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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-1990-07-24 BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES REGULAR MEETING 7 :30 PM JULY 24, 1990 PRESENT: COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Peterson, Cummings, Golder COMMITTEE MEMBERS EXCUSED: Booth, Romanowski OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor - Nichols City Controller - Cafferillo Deputy Controller - Thayer Building Commissioner - Datz Director of Planning and Development - Van Cort Police Chief - McEwen City Attorney - Guttman City Chamberlain - Parsons Superintendent of Public Works - Thadani Acting Assistant -Superintendent of Public Works - Carpenter City Engineer - Gray BPW Commissioner - Reeves Youth Bureau Director - Cohen Personnel Administrator - Saul Commons Coordinator - Deming Acting Facilities Maintenance Supervisor - Ferrel Building Systems Supervisor - Miller Richard Driscoll Mr. Shapiro (Marty) Hudson Street Residents Members of the Media 1. Opening Comments Vice-Chairperson Peterson stated that Chairperson Booth and Alderperson Romanowski were on vacation and excused from the meeting. Vice-Chairperson Peterson stated that because Alderperson Cummings would be late and two Committee members were excused, the Committee would take the non-voting issues of the agenda first until Alderperson Cummings arrived and a quorum was established. 2 . D.P.W. A. Report - Recycling Drop-Off Center Negotiations Superintendent of Public Works Thadani gave an update report on the Recycling Drop-off Center negotiations with the County. Budget and Administration Minutes - 7/24/90 Superintendent Thadani stated that the Recycling Drop-off Center has had many problems since it opened. Two of the main problems are contamination of the recycling dumpsters and the Drop-off Centers hours of operation. Superintendent Thadani stated that unrecyclable items were being mixed with the recyclable items and therefore some items were not being accepted as recyclable. Also, because of the heavy traffic volume on the one day the Center was open (Saturdays) , the Center now will be open six days a week. However, because of the increased hours, and problems with contamination, it is necessary to have continuous supervision at the Center. County and City negotiations are currently continuing on the Recycling Center issue. The current contract does not have a provision for the supervision issue. The City wants the County to pick up all costs related to the recycling activities at the Center. Superintendent Thadani stated that he has recently received a response to this issue by the County and he will be taking this item to the next BPW meeting. His reaction to the response by the County was mixed. He stated recycling negotiations with the County would continue. Superintendent Thadani stated to date 751 tons of recyclables have been collected at the Recycling Center and $1, 350 has been spent for the Center. The City is currently billing the County for the labor now being provided by the City at the Drop-off Center. City Controller Cafferillo stated the City is currently being billed for recycling pick up charges and in prior y6ars the company that was collecting the recyclables also sold those items and gave the City the revenue from the sale of those items which was reflected as a "wash" on the City's records. However, within the past four months the Company is no longer selling the recyclable items and the City is being billed a larger amount for the collection of the recyclable items. Superintendent Thadani stated that the market for the sale of the recyclables has dried up, but because of the tipping fee, the cost of collection of the recyclables has increased. It is hopeful the costs of the collection of the recyclables will be picked up by the County in the future. No further discussion took place on this issue and no formal action was taken. 2 Budget and Administration Minutes - 7/24/90 B. Report - Dryden Road Garage - 24 Hour Staffing Superintendent of Public Works Thadani updated the Committee on the status of the Dryden Road garage 24 hour staffing test period. Superintendent Thadani stated that for the test period, February, March, April and May of 1990, $70,269 had been collected at the Dryden Road garage. For the same time period in 1989, February - May, $36, 540 was collected. The increase represents the increase in parking fees and the 24 hour staffing at the garage. Superintendent Thadani also stated that expenses for staffing the garage for the remainder of the year, September - January, would cost $12, 000 for two full-time employees. Controller Cafferillo stated that even though the Dryden Road garage revenue has increased from last year, the parking revenue from the lots and garages as a whole is currently just meeting the budget projections for 1990. Also, sales tax on parking will be implemented August 1, 1990 as required by the State. He said he could not recommend increasing parking revenue to offset the cost of operation. Controller Cafferillo suggested that the DPW pay for the two employees, needed to staff the Dryden Road Parking garage for 24 hours daily, within existing budget lines. Alderperson Golder suggested that the DPW look into the possibility of expanding the downtown lots and garages to possibly increase revenue. No formal action was taken. Updates on this issue will continue throughout the year. Alderperson Cummings arrived at this point in the meeting. 