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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CA-2010-05-01CITY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Regular Meeting May 26, 2010 Members Present: Alderperson Coles, Alderperson Zumoff, Alderperson Mohlenhoff, Alderperson Clairborne, Alderperson Rooker (arrived at 8:35 p.m.), Mayor Peterson Council Members Present: Alderperson Myrick staff Present: Marty Schreiber (Youth Program Coordinator), Yolanda Richardson (Recreation Program Coordinator), Allen Green (Youth Bureau Director), Suki Tabor (Youth Program Coordinator), Phyllis Radke (Building Commissioner), Debra Parsons (City Chamberlain), Erik Whitney (Asst Supt), Bill Gray (Supt of Public Works), Dan Hoffman (City Attorney), Steve Thayer (Controller), Scott Andrew (Deputy Controller), Schelley Michell -Nunn (HR Director), Denise Malone (HR Executive Assistant) Others Present: Nels Bohn (IURA), Andrew Zepp (FLLT), Paul Mazzarella (INNS), Scott Reynolds (INNS), Members of the Public, Members of the Media Chairperson Coles called the meeting to order at 7:02 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 After discussion, Alderperson Zumoff made a motion to approve the minutes, with corrections, from the March 31, 2010 and the April 28, 2010 meetings of the City Administration City Administration Committee Meeting May 26, 2010 Page 2 Committee. Seconded by Alderperson Mohlenhoff. Motion carried 4 -0. (Alderperson Rooker was absent from the vote.) 5. Statements from the Public. None. 6. Employee Comments Marty Schreiber, Computer All Stars Program at the Youth Bureau, spoke on the stalled CSEA Classification and Compensation Study. City employees deserve a fair wage and should be compensated at a comparable salary to other employers in our area. Mr. Schreiber encouraged the Committee to move forward on the compensation study. Yolanda Richardson, Recreation Program Coordinator at Cass Park, spoke on the implementation of the CSEA Classification and Compensation Study and encouraged the Committee to move the study forward. Ms. Richardson referred to the Standards of Conduct policy to highlight the following points: • Statement of Purpose and Goals /The success of City operations is dependent on the trust and confidence among employees. We gain credibility by adhering to our commitments, displaying honesty and integrity, and reaching City goals through honorable conduct: Ms. Richardson stated that there is a lot of distrust on the part of employees and that it would help overall to move ahead with the compensation study; • Respectful Engagement /Respectful behavior is exhibited in various ways. Some examples included following through on work assignments and treating everyone with decency: Ms. Richardson stated that if respectful engagement is not put in place then following through on work assignments and treating everyone with decency will not happen; • Professionalism in the Workplace /It is noted that (93) percent is determined by non- verbal behaviors and one of these behaviors is by none action: Ms. Richardson stated that the City not moving forward with the compensation study says a lot to the workforce; • Service Excellence /This is accomplished by being responsive to the needs of the community: It is also the employees' community. So, the City is not following through and being responsive to the employees' needs as well; • Responsible Use of City Property /City resources include time, materials, and information. Employees are expected to behave responsibly and use good judgment to conserve City resources: Since the study has been conducted twice that is a lot of City hours and time. If this study is not implemented then the information will become outdated, another City Administration Committee Meeting May 26, 2010 Page 3 study will have to be done and a lot more resources will be expended. This is not good use of City resources; • Leadership Accountability and Enforcement /Ultimate accountability for compliance and enforcement lies with the senior leadership and legislative body: Senior leadership and legislators have the added responsibility for demonstrating, through their actions, the importance of these standards of conduct. 7. Common Council Response Alderperson Clairborne thanked the employees for their comments, assured them that they are valued and that their voices are being heard. Economically these are difficult times. Hard decisions are being faced now and will be faced during the 2011 budget process. Chairperson Coles stated that the City's administration and Common Council treasures what employees do. The City is experiencing difficult economic times. The Committee has asked the HR Department to come back with a proposal on the use of the set aside money to address the compensation issues. 