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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-2000-11-01 1 COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m. November 1, 2000 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Alderpersons (8) Pryor, Sams, Glasstetter, Manos, Vaughan, Spielho1z, Taylor, Hershey OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk – Conley Holcomb City Attorney - Schwab Assistant City Attorney – Dunn City Controller – Cafferillo Deputy Controller – Thayer Police Chief – Basile Acting Building Commissioner – Radke Fire Chief – Wilbur Volunteer Coordinator – Lynch Youth Bureau Director – Cohen Deputy Youth Bureau Director - Green EXCUSED: Alderpersons Farrell, Blumenthal PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: By Alderperson Spielholz: Seconded by Alderperson Pryor RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the August 24, 2000, August 28, 2000, and September 14, 2000 Special Common Council Meetings be approved with corrections noted by Alderpersons Blumenthal and Manos. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Planning and Economic Development Committee Alderperson Pryor requested the deletion of Items 20.1A & B – An Ordinance Amending the City of Ithaca Municipal Code regarding Flood Damage Prevention; and Item 20.2A & B - Acquisition and Disposition of Esty and Fulton Street Parking Lot. She further requested the addition of a new Item 20.1 – Tompkins County Library Memorandum of Understanding – Resolution. No Council member objected. Human Resources Committee Alderperson Manos requested that Item 17.8 - A Motion to Enter into Executive Session to Discuss Adjusting the Schedule of Benefits for Managerial Employees and 17.9 - A Motion to Enter into Executive Session to Discuss Executive Unit Contract be added to the existing Executive Session. She further requested the addition of Item 17.10 – Change in Prescription Co-payment Program for Retired Employees – Resolution. No Council members objected. November 1, 2000 2 New Business Mayor Cohen requested the addition of Item 20.2 – Wastewater Treatment Services – Progress Report regarding discussions with other municipalities. No Council member objected. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: Recognition of Ithaca Police Department Staff Members Tompkins County Sheriff Peter Meskill presented a plaque of recognition to Ithaca Police Chief Basile, Lieutenant Beau Saul, Sergeant John Barber and other members of the Ithaca Police Department Tactical Service Unit for their participation in a hostage negotiation situation in the Town of Ithaca. Sheriff Meskill commended IPD’s professionalism and spirit of intra- departmental cooperation. A Public Hearing to Consider An Ordinance Amending Section 186-17 entitled “Appeals Board” of Chapter 186 entitled “Flood Damage Prevention” and also Amending Chapter 325 entitled “Zoning” of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code Resolution to Open Hearing By Alderperson Hershey: Seconded by Alderperson Manos RESOLVED, That the public hearing to consider an Ordinance amending Section 186-17 and Chapter 325 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code regarding Flood Damage Prevention be declared open. Carried Unanimously No one appeared to address Common Council Resolution to Close Hearing By Alderperson Hershey: Seconded by Alderperson Pryor RESOLVED, That the public hearing to consider an Ordinance amending Section 186-17 and Chapter 325 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code regarding Flood Damage Prevention be declared closed. Carried Unanimously A Public Hearing to Consider the Downtown Development Strategy This item was withdrawn from the agenda. Mayor Cohen explained that as the Downtown Development Strategy is not a land use oriented plan, it will not become part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, and therefore a public hearing is not necessary. PETITIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE COUNCIL: Jemma Macera, City of Ithaca, Doria Higgins, Town of Ithaca, Neil Oolie, City of Ithaca, addressed Common Council in opposition to fluoridation of the City’s water supply. Michael Robinson, City of Ithaca, spoke in opposition of the TCAT fare increases, and in support of the Downtown Strategy Plan and proposed Widewaters Development. Neil Oolie, City of Ithaca, urged Common Council members to support Ralph Nader for President. Richard Rupe, George Seeley, Dana Morgan, Tony O’Cello, Cliff Murphy, City of Ithaca employees, addressed Common Council November 1, 2000 3 regarding the CSEA DPW Labor Contract, and concerns regarding the proposed increases to the City’s Prescription Drug Program. Joel Harlan, Town of Dryden, spoke in favor of economic development initiatives. Fay Gougakis, City of Ithaca, addressed Common Council regarding recent crimes and drug activity within the community. