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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-1996-04-17 BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING 7:30 P.M. APRIL 17, 1996 MINUTES Present: Committee Members: Shenk, Efroymson, Thorpe, Mackesey, Marcham Other Alderpersons Present: Johnson, Sams, Blumenthal, Gray, Hanna Others Present: Mayor Cohen City Controller Cafferillo Deputy Controller Thayer Planning Director VanCort Acting Police Chief Barnes Supt. of Public Works Gray BPW Vice Chair Reeves Deputy Fire Chief Dorman Commons Coordinator Deming Members of the media ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Opening Comments: Chairperson Shenk stated that tie following changes were made to the agenda: 1. Addition of a presentation relating to drugs in the city neighborhoods; _ 2 . An additional Fire Department item related to emergency services by volunteers Members of the public were asked to speak; no members spoke. 2 . Presentation - Drugs in Neighborhoods The following individuals spoke on drugs in the city neighborhoods : Jim Hardesty - Stated that there are too few police investigators dealing with the city drug problem. He stated that the City Police Department needs to establish an area of enforcement to curtail the influx of drugs into the community. He asked that Council seriously consider adding enforcement to stop the drug problem in the city. 1 BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 17, 1996 Gloria Valarde - Stated that the property values in the Northside are declining because of the drug problem in this area. She explained that she has seen drug dealing almost every day in her neighborhood, and the City needs to do something about it. Barbara Bulucky - Presented the Committee with a map of the Northside and pointed out all of the drug spots and street dealing in that area. She stated that the City needs to hire drug investigators to stop the growing drug problem. She stated that about 10% of the City police force should be drug investigators or 7 .4 investigators. She explained how the City property values are declining due to the drug problem. Judy Hardesty - Stated that the Northside neighborhood is going downhill due to the increasing drug problem. She pointed out various drug activity spots to the Committee. These were the only individuals who spoke regarding the drug problem. It was noted that some of the Northside residents wanted to speak about the drug problem, but were unable to make the meeting. 3 . Common Council - Priorities and Process for 1997 Budget Common Council members were asked to list their budget priorities and budget process for the 1997 Budget. Council' s priorities and process items are listed as follows: Mackesey - Stated that Council needs to know the City' s financial situation for 1996 and 1997 before priorities can be determined. Johnson - Stated that the 1997 Budget process is more important than priorities at this point. He explained that it was difficult to determine the impact on the City in 1996 and 1997 without a State Budget. Efroymson - Stated that his number one priority for the 1997 Budget is dealing with crime. and drugs in the city. He is hopeful that all of Council would make this their number one priority. Sams - Stated that the Youth Bureau would make a proposal to work on the priority of crime and drugs in the city. This crime and drug item is on the Community Issues agenda. 2 A BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 17, 1996 Hanna - Stated that he wanted to look at and recognize the big issues for the City as priorities . These issues are as follows: - Public Safety - Programs for community well-being - City staffing issues - City equipment issues - City technology issues - City infrastructure is in need of repair - Need to be proactive on City revenues Marcham - Stated she had the following priorities: - Increase City drug investigators - Deal with engineering staff shortages - Concentrate on City Police and Fire staffing issues - May need to increase DPW seasonal labor - City vacancies not filled may hurt City in the long run - Maintain City tax increase at the current inflation rate Blumenthal - Stated that Council needed to list its top two priorities for the 1997 City Budget. Thorpe - Stated that the City needs to find ways to increase revenues. Also, she nbted that drugs and crime are very important priorities for the City to deal with. Chairperson Shenk suggested that all Council members submit their top two priorities for the 1997 Budget in writing to her. Council agreed with the priority listing. The Committee discussed process issues related to the 1997 Budget. City Controller Cafferillo stated that he can give Council the City' s financial picture as it stands now, and a projection into the future. Cafferillo explained that the first County assessment numbers are in, and the numbers are already $4,000,000 less than 1996 or approximately $35,000 in lost revenue if the City uses the same tax rate as 1996 . He explained that at this . point, it does not appear that New York State will cut State Aid to cities. He also stated that the labor contractual increases for the City in 1997 will mean an approximate 4% increase over 1995 salary. 