HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-1990-10-17 BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 17, 1990
COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PUBLIC HEARING
7 :00 PM Public comment will be taken regarding the operation of the tag system as
it pertains to the collection of garbage in the City of Ithaca.
8:00 PM Public comment will be taken regarding the Capital Improvement Review
Committee's recommendation for capital project funding for the 1991 Budget.
AGENDA
A. CITY ATTORNEY
1 . Strand Theater - Discussion [Executive Session]
2. Possible purchase of Watershed land - Discussion [Executive Session]
3. Possible sale to the Senior Citizens Council - Discussion [Executive Session]
4. Joint Transit Facility - Discussion [Executive Session]
B. POLICE DEPARTMENT
1 . Outside Contractual Overtime for Police Officers - Resolution
2. Request Appropriation of Funds for Vehicle Repair - Resolution
C. YOUTH BUREAU
1 . Request to expand NYS Transition-To-Work Program - Resolution
2. Request to amend 1990 Y.B. Budget - Resolution
D. FIRE DEPARTMENT: Personnel Item [Executive Session]
E. DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS: Personnel Item [Executive Session]
F. FINANCE Department
1 . Controller
a. Request transfer of funds, Joint Capital Project - West Hill Fire Station
Sanitary Sewer - Resolution
b. Hand held Computers for Traffic Violations - Discussion
c. S.P.C.A. Contracts - Discussion
2. Chamberlain
a. City purchase of Liens at the 1990 City Tax Sale - Resolution
b. Request to hire above minimum salary - Resolution [Executive Session]
3. Personnel
a. Personnel Item [Executive Session]
BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING 7:00 PM OCTOBER 17, 1990
MINUTES
PRESENT:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Booth, Cummings, Golder, Peterson,
Romanowski
OTHERS PRESENT:
Mayor - Nichols
City Controller - Cafferillo
Deputy Controller - Thayer
Acting Assistant Superintendent of Public Works - Carpenter
Acting Superintendent of Public Works/City Engineer - Gray
DPW Commissioner - Reeves
Youth Development Coordinator - Green
Acting Facilities Maintenance Supervisor - Ferrel
Police Chief - McEwen
Planning Department Staff Member - Meigs
Commons Coordinator - Deming
Personnel Administrator —Saul
City Chamberlain - Parsons
City Attorney- Guttman
Members of the Media
1. Opening Comments
Chairperson Booth stated that the following changes would be
made to the Agenda:
A. Delete the Fire Department's Personnel Item
B. Add to the Chamberlain's portion of the Agenda a
correction to the tax roll.
C. Add to the Personnel portion of the agenda an
Executive Session Personnel item.
It was also stated by Chairperson Booth that the Daycare
issue and the Domestic Partnership issue were not ready for
this month's meeting, but may be ready for the November B&A
meeting.
2. Public Hearing - City Trash Tag System
Chairperson Booth opened the public hearing on the City
trash tag issue to the public. No members of the public
spoke on the trash tag issue.
Alderperson Romanowski asked the Controller about the status
of the City's trash tag revenue and expenditures to date.
Controller Cafferillo stated that with the revenue received
to date and the projection of the revenue to be collected
for the remainder of the year, the City's revenue projection
of $350, 000 will be just about met. The actual costs are
less than the $350,000, but we have to be sure all the
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (continued)
appropriate costs from the County have been collected.
Controller Cafferillo stated that any revenues in excess of
costs for 1990 will be used to offset 1991 trash tag cost
increases.
Controller Cafferillo also stated that the increases in the
City water and sewer rates for 1991 are in part due to the
increases of the tipping fee for the disposal of sludge and
are not related to the trash tag collections.
3 . Controller - Hand Held Computers for Traffic Violations
City Controller Cafferillo presented a discussion item on
the possibility of the City's purchasing five to nine hand
held computers for the use in the distribution of parking
tickets.
