Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CA-2007-03-01CITY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Regular Meeting March 28, 2007 Members Present: Alderperson Tomlan, Alderperson Coles, Alderperson Zumoff, Alderperson Townsend, Mayor Peterson Members Absent: Alderperson Gelinas Staff Present: Brian Wilbur (Fire chief), Dan Hoffman (City Attorney), Rick Ferrel (Asst Supt), Marcia Fort (GIAC Director), Liz Vance (Deputy YB Director), Bill Gray (Supt of Public Works), Tom Parsons (Asst Fire Chief), Lauren Signer (Police Chief), Philly DeSarno (Deputy Director of Economic Development), Scott Andrew (Deputy Controller), Schelley Michell -Nunn (HR Director), Leslie Moskowitz (Manager of Organizational Development), Denise Malone (HR Executive Assistant) Others Present: Marty Luster, Audrey Cooper, Pete Myers, Akua Gyamerah, Nathan Mullenax, Members of the Public, Members of the Media Chairperson Coles called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. 1. Chairperson Greeting & Opening Statement Chairperson Coles welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained the evacuation procedures. 2. Announcements. None. 3. Agenda Review and Amendments. None. 4. Approval of Minutes Alderperson Tomlan asked that the following change be made to the February 28, 2007 minutes of the City Administration Committee under Item 11.2 - Proposed City Resolution on the Need City Administration Committee Meeting March 28, 2007 Page 2 for Unemployment Insurance Reform: "Alderperson Tomlan voted no due to a lack of information on a number of items and not the issue itself." After discussion, Alderperson Zumoff made a motion to approve the February 28, 2007 minutes of the City Administration Committee as amended. Seconded by Alderperson Tomlan. Motion carried 3 -0. (Alderperson Townsend was absent from the vote.) 5. Statements from the Public Marty Luster, Akua Gyamerah and Nathan Mullenax spoke in support of the resolution on Immigration Enforcement. 6. Employee Comments. None. 7. Common Council Response Alderperson Tomlan thanked Marty Luster for his comments. Alderperson Townsend arrived at the meeting. 8. Workforce Diversity (WFD) Committee Update The City Administration Committee welcomed the WFD Committee members to the meeting. The WFD Committee gave a presentation regarding the work done by the WFD Committee. The members of the WFD Committee consist of City employees and community members. The Committee meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 9 :00 a.m. in the Common Council Chambers. The WFD Committee came together at an Advance in November 2006. At this Advance, the WFD Committee created its Mission Statement. This Committee will serve as the catalyst for change to insure the City of Ithaca is aligned with the City's Diversity Statement and Workforce Diversity Plan Attributes. The members discussed the progress made by the WFD Committee. After much work, the Workforce Diversity Plan was adopted in 2004. Attributes from this plan were used by the Mayor for department heads when she instituted the performance evaluation. Some department heads have written plans for the two competencies (communication and diversity) and have presented their plans to the WFD Committee. The WFD Committee will provide assistance or give feedback to departments regarding their plans. A number of departments City Administration Committee Meeting March 28, 2007 Page 3 have made great strides toward diversifying the workforce through the recruitment and examination process. The concerns expressed by the WFD Committee were: Diversity Plan expectations are not clearly communicated to the workforce; some Diversity Plans are conceptual; written plans are not developed for all departments; Is the City walking the talk; and that there are no measures in place. Some recommendations made by the WFD Committee were: Create an Annual Diversity and Inclusion Award; create an Internship Program similar to Tompkins County; Establish measures of success; and create an additional position that would focus on education, training and outreach. The City Administration Committee thanked the WFD Committee for its presentation. 9. Safety Committee Update. None. 10. Communication Committee Update. None. 11. Police Department 1. Request to Amend 2007 Police Department Roster The Ithaca Police Department has been approved for a $10,000 grant from the New York State division of Criminal Justice Services. The grant funds will be used by the Police Department's SWAT Team for the purchase of 20 simunition training weapons. The equipment will enhance the department's ability to provide "force on force" training and improve the department's reality situational training. The Police Department requested approval to amend the 2007 Police Department budget to account for said funds. After discussion, Alderperson Zumoff made a motion to approve the request. Seconded by Alderperson Tomlan. Motion carried 4 -0. 12. Department of Public Works 1. Reorganization of Building Systems Section within Streets and Facilities The position of Building Maintenance and Solid Waste Supervisor was vacated in September 2006 due to a retirement. Management of parking operations and garage maintenance has required more than 50% of the Building Systems Section City Administration Committee Meeting March 28, 2007 Page 4 available time. The time dedicated to manage parking operations has resulted in deferring building maintenance. The Department of Public Works wishes to re- organize the Streets and Facilities Division to better manage both building maintenance and parking operations. Funding is available in the 2007 Department operating budget to support the re- organization. The current job description for Building Maintenance and Solid Waste Supervisor has been modified to remove the duties of parking operations and garage maintenance. The Department of Public Works requested approval to amend the 2007 DPW Authorized Personnel roster by deleting one (1) Assistant Building Systems Supervisor and adding one (1) Parking Operations Supervisor. The Parking Operations Supervisor will be established at salary Grade B of the Executive Association Bargaining Unit. The employee holding the current title of Assistant Building Systems Supervisor will be provisionally appointed to the newly authorized Parking Operations Supervisor title effective May 1, 2007 at a salary determined in accordance with the language of the Executive Association Agreement. The funds for said roster amendment shall be derived from within existing 2007 DPW budgets. The vacant position of Building Maintenance and Solid Waste Supervisor will be provisionally filled from a current list of candidates at Grade B of the Executive Association Agreement. After discussion, Alderperson Zumoff made a motion to approve the request. Seconded by Alderperson Townsend. Motion carried 4 -0. 