3 BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 17, 1996 Council discussed 1997 budget process items, and raised the following points: Two members of Council to review Department budgets placed in 5 sub-committee areas - Have Council more involved with development of the Mayor' s Budget - Council to flag all new department requests - Need a new creative way to develop budget - The budget process is approved by Charter, and the Charter should be examined for possible changes to improve the overall process - Develop a budget sub-committee Common Council agreed that a budget sub-committee should be established, meet, and bring back to Council proposals on the 1997 budget process. The sub-committee will include: John Johnson, Pam Mackesey; Mayor Cohen; Dominick Cafferillo; and Steven Thayer. Council also decided to hold a separate B & A meeting on May 15th at 7 : 30 P.M. to discuss 1997 Budget priorities and process. 4 . Commons Coordinator - Request to Sign Simeon's Revocable License Agreement Commons Coordinator Deming presented a request to sign a revocable license agreement for the sale and consumption :< of alcohol for Simeon' s Restaurant. Deming. stated that the City has issued this licenst to Simeon' s Restaurant since 1987 . After a brief discussion, the following motion was made: WHEREAS, since 1987 the City of Ithaca has issued a license to - Simeon' s Restaurant allowing that restaurant to utilize certain areas along Aurora Street and on the Ithaca Commons for outdoor dining, and WHEREAS, this use of public property has generally been deemed proper and successful, and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca wishes to promote diverse uses of the Ithaca Commons, including outdoor dining, and WHEREAS, it is Common Council' s responsibility to determine whether or not to allow the serving and consumption of alcohol on the Ithaca Commons, and 4 BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 17, 1996 WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that the use of this public property for outdoor dining at Simeon' s Restaurant, including the responsible sale and consumption of alcohol, is desirable, and WHEREAS, Common Council has determined that any use of this or similar public property involving the same and consumption of alcohol should be covered by a minimum of $500,000.00 insurance under the Dram Shop Act; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, For the year 1996, that Common Council hereby approves a revocable license agreement for the outdoor sale and consumption of alcohol between the City and Simeon' s Restaurant that includes the sale of alcohol in accord with the terms and conditions set forth in application therefore, including minimum Dram Shop coverage in the amount of $500,000 .00 and Commons Advisory Board approval for outdoor dining permits. The motion was approved 5-0. 5 . Planning Department - Cliff Street Parking Lot Discussion Planning Director VanCort presented a request to fund the proposed Cliff Street Parking Lot. VanCort stated that the Planning Committee has voted in favor of a parking lot at 701/705 Cliff Street. He explained that preliminary cost estimates for ,the project have come in at $136,000. He stated that a developer would purchase the property, develop the property, build the parking lot and pathway, and sell it back to the City. VanCort stated that if the City did the entire project with its -_ own forces, it would cost the City approximately $336,000. A discussion regarding the parking lot annual maintenance and project details followed. The annual maintenance items for the lot and pathway include: - Snow removal during the winter - Mowing pathway to Cass Park It was noted that the project would have to be bid. A discussion regarding the parking lot, bidding procedures, and the overall parking situation on Cliff Street followed. Alderperson Mackesey voiced her complaint on the vague information that was submitted on cost estimates of the project. 5 1 BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 17, 1996 After a discussion, the Committee stated that it would move this project proposal forward to the COW meeting without a vote. The Committee requested that further detailed cost information be provided to them by the COW meeting. 