HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-1990-03-21 BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING 7:30 P.M. MARCH 21, 1990
Present:
Committee Members: Booth, Peterson, Romanowski, Golder,
Cummings (excused until later in the meeting)
Others Present:
City Controller - Cafferillo
Deputy Controller - Thayer
Police Chief - McEwen
Fire Chief - Olmstead
City Chamberlain - Parsons
City Engineer - Gray
City Attorney - Guttman
Superintendent of Public Works - Thadani
Director, Planning and Development - Van Cort
Personnel Administrator - Walker
Youth Bureau Director - Cohen
BPW Commissioner - Reeves
Activities Center Coordinator, G. I.A.C. - Fort
Members of the Media
Members of the Board of Fire Commissioners
1. Opening Comments
Chairperson Booth opened the B&A meeting by introducing the
members of the B&A committee. Chairperson Booth asked the
public if anyone wanted to speak to the committee; there
were no speakers from the public. Chairperson Booth stated
that the following items will be added to tonight's meeting:
A. Mayor - Request from Tompkins County for Trash Tag
Subsidy
B. D.P.W. - Status of the Hudson Street Project
C. City Attorney - Request for staffing
D. City Prosecutor - Request for Computer Equipment
2 . Police Department
A. Request for Emergency Phone Stickers
Police Chief McEwen presented a request to insert emergency
phone stickers in the tax bill mailings of June 1, 1990.
Chief McEwen distributed the new phone stickers to the
members of the B&A Committee. Chief McEwen stated that
these were new phone stickers and that he had discussed with
the City Chamberlain the possibility of inserting the phone
stickers in the June tax bills. Chief McEwen stated that
the City Chamberlain had no problem with the phone stickers
being included with the tax bills. After a brief discussion
by the Committee, the following resolution was made:
i
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 3/21/90
WHEREAS, Police Chief McEwen has requested permission to
enclose an emergency phone number sticker with the second
installment of the 1990 city tax bill, and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for Common Council to approve all
such enclosures; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that this Common Council approves and authorizes
the enclosure of an emergency phone number sticker with the
second installment of the 1990 city tax bill.
The motion was approved 4-0.
B. Request for Standardization of Police Department
Radio Equipment
Police Chief McEwen presented a resolution to standardize
the Motorola brand radio equipment as the type of radio
equipment to be used by the Ithaca Police Department for
1990. It was noted that a standardization resolution such
as this is annually done, consistent with prior years.
Alderperson Golder asked the Chief if other radio equipment
manufacturers were compared to Motorola for price and
quality. Chief McEwen replied that the Police Department
continually compares price and quality in order to get the
best buy for the city.
After Chairperson Booth made some minor changes to the
proposed resolution the following resolution was made:
WHEREAS, this Common Council has been requested by the City
of Ithaca Police Department to standardize on Motorola radio
equipment as the type of equipment to be used by the Ithaca
Police Department, and to authorize the city to purchase
approved equipment from the manufacturer, or a
representative thereof, and
WHEREAS, it is deemed to be in the best interest of the city
for reasons of efficiency, compatibility and economy to
approve such standardization, as were fully spelled out in
the following items:
1. The City of Ithaca Police Department presently has
all Motorola radio equipment and Console.
2. This action will minimize the inventory of repair
parts which would have to be maintained for the
service of said radio equipment.
3 . Labor costs for maintenance and service of a
standard type of equipment will be less than if
required to service several different types of
equipment.
2
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 3/21/90
4. Present Motorola radio equipment has been
satisfactory to the uses of the City of Ithaca
Police Department.
5. Standardization provides the need for only one
service contract for its entire radio system,
whereas additional contractual agreements would be
required for other types of equipment;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that pursuant to Section 103, Subdivision 5 of the
General Municipal Law of the State of New York, this Common
Council hereby authorizes the Standardization of Motorola
radio equipment as the type of equipment to be used and
purchased by the City of Ithaca Police Department during the
year 1990.
Said resolution passed 4-0.
C. Request Standardization of Police Department
Badges
Police Chief McEwen presented a resolution to standardize on
badges manufactured by the Entenmann-Rovin Company as the
badges to be used .by the Ithaca Police Department for 1990.