3 . Appropriation of Funds for the Arts Services Organization Richard Driscoll, from the Arts Services Organization, presented a request to the Committee for $5, 000 to assist in the funding of the Arts Services Organization. Mr. Driscoll also presented to the Committee the organization's financial statements for the first six months of 1990. The request for funding was for 1990. City Controller Cafferillo stated that during the 1990 budget discussions, $7, 500 was put into restricted contingency for the funding of the Arts Services Organization. At the time a formal proposal was not received from the Arts Services Organization. It was noted that the funding for this organization was endorsed with recommendation from the Human Services Committee. The following motion was made: 3 Budget and Administration Minutes - 7/24/90 WHEREAS, the Human Services Committee has reviewed and recommended approval of a request for funding presented by the newly established Arts Services Organization (ASO) , now, therefore be it RESOLVED, that $5, 000 be transferred from account A1990 Restricted Contingency, to account A1010-435, Legislative Contractual Services, in support of the Phase II program to be orchestrated by said Arts Services Organization. Motion passed 3-0. 4 . Attorney A. Building Permit Fees City Attorney Guttman stated that after Mr. Shapiro, a local attorney, spoke on the building permit fees, the Committee, because of potential litigation relating to this issue, should go into executive session. The Committee agreed. Marty Shapiro stated that he noticed that in December of 1989 the City passed two ordinances dealing with the building permit fees specifically certificate of occupancy fees. In 1989, Mr. Shapiro noted that these ordinances were illegal based on New York State law. he stated-he wasnot retained by anyone, but just wanted to alert the City that these fees were illegal because the fees charged were much greater than the actual costs related to these permits. Mr. Shapiro stated within the past few months he has been contacted by many city property owners asking him to represent them on the permit fee issue. He recently alerted the City that he now represents the organization called the Tompkins County Rental Housing Association. Mr. Shapiro stated that a new proposal from the Building Department, on these fees, would be presented tonight. He has seen that proposal and the fees are still too high as related to costs to perform and issue the certificate of occupancy. He recommends that the fees should be based on an hourly basis and that all time be maintained appropriately. Mr. Shapiro also felt that the City should make the fees retroactive because the fees have been in effect for almost one year, providing rebates to persons who paid the higher fee. Discussion followed on actual fees currently charged by the Building Department. Alderperson Cummings stated that when the City passed the ordinances in 1989, the Committee knew there was an inequity in the permit fees because there was not a charge for a certificate of occupancy even though the Building Department was incurring costs for the issuance of those certificates. Alderperson Cummings also stated that she was not sure that the ordinance was the appropriate 4 Budget and Administration Minutes - 7/24/90 corrective action, but that the City needs to change the appropriate fee based on actual costs. The Committee moved to go into executive session. The motion passed 3-0. Chairperson Peterson, out of executive session, reported that the Committee voted 3-0 to change the flat fees in the ordinance to $28 per hour and to change the provision charging a fee per bedroom to a $28 per hour fee for inspection time spent. A separate motion for staff to investigate lesser or no charge fees for owner occupied smaller units on first inspection with a proposal to come from staff at a later B&A meeting. The second motion also passed 3-0. The following were the motions passed: An Ordinance Amending Section 26. 24 (C) of Chapter 26 Entitled "Building Code Enforcement" of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code ORDINANCE NO. 90 - An Ordinance Amending Section 26.24 (C) of Chapter 26 Entitled "Building Code Enforcement" of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code. Be it ordained and enacted by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca, New York, as follows: 1. That Section 26.24 (C) of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code entitled "Building Permits" be and the same is hereby amended to read as follows: C. Application for permit. Every application for a permit shall be in writing on approved form and shall be signed by the owner or his authorized agent. In his discretion the Building Commissioner may require sealed plans from an architect or engineer registered to practice in the State of New York for structural or other work, even though the cost of the work may be below the minimum requirement of the State Education Law, and may also require a property survey of the lot or lots concerned in any proposed building operation. Permit fees shall be paid before permit review can commence according to the following schedule: Where the total valuation of the work is: $2, 000. 00 or less None From $2, 001 to $25, 000 $6. 00 for each $1, 000 or fraction thereof to and 5 Budget and Administration Minutes - 7/24/90 including $25,000. Over $25, 000 $150 for the first $25, 000 plus $4 . 