HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-1990-01-17 l
BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING 7:30 P.M. JANUARY 17, 1990
MINUTES
Present:
Committee Members: Peterson, Romanowski, Booth, Cummings, Golder
Other Alderpersons Present: Hoffman, Johnson, Schroeder
Others Present:
City Attorney - Guttman
City Controller - Cafferillo
Deputy Controller - Thayer
Acting Superintendent of Public Works - Fabbroni
City Engineer - Gray
Youth Bureau Director - Cohen
Personnel Administrator - Walker
Commissioner - Reeves
Cass Park, Recreation Supervisor - John Doyle
Members of the Press
1 . Overview of New B E A Committee
Chairperson Bootly opened the BEA meeting by welcoming the new Committee
member Neil Golder. Chairperson Booth noted that the GIAC Pool item on tonight's
agenda has been resolved, the Ithaca City School District will pay for the engineer-
ing consultant on their own. The item is therefore deleted from the agenda.
Chairperson Booth also noted that the following items have been added to the agenda
for tonight's meeting:
1 . City Attorney - possible litigation against the City by the State of N.Y.
2. D.P.W. - Town/City Sewer Agreement
3. D.P.W. - Appointment of Water Treatment Plant Chief Operator
4. Finance - City owned pay phone discussion
5. Mayor - Appointment of Administrative Assistant
Chairperson Booth gave the Committee some introductory comments regarding the
BEA meetings. "Chairperson Booth first noted that the 1990 BEA Committee is now
comprised of one new member of Council, two new members to the Committee, and
two members who previously served on the Committee, and that hopefully a fairly
short learning curve will take place with the help from City staff members.
Chairperson Booth also stated that because the 1990 budget discussions were a
difficult task and the future budgets may be even more difficult, he would like
the Department Heads to adhere to the 1990 Budget and operate within their
Department Budgets to the greatest extent possible.
2. D.P.W. - Refuse Sticker Program
Acting Superintendent Fabbroni, City Engineer Gray and Commissioner
Reeves presented a resolution to the Committee that was previously approved by
the Board of Public Works regarding the Refuse Tipping Fee. Superintendent
Fabbroni noted that the Board of Public Works added to his draft resolution. The
addition stated that a sheet of 12 tags will cost ten dollars.
1
BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE PAGE 2 JANUARY 17, 1990
Superintendent Fabbroni noted that the City is headed toward instituting a fee per
container system by March 1, 1990. The fee system is largely a result of the
County's $40/ton tipping fee to begin on March 1st. The refuse fee is needed as
revenue to the City to offset the tipping fee expense. (The sum of $350,000 to be
collected from refuse fees has been included in the 1990 budget.)
As a result of discussions with various City Department Heads and Council Members
on the Refuse Fee topic, it was felt that for the short term the fee system seems to
be the best solution. Superintendent Fabbroni noted that the tipping fee imposed by
the County will only go up and will probably end up at $80 - $100/ton.
In future years, a better system is being developed. It may include such features
as a benefit assessment or a combination of a tag and benefit assessment system. The
institution of a benefit assessment system takes time and many public hearings and
would not be able to be implemented by March 1, 1990.
Superintendent Fabbroni felt the fee system would make people aware of garbage
generation and improve the recycling system currently in place in the City.
If the resolution is passed tonight, the D.P.W. and the Chamberlain's office would
begin a media saturation to bring the public up to date on the sticker program.
Stickers will be sold at the Chamberlain's office, through the mail, and possibly
through the local supermarkets.
Acting Superintendent Fabbroni discussed the actual sticker and noted that it
would be a two-part sticker with one half a nonremovable adhesive and the other
half a removable part. The garbage collectors would collect the garbage and remove
the non-adhesive portion of the sticker. The sticker would be placed on the con-
tainer, and the container could have any number of bags, up to a total of 35 lbs.
Further discussion on the sticker system continued.
Acting Superintendent Fabbroni noted that the mailings to the public would be by
address, occupant and owner. The Chamberlain's office would be the central control
for the sale of the stickers.
Many concerns by the Committee were made, including the following:
1. Whether the sticker system is mandated by the County.
2. Possibility of illegal dumping and burning of refuse
3. Violation and enforcement problems.
4. Lack of public awareness of the sticker system
A member of the public discussed another possible system to pay for the tipping fee.
