HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-1980-12-22Special Meeting
PRESENT:
Mayor - Bordoni
Aldermen (10) -
COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
7.30 P.M.
179
December 22, 1980
Banfield, Boothroyd, Boronkay, Dennis, Gutenberger,
Holman, Nichols, Saccucci, Schuler, Slattery
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Controller - Spano
Dep. City Controller - Cafferillo
Fire Chief - Tuckerman
City Attorney - Shapiro
City Chamberlain - Wright
Police Chief - Herson
Director, Planning & Development - Van Cort
Building Commissioner - Hoard
BPW Commissioner .- Schickel
City Clerk - Rundle
1'- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
j ") Mayor Bordoni led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the
American flag.
MINUTES:
! By Alderman Banfield: Seconded by Alderman Slattery
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the November 24, 1980, December 3, 1980
and December 11, 1980 meetings be approved as recorded by the City Clerk.
Carried Unanimously
MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS:
Acting City Judge
Mayor Bordoni requested the approval of the Council for reappointment
of Robert J. Hines, 417 N. Cayuga Street, as Acting City Judge for a
one -year term ending December 31, 1981.
Resolution
By Al man Slattery: Seconded by Alderman Gutenberger
RESOLVED, That this Council approves the reappointment of Robert J.
(lines, 417 N. Cayuga Street, as Acting City Judge for a one -year term
ending December 31, 1981.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (7) - Banfield, Nichols, Schuler, Dennis, Gutenberger,
Slattery, Saccucci
Nay (1) Holman
Abstention (1) - Boronkay
Absent (1.) - Boothroyd
Carried
Board of Public Works
Mayor Bordoni requested approval of the Council of reappointment of
Clarence Cleveland, 101 Pier Road; and James J. Varricchi.o, 449 N.
Aurora Street, to the Board of Public Works for three -year terms to
expire December 31, 1983.
Resolution
By Al erman Boronkay: Seconded by Alderman Banfield
RESOLVED, That this Council approves the reappointment of Clarence
(amov Cleveland, 101 Pier Road; and James J. Varricchio, 449 N. Aurora Street,
to the Board of Public Works for three -year terms to expire December 31,
1983.
Carried
Planning and Development Board
Mayor Bordoni requested approval of the Council of reappointment of
Prof. Frank K. Moore, 116 Dearborn Place; and Martin Sampson, 107
Ridgedale Road, to the Planning E, Development Board for three -year terms
to expire December 31, 1983.
180
2 December 22, 1.980
Resolution
By Alderman Nichols: Seconded by Alderman Schuler
RESOLVED, That this Council approves the reappointment of Prof-. Frank
K. Moore, 116 Dearborn Place; and Martin Sampson, 107 Ridgedal.e Road,
to the Planning and Development Board for three -year terms to expire
December 31, 1983.
Carried
Board of Zoning Appeals
Mayor Bo oni requested approval of appointment of Charles M. Weaver,
221 Linn Street, to the Board of Zoning Appeals to fill the vacancy
caused by the expiration of the term of Joseph J. Gainey, for a three -
year term to expire December 31, 1983.
Resolution
By Alderman Dennis:
RESOLVED, That this
221 Linn Street, to
to expire December
tion of the term of
Seconded by Alderman Slattery
Council approves appointment of Charles M. Weaver,
the Board of Zoning Appeals for three -year term
311, 1983, to fill the vacancy caused. by the expi.ra-
Joseph J. Gainey.
Carried.
Mr. Weaver took the Oath of Office and was sworn in by the City Clerk.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:
Bu gec� t aj am
j_ stration Committee
Alderman Banfield requested the addition of one item, IV.C., Application
for Section 18 'Transportation Operating Assistance, to the Agenda.
No Council member objected.
Alderman Boothroyd arrived at the meeting at 7:S5 p.m.
BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE.
Mayor B.or oni read the following Budget Message:
The first part of Item IV on the Agenda will be the adoption of the
1981 Tentative Budget. Any person so desiring wil_1. be heard for or
against the proposed City of Ithaca Tentative Budget for 1981.
It is requested that any person so wishing to speak before this
Council will step forward to the podium, use the microphone, give
your name and address for all persons in attendance to hear to be
properly recognized by others present, and for the purpose of the
City Clerk's official records. It is also requested that you make
your remarks or comments clearly, quickly and to the point.
Please give the person who has been recognized and is at the podium
all your attention; everyone's courtesy to each other will result
in a meeting that will be beneficial to all; it will be guaranteed
that anyone who wishes to speak will be given the opportunity, as has
been the practice in every budget meeting concerning this particular
budget since September of this year.