It was noted that a standardization resolution is done
annually by the City. After a brief discussion, the
following motion was made:
WHEREAS, this Common Council has been requested by the City
of Ithaca Police Department to standardize on badges
manufactured by the Entenmann-Rovin Company as the badges to
be used by the Police Officers of the Ithaca Police
Department, and to authorize the City to purchase approved
badges from the manufacturer, or a representative thereof,
and
WHEREAS, it is deemed to be in the best interest of the city
for reasons of efficiency, uniformity, compatibility and
economics to approve such standardization, as were fully
spelled out in the following items:
1. The City of Ithaca Police Department presently has
all Entenmann-Rovin badges.
2 . This action will provide for the standardization
of all badges for the Police Department so that
all Police Officers will have the same type badges
which will be easily recognized by members of the
public as the official badges of the City of
Ithaca Police Department.
3 . Present Entenmann-Rovin badges are satisfactory to
uses of the City of Ithaca Police Department;
5
1 -
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES 3/21/90
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that pursuant to Section 103, Subdivision 5 of the
General Municipal Law of the State of New York, this Common
Council hereby authorizes the standardization of badges for
the City of Ithaca Police Department for the year 1990.
Said resolution passed 4-0.
3. Finance
Cith Chamberlain Parsons presented two requests to expunge
penalties related to school tax and the first installment of
city tax.
A. Request to Expunge Penalty on School and First
Installment Tax
The first request was made by Bruno Mazza for the State
Theater property. It was noted that Corners Community
Center, Inc. purchased the State Theater property. A form
to change the owners name on the tax bill with the county
was filed. However, the tax roll was not changed and the
Corner's Community Center, Inc. never received the 89-90
school tax bill. The base tax amount was $5, 025.89 with a
penalty of $463 .97. City Chamberlain Parsons stated that
historically, requests of this type have been denied on the
basis of Real Property Tax Law, Section 922. After a brief
discussion the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, a request has been received on behalf of Corners
Community Center, Inc. to waive the penalty on the 1989
School Tax, currently being collected by the City
Chamberlain, because the owners did not receive the bill,
and
WHEREAS, Real Property Tax Law provides that failure to
receive the bill shall not affect the validity of the tax or
interest penalties; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the request to waive penalty on the 1989
School Tax for 117 W. State Street be denied.
Said resolution for denial passed 4-0.
B. Request to Expunge Penalty on Real Estate Taxes
City Chamberlain Parsons presented —the—second request to
expunge the penalty related to real estate taxes for
Orthopedic Associates of Ithaca, P.C. It was noted that
Orthopedic Associates of Ithaca, P.C. delivered the real
estate taxes, due on January 31, 1990, to the City on
February 1, 1990. Orthopedic Associates stated that they
had done this in the past and felt that they could continue
to do this in the future. City Chamberlain Parsons stated
4
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 3/21/90
that since she has been here, she has not accepted this
practice. After a brief discussion, the following
resolution was made:
WHEREAS, a request has been received on behalf of Orthopedic
Associates of Ithaca to waive the penalty on 1990 city tax,
first installment, for 831-915 Cliff Street, 821 Cliff
Street and 815 Cliff Street because the bills were presented
to the Chamberlain's Office on February 1st, the same day
the bills would have been received by the Chamberlain's
Office had they been mailed, and
WHEREAS, the City Charter and Real Property Law provide that
penalties will be collected on bills not paid or post-
marked by January 31st, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the request to waive penalties on 1990 city
tax, first installment bills for Orthopedic Associates'
Cliff Street properties is denied.
Said resolution for denial passed 4-0.
4. D.P.W. Analysis Study of City Court Building
Chairperson Booth stated that the City has been directed by
New York State to improve the City Court Facility. The
D.P.W. has had an analysis done on the different options the
City may pursue in order to improve the court facility. The
City has received this analysis report, and depending on the
Committee's decision tonight, this matter will be acted on
at the special Common Council meeting scheduled for next
week.
Superintendent of Public Works Thadani, B.P.W. Commissioner
Reeves and Police Chief McEwen spoke to the B&A Committee
regarding the analysis study performed on the possibility of
improving the City Court Facility. Superintendent Thadani
stated that all interested parties have received a copy of
the study, and most have commented on the report.
The study arrived at three possible options to improve the
City Court Facility.
A. Usage of the City Hall Annex;
B. A four-story addition to the rear of the existing
Hall of Justice;
C. A new building across the street from the existing
Hall of Justice building.