A unit system was proposed. The unit system would bill households on a quarterly
basis based on useage.
It was the consensus of the Committee that the bag tag system should be implemented
for 1990 only. However, education programs on the system should be done,
especially for the students. The education process for the students must be an
ongoing process.
BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE PAGE 3 JANUARY 17, 1990
Further discussions on the tag system, enforcement of that system, and accounta-
bility for the system took place. Alderperson Cummings made a motion to go forward
with the tag system for 1990 only with mailings two times a year to the students.
Chairperson Booth felt that the following three points should be added to the motion:
1. D.P.W. will make clear this system is for 1990 only and may
change in future years .
2. If outside merchants purchase the tags to sell - they can't
sell the tickets for more than the City sells them for.
3. Only the City Chamberlain's Office will accept money for the
tags. If tags are sold at other places they must be bought .
up front.
The Controller noted that the possibility of a Sales Tax on top of the other fees for
the tags is a question and that the Controller's Office would look into the possibility
of a sales tax.
It was also the consensus of the Committee that though this system may have problems,
currently it is the best system for the short term.
Alderperson Romanowski stated that he will vote this system on to Council, but that
he still has many problems with the system.
op
Alderperson Hoffman stated that the City should delay the system for one month and
investigate alternative systems further. He felt that the public needs to be more
involved with the selection of the system. The consensus of the Committee was that
the City should not delay the tag system for one month. The following motion was
voted on:
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Board of Representatives has resolved that all
refuse haulers in the County begin paying a $40 per ton tipping fee on March 1,
1990 and
WHEREAS, Tompkins County has also strongly recommended that a fee per container
system be instituted to recover the cost of the new tipping fee while encouraging
recycling and overall reduction of waste generation and
WHEREAS, the City has budgeted for $350,000 revenue for offsetting tipping fees
and administrative expenses in the approved 1990 City Budget, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has voted to authorize the Department of
Public Works to proceed with implementation of a fee per container system in coor-
dination with the City Chamberlain, City Controller, Tompkins County DPW, and
other interested parties within the general guidelines of public information, sales,
and distribution as described in a January 8, 1990 memo by Acting Superintendent
Larry Fabbroni (with the added provision that a sheet of 12 tags will cost $10.00) ;
now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that, subject to the following conditions, Common Council endorses the
institution of the fee per container system approved by the Board of Public Works:
BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE PAGE 4 JANUARY 17, 1990
1 . The fee per container system is being adopted for the balance of 1990.
This system and other alternative systems will be studied in order to
determine their feasibility for time beyond the end of 1990. The Board
of Public Works and the Department of Public Works will make clear to
all interested persons that this fee per container system is being adopted
for 1990 and is subject to future change.
2. No private person or entity that purchases any garbage disposal tags
from the City for purpose of sale to other persons shall resell those
tags .for more money than that person or entity paid the City of Ithaca
for them.
3. The details regarding the locations of sale, collection, and handling of
money from the sale of garbage disposal tags shall be worked out to the
mutual satisfaction of the City Controller, the City Chamberlain, the
Department of Public Works, and the City Attorney. Presently only the
office of the City Chamberlain is authorized to accept money from the sale
of garbage disposal tags.
The motion passed (4-1-1) . Alderperson Golder abstained for lack of background
information (Golder was recently appointed to Council and the B&A Committee) .
Alderperson Hoffman, who ys temporarily serving on the Committee, dissented.
The Committee voted to go into executive session to discuss a number of issues.
3. Report from Executive Session
Following a brief executive session Chairperson Booth noted the following items were
acted on during the executive session:
A. Appointment of Administrative Assistant - Mayor's Office
Resolved, that Theresa F. Alt be appointed to the position
of Administrative Assistant - Mayor's Office, at an annual
salary of $18,311, that being Step 5 on the 1990 Compen-
sation Plan for Confidential Employees, retroactive to
January 2, 1990. Said motion passed 5-0.
B. Appointment of Confidential Secretary to the City Attorney
Resolved, that Annette Finney be appointed to the position
of Confidential Secretary to the City Attorney at an annual
salary of $17,061, that being Step 7 on the 1990 Compensa-
tion Plan for Confidential Employees, retroactive to January
2, 1990. This will be budget neutral on the 1990 Budget by
moving Staff Attorney benefits unneeded to the Attorney
Benefits line. Said motion passed 5-0.