8. Workforce Diversity Advisory Committee Update. None. 9. Safety Committee Update. None. 10. Clerk's Office 1. Reauest to Amend 2010 Budoet for Public Information Consultant Moved by Alderperson Zumoff. Seconded by Alderperson Clairborne. WHEREAS, Common Council, as part of the 2010 City Budget, included $12,000 in the Restricted Contingency account for the purposes of funding a public information initiative, and WHEREAS, the Public Information Officer Team (PIOT) is requesting that these funds be released from Restricted Contingency for the purposes of funding a consultant to work on the community newsletter project, and to purchase related office supplies, now, therefore, be it City Administration Committee Meeting May 26, 2010 Page 4 RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby authorizes the City Controller to transfer an amount not to exceed $12,000 from Restricted Contingency Account #A1990 to account # A1316 -5435 to fund the consultant position and related office supply costs. A vote on the main resolution resulted as follows: Motion carried 4 -0. (Alderperson Rooker was absent from the vote.) 11. Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) 1. Housing Fund, 2009 Funding Round - Authorize Disbursement of $100,000 Pursuant to an Executed MOU Moved by Alderperson Clairborne. Seconded by Alderperson Zumoff. WHEREAS, review of the first round of funding applications to the Housing Fund has been completed and the following three housing projects are recommended for funding: Applicant Project Dollar Number of Location Amount Units Recommended INHS Holly Creek $200,000 11 for -sale Town of Townhomes (grant) townhomes Ithaca INHS /Pathstone Women's $75,000 50 City of Community (loan) apartments Ithaca Building Tompkins Magnolia $70,000 14 SRO City of Community House (loan) units for Ithaca Action homeless women , and WHEREAS, on April 1, 2009, the Common Council of the City of Ithaca authorized the Mayor to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Ithaca, Tompkins County and Cornell University to develop, fund, and administer City Administration Committee Meeting May 26, 2010 Page 5 the Community Housing Affordability Program and the Community Housing Trust Program (Collectively known as the "Housing Fund "), and WHEREAS, on April 1, 2009, the Common Council further found that the most appropriate locations for new housing units assisted through MOU funds are project sites located within existing urbanized areas of the County, rather than in new growth nodes or other areas of the County, and WHEREAS, the Community Housing Affordability Program assists with pre - development costs associated with residential, and mixed -use real estate development projects primarily benefiting low- and moderate - income households, and the Community Housing Trust Program is a program designed to ensure that newly constructed or rehabilitated homes that are made available to low- and moderate - income households remain affordable to future generations of buyers, and WHEREAS, per the MOU, in the first year Cornell committed to contribute $200,000 and the City of Ithaca and Tompkins County each committed to contribute $100,000, thereby providing a pool of up to $400,000 to fund housing projects, and WHEREAS, City funds committed in year one of the MOU shall be derived from Gateway Loan proceeds held by the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency, and WHEREAS, a Housing Fund Program Oversight Committee (POC) has been established to govern the Housing Fund made up of representatives from each funder, including Maria Coles, J.R. Clairborne and Doug Dylla from the City, but that final funding decisions regarding expenditure of City MOU funds shall be approved by the Common Council, and WHEREAS, each funding entity has internal guidelines for use of its funds; and WHEREAS, on April 7, 2010, the Common Council for the City of Ithaca recommended that City MOU funds be directed to support either, or both, of the recommended housing projects located within the City and further authorized the POC to craft a proposal for specific use of City funds, and City Administration Committee Meeting May 26, 2010 Page 6 WHEREAS, the POC unanimously recommended the following funding plan to match funding sources with housing projects recommended for funding: Project Name Funding Sources Total Cornell University Tompkins County City of Ithaca Women's Community Building $45,000 $30,000 $75,000 Holly Creek Townhomes $100,000 $100,000 $200,000 Magnolia House $70,000 $70,000 Total Round #1 Allocation $145,000 $100,000 $100,000 $345,000 Funds carried forward - round #2 1 $55,000 $0 $0 1 $55,2LOJI and, WHEREAS, the above POC recommendation is consistent with the April 7, 2010, resolution of Common Council, and WHEREAS, the POC further recommended that Tompkins County (County) act as a single fiscal agent for the Housing Fund whereby the County would enter into an agreement with the City and Cornell University to accept funding for the Women's Community