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Home My WebLink AboutMN-CC-2023-10-04COMMON COUNCIL Voting Record Date: Wednesday, October 4th 2023 Location: City Hall, 108 E. Green Street 3rd Floor, Council Chambers Meeting Called to order: 6:00 P.M. Meeting Adjourned: 9:55 P.M. YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfqgEFuSZA0&list=PLfplo_VA57eoynrqxkGvi11vxHlwByjZw&index=1 YouTube Link Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfFCryZbg_Y&list=PLfplo_VA57eoynrqxkGvi11vxHlwByjZw&index=2 Budget Presentation: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFnCMMzqRE/hgmJYhdbrRcdVj9gjS0VjA/view?utm_content=DAFnCMMzqRE& utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink Attendance Record of Voting Members Name Present (In Person) Remote Absent / Excused Mayor – Laura Lewis X 1st Ward – Cynthia Brock X 1st Ward – George McGonigal X 2nd Ward – Phoebe Brown X 2nd Ward - Ducson Nguyen X 3rd Ward- Donna Fleming X 3rd Ward – Rob Gearhart X 4th Ward – Jorge DeFendini X 4th Ward - Tiffany Kumar X 5th Ward – Robert Cantelmo X 5th Ward - Kris Haines-Sharp X Total voting members for this meeting 7 Agenda Item 1. Call to Order YouTube Timestamp: 0:20 Discussion Summary: Mayor Lewis acknowledged October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month; Council Members Brown, Kumar, and Fleming will not be in attendance this evening, leaving 7 voting Council Members. 1.1. Agenda Review YouTube Timestamp: 0:58 Discussion Summary: No changes to the Agenda 1.2. Reports of Municipal Officials YouTube Timestamp: 1:05 Discussion Summary: Reports given by Town Representative Rich DePaolo and County Representative Veronica Pillar 1.3. Proclamations and Awards- No Awards/Proclamations presented. 1.4. Review and Approval of Minutes YouTube Timestamp: 17:26 Moved By: Alderperson Cantelmo Seconded By: Alderperson Nguyen Discussion Summary: Review of the September 6th 2023 Common Council Meeting Minutes. Alderperson DeFendini stepped away and was absent from the vote. Vote Passed: 6-0 Member All In Favor Oppose Abstain Cynthia Brock X George McGonigal X Phoebe Brown Absent Ducson Nguyen X Donna Fleming Absent Rob Gearhart X Jorge DeFendini Absent Tiffany Kumar Absent Robert Cantelmo X Kris Haines-Sharp X Agenda Item 2. Petitions and Hearings of Persons Before Council 2.1. Public Comments YouTube Timestamp: 17:57 Discussion Summary: Due to the number of speakers, time allotted for comments have been decreased to 2 minutes. Members from the Public commented on the Following Topics Cornell MOU: Kathleen Minnix, Jane Glaubman, Ruth Yarrow, Neil Schwartzbach, Nevin Sabet, Theresa Alt, Faye Gougakis, Valerie Foster Githinji, Stephanie Vonderlin, James Smith, Marsden Cornish, Risa Lieberwitz, Barbara Regenspan, Margherita Fabrizio, Aurora Rojer, Adam Bryant, Carolyn Headlam, Ian Schlom., Deirdre Silverman, Ian Greer, Margaret Foster; Adil Griguihi- Crimes in the Commons, Nathan Sitaraman- Budget, Deirdre Kurzweil-Crimes in the Commons, Dana Potenza-Safety, Zach Winn- City of Ithaca, Jordan Clemons- Unbroken Promise Initiative Release of 2023 Funds, 2.2. Privilege Of The Floor: Response from Council and Mayor YouTube Timestamp: 1:21:51 Discussion Summary: Council responded to the Public’s concerns and thanked the public for coming out to speak on Budget and Cornel MOU; thanked those who are organizers and liaisons who organize on behalf of community and who have communicated with Cornell; Council will do all they can to make sure the City Services residents need are provided as well as minimize any negative fiscal impact to the community at large; Council talked to the public about encampments, pointing out that a draft policy on how the city will administer the enforcement of the prohibition of camping on city property will be brought to the next PEDC Meeting, all are invited to attend. Agenda Item 3. Executive Session- Labor Negotiations YouTube Timestamp: 1:39:41 Moved By: Alderperson Cantelmo Seconded By: Alderperson Gearhart Discussion Summary: Motion to Enter into Executive Session to Discuss Labor Negotiations Contracts. Alderperson DeFendini returned to Council and is present for vote. Vote Passed: 7-0 Member All In Favor Oppose Abstain Cynthia Brock X George McGonigal X Phoebe Brown Absent Ducson Nguyen X Donna Fleming Absent Rob Gearhart X Jorge DeFendini X Tiffany Kumar Absent Robert Cantelmo X Kris Haines-Sharp X Exit Executive Session YouTube Timestamp: 2:33:57 Discussion Summary: Council reconvened with no formal action taken. Voted on 2 Resolutions; (1) Approval and Authorization to Execute the EXECUTIVE ASSOCIATION CONTRACT and (2) Approval and Authorization to Execute the POLICE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION CONTRACT Resolution 1- Approval and Authorization to Execute the EXECUTIVE ASSOCIATION CONTRACT YouTube Timestamp: 2:35:47 Moved By: Alderperson Cantelmo Seconded By: Alderperson Brock Vote Passed: 7-0 Member All In Favor Oppose Abstain Cynthia Brock X George McGonigal X Phoebe Brown Absent Ducson Nguyen X Donna Fleming Absent Rob Gearhart X Jorge DeFendini X Tiffany Kumar Absent Robert Cantelmo X Kris Haines-Sharp X Resolution- Approval and Authorization to Execute the EXECUTIVE ASSOCIATION CONTRACT Resolved, that Common Council approves the agreement between the City of Ithaca and the City Executive Association for a four (4) year term commencing January 1, 2022, and expiring December 31, 2025 and, be it further Resolved, that the Mayor is authorized to fully execute the agreement on behalf of the City. Carried Unanimously 7-0 Resolution 2- Approval and Authorization to Execute the POLICE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION CONTRACT YouTube Timestamp: 2:36:22 Moved by: Alderperson Cantelmo Seconded By: Alderperson Brock Vote Passed: 7-0 Member All In Favor Oppose Abstain Cynthia Brock X George McGonigal X Phoebe Brown Absent Ducson Nguyen X Donna Fleming Absent Rob Gearhart X Jorge DeFendini X Tiffany Kumar Absent Robert Cantelmo X Kris Haines-Sharp X Resolution: Approval and Authorization to Execute the POLICE BENEVOLEN ASSOCIATION CONTRACT Resolved, that Common Council Approves the agreement between the City of Ithaca and the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) for a three (3) year term commencing January 1, 2024, and expiring December 31,2026 Resolved, that the Mayor is authorized to fully execute the agreement on behalf of the City. Carried Unanimously: 7-0 Agenda Item 4. Presentation of the Budget YouTube Timestamp: 2:37:42 Discussion Summary: Slide show presentation Agenda Item 5. Consent Agenda 5.1-5.5 YouTube Timestamp: No Audio due to Technical Difficulty Moved By: Alderperson Cantelmo Seconded By: Alderperson Haines-Sharp Discussion Summary: No Discussion Vote Passed: 7-0 Member All In Favor Oppose Abstain Cynthia Brock X George McGonigal X Phoebe Brown Absent Ducson Nguyen X Donna Fleming Absent Rob Gearhart X Jorge DeFendini X Tiffany Kumar Absent Robert Cantelmo X Kris Haines-Sharp X 5.1 REQUEST TO AMEND 2023 PERSONNEL ROSTER OF THE GREATER ITHACA ACTIVITIES CENTER (GIAC) WHEREAS, GIAC has one funded 35-hour roster Executive Assistant position, and WHEREAS, as part of the personnel reductions during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, GIAC Administration reduced the hours of this position to 35 hours per week, and WHEREAS, this position not only supports the work of the GIAC Director but also the Deputy GIAC Directors and indeed the entire agency, and WHEREAS, restoring this position to 40 hours a week is crucial to the workload for this position as we often have to cover overtime hours for it now, and WHEREAS, GIAC’s 2023 budget as approved