Controller Cafferillo stated that an additional position was
requested by the Chamberlain's Office to assist in inputing
information regarding traffic tickets for traffic
violations. Because of this a review of the traffic
distribution and input procedures was made in an attempt to
avoid any duplication in the process.
The possibility of using hand held computers would eliminate
any duplication and actually increase the ticket
distribution and input procedure. The hand held computer
would be issued to meter checkers, Police Officers and the
parking enforcement officer. At the point the ticket is
given, the information can be entered into the Hand Held
computer and stored in the hand held computer until the
individual returned to City Hall where the computer unit
would be plugged into a PC to input the information. The
tickets can be input into the computer at a rate of 100
tickets per second.
The hand held computers would allow the City to:
A. Eliminate the need for an additional position.
B. Update the ticket enforcement and input
procedures.
Outstanding tickets are a problem for the City because of
the City has so many people who live here for short periods.
The hand held computers would assist in the enforcement of
the outstanding tickets.
The original proposal was to acquire five hand held
computers; four for the meter checkers and one for the
parking enforcement officer. However Police Chief McEwen
thought four of the police officers could incorporate these
computers in their cars. Adding these four gives a proposed
total of nine hand held computers. . The cost for five
2
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (continued)
computers is $30,440. The payback period would be less than
two years as long as a new position is not created.
A presentation and discussion on the operation of the hand
held computers followed. No action was taken on this issue.
4. Mayor - Update on Trash Tag and Recycling
Mayor Nichols gave the Committee an update on the trash tag
and recycling programs. Mayor Nichols noted that the BPW
looked into the future of the trash tags as they are related
to increased tipping fee costs for 1991 and the transition
from old tags to new tags at the end of 1990.
Mayor Nichols stated that the Board of Public Works
recommended a three dollar increase in the trash tags for
1991, from $10/sheet to $13/sheet. Also, for the transition
period at the beginning of 1991, the BPW suggested that a
supplemental tag be used to account for the possible price
increase. A brief discussion on these issues followed.
The Mayor stated that the tipping fee increase by the County
for 1991 will be 50%. The City will use any revenues
collected in 1990 that exceed expenditures for the trash tag
system to reduce the cost of the trash tags for taxpayers in
1991. At this point, it appears the City will be able to
defray 20% of the County's 50% tipping fee increase.
The Mayor also stated that the question of who will run the
City's recycling program is currently being discussed at the
County. The County is asking the City to drop its recycling
program.
A possible "major" clean up day or junk exchange day for
City residents was discussed. It was noted that the BPW
will look into a possible day for a junk exchange sometime
next spring. No formal action was taken.
5. Youth Bureau
A. Expansion of NYS Transition-To-Work Program
Youth Development Coordinator Green presented a request to
give approval to the Youth Bureau to make application for a
$20, 000 New York State Grant.
coordinator Green stated that the State of New York has
approved a $20, 000 grant to the Youth Bureau for the
expansion of the Transition-To-Work Program. The Youth
Bureau is asking Council to authorize the Youth Bureau to
formally apply for this grant. It was noted that money has
already been earmarked for the Ithaca Youth Bureau by New
York State.
3
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (continued)
Coordinator Green stated that this is extra money and would
not cost the City any money. A summary of the grant
application was provided to the Committee. Coordinator
Green stated that the $20, 000 has already been included in
the 1991 Youth Bureau Budget and that the money would assist
in offsetting parttime and seasonal staff costs for the
Youth Bureau.
The following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the State of New York has approved a $20, 000.00
grant to the Ithaca Youth Bureau for the expansion of the
Transition-To-Work Program, and
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Youth Bureau Board of Advisors and the
Common Council have reviewed the summary proposal for the
grant; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Common Council authorizes the Youth
Bureau to make application to the New York State Division
for Youth for approval of the expansion of the
Transition-To-Work Program.
The motion passed 5-0.
B. Replacement of Youth Bureau Van
Youth Development Coordinator Green presented a request to
replace a 1979 station wagon in the Outing Program with a
1985 van.