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC: Mayor Cohen responded to comments made by the City employees. He stated that he is restricted from speaking about collective bargaining issues as negotiations are now at impasse. Mayor Cohen further stated that the City is still at the negotiating table acting in good faith. He thanked the DPW workers for the City-wide clean-up effort. Alderperson Manos thanked the City employees for coming to the meeting to express their concerns. Alderperson Hershey responded to comments made regarding the fluoridation referendum. He commended the Ithaca Police Department for their rapid action in solving recent crimes. Alderperson Vaughan clarified that the 2001 Building Department budget proposes one new position to the current personnel roster. COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMON COUNCIL: Alderperson Hershey stated that in the absence of a report from the Board of Fire Commissioners, he wanted to take this opportunity to note that he was very moved two years ago at the anniversary celebration of the fire department. The Ithaca Fire Department is committed to treasuring and adding to its heritage and creating and nurturing a fire museum. A number of people in the City of Ithaca and surrounding area, including former fire fighters and present fire fighters are attempting to add to the collection and to the heritage of that museum and he would hope that everybody who is watching on television who happens across any artifact that reflects the proud tradition of the Ithaca fire fighting community will do that. He is going to give his colleague and liaison to the Board of Fire Commissioners, Jana Taylor, an 1878 stereopticon card, which is a photograph of an honor and celebration of two Ithaca fire fighters that the entire community did when they gathered August 22, 1878 to present to the fire department. It’s just one of a lot of artifacts that is going to be part of this wonderful exhibit and museum. He thinks it will be a museum that not only we can be proud of in Ithaca, but fire fighters all over the Central New York region can be proud of. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR: Mayor Cohen announced that the Hellenic dinner will be Saturday, November 4th and that the Human Rights Commissioner Dinner is Saturday November 18th. GIAC’s Harvest Dinner is Friday, November 17th, it’s free and open to the public. QUARTERLY RECOGNITION AWARD: Mayor Cohen presented the quarterly employee recognition award to the City Clerk’s office. November 1, 2000 4 Mayor Cohen read the nomination for Julie Holcomb, City Clerk for her work with the Employee Recognition Picnic. Schelley Michell-Nunn submitted the nomination. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS: 16.1 Youth Bureau – Amendment to Personnel Roster – Resolution By Alderperson Sams: Seconded by Alderperson Manos WHEREAS, the Youth Bureau has an opportunity to increase academic support and mentoring services without requiring additional funding, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council approves the increase of hours for Youth Development Program Leader, Kevin Thompson, from 17 hours/week to 22 hours/week. Carried Unanimously 16.2 Youth Bureau – Amendment to Personnel Roster – Resolution By Alderperson Sams: Seconded by Alderperson Manos RESOLVED, That the Personnel Roster of the Ithaca Youth Bureau be amended as follows: Add: One (1) Administrative Assistant Delete: One (1) Recreation Leader and be it further RESOLVED, That the position Administrative Assistant be assigned to the CSEA Administrative Unit at salary grade 10 at a minimum salary of $20,934. Carried Unanimously 16.3 DPW – Amendment to Personnel Roster – Resolution By Alderperson Sams: Seconded by Alderperson Manos RESOLVED, That the Department of Public Works – Streets & Facilities Personnel Roster be amended as follows: Add: One (1) Custodial Worker Delete: One (1) Maintenance Worker Carried Unanimously REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS: HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE: 17.1 Finance/Controller – Request Approval of 2000 NYS Retirement Incentive Program Participants - Resolution By Alderperson Manos: Seconded by Alderperson Pryor WHEREAS, the City enacted Local Law #3, August 10, 2000, adopting the 2000 Retirement Incentive Program (Chapter 86, Laws of 2000), and WHEREAS, the applicable departments and the City Controller have carefully evaluated the effects of targeting the following positions, and have developed a plan that demonstrates a minimum of 50% savings in the replacement employee’s base salary over the two years following the retirement of the eligible employees, and November 1, 2000 5 WHEREAS, based on such examination, and subject to operational adjustments and considerations recognized in concept as a part of this resolution, departments have determined that in each instance services and related supervision can be provided on a reasonable basis, should the employees involved in the following targeted positions exercise their option to retire during the authorized open period; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the following positions and incumbent employees be targeted for inclusion in the 2000 Targeted Retirement Incentive Program (Chapter 86, Laws of 2000): Fiscal Manager, DPW Streets & Facilities, Pamela Applegarth Custodian, DPW Streets & Facilities, Harry E. Austin Payroll Coordinator, Roxie Carman Youth Bureau Director, Samuel