has funding to support these additional hours, and WHEREAS, no additional funds are being requested for this position, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Personnel Roster of GIAC shall be amended as follows: Increase – one (1) GIAC Executive Assistant Position from 35 hours to 40 hours a week And be it further, RESOLVED, that said roster amendment will be made within the existing funds of the 2023 authorized GIAC budget. Carried Unanimously 7-0 5.2 Amendment to Personnel Roster – Ithaca Police Department- Crime Analyst WHEREAS, the Ithaca Police Department does not have a Crime Analyst, and WHEREAS, currently police officers, investigators, and police supervisors are often tasked with trying to gather, interpret, analyze, then disseminate data for an investigation or the public, and WHEREAS, the aforementioned process significantly decreases the overall efficiency of the Ithaca Police Department, and WHEREAS, the nearest Crime Analyst Center is in Binghamton, and the analyst there are not able to continually provide data specific to the City of Ithaca, and WHEREAS, the Ithaca Police Department would like to use data, and better data when deciding on deployment of resources, and WHEREAS, the Ithaca Police Department values transparency and would like to have an increased ability to provide our community better information, data and statistics, WHEREAS, the 2023 Ithaca Police Department Budget includes funding for a Crime Analyst; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Personnel Roster of the Ithaca Police Department be amended as follows: Add: One (1) Crime Analyst (40 hours/week) and be it further RESOLVED, that the position of Crime Analyst shall be assigned to the CSEA Administrative Unit Compensation Plan at salary grade 12, and be it further RESOLVED, that for the sole purpose of determining days worked reportable to the New York State and Local Employees Retirement System the standard workday for this position shall be established at eight (8) hours per day (forty (40) hours per week), and be it further RESOLVED, that funding for this position shall be derived from the approved 2023 departmental budget Carried Unanimously 7-0 5.3 Amendment to Personnel Roster IPD- Deputy Chief WHEREAS, due to staffing availability at the leadership level in the Ithaca Police Department, and WHEREAS, it is desirable to have more stability by adding a new Deputy Police Chief to minimize the temporary restructuring, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the personnel roster of the Ithaca Police Department be amended as follows: Fund: an additional Deputy Police Chief position and be it further RESOLVED, that once there is a Deputy Police Chief vacancy the personnel roster of the Ithaca Police Department shall be automatically reduced from three (3) Deputy Police Chiefs to two (2) Deputy Police Chiefs, and be it further RESOLVED, that the above change shall be funded from within the 2023 allocated budget of the Ithaca Police Department Carried Unanimously 7-0 5.4 Proposal for the City of Ithaca to designate new parking on the 400 block of Oak Avenue as Residential Permit Parking WHEREAS, Chapter 260 of the Municipal Code of the City of Ithaca addresses the Residential Parking Permit System; and WHEREAS, Parking by residential parking is allowed only within the “residential parking permit zone” (excluding streets within Cornell campus), with the boundaries as defined in 260-2, “Residential Parking Permit Zone”; and WHEREAS, according to the Municipal Code section 260-3, the Board of Public Works designates the residential permit parking areas, and in the absence of BPW meetings, Engineering is bringing this issue to Common Council for discussion and resolution; and WHEREAS, The City of Ithaca is currently reconstructing the 400 block of Oak Ave., and the new street configuration creates seven new on-street parking spaces where there were none; and WHEREAS, The entirety of Oak Ave. is within the Residential Parking Permit Zone, and the 100-300 blocks of Oak Ave., as well as neighboring streets, are designated for residential permit parking, and the City wishes to match the existing regulations on Oak Ave. for the newly created parking spaces on the 400 block of Oak Ave.; then be it RESOLVED, that Common Council hereby agrees that the City of Ithaca may designate the 400 block of Oak Ave. as a Residential Parking Permit block. Carried Unanimously 7-0 5.5 Authorize Execution of Easement Relating to Hydropower Penstock Infrastructure Located Beneath Fall Creek Drive and Thurston Avenue WHEREAS, on March 28, 1903, the City of Ithaca acquired certain land for the purposes of constructing and maintaining public streets, including the land on which the present-day Fall Creek Drive is located, and the City further holds a right-of-way over certain land on which Thurston Avenue is located (collectively, the “Property”), and WHEREAS, at the time of the City’s acquisition of the Property, certain infrastructure relating to the operation of the hydroelectric power facility located in Fall Creek gorge (“Penstock”) was already present beneath the Property, and WHEREAS, the Penstock is owned and maintained by Cornell University, and WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Ithaca wishes to formalize the existing arrangement regarding the Penstock and the Property between the City and Cornell University and to clarify its terms through a written easement agreement; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Mayor, in consultation with the City Attorney, is hereby authorized to execute an easement in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto and any such further documents as may be necessary to effectuate the transfer of the easement. Carried Unanimously 7-0 YouTube Link- Part 2- 10-4-2023 Common Council Meeting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfFCryZbg_Y&list=PLfplo_VA57eoynrqxkGvi11vxHlwByjZw&index=1 Agenda Item 6: City Administration Committee 6.1. Amendment to Personnel Roster Assistant- Assistant Fire Chief YouTube Time Stamp: 0:23 Moved By: Alderperson Cantelmo Seconded By: Alderperson DeFendini Discussion Summary: Alderperson Haines-Sharp Recused self from discussion and vote due to conflict of interest. Alderperson Cantelmo gave a summary of the Resolution and read the Resolves. Vote Passed: 6-0 Member All In Favor Oppose Abstain Cynthia Brock X George McGonigal X Phoebe Brown Absent Ducson Nguyen X Donna Fleming Absent Rob Gearhart X Jorge DeFendini X Tiffany Kumar Absent Robert Cantelmo X Kris Haines-Sharp RECUSED Amendment to Personnel Roster – Fire – Assistant Fire Chief WHEREAS, the Ithaca Fire Department currently has one Assistant Fire Chief who holds the title of Fire Marshall and handles all administrative functions and special acceptance testing in the Fire Prevention Bureau; and WHEREAS, the person who currently holds this position has indicated her intent to retire in the first quarter of 2024; and WHEREAS, the department and the community would benefit from onboarding a new Fire Marshall for transition training prior to the pending retirement; and WHEREAS, the department has funded but unfilled Firefighter positions ; now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the personnel roster of the Ithaca Fire Department be amended as follows, effective January 1, 2024: Add one (1) Assistant Fire Chief And be it further RESOLVED, that the seventh Assistant Fire Chief position will remain funded through the transition period, and be it further RESOLVED, that upon full completion of the transition and retirement of the current Fire Marshall, the seventh Assistant Fire Chief position