HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-2001-10-29 447-0)Z6
BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
BUDGET MEETING 7:00 P.M. October 29, 2001
MINUTES
Present :
Committee Members: Vaughan, Hershey, Manos, Pryor,
Blumenthal, Spielholz, Sams, Farrell
Committee Member Excused: Taylor
Others Present :
Mayor Cohen
City Controller Cafferillo [ 1--1
Deputy Controller Thayer
City Attorney Schwab _ Z b 2�U2
City Clerk Holcomb x
GIAC Director Fort
Acting Deputy Director Youth Bureau Green CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Members of the media
Members of the public
1 . Opening Conments
Chairperson Vaughan stated that the agenda for this budget
meeting was as follows:
A. Public Hearing on 2002 Budget
B. Discussion and action on remaining list of budget
areas
C. Regular B & A meeting for October
2 . Public Hearing
The Committee voted, 8-0, to open the Public Hearing on the
2002 Budget. The following individual spoke:
Fay Gougakis spoke to the Committee regarding the following
issues:
- Urged Council to request contributions from
Cornell and Ithaca College for 2002
- Felt Council wasted City tax dollars in 2001 on
the following:
Eckstrom lawsuit
Widewaters lawsuit
A
BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 29, 2001
West State Street bricks
Commons Fountain
Library using valuable commercial space
3 . Discussion/Action on Remaining 2002 Budget Areas
A discussion followed concerning the request by the
Attorney' s Office to increase the Associate Attorney' s
hours from 35 to 40 hours per week. Alderpersons Hershey
and Spielholz spoke in favor of increasing the hours for
the Associate Attorney. It was noted the cost for this
change would be $5,296 . The Mayor suggested that funds
available in 2001 Contingency could be used for this
purpose. Deputy Controller Thayer explained that the 2001
Contingency account has the following funds still
remaining:
Unrestricted $10, 575
Work Environment Task Force 35, 000
Downtown Marketing Study 10, 000
Youth Recreation Partnership Study 15, 000
Contractual increases 38, 182
A discussion concerning the housing study followed. Mayor
Cohen stated those funds were available. A discussion
regarding other managerial employees currently working 35
hours per week followed. Alderperson Blumenthal felt that
other 35 hour positions should be examined. The majority
of the Committee felt that because no other 40 hour
requests were made, this should be acted upon separately.
The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby increases account A1420-
5110 by $5, 296 to increase the hours of the Associate Attorney
to 40 hours, effective January 1, 2002, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the 2002 Authorized Personnel Roster for the
Attorney' s Office be amended as follows:
Delete: Associate Attorney 35 hours
Add: Associate Attorney 40 hours
with funds to be derived from the rollover of 2001 restricted
contingency account for Market Study $5,296 and corresponding
2002 Appropriated Fund Balance increase.
Voting results on the motion were as follows:
2
BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 29, 2001
Ayes: (7) Vaughan, Manos, Hershey, Spielholz,
Sams, Pryor, Farrell
Nays: (1) Blumenthal
The motion passed 7-1 .
A discussion concerning the possible Capital Project for
Voting Machine Acquisitions followed. The City Clerk has
asked for the acquisition of three voting machines. It was
noted that the City' s voting machines are in need of
replacement. Controller Cafferillo suggested that we begin
replacing the voting machines on a structured replacement
schedule starting with five new machines in 2002 . The cost
of five machines would be $15, 000 . After a discussion, the
following motion was made :
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby approves the establishment
of a Capital Project in the amount not to exceed $15, 000 for the
purchase of five voting machines.
The motion passed 8-0.
A discussion followed regarding the Human Resources request
for $16, 000 in additional staff training and staff
development . The discussion included the $35, 000 Work
Environment Task Force funds in 2001 contingency and the
2001 Staff Development account in Human Resources,
currently having a balance of $27, 700. The Committee
agreed that $16, 000 of 2001 funds could be encumbered to
2002 for this purpose. The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby directs the Controller' s
Office to encumber $16, 000 of the 2001 funds in account A1430-
5440 for Staff development and training in 2002 .
The motion passed 8-0.
A discussion took place regarding the request for a second
floor renovation Capital Project in the amount of $731, 000.
Alderperson Spielholz stated that we just can't do this
project in this tight budget year. The Committee suggested
that as part of the Building Assessment Study, the entire
City Hall building should be examined.
Alderperson Sams was concerned over where the recent new
hires were going to be located. Mayor Cohen stated that we
will accommodate the new staff in City Hall and free up the
second floor conference room. The following motion was
made:
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BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 29, 2001 •
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby establishes a Capital
Project in an amount not to exceed $731, 000 for renovations to
the second floor of City Hall .
