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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-1988-10-19265 Iq LO m a 1 COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Special Meeting 5:00 P.M. October 19, 1988 PRESENT: Mayor Gutenberger Alderpersons (8) - Booth, Cummings, Hoffman, Killeen, Lytel, Peterson, Nichols, Romanowski, ABSENT: Alderpersons (2) - Schlather, Johnson (excused) OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk - Paolangeli City Attorney - Nash City Controller - Spano Deputy City Controller - Cafferillo Acting Police Chief - Pagliaro Personnel Administrator - Baker Fire Chief - Olmstead Commons Coordinator - Deming Acting Building Commissioner - Dieterich Director, Planning and Development - Van Cort PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Gutenberger led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: Mayor's Budget Mayor Gutenberger read the following statement to Council regarding his Executive Budget Proposal: "I herewith submit my 1989 Executive Budget Proposal for the City of Ithaca which calls for an appropriation of $19,512,388 for the General Fund. This reflects an increase of $1,935.752 over the 1988 amended budget or an 11.0% increase in the overall cost of operating city government. Revenue, other than Real Property Taxes, is being proposed at $13,136,820, an increase of $1,325,842 over the 1988 amended budget or an 11.2% increase. To balance the budget I am proposing that $597,248 of unappropriated cash surplus be used and that $5,778,320 be raised from Real Property Taxes. This will require a tax rate of $18.25/M which represents a 7.36% increase over the 1988 tax rate of $17.00/M. As you can see from these figures the costs involved with operating our city government are rising faster than our ability to generate new revenue. We, of course, have lost Federal Revenue Sharing and N.Y.S. again has capped State Revenue Sharing at the 1986 level. The Federal Tax Reform Act which has had devastating effects on State governments has also cost the City of Ithaca hundreds of thousands of dollars in our ability to generate interest income. Compounding this problem is the relatively small increase in the city tax base. Total city assessed valuation for 1989 originally (Woo" was estimated to increase by approximately 7 million dollars for an increase of only 2 percent. However, the courts have lowered the Special Franchise Assessment on N.Y.S.E.G. and N.Y. Telephone property by approximately 2 million dollars resulting in a net estimated city assessment valuation increase of approximately 5 million dollars (1.5% increase). To balance the 1989 budget while also balancing the increased demands for city services against the public's ability to pay required that I make tough choices and I am sure there will be disagreement with some of my decisions. My budget reflects my 2Vfl 2 decision to concentrate increased expenditures on the areas of public safety (Police, Fire and Safety Inspection) and community improvements while holding the line on most other areas and departments. My recommended budget provides for only five new positions (3 full time and 2 part- time). These new positions are: 1 environmental review officer, 1 recycling program truck driver, 1 working highway supervisor, 1 part -time volunteer fire fighter coordinator, and 1 part -time youth worker (this position is funded by a grant). Both the Planning Department and the Building Department requested a Environmental Review Officer. I made the choice to place that position in the Building Department. Because it has the most clout, and it is an enforcement department, I thought it may be more effective in that department. I am sure though that this may generate some discussion during the budget process. Included also in this budget are a wide range of community improvements - improvements that will have long term positive effects on the quality of life in our city. Some of these include: street and bridge repairs watershed land acquisition existing parking facility parking facility industrial park expansion Elmira Road drainage Stewart Park stabilization Southwest access repairs and new G.I.A.C. renovations including day care space As directed by Common Council, I have included $80,000 for a new general fund item for I.N.H.S.. I must caution you however that I have funded this by using monies accumulated from rent received from the medical facility - this money will not cover future year's appropriations. As I said, I have had to make difficult decisions in trying to keep our city healthy while keeping an eye on the taxpayers pocketbook, especially those who are having a hard time making ends meet. I know that I have cut items from department budgets that the departments feel are essential to their operations. For instance, if I were to include the 21 new positions requested by the Fire Department, taxes would have to be raised by an additional 11.5% for a total of 19 %. As laudable as this request is, the taxpayers simply cannot afford it. In short, I have put most of our city departments on a diet. My recommended 1989 budget is healthy but it is lean and contains no fat. I will not refer to this budget as an austerity budget but it is a budget which addresses our problems of generating new revenues to meet rapidly expanding expenses. It is a budget sensitive to the public's ability to pay while not reducing present city services. For a house assessed at $50,000 the 7.4% tax increase I am recommending translates into a yearly increase of $62.50 or $1.20 a week. This $1.20 is less than the cost of a pack of cigarettes, bottle of beer, double dip ice cream cone or a plate of pasta. If Common Council joins me in limiting departmental consumption by putting city government on a diet and if the public will slightly cut back on its consumption of sweets and other fattening foods, alcoholic beverages and cigarettes, we can all enter the City of Ithaca's second 100 years in a healthy condition." 