shall be eliminated, and be it further RESOLVED, that the above changes be funded using funds in the 2024 IFD budget, derived from current vacant funded position in account A3410 5110 12100. Carried Unanimously 6-0 (Haines-Sharp) Recused 6.2 City Controller’s Report YouTube Time Stamp: 1:41 Report: No Report tonight. Will be talking about the Budget in detail at upcoming Budget Meetings, council was asked to bring their questions there; Budget Documents will go out tomorrow morning, Hard copies will be distributed to Council. Agenda Item 7. Planning and Economic Development- No Items Submitted Agenda Item 8. New Business 8.1 A Local Law entitled “Amendment of City Charter to Specify the Duties, Authority and Appointment and Removal Procedure of City Manager.” YouTube Timestamp: 3:17 Moved By: Alderperson Cantelmo Seconded By: Alderperson DeFendini Discussion Summary: Final Vote from Council. Requires Roll Call Vote Passed: 7-0 Member All In Favor Oppose Abstain Cynthia Brock X George McGonigal X Phoebe Brown Absent Ducson Nguyen X Donna Fleming Absent Rob Gearhart X Jorge DeFendini X Tiffany Kumar Absent Robert Cantelmo X Kris Haines-Sharp X A local law entitled “Amendment of City Charter to Specify the Duties, Authority, and Appointment and Removal Procedures of the City Manager.” WHEREAS, on November 3, 2021, the Common Council passed Local Law No. 2022 - 07, which amended Section C-5 of the Ithaca City Charter to, among other things, add Section C.5(C)(6), which states, “The City Manager is an officer appointed by Common Council in accordance with such appointment and removal procedures as the Common Council may promulgate from time to time and serves at the pleasure of the Common Council”; and WHEREAS, on November 8, 2022, the voters of the City overwhelmingly approved, upon referendum, the creation of the position of City Manager and related legislative provisions required to be submitted to referendum to enable the City to reconfigure the duties and authority of the Mayor and engage the services of a City Manager, with such provisions to become operative on January 1, 2024; and WHEREAS, Common Council now desires to specify the duties, authority, and appointment and removal procedures applicable to the City Manager; now therefore Local Law No. 2023-04 BE IT ENACTED by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca as follows: Section 1. Legislative findings, intent, and purpose. The Common Council makes the following findings: 1. The Common Council, by Local Law No. 2022 – 07, created the position of City Manager to enable the City to select and hire a trained, experienced professional in the role of City Manager to be the Chief Executive Officer of the City. 2. The City is in the process of transitioning to the City Manager form of government as specified in Local Law No. 2022 – 07 including, without limitation, conducting a search for the City’s first City Manager to take office effective January 1, 2024. Based upon the above findings, the intent and purpose of this Local Law is to facilitate the search for a City Manager and further define the role of City Manager, to delineate the City Manager’s duties, authority, and the applicable appointment and removal procedures for the position. Section 2. Charter Amendments. This Section 2 adds to the Ithaca City Charter the following Section, to be numbered as Section C- 12 and titled “City Manager,” with all subsequent Sections of the Charter to be renumbered accordingly. § C-12 City Manager A. Selection and Qualifications. (1) The Common Council shall appoint a City Manager by a majority vote of its entire membership. The City manager shall be a public officer appointed based solely on executive and administrative qualifications, relevant education, and training and experience in public administration. If not already a resident of Tompkins County, New York (the “County”), the City Manager shall establish residency in the County within no more than twelve months of appointment, or such lesser period of time as specified by the Common Council from time to time (including in the form of an approved employment agreement). No member of the Common Council or Mayor shall take office as City Manager during the term for which that person was elected or within one year after expiration of that person’s term. (2) The City Manager may be employed by the City pursuant to a written employment agreement upon such terms and conditions as the Common Council may agree. The duration of such an employment agreement shall not exceed five (5) years. Subject to the procedures set forth in this Charter concerning removal of the City Manager, any employment agreement with a City Manager shall preserve the Common Council’s right to terminate the employment of a City Manager at its pleasure; provided that, such a contract may specify reasonable severance compensation and benefits to be paid and/or provided to a City Manager whose employment is terminated other than for misconduct or cause. Any provision of severance compensation or benefits to a City Manager pursuant to an employment agreement shall, as a condition to receipt thereof, require the City Manager to execute a general release of all claims and liabilities of the City and its employees, officers, and agents, to the City Manager to the maximum extent allowed by law. Such a general release shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Common Council. No employment agreement for a City Manager shall be deemed, due to the provision of reasonable severance compensation and benefits, to bind any future Common Council, nor shall severance compensation or benefits, if paid or payable, be deemed a gift of public funds. B. Duties and Authority of the City Manager. (1) The City Manager shall be the Chief Executive and Administrative Officer of the City. The City Manager shall be responsible to the Common Council for the administration of all City affairs under the City Manager’s jurisdiction and control or placed in the City Manager’s charge by or under this Charter or other provisions of law. The City Manager shall have all incidental powers and duties conferred upon the chief executive and administrative officer of the City by all general laws of the State of New York except as otherwise provided in this Charter. (2) The City Manager shall have the following duties and authority: a. To take care that within the City the laws of this state and the local laws, ordinances and policies passed by the Common Council shall be faithfully executed. b. To attend all meetings of the Common Council. The City Manager may participate in any discussion and make recommendations but shall not have the right to vote. c. To appoint the officers, department heads, and deputies specified in this Charter or the local laws, ordinances, and resolutions of the Common Council. Where stated, such appointments shall be subject to the approval of the Common Council. d. To, during the absence of any appointive officer or department head under the City Manager’s supervision, assume the duties of such department head or officer, or designate another person to perform the duties of such person(s) on an acting basis. e. To prescribe the duties and fix the compensation of all officers appointed by the City Manager and of all employees of the City not otherwise provided for by this Charter. f. To exercise constant supervision over the conduct of all subordinate officers, to receive and investigate all complaints against them for misconduct or neglect of duty, and to hold hearings and take disciplinary actions against subordinate officers including suspending them from or terminating their employment, subject