HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-2001-10-25- Budget Meeting BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 25, 2001
2 . Community Service Agencies Budget Review
The Mayor proposed a 2002 Community Service budget in the
amount of $81, 035 . The Mayor' s proposed budget includes
the B & A Committee' s recommendation for Community Service
Agencies . The 2002 funding levels are as follows :
Flag Day $ 350
Veterans Day 800
Cabin Fever Festival Coalition 1, 200
Community Arts Partnership 7, 500
C.A. P. Visitor Ticket Center 4, 500
Community School of Music and Arts 3, 000
Cornell Cooperative Extension 4, 500
DeWitt Historical Society 7, 500
Firehouse Theater 3 , 500
Human Rights Commission 625
Ithaca Festival 5, 500
Kitchen Theater 3 , 500
The Labor Coalition 6, 000
Multicultural Resource Center 6, 000
On Site Volunteer Services 4 , 500
Project Growing Hope 500
Sciencenter After-School Program 3 , 000
Suicide Prevention & Crisis Services
Of Tompkins County 3 , 000
Cornell Cooperative Extension -
Neighborhood Leadership Program 4 , 500
Juneteenth, Kwanzaa 5, 000
Challenge Industries 4, 500
Friendship Donations Network 1, 560
Several agencies were present to briefly discuss their
funding requests with the Committee. The following
agencies spoke: On Site Volunteer Services; Multicultural
Resource Center; Cornell Cooperative Extension Neighborhood
Leadership Program; Sciencenter After-School Program;
Cornell Cooperative Extension; Community Arts Partnership
and C.A. P. Visitor Ticket Center. All the agencies
discussed their particular programs and funding requests.
Richard Driscoll, Director of the Community Arts
Partnership and C.A.P. Visitor Ticket Center, requested the
following two items be addressed by the Committee:
Restore the Community Arts Partnership
funding level to $10, 000 and the Visitor
Center to $6, 000 as requested
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BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 25, 2001
Separate the funding for the Community Arts
Partnership and Visitor Center out from the
rest of the agencies
Driscoll explained that the loss of funding would
negatively effect the local artists and arts organizations
the Partnership is mandated to serve. He further explained
that his two agencies should be separated from the other
service agencies funding because the Partnership is in
direct competition for funding with the very organizations
they were created to serve.
While the Committee did agree with the Partnership request
to be moved into a separate account, it was too late to do
that in 2002 . The Committee agreed it would discuss the
funding move for the 2003 Budget . It was also suggested
that because the Firehouse Theatre may be closing at the
end of 2001, their City funding support could be used for
the Community Arts Partnership and Ticket Center. The
Committee agreed to discuss that possibility at the October
29th Budget meeting. It was recommended by some members of
the Committee that the Community Arts Partnership and
Ticket Center look at other area municipalities to help
with funding needs .
After the discussions, the Community Service Agencies 2002
Funding levels remained unchanged.
3 . INHS Budget Review
The Mayor proposed a 2002 INHS Budget in the amount of
$85, 000 . INHS President David Sprague discussed the INHS
funding request with the Committee. He noted INHS
requested $88, 000 for 2002 to help offset some of the
agency' s increasing operating costs . He stated he
understood the City' s financial position and was grateful
for the $85, 000 in support recommended by the Mayor. After
a brief discussion concerning the City Housing Initiative
Program, which expects to be fully operational in 2002 , the
2002 funding level for INHS remained unchanged.
4 . Southside Community Center Budget Review
The Mayor proposed a 2002 Southside Community Center Budget
in the amount of $68, 060 . Southside Center Board President
Graham and Executive Director Greene were present to
discuss the 2002 request . Graham stated that they are not
requesting an increase in funding for 2002 . It was noted
that Tompkins County does pay for a portion of this
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BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 25, 2001
program. Graham invited the Committee to its annual
meeting and Harvest Dinner. He explained that they will be
unveiling two murals at the dinner as well . No changes
were made to the Mayor' s request to fund Southside Center
at $68, 060 .
5 . Human Services Coalition Budget Review
The Mayor proposed a 2002 Human Services Coalition Budget
in the amount of $32, 257 . Executive Director Dill was
present to discuss the 2002 request with the Committee .
Dill explained that her 2002 request included a three-
percent increase for a total request of $34, 586 . The
increase was to offset increasing costs to the Agency.
