Loading...
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 -----------------=----------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- 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. 1 F 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 2 s 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 3 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 4 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 5 f 1 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. 6 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. 7