HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-18-15 City Administration Committee Meeting AgendaIf you have a disability that will require special arrangements to be made in order for you to fully participate in the meeting,
please contact the City Controller’s Office at 607-274-6576 at least 48 hours before the meeting.
CA Meeting
City Administration Committee
DATE: November 18, 2015
TIME: 6:00 pm
LOCATION: 3rd Floor,
City Hall, Council Chambers
AGENDA ITEMS
Item Voting
Item?
Presenter(s) Time
Allotted
Chair, Deb Mohlenhoff
1.Call To Order *Note: We will review the number of15 Min*
1.1 Agenda Review No cards received at the beginning of each
1.2 Review and Approval of Minutes Yes meeting and adjust time if needed.
Approval of October 2015 Minutes
1.3 Statements from the Public No
1.4 Statements from Employees No
1.5 Council Response No
2.City Administration, Human Resources, and Policy
2.1 DPW - Amendment to Personnel RosterYes Mike Thorne, Supt of DPW 10 Min
2.2 DPW – Amendment to Personnel RosterYes Mike Thorne, Supt of DPW 10 Min
2.3 Attorney - Electronic Delivery of Local LawsYes Ari Lavine, City Attorney 10 Min
2.4 IFD – Mobile Vending Permit ProgramYes Tom Parsons, Fire Chief 10 Min
2.5 Council Opposition of House of Representatives’ YesDonna Fleming, Council 15 Min
Bill to Eliminate Transit Funds
3.Finance, Budget, and Appropriations
3.1 DPW – Asbestos Abatement – City HallYes Tom West, Director of Engineering 15 Min
3.2 Local Law - Increase in Council and Yes 10 Min
Mayor’s Salary
3.3 CC - Support of the Living Wage as the Yes J.R. Clairborne, Council Member 15 Min
Minimum Wage across Tompkins County
3.4 Controller – Budget Amendments Yes Steve Thayer, Controller 10 Min
–Various Departments
3.5 Controller - Authorization to Cover Red Yes Steve Thayer, Controller 5 Min
Accounts
3.6 HR – 2015-2016 Civil Service Agreement Yes Steve Thayer, Controller 5 min
4.Performance Measures No
Nothing Submitted
5.Common Council
5.1 Budget Process Wrap Up Discussion No All 15 Min
If you have a disability that will require special arrangements to be made in order for you to fully participate in the meeting,
please contact the City Controller’s Office at 607-274-6576 at least 48 hours before the meeting.
City Administration Committee
Agenda
November 18, 2015
Continued
6.Meeting Wrap-up All 5 Min
6.1 Announcements No
6.2 Next Meeting Date: December 16th
6.3 Review Agenda Items for Next Meeting No
6.4 Adjourn Yes
(8:30 p.m.)
Committee Charge: The CA committee will:
Review financial and administrative issues pertaining to the City, along with items relating to the City of Ithaca workforce
environment, intergovernmental relations and human resources.
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2.City Administration, Human Resources, and Policy
.1 DPW - Amendment to Personnel Roster (IAWWTF)
WHEREAS, the Wastewater Treatment Facility anticipates a vacancy in the position of Laboratory
Technician in December 2015, and
WHEREAS, the Wastewater Treatment Facility would like to fill the Laboratory Technician position in
advance of the actual vacancy to allow for training and a smooth transition; now, therefore, bet it
RESOLVED, That the Personnel Roster of the Wastewater Treatment Facility be amended by adding a
second position of Laboratory Technician, and be it further
RESOLVED, That upon the retirement of the current Laboratory Technician, the position vacated
through retirement shall be abolished effective on the employee's retirement date.
ITHACA AREA WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY
TOWN OF ITHACA CITY OF ITHACA TOWN OF DRYDEN, OWNERS
525 THIRD STREET
ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850
(607)273-8381
FAX (607)273-8433
November 4, 2015
Subject: Support of Resolution to Add Laboratory Technician to IAWWTF Roster
On your agenda is a resolution to add a Laboratory Technician Title to the roster at the
Ithaca Area WWTF (Water and Sewer Division). This is a temporary addition to allow
our new technician an opportunity to overlap with our existing technician who will be
retiring in early 2016. Once that retirement is final we will remove one of the technician
titles from our roster. In addition, our Lab Director will be out for a month to attend to a
medical issue and the overlap will help during his time out.