Building and Magnolia House projects and execute funding agreements with each sponsor for the above - listed projects, and WHEREAS, the Housing Trust MOU did not necessarily anticipate creation of a fiscal agent for the Housing Fund to create single funding agreements with each recipient, but rather referenced that "each participating entity would have custody of and manage its individual contributions ", and "enter into an agreement for disbursement of funds to approved recipients based upon the template developed by the POC ", and WHEREAS, City of Ithaca funding is proposed to be used to fund predevelopment costs for affordable housing projects, which action qualifies as a Type II action listed at §176- 5(C)(20): "conducting concurrent environmental, engineering, economic, feasibility and other studies and preliminary planning and budgetary processes necessary to the formulation of a proposal for action, provided those activities do not commit the agency to commence, engage in or approve such City Administration Committee Meeting May 26, 2010 Page 7 action," therefore, no further environmental review is required for this proposed action; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Common Council for the City of Ithaca hereby authorizes expenditure of up to $100,000, pursuant to the Housing Fund MOU, to support Housing Fund recipients as recommended by the Housing Fund Program Oversight Committee, and be it further, RESOLVED, That such funds shall be derived from Gateway Loan Proceeds held by the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency, and be it further, RESOLVED, That the Mayor is authorized, subject to advice of the City Attorney, to enter into either direct funding agreements with recipients of City funds or a fiscal agent agreement with Tompkins County to implement this recommendation. After discussing the important role and support provided by Nels Bohn, Chairperson Coles made a motion to amend the resolution by adding the following as the first Resolved: Resolved, that the Common Council hereby appoints the IURA Director of Community Development as an ex- officio, non - voting member of the Program Oversight Committee that is responsible for administering the Housing Fund program, and be it further. Seconded by Joel Zumoff. Motion carried 4 -0. (Alderperson Rooker was absent from the vote.) Alderperson Clairborne made a motion to amend the resolution by adding the following as the last Whereas: Whereas, the Housing fund MOU allows for each participating entity to appoint one staff member as an ex- officio non - voting member on the Program Oversight Committee, now, therefore be it. Seconded by Joel Zumoff. Motion carried 4 -0. (Alderperson Rooker was absent from the vote.) A vote on the main resolution as amended resulted as follows: Motion carried 4 -0. (Alderperson Rooker was absent from the vote.) 2. Authorize Conveyance to INHS of Real Property Acquired Through Foreclosure - Declaration of Lead Agency Moved by Alderperson Mohlenhoff. Seconded by Alderperson Clairborne. City Administration Committee Meeting May 26, 2010 Page 8 WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Common Council is considering conveyance of the following three parcels to Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (INNS) acquired through tax foreclosure proceedings: • 507 Cascadilla Street • 305 E. Falls Street 10 Hawthorne Circle, and WHEREAS, INHS proposes to undertake homeownership projects on each property acquired to make improvements and sell rehabilitated or newly constructed single - family homes to first -time homebuyers, and WHEREAS, the proposed action for the transfer or sale of less than 2.5 contiguous acres of land is an Unlisted action under the City Environmental Quality Review Ordinance (CEQRO), and WHEREAS, State Law and Section 176.6 of CEQRO require that a Lead Agency be established for conducting environmental review of proposed actions in accordance with local and state environmental law, and WHEREAS, State Law specifies that for actions governed by local environmental review the Lead Agency shall be that local agency which has primary responsibility for approving and funding or carrying out the action; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Common Council does hereby declare its intent to declare itself Lead Agency for the environmental review of the proposed conveyance to INH5 of the above listed real property acquired through tax foreclosure. A vote on the main resolution resulted as follows: Motion carried 4 -0. (Alderperson Rooker was absent from the vote.) 3. Authorize Convevance to INH5 of Real Property Acquired Throuah Foreclosure - Environmental Determination Moved by Alderperson Zumoff. Seconded by Alderperson Clairborne. City Administration Committee Meeting May 26, 2010 Page 9 WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Common Council is considering conveyance of