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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-1996-02-21 BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING 7 :30 P.M. FEBRUARY 21, 1996 MINUTES Present: Committee Members: Shenk, Thorpe, Efroymson, Marcham Committee Members Excused: Mackesey Others Present: Mayor Cohen City Controller Cafferillo Deputy Controller Thayer Assistant City Attorney Kennedy Acting Police Chief Barnes Supt. of Public Works Gray Engineering Staff Member West City Prosecutor Falkson City Chamberlain Parsons Planning Director VanCort Members of the media ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- 1 . Opening Comments: Chairperson Shenk stated that the following changes were made to the agenda: , 1 . Three additional executive session discussions related to personnel items . 2 . A discussion on the sales tax agreement between the City and the County. 3 . The Law and Governance Committee will discuss next month the issue of incentives for City employees to live in the city. Members of the Public were asked to speak; the following individuals spoke: Cynthia Yahn: stated that she represented the residents and businesses of the 600 block of West buffalo Street. She stated that the block is in need of parking, and due to the Octopus project, there will be less parking on the block. She stated that seventy people will be competing for nineteen parking spaces . She urged the Committee to approve additional parking on West Buffalo Street. The Committee stated it would discuss this item at the end of the meeting in executive session. 1 BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 21, 1996 Ken Holett ABC: stated he supports postering in the city because it allows various city clubs to survive. He stated that postering should be done in an effective manner. 2 . Postering in the City - Discussion Chairperson Shenk stated that the postering issue has been around for a few years, but most recently the issue has surfaced due to the proposal made for City funding of constructing designated postering areas or "kiosks" located in the city. The Committee discussed postering with Steve Burke of the State Theater and Ken Holett of ABC, as well as other members of local bands and clubs. Alderperson Efroymson explained that the most recent discussions regarding postering were to the point where the City and the club owners would cooperatively pay $10,000 for six postering sites in the city. He stated that the designs of these sites and the locations were yet to be determined. He stated that the price and locations could not be agreed upon, and the discussions stopped. The club owners stated they could not finance the project due to lack of funds . A discussion regarding postering, police activity related to postering, and creative ways to poster in the city followed. The B & A Committee suggested that a small committee be established to discuss and examine the postering issue. The committee shall consist of the City Prosecutor' s office, Alderperson Efroymson, the Planning Department and local bar owners . No formal action was taken. The Committee shall report back to the B & A Committee at a - future meeting. 3. Committee to Proceed into Executive Session The Committee voted, 4-0, to move into executive session to discuss various personnel issues. 4 . Report from Executive Session After the Committee voted, 4-0, to move back into regular session, Chairperson Shenk stated that the following action was taken during executive session: 2 BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 21, 1996 A. Grievance Discussion Chairperson Shenk reported that the B & A Committee discussed an Executive Unit grievance and gave the City Controller directions . No formal action was taken. 5. Finance/City Chamberlain A. Request Approval of Partial Waiver of Tax Penalty City Chamberlain Parsons presented a request to waive a portion of a tax penalty due the City for the property owner of 201 East Tompkins Street. Parsons explained that the property owner has requested an expungement of the tax penalty related to the BT Glass Building. She stated that the property owner is requesting a full expungement of the tax penalty for the following reasons : - The tax bill in question covered a period of time during which the property was not owned by the current owner for the entire tax period; - The City sent to tax bill to the owner in December with the penalty already assessed; - The City Attorney did not respond. After the Committee discussed the documentation related to the request, it was agreed that a portion of the $235.55 penalty should be waived due to the lack of response from the City and period for which the current owner did not own the property. The following motion was made: WHEREAS, the property owner at 201 East Tompkins Street has requested an expungement of penalties on school tax bills, and WHEREAS, the City Chamberlain and Budget and Administration Committee have reviewed the request and supporting documentation and have determined that a portion of the total tax penalty of $235.55 should be waived; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the City Chamberlain is hereby authorized to waive $112 . 90 of the total $235.55 tax penalty for, the property owner at 201 East Tompkins Street. The motion passed 4-0 . 