Superintendent Thadani stated that most of the comments from
the report have favored the third option - a new building
across the street from the existing Hall of Justice
building. Commissioner Reeves stated the Board of Public
Works also recommends the site across from the Hall of
Justice as the best option. Commissioner Reeves stated that
5
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 3/21/90
the City Hall Annex was not chosen because Police access to
embark and disembark prisoners would require renovations and
the distance from the Police Station was much greater than
the Chief would like. The addition to the rear of the
existing Police Station does not address fully the space
needs of either the Police Department or the City Court, and
this option would require a complete rearrangement of the
way the existing building is utilized.
Police Chief McEwen stated that he also feels the new
building across from the Police Station is the best option.
He stated that an addition on the back of the existing Hall
of Justice does not address the space needs of the Police
Department or the Court. Chief McEwen stated that a new
building would address the space and parking needs of the
Department. He felt that a four-story building could be
built with the first two floors used for parking and
storage, and the remaining two levels would be City Court
offices.
A discussion followed on the height of the building and the
application of the Zoning Ordinance in that area. Also a
discussion on the possibility of a bridge or tunnel linking
the current Police Station to a new City Court facility
across the street took place. Chairperson Booth noted that
a decision tonight to approve the concept of a new Court
Facility across the street from the Police Statnion would
not include a determination as to wheter or not such a
bridge or tunnel would be built.
It was noted that no one spoke in favor of the option to add
a four-story addition to the rear of the existing Hall of
Justice or of the option to use the City Hall Annex. Chief
McEwen stated that even if a bridge or tunnel is not
incorporated into this project, the option to construct a
new building is the best option.
The following conceptual resolution was put on the floor:
WHEREAS, the Ithaca City Court is currently housed on the
fourth floor of the Hall of Justice building, located at 120
East Clinton Street in Ithaca, and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 825 of the 1987 Laws of New
York State, Representatives of the State Office of Court
Administration have identified various deficiencies in the
existing City Court Facilities, and
WHEREAS, pursuant to further direction of the Office of
Court Administration, the City has been directed to
designate the proposed site and location of such facility no
later than March 31 of 1990, now therefore, be it
6
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 3/21/90
RESOLVED, that the Common Council of the City of Ithaca
hereby proposes in concept, the construction of a new City
Court Facility of approximately 6, 000 square feet, to be
located on East Clinton Street, across from the Hall of
Justice, subject to all environmental and site planning
considerations.
Said resolution passed 5-0. (Note - Alderperson Cummings
arrived during this discussion)
Chairperson Booth asked Superintendent Thadani to give a
report back to the Committee in a month on the details of
developing a schedule for the design, review, and
consideration of this project.
City Controller Cafferillo stated that the option selected
was a good solution financially because it is a controlled
project. There would not be the possibility of unforeseen
problems, which may occur if an addition to the existing
building was done.
5. Sale of Fire Station No. 6
Chairperson Booth stated that the City has undertaken the
construction of two new fire stations, one on West Hill and
the other on South Hill. Many City officials felt that
because the City was constructing the two new fire stations,
Fire Station #6 would become surplus. In the 1990 budget
there is a revenue line of $200, 000 anticipating the sale of
Fire Station #6. The Board of Fire Commissioners has
recently passed a resolution that states that Fire Station
#6 is needed by the Fire Department and should not be sold.
Chairperson Booth suggested to the Committee that the
question tonight is how to proceed with this item.
Fire Chief Olmstead stated that he was not aware of the
possible sale of Fire Station #6 until the 1990 budget
discussions last November. For the past two years the Board
of Fire Commissioners has been looking at the option of
retaining Fire Station #6 for offices and storage only. The
Board of Fire Commissioners took action March 13th to retain
Fire Station #6 to meet existing and future space and
program needs: specifically storage space, office space and
a training center. The request to retain Fire Station #6
was communicated to the Mayor early last year and to the
Capital Improvement Committee in May of last year. The
Capital Improvement Committee dropped the request during the
budget discussions.
Chairman of the Fire Commissioners Cornelius stated that the
Mayor had ignored many requests by the Board to meet with
them to discuss the retention of Fire Station #6. The Fire
Department needs Fire Station #6 for future storage and
program needs.
7
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 3/21/90
Alderperson Golder suggested that a study of the space needs
for the Fire Department should be undertaken to determine if
Fire Station #6 is actually needed by the Fire Department.
A discussion on the future possibilities for the fire
station #6 building, including selling the building, using
the building as a homeless shelter or keeping the building
for the Fire Department followed. Chairperson Booth stated
that several items regarding this issue must be considered,
including:
A. As the Charter is now written, it gives the Board
of Fire Commissioners the power they assume they
have.