the following three parcels to Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (INNS) acquired through tax foreclosure proceedings: • 507 Cascadilla Street • 305 E. Falls Street 10 Hawthorne Circle, and WHEREAS, INHS proposes to undertake homeownership projects on each property acquired to make improvements and sell rehabilitated or newly constructed single - family homes to first -time homebuyers, and WHEREAS, on June 2, 2010, the City of Ithaca Common Council declared itself Lead Agency for the environmental review of this proposed action, and WHEREAS, such proposed action for the transfer or sale of less than 2.5 contiguous acres of land is an Unlisted Action under the City of Ithaca Environmental Quality Review Ordinance ( "CEQR ") and an Unlisted Action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act ( "SEQR "), both of which require environmental review, and WHEREAS, the Short Environmental Assessment Form ( "SEAF ") and supporting information has been provided to the City of Ithaca Conservation Advisory Council for review of the proposed action and no comments have been received to date, and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Common Council, acting as Lead Agency for the environmental review, has reviewed and accepted as adequate a Short Environmental Assessment Form, Part 1, submitted by the applicant, and Part 2, prepared by Planning and Development Department staff, and other application materials; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Common Council hereby determines that the proposed conveyance to INHS of the above - listed real property acquired through tax foreclosure proceedings will result in no significant impact on the environment and that a Negative Declaration for purposes of Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law be filed in accordance with the provisions of Part 617 of the State Environmental Quality Review Act. City Administration Committee Meeting May 26, 2010 Page 10 A vote on the main resolution resulted as follows: Motion carried 4 -0. (Alderperson Rooker was absent from the vote.) 4. Authorize Conveyance to INHS of Real Property Acquired Through Foreclosure Moved by Alderperson Zumoff. Seconded by Alderperson Mohlenhoff. WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca is in the process of acquiring or has acquired certain parcels of real property by tax foreclosure through the City's 2008 Tax Foreclosure Proceeding filed with the Tompkins County Clerk under Index Number 09 -1347, and WHEREAS, an auction to sell properties so acquired is scheduled for June 16, 2010, in conjunction with the County of Tompkins, and WHEREAS, per correspondence dated May 7, 2010, the Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (INNS) has identified three (3) properties that were included in said tax foreclosure proceeding suitable for INHS homeownership programs, namely 507 Cascadilla Street, 305 E. Falls Street, and 10 Hawthorne Circle, and WHEREAS, the following liens (for unpaid taxes and other billings) are associated with each of the above listed properties: Balance of Outstanding Liens (including unpaid water /sewer or other bills) Address City & School Taxes (thru June 14, 2010) County Taxes (thru June 14, 2010) Total 507 Cascadilla St. $10,065.99 $2,569.68 $12,635.67 305 E. Falls St. $5,506.79 $970.25 $6,477.04 10 Hawthorne Circle $13,273.62 $2,379.60 $15,653.22 Total $28,846.40 $5,919.53 $34,765.93 WHEREAS, INHS proposes to develop homeownership projects at each property that will be sold to low- and moderate - income first time homebuyers under its Community Housing Trust program designed to retain permanent affordability of the housing units, and City Administration Committee Meeting May 26, 2010 Page 11 WHEREAS, 507 Cascadilla Street and 305 E. Falls Street are vacant, deteriorated, unsafe buildings that constitute a hazard to public safety and /or health and, in their current condition, a detriment to the surrounding properties and neighborhood, and WHEREAS, per correspondence dated May 13, 2010, INH5 commits to a time schedule to remedy public safety hazards at each unsafe building to the Building Commissioner's satisfaction and to submit redevelopment plans, and WHEREAS, Section 1166(1) of New York Real Property Tax Law authorizes a taxing jurisdiction vested with title to real property by virtue of a foreclosure proceeding under that statute to sell and convey the real property so acquired, either with or without advertising for bids, notwithstanding the provisions of any general, special or local law, and WHEREAS, Section 1166(2) of the New York Real Property Tax Law further provides that no such sale shall be effective unless and until such sale shall have been approved and confirmed by a majority vote of the governing body of the taxing jurisdiction (except that no such approval shall be required when the property is sold at a public auction to