Cohen Working Supervisor Sanitation, Gary France Supervisor Water & Sewer Operations, Kenneth Harding Maintainer, Ronald Lynch Parking Lot Attendant, Jon McMinn Principal Account Clerk Water & Sewer, Antoinette Napier Bus Driver, Carolyn O’Brien Working Supervisor - Bridges, Donald Sharpsteen Bus Driver, Edward Shipman and be it further RESOLVED, That the memorandum dated October 23, 2000 is accepted, in concept, to indicate the operational changes set forth by the applicable departments in the interest of continuing a consistent level of service and related supervision, each subject to future Common Council action where required. Mayor Cohen explained that participation in this program is voluntary. He further stated that when vacancies are filled, as a result of participation in this program, the City is mandated by New York State to realize a 50% savings in base salaries. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 17.2 Authorization to Create Temporary Positions By Alderperson Manos: Seconded by Alderperson Sams WHEREAS, an Assistant Fire Chief at the Ithaca Fire Department is on an extended medical leave, and WHEREAS, it is necessary to fill the Assistant Fire Chief position on a temporary basis during the permanent employee's absence, to ensure the efficient operation of the department, and WHEREAS, the promotion of a Fire Lieutenant into the Assistant Chief position will result in a temporary vacancy at the rank of Lieutenant, and WHEREAS, it is necessary to fill this Fire Lieutenant vacancy on a temporary basis as well, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT November 1, 2000 6 RESOLVED, That the Personnel Roster of the Ithaca Fire Department be temporarily amended as follows: Add: One (1) temporary, six month, Assistant Fire Chief One (1) temporary, six month, Fire Lieutenant Carried Unanimously 17.3 Fire Department – Amendment to Personnel Roster – Resolution By Alderperson Manos: Seconded by Alderperson Sams WHEREAS, by reclassifying the current Volunteer Coordinator to a Director of Development, the Fire Department will be better able to increase it’s ability to secure grant resources and manage additional administrative responsibilities and therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Personnel Roster of the Fire Department be amended as follows: Add: One (1) Director of Development Delete: One (1) Volunteer Coordinator and be it RESOLVED, That $498 be transferred from account A1990 to A3410- 5105-12050 to cover the increase in salary for the remainder of the 2000 budget year, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Director of Development be assigned to the City Executive Association at a Grade 3. Carried Unanimously (Alderperson Hershey was absent during vote) 17.4 Youth Bureau – Amendment to Personnel Roster - Resolution By Alderperson Manos: Seconded by Alderperson Vaughan RESOLVED, That the Personnel Roster of the Ithaca Youth Bureau be amended as follows: Add: One (1) Recreation Facilities Director Delete: One (1) Recreation Facilities Manager and be it RESOLVED, That the position of Recreation Facilities Director be assigned to the City Executive Association at Grade 2, and be it further RESOLVED, That John Doyle be provisionally appointed to the position of Recreation Facilities Director at an annual salary of $54,071, and therefore be it further RESOLVED, That $6,080 be transferred from account A7310-5410- 1512 to account A7310-5110-1510. Carried Unanimously (Alderperson Hershey absent from vote) November 1, 2000 7 17.5 Youth Bureau – Amendment to Personnel Roster –Resolution By Alderperson Manos: Seconded by Alderperson Spielholz RESOLVED, that the Youth Bureau Personnel Roster be amended as follows: Add: One (1) Receptionist and be it further RESOLVED, that the Receptionist position be assigned to the CSEA Administrative Unit at a Salary Grade 2. Carried Unanimously Decrease in part-time seasonal budget more efficient to make permanent position. 17.6 Residency Requirements for Certain Public Officers - Resolution By Alderperson Manos: Seconded by Alderperson Spielholz WHEREAS, the Ithaca City Code, Article X, Chapter 90-67 and 90- 68 contains residency requirements for certain public officers, and contains several definitions of the term "residency;" and WHEREAS, it has come to the attention of the Human Resources Committee of Common Council that questions have arisen regarding the application and enforcement of said provision of the City Code; and WHEREAS, in appropriate circumstances it would be beneficial for Common Council to have the stated discretion to waive those residency requirements; it is hereby RESOLVED, That Chapter 90 be amended by Ordinance, to allow Common Council, in appropriate circumstances, to waive the stated residency requirements by a vote of 2/3 of the full voting strength of Common Council, exclusive of the Mayor; and it is further RESOLVED, That the City Attorney's Office shall prepare the appropriate Ordinance language and submit same to the Human Resource Committee for review and submission to Common Council for action. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding how this ordinance has been enforced in the past and what “appropriate circumstances” mean for waiver of the requirement. In the course of discussion many questions arose and a recommendation was made to have the resolution go back to the Human Resources Committee for further review. No council member objected. Alderpersons Manos and Spielholz withdrew their motions. 17.7 Change in Prescription Co-Payment Program for the Mayor and Common Council By Alderperson Manos: Seconded by Alderperson Farrell RESOLVED, That effective January 1, 2001 the Prescription Drug Co- payment for the Mayor and members of Common Council shall increase to $2 for generic drugs and $10 for brand name drugs. This co- payment is not reimbursable through any section of the Health November 1, 2000 8 Insurance program. Under this co-pay, each prescription may be filled for up to a three month supply. Discussion followed on the floor regarding what the increase in co-pay would mean to some members and all felt that if the employees were willing to accept this increase then they should as well. A vote on the Resolution Resulted as follows: Ayes (9) Pryor, Sams, Blumenthal, Glasstetter, Manos Vaughan, Farrell, Spielholz, Taylor Nays (0) Abstentions (1) Hershey Carried 17.8 A Motion to Enter into Executive Session to Discuss Adjusting the Schedule of Benefits for Managerial Employees By Alderperson Manos: Seconded by Alderperson Pryor 2001 Fringe Benefits for Managerial Employees RESOLVED, That the fringe benefits granted to managerial personnel not covered by a bargaining unit shall be as follows: 1. For 2001, salaries for managerial personnel shall be increased by three percent (3%) over 2000 base salaries. 2. Annual Leave: Employees shall earn annual leave on a monthly basis in accordance with the following schedule: Length of Service 40 hours/week 35 hours/week up to 2 years 10 hr/month 9 hr/month 2 – 7 years 13.5 hr/month 12 hr/month 7 – 20 years 17 hr/month 15 hr/month 20 or more years 20 hr/month 18 hr/month Annual leave will be posted on the first day of each month, beginning with the first day of the month following the month of hire. Annual leave may be accumulated up to a maximum of forty (40) days; provided, however, that no more than thirty (30) days of unused annual leave shall be paid on separation from service. Unused annual leave in excess of this amount may be applied toward the purchase of health and dental insurance upon retirement. An employee may elect to cash in up to ten (10) days of unused annual leave in December of any calendar year. 3. Holidays: Holiday leave shall be as follows: January 1st Labor Day Martin Luther King Day Columbus Day Lincoln’s Birthday Veteran’s Day November 1, 2000 9 Washington’s Birthday Thanksgiving Memorial Day Christmas Independence Day Whenever any of these holidays falls on a Saturday, the proceeding Friday shall be considered the holiday. If on Sunday, the following Monday shall be considered the holiday. 4. Sick Leave: Sick leave shall accumulate at the rate of one (1) day per month. Sick leave shall be posted on the first day of each month, beginning with the first day of the month following the month of hire. There shall be unlimited accumulation of sick leave. 5. Sick Leave Bank: In the event that a management level employee is absent from work due to prolonged illness which has exhausted that employee’s leave credits, fellow management employees may voluntarily donate earned sick leave time to the affected employee up to a maximum of five (5) days per donating employee per year. Donated sick leave days shall be deducted from the earned sick leave time of the donating employee. 6. Sick Leave Buyout: Upon an employee’s retirement, the employee shall be compensated for unused sick leave as follows: a. The employee may elect to receive a cash settlement for unused sick leave not to exceed $11,000. The employee may elect to have the above cash settlement paid weekly as regular salary during his/her last six (6) months of employment; provided, however, that no such settlement shall be paid until after the employee has submitted a letter of commitment which specifies the date of retirement. If the employee elects to receive the above cash settlement and has accumulated sick leave credit in excess of the above amount, the remaining sick leave, computed at the employee’s current rate of pay, may be applied toward the payment of extended health and/or dental insurance coverage until exhausted. b. The employee may elect to waive the cash settlement described in (a) above, and apply all of his/her accumulated sick leave toward extended health and/or dental insurance coverage. If the case settlement is waived, extended health and dental insurance coverage shall be provided at the rate of one (1) month of insurance for each twelve (12) hours of accumulated sick leave. In the event of an employee’s death prior to his/her retirement, or if retired, prior to the exhaustion of remaining accumulated funds, such monies due the employee November 1, 2000 10 shall be applied toward the purchase of health insurance for his/her surviving dependents, if any. Upon the exhaustion of the above credits in (a) and (b) above, the City will no longer extend health insurance coverage to retirees and dependents except by direct full payment to the City by the retiree at the appropriate rate available as determined by the City. 7. Bereavement Leave: In the event of death in the immediate family of the employee or family of the employee’s spouse or domestic partner, such employee shall be allowed a leave of absence with pay to a maximum of three (3) days. The Mayor may grant additional time as needed. The immediate family is defined as: the spouse or domestic partner, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother or sister of the employee or the parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother or sister of the spouse or domestic partner. It shall apply also to any other relative living in the same household. 