Since I was the beneficiary of an overlap with the previous Chief Operator I can attest to
the value of having this overlap period. I appreciate your support.
Sincerely,
Dan Ramer
Chief Operator
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2.City Administration, Human Resources, and Policy
.2 DPW - Amendment to Personnel Roster (Engineering Division)
WHEREAS, the Engineering Division of the Department of Public Works has been reconfiguring its
staffing responsibilities to reflect changes in the overall operations of the Department, including the
creation of a new Parking Division, and
WHEREAS, the current Traffic Systems Engineer title reflects responsibility for traffic and parking
systems, and the Department would like to change that to reflect responsibilities for urban street design
and construction, including active transportation facilities, traffic engineering and traffic control, and
broader transportation planning, and
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Civil Service Commission established the classification of Transportation
Engineer at their October 29, 2015, meeting; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the personnel roster of the Engineering Division of the Department of Public Works
shall be amended as follows:
Add: One (1) Transportation Engineer Position (40 hours)
Delete: One (1) Traffic Systems Engineer Position (40 hours)
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the position of Transportation Engineer shall be assigned to the City Executive
Association Unit at salary grade A, and be it further
RESOLVED, That for the sole purpose of determining days worked reportable to the
New York State and Local Employees Retirement System the standard workday for
this position shall be established at eight (8) hours per day (forty (40) hours per week), and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the funding for this change shall be derived from existing funds within the
Department of Public Works budget.
Jurisdiction: City of Ithaca
Jurisdictional Class: Competitive
Adopted: 07/26/93
Revised: 05/19/97, 2/17/98, 10/29/15
Title changed from Traffic Systems Engineer to Transportation Engineer 10/29/15
TRANSPORTATION ENGINEER
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This is a full performance professional engineering
position with a specialized focus on transportation engineering and transportation planning. The
incumbent collects, analyzes and interprets data, and plans, designs and implements urban street
construction, active transportation traffic control systems, and urban street designs. The Transportation
Engineer also complies with the requirements of the Municipal Code with respect to traffic control and
engineering. The work is performed under general supervision and in accordance with established
engineering principles, with considerable leeway allowed for the exercise of independent professional
judgment. General supervision is exercised over the work of subordinate engineering staff, and on-site
supervision is exercised over work crews. Does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:
Conducts surveys for topographic data, property lines, street improvements, etc;
Collects field data on transportation systems, including pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular facilities;
Analyzes and interprets field study data and accident records;
Prepares and maintains a variety of records, reports and drawings;
Develops engineering design for transportation facilities, traffic control devices, pavement markings and
signage;
Develops plans, specifications, cost estimates and contract documents for projects of moderate
difficulty;
Participates in long-term, large-scale transportation planning efforts in cooperation with other
professional staff, the Municipal Planning Organization and municipal boards;
Participates in review and evaluation of plans and specifications for public and private projects;
Evaluates and provides recommendations regarding City active transportation facilities;
Prepares technical reports and assists in preparation of major traffic studies and reports;
Makes technical recommendations regarding traffic rules, regulations and ordinances, traffic signage
and control, pedestrian and bicycle safety;
Administers construction contracts including preparation and review of budgets and pay requests,
inspection of the work, and interpretation of the contract documents;
Supervises, trains and evaluates subordinate staff;
Plans, assigns, supervises, and reviews transportation engineering projects and activities;
Coordinates project activities with the public, city officials, state and federal officials, other city
departments, consultants, contractors and suppliers;
May participate in conducting departmental informational programs;
Transportation Engineer
Page 2
FULL PERFORMANCE, KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES, PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Good knowledge of the principles and practices of transportation engineering; good knowledge of traffic
control and traffic signal systems; good knowledge of the application of federal, state and local laws,
regulations and ordinances pertaining to transportation engineering, including traffic control and traffic
control devices; good knowledge of street and highway design and construction methods; good
knowledge of construction procedures including design, specification writing, inspections and surveys;
good knowledge of the factors controlling traffic movement and the methods of analyzing traffic
problems; ability to collect and analyze data; ability to prepare plans, specifications and narrative and
tabular reports; ability to coordinate engineering projects of moderate difficulty; ability to train and
supervise subordinate staff; ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the
public, contractors, vendors, co-workers and other staff; ability to communicate effectively; ability to
successfully work with and serve a diverse local community; physical condition commensurate with the
demands of the position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A. Graduation from a New York State registered or regionally accredited four-year college or university
with a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Engineering Science or a related field with similar
curriculum and one (1) year of full-time paid experience, or its part-time paid equivalent, performing
transportation engineering design, transportation planning, or closely related work; or
B. Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and five (5) years
of full-time paid experience, or its part-time paid equivalent, performing transportation engineering