the highest bidder), and WHEREAS, INH5 has a successful track record in the City of Ithaca of converting dilapidated residential buildings into quality, affordable housing sold to low- and moderate - income homebuyers and possesses the technical and financial capacity to manage, secure funding, develop and sell affordable housing, and WHEREAS, the City has determined that transfer of the above - mentioned three parcels to INH5 serves a public purpose; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the City Chamberlain is directed to withhold 507 Cascadilla Street, 305 E. Falls Street, and 10 Hawthorne Circle from the auction pending transfer to INHS, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor, subject to advice of the City Attorney, is hereby authorized to execute a sales agreement with INH5 for the above listed properties, in their as -is condition, with a sales price equal to the balance of all City Administration Committee Meeting May 26, 2010 Page 12 outstanding City, School and County taxes and any other City liens, on each property, with all costs associated with the conveyance to be borne by the buyer, and which commits the buyer to remedy safety hazards and submit redevelopment plans for the unsafe properties in a timely manner, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor, subject to advice of the City Attorney and the terms and provisions of the sales agreement, is authorized to convey quit claim deeds to 507 Cascadilla Street, 305 Falls Street and 10 Hawthorne Circle to INNS. A vote on the main resolution resulted as follows: Motion carried 4 -0. (Alderperson Rooker was absent from the vote.) 12. Attorney's Office 1. Request to Participate in Watershed Property Acquisition (Discussion) City Attorney Dan Hoffman explained that in the 1980s, Common Council established a capital fund for the purpose of supporting the acquisition of property in the Six Mile Creek watershed. Since then, a number of properties have been purchased using these monies (following recommendations from the Natural Areas Commission), some for protection of recreational and ecological resources (downstream of the actual City water supply), some for protection of drinking water quality or City water system infrastructure. At this time, the account ( "Watershed Property Acquisition ") contains $124,000. City Controller Steve Thayer is not aware of any particular limitations on the use of monies in this account, other than what the name of the account implies. The City recently received a request from the Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) for monetary support for the FLLT's effort to purchase a 170 -acre property in the Town of Dryden that includes 6,000 feet of frontage on Six Mile Creek, as well as nearby wetlands and springs, in the vicinity of the creek's headwaters. The amount requested from the City is $25,000, which is 5% of the total budget. The FLLT is making a similar appeal to the County, the Town, and other potentially interested entities. City Administration Committee Meeting May 26, 2010 Page 13 This item is on the agenda tonight because the Mayor asked that the request be considered by the City Administration Committee for a possible recommendation to Common Council. Andrew Zepp, Executive Director for Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT), distributed information about the organization and explained the reason for requesting from the City monetary support to purchase the land. The FLLT will make a similar request to Tompkins County and the Town of Dryden. Alderperson Zumoff stated that the money in this fund is used to "acquire land ". The City is not acquiring land but is just making a charitable donation. Is this appropriate according to the terms of the fund? City Attorney Hoffman explained that it cannot be an out right gift but must be a direct benefit for the City and that there will have to be certain guarantees that the water quality would be protected by certain restrictions on the use of the land. Mr. Zepp agreed that it would not be a charitable act and that there would be a commitment on the part of the land trust to maintain water quality and secure that land. Alderperson Mohlenhoff asked if the City had ever used the money in the fund this way. Mr. Hoffman stated that it would be the first time and that it does not mean that the City would have to consider doing it again. The Committee discussed the request and agreed to move it forward to Common Council. Mr. Zepp thanked the Committee and offered to provide more information and a tour for anyone who was interested. 