C. Lawsuit settlement
The following motion regarding the settlement of a lawsuit between
the City of Ithaca and the State of New York was passed 5-0:
BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE PAGE 5 JANUARY 17, 1990
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca entered into an agreement with the State of New York
for the construction of Bridge Number 2210420, the Six Mile Creek bridge and by
resolution dated March 3, 1983 endorsed the Ctiy's participation in the said project,
and
WHEREAS, the bridge construction project was substantially completed by private
contractors on or about November 15, 1984, and the Department of Transportation
finalized the work in March of 1987, and
WHEREAS, the total share that the City of Ithaca was obligated to remit on behalf
of the Six Mile Creek bridge construction project was $41,793.35, and
WHEREAS, the City deposited $19,774.00 with the State before construction of the
bridge, which deposit earned $1,302.07 interest, for a total of $21,076.07 paid to
the State by the City for the cost of the Six Mile Creek bridge project, and
WHEREAS, on June 19, 1987 the State demanded payment on the balance of $20,717.88
and upon the City's failure to remit said amount commenced a lawsuit against the City
demanding judgment in the amount of $20,717.88 together with interest thereon from
June 19, 1987 together with costs and disbursements, and
WHEREAS, there have beer} negotiations between the City Attorney and the Attorney
General's Office and as a result of said negotiations the State of New York is pre-
pared to accept the sum of $18,717.88 in full satisfaction of the said claim and is
prepared to discontinue its lawsuit against the City; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the City pay to the State of New York the sum of $18,717.88 in
full satisfaction of the State of New York's claim against the City of Ithaca with
respect to the construction of bridge number 2210420, the Six Mile Creek bridge,
and be it further
RESOLVED, that the sum, of $18,717.88 be transferred from A1990, Unrestricted
Contingency funds, to account A1420-430, the City of Ithaca Fees line.
The Committee voted to return to regular session.
4. Youth Bureau
A. Amendment to Personnel roster - Youth Bureau
Youth Bureau Director Cohen presented information requesting the deletion of
one Senior Stenographer and the addition of one Administrative Secretary. This
request was initiated at this time because a vacancy has occurred in the Senior
Stenographer position.
Director Cohen noted the position change is needed because the Senior Steno-
grapher position demands the skills and qualities of an Administrative Secre-
tary. Also, the low salary of the Senior Stenographer makes it difficult to
find qualified individuals. A necessary allocation to cover the differences in
salary between the two positions for 1990 was also requested. The amount
would be approximately $1,000.
BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE PAGE 6 JANUARY 17, 1990
Chairperson Booth noted that the 1990 Budget does not have much room for
increases in expenditures and he noted that the lawsuit settlement previously
mentioned exhausted nearly 20% of the 1990 Unrestricted Contingency. Chair-
person Booth would like all Department Heads to work within their 1990 Budgets.
Controller Cafferillo felt that these items should have been requested at the
B&A Budget discussions back in November. Further discussions on the 1990
Budget continued. Chairperson Booth suggested that the request be approved
as long as it is within the 1990 Budget. The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, that the Youth Bureau's personnel roster be amended by
deleting one Senior Stenographer (35 hours/week) and adding one
Administrative Secretary (35 hours/week) and be it further
RESOLVED, that $890 be transferred from Account A7310-205 Furniture and
Fixtures, to Account A7310-110 Staff Salaries, to fund said reclassification
for the balance of the 1990 fiscal year. Said resolution passes 5-0.
B. Request to Amend Youth Development Roster
Youth Bureau Director Cohen presented a request to amend the Youth Develop-
ment roster by the addition of one part time Administrative Assistant or 17
hours a week. Director Cohen stated the total personnel change of approxi-
mately $13,000 could be absorbed by shifting funds within the Youth Bureau's
1990 Budget.
Again, a discussion on the 1990 Budget and the fact that these requestsshould
have been presented during the 1990 Budget discussions followed.
Chairperson Booth and the remainder of the Committee felt that at this time
they could not allow the addition of another position. If it was budget neutral,
the Committee may consider it. At this time, the Committee suggested that this
item be sent back to the Youth Bureau to be reworked. No action taken.