00 for each additional $1, 000 or fraction thereof. Other inspections and fees related to building construction: Requested inspections outside [$25. 00] $28.00 per hour normal business hours (mini- mum charge; two hours in addition to the permit fee) Plan review for projects 50% of permit fee schedule exceeding $5, 000 (where (amount to be applied to no permit is requested) permit fee) Additional plan review [$25. 00] $28.00 per hour required by changes, additions or revisions to approved plans. Building Permit Renewal $25. 00 or 10% of the original building permit fee, whichever is larger Certificate of Occupancy No charge if building permit is in effect; otherwise $25.00 for one- and two-family dwellings; $50. 00 for all others Temporary Certificates of $100. 00 plus 25% of building Occupancy permit fee Demolition work Up to $1, 000. 00 $12 .00 $1, 001 to $5, 000 $25. 00 $5, 001 and up $25. 00 plus $4 . 00 for each $1, 000 or fraction thereof over $5, 000 In the event that an application for a building permit is not approved, the applicant shall be entitled to a refund of fifty (50%) of the fee paid, provided no work has commenced. If construction work has been started and the application is not approved, no part of the fees paid shall be refunded. Any amendment to the application or the plans and specifications upon which the building permit has been issued may be filed at any time prior to the completion of the work. If there is an increase in the value of the project as a result of the amendment, an additional fee 6 Budget and Administration Minutes - 7/24/90 shall be paid for that increase, based on the fee schedule above. If there is no increase in the value of the project as a result of the amendment, but additional plan review time is incurred, an additional fee of [$25. 00] $28. 00 per hour shall be paid for the additional plan review time. During the period of time that the work is going on for which the building permit is issued, said permit shall be displayed on the property in such a location that it is readily visible from the nearest street. 2 . Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately and in accordance with law upon publication of a notice as provided in Section 3 . 11(B) of the Ithaca City Charter. An Ordinance Amending Section 27.45(D) of Chapter 27 Entitled "Housing Code" of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code ORDINANCE NO. 90 - An Ordinance Amending Section 27 . 45 (D) of Chapter 27 entitled "Housing Code" of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code. BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED by Common Council of the City of Ithaca, New York, as follows: 1. That Section 27 . 45 (D) of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code entitled "Certificate of Compliance" be and the same is hereby amended to read as follows: [D. A fee of $25. 00 per rental dwelling unit up to two bedrooms plus $15. 00 for each additional bedroom shall be paid to the Building Department before a Certificate of Compliance can be issued. ] D. Before a Certificate of Compliance can be issued there shall be paid to the Building Department a fee equal to $28.00 per hour for all time spent � the Housing Inspector regarding the premises including, but not limited to, time spent in correspondence, review of the appropriate files, transportation and actual inspections of the property. 2 . Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately and in accordance with law upon publication of a notice as provided in Section 3 . 11 (B) of the Ithaca City Charter. B. Sciencenter Land Sale City Attorney Guttman stated that at the last Common Council meeting the Council directed the City Attorney to negotiate 7 Budget and Administration Minutes - 7/24/90 the contract with the Sciencenter with special terms and conditions. The proposed contract was presented to the Committee by the City Attorney. City Attorney Guttman suggested that this contract be approved at the September Council meeting because a 30 day notice of sale was to be done before the actual sale. If the proposed contract language is approved the notice of sale can go out in August. After a brief discussion the following motion was made: RESOLVED, that the City Clerk give public notice of the proposed sale of an approximately one-acre of land, tax parcel 25-2-1, to the Science Discovery Center of Tompkins County, Inc. pursuant to proposed purchase agreement. The motion passed 3-0. C. Request Funding For Litigation City Attorney Guttman presented a request to transfer money to fund further litigation invoices related to the Control Processing Facility. City Attorney Guttman stated the total fee estimated by Attorney Gitlen for the Control Processing Facility litigation would be between $15, 000 and $20, 000. Attorney Gitlen capped his professional fee at $20, 000 with additional charges for out-of-pocket costs. The total litigation costs will run between $20, 000 and $21, 500. It was noted Council originally appropriated $12 , 141 for this litigation and last month an additional $3 , 000 was appropriated. After a brief discussion on Attorney Gitlen' s invoice amounts, the following motion was made: RESOLVED, that an amount not to exceed $7, 000 be transferred from account A1990 Unrestricted Contingency to account A1420-430 Fees for Professional Services, in order to pay the final bill for legal services and related expenses in connection with the Central Processing Facility lawsuit. The motion passed 3-0. D. Report on possible sale of Fire Station #6 City Attorney Guttman stated that he would like to discuss this issue next month. He stated that he has received contact regarding proposals for the purchase of Fire Station #6. The Committee will take this up at next month's B&A meeting. No other action was taken. 