13. Youth Bureau 1. Request to Amend 2010 Youth Bureau Budget Moved by Alderperson Mohlenhoff. Seconded by Alderperson Clairborne. WHEREAS, the Ithaca Youth Bureau has applied for funding through the Tompkins County Workforce Investment Board and may be receiving $102,315.00 in new funding to develop a Jump Start Jobs Summer Employment Program, and City Administration Committee Meeting May 26, 2010 Page 14 WHEREAS, the goal of this program is to provide short -term subsidized internships for 60 low- income eligible teens needing assistance in securing employment; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends the 2010 Youth Bureau budget contingent upon confirmation of funding as follows: Increase revenues: A7310- 4820 -1200 Administration $8,020.00 A7310- 4820- 1202Youth Employment Service $88,295.00 A7310- 4820 -1400 Administration $6,000.00 Total $102,315.00 Increase expenses: A7310- 5435 -1200 Contract Services $8,020.00 A7310- 5120 -1202 Part time /Seasonal $70,000.00 A7310- 5125 -1202 Overtime $1,000.00 A7310- 5425 -1202 Office Supplies $1,750.00 A7310- 5440 -1202 Staff Development $915.00 A7310- 5445 -1202 Travel & Mileage $875.00 A7310- 5460 -1202 Program Supplies $1,430.00 A7310- 5120 -1400 Part time /Seasonal $1,500.00 A7310- 5437 -1400 Credit Card Fees $600.00 A7310- 5445 -1400 Travel & Mileage $500.00 A7310- 5460 -1400 Program Supplies $500.00 A7310- 5476 -1401 Equipment Maintenance $1,500.00 A7310- 5480 -1401 Building Maintenance $1,000.00 A7310- 5483 -1401 Construction Supplies $400.00 A7310 -9010 Retirement $3,343.00 A7310 -9030 FICA /Medicare $5,432.00 A7310 -9040 Workers' Compensation $3,550.00 Total $102,315.00 City Administration Committee Meeting May 26, 2010 Page 15 A vote on the main resolution resulted as follows: Motion carried 4 -0. (Alderperson Rooker was absent from the vote.) (Alderperson Rooker arrived at 8:35 p.m.) 14. Department of Public Works 1. W &5 - Request to Amend Capital Project 515 & 600 First Street 5tormwater and Site Improvements Moved by Alderperson Clairborne. Seconded by Alderperson Zumoff. WHEREAS, in July 2007 the Water & Sewer Division requested that a capital project be created for the "510 & 600 First Street 5tormwater Quality & Site Improvements Project ", and WHEREAS, the total project amount requested was $910,000 to be phased over three years, and WHEREAS, Capital Project 515 was created and authorized, in the amount of $260,000 for the first year (2008) and the project funds were expended between the period 2008 -2009, and WHEREAS, the Water & Sewer Division requests that the project be amended by $650,000 to complete the project on schedule in 2010 with additional expenses needed for preparatory site and street work; now therefore be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends Capital Project 515 at a cost not to exceed $650,000 for a total project authorization of $910,000 for the 510 & 600 First Street 5tormwater Quality & Site Improvements Project, and be it further RESOLVED, That funds necessary for said amendment be derived from the issuance of bonds. City Administration Committee Meeting May 26, 2010 Page 16 A vote on the main resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 2. A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a funding agreement with Cornell University for the Columbia Street Pedestrian Bridge and the Thurston Avenue Paving and Pedestrian Enhancement projects and appropriating funds therefore Moved by Alderperson Rooker. Seconded by Alderperson Mohlenhoff. WHEREAS, Common Council has authorized Capital Project #743, Columbia Street Pedestrian Bridge, in an amount not to exceed $1,257,628, and WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works has undertaken a project to rehabilitate Thurston Avenue and to enhance the pedestrian crossings within the project limits, funding for which is budgeted from Capital Project #749, DPW Street and Road Construction, which capital project is currently authorized in an amount not to exceed $350,000 and WHEREAS, as a part of the Cornell /Community Transportation Initiative, Cornell University, has offered to assist in the funding of the abovementioned projects by contributing $100,000 toward each of these projects, and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca desires to move these the projects ahead by making a commitment of 100% of the Cornell University funding offer with the understanding that Cornell University will reimburse the City of Ithaca in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for each of these two projects; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Common Council hereby authorizes the City of Ithaca to pay in the first instance 100% of the Cornell University share of the cost of the Projects or portions thereof, and be it further RESOLVED, That the sum of $200,000 is hereby appropriated from the issuance of serial bonds and made available to cover the cost of participation in the abovementioned projects (an additional $100,000 for each project), and be it further City Administration Committee Meeting May 26, 2010 Page 17 RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends Capital Project # 743, Columbia Street Pedestrian Bridge, to include