Coordinator Green stated that the current Outing Program
station wagon is in bad shape and inadequate to handle the
equipment hauling needs of the Outing Program. It was
stated that the Youth Bureau purchased a new van this year
to replace the 1985 van, which was to be sold. Because the
1985 van is in better shape than the 1979 station wagon and
would better accommodate the Outing Program hauling needs,
the Youth Bureau would like to exchange the 1985 van for the
1979 station wagon and sell or dispose of the station wagon.
Chairperson Booth stated that the Council should wait on
approving this request because GIAC is also requesting a new
van next year. The requests should be evaluated in
conjunction with the 1991 budget because it is very possible
that both requests cannot be approved.
Mayor Nichols suggested that in the future both GIAC
vehicles and Youth Bureau vehicles should be consolidated
instead of having separate vehicles for both GIAC and the
Youth Bureau. Coordinator Green stated that the vans in
both GIAC and the Youth Bureau are currently shared.
4
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (continued)
Chairperson Booth recommended to the Committee that this
approval be delayed until the priority of vehicles in the
Youth Bureau and GIAC is investigated. Controller
Cafferillo also stated that the equipment in all departments
needs to be evaluated for priority. After a brief
discussion, the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Youth Bureau's Outing Program is in need
of a replacement van for their current 1979 station wagon
#331, which is inadequate for the equipment storage and
hauling needs of the Outing Program, and
WHEREAS, the Youth Bureau has a newer (1985) , larger van
#299 which would better suit the needs for the Outing
Program's storage and hauling requirements; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, that the Youth Bureau's Outing Program exchange
their 1979 station wagon #331 for the 1985 van #299 for the
use in the equipment storage and hauling operations of the
Outing Program at the Youth Bureau.
The motion passed 3-2 to be recommended to Common Council.
Chairperson Booth and Alderperson Romanowski voted against
the motion.
C. Amend the 1990 Youth Bureau Budget
Youth Development Coordinator Green presented a request to
amend the 1990 Youth Bureau Budget by increasing the revenue
line by $1,400 and increasing the appropriations line by
$1,400.
Coordinator Green stated that $2, 500 has currently been
received by local colleges for the donation to the Youth
Bureau program, and the Youth Bureau is anticipating $1,400
more in donations. The donations will be used to repair the
van exchanged in B above so that the van will be able to
haul and store equipment for the Outing Program. The
remaining portion of the $1,400 donation will be used for
program supplies in the Paul Schreurs program. After a
brief discussion, the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Youth Bureau has recently received
$2, 500 in donations from local colleges and, because of
this, they anticipate receiving $1,400 more in donations for
the remainder of 1990, and
WHEREAS, the donations received will be used for Program
Supplies in the Paul Schreurs program and equipment
maintenance for the purpose of making repairs to Van #299 so
that it may be used for hauling equipment; now, therefore,
be it
5
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (continued)
RESOLVED, that the 1990 Youth Bureau budget be amended as
follows:
Increase Revenue Account A2705, Gifts and Donations $1,400.
Increase Appropriations Accounts
A7310-476 Equipment Maintenance $500.
A7310-460 Program Supplies $900.
and be it further
RESOLVED, that $900. be transferred from Account A7310-215,
Vehicles, to Account A7310-476, Equipment Maintenance, for
the purpose of a van repair.
The motion passed 3-2 to be recommended to Common Council.
Chairperson Booth and Alderperson Romanowski voted against
the motion.
6. Capital Project Public Hearing
Chairperson Booth opened the public hearing by stating that
the Capital Improvement Review Committee was established by
Council. The Committee was comprised of several department
heads, Common Council members and members of the BPW. The
Committee discussed and reviewed each Capital Project
request and established a series of Capital Project
recommendations to the Mayor. The recommendations were
prioritized into high, medium and lower rankings. Eight
projects were ranked as high priorities and recommended for
funding in 1991 as long as funding is possible. The
remaining projects which were ranked as medium or lower
priorities were not recommended for funding in 1991. Voting
results were not unanimous on the Capital Improvements
Review Committee. The recommendations have been given to
the Mayor and will be discussed during the 1991 Budget
discussions. No action will be made on these
recommendations tonight.