8 Budget and Administration Minutes - 7/24/90 E. Possible Acquisition of Property The Committee voted 3-0 to move into executive session to discuss the possible acquisition of property. After a brief executive session, Vice-Chairperson Peterson stated that no action was taken on the possible acquisition of property. 5. Building Department - Request to purchase computers with Building Code Aid Building Commissioner Datz presented a request for $6, 684.75 to purchase computer equipment to be funded from the Building and Fire Code Enforcement Account. The equipment is needed to continue to computerize the Building Department Data Base and to increase computer work capability in the Building Department. City Controller Cafferillo stated that this purchase will have to be funded from the 1990 Code Enforcement not yet received from the State. However, approval can be done tonight and the expenditure can be made when the money is received. It was noted that the 1988 and 1989 Code Enforcement money has been spent. After a brief discussion ,. on the Code Enforcement accounts, the following motion . was made: RESOLVED, that the authorized equipment list of the Building Department be amended to include one Everex 386 8x computer to be purchased at an amount not to exceed $6, 685, and be it further RESOLVED, that upon receipt of the 1990 allocation of State Building and Fire Code Aid funding, such $6, 685 shall be transferred from account A690-10 Building'and Fire Code Aid for 1990 to account A3620-210 Building Department Office Equipment. Motion passed 3-0. 6. Police Department - Request to Transfer Funds Police Chief McEwen presented a request to transfer funds in the amount of $3, 746 to various accounts for the purchase of various equipment and supplies to aid in the Police Department's Drug investigation work. Chief McEwen stated that the money has been received in the amount of $4, 890.90 and is accounted for in the A690-8 account of the General Fund. It was noted that the establishment of this account was approved at an earlier B&A meeting and it was requested at that time that the Chief come back to B&A to transfer the funds for the purpose of 9 Budget and Administration Minutes - 7/24/90 Drug investigation purchases. After a brief discussion the following motion was made: WHEREAS, the Police Department has received to date $4, 890.90 from the Federal Bureau of Investigation to enhance the Department's Drug Investigation Program; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that $3,746. 00 be transferred from account A690-8 Drug Seizure moneys, to the following line items in the Police Department budget: A 3120-210 Office Equipment $1,776 A 3120-460 Program Supplies $1, 500 A 3120-470 Rental of Equipment $ 470 Total $3 ,746 The motion passed 3-0. 7. Youth Bureau - Negotiations with County - Report Youth Bureau Director Cohen gave the Committee an update report on ongoing negotiations with Tompkins County relating to Youth Bureau Services. Director Cohen stated that the County is talking about giving the City the same amount of money in 1990 as in 1989 plus an additional five percent. Director Cohen stated that the City will request a dollar amount equal to all the Youth Development and Recreational mainstream budget amounts. If the County does not fund the City for that amount, programs outside the City will decrease appropriately. It was the consensus of the Committee that funding should correspond to the Youth Bureau activity county-wide. No formal action was taken on this issue. 8. D.P.W. A. Request to Hire Engineer for Acoustical Study at Youth Bureau Superintendent of Public Works Thadani and Youth Bureau Director Cohen presented a request to hire an engineer to perform an acoustical tile study at the Youth Bureau. It was noted that Superintendent Thadani had requested this study several months ago, but at that time the B&A Committee did not accept the previous proposal and tabled this item. Superintendent Thadani stated that he reworked the study and now has a new proposal from an engineer. The new proposal was presented and discussed. The proposal under consideration, from the Engineering firm of Calocerinos and Spina, was for an amount of $3, 000. 10 Budget and Administration Minutes - 7/24/90 It was noted that this money, $3 , 000, has already been moved from the Restricted Contingency to the DPW appropriate expense account and the money has been encumbered for such purpose. Alderperson Cummings stated she was in support of this study as long as the City was getting a good study for the $3,000. Superintendent Thadani assured the Committee that the firm selected was reputable and had experience in this area. After a brief discussion the Committee concurred with the selection of the Engineering firm of Calocerinos and Spina to perform the acoustical study at the Youth Bureau. It was noted that because the $3, 000 was already approved and encumbered a resolution was not needed. B. Hudson Street Landscaping City Engineer Gray presented a resolution passed by BPW that approves a Hudson Street landscaping plan and asked for guidance on budgetary impacts and project scope. The landscaping plan as developed by the City Forester and the residents of Hudson Street would cost the City an additional $35, 