After a discussion regarding the $420, 000 HUD grant for the
Green Street House and Tompkins Community Actions Chartwell
House, the Agency' s 2002 Budget remained unchanged.
6 . SPCA Budget Review
The Mayor proposed a 2002 SPCA Budget in the amount of
$40, 275 . It was noted the SPCA had requested $41, 483 to
help offset the steady increase in expenses associated with
the dog control program. SPCA Director Nathan Winograd was
present to discuss the 2002 request . A discussion
regarding the dog control program and the possibility of a
cat control program followed. The 2002 SPCA funding
remained unchanged.
7 . TCAD Budget Review
The Mayor proposed a 2002 TOAD Budget in the amount of
$7, 000 . Director of Marketing and Development Sanderson
and TCAD President Stamm were present to discuss the
request . Stamm explained that the 2002 TOAD request
included $7, 000 and an additional $3 , 000 for the Tompkins
County IDA' s Density Policy. The Density Policy is
intended to promote growth in the downtown core .
Various City and TOAD projects were discussed, including
the Cornell downtown office building, the hotel project,
Cayuga Green project, and the tax abatement policy.
Economic Development Director McDonald stated that TOAD has
been helpful to the City' s Economic Development Program,
including technical assistance with Cherry Street,
financing of local projects, and the tax abatement policy.
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BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 25, 2001
After the discussion, the TOAD 2002 Budget remained at
$7, 000 . Chairperson Vaughan stated that the City would
like to give all the agencies what they requested, but due
to the current City financial status, that was not
possible .
8 . Building Department Budget Review
The Mayor proposed a 2002 Building Department Budget in the
amount of $716, 724 . Mayor Cohen explained that the State
has just notified the City that it will only supply the
City with one set of new code books in 2002 . He stated
that $1, 200 needs to be added to the further discussion
list to provide the Building Department with code books .
The Committee agreed to add the request to the list .
The Mayor also stated that, in the near future, Council
will have to address the long hours being worked by the
Acting Building Commissioner. Cohen stated to save money,
Commissioner Radke has agreed to reduce staff . As a result
of the reduced staff and increased construction and
development activity, long hours are necessary. The Mayor
is concerned about the additional hours on a long-term
basis . The Mayor appreciated the Building Department' s
staff devotion.
Acting Building Commissioner Radke reported that the
Electrical Inspector position should create $50, 000 in
revenue to the City in 2001 . Radke also reported that the
department has brought in over $400, 000 in revenue to the
City in 2001 . She also explained that the Building
Department has worked with the IURA to obtain a Block Grant
in the amount of $30, 000 for housing inspection services
for the Southside neighborhood.
A discussion followed concerning demolition fees and the
request for a salary adjustment for the Acting Building
Commissioner and Deputy. Mayor Cohen explained that the
funds needed for the salary adjustments will be included in
the final budget . The item will be discussed at the final
budget meeting.
After the discussion, the Building Department 2002 Budget
remained the same as proposed by the Mayor.
9 . Youth Bureau Budget Review
The Mayor proposed a 2002 Youth Bureau Budget in the amount
of $2, 818, 854 . Acting Youth Bureau Director Alice Green,
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BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 25, 2001
Acting Deputy Youth Bureau Director Allen Green, Youth
Bureau Office Manager Wilson and Recreation Facilities
Director Doyle were all present to discuss the 2002 Youth
Bureau Budget . Director Green stated that the 2002 Budget
is designed to deliver $4 worth of programs for every $1
the City spends . As a result, three-quarters of the Youth
Bureau operating budget is offset by fees, grants,
subsidies and other revenue.
Green stated that the Youth Bureau can operate within the
Mayor' s Budget footprint, but she is suggesting some
transfers within existing accounts be made to allow the
Youth Bureau to meet its contractual obligations . The
Youth Bureau proposed the following 2002 Budget amendments :
A. Increase revenues and expenditures by $17, 425 to
account for CDBG revenue to expand After School
Program at BJM.
B. Move $1, 380 from one salary account to another to
support the 2002 temporary reduction in hours for
Monica Bosworth in the Outing Program.
C. Increase Program Supplies account by $12 , 200 with
$12, 200 reductions in various other Youth Bureau
accounts to allow for adequate supply levels for
programs . This will minimize any adverse affects
on programming.
All the amendments were budget neutral . The Committee
agreed to authorize the Controller to make the necessary
amendments as proposed.
