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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CA-2005-03-01Members Present: staff CITY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Regular Meeting March 30, 2005 Alderperson Berry, Alderperson Coles, Alderperson Zumoff, Alderperson Cogan, Mayor Peterson, Alderperson Townsend (arrived at 7:10 p.m.) Present: Brian Wilbur (Fire Chief), Rick Ferrel (Asst Supt of Public Works), Allen Green (YB Director), Brian Weinstein (IPFF President), Leslie Moskowitz (Mgr of OD), Steve Thayer (Controller), Scott Andrew (Deputy Controller), Schelley Michell -Nunn (HR Director), Denise Malone (Administrative Secretary) Others Present: Members of the Board of Fire Commissioners, 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 There were no announcements. Alderperson Zumoff requested that the following item be added to the agenda: Item J.2 - Common Council - Common Council /Mayor Salary Increase (Discussion). The Committee reviewed the minutes from the February 2005 meeting. After discussion, Alderperson Coles made a motion to approve the minutes from the February 23, 2005 City Administration Committee meeting. Seconded by Alderperson Zumoff. Motion carried 4 -0. (Alderperson Townsend was absent from the vote.) C. Statements from the Public. None. D. Employee Comments. None. E. Common Council Response. None. City Administration Committee March 30, 2005 Page 2 F. Workforce Diversity (WFD) Committee Update HR Director Michell -Nunn reported that the WFD Committee is in the process of implementing the WFD Plan. The WFD Committee will introduce the plan to the workforce and will help the workforce understand what it means for each individual employee. Chairperson Marcia Fort met with Senior Staff to review the rollout plans for the entire workforce and will, with other members of the WFD Committee, meet with the Administrative Support Group on April 19. On April 25, the WFD Committee will attend the Employee Forum. Some departments have requested that the WFD Committee attend their departmental staff meeting to discuss the plan. The WFD Plan is strongly linked to the current Performance Evaluations for department heads. The Diversity Competency was developed from the WFD Plan. The goal of the WFD Committee is to make the plan part of the organization. Alderperson Townsend arrived at 7:10 p.m. G. Fire Department 1. Request to Amend Personnel Roster The Fire Department requested approval to amend the 2005 Personnel Roster by adding one (1) Assistant Fire Chief - Municipal Training Officer on or about April 1, 2005. The funds for this position would be transferred from unrestricted contingency. After discussion, Alderperson Townsend made a motion to table the request at this time. Seconded by Alderperson Cogan. The Committee voted as follows: Ayes (4) Townsend, Berry, Cogan, Coles Nays (1) Zumoff Motion carried 4 -1. H. Youth Bureau 1. Request to Amend Budget The Youth Bureau received $5,000 in additional funding for 2005 from the Tauck Foundation to develop the College Discovery Program. This program is designed to address gaps in the achievement of minorities and low- income students. The Youth City Administration Committee March 30, 2005 Page 3 Bureau requested approval to amend the 2005 budget to account for said grant. After discussion, Alderperson Coles made a motion to approve the request. Seconded by Alderperson Cogan. Motion carried 5 -0. I. Department of Public Works (Streets & Facilities) 1. Dryden Road Garage Parking Equipment The parking equipment at the Dryden Road Garage has been obsolete and replacement parts are no longer available. The estimated cost to replace the equipment would be $15,000, including installation. Funds are available from Capital Reserve #14 Parking Areas to cover the project. After discussion, Alderperson Cogan made a motion to table this item until additional information has been received from the Asst Supt Ferrel. Seconded by Alderperson Coles. Motion carried 5 -0. J. Common Council 1. Common Council Chambers Room Improvements The Committee discussed improvements for Common Council Chambers. Chairperson Berry received suggestions from Common Council members and department heads. Suggestions for improvements: paint Common Council Chambers a different color, have chairs and desks moveable units so they could break apart to use for other functions, make a more functional /useable space, redesign the room, buy new draperies, add color, demork Common Council space from the public, and install carpet. The City Clerk provided names of vendors and a cost list for furniture. Controller Thayer will provide the Committee with the cost of different improvement scenarios. 2. Salary for Common Council and the Mayor The Committee discussed the status of this item and the next step. After discussion, the Committee suggested having this item put on the agenda for the next Employee Forum to get feedback from City employees. City Administration Committee March 30, 2005 Page 4 K. Human Resources (HR) Department 1. Establishment of Standing Grievance Panel for Executive Unit HR Director Michell -Nunn stated that in accordance with the City Executive Association contract, there must be a grievance Panel. The Grievance Panel would consist of Common Council members, not necessarily from this Committee, that would hear grievances that are put forth by the Executive Association. Ms. Michell -Nunn suggested that there be an odd number on the panel. After discussion, Alderpersons Coles, Zumoff, and Berry volunteered to serve on the Grievance Panel for the City Executive Association. 2. Director's Report. HR Director Michell -Nunn reported on the following: Women History Month: Many City employees participated in the event Sister Friends Celebrating Sisterhood at the Women's Community Building on March 29. The event was a success. First Friday: This event was success as well. The next First Friday is April 1 and would be held at Olivia's. Safety Training_ The HR Department received $30,000 in grant funds for mandatory safety training. To date, there have been 19 sessions, 400+ participants, and 74 training hours. The total student training hours is over 2000. Quarterly Recognition: JoAnn Cornish received the Individual Quarterly Award and the front office staff at Streets and Facilities received the Team Quarterly Award. The Mayor will make the announcement at the upcoming Common Council meeting. Employee Forum: The employee forums are scheduled for late April and early May. Executive Session: Ms. Michell -Nunn requested an Executive Session at the upcoming Common Council meeting to discuss contract negotiations. City Administration Committee March 30, 2005 Page 5 L. Finance /Controller 1. Delegation of Power to the City Controller Controller Thayer reported that a resolution must be passed delegating to the City Controller of the City of Ithaca the power to authorize the issuance of and to sell, from time to time and during the 2005 and 2006 Fiscal Year, revenue anticipation notes (RAN) of said City in anticipation of the collection or receipt of revenues estimated to be received by said City. The resolution is to take effect immediately. After discussion, Alderperson Townsend made a motion to delegate said power to the City Controller. Seconded by Alderperson Coles. Motion carried 5 -0. 