A few words of explanation due to the general confusion concerning
the reasons for a tentative budget (which is due by December 31st)
and the final budget that will be established by this Council by May
31st of 1981: a Preliminary Budget is adopted tentatively before
January lst for both the operating and capital expenses under which
the City operates for the first five months of the year. Then, before
June 1st, the Common Council again goes through the process to pass
a "Permanent" Budget under which the City operates for the remaining
seven months of the fiscal (calendar) year.
At this time it is necessary to establish a tax rate because of the
fiscal year and the taxes to be collected by the 1st of June. If
we don't establish the appropriations (or a tentative budget) at this
time, we cannot, according to State Law, spend any money after
December 31st, and added to this is the fact that 7S% of our debt
service payments have to be made prior to June 1st. Between now and
the end of April the Mayor, the Budget and Administration Committee
and any other members of Council who so desire will be working on the
bud,, t , hops fig to trine it dc;, ri .ctual Figures-.
-3-
December 22,18.80
A few words about the tax situation today and how it reflects the
increasing cost of government. Because of escalating costs of
salaries, fringe benefits, materials, supplies, equipment, utilities
and the ever- increasing interest rates on borrowing money, the City
operation is experiencing the same financial cost effects that the
rest of us experience as home owners and businessmen.
Added to all of this we have a serious shortage of revenues. Our
main sources of revenue are the Real Property Tax, New York State
Sales Tax and the State Aid Per Capita.
(Wwo"" The State Sales Tax depends on the economy, and with the high cost of
money major purchases decline, our Sales Tax Revenues fluctuate to
such an unstable condition that the most we can expect is a 100
increase of what we actually received for 1980.
The State Aid Per Capita has been reduced by approximately 160,000
dollars. This reflects, or adds, more than 504 per every 1,000
dollars on the tax rate and according to the New York Legislature
this State Aid Per Capita could be reduced even more in 1981.
9 Other sources of our economic problems are the following expenditures:
One is the cost of Police and Fire Retirement. In prior years the cost
of Police and Fire Retirement (which is New York State mandated) was
paid from Federal Revenue Sharing Funds.
i. Today the Federal Revenue Sharing Fund account does not have sufficient
money to allow us to pay all of the 1981 Police and Fire Retirement
costs which will amount to approximately one -half million dollars.
Therefore, approximately 200,000 dollars will be needed to make up
this difference. This amounts to 664 per every 1,000 dollars on the
tax rate. Each year this money has been reduced and the retirement
costs have increased.
(two", Another economic problem is the payment on our debt service. For
1981 it has increased approximately 160,000 dollars. This increase
represents the first principal payment on the bond anticipation notes
that were issued in 1979 for the Fall Creek Plan of Action, the Cherry
Street Industrial Park, the repairs of the Green Street Parking Ramp,
tiie Second Phase of the Downtown Peripheral Streets Improvements and
the lights and Improvements of Cass Park. This 160,000 dollars
represents 554 per every 1,000 dollars on the tax rate.
The third problem will be the salary negotiations. Even though we
have an amount built into the budget for these salary increases, we
do not know at this time if it is sufficient to cover the costs. At
this time there are 5 contracts that are being negotiated. These
include Police, Fire, CSEA Administration, CSEA Laborers and the
Executive Contract, plus those employees not covered by any contract.
The Capital Program for 1981 is at a bare minimum- -the one and only
major project where no outside funding is available is the Handicapped
Access to City Hall which is estimated to cost 61,600 dollars. This
project is also mandated and will add another 214 per every 1,000 dollars
to the tax rate.
On the revenue side of the picture, our only major increase over 1980
is'the State Sales Tax. We have estimated a 300,000 dollar increase.
We also have been able to negotiate an increase in our Fire Protection
Services to the Town of Ithaca, an amount close to an additional
70,000 dollars. We have made some minor improvements in the amounts
donated and paid to the City by the major schools and outlying towns
for fire, bus transportation and youth services. Other than this our
other sources of revenue are minor by comparison and not of the type
where increases can be expected.
In plain language our revenues do not increase as fast as our expenses.
IVe nave enjoyed for a long time (even though we are one of the leading
cities in New York State in terms of tax exempt property), the status
182
-4- December 22, 1980
of being in the bottom 10a in terms of dollars paid per thousand on
our assessment. Today, we find that position not quite as favorable as
in the past. However, we are still in 46th place out "of the 60 cities
in New York State (1st position being the highest and 60th position
being the lowest in taxes).
In spite of all this we maintain the cleanest, most orderly and one
of the best - maintained cities in New York State. We have a. system of
parks and recreation areas and programs that serves every -facet of our
community and provides the wholesome and excellent living conditions
that many other cities try to emanate.