design, transportation planning, or closely related work; or
C. An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B).
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2.City Administration, Human Resources, and Policy
.3 Electronic Delivery of Local Laws
WHEREAS Municipal Home Rule Law § 20(4) now authorizes the City to satisfy the aging requirement
for proposed local laws by emailing such legislation in PDF format to Common Council members,
provided that certain requirements are met, and
WHEREAS the email address of each Councilmember is documented on the City website, and the City
Clerk has posted those addresses on the bulletin board in City Hall, as required; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That proposed local laws may be laid on the table by electronic delivery to
Councilmembers in accordance with Municipal Home Rule Law § 20(4).
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2.City Administration, Human Resources, and Policy
.4 Mobile Vending Fire and Safety Regulation
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Fire Department is interested in addressing certain fire and safety issues raised
by the increasing number of mobile food vending operations within the City, and
WHEREAS, mobile food vending operations are not regulated by any existing state or local laws, and
WHEREAS, there have been reported injuries to operators and the public as the result of fires,
explosions, and accidental carbon monoxide poisonings, involving mobile vending operations at various
locations in the United States, and
WHEREAS, other municipalities have taken steps to address fire safety concerns posed by mobile food
trucks and the equipment that is often used by such vendors, and
WHEREAS, due to the risk of fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other safety risks posed by mobile
food trucks or mobile vending, the City wishes to examine regulatory measures enacted by other
municipalities, obtain feedback from mobile food vendors and the community, and consult with other
fire and safety authorities to structure a City-wide system for regulating mobile food vending fire safety,
and
WHEREAS, the Common Council recognizes that safety improvements in this arena will come at some
cost to mobile vendors to comply with such regulatory measures if implemented, and
WHEREAS, upon balancing the enhanced safety against the increased costs for mobile vendors, the
Common Council concludes that it is worth investing staff time in developing a proposed regulatory
program, now it be,
RESOLVED, that Common Council instructs the Fire Chief, in consultation with the City Attorney and
other City departments and relevant authorities, to study and develop fire safety rules for mobile food
vending.
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2.City Administration, Human Resources, and Policy
.5 Council Opposition of House of Representatives’ Bill to Eliminate Transit Funds
WHEREAS, the U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment to the House version of the
multi-year transportation bill on Nov. 4 that would eliminate the 5340 High Density States Program and
cut millions of dollars to transit agencies New York State, six other states as well as the District of
Columbia, and
WHEREAS, under the amendment, New York State transit agencies alone would lose $95 million a year
or $570 million over the next six years with Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, Inc. (TCAT) being
stripped of $200,000 annually or $1.2 million over the six-year period, and
WHEREAS, TCAT provides transit to the City of Ithaca and all of Tompkins County where for some
residents it is the only transportation option, and
WHEREAS, TCAT is a cornerstone to the local economy by getting residents to work or where they
need to go and is key to environmental sustainability by reducing traffic congestion and curbing carbon
emissions, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca is a local funder to TCAT, with two other entities, including Cornell
University and Tompkins County, faces financial constraints and is unable to fill in TCAT’s ever-
widening funding gaps; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, Rather than cutting important transit funding for financially strapped agencies to include
TCAT, the Mayor of the City of Ithaca and its Common Council strongly urge federal lawmakers to not
only restore the 5340 High Density States Funding Program before a final bill is passed, but also to
increase federal funding to allow them adequate and predictable revenues to meet increasing demand,
and, in particular, to address their capital needs for much-needed bus replacements, facility and
amenities upgrades, and information technology modernization.