to the approval of Common Council where required. g. To recommend to Council Committee Chairs, the Mayor, and Common Council policy changes or Code revisions that would promote efficiency in City operations in keeping with the larger goals of the City established by Common Council. h. To execute all contracts, deeds or leases, permits, and licenses that the City Manager may be authorized to issue, and to revoke or cancel a permit or license at any time should the permittee or licensee fail to comply with any of the terms, agreements, covenants and conditions thereof. i. To oversee collective bargaining negotiations, grievances pursuant to collective bargaining agreements, and arbitration proceedings with organized employee organizations representing employees of the City. j. To know, either in person or by the aid of a competent expert, the manner in which the accounts of the City and the various boards of the City are kept, to exercise general supervision thereof; to require the submission of the statements provided for by this Charter and such additional statements as the City Manager may deem necessary and to cause the annual financial statements to be published; to make recommendations for the consideration of any said boards; and to make such investigations and reports in regard to the work and transactions thereof, and of any department or function of the City, as the City Manager may deem necessary or advisable for the information of the inhabitants of the City or otherwise. k. To at any time examine the books, vouchers, and papers of any officer or employee of the City and to summon and examine, under oath, any person connected therewith. l. To obtain estimates of revenue and expenditures from all departments, offices, and agencies, and prepare, submit, and execute an annual budget that reflects effective, efficient, and economical management of municipal funds. m. To keep the Common Council fully advised as to the financial condition and future needs of the City, and to submit to the Council within two (2) months after the close of each fiscal year a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the City. n. To make such other reports as the Council may require concerning the operations of City departments, offices, and agencies subject to his/her direction and supervision. o. To chair the Capital Projects Review Committee. p. To perform all other duties and possess all powers as may be required by law or conferred or imposed on the City Manager by the City of Ithaca Common Council. C. Removal. Notwithstanding whether the City Manager is appointed pursuant to a written employment agreement or otherwise, and without any requirement that cause, or misconduct, be demonstrated, the Common Council may remove the City Manager from office in accordance with the following procedures: (1) The Council shall adopt by affirmative vote of a majority of its members a preliminary resolution for removal, which must state the reasons for removal, and which may suspend the City Manager from duty for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days. Such suspension shall not deprive the City Manager of salary for such period, but no reimbursable expenses may be charged to the City or to a City department by the suspended City Manager for expenses incurred during the period of the suspension. A copy of the resolution shall be delivered to or served upon the City Manager personally within five (5) days after its adoption. A preliminary resolution for removal may also be served upon the City Manager by forwarding a copy of the resolution to the City Manager by Express Mail or overnight courier service to the City Manager’s last known physical address. (2) The City Manager, within five (5) days of the personal service or six (6) days after deposit of the resolution with Express Mail or overnight courier service within the time limit for overnight delivery, shall have the right to file a written request with the Common Council for an opportunity to be heard at a public meeting thereof concerning the removal. A written request for a public hearing must be received within the designated time by personal delivery, mail, or overnight courier at the Office of the City Clerk. If the City Manager requests a hearing, the opportunity to be heard shall be afforded at a regular or special meeting of the Council to be held within fifteen (15) days of the Council's receipt of such request. The Council may adopt a final resolution of removal, which may be made effective immediately, by affirmative vote of two thirds of all its members at any time after the City Manager is afforded the opportunity to be heard at a Council meeting or, if no opportunity to be heard is timely requested, after five (5) days from the date when a copy of the preliminary resolution was served upon the City Manager by personal delivery, or six (6) days after it was timely dispatched to him by Express Mail or overnight courier. (3) The City Manager’s salary and benefits shall continue until the effective date of the final resolution of removal, or for such additional period as may be required pursuant to the terms of the City Manager’s employment agreement, if any. (4) The action of the Common Council in suspending or removing the City Manager shall be final and binding. D. Acting City Manager. (1) The City Manager shall, within sixty (60) days of appointment, file a signed letter with the City Clerk designating any appointed officer of the City to act as City Manager during the temporary absence or disability of the City Manager (referred to as the “Acting City Manager”). The City Manager may amend this designation at any time by a subsequent written and signed filing with the City Clerk. In the absence of a designation by the City Manager, the Council may make such designation. The Common Council may also, by majority vote at a regular or special meeting, revoke the City Manager’s designation and appoint its own designee as Acting City Manager pending the City Manager’s return. The person so designated, during the continuance of such absence or disability, shall perform all the duties and have all the powers of the City Manager; provided that, the Acting City Manager shall not be authorized to make appointments or to remove City officers from their positions during the Acting City Manager’s first thirty (30) days of service in such capacity, unless authorized by the Common Council. (2) If a vacancy occurs in the office of City Manager due to death, resignation or otherwise, the Common Council shall immediately commence the process for selecting a new City Manager. The Acting City Manager, to the extent not already serving as such, shall serve (or continue) in the position of Acting City Manager until a new City Manager is appointed; provided, however, that a person or persons designated as Acting City Manager may not serve more than an aggregate of six (6) months unless the Common Council, by resolution, certifies the necessity for continuation of the services of an Acting City Manager in such capacity, and sets forth the reasons why a new City Manager has not been appointed. Upon the adoption of such resolution an Acting City Manager may continue to serve for no more than an additional six (6) months unless further extended by the process set forth herein. (3) Elected officers of the City shall not be eligible to serve as Acting City Manager. Section 3. This Section 3 amends Section C-5(C)(4)(b) of the City Charter by adding to the end thereof: “; Deputy City Manager for Public Safety as appointed to the Office of the City Manager.” Section 4. Severability clause. Severability is intended throughout and within the provisions of this Local Law. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Local Law is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, then that decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Local Law. Section 5. Effective date. This Local Law shall take effect on January 1, 2024, and after filing in the office of the Secretary of State. Carried Unanimously 7-0 Brock-Aye McGonigal-Aye Nguyen-Aye Gearhart-Aye DeFendini-Aye Cantelmo-Aye Haines-Sharp-Aye (Brown)-Absent (Fleming)-Absent (Kumar)-Absent 8.2 Resolution to Add Medicare Supplement MS4 Retiree Health Insurance Plan Option for 2024 YouTube Timestamp: 5:21 Moved By: Alderperson Cantelmo Seconded By: Alderperson DeFendini Discussion Summary: HR Director Schelley Michell-Nunn present to take questions and comments from Council. After consulting with the Controller, it was determined edits are needed to make additions to the resolution. Alderperson DeFendini motioned to amend with language provided by HR Director Nunn, Alderperson Cantelmo finds amendment friendly. Friendly Amendment – at the 3rd Whereas, after MS4 Plan add “for Retirees on the Classic Blue Plan” ; First Resolved in the last sentence, after retirees, add “on Classic Blue Plan” Vote Passed: 7-0 Member All In Favor Oppose Abstain Cynthia Brock X George McGonigal X Phoebe Brown Absent Ducson Nguyen X Donna Fleming Absent Rob Gearhart X Jorge DeFendini X Tiffany Kumar Absent Robert Cantelmo X Kris Haines-Sharp X RESOLUTION: To Add the Medicare Supplement MS4 Retiree Health Insurance Plan Option for 2024 Whereas, the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium (GTCMHIC) has a menu of medical and prescription benefit plans available to participating municipalities, and Whereas, participating municipalities, such as the City of Ithaca, are required to notify GTCMHIC of any change in its plan offerings to employees or retirees by October 15th, and Whereas, the City of Ithaca’s City Council has discussed and wishes to offer the GTCMHIC Classic Blue Secure Medicare Supplement MS4 Plan for Retirees on the Classic Blue Plan, now therefore be it Resolved, that the City of Ithaca’s City Council hereby approves offering the GTCMHIC Classic Blue Secure Medicare Supplement MS4 Plan effective January 1, 2024, as a health insurance plan option for Medicare eligible retirees on the Classic Blue Plan only, and be it Resolved, further, that a copy of this resolution shall be submitted to GTCMHIC along with the GTCMHIC New Plan Addition Form signed by the City of Ithaca’s mayor. Carried Unanimously 7-0 Agenda Item 9. Mayor Appointments 9.1- 9.3 Appointments to Civil Service Commission, Cable Access Oversight Committee, Ithaca Housing Authority Board YouTube Timestamp: Moved By: Seconded By: Discussion Summary: 3 Mayor Appointments being moved as whole, appointments the Civil Service Commission, Access Oversight Committee, and the Ithaca Housing Authority Board Vote Passed: 7-0 Member All In Favor Oppose Abstain Cynthia Brock X George McGonigal X Phoebe Brown Absent Ducson Nguyen X Donna Fleming Absent Rob Gearhart X Jorge DeFendini X Tiffany Kumar Absent Robert Cantelmo X Kris Haines-Sharp X 7.1 Mayor Appointment to Civil Service Commission RESOLVED, that Janet Mt. Pleasant be appointed to the Civil Service Commission for a Six (6) Year Term ending May 31st, 2028 7.2 Mayor Appointment to Access Oversight Committee RESOLVED, that Wayles Browne be reappointed to the Cable Access Oversight Committee for a Three (3) Year Term ending December 31, 2025 7.3 Mayor Appointment to Ithaca Housing Authority Board RESOLVED, that Christine Barksdale be reappointed to the Ithaca Housing Authority Board for a Five (5) Year Term ending October 17th, 2028 Carried Unanimously 7-0 Agenda Item 10. Reports from Council and Staff 10.1- 10.4- Special Committee, Common Council, City Clerk, City Attorney YouTube Timestamp: 10:51 Report: No Report from Council and Staff Agenda Item 11 Meeting Wrap Up 11.1 Meeting Adjourn YouTube Timestamp: 11:14 Moved By: Alderperson DeFendini Seconded By: Alderperson Haines-Sharp Vote Passed: 7-0 Member All In Favor Oppose Abstain Cynthia Brock X George McGonigal X Phoebe Brown Absent Ducson Nguyen X Donna Fleming Absent Rob Gearhart X Jorge DeFendini X Tiffany Kumar Absent Robert Cantelmo X Kris Haines-Sharp X L online Form submittal: common council public comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Wed 10/4/2Q23 11:47 AM To:Common Council <council@cityofithaca.org>;Laura Lewis <Mayorlewis@cityofithaca.org>;Deb Mohlenhoff <dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org>;Clerk <clerk@cityofithaca.org>;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org>;Shaniqua Lewis < slewis@ cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Mary L Last Name White Street Address t|tsrr Municipality .Note this may be different from your zip code 14850 State NY Topic of Dlscussion Low offer from Cornell U Please vote NOI! Do not accept Cornell's too low offer and the demand tor 20 year extension of said offer. We can do better. We must do better. Your Comments Contact lnformation marylwhite 1 945@gmail.com Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Speaking Registration Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Wed 10/4/2023 12:14 PM To:Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org>;Deb Mohlenhoff <dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org>;Melody Faraday < M Faraday@cityofithaca.org > ;Shaniqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Speaking Registration Form Name Nevin Sabet nevsab02@yahoo.com i- E-mailAddress Street Address |fr Phone Number Municipality *Note this may be different from your zip code Topic of Discussion Lansing Rude Employees at District Attorney's Office - Are they Nazis? Jeff Huddle sent me emails with racist jokes about Arabs and Steve Ryan would not help me today when I was directed to their office by the Court Clerk. Steve Ryan speaks to me like I'm a dog and he actually works for me and should learn some business manners if he is allowed to work there one more day. Also, Jody Coombs needs to learn how to pronounce someone's name if he is going to shoot commands out of his mouth at me when he pronounces my name incorrectly. These old Nazi investigators need to go and they need to go NOW Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Speaking Registration Form noreply@civicplus.com<noreply@civicplUs.com> Wed'1 0/-1t2023 1 2:25 Ptr/ To:Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org>;Deb Mohlenhoff <dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org>;Melody Faraday < M Faraday@cityofithaca.org > ;Shaniqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Speaking Registration Form Name Nicole Dauria E-rnailAddress sunonred@hotmail.com Phone Number Street Address tuiunicipality *Note this may be different from your zip code 14850 Hypodermic needles, long time resident sharing concernsTopic of Discussion Email not displaying correctly? View it in yggr [pwse1 Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Speaking Registration Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Wed 10l4l2A23 2:39 Plt4 To:Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org>;Deb Mohlenhoff <dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org>;Melody Faraday < M Faraday@cityofithaca.org >;Shaniqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Fublic Speaking Registration Form Name Fred Schoeps E-mailAddress kmtalk@earthlink.net Phone Number r- Street Address r- It/unicipality "Note this may be different from your zip code Topic of Discussion 14850 2024 Budget Process october 4,2423 To: City of lthaca Common