13. Fire Department 1. An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 181, Sections 181 -6 through 12 and 181 -16 through17 and 181 -21 and 22 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code entitled: "Fire Provontinn" The Committee reviewed and discussed the Ordinance to Amend Chapter 181, Sections 181 -6 through 12 and 181 -16 through17 and 181 -21 and 22 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code entitled: "Fire Prevention ". The Fire Department requested that this Ordinance be amended as noted in the resolution. After discussion, Alderperson Zumoff made a motion to approve the request. Seconded by Alderperson Tomlan. Motion carried 4 -0. City Administration Committee Meeting March 28, 2007 Page 5 14. Attorney's Office 1. Funding for Required Training for Planning and Zoning Board Members Common Council has established, by resolution adopted on April 4, 2007, that members of the City's Planning and Development Board and the Board of Zoning Appeals must satisfy an annual training requirement, as set forth therein. The Attorney's Office requested that a new operating account be established for the purpose of providing payment for such training when duly authorized and that said account be funded in the amount of $2,500.00 for 2007, by transferring the sum of $2,500 from unrestricted contingency to said account. After discussion, Alderperson Tomlan made a motion to approve the request. Seconded by Alderperson Zumoff. Motion carried 4 -0. 15. Common Council 1. Proposed City Resolution on the Need for Unemployment Insurance Reform The Committee discussed this resolution. After discussion, Alderperson Townsend made a motion to approve the resolution. Seconded by Alderperson Zumoff. The vote went as follows: Ayes (3): Coles, Townsend, Zumoff Nays (1): Tomlan Motion carried 3 -1. 2. Statement on Immigration Enforcement The Committee reviewed and discussed the resolution on Immigration Enforcement. Alderperson Townsend made a motion to approve the resolution. Seconded by Alderperson Zumoff. A number of revisions were made to the resolution. Alderperson Townsend made a motion to approve the revisions. Seconded by Alderperson Zumoff. Motion carried 4 -0. City Administration Committee Meeting March 28, 2007 Page 6 On the main motion as amended, the motion carried 4 -0. 16. Human Resources (HR) Department 1. Executive Session Alderperson Townsend made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations. Seconded by Alderperson Zumoff. Motion carried 4 -0. After Executive Session, Chairperson Coles reported that the Committee discussed contract negotiations but no action was taken. 2. Director's Report. HR Director Michell -Nunn reported on the following: CSEA Classification Study: The results of the classification study have been rolled out to employees. Deputy HR Director Saul has been meeting with groups of employees to review the point factor plan and give guidance for appeals. Ms. Saul will be meeting with employees until late April. The appeals deadline is May 4. Diversity Roundtable: The Annual Diversity Roundtable is scheduled for May 31 at the Clarion Hotel. More details to follow. Violence Prevention Survey: Senior Staff reviewed some data from the results of the survey. Major areas of concerns were highlighted. Employee Health & Safety Coordinator Olmetti will be scheduling meetings with the assessment team. 15. Finance /Controller 1. Controller's Report. Deputy Controller Andrew reported on the following: Sales Tax Revenue: Revenue collection is about $66,000 below 2007 estimates. Some new developments will come on line later in 2007. Parking Revenue: Meter collection slightly ahead of 2006. The new parking garage equipment is having a positive impact. City Administration Committee Meeting March 28, 2007 Page 7 Fine Revenue: Slightly under 2007 revenue projection. Total projection reduced to $850,000. Overtime Expense: Expended $207,000 to date. The overtime expense is currently running over projections by $80,000. Health Insurance Cost: Currently running under budget. Snow Removal: To date, the City has expended about $141,000 of the $281,000 budget. Financial Reporting: The Controller's Office is currently reviewing the 2004 audit draft. The Controller's Office plans to bring to next month's meeting for approval. The Controller's Office is working on 2005 audit and closing out 2006. The required 5 year financial projection for AIM funding was sent out last week. 16. Reports 1. Mayor's Report. The Mayor reported on the following: Public Information Officers Team (PIOT): $15,000 has been put into restricted contingency for public information purpose. City staff attended a 90 minute presentation regarding E -Govt to hear information about an interactive government website. 2. Sub- Committee Updates. None. 3. Council Members' Announcements. None. 4. Next Month's Meeting: April 25, 2007. 5. Executive Session: Alderperson Zumoff made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss current litigations. Seconded by Alderperson Tomlan. Motion carried 4 -0. After the Executive Session, Chairperson Coles reported that the Committee discussed current litigations but no action was taken. City Administration Committee Meeting March 28, 2007 Page 8 17. Adjournment With no further business and on a motion by Alderperson Townsend, the meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.