C. Request for Additional Funds to Support Wage Increases
Youth Bureau Director Cohen and REcreation Supervisor John Doyle presented
a request for additional funds to be provided to the 120 Accounts for the Cass
Park account.
Director Cohen noted that effective April 1, 1990, the minimum wage will
increase from $3.35 per hour to $3.80 per hour. Director Cohen added that
in order for the following programs to continue: Cass Park Pool (Program 1305) ,
Stewart Park Concession (Program 1340), and Cass Park Ice Rink (Program 1304) ,
as they exist now, a total of $7,875 is needed in the part time seasonal salary
accounts.
Director Cohen is asking for a $.45 wage increase across the board for the
three areas mentioned above. A discussion on the 1990 budget, the minimum
wage, and hours for the affected positions followed.
Chairperson Booth stated he felt that the Youth Bureau should go back and
rework this request with the following points explained:
• BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE PAGE 7 JANUARY 17, 1990
1 . What is the significance of the federal minimum wage increase
on the total $7,875 requested by the Youth Bureau.
2. Where the $11,000 in salary increases in the 1990 Budget were
allocated.
3. What the impact of the increase in revenue generated by the
increase in user fees would be.
It was the consensus of the Committee to send the request back to the Youth
Bureau to rework the request and include points two and three noted above.
No action was taken.
D. Request to amend the Youth Bureau Roster
Youth Bureau Director Cohen presented a request to add p Account Clerk/Typist
position at Cass Park. The total cost of the position would be $17,678. The
cost would be funded by a variety of increases in user fees at Cass Park.
A discussion on the Cass Park Pool fees followed. Again, the question was
raised, why wasn't this addition to the roster and increase in user fees
addressed during the 1990 budget discussions. Chairperson Booth urged the
Committee not to support this request because he could not jusitfy this request
in terms of what the City has to spend money on.
After a brief discussion on the 1990 budget and the requests of other depart-
ments, the Committee voted on the said request. The said request fails 0-5.
The Committee moved into executive session to discuss various personnel issues.
5. Report from Executive Session
Chairperson Booth noted the following items were acted on during the executive
session:
A. Appointment of Youth Worker - Youth Bureau
Resolved, that Ann Calvert be appointed to position of Youth Worker
at an annual salary of $16,086, that being Step 2 on the 1990 CSEA
Administrative Unit Compensation Plan, effective February 13, 1990.
Motion approved 4-0-1 . Alderperson Golder abstained based on lack
of background information (Golder recently appointed to Council and
BEA) .
B. Amendment to Personnel Roster - DPW
Resolved, that the Personnel Roster of the Department of Public Works
be amended by adding the position of Assistant Supervisor of Refuse
and Recycling, and be it further
Resolved, that the Assistant Supervisor of the Department of Public
Works be amended by adding the position of Assistant Supervisor of
Refuse and Recycling, and be it further
Resolved, that the Assistant Supervisor of Refuse and Recycling
position be assigned to the City Executive Association at a 1990
salary range of $23,500 - $28,662, and be it further
BUDGET AND ADMINSITRATION COMMITTEE PAGE 8 JANUARY 17, 1990
Resolved, that the position of Working Supervisor-Sanitation will remain
vacant until the Civil Service examination process for the Assistant
Supervisor position is completed, and then be deleted from the Per-
sonnel Roster once a permanent appointment from a Civil Service
eligible list is made to the Assistant Supervisor position, and be it
further
Resolved, that the above actions are contingent upon the approval of
the Ithaca Civil Service Commission. Said motion passes 4-0-1 .
Alderperson Golder abstained for reasons stated previously.
This resolution was proposed in order to provide a merit increase for
Jim Kelly, who has served the City very well as the Working Super-
visor-Sanitation.
C. Salary Adjustment - D.P.W.
Whereas, Mr. Frank Gardner has rendered the City 31 years of untiring
and dedicated service and responsibility and
Whereas, Mr. Gardner is presently compensated at a level that is only
$60 above the entry-level salary for a DPW Supervisor and
Whereas, a Salary adjustment is in order based on performance, re-
sponsibility, reliability, knowledge and service, now therefore be it
Resolved, that the annual salary of Frank Gardner be increased to
$33,050 effective February 12, 1990. Said motion passes 4-0-1 .
Alderperson Golder abstained for reasons stated previously.