6. Police Department - Request to Amend Personnel Roster Acting Police Chief Barnes presented a request to amend the 1996 Approved Police Department Personnel Roster by promoting a Typist to a Senior Typist. Barnes stated that the promotion is needed to more closely match current job duties and qualifications. The promotion would require an increase in salary of $1,774 from $15,200 to $16,994. Barnes stated that the increase in salary could be derived from the Police Department' s 1996 Budget. He explained that the Civil Service Commission and the Personnel Department have reviewed this request and approved it. After a brief discussion, the following motion was made: WHEREAS, the Acting Police Chief is recommending that a Senior Typist position be established for the promotion of a department typist to reflect the employee' s qualifications and actual duties; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 1996 Police Department Personnel Roster be amended as follows: Add: One ( 1) Senior Typist (40 hours) Delete: One (1) Typist (40 hours) _ and be it further RESOLVED, That the Senior Typist position be established at a 1996 annual salary of $16,994, that being Grade 7 of the 1995 CSEA Administrative Unit, effective May 2, 1996, and be it further RESOLVED, That Holley Seamon be appointed to said Senior Typist position, and be it further RESOLVED, That the funds needed for said promotion will be derived from the existing 1996 Police Department Budget. The motion passed 5-0 . 6 r BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 17, 1996 6 . Fire Department - Request Approval of Volunteer Service Agreement from Outside Departments _ Deputy Fire Chief Dorman presented a request to approve a Volunteer Service Agreement from Outside Departments . Dorman stated that recently New York State Municipal Law changed, and now permits members of volunteer fire companies to offer their services to a fire company in another jurisdiction within the state on a continuing basis. Dorman stated that this procedure would enhance the volunteer personnel coverage for the City and Town. He explained that he has received several offers from other fire companies to assist the Ithaca Fire Department in this regard. He explained that the qualified members would have to be recommended by the City Membership Committee, and complete necessary training requirements . A discussion regarding liability and benefits of these Fire Department members followed. The following motion was made: WHEREAS, the Ithaca Fire Department continues to need services of additional volunteer personnel to enhance its protection of the City and Town of Ithaca, and WHEREAS, New York State law now perr#ts members of volunteer fire companies to offer their services to a fire company in another jurisdiction within the state on a continuing basis, and WHEREAS, the Ithaca Fire Department has received offers from several members of other fire companies within the state to provide service to IFD and needs a mechanism by which to respond to such offers of service; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby authorizes the Fire Chief to accept such offers of service from members of other fire companies within New York State who are deemed qualified for IFD service in accordance with the department' s established volunteer membership process, and be it further RESOLVED, That such members must be recommended for service by the department' s Membership Review Committee, must complete training as directed by the Municipal Training Officer in advance of department service, and shall be governed by the ongoing service and training requirements that apply to other IFD volunteer personnel, and be it further 7 BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 17, 1996 RESOLVED, That such individuals shall be covered under the City' s Volunteer Firefighters Benefit Law (VFBL) coverage in case of injury while in department service, but shall NOT be eligible for benefits provided to IFD volunteer members, including but not limited to the department' s Volunteer Incentive Program, and be it further RESOLVED, That such individuals shall serve at the pleasure of the Fire Chief, must agree in writing to the terms and conditions stated above, and said agreement may be terminated by the Fire Chief at any time for any reason, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Fire Commissioners shall be notified of all such individual's approved for service and all service agreements terminated by the Fire Chief. The motion passed 5-0. 7 . Finance/Controller - Recycling Program City Controller Cafferillo reported that the County is going to extend the recycling bid until October, 1996. Cafferillo stated that the City is still evaluating their position. No action was taken. 8 . Committee to Proceed into Executive Session The Committee voted, 5-0, to move into executive session to discuss personnel items in the Personnel Department. 9 . Report from Executive Session After the Committee voted, 5-0, to move back into regular session, Chairperson Shenk reported that the Committee discussed personnel items relating to the Personnel Department. Shenk reported that the Committee voted, 5- 0, in favor of a possible salary adjustment in the Personnel Department, and will not release details until the item is discussed with the remainder of Council at the next COW meeting. The meeting adjourned at 11 :45 P.M. NOTE: In many cases the actual texts of the resolutions presented in these minutes were prepared following the Committee' s deliberations and decisions on the matters involved. The resolutions presented here are in complete accord with decisions made by the Committee. 8