267 3 Resolution By Alderperson Hoffman: Seconded by Alderperson Romanowski RESOLVED, That the Mayor's Budget for 1989, as presented, be received by the Council and referred to the Budget and Administration Committee for review. Amending Resolution By Alderperson Lytel: Seconded by Alderperson Booth RESOLVED, That the following be added at the end of the (4000e resolution referring the Budget to the B &A Committee: "and that all members of Council shall be empowered to vote at the Budget and Administration Committee's review of the Budget." Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the amendment resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Ln Main Motion as Amended d. A vote on the main motion as amended resulted as follows: LO Carried Unanimously m MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS Q Ithaca Housing Authority Mayor Gutenberger reported that he has re- appointed Barbara Blanchard, 316 Brookfield Road, to the Ithaca Housing Authority, for a term of 5 years, to expire October 17, 1993, and he asked the Council's concurrence. Resolution By Alderperson Booth: Seconded by Alderperson Hoffman RESOLVED, That this Common Council approves the re- appointment of Barbara Blanchard to the Ithaca Housing Authority for a term to expire October 17, 1993. Carried Unanimously Building Commissioner Interviewing Committee Mayor Gutenberger stated that he has appointed Alderpersons Booth, Schlather, and Peterson to serve on the committee. He stated that he is considering John Oakley who serves on the Board of Zoning Appeals, Doug Look, who serves on the Board of Appeals on Building Code and the Housing Board of Review and Barclay Jones, who represents the Landmarks Commission, and Bickley Townsend, who has a planning background. He asked that if Council members have any suggestions to let him know so that he can proceed with the appointments to this search committee. Alderperson Cummings pointed out that the Committee that reviews the evaluation criteria for Building Commissioner is Planning and Development and that the three Mayor's appointments to serve on the Search Committee do not represent any of the Planning and Development Committee members. The Mayor replied that he did not look at Common Council Committee structure but was trying to get representation from each area of the City. He suggested that if Council wishes, changes could be made regarding these appointments to the Search Committee. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR: Route 96 DEIS Mayor Gutenberger reported that the City has received the DEIS on Route 96. He stated that DoT submitted to him four supplements, which is a Water Quality Report, a Noise Study Analysis, Visual Resources Assessment and the Air Quality Report. Copies of the DEIS are available from DoT for $20.00 per set. They are also available for review at the City Clerk, Village Clerks, Town Clerks Offices and the Public Library and various service organizations. 268 4 Personnel Administrator Resignation Mayor Gutenberger read the following letter from William S. Baker, Personnel Administrator: "I regretfully submit my resignation as Personnel Administrator for the City of Ithaca effective Friday, December 2, 1988. I have been appointed to the position of Personnel Officer for the County of Saratoga at their Board of Supervisors Legislation meeting on October 18, 1988. As I earlier indicated, this appointment surfaced through personal /professional contacts. As you are aware, I was not actively seeking other employment opportunities as I felt that there were many challenges still to be accomplished in the City Personnel Office. It has been a professionally fulfilling experience being affiliated with the City of Ithaca Personnel Office and your City Administration over this two (2) year period. I certainly am indebted to you for the opportunity to serve the City of Ithaca. During my tenure as Personnel Administrator, we have enhanced the personnel functions tremendously. This, of course, could have been accomplished only with the commitment, understanding and support of your management team." Mayor Gutenberger commented that it is with regret that he accepts this resignation. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: Audit Report Jack Little, Administrative Partner in the firm of Ciaschi, Dieters -Hagen Schaufler and Mickelson, presented to Council the final copies of the 1987 Audit Report for the City of Ithaca. He highlighted aspects of the report. Mr. Little answered questions from members of Council and made suggestions regarding compliance and internal control matters. Bond Authorization By Alderperson Hoffman: Seconded by Alderperson Killeen BOND RESOLUTION DATED OCTOBER 19, 1988 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $205,000 SERIAL BOND AND THE APPROPRIATION AND EXPENDITURE OF $10,805 CURRENT FUNDS OF THE CITY OF ITHACA, TOMPKINS COUNTY, NEW YORK, TO PAY ADDITIONAL COSTS OF VARIOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS. WHEREAS, by bond resolutions dated September 5, 1984, February 6, 1985, and August 6, 1986, as amended, the Common Council of the City of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York, authorized various city improvements and the financing thereof, and WHEREAS, it has now been determined the such authorization and the amount of obligations to be issued and moneys to be expended therefor for certain of such capital improvements should be increased to include and to finance interest during the construction of such improvements, and WHEREAS, it is now desired to so provide; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York, as follows: Section 1. For the specific object or purpose of paying additional costs of the capital improvements specified in Section 2 hereof, there are hereby authorized to be