8. Parenting Leave: Pursuant to Section C-109(B)(3) of the City Charter, any employee taking a parenting leave shall be entitled to use up to eight (8) weeks of accumulated sick leave without providing a doctor’s certificate. Parenting leaves shall be available to both male and female employees and shall be available only in the case of childbirth or adoption. Employees may use additional sick time at the end of the eight week period for parenting leave upon presentation of a doctor’s certificate attesting to the necessity for such continued leave from employment. 9. Jury Duty: An employee shall be granted a leave of absence, with pay, at no loss to accrued leave, to serve jury duty or to appear as a witness on any case involving the employee’s role as a City employee pursuant to subpoena, or other order of the court upon presentation to the City of proof thereof. Any compensation received from the court except expense reimbursement, shall be returned to the City. 10. Work Schedule: The City recognizes the need to provide a certain degree of flexibility in the work schedules of managerial employees to accommodate for work performed during non-traditional work hours. 11. Health & Dental Insurance: The City agrees to pay one hundred percent (100%) of the cost of the health insurance and dental insurance programs. Effective January 1, 2001 employee prescription drug co-pay increases to $2 for generic drugs and $10 for brand drugs – this co-pay is not reimbursable through any section of the November 1, 2000 11 Health Insurance program – under this co-pay each prescription may be filled for up to a three month supply. 12. Retirement: The City shall provide membership in the New York State Employees’ Retirement System with benefits as described in the “Improved Non-Contributory Plan” (Section 75-i). In addition, the City shall provide Section 384d benefits for members of the uniformed services, including Section 302(9)(D) for Tier 1 members. 13. Day Care: The City shall continue to provide the established Day Care Assistance Program (Cash Subsidy Program, Flexible Spending Account and Flexible Work Schedule) according to the program and procedures adopted by the Ithaca Common Council. 14. Educational Assistance: The City of Ithaca agrees to pay the tuition for education courses, including technical and trade schools, up to a maximum cost of $200 per course. Such assistance shall be limited to courses which are related to an employee’s position and which will further development in the performance of his/her duties. Assistance is to be limited to four (4) courses per year, with a career limit of twenty (20) courses. 15. Mileage Reimbursement: Employees who are required to use their personal automotive vehicle in the conduct of official business shall be reimbursed at the prevailing IRS rate. Carried Unanimously EXECUTIVE SESSION: By Alderperson Manos, Seconded by Alderperson Hershey RESOLVED, That Common Council adjourn into Executive Session to Discuss Executive Unit Contract. Carried Unanimously REGULAR SESSION: By Alderperson Manos, Seconded by Alderperson Hershey RESOLVED, That Common Council reconvene into Regular Session and approves the 2000-2002 Executive Unit Labor Contract, retroactive to January 1, 2000. Carried Unanimously 17.10 Change in Prescription Co-Payment Program for Retired Employees By Alderperson Manos: Seconded by Alderperson Pryor RESOLVED, That effective January 1, 2001 the Prescription Drug Co- Payment for all retired employees covered by the City’s Health Insurance program shall increase to $2 for generic drugs and $10 for brand name drugs. This co-payment is not reimbursable through any section of the Health Insurance program. Under this co-pay, each prescription may be filled for up to a three month supply. November 1, 2000 12 Carried Unanimously 18. BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE: 18.1 Adoption of 2001 Budget By Alderperson Vaughan, Seconded by Aldersperson Manos WHEREAS, this Common Council is now considering adoption of the Amended Executive Budget for 2001 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 2001 and as those amounts may be altered by action of this Common Council at its November 1, 2000 meeting, are adequate for the operation of the City during 2001; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That this Common Council accepts and approves said Amended Executive Budget for 2001, together with any additional changes made in said budget at Council's November 1, 2000 meeting as the City of Ithaca Budget for 2001, in the total amount of $39,728,385, and be it further RESOLVED, That the following sections of the 2001 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 Alderperson Vaughan thanked Common Council members and City staff for their hours of hard work on the budget. 