Voting results on the motion were as follows:
Ayes : (1) Sams
Nays: (6) Vaughan, Pryor, Hershey, Spielholz, Farrell,
Blumenthal
Abstain: (1) Manos
The motion failed 1-6-1 .
Alderperson Manos stated that it was important that Council
understand what it is authorizing with respect to Capital
Projects, as was not the case with the computer
infrastructure item in last year' s network project .
A discussion concerning the Vacancy Review Committee
followed. Alderperson Farrell spoke in favor of a Vacancy
Committee and felt it was important that Common Council
increase its representatives on the committee. She
explained that with the current financial situation, it
will be important to review every vacancy carefully.
After a discussion, the Committee agreed that the Vacancy
Review Committee discussion should be addressed at the next
Human Resources Committee meeting.
A discussion concerning the Computer Network Project
$40, 604 force account work followed. Controller Cafferillo
explained that the revenue for this item was in the budget,
but the Capital Project increase was missed. The following
motion was made :
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby authorizes an amendment to
the 2002 Computer Network Improvement Capital Project in the
amount not to exceed $40, 604 for the purpose of force account
labor.
The motion passed 8-0.
A discussion regarding the Engineer' s request to establish
a Capital Project for Green Street and Seneca Street
Parking Garage maintenance improvements followed. The
amount of the project ranged from $424, 000 to $1, 000, 000.
The following motion was made:
4
BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 29, 2001
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby establishes a Capital
Project in the amount not to exceed $1, 000, 000 for maintenance
improvements to the Green and Seneca Street Parking Garages.
The motion failed 8-0.
It was noted that Capital Projects can be brought to
Council at any time. If the need arises, this project
should come back to Council when a more solid budget is
developed.
A discussion regarding the GIS Improvements through
Planning and Development followed. Controller Cafferillo
again stated that the revenue was in the budget, but the
increase to the Capital Project was missed. The following
motion was made:
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby authorizes an amendment to
the 2002 Computer Network Improvement Capital Project in the
amount not to exceed $25, 000 for the purpose of GIS Services.
The motion passed 8-0 .
GIAC' s request for $600 in overtime funds and $5, 000 in
program supplies was discussed. GIAC Director ' Fort
explained the need of the $600 in overtime for pool and
maintenance staff, and the $5, 000 in program supplies for
GIAC programs. After the discussion, the following motion
was made:
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby increases account A7311-
5125 for the purposes of added overtime for pool and maintenance
staff.
Funds would be derived from 2001 contingency fund rollover
through Appropriated Fund Balance.
The motion passed 8-0.
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby increases account A7311-
5460 by $5, 000 to provide additional program supplies for GIAC
programming.
Voting results on the motion were as follows:
Ayes: (4) Sams, Farrell, Manos, Blumenthal
Nays: (3) Vaughan, Hershey, Pryor
Abstain: (1) Spielholz
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BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 29, 2001
The motion failed 4-3-1 for lack of a majority vote.
A discussion regarding the Building Department request to
increase salaries for the Acting Building Commissioner and
Acting Deputy Building Commissioner followed. It was noted
that the funds would be derived from 2001 contingency fund
money rolled over through Appropriated Fund Balance.
Council would have to take action in 2002 to release the
funds. The Committee agreed previously to approve this.
A discussion concerning the Building Department request to
acquire $1, 200 in code books followed. The Committee
agreed to take the funds out of the 2001 unrestricted
contingency account . The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby authorizes an amount not to
exceed $1, 200 for Building Department code books be transferred
from the 2001 account A1990 Unrestricted Contingency to A3620-
5425 .
The motion passed 8-0 .
The Committee discussed the Firehouse Theatre funds and the
possibility of transferring the funds to the Community Arts
Partnership. " The 2002 Firehouse Theatre funding was
proposed in the amount of $3, 500 . Because of the
uncertainty of the Firehouse Theatre, the Committee voted,
8-0, to keep the funds in the budget unallocated and come
back to B & A in 2002 to determine if a transfer to another
agency is needed.
Mayor Cohen and Controller Cafferillo discussed the
proposed sales tax revenue in the 2002 budget with the
Committee. Due to the uncertainty of the economy in the
near future and the sales tax on clothing exemption
beginning in March, 2002, the Mayor and Controller are
recommending a $175, 000 reduction in the projected 2002
sales tax revenue. They are also recommending to offset
the amount by retirement savings of the same amount.