000. A discussion . on . the original project budget and the landscaping plan followed. City Engineer Gray stated that it might be possible to include the additional $35, 000 for the landscaping plan without adjusting the total project budget because of change orders that might reduce the entire project amount. However, it will not be known until September or October when all the change orders have been received and evaluated. A discussion on the ordering of the required trees for the landscaping plan followed. A Hudson Street resident, Jim Houghton, presented the Committee with a petition that urges the Committee to approve the landscaping plan. The petition letter stated that the landscaping plan was well developed and that the Hudson Street residents were happy with the outcome and that the trust between the residents of Hudson Street and the City was being restored. After a brief discussion on the landscaping plan the following motion was made: WHEREAS, the Common Council resolution of April 2, 1990 has directed that "substantial additional landscaping shall be implemented under the auspices of the Parks Commission, Shade Tree Commission, and the City Forester working with individual residents. . . " , and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has determined that there is not sufficient funding currently available within Capital Project #225 for the reconstruction of Hudson Street to 11 Budget and Administration Minutes - 7/24/90 complete the proposed amended landscaping plan; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that capital project #225 for the reconstruction of Hudson Street be hereby increased by $35, 000, from a maximum authorized cost of $1, 500, 000 to a revised maximum authorized cost of $1, 535, 000, and be it further RESOLVED, that the financing plan for said project be amended by transferring the statutory five percent (5%) down payment of $1,750 from account A1990 Unrestricted Contingency to capital project #225, and by increasing the existing bond resolution for such project by the remaining balance of $33 ,250. The motion passed 3-0. C. Request to Hire Engineer for Asbestos Removal Capital Project Superintendent of Public Works Thadani presented a request to hire an engineer for asbestos removal in City Hall, Hall of Justice and GIAC. The asbestos removal would cost $14, 000. Superintendent . Thadani stated that he received three proposals for this project and this particular proposal was the lowest priced and most experienced firm. The following motion was made: WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works and Department of Public Works personnel have reviewed three proposals for engineering services relative to the removal of asbestos from various city buildings; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Superintendent of Public Works is hereby authorized to execute an agreement with Buck Laboratories of Cortland, New York, for the provision of design, construction supervision and post construction reporting services, at an amount not to exceed $14,000; the funding for which has previously been authorized within capital project #231/Asbestos Removal. The motion passed 3-0. Alderperson Cummings brought up a discussion on the current situation dealing with asbestos relating to the possibility of asbestos removal and encapsulation of the asbestos. City Engineer Gray stated that encapsulation of asbestos is fine in non-public places, but he would recommend that the asbestos removal process should be used in a public place, such as GIAC. 12 Budget and Administration Minutes - 7/24/90 D. Report on the Joint Transit Facility Acting Assistant Superintendent of Public Works Carpenter gave the Committee a brief update report on the Joint Transit Facility. Assistant Carpenter stated that the Joint Transit Committee has been meeting to draft a Joint Management agreement for the Joint Facility. Assistant Carpenter also stated that the -RFP for the design phase of this project has also been sent out. The management agreement and the design proposals will be reviewed in early August. It was noted that the DPW site is still the site selected for the Joint Transit Facility, even after the results of the Trowbridge study. It was noted that no formal action was taken and that future updates will be made at subsequent B&A meetings. E. Request to Amend the 1990 Equipment List Acting Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Ferrel presented a request to amend the DPW 1990 equipment list by $700 for the purchase of a generator. Supervisor Ferrel stated that the DPW had recently purchased a generator to use for a free-air pump to supply air to employees using the sand blaster. However, the generator purchased was too small for the air pump motor. The DPW would like to trade the smaller generator in for a larger generator at a net cost of $700, which would be funded within the existing DPW budget. After a brief discussion the following motion was made: RESOLVED, that the authorized equipment list of the Department of Public Works be amended to include one 5500 watt generator at a net cost of $1, 575, and delete one 2200 watt generator valued at $875; the net difference of $700 shall be funded within existing Department of Public Works available appropriations. The motion passed 3-0. F. Amendment of Water Filtration Plant 1990 Budget City Engineer Gray presented a request to amend the 1990 Water Filtration Plant budget by $19, 520 for the purchase of various items. Engineer Gray