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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-1992-11-17 - Budget Meeting BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE BUDGET MEETING 7 : 30 P.M. NOVEMBER 17, 1992 MINUTES PRESENT: COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Booth, Daley COMMITTEE MEMBERS EXCUSED: Romanowski, Johnson, Berg OTHER ALDERPERSONS PRESENT: Blanchard, Schroeder, Efroymson, Golder (late) , Hoffman (late) OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor - Nichols City Controller - Cafferillo Deputy Controller - Thayer Building Commissioner - Eckstrom Director of Planning & Development - Van Cort INHS Executive Director - Mazzarella Members of the Media 1 . Opening Comments Chairperson Booth asked if any members of the public wanted to speak. The following individual spoke: A. Terry Pascal - A City taxpayer, was concerned over the sales tax revenue situation. He questioned that because the sales tax increase is in effect for one year, what will the City do in 1994 to replace the extra revenue generated by the 1% increase in sales tax. Mayor Nichols responded by stating that he understands the County will be applying for a continued increase in the sales tax past December 1993. City Controller Cafferillo stated that the City currently has a contingency plan that would help defray some of the loss in revenue if the 1% sales tax increase was not continued. 2 . Building Department The Mayor recommended a 1993 Building Department Budget in the amount of $428, 122 . Building Commissioner Eckstrom stated that he did not have any requests as to the Budget that the Mayor recommended. However, Eckstrom explained that the 1993 Budget has some changes from 1992 that the Committee should be made aware of: A. The Budget includes a 1/2 time position Account Clerk Typist B. The Budget includes a second Deputy Building Commissioner C. The Budget includes an increase in the telephone B&A BUDGET MEETING MINUTES - 11/17/92 account to cover the use of four cellular phones to be used by inspectors Eckstrom stated that he has made some organizational changes to the department to improve the departments image and performance. He presented an organizational chart to the Committee. He stated that he has made some job duty changes among his employees . Eckstrom explained that the budget proposal includes the filling of a half-time position Account Clerk Typist. He stated that this position was a key position in maintaining the Building Department records. It was noted that the position was not funded in 1992 and has been vacant since 1991 . Eckstrom stated, currently, the staff is performing much of the filing. He also explained that he has done a file maintenance study in which he showed that the Account Clerk Typist position would save the department $1,800. A discussion on the possibility of sharing the half time Account Clerk Typist position with the Attorney' s office followed. Mayor Nichols stated that the 1993 Budget only includes two new positions; one half time position in the Building Department and one half time position in the Attorney' s office. The Court Facility has a position and one-half included in its budget but these positions are not new, they have been reallocated from within DPW. Mayor Nichols summarized the current report issued by the Building Department Advisory Board. He stated that the report found that the Building Department is moving in the right direction to implement procedures to improve the Department ' s image with the Community. Eckstrom stated that the Building Department Budget reflects the creation of a second Deputy Building Commissioner position and this position will be filled by a promotion of a current Plan Review Officer. The funding to accomplish this new position and the half time Account Clerk position is derived by: A Housing Inspector retired in 1992 and that position was funded at $30, 000 . In 1993 the Housing Inspector position will be funded as a half time position at a salary of $15, 000 to be filled during 1993 . The remaining portion of the funding for this position will be used to promote a current Plan Review Officer to the second Deputy Building Commissioner position in 1993 and fund a half time Account Clerk position in 1993 . 