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3. Finance, Budget, and Appropriations
.1 DPW - Fund Abatement of Asbestos Containing Materials – City Hall
WHEREAS, much of the floor covering in the building which is now City Hall was constructed with
floor tiles containing asbestos, and
WHEREAS, the original floor tiles in City Hall are breaking and crumbling which causes concern for
employees and limits the ability of staff to appropriately maintain the floors, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has received a notice of violation from the New York State Department
of Labor, Asbestos Bureau regarding broken floor tiles which contain asbestos, and
WHEREAS, the notice of violation requires that the broken floor tiles be repaired and abated, and
WHEREAS, Department of Public Works staff and the City’s consultant, Delta Engineers, Architects &
Land Surveyors have identified several viable methods for abatement of the floor tiles which contain
asbestos, and
WHEREAS, repair and abatement of asbestos containing materials requires the services of specialized
engineers and contractors as well as various permits, relocations and restoration, and
WHEREAS, a schedule and a budget for accomplishing this work needs to be established; now, be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council authorizes expenditure not to exceed $XXX,000 for undertaking
the abatement of asbestos containing materials in City Hall.
To: Common Council
From: Tom West, Director of Engineering
Date: November 6, 2015
Re: Budget Authorization – City Hall Asbestos Abatement
This is a request for Common Council to promptly establish a Capital Project for
abatement of asbestos containing materials, specifically floor tiles, located throughout
City Hall. The floor tiles are deteriorating throughout the building and, according to a
notice of violation issued by the New York State Department of Labor, the owner of the
building shall , …”contract with a licensed asbestos contractor to isolate and clean up the
damaged floor tile and take measures to prevent further deterioration of the tile.”
Much of the floor tiling in City Hall is from the original construction of the building, circa
1939, a time when asbestos was commonly used as a component of floor tiles. Over
decades of use the floor tiles are deteriorating throughout the building. When the floor
tiles are in good condition they do not represent a hazard to building occupants; however,
once broken, the floor tiles must be isolated and cleaned up in order to eliminate any
possibility of exposure to asbestos fibers.
On October 1, 2015, the Asbestos Bureau of the New York State Department of Labor
(NYSDoL) inspected broken floor tiling on the fourth floor of City Hall. On October 8th a
Notice of Violation was issued to the owner of the building to “isolate and clean up the
damaged floor tile and take measures to prevent further deterioration of the tile.” On
October 29, 2015 representatives of the Public Employee Safety and Health Bureau
(PESH) of the NYSDoL visited City Hall and, among other activities, conducted air quality
monitoring throughout the building. Although a Notice of Violation has not yet been
received from PESH staff was advised that such a notice would be issued regarding
operations and maintenance pertaining to floor tile containing asbestos as well as record
keeping.
In response to the Notice of Violation from the Asbestos Bureau staff invited an
environmental engineer from Delta Engineers, Architects & Land Surveyors to tour the
facility and provide a scope of work for addressing these notices of violation. That visit
also occurred on October 29. Our tour of the building revealed that floor tile is indeed
deteriorating throughout the building. Some areas have relatively minimal deterioration
while other areas are extremely deteriorated. In order to provide a comprehensive plan
for abatement, as required by the NYSDoL, Delta will return to City Hall on November
11th to compile as complete an inventory of broken floor tile as possible. With this
information the consultant and staff will be able to develop several alternative methods
for abatement. On November 11th the consultant will also conduct air monitoring
throughout the building. This will serve the purposes of documenting possible exposure
and establish base line values for air quality. Two types of samples will be collected.
Most samples will be evaluated for total fiber count; this could include carpet fabric, paper
fibers and asbestos. In the event that the fiber counts from these samples are high, a
second evaluation will be made using electron microscopy to determine if fibers include
asbestos fibers.
As of the writing of this memo on November 6th, no alternatives for abatement have been
developed. That said, there is no recourse available to the City other than abatement.
Abatement must be undertaken in strict compliance with New York State Labor Law and
Industrial Rules. The abatement must be conducted by a specialized, licensed
contractor. Since the asbestos containing floor tiles are located throughout the building
the abatement will impact almost all employees in the building as well as municipal
business activities. Containment areas will be established, further air monitoring will be
conducted, furnishings will need to be moved (and moved again), and a new floor
covering may need to be installed. Coordination of abatement activities and on-going
public administration will require sensitive, responsive and dedicated management of the
project.