stated the items requested reflect the operating expense to maintain the plant until a decision is made on the possibility of renovating the current plant or building another plant. These items requested were left out of the 1990 budget and the new Chief Operator feels they are 13 Budget and Administration Minutes - 7/24/90 very much needed in the current plant to operate effectively. It was noted the $19, 520 would come from the water fund restricted contingency account which currently has $25, 000 and is seldom used and annually replenished. After a brief discussion the following motion was made: RESOLVED, that the 1990 budget for the water fund be amended by transferring $19, 520 from account A1990 unrestricted contingency to the following appropriation accounts as requested by the Chief Plant Operator and recommended to Common Council by the Board of Public Works: F 8330-225 Other Equipment $7,920 F 8330-476 Equipment Maintenance 2,300 F 8330-477 Equipment Parts and Supplies 8,000 F 8330-480 Building Supplies 500 F 8330-481 Small Tools 800 Total 19,520 The motion was approved 3-0. G. Amendment of the Personnel Roster of the City Engineer's Office City Engineer Gray presented a request to amend the City Engineer's Office Personnel Roster by deleting one Engineering Technician and adding one Junior Engineer. It was noted that this personnel roster amendment was needed because of the increases in duties in the Engineer's office. The increased duties in the Engineering Office include computer aided drafting and design and an increased load of construction projects that need supervision from a higher level of personnel than that of an Engineering Technician. The following motion was made: RESOLVED, that the Personnel Roster of the Department of Public Works be amended as follows: Add: One (1) Junior Engineer Delete: One (1) Engineering Technician The motion passed 3-0. The Committee voted to go into executive session to discuss a number of personnel items. 14 Budget and Administration Minutes - 7/24/90 9. Report from Executive Session After the Committee voted to come out of the executive session, Vice-Chairperson Peterson stated the following action took place during the executive session: A. Salary Increase - Building Systems Supervisor WHEREAS, the duties and responsibilities of the Building Systems Supervisor have been permanently increased by the placement of two additional divisions (Parking Meters and City Electrician) under his supervision, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the salary of James Miller be increased by ten (10%) percent to $32 ,980 effective June 22 , 1990, to reflect the addition of these responsibilities. The motion passed 3-0. B. Appointment of Engineering Technician RESOLVED, that Raymond Benjamin be provisionally appointed to the position of Engineering Technician at an annual salary of $22, 077, that being Step 5 on the 1990 CSEA Administrative Unit Compensation Plan, effective August 6, 1990. The motion passed 2-1 to go to Common Council with recommendation from the B&A Committee. Alderperson Golder voted against the motion based on his disagreement with the policy and procedures of this appointment. C. Employee Incentive Award WHEREAS, the Chief Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator has recommended Jeffrey Soule for an Employee Incentive Award pursuant to the terms of the CSEA Administrative Unit Contract, and WHEREAS, the Chief Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator has provided the Budget and Administration Committee with substantial justification for granting this Employee Incentive Award, and WHEREAS, the Chief Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's recommendation complies with the procedure and guidelines outlined in the CSEA Administrative Unit contract; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that Jeffrey Soule's salary be increased by eight (8%) percent to an annual salary of $24,876 effective April 23, 1990. 15 Budget and Administration Minutes - 7/24/90 The motion passed 2-1 to go to Common Council with recommendation from the B&A Committee. Alderperson Golder voted against this motion based on his disagreement with the Employee Incentive Award policy. 10. County Tax Installment Program Vice-Chairperson Peterson stated that the issue of the County Tax Installment Program was added to the agenda because the City received a letter from the County to -act on this issue by August 10, 1990. City Chamberlain Parsons stated that the Committee had approved a resolution objecting to the County Installment Plan based on the problems it would cause the Chamberlain's Office for collection of such tax in two installments. Chamberlain Parsons stated that the County has received the City's resolution and has asked the City to reconsider its position if the County collects the county tax for City residents. Alderperson Cummings stated that she would rather see the county tax payment all at once instead of splitting the payments into two installments. She would like to stop the County from using the installment method. City Controller Cafferillo stated that the City could stop collecting County tax, but this would not stop the County from using the installment method. Controller Cafferillo stated he projected the earnings from an individual having the money all year and paying the tax in one lump sum and compared that to the individual using the installment method for the payment of taxes. He said the individual would lose money by using