2 B&A BUDGET MEETING MINUTES - 11/17/92 Also, the Plan Review Officer position that became vacant in 1992, will remain vacant and unfunded in 1993 . The Mayor stated that the half time Housing Inspector position might be partially used in some type of tenant relationship capacity. The Committee agreed that if the duties of the half time Housing Inspector are changed that it must come back to Council for discussion. A discussion of telephones followed. Eckstrom noted that his 1993 Budget has $3,000 additional funds for cellular telephone service for the Department. He explained that he plans on purchasing four cellular telephones, from Fire and Building Code funds, and expects to use those phones in 1993 for an approximate cost of $3,000. Eckstrom explained the advantages of using the cellular telephones for the Building Department, which are as follows : A. Cellular Telephones are more flexible than radios B. Increase the efficiency of Building and Housing Inspectors time and communication C. Increase in revenue to City - through certificates issued City Controller Cafferillo stated that he was against the purchase of these telephones because of the cost, the possibility of additional cellular telephone requests and the fact that radios are cheaper. Alderperson Blanchard suggested that the Building Department look into the use of the extra radios from the Transit Facility. A discussion on the usage of the cellular telephones followed. It was noted that the rates for cellular telephones range from 35 - 40 cents per minute. Eckstrom stated that he has estimated that the telephones would be used 560 minutes a month. A discussion on the Department' s staff development funds followed. Eckstrom explained that the $3, 000 in funds for the staff development line are needed for various educational seminars . A discussion on elevator inspections followed. Eckstrom stated that his staff currently inspects new elevators only. The Committee felt that the elevator inspections should be examined by the department. After a brief discussion, the following motion was made: 3 B&A BUDGET MEETING MINUTES - 11/17/92 RESOLVED, that the Building Department' s 1993 Budget be approved as recommended by the Mayor with a deletion of $3,000 from the A3620-405 telephone account. Voting results on the motion were as follows: Ayes (2 ) Booth, Blanchard Nays (3) Schroeder, Efroymson, Daley The motion failed 2-3. The following motion was made: RESOLVED, that the 1993 Building Department Budget be approved as recommended in the amount of $428,122. Voting results on the motion were as follows : Ayes (3) Schroeder, Efroymson, Daley Nays (2) Booth, Blanchard The motion passed 3-2 . 3 . Planning and Development The Mayor recommended a 1993 Planning and Development Budget in the amount of $331, 921 . Planning Director Van Cort explained that his budget is the same amount as last year except for salary increases . He stated that the following items were not in the budget: A. Printing costs for the Urban Design Study in an amount of $6, 000 . B. A comprehensive work plan with a cost of $250,000. C. A data gathering process for the GIS System - software and hardware needed in the amount of $10, 000 . A discussion followed on the printing costs of the Urban Design Study. Van Cort stated that he is seeking funding for the printing costs through a grant. He explained that less than 2, 000 copies are needed of the study. It was agreed that the printing costs would go to the next P&D committee meeting for discussion. Van Cort stated that the data gathering project would be used to build on the GIS Systems currently being established w in relation to the base mapping project. He explained that the cost of $10, 000 includes hardware and a software program to gather census data with a cost of $4, 000 . 4 B&A BUDGET MEETING MINUTES - 11/17/92 Alderpersons Golder and Hoffman arrived during this discussion. The following motion was made: RESOLVED, that $10,000 be placed in A1990 Restricted Contingency for the purchase of the Data Gathering software and hardware, and be it further RESOLVED, that the A28O3 Transfer from Capital Projects Revenue account be increased by $10,000 for the purchase of the Data Gathering software and hardware, and be it further RESOLVED, that the funds be derived from Capital Project #207 Westend Development $5,000, and #208 Southwest Park Development, $5,000. The motion passed 7-0 . A discussion followed on the Equipment Maintenance account. The following motion was made: RESOLVED, that $1,000 be reduced from A8O20-476. Voting results on the motion were as follows : Ayes (5) Booth, Golder, Efroymson, Hoffman, Daley Nays (2) Blanchard, Schroeder The motion passed 5-2 . Further discussions on the department' s accounts followed. Van Cort stated that he did not agree with the reduction of the $1, 000 to the maintenance account. He stated the money is all accounted for by various office equipment maintenance accounts . After a brief discussion, the following motion was made: RESOLVED, that $1,000 be restored to the A802O-476 account. Voting results on the motion were as follows : Ayes (4) Booth, Schroeder, Blanchard, Daley Nays (3) Hoffman, Golder, Efroymson The motion passed 4-3. The following motion was made: RESOLVED, that the 1993 Planning Department budget be approved as recommended in the amount of $331,921. The motion passed 7-0 . 