HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-1994-11-17 :PW
BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING 7:30 P.M. NOVEMBER 17, 1994
FOLLOWING BUDGET MEETING
MINUTES
Present:
Committee Members: Booth, Shenk, Johnson, Gray
Others Present:
Mayor Nichols
City Controller Cafferillo
Deputy Controller Thayer
City Attorney Guttman
Water Treatment Plant Chief Operator Baker
Superintendent of Public Works Gray
Asst. Superintendent Water & Sewer Fabbroni
Members of the media/public
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1 . Opening Comments:
The B & A Committee meeting followed the November 17, 1994
B&A/COW 1995 Budget discussion. Chairperson Booth stated that
the following change was made to the agenda:
A. An additional BPW item related to the sale of Brindley
Street.
Members of the Public were asked to speak; no members spoke.
2 . Board of Public Works
A. Request to Negotiate Sale of Brindley Street Right-of-Way
Dan Hoffman, attorney for Mark Zaharis, presented a
request to allow the City to sell the Brindley Street
right-of-way to Mark Zaharis . Hoffman explained that his
client owns Pete' s Grocery, and as a result of the Route
96 project, his store has been condemned by the State.
Hoffman explained that Mr. Zaharis has proposed a new
store and location for Pete' s Grocery on the property
that is currently occupied by Pete' s Car Wash. Hoffman
stated that to build a new Pete's Grocery Store on this
new location, Zaharis must purchase the City right-of-way
for Brindley Street that adjoins this property. A
discussion concerning the property and location followed.
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 17, 1994
Superintendent Gray stated that the Board of Public Works
approved the abandonment of the street right-of-way
between West State Street and West Buffalo Street at its
October 12, 1994 meeting.
Alderperson Schroeder voiced his concern over the
property right-of-way purchase. Schroeder stated that
the Brindley Street right-of-way is part of the Inlet
Island Pedestrian Plan. He explained that if this
approval for sale of the property right-of-way is passed,
then the Zaharis property deed should include language
that allows for a permanent pedestrian access connection
from West Buffalo Street to West State Street through the
Zaharis property. Schroeder stated that the walkway on
the Brindley Street right-of-way should be maintained
even if a change of ownership of the property is made.
The Committee felt that the sale of the right-of-way was
reasonable, and the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the City has received a request from Mark Zaharis for
the City to abandon the Brindley right-of-way between Seneca
and Buffalo Streets, and to sell this property to Mr. Zaharis
to allow the relocation of Pete' s Grocery, and
WHEREAS, at its regular board meeting on October 12, 1994, the
Board of Public Works approved the abandonment of the street
right-of-way between State Street and Buffalo Street, and
recommended the sale of the eastern half of the Brindley
Street property, and
WHEREAS, the Budget and Administration Committee reviewed the
request for the sale of a portion of Brindley Street and
concurs with the Board' s recommendation to sell the property;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Council approves for the purpose of negotiation
the sale of the Brindley Street right-of-way and directs the
City Attorney to negotiate an appropriate purchase contract
with Mr. Zaharis .
The motion passed 4-0 .
B. Request to Approve Transfer of Funds
Superintendent of Public Works Gray presented a request
to transfer $2, 600 from within the DPW budget to allow
the department to hire a part-time data entry clerk.
Gray explained that the Streets and Facilities Garage has
purchased a new fleet maintenance and fuel management
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 17, 1994
program to replace the old system. He explained that the
DPW staff felt that an additional data entry person would
be helpful to assist in the new program input.
Gray stated that the funds for this person would be
derived from within existing budgets. After a brief
discussion, the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the Streets and Facilities Garage has recently
purchased a new fleet maintenance and fuel management program,
and
WHEREAS, the DPW staff has determined that to get the new
program operational, an additional data entry person will be
needed through the end of the year at a cost of $2, 600; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That to `hire a seasonal part-time data entry clerk
for said data entry purposes, the 1994 Budget be amended as
follows:
Transfer From: Transfer To:
Account A5411-120 $2, 600 Account A5010-120 $2, 600
The motion passed 4-0.
3. Attorney - Modification of Domestic Partnership Benefit
Affidavit
City Attorney Guttman presented a request to modify the
City's Domestic Partnership Benefit Affidavit. Guttman
explained that at its September, 1994 meeting Common
Council adopted a Domestic Partnership Affidavit to allow
domestic partners to receive City health insurance
benefits. He explained that the affidavit adopted
required domestic partners to prove their financial
interdependence.
Guttman explained that the State Insurance Department has
now ruled that because the City has a self-insured
municipal health plan, it is exempt from regulation as an
insurer by the State Insurance Department, and the City' s
health insurance plan does not need to require domestic
partners to submit proof of financial interdependency.