18.2 Adoption of 2001 Tax Rate By Alderperson Vaughan: Seconded by Alderperson Hershey WHEREAS, the 2001 City of Ithaca Budget was approved, adopted and confirmed in the total amount of $39,728,385 on November 1, 2000, November 1, 2000 13 in accordance with a detailed Budget on file in the Office of the City Controller, and WHEREAS, available and estimated revenues total $31,507,440 leaving $8,220,945 as the amount to be raised by taxation, and WHEREAS, the Assessment Roll for 2001, certified and filed by the Assessment Department of Tompkins County, has been footed and approved and shows the total net taxable valuation as $835,258,185, and WHEREAS, under Charter provisions, the tax limit for City purposes amount to $17,128,325 for 2001; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the tax rate for general purposes, for the fiscal year 2001, be, and the same hereby is, established and fixed at 9.8424 per $1,000 of taxable valuation as shown, certified and extended against the respective properties on the 2001 Tax Roll, thereby making a total tax levy, as near as may be, of $8,220,945 and be it further RESOLVED, That the amount of said tax levy be spread, and the same hereby is levied upon and against the respective properties as shown on said City Tax Roll, in accordance with their respective net taxable valuation, at the rate of 9.8424 per $1,000 of such taxable valuation, 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 $39,728,385 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 2001 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 2,903,910,824 Less: Value of Exempt Property 2,090,508,500 813,402,324 Plus: Value of Special Franchises 21,855,861 Net Value of Taxable Property $835,258,185 Carried Unanimously 11-0 Mayor voted affirmatively 18.3 Common Council – Request Funds for Human Rights Commission Dinner November 1, 2000 14 By Alderperson Vaughan, Seconded by Alderperson Sams WHEREAS, the Human Rights Commission is requesting $625 to assist them with their annual dinner for the year 2000; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby approves the transfer of funds in the amount not to exceed $625 from the unrestricted contingency account A1990 to the Other Community Service Agencies contract account A1012-5435. Alderperson Spielholz asked, for the record, who else is contributing to this aside from the City. Robert Skates, Chair of the Tompkins County Human Rights Commission, stated that they have asked the County to assist in this process but have yet to hear from them. They do expect to get some funding from them as part of their budget request. The only reason the City was approached for this was request because they were not clear as to how their requests have been handled in the past. They thought that it was something to request during the special budget hearing. They also have asked corporations for donations to assist them in putting on the event. Alderperson Pryor stated that she didn’t recall seeing the Human Rights Commission on the list of their community service agencies. Mayor Cohen stated that the City will add the TC Human Rights Commission to the list for next year. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 18.4 Fire Department – Request to Establish Capital Project for Relocation of Aerial Fire Alarm Service By Alderperson Vaughan: Seconded by Alderperson Manos WHEREAS, the Fire Department was recently notified by NYSEG that the remaining aerial electrical service in the 100 block of Dryden Road will be relocated to underground service, and WHEREAS, this means aboveground utility poles will be removed and cable, including fire alarm cable, will be removed and placed underground, and WHEREAS, the underground utility is advantageous to the Fire Department, and WHEREAS, the Fire Department must share in the total cost of the project, with the City’s estimated share at $30,000; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby establishes Capital Project #427 in an amount not to exceed $30,000 for the relocation of aerial fire alarm services in the 100 block of Dryden Road, and be it further RESOLVED, That the funds necessary for said Capital Project shall be derived from a General Fund advance to later be repaid by the issuance of Serial Bonds. Carried Unanimously November 1, 2000 15 18.5 Finance/Controller – Approval of 1999 City of Ithaca Single Audit By Alderperson Vaughan: Seconded by Alderperson Pryor RESOLVED, That the Single Audit Report for the period of January 1, 1999 through December 31, 1999, prepared by the accounting firm of Ciaschi, Dietershagen, Little and Mickelson, C.P.A.’s, be accepted to comply with all of the City’s applicable Federal Single Audit and related Audit Requirements. Carried Unanimously Mayor Cohen congratulated the entire staff of the Controller’s Department for keeping City on solid financial footing and fact that no questions were raised is exemplary. 