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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-1997-11-05 1 COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 7:00 P.M. November 5, 1997 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Alderpersons (10) - Vaughan, Sams, Shenk, Mackesey, Hanna, Gray, Thorpe, Marcham, Blumenthal, Efroymson OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk - Conley Holcomb City Controller – Cafferillo Deputy City Controller - Thayer Building Commissioner - Eckstrom Planning and Development Director - Van Cort Superintendent of Public Works – Gray Assistant Superintendent of Public Works - Ferrel Fire Chief - Wilbur PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: By Alderperson Shenk : Seconded by Alderperson Blumenthal RESOLVED, That the minutes of the September 3, September 9, September 17 and October 8, 1997 Common Council Meetings be approved as published. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE: Alderperson Marcham requested the addition of Item 18.0 – Amendment to the 1998 Budget and Item 18.13 – New York Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Grant Resolution Application – Resolution. No Council member objected. YOUTH AWARD: Alderpersons Vaughan and Blumenthal presented the Distinguished Youth Award to the Forest Classroom, a fifth grade class at Belle Sherman School, who declared their classroom a bias-free zone, and adopted the following mission statement: “The Forest Room is a bias-free zone. People stand up for each other. We don’t call each other names. People don’t exclude others based on the biases listed below. We will welcome new people into the group. We will treat others as we would like to be treated.” The list of biases includes: racism, sexism, ableism, ageism, anti-Semitism, lookism, religious bias, homophobia, classism, and ethnocentrism.” The children in the Forest Classroom include Egor Andrianov, Josh Benjamin, Alena Blinova, Larry Chap, Jung Min Char, Jacob Cohen- Rosenthal, Nick Farhi, Jennifer Fenner, Shelby Harbachuk, Casey Harris, Helen Highfield, Jeffrey Hirasuna, Reuben Kamp, Sara Kellerman, Tola Luy, Delia Ng, Michael Orkin, Cody Puryear, Lisa Raykhlina, Nick Renegar, Karen Soth, Paul Stillman, and Hasani Zulu. November 5, 1997 2 PETITIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE COUNCIL: John Schroeder, City of Ithaca, addressed Council in support of the resolution passed by the Business Improvement District in July regarding future design ideas for the Commons. Mr. Schroeder also spoke in support of the Planning Board’s recommendation that the Commons fountain not be removed until an overall design plan can be completed. Fay Goughakis, City of Ithaca, also spoke in support of the Commons fountain not being removed. Ms. Goughakis further spoke about the tone of political races in the City and the responsibility of the media. Ms. Goughakis spoke in opposition to the placement of the Planet Walk monuments on the Commons. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC: Alderperson Shenk concurred with Mr. Schroeder’s statements regarding the Commons fountain. Alderperson Blumenthal requested that this item be added to the Planning Committee agenda. COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMON COUNCIL: Alderperson Marcham announced that a meeting will be held on November 6, 1997 at The Ramada Inn to discuss the tentative agreement between the City, County, and Cornell University on the joint operation of the bus systems. Alderperson Sams reported that the Community Issues Committee meeting will be cancelled for November. Alderperson Sams also reported that a candlelight vigil will be held to honor Gail Trimble on November 12, 1997. Alderperson Efroymson reported that the working group that has been researching the cable refranchising process, along with the two consultants, will be meeting on November 12, 1997 to discuss what team will be hired for the refranchising. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR: Mayor Cohen announced that the Planet Walk dedication, the Senior Citizens Center dedication, and the Alice Miller Way dedication will all take place on November 8, 1997. Mayor Cohen announced that the Business Improvement District has requested that a joint public/private committee be appointed to review design ideas for the Commons. REPORT OF CITY BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES: Board of Public Works Commissioner Ehrhardt reported on the following items: The Board of Public Works has directed staff to begin a preliminary draft for a city-wide traffic circulation plan. The Planning Board directed the Director of Planning and Development to list traffic planning as a high priority on the 1998 work plan. The Board approved the