HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2007-10-24
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Committee of the Whole 4:55 p.m. October 24, 2007
PRESENT:
Commissioners (4) - Jenkins, Chapman, Schlather, Tripp
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney
City Controller - Thayer
Department of Public Works Intern - Myers
EXCUSED:
Mayor Peterson
Commissioner Wykstra
City Attorney – Hoffman
Common Council Liaison – Coles
DAC Liaison – Roberts
Mayor’s 2008 Budgets, Revenue Targets and BPW Rate Setting
Supt. Gray reported that this is the first time in recent budgets that things are beginning
to work back towards previous standards. He stated that equipment expenses are being
reverted back into the budget from capital borrowing where they should have been all
along and several needed positions have been authorized.
Asst. Supt. of Streets and Facilities Ferrel reported that he received a 3% increase in
his budget and that the bridge maintenance crew had been reinstated.
Commissioner Schlather questioned if the recommended budget actually meets the
needs of the department or if the Board should support further increases.
Supt. Gray stated that overall this budget is taking a large step in the right direction for
both Water and Sewer and the Department of Public Works. He further stated that the
overall City budget does a fair job at balancing all the departments’ interests. He
reported that the inclusion of items that had been funded through capital borrowing
would allow the City greater flexibility to respond to unexpected expenses.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the projected revenue streams from parking
and the anticipated expenditures for parking garages.
Asst. Supt. of Streets and Facilities Ferrel stated that a large portion of the equipment is
past its slated replacement date by 3 to 8 or more years, but the overall recommended
budget was fair. He stated that with the additional building maintenance position that
was recommended the regular maintenance of facilities should help decrease the
number of unexpected expenditures for repairs.
Supt. Gray stated that while equipment was a major area for improvement in future
budgets the lines for personnel also needed to be considered due to the aging DPW
workforce and the need to have knowledge transferred prior to retirements to avoid a
massive brain drain.
Asst. Supt. of Water and Sewer Whitney stated that his main concern had been the
need for improvements to the water main system. He stated that when the Town of
Ithaca split off the Southwest end of South Hill from the City water lines a great deal of
functionality had been lost. He further stated that the City needs to make repairs to this
area to improve the overall function of the system.
Commissioner Tripp questioned what funding was going to the water filtration plant.
Asst. Supt. of Water and Sewer Whitney explained that the water filtration plant did not
exist as a single item line in the budget but was paid out of the account used for the
watershed.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the fund balance and the amount being
saved for anticipated costs to rebuild the water plant when a final decision is made
about what action to take (rebuild the existing plant or transfer over to the Bolton Point
System).
City Controller Thayer stated that 2008 was a hard year for the budget due to several
balloon payments coming due. He further stated that the budget this year began to turn
the corner and efforts were made to begin bringing departments back up to previous
budget levels prior to the loss of state aid.
The Board indicated that in 2009 they would like to have a much more active role in
drafting budget requests.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Jessica Myers Carolyn K. Peterson
Department of Public Works Intern Mayor