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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-1989-10-171 October 17, 1989 COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Special Meeting 7:00 P.M. October 17, 1989 PRESENT: Alderpersons (9) - Booth, Cummings, Hoffman, Peterson, Johnson, Lytel, Killeen, Nichols, Schlather Coe, ABSENT: Mayor Gutenberger (previous commitment) Alderperson Romanowski (excused) In the absence of Mayor Gutenberger the meeting was chaired by Acting Mayor Sean Killeen. OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk - Paolangeli C.) Fire Chief - Olmstead C Tompkins County Representative - Stein 1� r t.. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Acting Mayor Killeen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. COMMUNICATION FROM THE MAYOR: City Clerk Paolangeli read the following letter from Mayor Gutenberger, dated October 17, 1989, to Council members: "Neither I nor my office was requested to call a special meeting nor did those who arranged for the special meeting check with my office as to my availability. (6000, Unfortunately, I have a previously scheduled commitment and will be unable to attend the special Common Council meeting on October 17, 1989." SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: Funding for Homeless Shelter at Southside Community Center By Alderperson Peterson: Seconded by Alderperson Nichols RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca shall contract with the Southside Community Center for the provision of a Temporary Cold Weather Shelter for the 1989 -1990 cold weather season, and be it further RESOLVED, That $25,500 be appropriated from the 1989 Unrestricted Contingency account to pay for such a shelter, in effect encumbering the entire amount to carry over into 1990, and be it further RESOLVED, That funds will be expended monthly as vouchers for services provided are submitted, reflecting a $25 per diem reimbursement for each bed night, and be it further RESOLVED, That this funding is for an overnight shelter only and is from the period of October 16, 1989 through March 31, 1990. Alderperson Peterson stated that there are homeless people, persons from Southside, from the Friendship Center, from the churches and from Cornell in the audience tonight and she asked that they stand so that they could be acknowledged. Alderperson Peterson presented to City Clerk Paolangeli, a petition from the homeless, the near - homeless and friends of the homeless with 300 signatures. Discussion followed on the floor. "147 148 2 October 17, 1989 Alderperson Hoffman stated that at the September Common Council meeting a resolution was passed which included clauses which urged EOC to make a written commitment to use McKinney funds for this project and a stipulation that Southside would interview each new client of the shelter and assist in making a request to DSS. There was also a clause that the Mayor was requested to ask the County for operational funding for this shelter in 1990. He wanted to make sure that the Council agrees that those clauses are still in effect. Alderperson Schlather offered a friendly amendment to the first Resolved to be added after the word 'season', as follows: "subject to the terms and conditions of the prior resolution of this Council, dated September 6, 1989, with the further modification that the funds for the contract be guaranteed by the City of Ithaca, and be it further... etc." Alderperson Peterson asked if there was any conflict at all with the Resolved clauses from September with what is being said in the resolution before the Council tonight. Alderperson Schlather stated that he thought the only concern the Southside Board had with the Council's September resolution was the failure to guarantee the funds for the duration of the program. Steve McGruder, Vice - President of the Southside Board stated that the problem with the September 6 resolution was not necessarily the funding, but the way it was to be administered. Even in the resolution as it states now, it is contingent upon per diem nights and it does not make any reference to the paid staffing, like the shelter coordinator and the staff people. He said that if it is contingent on per diem nights and there may be one person staying for an evening, how are these salaries covered? That is part of the issue. Alderperson Schlather commented that the reason the per diem mechanism was put in when this matter was originally discussed was in order to secure reimbursement through the County. That was the only way the County Department of Social Services would recognize our right to reimbursement. Southside is being guaranteed the money. We are guaranteeing the $25,500 and he thinks that was the sticking point. Alderperson Booth expressed concern over the way the resolution that is before the Council was written. Alderperson Schlather stated that the City has already provided the funding for 1989. For reasons which will become apparent tomorrow morning when the Mayor presents his budget to Council, he suggested that Council guarantee the funding for the balance of 1990, which is about $12,000, from the salaries of Common Council and the Mayor. Alderperson Schlather further stated that when the Council sees the budget for 1990 they will see that we are appropriating our entire cash surplus as part