Controller Cafferillo explained that there is a list of
individuals that are willing to take either a City
retirement incentive program or a State retirement
incentive program. He also stated that if the State enacts
a retirement incentive program and additional savings are
realized, those savings should be adjusted to decrease
sales tax revenue estimates. A discussion regarding the
retirement incentive and potential savings took place. The
following motion was made:
6
BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 29, 2001
RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby decreases the revenue
account A1101 Sales Tax by $175, 000 to reflect a slowing economy
and reduces various appropriation accounts as allocated by the
Controller in the amount not to exceed $175, 000 to reflect City
staff retirements during 2002 .
The motion passed 8-0 .
Mayor Cohen also reported to the Committee that between now
and the November 7th Council meeting in which the 2002
Budget will be adopted, he will be reviewing the
possibility of increasing the 2002 property tax rate. He
explained due to all the uncertainties and the fact that
the tax rate can only be set once, he may want to give the
2002 Budget a little more flexibility by increasing
property tax revenue and lowering the Appropriated Fund
Balance. At this point, the property tax rate increase
remains at 3 . 64%. This results in a tax rate of $10.20064
per $1, 000 assessed property value.
Alderperson Hershey urged Council to speak with the County
Board members regarding the request from the City to defer
the Clothing Sales Tax Exemption. Controller Cafferillo
presented a graph that reflected the large differences
•
between what the State advances to the City in sales tax
revenue and the actual sales tax revenue after both
positive and negative State adjustments. The differences
are often quite large. The County generally reports sales
tax figures before adjustments are made. This reporting
distorts the City' s actual sales tax revenue.
The Budget meeting was adjourned at 10 :20 P.M.
7
2002 Bud.et for further Discus-ion/Action U= •
Amount or 2002 Action
From 10/9/01 meetin•: _t• ---- -�-��
_-- Increase hours of Associate Attome from 35 to 40.hours A1420-5110 $. 5,296.00 vote 7-1
-------MOM •assed from a•• F/B
---11111at.M.Kis•3w1•aurTdw,r�iialkL• A•m llilill $ 15,000.00 $ - vote 8-0
---_--_- �- •assed ca•ital •ro'ect
--� „a o r °-• -�-
--- Increase Trainin• and staff develo•ment A1430-5440 $ .16,000.00 vote 8-0 --
--- - - _-_ Passed encumber from 2001
--- Renovations to second floor -- $ 731,000.00 - vote 1-6-1
----- -- failed no•ro'ect
From 10/16/01 meetin•: L'TiiP i
_-- Increase Corn•uter Network•ro'ect for force
-_- work b the IT De•artment staff - $ 40,604.00 $ vote 8-0
----_---
•assed.increase ca•ital.•ro'ect
From 10/18/01 meetin•: r€71f1•11.1;7 MIII--- -�-�-
--- Green Street and Seneca Street Gera•e - $ 500,000.00 ®'i •'II' I $ - vote 8-0
---
maintenance im•rovements failed no •ro'ect
--- amxawi•ra $ 25,000.00 $ - vote 8-0 _-
-���---_ _■Passed increase.capital.•roject
--- Restorin• OT funds for•ool&Maintenance staff _-A7311-5125 $ 600.00 vote 8-0 from a•• F/B Restoring.funds for r program su•plies A7311-5460 $ 5,000.00 vote 4-3-1 .■
failed
From 10/25/01 meetin•: = it• L• I:• u
--- Restricted.Contin•en for sale .increases for
A ti • •nrui„kt l,caer_cta,t1111:141 411=111
CommissionerF/B.Ad'ustment - $ 6,255.00 A3620-5105 $ increase Rest contin•enc
-------- -� from a••ro F/B
-- Code Books --- A3620-5425 $ 1,200.00 vote 8-0 --
-�-----_ from.2001 unrestricted contingency
--- Transfer of funds for Fire House Theatre contract to
--- restricted contin•en or Communi Arts Partnershi• $ 3,500.00 A1012-5435 $. - vote 8-0
-_---__- A1990 kee•funds.in 2002 bud•et
------�_ unallocated and discuss.in 2002
Total potential net Increase(decrease)to Mayor's proposed budget after meetings.from.10/9,10/18,10/18,10/25,10/29/01: $. 28,096.00
I I I 1 I I 1 I T
City.of Ithaca Budget Schedule 1
Page 1
2002 Budget Adjustments
Revenues Amount
Mayor's Recommendation $ 31,583,817.00
Net increase in Mayor's Budget Revenues through 10/25/01 meeting
Balance Mayor's Revenues prior to Budget meeting of 10/29/01 $ 31,601,242
Action taken during meeting of 10/29/01:
Sales Tax
Decrease account A1101 Sales Tax Revenue to reflect slowing economy and growth
projected for 2002 $ (175,000.00)
Mayor's adjusted Revenues as of conclusion of 10/29/01 Budget meeting $ 31,426,242.00
Net increase in revenues from 10/29/01 meeting $ (175,000.00)
Combined net increase(decrease) in Mayor's Revenue after 10/9, 10/16, 10/18, 10/25 and
10/29/01 meetings $ (157,575.00)
Combined net increase in Mayor's Budget(Revenues and Appropriation)after
10/9, 10/16, 10/18, 10/25 and 10/29/01 meetings $ 12,151.00
City of Ithaca Budget Schedule 2
Page 1
2002 Budget Adjustments
Appropriations Amount
Mayor's Recommendation $32,083,821.00
Net increase in Mayor's Budget Appropriations through 10/25/01 meeting $ 17,425.00
Balance Mayor's Appropriations prior to Budget meeting of 10/29/01 $32,101,246.00
Action taken during meeting of 10/29/01:
Attorney's office
Increase appropriation account A1420-5110 staff salaries for increase in hours of
Associate Attorney from 35 to 40 per week. Approp. Fund Balance $ 5,296.00
Capital Projects
Establish capital project for 5 voting machines in the amount of$15,000 $ -
Increase the Computer network Improvement Capital Project by$40,604 for
force account labor $ -
Increase the Computer network Improvement Capital Project by$25,000 for
force account labor and equipment $ -
GIAC.