Council Members From: Fred Schoeps, 104 East State Subject * Public Comment: Fourth Quarter * Budget Time! l'm excited that the proposed budget is now public and looking foruvard to the mayor's presentation. The Budget decision is too important for citizens to sit back and read all about it second hand, either online or in local newsprint. The council has scheduled three public hearings and four department reviews. Will all of these be recorded and available for public viewing? The community wants to be in the know. I think we would all agree Community Engagement is on the upswing. Students and Taxpayers are saying enough is enough. "Fair Pay, Fair Share - Let's allthink outside the box!" are appeals across the community. Who would have thought an almost thirty-year-old tMOU would make the 2024 budget process so messy? And who would have thought a liberal progressive council in 1995 would have accepted a gag order as part of the original tVlOU? Or that the 2023 Council would propose leaving it in place and still might vote Yes. It's been tough on the five burdget veterans on the councilwho approved the last five budgets. I hope you are stillwilling to challenge yourselves and fight off the complacency that creeps in with the year after year routine of the budget ritual. Please, don't let that voice in the head say: "been there done that", "didn't work then won't work now" "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush", "this is as good as it gets." "lt must be true he's an expert." Your challenge as veterans will be thinking fresh, asking "show me", asking "what if...", The challenge for the newbies and one-year vets witl be to be bold. To relentlessly ask que$tions^ lf you find yoursefftifftin$, wdke up, and ask questions because you now have a powerful public chorus looking over your shoulders! Thank you! Email not displaying correctly? View it in ysggrolvggl Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Tue 10/3/2023 12:45 PM To:Common Council <council@cityofithaca.org>;Laura Lewis <Mayorlewis@cityofithaca.org>;Deb Mohlenhoff <dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org>;CIerk <clerk@cityofithaca.org>;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org>;Shaniqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Eti Last Name tVlarshall Street Address Municipality *Note this may be different from your zip code City of lthaca State Topic of Discussion City Manager -- Amendment of City Charter to Specify the Duties, Authority, and Appointment and Removal Procedures of the City [\Ianager. Your Comments I believe the position of City lr/anager as created by referendum was intended as a solely administrative position. As such, all substantive decision-making should still be carried out by the Council and mayol who are the democratically elected representatives of City residents. As it is currently worded, I believe the Amendment gives the City tVlanager too much decision-making power. Designation as a CEO is executive power which is an ambiguous term. This ambiguity is reflected in the current wording of the amendment, which assigns too much authority to the lr/anager, and takes too much authority away from the Council. (See specific concerns below - especially the budget in (2)(l).) ln other words: all of the /executive authority/ should be held by the [/ayor and/or or Council, while the heavy lifting of detailed iexecution of tasksi is appropriate for the [t/anager. My concerns: " a five-year appointment (with expensive severance) -- especially if holding such executive power -- is longer than, and does not allow alignment with, voters' wishes' The best solution would be for every re-constitution of the Council, say' every tuvo years, to decide whether to re-appoint the Manager. The second-best solution would be to have the appointment of the NY Manager coincide with the appointment of the Mayor. * under B(1) I am concerned about the ambiguity of "all City affairs." I think a clause should be added along the lines of "as assigned and updated in every Common Council meeting" * Under (2Xc) -- All of the Manager's appointments should be ratified by the Council. * Under (2Xe) -- All of the duties and compensations of appointees should be decided or ratified by Council * Under (2Xi) -- ln collective bargaining, the Manager may carry out the direct decisions of the Council as a representative, but should not be responsible for deciding how negotiations are carried out * Under (2Xl)-- The annual budget without question must be "subject to approval by Council" and ideally is carried out "in consultation with Council" * Under (2)(o) -- bs unatrOf Capital Projects, the Manager must be representing the wishes of the Council, and any decisions must be approved by Council Contact lnformation elimarshall@gmail.com Email not displaying correctly? View it in yow prowseq Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Csrnment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Wed 10/.1/2023 6.38 Plt To:Common Council <council@cityofithaca.org>;Laura Lewis <MayorLewis@cityofithaca.org>;Deb Mohlenhoff <dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org>;Clerk <clerk@cityofithaca.org>;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org>;Shaniqua Lewis < slewis@cityofithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Caitlin Last Name Blanchfield Street Address t\4unicipality *Note this may Village of Lansing be different from your zip code State Topic of Discussion Your Comments Contact lnformation New York l\tlOU with Cornell I am writing to urge common council not to pass the current ItilOU with Cornell" To put it briefly. Cornell can and should provide much nrore to the city lo its offset the benefits it derives from its tax exempt status and from the infrastructures and services the city of lthaca provides. I am faculty at Cornell and want to underscore how strongly Cornellworkers support the common counciltaking a strong position in these negotiations. We are community members here too, we pay high rents and taxes instead of our employer. And imporlantly we understand we are pafi of the lthaca community and that community can thrive only if the university stops its ongoing extractive relationship with lthaca and the surrounding area. The university causes high rents and housing shofiage, this contributes to class disparity in the city. Cornell has a massive endowmenl and makes millions every year. They tout equity but do not pay their fair share. Let's hold Cornell accountablel Caitlinblanchfield@gmail.com Email not displaying correctly? View it in you1-btgwsgt Online Form Submittal: Common Council Public Comment Form noreply@civicplus.com < noreply@civicplus.com > Wed 1A/4/2023 9:14 Pitl To:Common Council <council@cityofithaca.org>;Laura Lewis <Mayorlewis@cityofithaca.org>;Deb Mohlenhoff <dmohlenhoff@cityofithaca.org>;Clerk <clerk@cityofithaca.org>;Alan Karasin <AKarasin@cityofithaca.org>;Shaniqua Lewis < slewis@cityof ithaca.org > Common Council Public Comment Form First Name Kristofer Last Name Laratta Street Address lVunicipality *Note this may be different from your zip code State Topic of Discussion Your Comments Ithaca NY Cornell IVIOU I just finished wakffitfffliv'estream of today's common council meeting, where you all heard from many other citizens of the city as they voiced their concerns about the IVIOU with Cornell. I would like to add my comments as well. It goes without saying that the terms of the agreement are preposterously tilted against the city. To begin with, $4 million a year is far too low a contribution to suppoft the needs of this growing city. The other big topics of the meeting's comment