All these good living conditions we have experienced, and. expect to
continue, are being done with a Department of Public Works that is
operating with a minimum staff, minimum and quickly obsoleting equip-
ment and a budget that makes purchasing the necessary and required
materials and supplies nearly impossible. We have a Police Department
that has a minimum staff, not enough of the proper safety equipment,
and the inability to purchase the number of patrol vehicles required.
The Fire Department, likewise, is in the same situation. Purchases on
a scheduled basis for regular fire apparatus and keeping up with the
latest technical innovations, as well as replacement vehicles, is
practically nonexistent. The inability to place enough monies in the
reserve accounts for the required vehicles and equipment for the
Department of Public Works, the Bus Transportation System, and the
Police and Fire Departments is something that will appear l.i_l:e an
economy measure at this time, but future costs will show that these are
false economies.
People, from time to time, will complain about the services of the
Department of Public Works or our Police and Fire Departments. On
the other hand, people -- sometimes the same people--will- complain
about taxes being too high. As I said before, all of our departments
are operating at a minimum; we must continue to provide no less than
the present level of services. Included in these services is our You
Bureau which provides recreational and educational facilities. To
steal a line out of the December 1980 Readers Digest: "These are your
first guarantees against crime, and you have -to pay for them." To not
fund these social programs is another false economy.
I will parallel these false economies with the fact that we have not
in the past proportionately raised taxes each year to keep pace with
the cost of living. Today those past false economies are surfacing
and we are now paying the price.
What is happening today is something no elected official, including
myself, likes to be faced with. However, we the Common Council, and in
particular the Budget and Administration Committee, chaired. by Alderman
Gutenberger with the guidance of the Controller, Mr. Spano, have
since September reviewed and re- reviewed this tentative budget. The
numerous meetings and countless hours the committee, plus the other
members of Council (when they did not have conflicting meetings), have
put into this tentative budget reflects the most serious and conscien-
tious effort possible. The result of tonight's meeting will in turn
reflect what this Council judges as the best course of action for the
general welfare of the City of Ithaca.
The following persons addressed the Council, requesting that the Counci
make every effort possible to keep from increasing the tax rate:
Robert Gibbs, Chairman, Progressive Citizens Alliance
135 Brookway Road, Village of Lansing
Daniel Rhoades, Chairman, Fall Creek Civic Assoc.
201 W. Lincoln Street
Helen Romanowski
610 W. Buffalo Street
-5-
Helen Hutcheson
322 E. Fall Street
Alfred Leonardo
104 Third Street
Betty Steffy
305 E. Marshall Street
December 22, lvl
The following persons addressed the Council requesting that the Senior
Citizens' allocation remain in the 1981 Tentative Budget.
Merrill Shipherd, Chairman, Senior Citizens Council
Etna, N.Y.
Elmer Pearl, Treasurer, Senior Citizens Council
412 IVArren Place
Grace Smith
100 W. Buffalo Street
Adoption of 1981 City of Ithaca Tentative Budget
�} By Alderman Gutenberger: Secon ed by Alderman Dennis
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Tentative Budget for 1.981 in the total
i..� amount of $13,437,376 be approved, and
�l.
7: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the following sections of the 1981 Tentative
City Budget be approved:
(A). General Fund Appropriations
(i3) Revenue Sharing Fund Appropriations
(C) lVater Fund. Appropriations
(D) Sewer Fund Appropriations
(E) Commons Assessment Appropriations
(F) Debt Retirement Schedule
(G) Capital Projects
(I1) Schedule of Salaries and Positions General Fund
(I) Schedule of Salaries and Positions--Water and Sewer Fund
(J) Authorized Equipment Purchases General Fund
(I<) Authorized Equipment Purchases--Water Fund
(L) Authorized Equipment Purchases- -Sewer Fund
Discussion followed on the floor.
Amendment to Resolution
By Alder Banfielc: Seconded by Alderman Saccucci,
RESOLVED, That the City use whatever amount of that unappropriated cash
surplus is needed to balance the budget with a $11.70 tax rate.
Discussion followed on the floor.
Aldermen Banf_ield and Saccucci withdrew their resolution.
Resolution
By Al edrman Banfield: Seconded by
RESOLVED, That the Council place a
without Council approval.
Alderman Dennis
freeze on all hiring or replacement
Referral Resolution
By Alderman Gutenberger: Seconded by Alderman Holman
RESOLVED, That the resolution to place a freeze on all hiring or replace-
ment without Council approval be referred to the Budget and Administration
Committee for recoimnendatioil back to the Council by the first week in
February 1981.
Carried Unanimously
Resolution
By Al-Terman Dennis: Seconded by Alderman Gutenberger
RESOLVED, That the Council delete from Law Account 400 Contractual
Expenses - -from $13,700 to $4,458.