Increase account A7311-5125 for the purposes of adding funds for GIAC pool and
Maintenance staff overtime. Funds to be derived from 2001 Unrestricted
Contingency Account to Approp. Fund Balance $ 600.00
Contingency Account
Increase Restricted Contingency to fund the possible salary increase of the
Building Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner. Funds derived from the
2001 Contingency account to Approp. Fund Balance $ 6,255.00
Building Department
Increase.account A3620-5425 Office Expense for 2001 from Unrestricted Contingency
2001 for Code Books $ -
Retirement Savings
Decrease A7111-5115 Parks for employee retirement $ (31,395.00)
Decrease A7111-9010 Parks Retirement $ (785.00)
Decrease A7111-9030 Parks FICA/Medicare $ (2,402.00)
Decrease A7111-9040 Parks WC $ (1,733.00)
Decrease A7111-9060 Parks Health Insurance $ (5,938.00)
Decrease A7111-9070 Parks Dental $ (130.00)
Decrease A7310-5105-1400 Youth Bureau for employee retirements $ (26,831.00)
Decrease A7310-9010 YB Retirement $ (671.00)
Decrease A7310-9030 YB FICA/Medicare $ (2,053.00)
Decrease A7310-9040 YB WC $ (99.00)
Decrease A7310-9060 YB Health Insurance $ (1,900.00)
Decrease A7310-9070 YB Dental $ (52.00)
City of Ithaca Schedule 3
Page 1
2002 Budget Adjustments
Appropriations Amount
Mayor's Recommendation $32,083,821.00
Net increase in Mayor's Budget Appropriations through 10/25/01 meeting $ 17,425.00
Balance Mayor's Appropriations prior to Budget meeting of 10/29/01 $32,101,246.00
Action taken during meeting of 10/29/01:
Decrease A1315-5105 Finance for employee retirement $ (33,359.00)
Decrease A1315-9010 Finance Retirement $ (2,132.00)
Decrease.A1315-9030 Finance FICA/Medicare $ (4,370.00)
Decrease A1315-9040 Finance WC $ (1,245.00)
Decrease A1315-9060 Finance Health Insurance $ (7,287.00)
Decrease A1315-9070 Finance Dental $ (156.00)
Decrease A1621-5115 City Hall for employee retirement $ (19,684.00)
Decrease A1621-9010 City Hall Retirement $ (492.00)
Decrease A1621-9030 City Hall FICA/Medicare $ (1,506.00)
Decrease A1621-9040 City Hall WC $ (983.00)
Decrease A1621-9060 City Hall Health Insurance $ (770.00)
Decrease A1621-9070 City Hall Dental $ -
Decrease A5111-5115 Highways for employee retirement $ (20,435.00)
Decrease A5111-9010 Highways Retirement $ (511.00)
Decrease A5111-9030 Highways FICA/Medicare $ (1,564.00)
Decrease A5111-9040 Highways WC $ (935.00)
Decrease A5111-9060 Highways Health Insurance $ (5,465.00)
Decrease A5111-9070 Highways Dental $ (117.00)
Mayor's adjusted Appropriations as of conclusion of 10/29/01 Budget meeting $31,938,397.00
Net increase(decrease) in Appropriations from 10/29/01 meeting $ (162,849.00)
Combined net increase(decrease)in.Mayor's.Appropriations after 10/9, 10/16, 10/18,
10/25 and 10/29/01 meetings $ (145,424.00)
City of Ithaca Schedule 3
Page 2