of the act of balancing the budget for 1990. Therefore, the only way that we are going to be able to fund programs that are not included in Mayor's budget is to either redirect funds from existing programs or to raise the taxes. Alderperson Schlather offered the following substitute resolution. Substitute Resolution By Alderperson Schlather: Seconded by Alderperson Cummings RESOLVED, That the Mayor be and he is authorized to enter into a contract with the Southside Community Center for the provision of a temporary cold weather shelter for the 1989 - 1990 cold weather 149 9 3 October 17, 1989 season, which contract shall be in the form approved by the City Attorney and shall reflect the terms and conditions set forth in the September 6, 1989 resolution of Common Council, with the following additional clarifications: 1. The entire amount "not to exceed" $25,500 shall be guaranteed by the City of Ithaca as the funder of last resort, and 2. The per diem rate of $25.00 shall be deemed a funding mechanism only designed to assist the City of Ithaca in recovering costs from other funding agencies, and be it further RESOLVED, That the entire funds for this contract be appropriated from 1989 Unrestricted Contingency account. Discussion followed on the substitute resolution. A vote on the substitute resolution resulted as follows: Carried (9 -0) s ii Amending Resolution By Alderperson Schlather: Seconded by Alderperson Peterson RESOLVED, That the substitute resolution be amended by the deletion of the Resolved and the addition of the following language: "Resolved, That the funding for the program be derived from the funds already guaranteed for 1989 as more fully set forth in the September 6, 1989 resolution of Common Council, together with further funding for 1990 to be appropriated from the salary lines of Common Council and the Mayor as follows: $2,000 from the Mayoral salary line, $1,000 from each Common Council salary, for a total of $12,000." Alderperson Schlather stated that he is serious about this. When we discussed this at length at the last Council meeting, we made it very clear that it is very difficult for us to make commitments for funding in a year beyond the present budget year. He said that there is no question that the provision of a shelter is a good thing. It is something that all the Council supports. That is not the issue. The issue is how do we fund it. Alderperson Schlather went on to say that it was the Council's intent to attempt to fund this by inducing the County to come in and pay for it. That hasn't worked and now we are asked to play our hand prematurely. The problem that we have is this - in tomorrow's budget meeting the Council is going to see that at the end of this year, assuming all revenues are in as budgeted and all expenditures are out as budgeted, we will have a cash surplus of about $600,000. That entire $600,000 is appropriated in the Mayor's 1990 budget. Alderperson Schlather explained that if you take money out of the 1989 budget, you are reducing the unappropriated cash surplus from 1989, thereby creating a gap for 1990. The only way you can fill that gap is to take the money out of some other part of the budget or raise the taxes, either of which are realistic and possibilities. However, before we have the budget before us we cannot decide what is the wiser move. Therefore, the only thing that we have control over, that will not be a life or death impact is our own salaries. He suggested that the Council take it out of their salaries now. At the end of the budgeting process, if we come up with some other way of funding this - fine. But at this point, he does not think the Council can be fiscally responsible doing it in any other way. Further discussion followed on the floor. 1.50 4 October 17, 1989 A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows: Aye (1) - Schlather Nays (8) - Booth, Nichols, Killeen, Hoffman, Peterson, Lytel, Johnson, Cummings Motion Fails Discussion followed on the Main Motion. Alderperson Nichols referred to the question of fire safety. He Center and Council have thinks it should be clear that Southside about this. There are several exits and one been very concerned for the personnel requirement is the fact that of the reasons two people awake at night for protection. there are always Alderperson Lytel spoke on the editorial that appeared in the from the Building Ithaca Journal tonight. The key consideration Commissioner and the Fire Commissioners is whether or not this is a temporary activity. If it is a temporary activity that is one then we have some thing. If it is a permanent emergency shelter, be to the building. It very serious revisions that need to made involved, Southside and the City, is very clear now to everyone this shelter closes this season, it will not be that after designated an emergency shelter in the future. Further discussion followed on the floor. Alderperson Schlather pointed out that the resolution says guaranteeing the money ' funder of have to try resort'. to get the money from County and SSt we still The contract has to be written to reflect that. City Attorney Nash stated hat auh he work with the Southside to the correct language o p with and City Controller monthly payment schedule. Alderperson Schlather further stated that he supports the shelter support the resolution with