A discussion concerning the County' s Youth Bureau funding
followed. The County Youth Bureau funds some of the City
programs and there have been some County Budget discussions
that trim funding by $4 , 000 to $9, 500 . If large cuts are
made, it may affect some of the City' s proposed Youth
Bureau revenues . If that occurs, additional discussions
will be needed.
The Youth Bureau Budget was approved as amended.
10 . Department of Public Works Budget Review
Superintendent of Public Works Gray, Asst . Superintendent
of Water and Sewer Fabbroni and Asst . Superintendent of
Streets and Facilities Ferrel were present to discuss the
2002 Department of Public Works Budget . Gray explained
that he would like the department to have additional funds
and staff to work with, but they need at least the 2002
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BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 25, 2001
Budget level to operate. Gray stated that in the long run
the funding levels need to increase to match the DPW
programs demands and facilities needs . Gray pointed out
some concerns :
Assistant Civil Engineer position transfer
to Water and Sewer
- Environmental Engineer position (40 hours)
in Water and Sewer not on roster and not
funded
The departments' work force is aging and
skill level is decreasing with retirements -
succession planning and transition is
important
In the future, positions retired from DPW
need to be added back and rely less on
capitalized items
Alderperson Sams arrived during the DPW Budget discussion.
Superintendent of Water and Sewer Fabbroni stated that the
Mayor' s 2002 proposed budget would sustain the current
seven-year program to improve water and sewer
infrastructure. He did state that the 2002 Budget does not
include the necessary manpower needed to perform the water
and sewer improvements . In particular are the positions of
Environmental Engineer and Chief Wastewater Plant Operator.
He also has one impending retirement in an assistant
position at Water and Sewer.
Asst . Superintendent of Streets and Facilities Ferrel
stated he could operate within the proposed 2002 Budget .
Some of his concerns are listed as follows :
- Ability to be flexible with DPW services
provided
Routine services are feeling the affects of
the reduced budgets
- Highway program working well, but not up to
the appropriate level
Yard waste collection program is not working
well . Bi-weekly collection of yard waste
not working due to a shortage of truck
drivers . A truck driver is being shifted
from highways when available. Need to look
at the program and the need for more staff .
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BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 25, 2001
A discussion regarding snow removal followed. The snow
removal budget for 2002 is proposed at $243 , 015 . That
reflects a $26, 464 reduction from 2001 . The decrease is
mostly related to a salt account budget decrease of
$40, 000 . Asst . Supt . Ferrel explained that the treated
salt costs have been somewhat lower than expected. It was
noted that overtime was increased by $19, 000 to better
reflect actual activity. He anticipates there will be no
reduced services in snow removal as long as the funding
levels do not fall below 2002 levels . He also stated the
snow removal budget is very weather dependent .
A discussion followed concerning the Environmental Engineer
and Asst . Civil Engineer positions . Mayor Cohen stated the
Civil Engineer position was transferred to reduce the
general fund expenditure load and move a position where
more engineering services are needed. A lengthy discussion
regarding the process and communications involved with the
filling of the environmental engineer position followed.
It was noted that outreach for the position was an issue
and will be addressed by Human Resources .
A discussion on succession planning followed. Supt . Gray
stated he is concerned over getting younger, capable staff
in DPW to be in a position to take over the retiring
management positions . Mayor Cohen stated that Human
Resources hired the Organizational Development position to
focus on this issue .
Other DPW items of note:
- Water rate increased 6% to $2 .46 per 100
cubic feet
- Sewer rate increased 10% to $2 . 16 per 100
cubic feet
- No change in trash tag rates, $10 . 50 for 6-
tag sheet of 20 lb. and $18 . 00 for 6-tag
sheet of 30 lb.
- Joint Activity Fund O & M recovery rate
increased 10 . 03% to . 702 per 100 cubic feet
- Water & Sewer Funds include a combined
$588, 051 transfer to Capital Reserves for
future projects .
The meeting adjourned at 9 : 50 P.M.
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2002 Bud et for further Discussion/Action List.
