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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CA-2004-08-01Members Present: staff DRAFT CITY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Regular Meeting August 25, 2004 Alderperson Berry, Alderperson Coles, Alderperson Zumoff, Alderperson Townsend, Alderperson Cogan (arrived at 7:10 p.m.), Mayor Peterson Present: Patricia Dunn (Asst City Attorney), Debra Parsons (City Chamberlain), Allen Green (Youth Bureau Director), Steve Thayer (Controller), Scott Andrew (Deputy Controller), Schelley Michell -Nunn (HR Director), Denise Malone (Administrative Secretary) Others Present: Herman Sieverding, Nicole Evers Iey- Bradwel1, Members of the Media Chairperson Berry called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. A. Chairperson Greeting & Opening Statement Chairperson Berry welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained the evacuation procedures. B. Agenda Review and Amendments, Approval of Minutes & Announcements Chairperson Berry requested that the wording of the Tax Penalty Waiver Resolution (Item J.1) be changed to the previous wording, which shows that the request to waive the penalty was approved. Chairperson Berry stated that Asst City Attorney Dunn was present to speak on this item. The Committee reviewed the minutes from the July 2004. After discussion, Alderperson Coles made a motion to approve the July 28, 2004 meeting minutes. Seconded by Alderperson Townsend. Motion carried 4 -0. (Alderperson Cogan was absent from the vote.) City Administration Committee August 25, 2004 Page 2 C. Statements from the Public. None. D. Employee Comments. None. E. Common Council Response. None. Alderperson Cogan arrived at 7:10 p.m. F. Affirmative Action Advisory Committee (AAAC) Update HR Director Michell -Nunn stated that the AAAC met in August and established the agenda for the remainder of the year. Co -Chair Marcia Fort will attend the next City Administration Committee meeting to report on the rollout procedure for the Workforce Diversity Plan and to identify two key attributes of the plan that would be worked on, at least for the next twelve (12) months. G. Human Resources 1. Managerial Health Insurance Co -Pax The City recently negotiated a contract that includes an employee health insurance premium equivalent co- payment. It is the City's intent to require a co- payment from managerial staff consistent with the first collective bargaining agreement signed. After discussion, Alderperson Townsend made a motion to approve effective immediately that all new managerial hires will follow the following health insurance premium equivalent co -pay schedule based upon the sliding scale that was attached to the resolution (2004 - 15 %; 2005 - 18 %; 2006 - 20 %) and that all current managerial staff will follow the following health insurance premium equivalent co -pay schedule based on the sliding scale attached to the resolution (January 2005 - 7 %; 2006 - 11 %). Seconded by Alderperson Coles. Motion carried 5 -0. 2. Establishment of Standard Workday in Conjunction with New York State Retirement System Regulations The New York State (NYS) Retirement System requires that the standard workday be established for all positions in City government for the purpose of determining reportable days worked. The standard workday, for the purpose of the retirement system credit, varies by bargaining unit. After discussion, City Administration Committee August 25, 2004 Page 3 Alderperson Coles made a motion to establish the following standard workdays, as listed in the resolution, for the sole purpose of determining days worked reportable to the NYS and Local Employees' Retirement System. Seconded by Alderperson Cogan. Motion carried 5 -0. The Committee agreed that this item would be put on consent agenda. 3. Director's Report. The HR Director reported on the following: Health- E- Employees. The City is participating in an e- health research project. Upstate Medical University, in conjunction with other universities, wants to learn whether giving health information by e -mail helps people make healthy choices and whether different e -mail approaches are more helpful than others. This is an opportunity for employees to take part in a research study and benefit from health information. Information would be sent through e -mail. Participation is voluntary, confidential, and free. Members of the research team will attend the employees' picnic to answer questions and enroll employees. Friday Brainteasers. The City is working with Tompkins County and the Town of City to provide our employees with a number of workshops at no cost to the City. Topics offered: Coaching for Results, Working Smarter, Keeping Motivated and Charged; Multi- Generational Workplace; The Decision Dilemma; and Wellness at Work. A flyer has been distributed that lists the title, date, time and location of the workshops. Employees' Picnic: The picnic will be Friday - September 24 at 12:00 noon in the big pavilion at Stewart Park. H. Controller 1. October Budget Meetings: The Committee agreed to move this item to the Mayor's report. 