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COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE
MINUTES - UNAPPROVED
October 13, 2004
Committee Members Present: Alderpersons Maria Coles, Robin Holtham
Korherr, Michael Taylor, Mary Tomlan, and
David Whitmore (Chair)
Staff and Other Council
Members Present: Tim Logue, Neighborhood and Economic
Development Planner; Pam Mackesey, Common
Council; Carolyn Peterson, Mayor
1. Meeting called to order at 7:04 pm
2. Greeting from the Chair
3. Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Tomlan, seconded by Korherr, the September 8, 2004
minutes of the Community Services Committee were approved
unanimously (4-0) as written (Taylor had not arrived yet).
4. Review Agenda
There were no changes to the agenda. Taylor arrived at 7:07pm
5. Public Comment
Gossa Tsegaye, a resident of the City of Ithaca, announced that Ithaca
College is donating camera and video equipment to the Southside
Community Center in support of a new program, "Media Workshop,"
which is being modeled after a program at the Frederick Douglass
Academy in Harlem. Also, he noted that there are discussions taking place
about renaming the Center after Martin Luther King, Jr.
6. Response to Public Comment/Committee Privilege of the Floor
Taylor announced that the Collegetown Neighborhood Council would meet
on Thursday, October 14th at 4pm at St. Luke's church.
7. Intermunicipal Communications
A. Report from Tompkins County Liaison - No report
B. Town of Ithaca Liaison Report- Korherr reported that she had attended
a Town Board meeting and that they would be making room on their
regular agenda for a City report. She also met with Supervisor Cathy
Valentino to talk about the recreation partnership.
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8. Community Drug Task Force - Report
Bill Rusen, Chairman of the Community Alcohol and Drug Coalition (and
Executive Director of Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services), Nancy Zahler,
Coordinator of the Community Alcohol and Drug Coalition (and Director of
the Tompkins County Youth Services Department), and Kris Bennett,
Tompkins County Youth Services Planner, reported to the committee
about the Community Alcohol and Drug Coalition, formerly known as the
Community Drug Task Force. Mayor Carolyn Peterson arrived at 7:20pm.
Rusen gave an overview of the coalition's history since its inception in
1997. Zahler thanked the City for its financial support, especially during
times of evolving structures and staffing. She gave a PowerPoint
presentation on the work of the coalition, highlighting grants, goals,
activities, and the www.ithacaparents.com website. Bennett presented a
summary of results from the 2003 Student Life and Culture Survey, given
to grades 6-12 in the Ithaca City School District, and described the Social
Norms marketing campaign. Rusen concluded the report by announcing
that the Coalition has received a grant for 2004-2008, but that the it
would be shifting its initiatives away from direct service provision and
more towards coalition building and coordination of services. A short
question and answer period followed the presentation.
9. South Hill Environmental Contamination - Report
Pam Mackesey arrived at 7:50pm. Ken Deschere, a resident of South Hill
Terrace, John Oakley, a resident of Turner Place, and Susan Pratt, a
representative of Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton's office,joined the
committee.
Deschere talked about the level of technical information involved in the
assessment of contamination and the accompanying emotional and
property value issues. He said that testing began in early October and that
the neighborhood working group needs help understanding and analyzing
the data. They are looking for grant or university resources to help.
Oakley spoke about the difficulties in predicting the extent of
contamination because of the geology and topography of the area and the
nature of the chemicals. He said most health standards pertaining to the
situation are for working conditions, where there may be high levels of
exposure for an 8 hour workday. However, he noted, the neighborhood's
situation is low levels of exposure over years and years.
Pratt stated that the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
(DEC) and Emerson Power Transmission are committed to cleaning up the
site and that in all likelihood, the site would be reclassified from a "4" to a
"2," meaning the case would be reopened publicly. She said clean up
standards would probably be for an industrial site.
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Coles inquired about a possible residential health survey or medical
examinations for residents because of the unknown effects of low-level
long-term exposure.
Pratt stated that the DEC, Emerson, and the NYS Department of Health
(DOH) are working on the situation together and that a DEC Record of
Decision is being reopened. A set of home studies and monitoring wells are
being put in place and a series of public meetings will be scheduled when
test results are ready. A short discussion followed.
10. Apprenticeship Program - Update
Whitmore gave a short update on the apprenticeship program requirement
concept, noting that there is still more work to be done with City staff to
prepare a resolution on the matter. He said that County Legislator Kathy
Luz Herrera is bringing a similar resolution to a committee of the County
Legislature and he hopes to report on that next month.
11. On a motion by Taylor, seconded by Korherr, the meeting was
unanimously adjourned at 8:30pm.