5 B&A BUDGET MEETING MINUTES - 11/17/92 4 . I .N.H.S. The Mayor recommended an INHS Budget in the amount of $83,000 . It was noted that the Budget has remained the same for three years . INHS Director Mazzarella explained that he requested $95, 000, but that he understood the current financial situation of the City and would be happy with $83,000. The following motion was made: RESOLVED, that the 1993 INHS Budget be approved as recommended in the amount of $83,000. The motion passed 7-0. 5 . Revenues The Mayor recommended a total General Fund Revenue Budget in the amount of $23,586,499, including property tax. The Committee agreed to discuss the revenue items separately. Parking revenue for 1993 was discussed. It was noted that the Mayor recommended $645,000 for Parking Lots and Garages and $340, 000 for Metered Parking Revenue. City Controller Cafferillo explained that the 1992 revenues for parking lots and garages will come in well below the 1992 estimated budget. He stated that meter revenue will be slightly higher than what was projected for 1992 . He stated that the revenue in the lots and garages was down mainly due to the closing of the Green Street Ramp from June 15 to August 20. Mayor Nichols explained that he increased the 1993 parking lot and garage revenue estimated by $11,200 over 1992 because he is proposing the following increased rates for 1993 : CURRENT 1993 RATE RATE Woolworth Lot, Seneca St, Green St. Ramps . 30/hr. .40/hr. Dryden Rd. Garage . 60/hr. . 60/hr. Permits : Seneca St. Ramp lower level $36/mo. $40/mo. upper level $22/mo. $25/mo. 6 B&A BUDGET MEETING MINUTES - 11/17/92 Green St. Ramp lower level n/s n/s upper level $22/mo. $25/mo. Dryden Rd. Ramp Day $50/mo. $55/mo. Night $40/mo. $45/mo. W. State St. $22/mo. $25/mo. Alderperson Daley was against increasing the lot rates. He explained that it will continue to drive customers out of downtown. He stated that he would be in favor of increasing the meter rates by reducing the amount of time that $ .25 would allow (i.e. , current $ .25 gives half hour, new time would be $ .25 gives 15 minutes) . He stated that individuals would pay the extra cost if they could park right next to the store they were going to shop in. Also, it would potentially free up metered parking spaces. Mayor Nichols stated he was against increasing the meter rates . A discussion on placing meters on Thurston Avenue followed. After a discussion on parking, the consensus of the Committee was that BPW could look at which way they wanted to increase rates, but that the revenue had to be raised and the change should go into effect January 1993 . Mayor Nichols discussed with the Committee his current research on the sales tax growth for the City and the County as a whole. He explained that sales tax is flat in the County as well as the City. No formal motions were made on parking revenue, however, these items will be brought up again during the budget discussions . The Committee discussed each particular revenue that they had a question on. Account A1170 Franchises was discussed. The Mayor recommended a $15, 000 increase due to the increase in the ACC Franchise fee. No changes were made. Account A1560 Safety Inspection fees was discussed. City Controller Cafferillo explained that the Building Commissioner estimated the receipts from this fee for 1993 . The Building Commissioner felt that Building Department activity was increased over the past few months and fees will begin to increase. No changes were made. Account A1750 Bus Operations was discussed. The Mayor recommended a $25, 000 increase in revenue. This represents an increase in the operating subsidy for Transit. No changes were made. 7 B&A BUDGET MEETING MINUTES - 11/17/92 Account A2070 Contributions for Youth was discussed. It was noted that the Mayor recommended a $11, 365 decrease in revenue. These revenues are estimated by the Youth Bureau and represent revenue from United Way, Cornell Traditions and Sponsor' s fees . It was noted that the decrease in revenue results from an estimated decrease in the United Way revenue for GIAC. Account A2001 Park and Recreation charges was discussed. Cafferillo explained that 1992 estimated program receipts for this account will be $183,000, however, the Mayor recommended only $171, 300 in revenues for 1993. Cafferillo stated that he would ask the Youth Bureau if some of the 1992 revenue is only for one year. The Committee made no change. Account A2262 Fire Protection Services was discussed. The Mayor recommended a $114,092 increase in this account. Cafferillo stated that this account represents the Town of Ithaca Fire Contract and the increase relates to increases in Debt service. No changes were made. Account A2350 Youth Services was discussed. The Mayor recommended a $79,435 decrease in revenue for this account. Cafferillo stated that this reflects a decrease in the Town of Ithaca' s share of Youth Services for 1993 . He explained that the decrease reflects the decrease in the 1992 Youth Bureau Budget. Account A2401 Interest was discussed. The mayor recommended a $30, 000 