Amount or 2002
Meeting Date: I Item Project Cost Account Budget I Impact
From 10/9/01 meeting: Attorney:
Increase hours of Associate orney from 35 to 40 hours A1420-5110 $ 5,296.00
Elections:
Acquire 3 voting machines through capital project $ 7,500.00 $ -
Human Resources:
Increase Trainingand staff development A1430-5440 $ 16,000.00
Ca ital Projects:
Renovations to second floor $ 731,000.00 $ -
From 10/16/01 meetin : Capital Projects:
Increase Computer Network project for force
work by the IT Department staff $ 40,604.00 $ -
From 10/18/01 meetin : Ca ital Projects:
Green Street and Seneca Street Garage $ 500,000.00 each garage $ -
maintenance improvements
GIS annual improvements from Planning $ 25,000.00 $ -
GIAC
Restoring OT funds for pool&Maintenance staff A7311-5125 $ 600.00
Restoring funds for pro ram supplies A7311-5460 $ 5,000.00
From 10/25/01 meetin : BuildingDe artment
Restricted Contingency for salary increases for
Acting Building Commissoner&Acting De uty
Commissioner F/B Adjustment $ 6,255.00 A3620-5105 $ -
Code Books A3620-5425 $ 1,200.00
Communi Service A encies
Transfer of funds for Fire House Theatre contract to
restricted contingency or Community Arts Partnership $ 3,500.00 A1012-5435 $ -
A1990
City of Ithaca Budget Schedule 1
Page 1
2002 Bud et for further Discussion/Action List.
Amount or 2002
Meetin Date: Item Pro'ect Cost Account Bud et Im act
Total potential net increase(decrease)to Mayor's proposed budget after meetings from 10/9,10/16,10/18,10/25,10129/01: $ 28,096.00
City of Ithaca Budget Schedule 1
Page 2
2002 Budget Adiustments
Revenues Amount
Mayor's Recommendation $ 31,583,817.00
Net increase in Mayor's Budget Revenues through 10/18/01 meeting $ -
Balance Mayor's Revenues prior to Budget meeting of 10/25/01 $ 31,583,817.00
Action taken during meeting of 10/25/01:
Youth Bureau
Increase revenue account A7310-4820-1203 Federal Aid for Grant from IURA CDBG
for after school program at BJM $ 17,425.00
Mayor's adjusted Revenues as of conclusion of 10/25/01 Budget meeting $ 31,601,242.00
Net increase in revenues from 10/25/01 meeting $ 17,425.00
Combined net increase in Mayor's Revenue after 10/9, 10/16, 10/18, 10/25 and
10/29/01 meetings $ 17,425.00
Combined net increase in Mayor's Budget(Revenues and Appropriation)after
10/9, 10/16,10/18,10/25 and 10/29/01 meetings $ -
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 10/18/01 meeting $ -
Balance Mayor's Appropriations prior to Budget meeting of 10/25/01 $32,083,821.00
Action taken during meeting of 10/25/01:
Youth Bureau
Increase appropriation account A7310-5120-1203 P/T for IURA CDBG after school
program at BJM $ 14,940.00
Increase appropriation account A7310-5460-1203 for IURA CDGB after school program
at BJM $ 1,000.00
Decrease appropriation account A7310-5110-1221 staff salaries for temporary reduction
of hours for Outing Program position $ (1,380.00)
Increase appropriation account A7310-5120-1221 hourly f/t for temporary reduction of
hours for Outing Program position $ 1,380.00
Decrease appropriation accounts to restore adequate level of program supplies from $ -
Mayor's proposed budget:
A7310-5120 Hourly P/T $ (7,300.00)
A7310-5420 Gas&Oil $ (1,500.00)
A7310-5425 Office Expense $ (400.00)
A7310-5435 Contracts $ (100.00)
A7310-5450 Advertising $ (200.00)
A7310-5476 Equipment Maintenance $ (1,000.00)
A7310-5477 Equipment Parts $ (700.00)
A7310-5480 Building Maintenance $ (500.00)
A7310-5483 Construction Supplies $ (500.00)
Increase appropriation account A7310-5460 to restore adequate level of program
supplies from Mayor's proposed budget $ 12,200.00
Fringe Benefits
Increase appropriation account A7310-9030 FICA IURA CDBG after achool program $ 1,143.00
Increase appropriation account A7310-9040 WC IURA CDBG after achool program $ 342.00
Mayor's adjusted Appropriations as of conclusion of 10/25/01 Budget meeting $32,101,246.00
Net increase in Appropriations from 10/25/01 meeting $ 17,425.00
Combined net increase in Mayor's Appropriations after 10/9, 10/16, 10/18, 10/25 and
10/29/01 meetings $ 17,425.00
City of Ithaca Schedule 3
Page 1