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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-1989-07-27 BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE JULY 27 , 1989 MINUTES PRESENT: Committee Members : Schlather , Hoffman, Killeen Romanowski , Cummings Other Alderpersons Present : Johnson, Peterson, Nichols Others Present : City Controller - Cafferillo Deputy Controller - Thayer City Engineer - Gray Acting Superintendent - Fabbroni Assistant City Attorney - Beers-Schnock Police Chief - McEwen Fire Chief. - Olmstead Personnel Administrator Walker Acting Judge - Sherman City Court Clerk - Srnka Russell Oechsle - Office NYS Court Administration Representatives CSEA Bargaining Units (Morgan, Livingston, Baker) Representatives CSEA Statewide (King , Evans , Quino) Michael White , CSEA Field Representative Representatives CRC/Ithaca Youth Hockey Charles Barber 1 . City Court Renovations G. Russell Oec sle presented updated information and a draft City Court Facilities Plan. Several possible alternatives were dis- cussed , relative to renovating the existing Hall of Justice , or the construction of a new facility. Three possibilities were suggested for inclusion in the facilities plan: A. Construction of an addition to the Hall of Justice which will have the court offices . B. Construction of a new Court Facility. on the site of a current city-owned parking lot . As now proposed, this project would incorporate a Court Facility with a multi-level parking structure . C . Private developer options . Following significant discussion, the plan was recommended to Com- mon Council by a vote of 4-0 . 2 . Second Hockey Rink at Cass Park Andy Sciarabba and representatives of the Ithaca Youth Hockey Association were present to discuss a revised contract proposal for the construction and operation of a new Hockey Facility to be located in Cass Park. Several areas of concern were discussed. -2- JULY 27 , 1989 2 . Second Hockey Rink at Cass Park (continued) such as the percentage of preferred ice-time , operation of a concession stand by Youth Hockey during special events , and a termination clause should construction not start within three years . Many possible alternatives and situations were dis- cussed, with several amendments proposed. Following lengthy discussion, a revised draft was recommended to Common Council for approval by a vote of 4-1 . 3. Evaluation of City-Owned Land Charles Barber provided an update to the Committee . He dis- closed that approximately $600 had been utilized to date , and that the $3 ,000 currently authorized should be sufficient to complete the project . 4 . Privatization Referral from Common Council - Discussion At the July meeting of Common Council , a resolution presented by Ben Nichols relative to establishing a City policy not to privatize City utilities , was referred to the Budget and Administration Committee for review. Representatives of CSEA Administrative and CSEA DPW Unit , as well as the CSEA Field Representative Michael White , and three representatives of CSEA statewide were present to discuss said resolution. Various views on the pros and cons of privatization were voiced by Union Reps and staff, with an amended resolution ultimately being proposed by Chairman Schlather. Subsequent to further discussion, the recommended policy was approved 5-0 , as follows : WHEREAS , the Board of Public Works has on its Committee of the Whole Agenda the subject of "Privitization" of the City' s Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants , and WHEREAS , the device of "Privitization" should not be used to bypass the protections provided to our employees by Civil Services Law, and WHEREAS , whatever problems may exist in the present or future operations of the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants should be dealt with directly, within the framework of the City's con- tinued direct control and operation, and if at all possible , now therefore , be it RESOLVED, it is hereby established as the policy of the City of Ithaca that its Wastewater and Water Treatment Plants will not be turned over in their entirety to private operation, and be it further -3= JULY 27 , 1989 RESOLVED, that the foregoing does not preclude the Board of Public Works from investigating management alternatives for the operation of discreet and specialized aspects of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Water Filtration Plant operation consistant with the foregoing policy and contractual obligations . 5 . Section 18 Mass Transit Aid A resolution adopted by the Board of Public Works was presented for consideration. Pursuant to Section 18 of the Urban Mass Transporta- tion Act of 1964 , operating assistance funds are provided for bus services with the City of Ithaca. A motion to authorize the Mayor to sign necessary agreements between the City and the State of New York was approved 5-0 . 6 . Youth Bureau Arbitration Controller presented a memorandum from City Engineer Gray relative to the recently concluded arbitration proceedings . Chairman Schlather wanted all members to be aware of the results , and suggested that any questions relative to the arbitration award be transmitted to Bill Gray for comment . Discussion following with no formal action being taken. 7 . Day Care at Markles Flats Alderperson Carolyn Peterson presented a memorandum from the Human Services Committee expressing their feelings on exploring the option of providing day care in the Markles Flats building. The Human Services Committee felt that it would be useful to engage an archi- tect to examine the Markles Flats building for licenseable day care . Following discussion, an amount not to exceed $3,500 was appropriated from Capital Reserve #25 , contingent upon future action to be taken by the Board of Education at their August 15 meeting . A further resolved was added, directing the Planning Department to conduct a selection process to determine the architect . Said action was approved 5-0 . 8 . Executive Session A. Police Department Personnel Following an executive session, Chairman Schlather disclosed that a request to hire Gary Bordoni as the Parking Enforcement Officer within the Department was approved, at an annual salary of $13 ,619 (Step 3 on Grade 7 of the CSEA Administrative Compen- sation Plan) , effective August 7 , 1989 . , 1 -4- JULY 27 , 1989 9 . Request to Hire Personnel Associate Personnel Administrator Walker presented a request to hire Christa Carsello as Personnel Associate at an annual salary of $25 ,000 , effective August 14, 1989 . Following discussion, the request was approved by a 5-0 vote of the Committee. 10 . Results of RFP Process to Select a Labor Negotiator Personnel Adminstrator Walker explained the results of the selection process to determine a Labor Negotiator to represent the City in impending negotiations . Following an evaluation of various submis- sions , a motion was made , recommending James Dennis to represent the City as Labor Negotiator for the upcoming Fire Fighters Unit and CSEA Administrative Unit negotiations . Both contracts expire December 31 , 1989 . The recommended contract amounts were proposed at $3 ,500 and $3 ,000 respectively. Action was approved 5-0 . 11 . Personnel Department - Transfer of Funds Val Walker requested that the Authorized Equipment List of the Personnel Department be amended by the addition of three filing cabinets . Funding of said purchase would be effected by trans- fering $482 . 00 from Line A 1430-425 , Office Expense , to A 1430-2102 Office Equipment , coupled with funds currently available within the A 1430-205 Line . Said request was approved 5-0 . 12 . Dental Program for Executive Association T e City Executive Unit had requested involvement in the City' s Dental Program at their own expense , in view of the fact that such benefit had not been negotiated as a part of the existing bargain- ing agreement . At the July meeting of the Labor Management Health Committee, a resolution recommending the extension of this benefit , at the expense of Executive Unit Members , was approved. Following discussion, said resolution was approved 5-0 . 13 . Wellness Program - Annual Physical Exams A recommendation from the Labor Management Health Committee was presented by Val Walker, relative to the Provision of Physical Exams to employees and their spouses between the ages of 35 and above . Current contracts provide for active employees 50 and over . The estimated cost of the Program would be $33 ,650 per year . Fol- lowing discussion, further action was deferred to budget deliber- ations . . ~ -5- JULY 27 , 1989 14 . Mayor and Council Salaries A discussion relative to increasing the salaries of the Mayor and members of Common Council was instituted by Alderperson . Hoffman. Subsequent to discussion, said item was tabled until the August meeting . 15 . Fire Department Request to Release Funds for Hazardous Materials Chief Olmstead presented a request for $7 ,500 from Restricted Contingency account to fund a contract with Ecology and Environ- ment , Inc . of Buffalo for professional services . Following discussion, the Committee tabled the request pending presenta- tion of additional information. No action taken.