period--public safety, policing, and homelessness--are inextricably linked to this issue. Cornell consumes far more than it contributes. It is astounding to me that many of Cornell's own employees can't rely on TCAT to get them to work. lt is astounding to me that many of Cornell's own employees cannot afford to live in the city at all. lt is astounding to me that Cornell simply doesn't care. As if that weren't enough, we are also asked, unthinkably, to lock ourselves into committing to that low $4 million contribution far 20-21years. That is a ludicrously long time. This is not a proposal made by serious people, it is as mean-spirited as it is greedy. Finally, we must deal with a clause that disallows the city from pursuing other means of taxing the institution. Frankly, this is malevolent. Some during tonight's meeting said that Cornell was negotiating in bad faith--That may be putting it too nicely. Cornell's relationship with lthaca is often characterized as symbiotic, and in an idealworld that would be true. As a taxpayer, howevel I simply cannot continue to shoulder the burden of supporting a massively wealthy organization that has made clear its unwillingness to support myself or my community. A lack of leverage cannot be an excuse for giving in. lf public opinion and outcry is our only leverage. then we need to allocate resources toward building that particular leverage. The citizens of lthaca deserve better. Thank you. Contact lnformation Email not displaying correctly? View it in ygglbrowser. I urge you all to vote NO on this MOU as it is currently written. A clause prohibiting'us frorrrsteking other means to demand more of Cornell is not somethrng we can accept in any form. The length of the IvIOU is also unacceptable*lt should be at most 5 years. tt/ore ideally though, we should seek for a one year stopgap, so that we can continue to negotiate a longer agreement that is more mutually beneficial. C I T Y O F I T H A C A 2 0 2 4 M A Y O R ’SPROPOSEDBUDGET https://www.cityofithaca.org/427/City-Budget Continuing to see an increase in costs in all areas New labor negotiations team that settled all open contracts Sales Tax continues to come in strong, cautiously optimistic A LOOK BACK - 2023 IN REVIEW Reduce debt load Keep tax rate and levy to minimum but still provide high level service Integrate new labor contract wages Maintain robust fund balance BUDGET GOALS FOR 2024 Continue to add housing at all levels April opening of Conference Center A successful transition to a new form of government Ongoing evaluation of our infrastructure needs Fully implement OpenGov system across all departments Succession planning and successful onboarding of several leadership roles GOALS & PRIORITIES FOR 2024 A Future Full of Opportunity... Some very big changes are on the horizon for the City that will have significant budget and organizational impacts. They include: Reimagining Public Safety RPS - $150,000 plus encumbered funds CJC Workplan Funded - $114,000 plus encumbered funds New Deputy position for Public Safety - funded CM dept Implementing unarmed response unit - consultant on board New Police Chief Green New Deal Hired new Director of Sustainability Fleet Management Program implementation Electric Vehicle Fleet Study CCA Program launch Encampments Implementation of Camping Area Evaluation of outreach programs Change in Government Structure switch to City Manager form of government new staffing & structure to support the change Retirements Key leadership roles retiring (Controller, HR Director, IYB Director) will need need competitive salaries to recruit The cost of housing impacts the City workforce, and severely impairs our ability to attract and retain workers from seasonal to management positions. Although we have well over 2,000 units of housing completed, under construction or pending construction in the last five years (20% of which is affordable), we continue to need more affordable, permanently supportive and for sale housing. The anticipated final FEMA flood maps could have a significant negative financial impact on many local homeowners. The high number of AirBNB (and other similar entities) rentals is skewing the housing availability and impacting the housing market to price out single family home ownership. Housing Challenges 2024 BUDGET BREAKDOWN $0 $20,000,000 $60,000,000 General Fund $80,379,063 Sewer Fund $8,820,844 Water Fund $8,424,762 Solid Waste Fund $664,215 Sidewalk Fund $1,154,392 Stormwater $1,615,084 $101,058,360 TOTAL BUDGET BASIC NUMBERS - REVENUE Property Tax 43.1% Sales Tax 26% Dept Income 15.7% Other 5.8% State Aid 3.7% Interfund 2.7% Approximately $80 million dollar general fund budget Tax Rate $11.98 per $1000 assessed value 0% change from 2023 rate of $11.98 2024 increase is 5% 2023 was 9.74% Tax Levy Tax Cap 2024 cap is 2.2% We will be operating above the cap. Total 2024 Tax Revenue: $30,690,864 2024 TAX CALCULATIONS $302,000 median home would pay $3,295 in 2024. 2024 TAX ASSESSMENT Taxable Assessment Value: 2024 $2,561,841,772 2023 $2,439,935,327 This is an increase of $121,906,445 or 5%. Using the 2023 tax rate of $11.98 will bring in an additional $1,460,439 in revenue for 2024. Every 1 % change in the tax rate would generate an additional $306,909 in revenue. SALES TAX REVENUE 2023 $17,108,608 $18,500,0002024 NOTES -2024 estimate based off of 2023 projected revenue amount -increase of $1,391,400 -2023 estimated sales tax is $18,267,000 Cornell 79% Other 21% Tax Exempt Property in City Total Tax Exempt Property in the City 57% This budget assumes a $4,080,000 contribution from Cornell in 2024. $816,000 (20%) is restricted to infrastructure work determined by a joint working group. CORNELL-CITY MOU IMPACT If the City-CU MOU is not approved, the 2024 budget will need to be reworked. 0 2,500,000 5,000,000 7,500,000 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 State Budget Allocations $2,610,398 $2,610,398 $2,610,398 $2,610,398 $2,610,398 $2,610,398 actual amount if CPI had been added $5,236,375 $5,330,630 $5,389,267 $5,453938 $5,710,273 $6,167,095 increase since 2011 0% 2024 amount: $2,610,398 BASIC NUMBERS - REVENUE - FEES Sidewalk Fees Water Rates Sewer Rates Trash Tags Yard Waste no changes no increase 10% increase increased to $5 no changes Stormwater Fee no changes Staff 66.3% Contracts & Supplies 22.8% Debt Service 10% Staff and Benefits 66% of spending BASIC NUMBERS - EXPENSE Funded at $13,321,249 Trending at 13% increase in cost All unions contributing at least 20% to health insurance costs Platinum savings have been calculated in Retirement Costs General Fund: $1,706,900 - 14.9% increase from 2023 Police & Fire: $4,027,679 - .1% decrease from 2023 Health Insurance Costs: BASIC NUMBERS - EXPENSE Funded at $7,997,741 - 6.8% increase from 2023 City maintains Aa3 Moody’s Bond Rating 80% of debt in long-term bonds In 2024 we will pay off $8,735,898 in principal and issue new debt of $5,436,000 We are at 64% of exhausted debt limit and have $58,321,295 available Debt Service BASIC NUMBERS - EXPENSE Fund Balance Current Fund Balance (estimated) $15,908,296 $8,693,229 unrestricted $7,215,067 assigned or restricted 2024 budget uses $855,436 to balance budget Total General Fund Expenses: 2023: $71,084,030 2024: $80,379,063 -up $9,295,033 from 2023, a 13.1% increase BASIC NUMBERS - EXPENSE CSEA Admin - expires 12/31/24 CSEA DPW - expires 12/31/25 PBA - expires 12/31/23; new contract 12-31-26 2 Fire Unions - expires 12-31-26 NYSUT Exec - expires 12-31-25 Labor Contracts and Raises 6 Bargaining Units FOCUSING ON: Recruitment - increase entry level wages Retention - retirement benefits & length to top pay EXAMPLE: recently negotiated