A project budget will be developed for each abatement alternative. The alternatives will
be presented to the Board of Public works which will make a recommendation to
Common Council.
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3.Finance, Budget, and Appropriations
.2 Increase in Council and Mayor Salary
Local Law No. ____-2015
A local law entitled “Amendments to Chapter 107 of the City Code”
WHEREAS the annual salaries of the members of the Common Council and of the Mayor were last
adjusted in 2008, and
WHEREAS at that time they were adjusted to their current levels of $9,641 for Council members and
$53,561 for the Mayor, and
WHEREAS the Common Council approved a 2016 budget that funds these salaries in 2016 at the levels
of $10,141 and $58,561, respectively, and
WHEREAS the Common Council seeks to amend Chapter 107 of the City Code in order to effectuate
these amended salaries as funded by the approved budget, now therefore,
BE IT ENACTED by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca as follows:
Section 1. Legislative Findings, Intent, and Purpose.
It is the intent of this local law to amend Chapter 107 of the City Code in order to effectuate the revised
2016 salaries of Council members and the Mayor as funded in the 2016 approved budget, with said
salaries to be effective as of January 1, 2016.
The Common Council makes the following findings of fact:
A. The Common Council and the Mayor expend substantial efforts and devote large
amounts of time to their duties, and
B. The annual salaries of the members of the Common Council and the Mayor have gone
unadjusted for nearly a decade.
Section 2. Code Amendments.
Section 107-1 of the City Code is hereby amended as follows:
The annual salary of the Mayor shall be the sum of [$53,561] $58,561.
Section 107-2 of the City Code is hereby amended as follows:
The annual salary of the Council members shall be the sum of [$9,641] $10,141.
Section 3. Severability Clause.
Severability is intended throughout and within the provisions of this Local Law. If any section,
subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Local Law is held to be invalid or unconstitutional
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by a court of competent jurisdiction, then that decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions of this Local Law.
Section 4. Effective Date.
Upon filing in the office of the Secretary of State, this Local Law shall take effect retroactive to January
1, 2016. This Local Law is subject to referendum on petition pursuant to Municipal Home Rule Law
Section 24.
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3.Finance, Budget, and Appropriations
.3 Common Council - Support of the Living Wage as the Minimum Wage across Tompkins
County
WHEREAS, it is one of our most cherished values that there is dignity in work, and
WHEREAS, raising incomes is critical to providing economic mobility and opportunity for working
families, and
WHEREAS, the growth in income inequality in recent years has created serious divisions within our
society and community, and
WHEREAS, Tompkins County is becoming increasingly two counties with a portion of the population
thriving while many more face low wages, growing inequality, erosion of middle-class jobs, staggering
housing costs, and the institutionalization of a low-wage service economy, and
WHEREAS, a full-time minimum wage worker in New York earns $18,200, an income significantly
below the current living wage in Tompkins County of $29,827, and
WHEREAS, a higher minimum wage across Tompkins County would likely increase spending on
locally produced goods and services by workers benefiting from such increased wages, which, in turn
would likely produce greater demand and help stimulate the local economy, and
WHEREAS, a higher minimum wage would likely reduce the cost of providing social services in the
City of Ithaca and Tompkins County, and
WHEREAS, our community has a proud tradition of advocating for worker rights and promoting
economic justice, and
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Workers Center, which certifies local living-wage employers, lists
currently more than 100 Living Wage entities across the county, a list that includes five municipalities,
encompasses more than 90 employers with workforces less than 50 employees, and represents over
3,000 workers making, at least, a Living Wage; and
WHEREAS, we as a community and we as a country can no longer accept wages that leave some
without hope of rising up and unable to support themselves nor their families, and
WHEREAS, while raising the minimum wage across Tompkins County may be considered too
complicated for some, true complications are experienced for workers trying to live on $8.75/hour, and
WHEREAS, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has called for an increase in the state’s
minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2021; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca lends its collective voice to those asking the Tompkins County
Legislature to pass a local minimum-wage law establishing the Tompkins County Living Wage
(currently $14.34/hour) as the minimum wage, and indexing it to the New York State median wage, and
be it further
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RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca supports the County further passing a home-rule request to New