his whole heart, but he cannot as previously stated. because of fiscal reasons, A vote on the Main Motion resulted as follows: Ayes (8) - Peterson, Killeen, Nichols, Hoffman, Lytel, Booth, Johnson, Cummings Nay (1) - Schlather Carried Meeting with U.S. Postal Service Officials Mr. Karl Anderson, the Ithaca Post Master introduced Postal they would Representatives from aBpresentation and presenting a explained tape. they would giving Mr. Phillip B. Vincellette, MSC Director, Operations Services from Rochester explained to Council the reasons for the proposed move of some of the postal services from Ithaca to Elmira. He explained how the Postal Service is trying to automate all its mail processing operations by 1995. costs. e stated that complete automation reduces letter distribution A question and answer period followed. Mr. David Elvidge, Divisional Director for Operational Services in Buffalo agreed to provide the City with a written layman's description of why some Ithaca postal operations will be moved to Elmira together with the cost effectiveness of moving these operations. He further agreed to keep the City abreast of Postal Service evaluations during each of the four re- organizing phases that will take place during the next year and a half. The Postal Service will make sure.it is cost effective and has not f.j 5 October 17, 1989 diminished service. Failure to meet either of these criteria could lead to the overall plan's reassessment. Daniel Rhodes and Robert Sullivan, Post Office employees, addressed Council on behalf of the Postal Workers' Union. They explained their reasons for opposing the move to Elmira. Discussion followed on the floor. Alderperson Schlather asked if there is anything the Ithaca community can do, in connection with the evaluation that they are going to do prior to the implementation of phase 2, 3, and 4 that would convince the postal service that perhaps this is not the wisest way to proceed. Mr. Elvidge said that he is certain that if the Council has something they could bring to them, they will gladly evaluate it and take it into account. Acting Mayor Killeen said that the Mayor's office will be pleased to serve as a conduit and facilitator for the concerns of the Tompkins - Cortland County Labor Coalition representative and the Tompkins County Area Development Agency, and those of Postmaster Anderson and Mr. Elvidge's office in Buffalo. It was agreed by the Common Council and the Representatives of the Postal Service that after Phase 1 a study will be done and another meeting of the Post Office Representatives and Council will be scheduled. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m. � 16 Callista F. Paolangeli Sean Killeen City Clerk Acting Mayor 1Jt 1 October 17, 1989 COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Special Meeting 7:00 P.M. October 17, 1989 PRESENT: Alderpersons (9) - Booth, Cummings, Hoffman, Peterson, Johnson, Lytel, Killeen, Nichols, Schlather Coe, ABSENT: Mayor Gutenberger (previous commitment) Alderperson Romanowski (excused) In the absence of Mayor Gutenberger the meeting was chaired by Acting Mayor Sean Killeen. OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk - Paolangeli C.) Fire Chief - Olmstead C Tompkins County Representative - Stein 1� r t.. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Acting Mayor Killeen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. COMMUNICATION FROM THE MAYOR: City Clerk Paolangeli read the following letter from Mayor Gutenberger, dated October 17, 1989, to Council members: "Neither I nor my office was requested to call a special meeting nor did those who arranged for the special meeting check with my office as to my availability. (6000, Unfortunately, I have a previously scheduled commitment and will be unable to attend the special Common Council meeting on October 17, 1989." SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: Funding for Homeless Shelter at Southside Community Center By Alderperson Peterson: Seconded by Alderperson Nichols RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca shall contract with the Southside Community Center for the provision of a Temporary Cold Weather Shelter for the 1989 -1990 cold weather season, and be it further RESOLVED, That $25,500 be appropriated from the 1989 Unrestricted Contingency account to pay for such a shelter, in effect encumbering the entire amount to carry over into 1990, and be it further RESOLVED, That funds will be expended monthly as vouchers for services provided are submitted, reflecting a $25 per diem reimbursement for each bed night, and be it further RESOLVED, That this funding is for an overnight shelter only and is from the period of October 16, 1989 through March 31, 1990. Alderperson Peterson stated that there are homeless people, persons from Southside, from the Friendship Center, from the churches and from Cornell in the audience tonight and she asked that they stand so that they could be acknowledged. Alderperson Peterson presented to City Clerk Paolangeli, a petition from the homeless, the near - homeless and friends of the homeless with 300 signatures. Discussion followed on the floor. "147 148 2 October 17, 1989 Alderperson Hoffman stated that at the September Common Council meeting a resolution was passed which included clauses which urged EOC to make a written