Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CA-2017-09-20CITY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 6:00 p.m. September 20, 2017 PRESENT: Alderperson Mohlenhoff – Chair Alderpersons (4): Fleming, Kerslick, McGonigal, Nguyen (arrived at 6:05 p.m.) Mayor (1): Myrick OTHERS PRESENT: Alderpersons (3): Brock, Gearhart, Murtagh City Clerk – Holcomb Fire Chief – Parsons Senior Network Administrator – Karasin City Attorney – Lavine Chief of Staff – Cogan Manager of Organizational Development – Moskowitz HR Director – Michell-Nunn Controller – Thayer Deputy Controller – Andrew CGR Presenter – Bishop 1. Call to Order 1.1 Agenda Review. None. 1.2 Review/Approval of Minutes: Alderperson McGonigal made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 16, 2017 meeting of the City Administration Committee. Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick. Motion carried 4-0. (Alderperson Nguyen was absent from the vote.) (Alderperson Nguyen arrived at 6:05 p.m.) 1.3 Statements from the Public J.P. Vico, of Ithaca and a Mobile Vendor, spoke about the proposed fire prevention regulation for Mobile Vendors. There is language in this regulation that would affect his business. He expressed his concern about the effective date of this regulation, which would cause him financial difficulty since it would take time for him to comply with the new regulation. 1.4 Statements from Employees. None. 1.5 Council Response Chairperson Mohlenhoff stated that she would share Mr. Vico’s concerns with the Fire Chief and would ask that a meeting be scheduled that would include Mr. Vico. At this meeting, an explanation about the regulation would be given by the Fire Chief or the Assistant Fire Chief. City Attorney Lavine stated that the regulation resolution mentioned by Mr. Vico is not being considered tonight. That resolution was in the August agenda of Common Council. City Administration Committee Meeting September 20, 2017 Page 2 2. Special Presentation: Law Enforcement Shared Services Study Report with Presenter, Paul Bishop, CGR Mr. Bishop, from CGR Promising Solutions, distributed information to the Committee. CGR Promising Solutions, in partnership with Highland Planning, was hired by Tompkins County and the City of Ithaca to “conduct a feasibility study that would explore options for structural alignment and improved efficiency for a subset of existing law enforcement agencies that serve its residents”. At the end of the presentation, Mr. Bishop listed what the next steps would be and stated that this same presentation would be given to the Tompkins County Legislature on September 25, 2017, at 3:30 p.m. 3. Consent Agenda Items 3.1 Approval of the 2017-2018 Civil Service Agreement with the Ithaca City School District Moved by Alderperson Kerslick. Seconded by Alderperson McGonigal. 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, 2017 to June 30, 2018, in an amount payable of $57,948 payable to the City of Ithaca on or before December 1, 2017. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 3.2 IPD - Request to Amend 2017 Authorized Budget for Grant Moved by Alderperson Kerslick. Seconded by Alderperson McGonigal. WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Police Department recently received a Grant in the amount of $10,000 from an anonymous donor for a heated concrete floor and insulated exterior wall at the Police Department training range; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby accepts the anonymous Grant for said improvements to the Police Department Training Range and amends the 2017 Authorized Police Department Budget as follows: Increase Revenue Account A3120-2705-5017 $10,000 Increase Appropriation Account A3120-5475-5017 $10,000 A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. City Administration Committee Meeting September 20, 2017 Page 3 3.3 IFD – Amendment of 2017 Budget Moved by Alderperson Kerslick. Seconded by Alderperson McGonigal. WHEREAS, on September 8, 2017, the Ithaca Fire Department was notified that it had received a FEMA Assistance Firefighters Grant to purchase and install two (2) new protective gear washers, and WHEREAS, the budgeted amount to purchase and install two protective gear washers is $24,900, and WHEREAS, up to $22,637 for the purchase and installation of two (2) protective gear washers is funded through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, and WHEREAS, ten percent (10%) of the of the total costs to purchase and install two (2) protective gear washers is estimated at two thousand two hundred sixty-three dollars ($2263), will be paid from the 2017 fire department operating budget; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends the 2017 Fire Department Budget as follows: Increase Expenses: A3410-225 Equipment $ 22,637 Increase Revenues: A3410-2770 Unclassified Revenue $22,637 A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 4. Finance, Budget and Appropriations 4.1 W&S - Request to Establish a Capital Project Water and Sanitary Sewer Mains on Albany Street Moved by Alderperson Kerslick. Seconded by Alderperson Fleming. WHEREAS, the City’s water main in the 100 block of South Albany Street and in the 100 and 200 blocks of North Albany Street is 126 years old, originally constructed in 1891, and the City’s sewer main in the 200 block of North Albany Street is 121 years old, originally constructed in 1896, and WHEREAS, the City’s street in the100 block of South Albany Street and in the 100 and 200 blocks of North Albany Street is funded and scheduled for a full depth rebuild in 2018, and WHEREAS, it was necessary to replace the old water and sewer infrastructure before rebuilding the road above, and WHEREAS, the Water & Sewer Division of the City’s DPW had only a small window of opportunity to perform the work, and