 1996 DPW Equipment Acquisitions to maintain the same overall requested amount, and be it further RESOLVED, That $14, 000 be transferred from A5111-225 to A5111-487 to provide for the purchase of highway paving material in 1997 . The motion passed 7-0 . The following motion was made: RESOLVED, That the 1997 DPW Budget be approved as amended. The motion passed 7-0. Joint Activity Budget The Mayor proposed a 1997 Joint Activity Fund Budget in the amount of $2,077,219 . It was noted that this fund is a user- fee-based fund. City Controller Cafferillo explained that, based on an accumulated fund balance and sufficient reserves, the rate at which the three entities fund this budget will be lowered in 1997 . It was noted that the three entities funding this budget are: the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, and the Town of Dryden. After a brief discussion regarding ,the fund, the following motion was made: RESOLVED, That the 1997 Joint Activity Fund be approved as proposed in the amount of $2, 077,219 . 9 B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 1996 The motion passed 7-0 . Solid Waste Fund Budget The Mayor proposed a 1997 Solid Waste Budget in the amount of $575,000 . City Controller Cafferillo explained that the 1997 Solid Waste Budget no longer has the recycling program included, as the County has taken that program over. Cafferillo further explained that because we lost the Tompkins County contract for recycling, the trash tag fee will remain the same as 1996 . He stated that if approved, the trash tag fee could be lowered during 1997 . We could make that change during the year. The following motion was made: RESOLVED, That the 1997 Solid Waste Budget be approved as proposed in the amount of $575,000. The motion passed 7-0 . 4 . Capital Projects The Mayor proposed a 1997 Capital Project authorization in the amount of $2,554,910. The major project proposed for 1997 is the Code Compliance Reconstruction project for $1,217,400 . Chairperson Shenk stated that the Mayor also included the Skateboard Project and the GIS Monument Densification Project even though the CIRC ranked these projects 9 and 10 out of 14 projects . She also stated that a Cass Park Energy Saving Project was not included. A discussion regarding the GIS Monument Densification followed. The project was proposed in the amount of $50, 000 . Supt. of Public Works Gray stated that the project allows the City to acquire an additional two dozen monuments which will save the City money over time, and enhance the current GIS program. A discussion regarding the Cass Park Rink followed. Mayor Cohen stated that he did not include the energy savings project for Cass Park Rink because there are some concerns over the long-term operation of the rink. He stated that a Youth Bureau Board sub-committee is looking at the overall impact of the rink. Council stated that they should have a representative on the Cass Park Committee. The Mayor agreed. Mayor Cohen stated that there is a $450, 000 totA1 floor replacement needed to Cass Park Rink in the near future, and before major investments are made, the rink should be evaluated. A discussion concerning the Southside Community Center Code 10 B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 1996 Project followed. This project is currently proposed at $14, 175 . Chairperson Shenk stated that the project will need to be increased, but the additional information has not been formulated. The information should be ready at the next meeting. A discussion regarding the Code Compliance Reconstruction Project followed. Mayor Cohen stated that he requested that the Building Department examine and inspect all City facilities and establish a cost estimate for bringing all these facilities into code compliance. Alderperson Efroymson voiced some concern that the Capital Project list is growing, and projects are not getting done due to the lack of staff. it was noted that all new capital projects will include engineering cost, if applicable. A discussion concerning DPW costs related to the capital projects followed. Efroymson stated that the projects should be prioritized in relation to current open projects . Further discussions regarding capital projects will take place at a future budget meeting. The meeting adjourned at 12 : 15 A.M. 11 B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 1996 BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS REVENUES Mayors Recommendation $27, 134,705 Net increase in Mayor' s Budget Revenues through 11/12/96 -0- Balance Mayor' s Revenues prior to Budget meeting of 11/14/96 $27, 134,705 No action taken during meeting of 11/14/96 : Mayor' s Adjusted Revenues as of conclusion of 11/14/96 B&A/COW meeting $27, 134,705 Net increase in revenues from 11/14/96 meeting $ -0- Combined net increase in Mayor' s revenues after 11/7, 11/12 and 11/14/96 meetings $ -0- Combined net increase in Mayor's Budget (Revenues & Appropriations) after 11/7, 11/12 and 11/14/96 meetings $ 194,684 12 B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 1996 BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS APPROPRIATIONS Mayor' s Recommendation $27,464,296 Net increase in Mayor' s Budget Appropriations through 11/12/96 194, 684 Balance Mayor' s Recommendation prior to Budget meeting of 11/12/96 $27, 658, 980 Action taken during meeting of 11/14/96: DPW Decrease A5111-5225 Maint. of Roads Other Equipment to move one air compressor to the Capital Project for DPW Equipment Acquisitions ( 14,000) (Vote 7-0) Increase A5111-5487 Machine Paving to fund anticipated paving costs for 1997 (Vote 7-0) 14, 000 Capital Projects Increase Capital Project DPW Equipment Acquisitions for purchase of one air compressor ( $14,000) -0- (Vote 7-0) Decrease Capital Project DPW Equipment Acquisitions for deletion of sign machine ( $15, 000) -0- (Vote 7-0) Mayor' s Adjusted Recommendation as of conclusion of 11/14/96 B&A/COW meeting $27, 658, 980 Net overall increase in Mayor' s Budget Appropriations from 11/14/96 meeting $ -0- Combined net increase in Mayor' s Budget Appropriations after 11/7, 11/12 and 11/14/96 meetings $194 , 684 ,e 13