decrease in interest revenue for 1993. Cafferillo stated that the interest rates have dropped to 2 .7% which results in less revenue. No changes were made. Account A2610 Fines and Bail was discussed. The mayor recommended a $50, 000 increase in this account. Cafferillo stated that the City expects an increase in revenue from Fines due to the implementation of the hand held computer activity. No changes were made. Account A2560 Street Opening Permits was discussed. Alderperson Hoffman wants to be sure that when a contractor opens a street to do work that the street is replaced in good shape. He stated he would like the BPW to look into the street permit procedures . No changes were made. Chairperson Booth stated that all questions regarding DPW activity will be put into a memo and sent to the Board. Account A2805 Transfer from Solid Waste Fund was discussed. Cafferillo explained that the Solid Waste Fund cannot pay its obligation to the General Fund for 1992 and will be set 8 B&A BUDGET MEETING MINUTES - 11/17/92 up as a payable to the General Fund. The 1993 Transfer has been established at $108, 374 which represents a portion of employees time devoted to the Solid Waste Fund. No changes were made. Accounts A2660 Sale of Property, A2705 Donations, A2706 Contribution to Low and Moderate Housing, and A2803 Transfer from Capital Fund were discussed, no changes were made. State Aid Revenue was discussed. The Mayor recommended $1, 353, 320 in the 1993 budget for Per Capita State Aid. This amount represents no increase from 1992 . Cafferillo stated that they are in constant contact with New York State and to this point there is no indication that State Aid will be reduced for 1993 . This will be monitored. No changes were made. Account A1101 Sales Tax Revenue was discussed. The Mayor recommended a 1993 revenue amount of $6, 182,327 . The 1992 budgeted sales tax revenue amount was $5, 743,230. Cafferillo explained that we are expecting only to receive $5,590, 075 in 1992 from sales tax. The budgeted increase represents a 7 . 6% increase. Cafferillo stated that we are $240,000 behind the prior year sales tax receipts . This is due to a large negative adjustment received in 1992 and the the flat economy in New York State. Cafferillo also stated that New York State recommends that audited receipts be used to reflect all adjustments in the proper quarters. He explained that if audited receipts are used, the City sales tax revenue shows the following: In 1990 the City showed a 4 . 1% increase in sales tax revenue from 1989 . In 1991 the City showed a 4 .2% increase in sales tax revenue from 1990. - In 1992 the City showed a . 8% decrease in sales tax revenue from 1991 . Cafferillo noted that these audited receipts reflect the State' s depressed economy. A discussion on the sales tax followed. Some of the Committee felt that the revenue projection for sales tax is too high. Cafferillo stated that it is not unrealistic. Some members of the Committee wanted to be more conservative on the sales tax revenue. 9 B&A BUDGET MEETING MINUTES - 11/17/92 A discussion on the property tax rate followed. It was noted that a 1% increase in the property tax rate is equal to $70, 000 . The following motion was made: RESOLVED, that $70,000 be deleted from Account A1101 Sales Tax to reflect a more conservative estimate in sales tax revenue for 1993. It was noted that if this passed it would increase property tax by 1%. After a discussion, the voting results on the motion were as follows: Ayes (3) Efroymson, Hoffman, Blanchard Nays (2) Booth, Daley The motion passed 3-2 . Alderperson Schroeder was excused from the meeting during the sales tax discussion. The meeting adjourned at 11 :45 P.M. 10 REVENUES Mayor's Recommendation: $23,586,499 Reduce A1101 Sales E Use Tax to reflect decrease in budget estimate for Sales Tax: ($ 70,000) Increase A2803 Transfer from Capital Fund for Planning & Development Restricted Contingency Item $ 10,000 Mayor's Adjusted Revenues as of Conclusion of 11/17/92 BEA/COW Meeting $23,526,499 Net decrease in Revenues from 11/17/92 meeting: ($ 60,000) Combined Net Increase in Mayor's Budget After the 11/5/, 11/11 and 11/17/92 meetings (Revenues and Appropriations) $ 83,067 APPROPRIATIONS Mayor's Recommendation: $23,733,364 Net increase in Mayor's Budget through 11/11/92 $ 13,067 Balance Mayor's Recommendation Prior to Budget Meeting 11/17/92 $23,746,431 Action Taken during meeting of 11/17/92: Restricted Contingency Increase A1990 Restricted Contingency to reflect the Planning E Development Data gathering Project for GIS System to be derived from Capital Project #207 and #208, $5,000 each $ 10,000 Mayor's Adjusted Recommendation as of Conclusion of 11/17/92 B8A/COW Meeting $23,756,431 Net Overall Increase in Mayor's Appropriation from 11/17/92 Meeting $ 10,000 Combined Net Increase in Mayor's Appropriations after the 11/5, 11/11 and 11/17/92 meetings $ 23,067 11 .