HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CA-2005-05-01Members
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CITY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Regular Meeting
May 25. 2005
Alderperson Berry, Alderperson Coles, Alderperson Zumoff, Alderperson
Townsend, Mayor Peterson
Alderperson Cogan
Alderperson Tomlan
Present: Bill Gray (Supt of Public Works), Joanie Groome (Recr Supv), Andy Olmetti
(Employee Health & Safety Coordinator), Leslie Moskowitz (Mgr of OD), Steve
Thayer (Controller), Scott Andrew (Deputy Controller), 5chelley Michell -Nunn (HR
Director), Denise Malone (Administrative Secretary)
Others
Present: Larry Larssen (Travelers Insurance), 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 Item H.2 - DPW: South Aurora Street Rehabilitation - be
added to the agenda.
There were no minutes to approve or announcements.
City Administration Committee
May 25, 2005
Page 2
C. Statements from the Public. None.
D. Employee Comments. None.
E. Common Council Response. None.
F. Workforce Diversity (WFD) Committee Update
HR Director Michell -Nun reported that the WFD Committee continues to roll out the WFD Plan
by meeting with employees.
G. Youth Bureau
1. Request to Amend 2005 Youth Bureau Budget and Roster
The Youth Bureau requested approval to increase the hours of a Recreation
Specialist in the Recreation Mainstreaming Services Program from 35 hours per
week to 40 hours per week and to transfer funds within the budget to cover the
cost. After discussion, Alderperson Coles made a motion to approve the request.
Seconded by Alderperson Zumoff. Motion carried 4 -0.
H. Department of Public Works
1. Request to Re- allocate Position
The Human Resources (HR) Department evaluated the current responsibilities of
the Working Supervisor (Sanitation) position and determined that the appropriate
salary grade is 32 in the C5EA DPW Unit contract. The Department of Public
Works requested approval to re- allocate this position as determined by the HR
Department. After discussion, Alderperson Zumoff made a motion to approve the
request. Seconded by Alderperson Coles. Motion carried 4 -0.
City Administration Committee
May 25, 2005
Page 3
2. Request to Establish Capital Project for Rehabilitation of the South Aurora Street
Bridge over Fall Creek
Supt Gray reported that a project for the rehabilitation of the South Aurora
Street Bridge over Six Mile Creek is eligible for funding under Title 23 of the U.5.
Code as administered, and amended, by the Federal Highway Administration. The
estimated cost would be over $900,000, apportioned at the ratio of 80% Federal
funds and 20% non - Federal funds (15% State and 5% local). The City would pay
the total cost of the project and would be reimbursed accordingly by the Federal
and State governments. After discussion, Alderperson Coles made a motion to
approve the South Aurora Street Bridge Rehabilitation over Six Mile Creek Capital
Project in an amount not to exceed $913,000. Seconded by Alderperson Zumoff.
Motion carried 4 -0.
I Human Resources (HR) Department
1. Amendment to Personnel Rosters
The City and CSEA mutually agreed to conduct a Classification and Compensation
Study to ensure that employee titles and job descriptions are accurate and up -to-
date, that the compensation plan is fair and equitable among the various City jobs,
and that the City's salaries are competitive with the external labor market. The
Civil Service Commission completed and adopted the first phase of the study,
known as the Classification phase. The adoption of the updated classifications by
the Civil Service Commission requires the updating of the personnel rosters of
affected departments. After discussion, Alderperson Coles made a motion to
amend the personnel rosters of affected departments as listed in the resolution.
Seconded by Alderperson Zumoff. Motion carried 4 -0.
2. Establishment of Standard Workday as Required by New York State (NY5)
Retirement System
The NY5 Retirement System requires that standard workdays be established for
all positions in City government. The C5EA Classification and Compensation Study
created new titles for which the standard workdays, for the purpose of retirement
system credit, must be established. After discussion, Alderperson Zumoff made a
motion to establish the standard workdays for new titles created by the C5EA
City Administration Committee
May 25, 2005
Page 4
Classification and Compensation Study for the sole purpose of determining days
worked reportable to the NYS Retirement System. Seconded by Alderperson
Coles. Motion carried 4 -0.
3. City's Commitment to Safety
Employee Health and Safety Coordinator Andy Olmetti and Senior Account
Consultant Larry Larssen (St Paul Travelers) gave a presentation about the
importance of Safety. Mr. Olmetti and Mr. Larssen stated that the City's most
valuable resource is its employees, who through the work they perform make the
City a great place to live. Yearly, employees sustain work related accidents or
injuries, resulting in costly economic loss to the employees and the City. These
losses result in thousands of dollars in direct and indirect operating costs, loss of
productivity, added strain to an already limited workforce, and decreased morale.
Accidents and injuries could be prevented and managed. Mr. Olmetti and Mr.
Larssen strongly encouraged the Committee to support and endorse the Safety
Program. After discussion, Alderperson Zumoff made a motion to adopt the
Safety Program as stated in the resolution. Seconded by Alderperson Coles.
Motion carried 4 -0.
4. Director's Report. HR Director Michell -Nunn reported on the following:
Safety Training Grant: Mr. Olmetti has once again been able to secure a Safety
Training Grant for August 1, 2005 - July 31, 2006. This grant would be used for
the City's mandatory safety training.