D. Salary Adjustment - D.P.W.
Whereas, Mr. James Miller was asked to assume special technical duties
to expedite a number of in-house projects such as, the new Cass Park
Maintenance building, the Southside addition, and the Chemical hand-
ling additions at the Cass Park pool, during the temporary appointment
of Mr. Fabbroni as Superintendent of Public Works, and
Whereas, he performed these added duties in a thorough, professional,
and timely manner, now therefore be it
Resolved, that Mr. Miller be awarded a one-time $1,000 payment for
these additional duties performed from June 16, 1989 through January
19, 1990. Said motion passes 4-0-1 . Alderperson Golder abstains for
reasons stated previously.
E. Appointment of Chief Water Treatment Plant Operator
Resolved, that Charles Baker be appointed to the position of Chief
Water Treatment Plant Operator at an annual salary of $32,000 effective
February 26, 1990. Said appointment passed 5-0.
6. West Hill Fire Station Sanitary Sewer
City Engineer Gray and Commissioner Reeves presented information requesting
the establishment for the construction of the West Hill Fire Station Sanitary
Sewer. The sewer project would be paid for by the City's Water and Sewer
funds and would not affect the City's General Budget.
BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE PAGE 9 JANUARY 17, 1990
A discussion followed between the City Controller, Acting Superintendent of
Public Works and the BSA Committee on the determination of the fund that the
project would be funded from.
The City Controller stated the funds for this project will properly come out of
the sewer fund as negotiated by the related parties to the contract. After a
brief discussion on the sewer system and the related Fire Station, the following
motion was approved 5-0:
RESOLVED, that a Joint Capital Project be established for the construction of
the West Hill Fire Station Sanitary Sewer, with the Town of Ithaca acting as
lead agency, at a maximum authorized cost of $60,000, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the financing plan for such project be authorized as follows:
Town of Ithaca $28,000
Cornell University 25,000
City of Ithaca 7,000
Total $ 60,000
and be it further
i
RESOLVED, that pursuant to agreement, the Cornell University share of $25,000
shall be advanced by the City and Town, at their proportionate shares of in-
volvement, with the repayment thereof to be made over a twenty year period
at 7% interest, based on an established amortization schedule.
7. Error on Tax Roll for 1990
The City Controller presented information relating to an error on the 1990 Tax
Roll. After a brief discussion the following motion was approved 5-0:
Whereas, the 1990 Tax Roll for the City of Ithaca included property described
as Tax Map Number 87-1-16.41, owned by Fred and Bodil Somkin, and
Whereas, pursuant to Section 554 (Sub. 4a) of the Real Property Tax Law, the
Director of Assessment has investigated an application for correction of a error
in essential fact filed by Bodil Somkin, and
Whereas, said investigation revealed that a Veterans Exemption in the amount of
$7,240 was omitted on the first and second installments, and
Whereas, the Director of Assessment has requested that the City amend the
first and second installments to reflect the corrected taxable value of $63,760
and a corrected tax amount of $607.72 for each installment, now therefore be it
Resolved, that City Chamberlain be authorized and directed to make the appro-
priate changes to the Tax Roll as requested by the Director of Assessment.
8. City-Owned Payphones
City Controller Cafferillo presented information regarding the City's current
City-owned payphones. Currently ATT is providing the City with service for
the pay phones with a current commission of 5%. The City has been approached
r,
r
BUDGET AND ADMINSITRATION COMMITTEE PAGE 10 JANUARY 17, 1990
by RCI with a proposal to increase the commission to 15% with a total annual
amount of approximately $3,500 paid to the City by RCI. The current service
would not change by the switch in Companies.
It was the consensus of the Committee to have the Controller obtain more
information on the payphone service and report back at the February meeting.
No action was taken.
9. Resolution for the Acting Superintendent of Public Works
Alderperson Cummings noted that because Acting Superintendent Fabbroni did
such a good job during his time as Acting Superintendent of Public Works that
a resolution. should be drafted to reflect his excellent job. The Committee con-
curred. A motion was made to add a resolution to the B&A Committee's section
of the upcoming Common Council meeting, for Acting Superintendent Fabbroni's
good work. Motion passes 5-0.
It was noted that the B&A Committee will now meet every third Wednesday of the month.
Meeting was adjourned at 1;:25 A.M.