2. Controller's Report. Controller Thayer reported on the following: Cash Flow: The best time for the City for cash flow is January and June, during the time of tax collection. The City now feels the effect of the $12,000,000 bond issued for the Southwest Area. Debt payments are heaviest in January and February. The City had to pay the pension cost for employees, which increased in 2004. The Controller will keep the Committee updated on the cash flow. Sales Tax: Continues to come in. Through March the City is even, which means that collection to date is the some as they were in 2004. 8% was budgeted for 2005. The City is below budget at this time. Reports are coming in from the newer stores. Should see the receipts from the newer stores starting next month. Sales Tax sent the Controller a street report, which shows what streets are in the City. State Budget: Should be approved within the next week. Not sure what it will mean to the City until approved. The governor then has ten (10) days after receipt to veto any item. State Aid increases are included in the budget. Could mean from $25,000 to $125,000 annually for the City. Controller Thayer will update the Committee at next month's meeting. Pension Reform: There was an increase in pension cost. Will know status of Pension Reform after budget has been approved. City Administration Committee March 30, 2005 Page 6 Wickes Law: May be getting rid of this law. Will report back when more information has been received from Albany. Snow Removal: The City budgeted $215,000 for 2005 for snow removal. To date, the City has used $195,000. According to Asst Supt Ferrel, the City has a large stockpile of salt for the remaining of the year. Flooding in Fall Creek: The Controller continues to gather information on the cost to the City of the flooding in Fall Creek. Mr. Thayer will make a report at next month's meeting. 2004 Activity: Are unofficially closed. The red accounts would be covered. Operations had a positive result, $141,000 over the City's expenditures for 2004. The fund balance was increased to $3,255.000 and the operating revenue budget is increasing faster. A full report would be given at the Common Council meeting. Parking Meter Revenue: Through March 28, the City collected $129,000, compared to $96,000 in 2004. This is 33% above the City's 2004 collections but below the budgeted increase of 45% for 2005. Meter changes have all been implemented. There were problems with about 30 meters. Within two weeks, all meter heads would be changed. All meters are digital and would collect at the new rates. Parking Garage Revenue: The Dryden garage collected about a 22% increase over 2004. Collections on downtown garages are complicated because of the arrangement the City has with the new Cayuga Green garage. Empire Zone: The Controller's Office reported that there would be some changes. Counties not previously included would be included, such as Tompkins County. The Controller will update the Committee as information becomes available. Preliminary County Assessments: Have come in for the City. The preliminary assessment is about an 8% increase for the City. The increase was more on the residential side as opposed to the commercial side. The Controller's Office will get more information about the assessments when the tentative roll comes in May. City Administration Committee March 30, 2005 Page 7 Administrative Secretary: The Controller's Office welcomed Donna Redsicker as the new Administrative Secretary. Ms. Redsicker transferred from the Superintendent's Office. Mr. Thayer thanked Carol 5hipe for staying during the hiring process and for training Ms. Redsicker. M. Reports 1. Mayor's Report. Mayor Peterson reported on the following: End of Year Events: April 29 is the last day of classes for Ithaca College, May 6 for Cornell University. There are events planned for the last day of classes for both institutions. The City has met with Cornell regarding police and fire coverage and will meet with the neighborhoods to discuss the end of year events. These events would have a great impact on the City budget. Senior Staff will roll out the emergency management plan proposed in 2001. This plan fits in with these kinds of events. The plan will go to Common Council in May. Southwest Client Committee: The first meeting is in a couple of weeks. Deputy Director of Economic Development: Interviews would take place the 2nd week of April. Police Officer: The Mayor swore in three (3) new Police Officers on March 29th Communications from the Mayor: The Mayor will send out an e -mail informing Common Council members about a Committee of the Whole meeting to be held on Monday - April 11 at 7:00 p.m. to meet with the architect who was looking at the Cayuga Green Garage and the Cayuga Green Preferred Developer. 2. Sub- Committee Updates. None. 3. Council Members' Announcements The following events will take place: April 1 Community Round Table - Women's Community Building - 4:30 p.m. - Topic: Youth Services City Administration Committee March 30, 2005 Page 8 April 8 Ithaca Festival Committee Meeting - 1:30 p.m. April 11 Offenders Aid to Restoration (OAR) Annual Meeting- 5:30 p.m. April 12 Ithaca Downtown Partnership Annual Meeting - Holiday Inn - 7:00 p.m. April 14 GIAC Annual Meeting April 15 Take Back the Night April 17 Sweet Honey and the Rock - State Theater - 7:00 p.m. April 27 Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services Annual Meeting - Women's Community Building - 12:00 noon 4. Next Month's Meeting: April 27, 2005. N. Adjournment With no further business and on a motion by Alderperson Townsend, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 P.M.