Intern: The HR Department hired a summer intern from Cornell University ILR
School.
Fire Fighter Exam: The exam would be June 4, 2005.
Employee Picnic Committee: An employee picnic has been planned for the fall. A
date has not been decided.
City Administration Committee
May 25, 2005
Page 5
J. Finance /Controller
1. Sales Tax on Clothing and Footwear Costing less than $110 Per Item Exemption
Weeks Participation
A letter was distributed to advise counties and cities, which impose sales and
compensating use taxes, about electing or rejecting two new weekly exemption
periods for clothing and footwear costing less than $110 per item of clothing or
pair of footwear. The two -week exemptions are for: August 30, 2005 -
September 5, 2005 and January 30, 2006 - February 6, 2006. Controller Thayer
reported that the County is participating in the exemption weeks. Since the City
participated in the most recent exemption weeks, Common Council does not have to
take any action. Should Common Council decide not to participate, they would need
to pass a resolution by June 1 to reject the exemption weeks as a unit.
2. Request to Amend the 2005 Budget for Community Celebration Grants
Tompkins County notified the City of $7,650 in grant funds from the County to the
City for Community Celebration Funds. The funds were disbursed as listed in the
resolution. The Controller's Office requested approval to amend the 2005 Budget
to accept the grant. After discussion, Alderperson Zumoff made a motion to
approve the request. Seconded by Alderperson Coles. Motion carried 4 -0.
3. Controller's Report. Controller Thayer reported on the following:
Sales Tax Revenue: The first quarter activity was a flat activity. The City saw the
opening of Lowe's and Walmart. The opening of these stores would boost April
collections, which relate to February actual collections. May's collections were
about 1% increase over 2004 actual activity. Overall, to date, the sales tax
revenue is up about 12% over 2004 activity. The City budgeted about an 8%
increase.
NYS Sales Tax: The City received a notice from NYS that the State would
decrease their sales tax rate to 4 %, which was 44 % of the 84% total sales tax.
This means that effective June 1, 2005, the State sales tax would be 8 %. This is
the State's collections and would not affect the City.
City Administration Committee
May 25, 2005
Page 6
Parking Revenue: The revenue continues to come in over 2004. The City is still not
meeting budget. To date, we have collected $251,000 from the meters. Some
time period last year, the City collected $187,000, about $64,000 above last year's
activity. The City budgeted a 45% increase in revenues. Looking at it on annual
basis, the City is about $25,000 behind. The collections from the garages and
ramps are down. At this time, Mr. Thayer recommends no changes to the rates due
to the upcoming events (i.e. opening of new garage and hotel, and the arrival of
400 -500 individuals to downtown.)
Fine Revenue: Last year, fines were under budget estimate. To date, they appear
to be the same. The Controller's Office would monitor the fine revenue closely
during the coming months. To date, less tickets have been written as compared to
2004.
Bond Resolution: The Controller reported that the City borrows in February and
August. Mr. Thayer would bring a bond resolution to the meeting next month for
August. The bond resolution would allow the City to issue bonds in August.
Budget 2006: The budget process for 2006 has started. The response for the
capital projects would be in the next two weeks.
K. Reports
1. Mayor's Report. The Mayor reported on the following:
Capital Projects: The Mayor wants the process to go well this year and is working
on the structure of those meetings. The methodology of looking at the capital
projects would be more inclusive of input from all department heads. Capital
projects should be really clear, necessary (almost bordering on emergency), and
mission critical.
Fiscal Viability Committee: This Committee invited the Tompkins County
Administrator to the last meeting. The County talked about their budget process,
their capital budget process, how they have changed in the last few years to what
they are doing now, and what they still have yet to do.
Fire Fighters Assn Negotiations: The City had an initial meeting with the Fire
Fighters Association, whose contract ends December 31, 2005.
City Administration Committee
May 25, 2005
Page 7
Bomb Threat: This morning, there was a bomb threat at Walmart, which closed
down Walmart, the Dollar Store, and Bed, Bath and Beyond. Agencies from all over
the state are participating in the investigation. The bomb, after being decimated,
fractured and there was liquid inside. The Emergency Response Teams were
unsure of the substance in the pipe bomb. Hot lines have been set up for Walmart
employees only.
Trip to Burlington: About a month ago, the Mayor of Burlington, VT visited Ithaca
and gave a talk at Cornell University. Both communities, Ithaca and Burlington, are
similar in many ways. The Mayor and Cornell University are organizing a visit to
Burlington, VT. The Mayor would send out an e -mail to department heads and
Common Council to ascertain interest in this trip.
2. Sub- Committee Updates. None.
3. Council Members' Announcements
Ithaca Festival: Chairperson Berry reminded everyone about the Ithaca Festival
from June 2 -5 and encouraged everyone to buy the Ithaca Festival Buttons. The
Mayor stated that there would be changes to the Ithaca Festival this year. The
Mayor's Fitness 5 -K Challenge on Saturday, which is also National Trails Day, would
be a part of the Ithaca Festival.
Family Treatment Court: A graduation from Family Treatment Court is scheduled
for Thursday - May 26 - 1:30 p.m. - 118 E. Clinton Street.
4. Next Month's Meeting: June 29, 2005.
L. Adjournment
With no further business and on a motion by Alderperson Townsend, the meeting was adjourned
at 8:23 p.m.