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a4 '1 CITY OF ITHACA
,`"�`'="� 108 East Green Street Ithaca New York 14850-5690
I ,
COMMON COUNCIL
O=- Telephone: 607/274-6570
Date: November 3,2004
To: Community Services Committee
From: David Whitmore, Chair,Community Services Committee
Re: Apprenticeship Policy Proposal
Enclosed please find a draft resolution to create an apprenticeship policy for City contracts.
After many discussions,I believe this proposal is a good starting point for discussions about an
effective apprenticeship program, as allowed by state law. The key points of the resolution are
1. The policy only applies to contracts in excess of$500,000.
2. The policy does not limit itself to construction projects pursuant to"Wicks Law,"which
applies to contracts for the "erection,construction,reconstruction or alteration of
buildings" that will cost more than$50,000 and would cover only such jobs where the
contracts are awarded by an"officer,board or agency of a political subdivision or of any
district therein." A provision for"Wicks Law"would not have given us the flexibility to
impose our apprenticeship policy in the case of the Green Garage construction,for
example,because this project is not directly under an"officer,board or agency of a
political subdivision"of the City.
3. The policy includes a final resolved that allows for a contractor to exempt up to 25%of
the general contract from this policy. The exemption is meant to continue to allow
general contractors to use small, local contractors for whom it may not be feasible to
provide an apprenticeship program.
I am also enclosing a sample apprenticeship policy questionnaire as an example of how the
Controller's Office may implement this policy during the bidding process.
As you may have heard, Tompkins County passed an apprenticeship policy resolution at their
November 3`d meeting. The County policy set a$1,000,000 limit on contracts and included a
provision for"Wicks Law." I have enclosed that resolution for your perusal.
"An Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to workforce diversification." i«!
Resolution to Create an Apprenticeship Policy for City Construction Contracts
Whereas,the City of Ithaca from time to time undertakes construction contracts which
involve the construction, reconstruction,improvement, or rehabilitation of buildings,
facilities, and structures in the City of Ithaca,and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca is making considerable efforts to increase the number of
jobs in the city, and is consistently advocating for quality employment opportunities for
city residents,in particular young people in the city, and
WHEREAS, maintaining a qualified and skilled labor force is essential to a healthy and
dynamic local economy, and
WHEREAS, it is desirable to establish employment principles to guide future decisions
of the city,and
WHEREAS, Article 23 (Apprenticeship Training), Section 816-b of New York State
Labor Law states, "in entering into any construction contract, a government entity which
is to be a direct or indirect party to such contract may require that any contractors and
subcontractors have, prior to entering into such a contract, apprenticeship agreements
appropriate for the type and scope of work to be performed, that have been registered
with, and approved by, the commissioner pursuant to the requirements found in this
article." Now,therefore,be it
RESOLVED, the Common Council of the City of Ithaca does hereby order and direct
each department as follows:
1. Any construction contract, as defined under Article 23, Section 816-b, in
excess of$500,000 must include contractors that participate in New York
State certified apprenticeship programs.
2. All bidders and all subcontractors under the bidder must maintain or
participate in a bona fide New York State Apprentice Program approved by
the Division of Apprentice Training of the Department of Labor for each
apprenticable trade or occupation represented in their workforce and must
abide by the apprentice to journeyman ratio for each trade prescribed therein
in the performance of the contract.
3. Any bidder who fails to comply with the requirements laid out in numbers 1
and 2 above shall be subject to any or all of the following sanctions:
a. temporary suspension of work on the project until compliance is
obtained; and/or
b. withholding by the City of payment due under the contract until
compliance is obtained; and/or
c. permanent removal from any further work on the project; and/or
d. recovery by the County from the bidder of 1/10 of 1').3 of the contract
amount or $1,000.00, whichever is greater, in the nature of liquidated
damages assessed for each week that the contractor is in non-
compliance.
Resolved,further,that a total of 25 percent of the monetary value of the general contract
may be exempted from this requirement to permit the use of small or specialty
subcontractors who would otherwise be excluded.
Pre-bid Questionnaire Regarding Contractor Apprenticeship
Program
1. Does your company currently have registered and bona fide State or Federal
Department of Labor apprenticeship program? Yes No
a. If yes, this program is registered with the Federal DOL?Yes No or
with which State? If yes, please answer questions 2-8.
b. If no, do you hire apprentices from a state registered and approved
apprenticeship program such as a union or union training
facility? . If yes, please skip questions 2-8 and complete questions
9-10.
2. Under what name is your apprenticeship program
registered?
3. Your program is registered to train apprentices for which skilled
trades?