commitment to use McKinney funds for this project and a stipulation that Southside would interview each new client of the shelter and assist in making a request to DSS. There was also a clause that the Mayor was requested to ask the County for operational funding for this shelter in 1990. He wanted to make sure that the Council agrees that those clauses are still in effect. Alderperson Schlather offered a friendly amendment to the first Resolved to be added after the word 'season', as follows: "subject to the terms and conditions of the prior resolution of this Council, dated September 6, 1989, with the further modification that the funds for the contract be guaranteed by the City of Ithaca, and be it further... etc." Alderperson Peterson asked if there was any conflict at all with the Resolved clauses from September with what is being said in the resolution before the Council tonight. Alderperson Schlather stated that he thought the only concern the Southside Board had with the Council's September resolution was the failure to guarantee the funds for the duration of the program. Steve McGruder, Vice - President of the Southside Board stated that the problem with the September 6 resolution was not necessarily the funding, but the way it was to be administered. Even in the resolution as it states now, it is contingent upon per diem nights and it does not make any reference to the paid staffing, like the shelter coordinator and the staff people. He said that if it is contingent on per diem nights and there may be one person staying for an evening, how are these salaries covered? That is part of the issue. Alderperson Schlather commented that the reason the per diem mechanism was put in when this matter was originally discussed was in order to secure reimbursement through the County. That was the only way the County Department of Social Services would recognize our right to reimbursement. Southside is being guaranteed the money. We are guaranteeing the $25,500 and he thinks that was the sticking point. Alderperson Booth expressed concern over the way the resolution that is before the Council was written. Alderperson Schlather stated that the City has already provided the funding for 1989. For reasons which will become apparent tomorrow morning when the Mayor presents his budget to Council, he suggested that Council guarantee the funding for the balance of 1990, which is about $12,000, from the salaries of Common Council and the Mayor. Alderperson Schlather further stated that when the Council sees the budget for 1990 they will see that we are appropriating our entire cash surplus as part of the act of balancing the budget for 1990. Therefore, the only way that we are going to be able to fund programs that are not included in Mayor's budget is to either redirect funds from existing programs or to raise the taxes. Alderperson Schlather offered the following substitute resolution. Substitute Resolution By Alderperson Schlather: Seconded by Alderperson Cummings RESOLVED, That the Mayor be and he is authorized to enter into a contract with the Southside Community Center for the provision of a temporary cold weather shelter for the 1989 - 1990 cold weather 149 9 3 October 17, 1989 season, which contract shall be in the form approved by the City Attorney and shall reflect the terms and conditions set forth in the September 6, 1989 resolution of Common Council, with the following additional clarifications: 1. The entire amount "not to exceed" $25,500 shall be guaranteed by the City of Ithaca as the funder of last resort, and 2. The per diem rate of $25.00 shall be deemed a funding mechanism only designed to assist the City of Ithaca in recovering costs from other funding agencies, and be it further RESOLVED, That the entire funds for this contract be appropriated from 1989 Unrestricted Contingency account. Discussion followed on the substitute resolution. A vote on the substitute resolution resulted as follows: Carried (9 -0) s ii Amending Resolution By Alderperson Schlather: Seconded by Alderperson Peterson RESOLVED, That the substitute resolution be amended by the deletion of the Resolved and the addition of the following language: "Resolved, That the funding for the program be derived from the funds already guaranteed for 1989 as more fully set forth in the September 6, 1989 resolution of Common Council, together with further funding for 1990 to be appropriated from the salary lines of Common Council and the Mayor as follows: $2,000 from the Mayoral salary line, $1,000 from each Common Council salary, for a total of $12,000." Alderperson Schlather stated that he is serious about this. When we discussed this at length at the last Council meeting, we made it very clear that it is very difficult for us to make commitments for funding in a year beyond the present budget year. He said that there is no question that the provision of a shelter is a good thing. It is something that all the Council supports. That is not the issue. The issue is how do we fund it. Alderperson Schlather went on to say that it was the Council's intent to attempt to fund this by inducing the County to come in and pay for it. That hasn't worked and now we are asked to play our hand prematurely. The problem that we have is this - in tomorrow's budget meeting the Council is going to see that at the end of this