York State seeking the authority to implement such a local minimum wage, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca calls on the New York State Legislature to pass promptly said
home-rule request, and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Tompkins County Legislature, the
Tompkins County Council of Governments, New York State Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton, New
York State Senator Thomas O’Mara, and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
Monday, August 10, 2015
TB RESOLUTION 2015 - 089: SUPPORT FOR A TOMPKINS COUNTY MINIMUM WAGE THAT IS
A LIVING WAGE
WHEREAS raising incomes is critical to providing economic mobility and opportunity for working
families and
WHEREAS the growth in income inequality in recent years has created serious divisions within our
society and community and
WHEREAS Tompkins is increasingly becoming two counties with a portion of the population thriving
while many more face low wages, growing inequality, erosion of middle-class jobs, high housing costs
and the institutionalization of a low-wage service economy and
WHEREAS a full-time minimum wage worker in New York earns $18,200 which is significantly below
the current Tompkins County living wage of $29,827 and
WHEREAS a higher minimum wage would likely help stimulate the local economy and
WHEREAS a higher minimum wage would likely reduce the need for and the cost of providing social
services in Tompkins County and
WHEREAS our community has a proud tradition of advocating for worker rights and promoting
economic justice and
WHEREAS we as a community and we as a country can no longer accept wages that leave some
unable to support themselves or their families and
WHEREAS some say that raising the minimum wage locally is “too complicated,” without
acknowledging how complicated it is trying to live on $8.75/hour
Now therefore be it
RESOLVED that the Town of Ithaca requests that the Tompkins County Legislature pass a local
minimum wage law establishing the Tompkins County Living Wage ($14.34/hour) as the minimum
wage, and indexing it to the NYS, regional, or county median wage and be it further
RESOLVED that the Town Board requests that the County pass a home rule request seeking the
authority to implement such a local minimum wage and be it further
RESOLVED that the Town calls on the NYS Legislature to promptly pass this home rule request.
Moved: Pat Leary Seconded: Eric Levine
Make the Minimum Wage in Tompkins County a Living Wage
by Carl Feuer and Pete Meyers, Tompkins County Workers’ Center
Four years ago Ithaca College students became concerned that some campus workers did not receive a
Living Wage. These students worked with the Tompkins County Workers Center (TCWC) and helped
mobilize student and faculty support to build a powerful case that the IC administration could not
ignore. The following year the multinational company that manages the dining halls, Sodexo
Corporation, agreed to pay dining workers a Living Wage, then $11.11/hour.
Four years later the Tompkins County Living Wage is $14.34 and many of these workers and others on
campus do not get a Living Wage. TCWC wants to change that.
Tompkins is really two counties. While a portion of the population thrives, many more face low
wages, growing inequality, erosion of middle-class jobs, housing costs through the roof and the
institutionalization of a low-wage service economy.
This can result in times of hunger, of homelessness, of eviction for not being able to afford the rent, of
losing good jobs for not being able to afford the necessary car repair, of winters without adequate heat,
of children missing their parents because they are forced to work two jobs and even then may not make
ends meet.
There is a sustainable and sure solution and that is raising the minimum wage to a Living Wage.
TCWC is leading a community campaign to get the County legislature to pass a local law establishing a
County minimum wage of $14.34, and going on from there to get State Home Rule authority for this
change. The new minimum wage would be phased in over a 5-year period and afterwards be indexed
to the area median wage.
The positive impact of this on workers and their families is obvious. But what about the community?
Since workers would spend virtually all of their increased wages locally this would have a significant
multiplier effect, boosting the economy, increasing County sales tax revenues and reducing the need
and cost of social services and property taxes.
And what about businesses? There will be bumps in the road, and small businesses in particular will
face challenges, but the phase-in process will allow time for planning and accommodation. And there
will be benefits too, including great demand for jobs, rising productivity, sharp declines in turnover.
Businesses close, jobs lost? Quite the opposite is likely as service industries especially prefer to be
where customers have money to spend.
We can raise the minimum wage here in Tompkins County. Will it be easy? Hell no! We willing need
hundreds if not thousands of workers to come and stand with us. To sign our petition. To join us at the
picket line or at a rally. To speak to your neighbors, friends and family. To speak to your County
legislator. To write letters.
Some will say, “It’s too complicated” or “It’s too difficult.” But you know what is really
complicated and difficult? It is trying to live and even perhaps being a good parent on $10/hour.