B. While he had previously supported the Board of
Fire Commissioners in their wish to retain Fire
Station #6, the $200, 000 is in the budget, and the
Committee must seek that revenue.
C. If the station is to be sold, the Committee has to
determine the conditions under which the City
wants to sell it.
D. The Committee has to determine if it is necessary
to change the Charter.
Alderperson Romanowski stated that he was not in favor of a
Charter change, but at the same time the City needs the
revenue. Alderperson Cummings stated that she supports the
disposal of the property by either a sale or lease
transaction. If the building were sold what conditions
would be attached?
Chairperson Booth suggested to the B&A Committee that the
following items be undertaken respecting this issue:
A. The City Attorney be prepared to make a
recommendation to resolve a possible legal
conflict between Council and the Board of Fire
Commissioners.
B. Director of Planning & Development Van Cort
(Staff Director of IURA) be requested to solicit
comments regarding the sale or lease of the fire
station and the conditions that might be attached
to its sale or lease.
C. The Board of Fire Commissioners be requested to
set out their needs and make their
recommendations.
8
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 3/21/90
Fire Board Commissioner Reeves stated that the building is
needed for training volunteer firemen. The new stations do
not have large public rooms for training.
After further discussions on this issue, no action was
taken. The item will be taken up again next month.
6. D.P.W. - Request for Release of Restricted Contingency
Funds
City Engineer Gray presented a request to release restricted
contingency funds for a study, with Cornell, on the South
Hill drainage situation. Engineer Gray stated that $30, 000
was set aside three years ago to do this study and now the
D.P.W. has signed an agreement with Cornell to do the work.
Engineer Gray stated that $12, 000 of the $30, 000 set aside
in restricted contingency would be used to perform a
Calibration Study, and $5, 500 would be used for supplies and
equipment. The total requested to be released from
restricted contingency is $17, 500.
Engineer Gray stated that the Calibration Study will verify
a paper study done a few years ago on the drainage of water
in the southwest area. Cornell is being used because of a
cheaper labor rate and the City can learn from Cornell. The
agreement is proposed for one year.
Alderperson Romanowski discussed the fact the proposed
baling station would have some type of impact on this study.
Alderperson Cummings agreed that the drainage study and the
proposed bailing station be linked and maybe assist the City
in its pursuit of the County regarding the baling station.
Alderperson Cummings suggested that the Drainage Study name
be changed to Southwest Drainage Study. The. Committee
agreed. After a brief discussion the motion was made:
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has received a proposal from
Cornell University to perform a run-off calibration study
for the period November 1, 1989 through December 1990, in
connection with the overall Southwest Drainage Study, now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Superintendent of Public Works be
authorized to enter into an agreement with Cornell
University for the basic study and other professional
agencies for related support analytical testing, and be it
further
RESOLVED, that $17, 500 be transferred from Account A1990
Restricted Contingency to Account A1440-435 Contractual
Services in the amount of $16, 000 and $1, 500 Account
A1440-425 for the preparation of such study.
9
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 3/21/90
This motion passed 5-0.
7 . D.P.W. - Request to Amend the Water/Sewer Authorized
Equipment List
City Engineer Gray presented a request to amend the 1990
Water and Sewer Department authorized equipment list. The
amendment requested was to substitute a small pick-up truck
for the sedan originally budgeted. The funds are already in
the budget, and the substitution would be less than the
original budget amount. After a brief discussion the
following motion was made:
RESOLVED, that the authorized equipment list for the water
and sewer funds be amended, by deleting one full size sedan
and adding one pick-up truck.
This motion passed 5-0.
Chairperson Booth asked the City Controller to propose to
the Committee how we might streamline these type of requests
in the future. If a department is changing funds within an
existing line, perhaps the department should not have to
come to B&A to request this change. The City Controller
will make a proposal on this issue at a future meeting.
8. City Hall Annex Report
Director of Planning and Development Van Cort presented a
memo to the Committee regarding of the City Hall Annex.
Director Van Cort stated that the IGR Committee asked that a
very complex series of appraisals be prepared for the City
Hall Annex, assuming a sale or lease of the building;
additionally they wanted a variety of assumptions made on
the restrictions that might be placed on the building.
Director Van Cort recommended that the appraisal be kept
simple and not as complex as the IGR recommended. A
discussion on the building followed. Director Van Cort
recommended that an updated survey be made on the building.
The cost for such a survey update would range from $1, 000 to
$3, 000, which could probably be funded from Unrestricted
Contingency.