construction of speed bumps along Wood Street and South Street to be installed in the Spring of 1998. The Board also requested that the Police Department increase enforcement of speeding on these streets, which has taken place. The Board denied the request for stop signs at three intersections, because the Board does not feel the signs would be effective. November 5, 1997 3 The Board approved the removal of the Commons fountain, due to the fountain being a safety hazard. The Planning Board unanimously rejected the Board of Public Works suggestion that the Commons fountain be removed. Alderperson Efroymson thanked Commission Ehrhardt for his traffic calming efforts. PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: 17.1 Commons Fountain By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Shenk WHEREAS, The Planning Board by unanimous passage of a resolution at its October 28, 1997 meeting requested that the Ithaca Commons fountain not be removed until the joint public/private committee has reviewed design ideas for the Commons as a whole and made recommendations, and WHEREAS, Common Council supports the Planning Board’s decision, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Department of Public Works not proceed on removing the fountain from The Commons. Carried Unanimously REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS: BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE: 18.0 Amendment to Budget By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Hanna WHEREAS, the Common Council at the October 27, 1997 Budget meeting approved $21,193 of savings in the Department of Public Works by deleting one maintenance worker, and WHEREAS, the DPW developed an alternate plan to maintain the full-time position, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 1998 DPW Authorized Personnel Roster be amended as follows: Add: (1) One Maintenance Worker (Parks & Forestry) And be it further RESOLVED, That Account A7111-5120 hourly part-time Parks and Forestry be reduced by $11,990 and Account A5111-5115 hourly full-time maintenance of goods be reduced by $9,203 to reflect the DPW’s alternate plan to produce $21,193 in savings and retain the maintenance worker in the Parks and Forestry division. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding creative budget cuts. Alderperson Efroymson voiced his opposition to filling the truck driver position. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (9) Mackesey, Shenk, Sams, Blumenthal, Vaughan, Hanna, Marcham, Gray, Thorpe Nays (1) Efroymson Carried 18.1 Adoption of 1998 Budget November 5, 1997 4 By Alderperson Marcham : Seconded by Alderperson Gray WHEREAS, this Common Council is now considering adoption of the Amended Executive Budget for 1998 as approved by the Budget and Administration Committee, and WHEREAS, it is the consensus of this Common Council that the total appropriations and estimated revenues, as set forth in said Amended Executive Budget for 1998 and as those amounts may be altered by action of this Common Council at its November 5, 1997 meeting, are adequate for the operation of the City during 1998; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That this Common Council accepts and approves said Amended Executive Budget for 1998, together with any additional changes made in said budget at Council's November 5, 1997 meeting as the City of Ithaca Budget for 1998, in the total amount of $35,991,848, and be it further RESOLVED, That the following sections of the 1998 Budget be approved: A) General Fund Appropriations B) Water Fund Appropriations C) Sewer Fund Appropriations D) Joint Activity Fund Appropriations E) Solid Waste Fund Appropriations F) General Fund Revenues G) Water Fund Revenues H) Sewer Fund Revenues I) Joint Activity Fund Revenues J) Solid Waste Fund Revenues K) Debt Retirement Schedule L) Capital Projects M) Schedule of Salaries and Positions - General Fund N) Schedule of Salaries and Positions - Water & Sewer Fund O) Schedule of Salaries and Positions - Joint Activity Fund P) Schedule of Salaries and Positions - Solid Waste Fund Q) Authorized Equipment - General Fund R) Authorized Equipment - Water Fund S) Authorized Equipment - Sewer Fund T) Authorized Equipment - Joint Activity Fund U) Authorized Equipment - Solid Waste Fund Carried Unanimously 18.2 Adoption Of 1998 Tax Rate By Alderperson Marcham : Seconded by Alderperson Gray WHEREAS, the 1998 City of Ithaca Budget was approved, adopted and confirmed in the total amount of $35,991,848 on November 5, 1997, in accordance with a detailed Budget on file in the Office of the City Controller, and WHEREAS, available and estimated revenues total $28,544,128 leaving $7,447,720 as the amount to be raised by taxation, and WHEREAS, the Assessment Roll for 1998, certified