year, assuming all revenues are in as budgeted and all expenditures are out as budgeted, we will have a cash surplus of about $600,000. That entire $600,000 is appropriated in the Mayor's 1990 budget. Alderperson Schlather explained that if you take money out of the 1989 budget, you are reducing the unappropriated cash surplus from 1989, thereby creating a gap for 1990. The only way you can fill that gap is to take the money out of some other part of the budget or raise the taxes, either of which are realistic and possibilities. However, before we have the budget before us we cannot decide what is the wiser move. Therefore, the only thing that we have control over, that will not be a life or death impact is our own salaries. He suggested that the Council take it out of their salaries now. At the end of the budgeting process, if we come up with some other way of funding this - fine. But at this point, he does not think the Council can be fiscally responsible doing it in any other way. Further discussion followed on the floor. 1.50 4 October 17, 1989 A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows: Aye (1) - Schlather Nays (8) - Booth, Nichols, Killeen, Hoffman, Peterson, Lytel, Johnson, Cummings Motion Fails Discussion followed on the Main Motion. Alderperson Nichols referred to the question of fire safety. He Center and Council have thinks it should be clear that Southside about this. There are several exits and one been very concerned for the personnel requirement is the fact that of the reasons two people awake at night for protection. there are always Alderperson Lytel spoke on the editorial that appeared in the from the Building Ithaca Journal tonight. The key consideration Commissioner and the Fire Commissioners is whether or not this is a temporary activity. If it is a temporary activity that is one then we have some thing. If it is a permanent emergency shelter, be to the building. It very serious revisions that need to made involved, Southside and the City, is very clear now to everyone this shelter closes this season, it will not be that after designated an emergency shelter in the future. Further discussion followed on the floor. Alderperson Schlather pointed out that the resolution says guaranteeing the money ' funder of have to try resort'. to get the money from County and SSt we still The contract has to be written to reflect that. City Attorney Nash stated hat auh he work with the Southside to the correct language o p with and City Controller monthly payment schedule. Alderperson Schlather further stated that he supports the shelter support the resolution with his whole heart, but he cannot as previously stated. because of fiscal reasons, A vote on the Main Motion resulted as follows: Ayes (8) - Peterson, Killeen, Nichols, Hoffman, Lytel, Booth, Johnson, Cummings Nay (1) - Schlather Carried Meeting with U.S. Postal Service Officials Mr. Karl Anderson, the Ithaca Post Master introduced Postal they would Representatives from aBpresentation and presenting a explained tape. they would giving Mr. Phillip B. Vincellette, MSC Director, Operations Services from Rochester explained to Council the reasons for the proposed move of some of the postal services from Ithaca to Elmira. He explained how the Postal Service is trying to automate all its mail processing operations by 1995. costs. e stated that complete automation reduces letter distribution A question and answer period followed. Mr. David Elvidge, Divisional Director for Operational Services in Buffalo agreed to provide the City with a written layman's description of why some Ithaca postal operations will be moved to Elmira together with the cost effectiveness of moving these operations. He further agreed to keep the City abreast of Postal Service evaluations during each of the four re- organizing phases that will take place during the next year and a half. The Postal Service will make sure.it is cost effective and has not f.j 5 October 17, 1989 diminished service. Failure to meet either of these criteria could lead to the overall plan's reassessment. Daniel Rhodes and Robert Sullivan, Post Office employees, addressed Council on behalf of the Postal Workers' Union. They explained their reasons for opposing the move to Elmira. Discussion followed on the floor. Alderperson Schlather asked if there is anything the Ithaca community can do, in connection with the evaluation that they are going to do prior to the implementation of phase 2, 3, and 4 that would convince the postal service that perhaps this is not the wisest way to proceed. Mr. Elvidge said that he is certain that if the Council has something they could bring to them, they will gladly evaluate it and take it into account. Acting Mayor Killeen said that the Mayor's office will be pleased to serve as a conduit and facilitator for the concerns of the Tompkins - Cortland County Labor Coalition representative and the Tompkins County Area Development Agency, and those of Postmaster Anderson and Mr. Elvidge's office in Buffalo. It was agreed by the Common Council and the Representatives of the Postal Service that after Phase 1 a study will be done and another meeting of the Post Office Representatives and Council will be scheduled. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m. � 16 Callista F. Paolangeli Sean Killeen City Clerk Acting Mayor 1Jt