Cornell University's share of the project costs of $100,000, for a total project authorization of $1,357,628, and be it further RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends Capital Project # 749, DPW Street and Road Construction, to include Cornell University's share of the project costs of $100,000, for a total project authorization of $450,000, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor of the City of Ithaca be and is hereby authorized to execute all necessary Agreements, and that the Superintendent of Public Works of the City of Ithaca be and is hereby authorized to execute all certifications or reimbursement requests, on behalf of the City of Ithaca with Cornell University in connection with the advancement or approval of the abovementioned projects, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Columbia Street Pedestrian Bridge project be undertaken with the understanding that the final cost of the project to the City of Ithaca will be roughly 13% of the total project costs (primarily for the engineering and design of the project), which is the current currently estimated at $180,000 of the $1,357,628 authorized for this portion of the project, in monies and in -kind services as managed by the Superintendent of Public Works and monitored by the City Controller, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Thurston Avenue paving and pedestrian enhancement project be undertaken with the understanding that the final cost of the project to the City of Ithaca will be roughly 66% of the total project costs, which is currently estimated at $200,000 of the $300,000 authorized for this portion of the capital project, in monies and in -kind services as managed by the Superintendent of Public Works and monitored by the City Controller, and be it further RESOLVED, This resolution shall take effect immediately. A vote on the main resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. City Administration Committee Meeting May 26, 2010 Page 18 3. Request to Amend Budget for Bulldozer Repair Moved by Alderperson Mohlenhoff. Seconded by Alderperson Rooker. WHEREAS, an accident in November 2009 caused significant damages to the Water and Sewer Division's bulldozer, and WHEREAS, the estimated repair to the 2007 bulldozer will be $64,947 of which amount insurance will cover up to $64,397 and the remaining amount will be absorbed within existing Water and Sewer funds; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Common Council hereby amends the 2010 Authorized Water and Sewer Budget, for the purposes of accounting for said bulldozer repair as follows: Increase Revenue Accounts: F8316 -2680 Water Insurance Recoveries $22,539 G8116 -2680 Sewer Insurance Recoveries 41,858 $64,397 Increase Appropriation Accounts: F8316 -5476 Water Equipment Maintenance $22,539 G8116 -5476 Sewer Equipment Maintenance 41,858 $64,397 A vote on the main resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 15. Common Council 1. Support of a Sweatfree Apparel Policy Moved by Alderperson Rooker. Seconded by Alderperson Mohlenhoff. WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca uses its monetary power to support the well -being of the citizens of Ithaca, and acknowledges that it plays an important role in the market as a consumer, and City Administration Committee Meeting May 26, 2010 Page 19 WHEREAS, transparency in government spending and purchases is considered a fundamental right of citizens; and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca is an acknowledged leader on social justice issues, and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca acknowledges the existence of sweatshops in the world and in the United States of America and particularly acknowledges the history of labor abuse in the garment industry; and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca realizes that the uniforms of its employees are manifestations and representations of the city including its principles; and WHEREAS, there is a growing national movement of over 180 government entities committed to supporting in their communities products that are made without sweatshop labor; and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca agrees that certain labor standards and codes of conduct regarding the production process should be expected from its suppliers, and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca acknowledges, appreciates, and supports the efforts of the other cities and states working with an independent monitor to properly ensure that these standards are met; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council endorses research into and development of a proposed "sweatfree" apparel policy for all of the City's uniformed employees. A vote on the main resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 2. Resolution to Adopt FY 2010 PEG Access Studio Capital Budget Moved by Alderperson