The bottom line is that we as a community and we as a country can no longer accept wages that leave
some unable to support themselves or their families, while many others flourish and become rich. We
can’t continue this race to the bottom. “The true test of an economy is not how much wealth its princes
can accumulate in tax havens,” Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz writes, but how well off
the typical citizen is. The time to make the minimum wage a living wage in Tompkins County is now.
Any student, staff or faculty interested in supporting this campaign please contact TCWC at 607-269-
0409 or email pete@tcworkerscenter.org or text 607-339-1680.
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3.Finance, Budget, and Appropriations
.4 Controller – Request to Amend 2015 Budget to Account for Various Unanticipated Revenue
WHEREAS, during 2015, City of Ithaca departments have received revenue from various unanticipated
sources including reimbursement, grants, donations and sale of material, that need to be accounted for in
the 2015 budget, and
WHEREAS, the reimbursements total of $79,113 as follows:
Tompkins County Celebrations Grants $16,350
Donations $53,075
Insurance Recover $8,809
Sale of Scrap/Equipment $879
now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends the 2015 authorized budget as follows to account
for said receipt and expenditures of funds:
Increase Revenue Account:
A1012-2379 Community Celebrations $16,350
A3120-2705 Police – Donations $47,000
A3120-2680 Police – Insurance Recovery $8,809
A5010-2655 Streets – Minor Sales $879
A7111-2705 Parks – Donations $6,075
Totals $79,113
Increase Appropriations Accounts:
A1012-5435 Celebrations Contracts $16,350
A3120-5225-5001 Police Other Equipment $47,000
A3120-5476-5001 Police Equipment Maintenance $8,809
A5010-5475 Streets Property Maintenance $879
A7111-5475 Parks Property Maintenance $5,000
A7111-5485 Parks Trees $1,075
Totals $79,113
J:\DRedsicker\AGENDAS\City Admin Comm\2015\11-18 - Agenda.docx 11/18/15
3.Finance, Budget and Appropriation
.5 Controller - Authorization to Cover Red Accounts
RESOLVED, That the City Controller be empowered to make transfers within the 2015 Budget
appropriations, as needed, for the remainder of the 2015 Fiscal Year.
J:\DRedsicker\AGENDAS\City Admin Comm\2015\11-18 - Agenda.docx 11/18/15
3.Finance, Budget and Appropriation
.6 HR - 2015-2016 Civil Service Agreement with the Ithaca City School District
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Controller be authorized and directed to execute an agreement
between the City of Ithaca and the Ithaca City School District for performance by the City for services
in connection with Civil Service matters, for the period July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016, in an amount
of $55,944, payable to the City of lthaca on or before December 31, 2015.
AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT made the day of , 2015, by and between the CITY OF ITHACA, a
municipal corporation of the State of New York, hereinafter referred to as the “City”, party of the
first part, and CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, CITY OF ITHACA, a municipal corporation of the
State of New York, hereinafter referred to as the “School District”, party of the second part.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the School District desires to enter into a contract
with the City for the performance by the City of certain services, to avoid duplication and
unnecessary expense, particularly services in connection with Civil Service matters on behalf of
the School District, pursuant to Section 2503, subparagraph 16, of the New York Education Law,
and
WHEREAS, the total number of classified Civil Service employees on the payrolls of the
City and the City School District for the final payroll period in December 2014 was 817, and
WHEREAS, the actual annual expenditures for the Civil Service Commission of the City
of Ithaca for the 2014 fiscal year of the City was $ 106,784;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. That for the services rendered and to be rendered by the City for the School District
during the School District fiscal year, which is July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016,
the School District shall pay to the City a lump sum of $ 55,944, payable on or
before December 31, 2015.
2. In consideration of such payment, the City agrees:
(a) to furnish the School District the part-time services of the Civil Service
Commission of the City of Ithaca and the members of its staff, and the City
Clerk and the members of her staff; and
(b) to handle the records and perform any other necessary Civil Service services
relating to Board of Education employees in the classified service, including
examinations and tests when required.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused these presents to be executed by
their respective duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
By: ________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________
City Clerk
CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
By: ________________________
Assistant Superintendent of Business Services
ATTEST:
________________________
School District Clerk