Following a discussion on the updated appraisal and the
building, the Committee tabled the item until next month's
B&A meeting. The Committee suggested that Director of
Planning Van Cort determine the cost of an updated
appraisal, take the process to the IGR, and have a
recommendation for next month's meeting. No action was
taken.
9. D.P.W. - Hudson Street Update
10
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 3/21/90
Superintendent of Public Works Thadani gave an update on the
current status of the Hudson Street project. Superintendent
Thadani stated that the project was signed by the contractor
for approximately $1, 300, 000. The project was expected to
begin on Monday the 19th; however, because of negative
reaction by the Hudson Street residents over the removal of
approximately 30 trees, the Mayor contacted the D.P.W. to
hold off on the project until another public meeting was
scheduled.
Superintendent Thadani also stated that NYSE&G began work
Monday morning on gas lines, but has been advised to hold
off on any further work. Basically, the project is in a
holding pattern at this time. The Board of Public Works
does not want to cancel this project, but felt alterations
to the current project will probably be needed. Possible
legal action may be made by the contractor if the project
does not continue on schedule.
Following a brief discussion on the project and the public
meeting the Committee voted to go into executive session to
.discuss possible legal issues related to the Hudson Street
project.
10. Report from Executive Session
Chairperson Booth stated that the Committee discussed the
legal issues with respect to the Hudson Street project, and
no action was taken. The Board of Public Works and the
Council will discuss this issue next Wednesday, March 28th
at their regular and Committee of the Whole meetings.
11. D.P.W.
A. Request for Consulting Services Related to
Acoustical Tiles
Superintendent of Public Works Thadani and Youth Bureau
Director Cohen presented a proposal from Miles Edwards,
contractor, for consulting services in the development and
design of acoustical sound barriers in the Youth Bureau
building.
Youth Bureau Director Cohen stated that the money was put
into restricted contingency last year. The request tonight
is for $3, 000 for consulting services relating to the
acoustical problem at the Youth Bureau. The product of the
consulting services proposal would be to recommend to the
City which materials to purchase and how to install them in
the Youth Bureau to correct the acoustical problem.
A discussion on the project, the proposal and other
alternatives took place. The Committee took no action on
this issue. This item will be brought back next month.
11
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 3/21/90
B. Trash Tag System Update - Report
Superintendent of Public Works Thadani gave the Committee a
brief update on the Trash Tag System. Superintendent
Thadani stated that approximately 10, 000 sheets have been
sold,and the trash tag system appears to have a 95%
compliance rate at this time. The new tags have just come
in, and they should stick much better than the first batch.
The old stickers can be exchanged (full sheets only) for the
new stickers.
Superintendent of Public Works Thadani stated the B.P.W.
will look at the possibility of a half-tag at a less
expensive cost to the public. Enforcement of the trash tags
is expected to be done by the County with assistance from
the City. Enforcement is still weak, but is improving.
City Controller Cafferillo stated that the contracts with
the local supermarkets will be amended because they are
having a difficult time paying the City in cash for the
trash tags. A new system to bill the supermarkets either
weekly or monthly will be implemented shortly.
C. Trash Tags - County Subsidy
Chairperson Booth read a letter from Jim Mason, Chair of the
County Board, on the Trash Tag System. The letter stated
that the County Social Services Department has established a
program whereby county residents that fall below a certain
income level may receive a subsidy for their trash tags.
The letter also stated that the County is asking the City to
waive their $1. 60/sheet administrative handling fee for tags
purchased by the Department of Social Services and delivered
to city residents eligible for this subsidy program. It was
noted the Mayor supports this program. The remaining
$8.50/sheet will continue to be paid by Social Services.
The Department of Social Services is currently buying 758
sheets at $10. 00/sheet. If the administrative fee were
waived by the City, the difference would be $1,212 .80 for
the first 758 sheets.
Following a discussion on this issue the following motion
was made:
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Department of Social Services
has established a program to subsidize the sale of trash
tags to low income residents, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the City Chamberlain is authorized to sell
758 sheets of city trash tags to the Tompkins County
Department of Social Services for the base tipping fee cost
of $8.40 per sheet, and be it further
12
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 3/21/90
RESOLVED, that Common Council reserves determination of
future city participation in this program, subject to an
evaluation of the criteria established by the County for the
distribution of such tags by Social Services.
Said motion passed 4-0. It was noted that Alderperson
Cummings was excused for the remainder of the meeting during
the discussion of the trash tag issue.
