The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About11-18-02 Budget & Administration Committee Meeting Minutes BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING 7 :00 P.M. NOVEMBER 18, 2002 MINUTES Present : Committee Members : Vaughan, Manos, Cogan, Whitmore Committee Member Excused: Sams Others Present : Mayor Cohen City Controller Thayer Fire Chief Wilbur Economic Development Planner Logue Members of the media Members of the public 1 . Public Comment: The following member of the public spoke : Richard Driscoll - Spoke in favor of reinstating 2003 funding for Community Agencies 2 . Fire Department - False Alarm Fee Proposal The Committee discussed amending Section 181-3 of the City Code related to Fire Alarms . The Committee suggested some wording changes . Chief Wilbur explained that the amendment would allow false alarms to be a violation if they were produced in certain instances . The Committee voted, 4-0, to move the ordinance on to Common Council for approval . 3 . Mayor - Request to Use Remaining 2002 Unrestricted Contingency Fund Mayor Cohen discussed his request to use the $28, 490 remaining in the 2002 Unrestricted Contingency account for Neighborhood Incentive Funds and Community Service Agencies. The Committee' s suggestion was to roll over the $25, 990 in funds to Unrestricted Contingency in 2003 , and determine the use of it next year. The Committee agreed with the $2 , 500 allocation to the Neighborhood Incentive Program. The following motion was made: WHEREAS, the 2002 Unrestricted Contingency account will have a remaining balance of $28, 490 without any further requests for funds, and BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 18, 2002 WHEREAS, the Mayor would like to carry the 2002 balance forward into 2003 for use as follows : Neighborhood Incentive Fund 2003 $ 2, 500 Community Service Agency 2003 Funding $25, 990 and WHEREAS, the Controller may need some or all of the 2002 remaining Unrestricted Contingency funds to assist with balancing the 2002 Budget; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby authorizes the City Controller to carry forward the remaining 2002 Unrestricted Contingency funds, less any funds needed for the 2002 balancing of the budget, to 2003 , and be it further RESOLVED, That said 2002 Unrestricted Contingency balance, if available, shall be used for the following: Neighborhood Incentive Fund 2003 $ 2 , 500 Community Service Agency 2003 Funding $25, 990 and be it further RESOLVED, If funds are available, the 2003 Community Service Agency Funding will be allocated to Agencies based on a new process and recommendation from the Budget and Administration Committee to be determined shortly after the start of 2003 . The motion passed 4-0 . 4 . Controller' s Office A. Bond Resolution Controller Thayer explained that the City' s semi-annual Bond Resolution for January is now in process in the amount of $3 , 433 , 147 . The bonding attorney will send the resolution for Council approval at the December 4, 2002 meeting. The resolution includes all projects previously approved by Common Council . The Committee voted, 4-0, to move this item on to Council . 2 BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 18, 2002 B. Request to Cover Red Accounts Controller Thayer presented his annual request to authorize him to cover red accounts from within the 2002 Budget authorization. The following motion was made : RESOLVED, That the City Controller be empowered to make transfers within the 2002 Budget appropriations, as needed, for the remainder of the 2002 Fiscal Year The motion passed 4-0 . C. Discussion on Budget Process Controller Thayer discussed with the Committee the difficulties with the 2003 Budget Process and suggested a sub-committee be established to examine the current budget process and suggest improvements. The Committee agreed. The members of the sub-committee are as follows : Pat Vaughan, Chair David Whitmore Daniel Cogan Ex-officio: Mayor Controller Three City Department Heads will also be asked to be included. The sub-committee will start work immediately. A report will be given at the next Council meeting. 5 . Planning Department - Request to Amend the Traffic Calming Project Economic Development Planner Logue discussed the request to amend Capital Project #384 , City Wide Traffic Calming, by $112, 000 with the Committee. Logue explained that the project will cost $140, 000, but $28, 000 is available from existing capital funds . The Project involves traffic calming measures at the intersections of Dey, Clinton and Albany Streets in the City. The Project is on the TIP Program, and will cost the City $28, 000, as 80% of the project is federally funded. The following motion was made : WHEREAS, a Project for Traffic Calming, Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements, P. I .N 375394 (the " Project" ) is eligible for funding under Title 23 U.S. Code, as amended, that calls for the 3 BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 18, 2002 apportionment of the costs such program to be borne at the ratio of 80% Federal funds and 20% non-federal funds, and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca desires to advance the above project by making a commitment of 100% of the non-federal share of the costs of Scoping, Design, and Construction; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby approves the above-subject project, and be it further RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby authorizes the City of Ithaca to pay in the first instance 100% of the federal and non- federal share of the cost of design work for the project or portions thereof, and be it further RESOLVED, That the sum of $140, 000 is hereby appropriated from the issuance of serial bonds in the amount of $112, 000 and from Capital Project #384 in the amount of $28, 000, and made available to cover the cost of participation in the above phase of the project, and be it further RESOLVED, That Capital Project #384 is hereby amended in the amount of $112 , 000, which is the amount of the federal-aid share of the Project costs, and be it further RESOLVED, That in the event the full federal and non-federal share costs of the project exceeds the amount appropriated above, the Common Council of the City of Ithaca shall convene as soon as possible to appropriate said excess amount immediately upon notification by the NYSDOT thereof, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor of the City of Ithaca be and is hereby authorized to execute all necessary Agreements, certifications or reimbursement requests for Federal Aid on behalf of the City of Ithaca with the New York State Department of Transportation in connection with the advancement or approval of the Project and providing for the administration of the Project and the municipality' s first instance funding of Project costs and permanent funding of the local share of federal-aid-eligible Project and all Project costs within appropriations therefore that are not so eligible, and be it further RESOLVED, That a certified copy of this resolution be filed with the New York State Commissioner of Transportation by attaching to it any necessary Agreement in connection with the Project, and be it further RESOLVED, That this resolution shall take effect immediately. 4 BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 18, 2002 The motion passed 4-0 . The next Budget and Administration Committee meeting is scheduled for December 16, 2002 at 7 : 00 P.M. in Common Council Chambers . The meeting adjourned at 8 : 10 P.M. NOTE: In many cases the actual text of the resolutions presented in these minutes were prepared following the Committee' s deliberations and decisions on the matters involved. The resolutions presented here are in complete accord with decisions made by the Committee. 5