DPW contract significantly increased wages and restructured salary steps. ALL CONTRACTS HAVE INCREASED COSTS FOR 2024 AND BEYOND 2024 BUDGET ALSO INCLUDES 3% INCREASE FOR MANAGEMENT COVID19 PANDEMIC IMPACT Pandemic continues to have lasting impacts to the City CPI 2021: 4.7% CPI 2022: 8.0% CPI 2023: 5.8% CPI 2024: TBA INFLATION STAFFING CHALLENGES Hiring & Retaining Staff Increase in Retirements Higher Wages to Recruit Fringe, Retirement, Health Insurance rising costs Supply & Demand Issues -availability and costs remain uncertain and unreliable- C I T Y O F I T H A C A 2 0 2 4 D E P A R T M E N TSNAPSHOTS BREAKDOWN OF FUNDING FOR 2024 $0 $2,500,000 $5,000,000 $7,500,000 $10,000,000 $12,500,000 DPW IPD Fire Youth Bureau Planning/Bldg GIAC Finance Public Info Tech Human Resources Attorney City Mgr Mayor & Common Council All costs are increasing Used the 0% budgets as a base for each department Funded all new and vacant positions requested in 0% budgets All salaries have been adjusted for living wage increases New labor negotiations increases are reflected in the budget GENERAL TRENDS DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW We are so thankful for all of our hardworking City staff who work tirelessly every day in service to the public. No layoffs in the 2024 budget. Adding or restoring 22 positions: STAFFING OVERVIEW City Manager Deputy City Manager for Public Safety Executive Asst. to City Manager 3 Firefighters (starting 12/31/24) 7 Police Officers (starting 12/31/24) Crime Analyst Grants Coordinator Dir. of Communications & Community Engagement City Clerk (standalone) Dir. of Information Technology IT Desktop Specialist DPW Deputy Director of Engineering DPW Bldgs & Grounds Worker DPW Manager of Parking and Commons YOUTH BUREAU Increased funds for utilities for rink enclosure impact Requested Capital Projects moved to operating: Cass Park Tennis Court Patching - $22,000 Waterfront Trail Phase 1 Repairs - $72,000 Fire Protection Design - $15,000 FIRE DEPARTMENT Funded 3 new firefighters with a 12/1/24 start date HUMAN RESOURCES Funded $25,000 for implementation and training to support the new Commitment to Equity statement GIAC Funds to increase 2 25-hour Program Assistants to 35 hours Additional $10,000 for overtime PLANNING-BUILDING-ED Request for Grants Manager approved, but included in City Manager budget Requested Capital Projects moved to operating: Community Rating System Consultant - $20,000 Additional funding added for digitization of records - $10,000 POLICE DEPARTMENT Currently 14 funded vacancies, 8 funded Police officers Added 7 police officers, funded starting on 12/1/24 Added additional overtime funds Funded Crime Analyst position at $53,780 (salary only) Additional $30,000 for recruitment initiatives $58,125 for year 1 of 5 year replacement of tasers $30,000 to update protective plates $56,945 to fund SRT Staffing: Budget also includes: PUBLIC WORKS Many salary increases due to new labor contracts Golf course is not breaking even, subsidy needed Utility and fuel costs were increased according to activity and trends Added $1,646,668 for lease of space in Green Street Parking Garage $60,000 for pavement marking contract Added $816,000 for CU MOU (20% restricted to projects determined by working group $200,000 capital reserve fund for emergency repairs $150,000 for parking/traffic calming WATER AND SEWER The 2024 water rate is recommended at $9.92 per 100 cubic feet of usage, this reflects no change from the 2023 rate of $9.73. The 2024 sewer rate is recommended at $7.29 per 100 cubic feet of usage, this reflects a 10% increase from the 2023 rate of $6.63. Water and Sewer rates continue to increase at a slower pace as costs continue to increase; consumption is up in both water and sewer. Water expenditures for 2024 are $8,424,762 a $355,833 increase from 2023 or 4.4% Sewer expenditures for 2024 are $8,820,844 a $782,931 increase from 2023 or 9.7% PUBLIC INFORMATION & TECH Director of Communications & Community Engagement - start date 4/1/24 Create Director of Information Technology Resume standalone City Clerk - start date 4/1/24 Adding IT Desktop Specialist - start date 7/1/24 $23,000 for enhanced backup for Office 365 $30,000 for OpenGov implementation Recommending an Organizational Structure Change Additional IT support: Summary of Recommended Changes 1. Separate the PIT Director from City Clerk and reestablish: a. Standalone City Clerk position b. Director of Information Technology position 2. Create a new position of Director of Communications and Community Engagement This will establish two departments, one focused on Communications and Community Engagement and one focused on Information Technology; each with a Director to lead the staff. These departments will continue to be linked and will work regularly with each other to provide robust services to both internal departments and the public. The Director of Communications and Community Engagement will also be able to support the City Manager on special projects and critical City communications. The Clerk’s office functions will form a smaller group that is part of the overall Communications department. The Clerk’s Office will also be expected to play a greater role in supporting the Mayor and Council, in addition to the Commissions which will be reinvigorated in 2024. PUBLIC INFORMATION & TECH PUBLIC INFORMATION & TECH PUBLIC INFORMATION & TECH PROPOSED STRUCTURE CITY MANAGER Funds City Manager position at $170,000 Includes Deputy City Manager for Public Safety Includes Executive Assistant to the City Manager Includes new Grant Coordinator position - $60,000 Creating New Department & Budget Line City Hall Security funded at $141,600 MAYOR AND COUNCIL Funds Mayor at new salary - $30,000 Funds Council at new salary - $17,091 Funds 6 months of Mayor’s assistant to serve as transition to new structure Part-time homeless coordinator at $40,000 City Historian - $2000 Also funds: OUTSIDE AGENCY FUNDING -Sales Tax allocations: $421,001 -$40,334 for operational support Funded at $15,713 for economic development services Funded at $60,375 for animal control services $200,000 for general support $15,000 for Sunday hours $15,000 for property improvements $15,000 for transportation infrastructure OUTSIDE AGENCY FUNDING -Funded at $1,034,357 -4% increase from 2023 -this is net amount of City’s $364,000 payment from sales tax agreement Funded at $56,000 for mandated mobility services Cayuga Street Parking Garage funded at $1,050,000 -same amount as 2023 DIA support funded at $61,000 -same amount as 2023 Community Outreach Worker program funded at $65,000 -same amount as 2023 2024 CAPITAL PROJECTS TOTAL REQUESTED: $20,568,150 TOTAL APPROVED: $5,006,000 2024 APPROVED PROJECTS With budgeted authorized capital projects and the debt principal payments scheduled for 2024 we should make some progress on our goal to reduce the debt load. ARPA ALLOCATIONS Allowed us to catch up, but this money is not a permanent source of funds. The City has received $16,092,137 in ARPA funds over the past two years in equal payments of $8,046,068.50. The 2024 Budget allocates $350,000 in ARPA funds only in the General Fund. If all the ARPA funds obligated to-date are spent, we would have approximately $200,000 in ARPA remaining** during 2024. **The remaining ARPA funding is restricted to Revenue Replacement, Negative Economic Impact and Water, Sewer, and Wastewater Infrastructure. WHAT’S NEXT Common Council Budget deliberations begin. Wednesday, October 11 Public Hearings Wednesday, October 11th after 6pm special meeting of Council Thursday, October 12th, 6pm Wednesday, November 1st before regular 6pm Common Council meeting