2. Controller's Report. The Controller reported on the following: State Budget: The State Budget passed. Some items were vetoed. The City will still receive its state aid. The Pension Reform bill was signed, which means that the state pension payment to the retirement system has been changed from December 15 to February 1. The Controller stated that interest would not be City Administration Committee August 25, 2004 Page 4 assessed on the delayed payment and that the City would carry a positive cash flow until payment is made. Capital Reserves: With the Pension Reform, the City may have to establish a capital reserve to pay for future payments to the retirement system. Retirement Incentive Program: The State did not pass an early retirement incentive program for this year. Sales Tax Revenue: Sales tax revenues continue to come in slightly under budget, about 5 %. The City budgeted 6 %. Construction may be keeping consumers away from the southwest area. When construction is completed and new stores are opened, the City's sales tax revenue may improve. 2005 Budget: All departments, with the exception of two, have submitted their budgets. The two departments have been given extension because of extenuating circumstances. The Mayor and the Controller have been meeting with departments and will continue to do so through early September. The first budget meeting with Common Council will be in October, after the Mayor's budget has been released. I. Southside Community Center (55CC) 1. Request for 41 -h Quarter Funding Southside Community Center is requesting a transfer of funds for the fourth quarter funding. 55CC Board Chair, Ms. Nicole Eversley - Bradwell, was present to answer questions. After discussion, Alderperson Coles made a motion to approve the request. Seconded by Alderperson Cogan. Motion carried 5 -0. J. City Chamberlain 1. Approval of Tax Penalty Waiver from July meeting Chairperson Berry stated that the owner of 312 College Avenue asked for a waiver of penalty for City second installment taxes allegedly mailed on June 30, 2004 but postmarked by the U.S. post office on July 6, 2004. At the July 2004 meeting, the Committee voted to approve the waiver of the penalty pending discussion with the City Attorney. The discussion took place prior to the August meeting of Common Council. At the Common Council meeting, the item was withdrawn from the City Administration Committee August 25, 2004 Page 5 agenda and returned to the City Administration Committee for discussion and approval. City Chamberlain Parsons and Asst City Attorney Dunn are present for the discussion. Alderperson Zumoff made a motion that the request to waive the penalty be approved. Seconded by Alderperson Cogan. Chairperson Berry asked City Chamberlain Parsons and Asst City Attorney Dunn to come forward for the discussion. Asst City Attorney Dunn stated that she was unable to find any case laws directly related to this situation, but that the state comptroller's opinion, which dates back to the 1980s, said that a village could not waive interest and penalties on taxes. Even if it could be proven that the post office made a mistake and the mail was lately posted, the interest and penalties could not be waived. In 1993, the State of New York put through a law, Section 1182 of the Real Property Tax Law, that states that a taxing authority, which the City of Ithaca is a taxing authority, could waive interest and penalties if it is in the best interest of the municipality. So, is waiving the penalty in the best interest of the City? Alderpersons Zumoff and Cogan expressed concern in charging the business a penalty for something that they did correctly. Alderperson Coles expressed concern that the City should not be held accountable for the post office mistake. After further discussion, a vote was taken that resulted as follows: Ayes: Zumoff, Cogan, Townsend Nays: Coles, Berry Motion carried 3 -2. K. Youth Bureau 1. Request to Amend Personnel Roster The Youth Bureau requested approval to amend the Personnel Roster as follows: Add: One (1) Recreation Supervisor (35 hours) Delete: One (1) Recreation Supervisor (20 hours) City Administration Committee August 25, 2004 Page 6 After discussion, Alderperson Zumoff made a motion to approve the request. Seconded by Alderperson Coles. Motion carried 5 -0. The Committee agreed to put this item on consent agenda. L. Possible Community Arts Partnership 2005 Budget Request Chairperson Berry stated that this item would be discussed at a future meeting. M. Reports 1. Mayor's Report. The Mayor reported on the following: Negotiations: Negotiations are still underway with two bargaining units. Performance Evaluations: The Mayor has been meeting with department heads to review department goals, which have been excellent. October Budget Meetings: The Committee discussed preliminary dates for budget hearings. Common Council, the Mayor and the Controller will discuss amongst themselves and confirm dates. 2. Sub- Committee Updates. None. 3. Council Members' Announcements Alderpersons Cogan and Zumoff stated that they would be unable to attend the Employees' Picnic due to prior engagements. 4. Next Month's Meeting: September 29, 2004 L. Adjournment With no further business and on a motion by Alderperson Cogan, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.