issued $205,000 serial bonds pursuant to the provisions of the Local Finance Law, and there are hereby authorized to be expended $10,805 current 269 5 funds of said City, which current funds are hereby appropriated therefor. Section 2. The capital improvements in and for the City of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York, for which such additional serial bonds, bond anticipation notes and current funds shall be expended and the maximum estimated cost of each such capital improvements are as follows: a) The construction of a parking structure located at 128 (wov.,, Dryden Road containing between 200 and 220 parking spaces, at a maximum estimated cost of $2,210,920; b) The construction of street improvements required for the purposes of the parking structure described in paragraph a hereof, including sidewalks and curbing for the surrounding areas, at a maximum estimated cost of $860,094; LO c) The construction of a Youth Bureau Facility Building, such building to be constructed on parcels of land LO either currently owned by the City or to be separately acquired through annexation and agreement with the Town M of Ithaca at or about 1701 North Cayuga Street, including the demolition of an existing structure thereon, the grading and improvement of the site and the acquisition of original furnishings, equipment, machinery and apparatus required for the purposes for which such building will be used, at a maximum estimated cost of $1,743,244; d) The reconstruction of the Green Street Parking Facility located along the north side of East Green Street to the east of City Hall and west of South Aurora Street, at a maximum estimated cost of $162,060; e) The reconstruction of the Seneca Street Parking Facility located south of the U.S. Post Office, between North Tioga Street and North Aurora Street, at a maximum estimated cost of $1,309,420; f) The reconstruction and resurfacing of State Street from the Tuning Fork on East State Street to Ithaca Road, a total area of approximately 160,000 square feet, at a maximum estimated cost of $1,011,980; and g) The construction of additions to and the reconstruction of portions of the water distributions supply and distribution system, at a maximum estimated cost of $1,570,795. Section 3. The plan for the financing of each of the specific objects or purposes set forth in Section 2 hereof shall consist of the issuance of the serial bonds and the bond anticipation notes, the expenditure of current funds and moneys from the Parking Reserve Fund and moneys from the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program Funds previously authorized to be issued or expended, as the case may be, pursuant to the bond resolutions set forth in the preambles hereof and by the issuance of the $205,000 serial bonds and by the expenditure of the $10,805 current funds of said City authorized to be issued pursuant to this bond resolution, which additional serial bonds and current funds shall be allocated as follows: a. $59,810 serial bonds and $3,150 current funds shall be allocated to pay additional costs of the construction of the parking structure described in subdivision a of Section 2 hereof; 270 R b. $20,760 serial bonds and $1,095 current funds to pay additional costs of the construction of street improvements described in subdivision b of Section 2 hereof, C. $47,940 serial bonds and $2,525 current funds to pay additional costs of the construction of the Youth Bureau Facility Building described in subdivision c of Section 2 hereof; d. $2,400 serial bonds and $130 current funds to pay additional costs of the reconstruction of the Green Street Parking Facility described in subdivision d hereof; e. $28,200 serial bonds and $1,490 current funds to pay additional costs of the reconstruction of the Seneca Street Parking Facility described in subdivision e hereof; f. $11,380 serial bonds and $600 current funds to pay additional costs of the reconstruction and resurfacing of State Street described in subdivision f hereof; and g. $34,490 serial bonds and $1,815 current funds to pay additional costs of the construction of additions to and the reconstruction of portions of the water supply and distribution system described in subdivision g hereof. Section 4. The periods of probable usefulness of the capital improvements described in Section 2 hereof shall be as set forth in the bond resolutions described in the preambles hereof, computed from the date of issuance of the first obligation issued for each of such capital improvement. Section 5. The validity of such bonds and bond anticipation notes may be contested only if: 1) Such obligations are authorized for an object or purpose for which said City is not authorized to expend money, or 2) The provisions of law which should be complied with at the date of publication of this resolution are not substantially complied with and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty days after the date of such publication, or 3) Such obligations are authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution. Section 6. This resolution which takes effect immediately, shall be published in full in the Ithaca Journal, the official newspaper, together with a notice of the City Clerk in substantially the form provided in Section 81.00 of the Local Finance Law. Discussion followed on the floor. Deputy City Controller Cafferillo answered questions from Council members. Alderperson Cummings left the meeting at 5:45 p.m. 2'71 7 The question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put to a vote on roll call which resulted as follows: Romanowski - Aye Peterson - Aye Booth - Aye Nichols - Aye Lytel - Aye Hoffman - Aye (4w'l Killeen - Aye Ayes (7) Nays (0) Absent (3) - Schlather, Johnson, Cummings Carried ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. LO r Iq Callista F. Paolangeli ✓ ohn C. Gutenberger/ LO City Clerk /Mayor ((/% M a Iq 6h..- 0