4. How long have you had an apprentice program?
5. How many apprentices have graduated from your program?
6. What is your current journeyman/apprentice ratio?
7. For each skilled trades list your worksite training hours and related instruction
hours required:
Trade: Worksite hrs Classroom hrs.
Trade: Worksite hrs Classroom hrs.
Trade: Worksite hrs Classroom hrs.
Trade: Worksite hrs Classroom hrs.
To list more than four trades, please use the back of this form or attach a
separate sheet.
8. Please note the percentage of classroom instruction is given at each location:
Company Shop: BOCES:
Page 1 of 3
Trades school: College:
Other (please Explain):
Please provide your DOL Apprentice Coordinator Contact Information:
Name:
Phone: ( ) Fax: (
Address:
City: State: Zip:
• • �� ■ ■ a • Nali== • a • • • • =MEN • • • • �r • • �•• • • • • • ■ IMMIMI •
9. If you hire registered apprentices from a registered program, for what trades do
you use apprentices?
Trade: Registered Program name:
a. Telephone number for program:
b. Number of apprentices:
c. Number of worksite hours achieved by these apprentices on your job
sites:
Trade: Registered Program name:
d. Telephone number for program:
e. Number of apprentices:
f. Number of worksite hours achieved by these apprentices on your job
sites:
Trade: Registered Program name:
g. Telephone number for program:
h. Number of apprentices:
Number of worksite hours achieved by these apprentices on your job
sites:
To list more than three trades, please use back of form or attach a separate
sheet.
10. What is your current journeyman/apprentice ratio?
Page 2 of 3
Logistical suggestions for implementing this form:
1. This simple questionnaire completed and submitted with the bid documents
by the interested contractor, and verified by the apprentice coordinator prior
to the bid award should make implementing this requirement straightforward
with minimal time consumption by the municipality.
2. A line stating when and to whom this needs to be returned.
3. We would suggest a signature line that outlines the penalties for mis-
representation on this document.
4. The DOL Apprentice Coordinator is your contact to verify information
provided on this form by contractors.
5. For contractors using apprentices from a union apprentice program, be sure
to contact that program to confirm information given on the questionnaire is
correct.
Page 3 of 3
SUBSTITUTE TO BE OFFERED BY LEGISLATOR HERRERA
RESOLUTION NO.3] -REQUIRING CONTRACTORS ON CERTAIN COUNTY
CAPITAL PROJECTS TO HAVE APPRENTICESHIP
AGREEMENTS
WHEREAS, the County Government from time to time undertakes construction contracts
which involve the construction of facilities and structures,and
WHEREAS,County government is making considerable efforts to increase the number of jobs
in the county, and is consistently advocating for quality employment opportunities for Tompkins
County residents,and
WHEREAS, maintaining a qualified and skilled labor force is essential to a healthy and
dynamic local economy, and
WHEREAS, it is desirable to establish employment principles to guide future decisions of the
County,and
WHEREAS, Article 23 (Apprenticeship Training), Section 816-b of New York State Labor
Law states, "in entering into any construction contract, a government entity which is to be a direct or
indirect party to such contract may require that any contractors and subcontractors have, prior to
entering into such a contract,apprenticeship agreements appropriate for the type and scope of work to
be performed, that have been registered with, and approved by, the commissioner pursuant to the
requirements found in this article,"now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee,That:
1. Any public work which requires separate specifications (the award of three or more separate
general contracts) pursuant to Section 101 of the General Municipal Law(commonly known
as the "Wicks Law"), and which exceeds $1 million in cost, must include contractors that
participate in New York State certified apprenticeship programs.
2. All bidders and all subcontractors under the bidder must maintain or participate in a bona fide
New York State Apprentice Program approved by the Division of Apprentice Training of the
Department of Labor for each apprenticable trade or occupation represented in their workforce
and must abide by the apprentice to journeyman ratio for each trade prescribed therein in the
performance of the contract.
3. Any bidder who fails to comply with the requirements laid out in numbers 1 and 2 above shall
be subject to any or all of the following sanctions:
a. temporary suspension of work on the project until compliance is obtained; and/or;
b. withholding by the County of payment due under the contract until compliance is
obtained; and/or
c. permanent removal from any further work on the project; and/or
d. recovery by the County from the bidder of 1/10 of one percent of the contract amount
or $1,000.00, whichever is greater, in the nature of liquidated damages assessed for
each week that the contractor is in non-compliance.
RESOLVED, further, That a total of 25 percent of the monetary value of the contract
may be exempted from this requirement to permit the use of small or specialty subcontractors
who would otherwise be excluded.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
cc: Administrator-via Network
Finance
Public Works
Personnel
Vote at Government Operations Committee
Ayes-3 (Herrera,Lane,Schuler)
Noes-2(Kiefer and Winch)