12. Youth Bureau - Request to Replace the GIAC Copy Machine
Youth Bureau Director Cohen and Activities Center
Coordinator, GIAC, Fort, presented a request to replace the
current GIAC copy machine. City Controller Cafferillo
discussed the possibility of leasing three different copy
machines. The rates were also compared on a 12, 24, 36
month basis between the copier companies and a local bank.
It was noted that the money was available in the budget to
lease a machine for the remainder of the year (or for most
of the remainder of the year) .
Controller Cafferillo recommended that GIAC go with the
lease option and monitor the budget activity. It was noted
that this could be done within the existing budget and no
authorization amount would be needed by the Committee. No
formal action was taken by the Committee.
Controller Cafferillo stated that at a future meeting he
would like all Departments to evaluate and follow a City
policy of reducing the number of copies distributed.
13. Youth Bureau - Request to Replace/Repair Damaged Van
City Controller Cafferillo presented a damage report from
Ward's Auto Damage Appraisal Service regarding the Youth
Bureau's 15-passenger van damaged in an accident. This
appraisal report was requested last month by the B&A
Committee.
Controller Cafferillo stated that based on the report the
salvage value of the van was only $567 in its existing
condition, with no insurance recovery possible. A new van,
on State Contract, would cost $15, 000 - $17, 000. The
following two estimates to repair the van were available:
A. Ward's Appraisal - $8,200
B. Auto Body - $6, 300- $7, 000
After a brief discussion on the van and related repairs the
following motion was made:
13
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 3/21/90
RESOLVED, that an amount not to exceed $7,000 be transferred
from Account A1900 Unrestricted Contingency to Account
A7310-476 Equipment Maintenance, for renovations to a
15-passenger van, which was damaged in an uninsured accident
in December of 1989.
Said motion passed 4-0.
14 . Prosecutor - Request for Computer Equipment
A letter from the City Prosecutor to the B&A Committee was
included in the Committee's packet for tonight's agenda
requesting a $1, 500 transfer, within the Prosecutor's
budget, to purchase a Word Processing system. A brief
discussion on the fact that the money is already in the
budget and would only need to be transferred from another
account followed. The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, that the authorized equipment list for the City
Prosecutor's Office be amended to include one Word
Processing system, for an amount not to exceed $1, 500, and
be it further
RESOLVED, that $1, 500 be transferred from Account A110-430
Contractual Services to Account A1110-210 Office Equipment
for the procurement thereof.
This motion passed 4-0.
15. It was noted that the Committee deferred action on the
request to hire a Pay Equity Consultant until the next
meeting. The Committee then went into executive session.
16. Report from Executive Session
Chairperson Booth reported on the following items from
executive session:
A. Youth Bureau Request for Employee Incentive Awards
A request by the Youth Bureau for eight percent employee
incentive awards for eight Youth Bureau employees was made
by Youth Bureau Director Cohen. After a lengthy discussion
on City and Youth Bureau salaries the following motion was
made:
WHEREAS, the Youth Bureau has made a request for an eight
percent employee incentive award for eight Youth Bureau
employees to better reflect their responsibilities and
duties, and
WHEREAS, the City does not normally give incentive awards to
a large number of employees, of the same Department,
simultaneously, and the Committee feels a decision to grant
14
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 3/21/90
all of these requests at one time would badly hurt the
City's efforts to provide merit increases, now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, that the Budget and Administration committee
denies the eight percent employee incentive awards for eight
Youth Bureau employees.
The motion to deny the incentive awards passed 4-0.
B. City Attorney Office Staffing
Chairperson Booth stated that this item was discussed, but
that no action was taken.
17. Finance - Equalization Rate Report
City Controller Cafferillo gave a brief report on his
Equalization Rate report. Controller Cafferillo stated that
he has distributed the Equalization Rate draft report to
various members of the City, State, and County Government
and City School District. He stated the reaction to the
report has been positive to this point.
Controller Cafferillo stated that the report presents a
strong argument in favor of establishing a fair and
equitable distribution of County and School taxes amongst
the County population. A brief discussion on this issue
followed.
Chairperson Booth suggested the following to the Committee:
A. That Committee members meet with the Controller,
individually, to discuss the report.
B. That Council members discuss this report and the
need for action on this issue with their County
Board counterparts.
It was noted that a resolution regarding this issue should
be put forth on next month's B&A agenda. No formal action
was taken on this issue.
18. An item dealing with steps for reducing the use of copy
machines throughout the City government was postponed until
a later meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 12: 30 A.M.
15