the installment method. It was noted that the County is charging a fee if individuals use the installment method. City Controller Cafferillo stated that the City would lose $5, 000 in interest revenue if the County collected the taxes, however, the gain administratively, by not having to collect the taxes, would outweigh the loss in interest revenue. City Chamberlain Parsons recommended the option that the City should continue to object to the County tax installment plan, however, if the County decides to go along with the plan, the City will not collect the County tax any longer. The Committee concurred and after a brief discussion the following motion was made: WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Board of Representatives has requested that the City reconsider its resolution of June 6, 1990, whereby Common Council chose not to endorse the 16 Budget and Administration Minutes - 7/24/90 County's proposed Local Law to collect county taxes in two installments, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Common Council of the City of Ithaca hereby reaffirms its opposition to said Local Law No. 5, and be it further RESOLVED, that should Tompkins County Board of Representatives nonetheless enact such Local Law permitting a two installment collection procedure, the City of Ithaca shall take the necessary steps required to amend the City Charter, thereby reverting the responsibility for the collection of Tompkins County taxes to the County. The motion passed 3-0. 11. Planning Department A. Executive Session - Employee Incentive Award The Committee voted to go into executive session to discuss a Planning Department personnel item. After the brief executive session, Vice-Chairperson Peterson stated that the following action had taken place during the executive session: WHEREAS, the Director of Planning and Development has recommended Administrative Secretary Marie Corina for an Employee Incentive Award pursuant to the policy and procedures established by the Budget and Administration Committee, and WHEREAS, the Director of Planning and Development has provided the Budget and Administration Committee with substantial justification for granting this Employee Incentive Award, and WHEREAS, the Director of Planning and Development's recommendation complies with the policy and procedures established by the Budget and Administration Committee, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that Marie Corina's salary be increased by eight (8%) percent to an annual salary of $24,316 effective July 2, 1990. The motion passed 2-1 to go to Common Council with recommendation from the B&A Committee. Alderperson Golder voted against the motion based on his objections to the Employee Incentive Award policy. 17 Budget and Administration Minutes - 7/24/90 B. Amendment of Personnel Roster - Temporary Planner Planning Director Van Cort presented a request to amend the 1990 personnel roster to hire a temporary Planner. The position is needed to fill in until a Deputy Planning Director can be hired. After a brief discussion, the following motion was made: RESOLVED, that the Personnel Roster of the Planning Department be temporarily amended as follows: Add: One (1) Planner II and be it further RESOLVED, that this temporary position shall terminate one (1) month after the appointment of a new Deputy Director of Planning and Development. The motion passed 3-0. 12 . Finance Department A. Personnel Department - Request to Hire Negotiator Personnel Administrator Saul presented a request to hire a negotiator for the contracts with the CSEA DPW Unit, Chief Officers Unit and City Executive Association. The RFP process is not being used in 1990 because it had been used in 1987, 1988 and 1989, and for the last year the same negotiator has been hired and his negotiations have been very well received by both the units and the City. Personnel Administrator Saul stated his rates are the best in the area, his service is excellent and she recommends his services for the upcoming negotiation process. The following motion was made: RESOLVED, that the City of Ithaca enter into an agreement with James P. Dennis, to provide professional services in the field of labor negotiations in connection with the negotiation of the 1991 CSEA DPW Unit and Chief Officers Unit labor contracts, at a cost not to exceed $4,000 and $3 , 000 respectively. The motion passed 3-0. B. Report From the New Court Facility Committee City Controller Cafferillo stated that the Committee involved with the new Court Facility is sending out RFP's and RFQ's (Request for Qualifications) for selection of the architects. The proposals will be sent to the B&A Committee 18 Budget and Administration Minutes - 7/24/90 for review and selection of an architect because the capital project and project funding has not yet been established. No formal action was taken. C. 1990 Water/Sewer Rates City Controller Cafferillo presented a memo to the Committee regarding the 1990 Water and Sewer rates. Controller Cafferillo stated that because of Computer Support problems and a misunderstanding created by a change in procedure, the 1990 Water and Sewer rate increases approved with the 1990 budget, have been delayed. It was noted that because many of the budgeted water and sewer projects have not been done this year, the Water and Sewer rate increases for 1990 can be delayed until 1991. No formal action was taken. The meeting was adjourned at 11: 35 P.M. Y 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. 19