and filed by the Assessment Department of Tompkins County, has been footed and approved and shows the total net taxable valuation as $816,031,421, and November 5, 1997 5 WHEREAS, under Charter provisions, the tax limit for City purposes amount to $18,167,655 for 1998; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the tax rate for general purposes, for the fiscal year 1998, be, and the same hereby is, established and fixed at 9.126756 per $1,000 of taxable valuation as shown, certified and extended against the respective properties on the 1998 Tax Roll, thereby making a total tax levy, as near as may be, of $7,447,720 and be it further RESOLVED, That the City Chamberlain be, and hereby is, directed to extend and apportion the City Tax as above, and that upon the completion of the extension of said Roll, the City Clerk shall prepare a warrant on the City Chamberlain for the collection of said levy; and the Mayor and the City Clerk hereby are authorized and directed to sign and affix the corporate seal to such warrant and forthwith to file the same with said Tax Roll with the City Chamberlain, and be it further RESOLVED, That upon the execution and filing of said warrant and Tax Roll with the City Chamberlain, the amounts of the City Tax set opposite each and every property shall hereby become liens, due, payable and collectible in accordance with provisions of the City Charter and other laws applicable thereto, and be it further RESOLVED, That the total sum of $35,991,848 be appropriated in accordance with the Budget adopted, to the respective Boards, Offices and Departments of the City, for the purposes respectively set forth therein. The 1998 Assessment Roll has been completed and approved by the Assessment Department of Tompkins County and resulted in the following valuation: Total Value of Real Property $1,983,509,696 Less: Value of Exempt Property 1,188,283,978 795,225,718 Plus: Value of Special Franchises 20,805,703 Net Value of Taxable Property 816,031,421 Carried Unanimously (11-0) 18.3 Youth Bureau - Request to Amend Youth Bureau Budget By Alderperson Marcham : Seconded by Alderperson Gray WHEREAS, the Cass Park Ice Rink would like to sell additional advertising space on the rink's dasher boards, and WHEREAS, the estimated cost to prepare the dasher boards for advertising is $3,500 for printing and other associated costs, and WHEREAS, the cost of said preparation would be offset by the advertising revenue; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 1997 Youth Bureau Budget be amended as follows for the purpose of selling Cass Park dasher board advertising: November 5, 1997 6 Increase Revenue Account A7310-2070-1511 $3,500 Increase Appropriation Account A7310-5477-1511 $3,500 Carried Unanimously 18.5 Finance/Chamberlain-Request to Approve Job Reclassification By Alderperson Marcham : Seconded by Alderperson Gray RESOLVED, That the Authorized Personnel Roster for the City Chamberlain’s Office and the Parking Violations Division be amended as follows: Add: One (1) Customer Service Representative – Chamberlain’s Office One (1) Customer Service Representative – Parking Violations Division Delete: One (1) Account Clerk Typist – Chamberlain’s Office One (1) Account Clerk Typist – Parking Violations Division And, be it further RESOLVED, That the positions of Customer Service Representative be assigned to the CSEA Administrative Unit at Grade 4. Carried Unanimously 18.7 Fire Department - Request Approval of Volunteer Fire Company Agreements By Alderperson Marcham : Seconded by Alderperson Mackesey WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Fire Department and its eight Volunteer Fire Departments agreed to re-establish a contractual basis for the relationship between the two entities; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to enter into the Volunteer Company Appropriation Agreement dated June 9, 1997 between the City of Ithaca and the Department's eight volunteer companies for the period July 1, 1997 to June 30, 2000. Carried Unanimously 18.8 System Administrator - Request Approval of Partnership for Electronic Future Master Agreement By Alderperson Marcham : Seconded by Alderperson Efroymson WHEREAS, the Partnership for an Electronic Future Consortium was formed to share computer and electronic technology, resources, and related services with a goal to provide connectivity, to assure quality of service at the most effective price, and to share expertise to solve common problems faced by all members; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to enter into a Partnership for an Electronic Future Master Agreement, dated November 5, 1997, between the City of Ithaca and the following entities: County of Tompkins November 5, 1997 7 Cayuga Medical Center Cornell University