Guttman stated that the City will use the same affidavit
form for domestic partners as it has been using, except
that the proof of financial interdependency requirement
will now be removed. After a brief discussion concerning
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 17, 1994
the issue, the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the New York State Insurance Department guidelines
for the inclusion of domestic partners in municipal health
insurance programs required an affidavit of economic
interdependency to be completed by members of domestic
partnerships who sought such health insurance coverage; and
WHEREAS, in September of 1994, this Common Council approved
the prescribed domestic partnership affidavit developed in
conjunction with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, the City's Health
Program Administrator, which affidavit included a provision
requiring two items of proof showing financial
interdependency; and
WHEREAS, by letter dated August 10, 1994, the Mayor filed with
the State DepartmQ'nt of Insurance a request for a waiver from
the provision of requiring two items of proof respecting
financial interdependency; and
WHEREAS, by letter dated October 11, 1994, from Donna
Freireich, Deputy Superintendent and General Counsel., the
State of New York Insurance Department has stated its position
that because the City of Ithaca is a self-insured municipal
health plan, it is exempt from regulation as an insurer by the
Insurance Department and that therefore, the Ithaca Plan need
not require that employees seeking coverage for their domestic
partners submit proof of financial interdependence; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the prescribed domestic partnership affidavit
to be completed by members of domestic partnerships who week
such health insurance coverage shall be modified to delete the
requirement that the individuals submit two items of proof
showing financial interdependency; and that the attached
affidavit shall be utilized for such purposes; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That City staff take all appropriate steps to
effectuate this change as soon as possible.
The motion passed 4-0.
4 . Department of Public Works - RequesttoIncrease Authorization
;-f- Parking Meter Capital Project
Superintendent Gray presented a request to increase the
parking meter purchase and installation project by
$100,000 to a total project authorization of $140,000.
Gray explained that the previous project of $40,000 was
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 17, 1994
authorized to purchase and install parking meters on
Thurston Avenue. He stated that the additional $100,000
to expand the project would include the purchase and
installation of parking meters on Stewart Avenue, Oak
Avenue, and Edgemoor Lane. Gray explained that the Board
of Public Works has approved this capital project
expansion.
The Committee had discussed the additional parking meters
at one of its 1995 Budget discussion meetings and agreed
that the project should go forward. After the Committee
discussed the project authorization expansion, the
following motion was made:
WHEREAS, Council approved the purchase of electronic parking
meters for Thurston Avenue during the 1994 budget Approval at
a cost of $40,000 f ! and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works, in conjunction with DPW
staff, has recommended that additional electronic parking
meters be located on Stewart Avenue, Oak Avenue, and Edgemoor
Lane in the City at a cost of $100,000, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is currently reviewing the
exact number of meters to be installed and their location;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Capital' Project #285 Installation of Parking
Meters be amended by a cost not to exceed $100,000, for a
total project cost of $140,000, to purchase and install
electronic parking meters at said locations, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the funds for said project will be derived
through the issuance of serial bonds.
The motion passed 4-0.
5. Finance/Controller - Request to Increase Authorization of
Computer Network Capital Project
City Controller Cafferillo presented a request to
increase the authorization of the Computer Network
Capital Project by $10, 000 to include the cost of
installation for the network. It was noted that the
total project authorization for the network project would
be $60,000 if this amendment is approved. Cafferillo
stated that Phase I of the Network Project was approved
by Council in July. He explained that the Computer
Committee has evaluated the Network Computer Project, and
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 17, 1994
it has been determined that an additional $10,000 will be
needed for installation of the network hardware and
software. Cafferillo stated that 95% of the hardware and
software for the network has been ordered.
Cafferillo explained that the installation will be done
both by outside and internal staff. The internal staff
that will be used for the installation will include the
City Electrician and some members of the Computer
Committee.
Alderperson Johnson wanted to be sure that the entire
City-wide network picture was being examined. Cafferillo
stated that the entire picture is being examined, and
that currently there is not just one overall point person
looking at these issues. They are being examined by a
combination of persons, including the Computer Committee,
Tompkins County Data Processing, and outside consultants.
After a,.discussion concerning -the network, the following
motion was made:
WHEREAS, Council, at its July 6, 1994 regular meeting,
approved Phase I of a City-wide computer network system in the
amount of $50,000, and
WHEREAS, the City' s Computer Committee has fully examined the
costs of the Phase I City-wide Computer Network System and
determined that the purchase and install Phase I of the
project, the City will need an additional $10,000 for
installation, and
WHEREAS, the first phase of the network project will cover all
City Hall Departments, the Police Department, the Fire
Department, and permit future connections, with other City
departments; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Capital Project #211 Computer Acquisition be
amended by a cost not to exceed $10,000 for a total City-wide
Computer Network Project of $60, 000, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the funds for said computer network be financed
through the issuance of serial bonds .
The motion passed 4-0.
6. Committee to Proceed into Executive Session
The Committee voted, 4-0, to move into executive session
to discuss litigation items and personnel items.
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 17, 1994
7 . Report from Executive Session
After the Committee voted, 4-0, to move back into regular
session, Chairperson Booth reported that the following
action was taken during executive session:
A. Water/Sewer - DEC Consent Order Discussion
Chairperson Booth reported that City Attorney Guttman
discussed the chlorine spill at the Water Treatment Plant
in July, 1994, and updated the Committee on possible
litigation related to the accident. No action was taken,
but direction was given to the City Attorney.
B. DPW - Personnel Item, Possible Litigation
Chairperson Booth reported that City Attorney Guttman
updated the ' Committee on a DPW personnel item and
possible litigation status. No action was taken.
C. Fire Department - Personnel Item
Chairperson Booth reported that City Attorney Guttman
- discussed a Fire Department personnel item with the
Committee. No action was taken.
The meeting adjourned at 11:45 P.M.
NOTE: In many cases the actual texts of the 'resolutions
presented in these minutes were prepared following the
Committee's deliberations and decisions on the matters
involved. The resolutions presented here are in complete
accord with decisions made by the Committee.
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