the work has already been engaged, and City Administration Committee Meeting September 20, 2017 Page 4 WHEREAS, City Department of Public Works Water & Sewer Division staff have estimated the maximum cost for replacement to be $402,000, allocated $298,750 for water and $103,250 for sewer, and WHEREAS, City Department of Public Works Water & Sewer Division staff estimates our Crews will complete this work in the time frame from September 2017 to October 2017; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby establishes Capital Project #537 Albany Street Water Main in the amount of $298,750 and Capital Project # 634 Albany Street Sewer Main in the amount of $103,250, with total funding not to exceed $402,000 to fund the construction for the replacement of the water main in the 100 block of South Albany Street and in the 100 and 200 blocks of North Albany Street and the Sanitary sewer main on the 200 block of North Albany Street; and be it further RESOLVED, Funds needed for said project shall be derived from the advance of Water and Sewer operating funds with the later repayment from the issuance of Serial Bonds. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 4.2 Approval of 2016 City Single Audit Moved by Alderperson Nguyen. Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick. RESOLVED, That the Independent Auditor’s Report for the period of January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016, prepared by the accounting firm of Insero & Company CPA’s LLP, be accepted to comply with all the City’s applicable Government Accounting Standards Board (GSB) Statement 34 and other related audit and single-audit requirements. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 4.3 Common Council – A Local Law to Override the Tax Levy Limit Established in General Municipal Law Moved by Alderperson McGonigal. Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick. Local Law No. _____ - 2017 BE IT ENACTED by Common Council of the City of Ithaca as follows: Section 1. Legislative Intent It is the intent of this local law to allow the City of Ithaca to adopt a budget for the fiscal year commencing January 1, 2018, that requires a real property tax levy in excess of the “tax levy limit” as defined by General Municipal law §3-c. Section 2. Authority This local law is adopted pursuant to subdivision 5 of General Municipal Law §3-c, which expressly authorizes a local government’s governing body to override the property tax cap for the coming fiscal year by the adoption of a local law approved by a vote of sixty percent (60%) of said governing body. City Administration Committee Meeting September 20, 2017 Page 5 Section 3. Tax Levy Limit Override The Common Council of the City of Ithaca, County of Tompkins, New York, is hereby authorized to adopt a budget for the fiscal year commencing January 1, 2018, that requires a real property tax levy in excess of the amount otherwise prescribed in General Municipal Law §3-c. Section 4. Severability If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this local law or application thereof to any person, firm or corporation, or circumstance is invalid or unconstitutional, the court’s order or judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of this local law, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this local law or in its application to the person, individual, firm or corporation or circumstance, directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment or order shall be rendered. Section 5. Effective Date This local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State. A vote on the Local Law resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 5. City Administration, Human Resources and Policy 5.1 Proposed Ordinance: Amend Appeal and Variance Sections contained in Chapter 181 “Fire Prevention” Moved by Alderperson Nguyen. Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick. ORDINANCE NO. 2017- An Ordinance Amending Chapter 181 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code Whereas, in September 2017, Common Council enacted fire and safety regulations pertaining to mobile food vending operations within the City, and Whereas, in the process of developing such fire and safety rules for mobile food vending, the appeal and variance sections of Chapter 181 “Fire Prevention” require updates, now it be, BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca as follows: Section 1. Findings of Fact. The Common Council finds that: 1. Chapter 181 refers to appeals the “Board of Fire Appeals”, which does not currently exist. 2. This ordinance will clarify that variances from and appeals of City Fire Prevention provisions may be brought to the Building Code Board of Appeals, established in Chapter 146 of the City Code to decide appeals and requests for variances related to safety and fire regulations. City Administration Committee Meeting September 20, 2017 Page 6 Section 2. Delete in its entirety Section 181-11 “Board of Fire Appeals.” A. The Board of Fire Appeals shall be appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the Common Council and shall be composed of five members who shall be selected on the basis of their interest in fire prevention. The Mayor may appoint not more than one Council member and one Fire Commissioner to serve on this Board. B. This subsection shall apply only to those elements of this chapter that are not addressed or otherwise covered by the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. Whenever the Chief of the Fire Department or the Fire Marshal shall refuse to grant an operating permit applied for, or when the Chief of the Fire Department or the Fire Marshal shall revoke a duly granted permit for alleged violation of the provisions of this chapter and/or the terms on which the permit was granted, or