18.6 Report from the Mayor regarding city-wide clean-up program: Mayor Cohen stated that the first weekend 60 tons was collected and total tonnage was in the neighborhood of 340 tons. Our out of pocket expenses were tipping fees, trucking, a little overtime the first weekend and some other odds and ends. It came to $23,007. The DPW crews picked up the majority of the tonnage, the 280 tons during the course of the week. It set back a couple of smaller projects for us which are now back on track. Our staff, as was said earlier, did an excellent job. We also recycled about 17 tons of metal. We were not charged for that and that is going into the system now. We have learned a lot from it. The staff recommendation, which he wholeheartedly endorses right now, is that if we do this again that we limit it to some specific items. They’re not even sure if we need to do this every year but if we did or we did it every other year we should on the years that we do this have two pick-ups. One would be furniture only (sofas, chairs, mattresses and other furniture type items and that’s it) the other pick up would be limited to appliances (washers/dryers, sinks, certified air conditioners, refrigerators and like) and restrict that pick up to just that. He pointed out that there have been several complaints, specifically from landlords, about why didn’t we pick up theirs. There are two reasons. We did not offer this to any commercial enterprise. This was offered in only residential districts. Landlords by nature of their enterprise, are commercial enterprises as well. They own their properties for profit. They rent them out and they make money as opposed to everybody else whether they be a tenant or a homeowner who does not own that property to make money. The other reason is that the out-of-pocket expenses will ultimately be funded by garbage tag fees. PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOMENT COMMITTEE: 20.1 Tompkins County Public Library Memorandum of Understanding By Alderperson Blumenthal: Seconded by Alderperson Hershey WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Public Library is expected to open on or about November 20, 2000, and WHEREAS, there are a number of issues raised by the library opening, such as future library expansion, access to City conduit, and parking, and WHEREAS, the parking areas in close proximity to the library are owned by the City of Ithaca, and November 1, 2000 16 WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City and the County for the City to provide parking for library use as well as for employees working in the library, the Mental Health Building, and the Finger Lakes Library System, and WHEREAS, the City and the County, desirous of resolving parking in and near the library to their mutual benefit, entered into discussions related to parking, which have resulted in a proposed Memorandum of Understanding; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Common Council hereby approves the proposed Memorandum of Understanding entitled “Library Parking Memorandum of Understanding”, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby authorizes the City of Ithaca to enter into said Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Tompkins, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor, upon review by the City Attorney, is hereby authorized to sign any and all instruments necessary to finalize the Memorandum of Understanding. Carried Unanimously 20.1 (A) An Ordinance Amending Sections 186-17 entitled “Appeals Board” of Chapter 186 entitled “Flood Damage Prevention” and also Amending Chapter 325 entitled “Zoning” of the city of Ithaca Municipal Code – Declaration of No Significant Environmental Effect - Resolution This item was removed from the agenda. 20.1 (B) An Ordinance Amending Section 186-17 entitled “Appeals Board” of Chapter 186 entitled “Flood Damage Prevention” and also Amending Chapter 325 entitled “Zoning” of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code This item was removed from the agenda. 21. NEW BUSINESS: EXECUTIVE SESSION: By Alderperson Spielholz, Seconded by Alderperson Pryor RESOLVED, That Common Council adjourn into Executive Session to Discuss Pending Litigation, Collective Bargaining, Adjustment to Benefit Schedule for Managerial Employees. Carried Unanimously REGULAR SESSION: Common Council reconvened into Regular Session with no formal action taken. 21.2 Progress report on wastewater treatment services - Discussion of Draft Joint Sewer Agreement Mayor Cohen emphasized that this is a just a draft of the agreement. Mayor Cohen reported that this agreement is the result of a number of years of discussion with the Town of Ithaca and the Town of Dryden. It is a possible precursor to an expansion of the existing partnership. Nothing is written in stone. He cannot emphasize that enough regarding the future direction. He then presented an overview of the process. November 1, 2000 17 ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 10:35 P.M. ________________________ _______________________ Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Alan J. Cohen, City Clerk Mayor