3 BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 21, 1996 B. Request to Extend County Tax Warrant City Chamberlain Parsons presented a request to authorize her to ask Tompkins County to extend its warrant for collection of 1996 taxes until May 31, 1996. Parsons ;3 briefly explained that this is an annual resolution that is necessary because the current warrant to collect County taxes expires on April 1st. After a brief discussion, the following motion was made: RESOLVED, That the City Chamberlain be authorized to request the County of Tompkins to extend its warrant for collection of the 1996 taxes until May 31, 1996 . The motion passed 4-0 . C. Request to Deny Waiver of Tax Penalty City Chamberlain Parsons presented a request to deny a waiver of tax penalty for the property owner of 111 Cascadilla Park. Parsons explained that the property owner sent the property taxes after January 31, 1996. The property owner sent the taxes late because of news reports he had heard that allowed late payment of taxes due to the January flooding. a Parsons explained that there were extensions of tax payment due to the January flooding in other New York counties, but not Tompkins County. Parsons reported that New York State law does not allow cities to accept late payment of property taxes without the charge of a penalty. After a discussion regarding the issue, the - following motion was made: WHEREAS, the property owner at 111 Cascadilla Park has requested an expungement of penalties on the 1996 first installment of taxes, and WHEREAS, the City Chamberlain and Budget and Administration Committee have reviewed the request and supporting documentation and have determined, based on New York State Real Property Tax Law, that the failure of payment of taxes within the due date results in the collection of taxes and related penalties; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the request for tax penalty waiver be denied. The motion passed 4-0 . 4 BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 21, 1996 6 . Common Council - Drug Task Force on Street Lighting - Report Alderperson Efroymson reported that a sub-committee on the street light drug issue has been formed and is working on a contract with NYSEG to take to the Drug Task Force and then on to this Committee next month. No formal action was taken. 7 . DPW A. Water & Sewer - Request to Temporarily Reduce Staff Support Hours Superintendent of Public, Works Gray presented a request to temporarily reduce staff support hours in the Water and Sewer Department. Gray explained that he has three people working in two positions in the Water and Sewer Department as a job-sharing arrangement. He explained that the arrangement originated from two individuals in the department going out on maternity leave. Gray stated that the arrangement does not cost the City more money, and it accommodates both the City employees involved and the City. He stated the three individuals involved would like to continue these arrangements until December 31, 1996. Gray explained that the department has not had any problems related to this job sharing of support staff . s, The Committee commended the department on its willingness to be creative in meeting both staffing and employee needs. After discussion regarding the issue, the following motion was made: WHEREAS, Paige Rumsey, since returning from maternity leave, is working 14 .5 hours per week at her position as Account Clerk/Stenographer and 17 .5 hours per week out-of-title as- a Principal Account Clerk, in Joanne Phillips , absence, and WHEREAS, Joanne Phillips, since covering for Paige Rumsey after her own maternity leave is working 20 .0 hours per week, and WHEREAS, Beverly Klinko is currently working 16.0 hours per week as a temporary Account Clerk/Typist, and WHEREAS, the current arrangement was developed with the cooperation of the city to accommodate families, retain job skills, provide cross training, and currently does so at less expense to the city, and WHEREAS, the department is able to accommodate these particular arrangements; now, therefore, be it 5 BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 21, 1996 RESOLVED, That Paige Rumsey and Joanne Phillips be allowed to continue to work reduced hours, and be it further RESOLVED, That the 1996 Water and Sewer Personnel Roster be temporarily amended by reducing the full-time positions of Account Clerk/Stenographer and Prinicipal Account Clerk from 35 hours per week to 32 and 20 hours per week respectively, through December 31, 1996, and be it further i RESOLVED, That the temporary Account Clerk/Typist position continue to be established for up to 24 hours per week through December 31, 1996. The motion passed 4-0 . B. City Recycling Meeting Supt. of Public Works Gray stated that a City/County recycling meeting has been scheduled for March 19th. A discussion and report will be made at next month' s B & A meeting. No action was taken. 8 . Planning Department - Request to Appropriate Capital Reserve Funds for Parking Study Planning Director VanCort presented a request to hire a consultant to perform a parking study with parking data of the neighborhood surrounding Cornell University. VanCort stated the primary purpose of the study is to determine Cornell University' s parking needs and to establish the parking requirements for the proposed U-1 zone. He explained that the study will also identify the influence of Cornell University parking activities on city streets. VanCort added that the intent of the study is to assist the City with future parking needs. VanCort stated that Cornell University will split the cost with the City to perform the study. VanCort stated that the department received proposals for the study and selected Travers Associates because of their price and involvement with a parking study in Collegetown in 1961 . Travers suggested two alternatives in collecting the parking data: 1 . Ground study at a cost of $90, 000; 2 . Aerial study at a cost of $62,000 . VanCort explained that both the City Planning Department and Cornell are recommending the aerial study at $62, 000 with the City' s share of the project at $32,000. He 6 r BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 21, 1996 stated that the aerial photos will be done in two flights; one with Cornell University students out of town, and the other with C. U. students in town. VanCort explained the study would include: - Preliminary evaluations - Confirmation of field conditions - Parking surveys by use of aerial photographs - Evaluation of parking needs - Recommendations - Meetings - Summary report A discussion regarding, the study followed. City Controller Cafferillo stated that the funds could be derived from the Capital Reserve related to Parking Areas. The Committee voted, 4-0, to move the $62, 000 Parking Study request forward to the Council COW meeting for discussion. The Committee had additional questions regarding the overall differences between the ground study and the aerial study, which needed to be answered at the COW meeting. 