when it is claimed that the provisions of the code do not apply or that the true intent and meaning of the code may have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal from the decision of the Chief of the Fire Department or the Fire Marshal to the Board of Fire Appeals within 30 days from the date of the decision. The Board of Fire Appeals may affirm, modify or reverse any determination of the Chief of the Fire Department or the Fire Marshal made pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Section 3. Section 181-12(B) is hereby amended as follows: B. This subsection shall apply only to those elements of this chapter that are not addressed or otherwise covered by the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. Whenever the Chief of the Fire Department or the Fire Marshal shall refuse to grant an operating permit applied for or when the Chief of the Fire Department or the Fire Marshal shall revoke a duly granted permit for alleged violation of the provisions of this chapter and/or the terms on which the permit was granted or when it is claimed that the provisions of the code do not apply or that the true intent and meaning of the code may have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal from the decision of the Chief of the Fire Department or the Fire Marshal to the Board of Appeals on Building Code Fire Appeals Board within 30 days from the date of the decision. The Board of Appeals on Building Code Fire Appeals Board may affirm, modify or reverse any determination of the Chief of the Fire Department or the Fire Marshal made pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Section 4. Severability. Severability is intended throughout and within the provisions of this Ordinance. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Ordinance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, then that decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. Section 5. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect on the later of (i) October 4, 2017 and (ii) publication of notice as provided in the Ithaca City Charter. A vote on the Ordinance resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 5.2 Renewal of City’s Co-Sponsorship with the Rotary Club of Ithaca of the 2018 Fourth of July Fireworks Event Moved by Alderperson Kerslick. Seconded by Alderperson Nguyen. WHEREAS, the City wishes to continue the tradition of hosting fireworks in Stewart Park for the community to enjoy and celebrate the Fourth of July, and City Administration Committee Meeting September 20, 2017 Page 7 WHEREAS, 2017 was the first year of the Rotary Club and City co-sponsorship of the July 4th fireworks event in Stewart and Cass Parks, and WHEREAS, City staff and Rotary Club representatives wish to renew the agreement between the parties in which the City provided traditional municipal services and the Rotary Club provided all planning and funding for the fireworks and services not otherwise provided by the City, and WHEREAS, as co-sponsor of the fireworks event, the Rotary Club of Ithaca commits to funding the cost of fireworks, concessions, vendors, entertainment, traffic and safety measures and sanitary amenities, and WHEREAS, as co-sponsor of the fireworks display event, the City would not be responsible for making payment or additional costs, but commits to contracting for, but not payment, the fireworks display and providing City insurance coverage, equipment, facilities and staff time of the Ithaca Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Public Works, Youth Bureau, and any other relevant City department to support the event at no cost to the Rotary Club; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council supports the City’s co-sponsorship of the fireworks event in July 2018 and authorizes the City to provide in kind services at no charge to service the event, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor, upon the advice of the City Attorney, is authorized to execute a renewal memorandum of understanding with the Rotary Club to co-sponsor the event and memorialize the roles and responsibilities with respect to the fireworks event. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 6. Committees Working Group 6.1 Application Process for Advisory Commissions City Clerk Holcomb and Senior Network Administrator Karasin attended the meeting to talk about the City of Ithaca Boards and Commissions Application Process. Information was distributed and reviewed with the Committee. Ms. Holcomb & Mr. Karasin explained what the process would be after someone submits the application to serve on a Board or Committee. After the explanation, Common Council members asked questions and suggested changes to the on-line application form and process. Ms. Holcomb thanked the Committee for their suggested changes. The application form and process will be revised and distributed to Common Council. Common Council will review and submit any comments/suggestions to the City Clerk or the Senior Network Administrator. 6.2 Common Council Rules of Procedure – Council Phone Access City Administration Committee Meeting September 20, 2017 Page 8 Alderperson Fleming drafted language about Common Council members having local phone numbers. This language, after being approved, would be included in the Rules of Procedures. A discussion on the final draft will be at the City Administration Committee in November. 7. 2018 Budget Reminder The Mayor will present his 2018 Budget on Wednesday, October 4, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. 8. Meeting Wrap-up 8.1 Announcements. None. 8.2 Next Meeting Date: October 18, 2017. 8.3 Review, Agenda Items for Next Meeting. None. 8.4 Adjourn: With no further business and on a motion by Alderperson Fleming, the meeting was adjourned at 8:48 p.m.