Ithaca City School District Ithaca College Lansing School District Newfield School District South Central Research Library Council T-S-T BOCES for the period August 1, 1997 to August 31, 1998. Carried Unanimously 18.9 System Administrator - Request Approval of Project Agreement and Appropriation of Funds By Alderperson Marcham : Seconded by Alderperson Gray WHEREAS, the Partnership for Electronic Future (PEF) Consortium has established a project to provide the PEF members the ability to collectively procure and share Internet services at a cost per member of $3,000 for internet services for a one-year period; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to enter into PEF Project Agreement #1-813-97 at a cost not to exceed $3,000 for the period August 21, 1997 to August 20, 1998 for the purposes of providing internet services, and be it further RESOLVED, That an amount not to exceed $3,000 shall be transferred from Account A1990 Unrestricted Contingency to Account A1210-5435 for said internet services. Carried Unanimously 18.10 Planning Department - Request Authorization of Certified Local Government Subgrant Program Application #1 By Alderperson Marcham : Seconded by Alderperson Gray WHEREAS, the City would like to co-sponsor a workshop in Ithaca regarding local tax exemptions for certified historic rehabilitation with the Preservation League of New York State to be held during the annual conference scheduled for May 1, 2, and 3, 1998, and WHEREAS, the City may apply for funding to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation through the Certified Local Government Subgrant Program for the cost of such a workshop, and WHEREAS, the City has estimated a $7,919 budget for the development and hosting of a statewide workshop on the option of local tax exemption, and WHEREAS, the City would have no required cash match and no more than thirty-five hours of in-kind staff time for contract administration and participation during the day of the workshop; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Mayor be authorized to sign the funding application for New York State aid from the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation through the Certified Local Government Subgrant Program to fund the cost of development and hosting of the statewide workshop on local tax exemption. Carried Unanimously November 5, 1997 8 18.11 Planning Department - Request Authorization of Certified Local Government Subgrant Program Application #2 By Alderperson Marcham: Seconded by Alderperson Blumenthal WHEREAS, the City would like to encourage training for members of the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission, and WHEREAS, the City may apply for funding to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation through the Certified Local Government Subgrant Program for the cost of such training, and WHEREAS, the New York State Planning Federation has sponsored a daylong historic preservation training session in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday, October 28, 1997, and WHEREAS, this training was attended by City staff and a member of the Commission who incurred $177 in expenses for travel, meals, accommodations and workshop registration, and WHEREAS, the expenses incurred by staff attendance at the training may serve as a cash match; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Director of Planning and Development be authorized to sign the funding application for New York State aid from the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation through the Certified Local Government Subgrant Program to fund training costs. Carried Unanimously 18.12 DPW - Request Amendment to Capital Project 332 Street & Road Construction 1998 By Alderperson Marcham : Seconded by Alderperson Shenk WHEREAS, Capital Project #332 was authorized by passage of the 1997 Budget in the amount of $450,000 for DPW Street and Road Construction within the City in 1997, and WHEREAS, unforeseen project overruns on the Mitchell Street project has limited the transfer level of labor and equipment to be charged back to the General Fund as was originally budgeted for the capital project, and WHEREAS, the estimated cost to the project is $100,000 which would cover labor, materials and equipment to December 31, 1997; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby authorizes that Capital Project #332 DPW Street and Road Construction 1997 be amended by an amount not to exceed $100,000 for a total project authorization of $550,000 for the purpose of covering labor, materials and equipment charges for 1997, and be it further RESOLVED, That said funds shall be derived from the issuance of Serial Bonds. Discussion followed on the floor regarding unallocated funds in other Capital Projects. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously November 5, 1997 9 18.13 Resolution Authorizing the Execution and Filing of an Application and Execution and Delivery of a Project Financing and Loan Agreement and Other Documents Necessary for DWSRF Assistance By Alderperson Marcham : Seconded by Alderperson Shenk WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca herein called the “Borrower”, after thorough consideration of the various aspects of the problems and study of available data, has hereby determined that the project generally described as “Ithaca City Phase A: Regional Water Study and Pumping Station Upgrades – Phase A” and identified as DWSRF Project Number 15488, herein called the “Project”, is desirable and in the public interest, and to that end it is necessary that action preliminary to the construction of said Project be taken immediately; and WHEREAS, the United States, pursuant to Title XIV of the Public Health Service Act (commonly known as the “Safe Drinking Water Act”), 42 U.S.C. Section 300F, et seq., as amended (the “Act”), requires each State to establish a drinking water revolving fund to be administered by an instrumentality of the state before the state may receive capitalization grants under the Act; and WHEREAS, the State of New York has, pursuant to Chapter 413 of the Laws of 1996 (the “DWSRF Act”)established in the custody of the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (the “Corporation”) a drinking water revolving fund (the “Fund”) to be used for the purposes of the Act; and WHEREAS, the Corporation has been created, reconstituted and continued pursuant to the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Act, as amended, being Chapter 744 of the Laws of 1970, as amended, and constituting Title 12 of Article 5 of the Public Authorities Law and Chapter 43-A of the Consolidated Laws of the State of New York, and constitutes a public benefit corporation under the laws of the State of New York, being a body corporate and politic with full and lawful power and authority to provide financial assistance from the Fund; and WHEREAS, the Corporation has the responsibility to administer the Fund and to provide financial assistance from the Fund to recipients for eligible projects, as provided in the DWSRF Act; and WHEREAS, the DWSRF Act authorizes the establishment of a program for financial assistance for planning, design and construction of eligible projects; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca as follows: 1. The filing of an application for DWSRF assistance in the form required by the Corporation in conformity with the DWSRF Act is hereby authorized, including all understandings and assurances contained in said application. 2. The following person, as chief fiscal officer, is directed and authorized as the official representative of the Borrower to execute and deliver an application for DWSRF assistance, to execute and deliver the Project Financing and Loan Agreement and any other documents necessary to receive financial assistance from the Fund for the Project, to act in connection with the Project and to provide such additional information as may be required and to make such agreements on behalf of the Borrower as may be required: November 5, 1997 10 Dominick Cafferillo, City Controller 3. The official designated above is authorized to make application for financial assistance under the DWSRF Program. 4. One (1) certified copy of the Resolution shall be prepared and sent to the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, 50 Wolf Road, Room 508, Albany, New York 12205- 2603. 5. This Resolution shall take effect immediately. Carried Unanimously EXECUTIVE SESSION: By Alderperson Marcham : Seconded by Alderperson Gray RESOLVED, That Common Council adjourn into Executive Session to discuss a personnel item and possible litigation. Carried Unanimously RECONVENE: Common Council reconvened into regular session, and considered the following resolutions: . Youth Bureau – Personnel Item By Alderperson Marcham : Seconded by Alderperson Hanna RESOLVED, That based on a request initiated by the employee involved, the personnel roster of the Youth Bureau be amended by reducing the full-time position of Ann Rayle, Youth Worker, to part-time for a period of six months. Carried Unanimously Finance/Chamberlain Sidewalk Assessment By Alderperson Marcham : Seconded by Alderperson Shenk RESOLVED, That the City Chamberlain is hereby authorized to collect the principle amount of $776.25 from the property owner at 612 West State Street for a sidewalk assessment. Carried Unanimously ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M. ________________________ _______________________ Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Alan J. Cohen, City Clerk Mayor