Mohlenhoff. Seconded by Alderperson Clairborne. City Administration Committee Meeting May 26, 2010 Page 20 WHEREAS, the Franchise Agreement between Time Warner Entertainment and the City of Ithaca signed in 2003 authorizes Time Warner Entertainment to collect $0.15 per subscriber per month to be used for the purchase of equipment for the PEG Access Studio, and WHEREAS, the total capital budget for the life of the ten -year agreement was estimated to be $200,000 and the working practice has been to divide the capital budget into allotments of approximately $20,000 /year, and WHEREAS, the Franchise Agreement outlines the creation of an Access Oversight Committee which shall be responsible for approving the timing, use and amount of PEG access equipment acquired each year over the term of the agreement; and WHEREAS, the Access Oversight Committee has approved a fiscal year 2011 capital budget in the amount of $28,500.00, and WHEREAS, the Franchise Agreement states that participating municipalities, including the City of Ithaca, must adopt the annual PEG Access Studio budget by June 30 of the preceding year; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That Common Council adopts the FY 2010 PEG Access Studio budget as approved by the Access Oversight Committee. A vote on the main resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 16. Human Resources (HR) Department 1. Director's Report. HR Director Michell -Nunn reported on the following: Police Officer Exam: The HR Department processed 380 applications for the Police Officer Exam. Out of this number 191 applicants actually took the exam in Ithaca. The other applicants took the exam at other locations or they took the exam in November 2009. Vacancy Review Request: There were five (5) Vacancy Review Requests all five of which were approved. City Administration Committee Meeting May 26, 2010 Page 21 Workplace Violence Prevention Team: The team has identified the vendor for the keyless entry system. Duane Twardokus (IT) and Andy Sleeper (DPW) are negotiating the specific language of the contract with the vendor. Anti Discrimination Policy: The Anti Discrimination Policy will be out in the next two months. 17. Finance /Controller 1. Controller's Report. Controller Thayer reported on the following: Consumer Price Index (CPI): The CPI for April is 3.4 %, for the year it is about 3.47 %. Bond Rating: The City's bond rating has a significant impact on the borrowing cost. The higher the rating, the lower the risk to investors and the lower the interest rates for the City when borrowing. The rating agencies are currently performing a re- calibration of rates. This process will rate municipality bonds based on the likelihood of default. Moody's re- calibrated the City's rate to AA -2, which is two steps higher then the previous rating of A -1. Sales Tax Revenue: The sales tax revenue collections are up for the first part of 2010. The City is currently at 10% above the same period last year (2009), roughly $300,000 and it relates to collections through March 2010. For the month of June, the City will have a total of five collections from New York State and the County. Parking Revenue: The City budgeted $2,062,000 for 2010. The City is on pace to be about $175,000 short of the budgeted amount. Overtime Budget: The City budgeted $900,000 and is on pace to be slightly over that budget. Health Insurance Cost: Health Insurance cost remains very high due to large cases within the City. Excellus BC /BS gave the HR Director and the Controller the utilization report of the City's activity from 2009 and an update on the future City Administration Committee Meeting May 26, 2010 Page 22 changes related to the Health Insurance Reform Act. Many changes would be phased in over time such as overall lifetime limits to insurance. The current lifetime limit of $1,000,000 will be eliminated and could increase the City's insurance rates. Health Insurance Consortium: TCCOG continues to meet to work through a couple of items: representation of unions on the Board of Directors and the creation of the reserves to establish the Consortium. The Consortium has asked the State to take a look at these two items and is currently awaiting the State's response. Budget Process (2011): are currently due. 18. Reports 1. Mayor's Report. None. The Budget Process for 2011 has started. Capital Projects 2. Sub- Committee Updates. None. 3. Council Members' Announcements Alderperson Clairborne reported that there will be a community forum update on the shooting of Shawn Greenwood. This forum will provide updated information. It will be on Tuesday - June 1, 2010 - 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Calvary Baptist Church. Pastors Wright and Benson will facilitate the forum. 4. Next Month's Meeting: June 30, 2010. 19. Adjournment With no further business and on a motion by Alderperson Rooker, the meeting was adjourned at 9:32 p.m.