Discussion followed on the floor.
184 -6- December 22, 1980
The question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put
to a vote on roll call, which resulted as follows:
IIolman
Aye
Saccucci
Nay
Dennis
Aye
Gutenberger
Aye
Slattery
Nay
Schuler
Aye
Banfield
Aye
Boronkay
Aye
Nichols
Nay
Boothroyd
Nay
Ayes (6)
Nays (4)
Carried
Main Resolution as Amended
By Alderman Slattery: Seconded by Alderman Gutenberger
RESOLVED, That this Council approves the Tentative Budget for 1981 as
amended in the total amount of $13,428,134
(A) General Fund Appropriations
(B) Revenue Sharing Fund Appropriations
(C) Water Fund Appropriations
(D) Sewer Fund Appropriations
(E) Commons Assessment Appropriations
(F) Debt Retirement Schedule
(G) Capital Projects
(H) Schedule of Salaries and Positions -- General Fund
(I) Schedule of Salaries and Positions—Water and Sewer. Fund
(J) Authorized Equipment Purchases -- General Fund
(K) Authorized Equipment Purchases--Water Fund
(L) Authorized Equipment Purchases - -Sewer Fund
The question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put
to a vote on roll call, which resulted as follows:
Boothroyd
Aye
Nichols
Nay
Boronkay
Aye
Banfield
Nay
Schuler
Aye
Slattery
Aye
Gutenberger
Aye
Dennis
Aye
Saccucci
Aye
Holman
Aye
Ayes (8)
Nays (2)
Carried
The Common Council adjourned into recess at 9:SS p.m.
The Common Council reconvened in regular session at 10:15 p.m.
Proposed Youth Bureau /YMCA Joint Facility
By Alderman Gutenberger: Seconded by Al -derman Holman
WHEREAS, a central location for the YMCA is in the interest of the
greater Ithaca community, and
WHEREAS, the possibility exists for a joint venture between the City,
Town of Ithaca, and YMCA to provide coordinated recreational programs
to the community involving the Youth Bureau and YMCA, and
WHEREAS, the Community Service Building - Tin Can) site by Stewart Park
is an optimal location for a joint Youth ureau /Y M CA facility to
carry out these programs;
It
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Budget and Administration
Committee recommend that Common Council approve the proposed Youth
Bureau /YMCA facility in concept and authorize Department of Planning
and Development staff in conjunction with the Finance Department and
City Attorney to develop and negotiate the terms of an agreement between
the City, Town of Ithaca and YMCA, The terms will be subject to review
and approval by the Youth Bureau Board, Board of Public Works and
Common Council.
-7-
December 22, fqV
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Planning and Development staff continue
to explore alternatives to maintain the Youth Bureau on the Community
Sorvice Building (Tin Can) site.
Discussion followed on the floor.
Tabling Resolution
By Alderman Nichols: Seconded by Alderman Schuler
RESOLVED, That the resolution concerning the proposed Youth Bureau /YMCA
Joint Facility be tabled until the January 1981 meeting of the Council
for the purpose of obtaining further information,
Ayes (5) - Nichols, Schuler, Dennis, Holman, Saccucci
Nays (5) - Banfield, Boothroyd, Gutenberger, Boronkay, Slattery
Mayor Bordoni voted Nay to break the tie.
Resolution Defeated
Discussion followed on the main resolution.
Referral Resolution
i'. By Alderman Nichols: Seconded by Alderman Slattery
RESOLVED, That the main resolution be referred jointly to the Budget
and Administration and Planning and Development Committees for report
back.
r e_�
-N. Ayes (8) - Boothroyd, Boronkay, Dennis, Holman, Nichols, Saccucci,
Schuler, Slattery
Nays (2) - Banfield, Gutenberger
Carried
Application for Section 18 Transportation Operating Assistance
By Alderman Banfield: Seconded by Alderman Saccucci,
IJHEREAS, the City's Application for Section 18 Transportation Operating
Assistance has been approved by the Federal Highway Administration, and
WHEREAS,
the Board of Public Works, on
December
17, 1980, recommended
(Woo,- that the
Common Council authorize the
Mayor to
execute this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That this Common Council hereby authorizes
the Mayor to execute the Section 18 Operating Assistance Grant Agreement.
Referral Resolution
By Al erman Banfield: Seconded by Alderman Saccucci
RESOLVED, That the above resolution be referred to the Budget and
Administration Committee for recommendation.
Carried Unanimously
ADJOURNMENT:
On aiiotion the meeting adjourned at 10;52 p.m.
rl l , ✓1
J Wsh%1. Rundle, City Clem °,.Kaymon Bor oni, Mayor