9 . City Attorney A. Request Funds for Cost of Litigation Transcript Assistant City Attorney Kennedy presented a request to fund $436 for transcripts needed relating to a City litigation. Kennedy stated that the Attorney' s office had to produce transcripts of meetings of the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission and Planning Board in — connection with the Heritage Coalition litigation. Kennedy explained that she did not have the funds available in her budget. The funds are recommended to be derived from the contingency account. After a brief discussion, the following motion was made: WHEREAS, the City Attorney' s Office had to produce transcripts of meetings of the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Planning and Development Board in connection with the Heritage Coalition, et. al. v. City of Ithaca and Cornell University, and WHEREAS, the Court schedule did not allow sufficient time for production of these transcripts by City staff, and WHEREAS, the City Attorney's Office has estimated the cost for the transcripts at $436 .00; now, therefore, be it 7 BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 21, 1996 RESOLVED, That an amount not to exceed $436 . 00 be transferred from Account A1990 Unrestricted Contingency to Account A1420- 435 for the purpose of funding said transcripts . The motion passed 4-0 . B. Request to Approve Offer of Settlement from NYS for Appropriation of City Property by Eminent Domain Assistant City Attorney Kennedy presented a request to approve an offer of settlement from New York State for appropriation of City property by eminent domain. Kennedy stated the property was related to the Meadow Street Arterial Project. She explained that the Department of Transportation has informed the City it will acquire two additional parcels, #57 and #74, relating to the Meadow Street Arterial Project. The State has offered $37,800 for the two parcels, with amounts based on current appraisals. Kennedy stated that New York State can purchase the land pursuant to Section 30 of the Highway Law and Eminent Domain Procedure Law. After a discussion regarding the parcels and the purchase agreement, the following motion was made: WHEREAS, the State of New York in connection with the Meadow Street Arterial Project has, pursuant to Section 30 of the Highway Law and the Eminent Domain Procedure Law, appropriated certain parcels of land owned by the City of Ithaca, including Parcel 57 on Map 42, and Parcel 74 on Map 56 of the Meadow Street Arterial Project, and - WHEREAS, the State of New York has appraised the real estate interest it is appropriating and has made to the City an offer in the amount of $37,000. for the real estate interests, which offer is more particularly set forth in the agreement of adjustment and for advance payment, and WHEREAS, this Council has considered the values of property which is being appropriated by the State of New York, and WHEREAS, this Council has concluded that the offer made by the State of New York is equal to the full value of this property; now, therefore, be it 8 J BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 21, 1996 RESOLVED, That the Mayor, subject to the advice of the City Attorney, is authorized to sign the agreements for advanced payment and such other documents as may be necessary to effectuate the transfer of these properties to the State of New York and secure to the City of Ithaca compensation for these properties. The motion passed 4-0. C. Request to Permit City Attorney to Settle Workers' Compensation Claim Assistant City Attorney Kennedy reported that she had not received the information. on the Workers ' Compensation claim from the City' s Workers ' Compensation insurance carrier. Kennedy suggested the item be placed on the Council COW agenda. The Committee agreed. No formal action was taken. 10 . Committee to Proceed into Executive Session The Committee voted, 4-0, to move into executive session to discuss current contract negotiations. 11 . Report from Executive Session After the Committee voted, 4-0, to move back into regular session, Chairperson Shenk repgrted that the Committee was updated on the current status of contract negotiations. No action was taken. 12 . Finance/Controller A. City/County Sales Tax Agreement City Controller Cafferillo stated that the previous Sales Tax Agreement for the City and County has expired, and a 1996 sales tax agreement is necessary. Cafferillo stated that the previous contract was $825, 000 allocated into Human Services, Transit, and Youth Activity. The total contract agreement represents the City' s share of sales tax, 1/4 of 1%. A discussion regarding the new agreement followed. Cafferillo stated that the 1996 sales tax agreement base amount should be approximately $867, 000 . He explained that the County is still looking to allocate dollar amounts to the following areas: Transit $416,000; Youth Services $210,000; and Human Services agencies and Southside Center $188,000 . 9 i BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 21, 1996 Cafferillo presented the Committee with a current draft of the City/County Sales Tax Agreement. A discussion regarding the contract followed. The Committee voted, 4- 0, to move the sales tax agreement forward to the Council COW meeting for discussion and possible modifications. B. 1997 Budget Process Chairperson Shenk stated that the 1997 Budget process should be changed somewhat to allow the Council to have more time to review the departments ' budgets and requests: Shenk asked B & A members to bring ideas on changing the budget process for 1997 to next month' s B & A meeting. No action was taken. 13 . Committee to Proceed Into Executive Session The Committee voted, 4-0, to move into executive session to discuss various issues related to the parking area on West Buffalo Street. 14. Report from Executive Session After the Committee voted, 4-0, to move back into regular session, Chairperson Shenk stated that the Committee discussed various land and parking lot issues dealing with the parking area on West Buffalo Street. No action was taken. 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. 10