The following eight projects have been recommended for
funding in 1991 by the Capital Improvement Review Committee:
- City Court Facility - $1, 300, 000 Funding Recommendation
- Commons Improvements/Repairs - $132, 000 Funding
Recommendation
- Youth Bureau Acoustics - $60, 000 Funding Recommendation
- DPW Consolidation Study - $65, 000 Funding
Recommendation
- Exhaust Extraction System - $84, 000 Funding
Recommendation
- City Hall HVAC - $150, 000 Funding Recommendation
- GIAC Renovations Study - $25, 000 Funding Recommendation
- Parking Facility Study and Conceptual Design - $150,000
6
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (continued)
Funding Recommendation
The following individuals spoke at the Public Hearing:
A. Alen Cohen - A Downtown Vision Task Force
representative. He spoke in support of the capital project
for the Commons Improvements. The Committee recommended
only half of the original request for the Commons
Improvement Project as a high proprity. He felt the entire
project should be recommended for funding. The Commons
Improvements have been left undone for far too long, and now
a lot of money needs to be put into the Commons to return it
to an adequate and safe area.
He stated if the capital project is approved as
recommended by the Committee, the following areas should be
recognized:
1. The improved lighting for the Commons was not
recognized as a high priority - it should be because of its
safety and security concerns.
2 . Bus shelters were not included.
3 . The Directories were not included - they are
in bad shape and need to be updated.
4 . Engineering costs were not included as a part
of the Capital Project and need to be a percentage of the
total cost.
B. Chris Griffen - A Downtown Vision Task Force
Representative. She supported the Commons Improvement
Project which includes the replacement of the Commons
Playground. The playground needs to be replaced because of
safety reasons. She noted that she is willing to donate
time and effort in the design and implementation of the new
playground.
C. Peggy Underwood - Chairman of Commons Advisory
Board. She stated that she supports the entire Commons
Improvement Project, not just half of the project as
recommended by the Committee. The repairs and maintenance
to the Commons have been put off too long and now need to be
done. The Commons is vital to the health of downtown.
D. Mayor Nichols He stated that the BPW instructed
the Department of Public Works to remove the playground for
safety reasons. The Capital Project for the Commons
Improvements is needed because it includes the replacement
of the playground.
7
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (continued)
It was noted that Alderperson Cummings was excused for a
portion of the meeting, but will return. A discussion on
the Sprague recommendations related to the Commons followed.
Chairperson Booth stated to the Committee that the Daycare
issue was not discussed in any form and is not reflected in
the Capital Improvements Review Committee recommendation.
Also, Chairperson Booth stated that long term solutions for
the City's water supply needs, including the City's water
plant problems, loom as large costs to the City in the near
future.
E. Jon Meigs - a member of the City's Planning staff
asked about the Bikeway Project. Controller Cafferillo
stated that the money is in Restricted Contingency ($40,000)
in the 1990 budget and would need Common Council action to
release that money. At this time a Capital Project has not
been established for this purpose.
No other comments on Capital Projects were made at the
public hearing.
7. Police Department
A. Outside Contractual Overtime for Police Officers
Police Chief McEwen presented a memo and a recommended
resolution dealing with Outside Contractual overtime for
Police Officers.
Chief McEwen stated that a resolution was passed last month
regarding this issue for the South Hill school. Now, a
second request has been made, and the Chief would like to
set a policy for such requests in the future. The Chief
stated that his proposal does not set a fixed rate for
outside contractual services, but instead recommends that
the rate would be calculated based on the circumstances of
the request. The Chief also stated that the Police
Benevolent Association supported the recommended resolution.
Chairperson Booth encouraged the Chief and the City
Controller to incorporate overhead costs into the calculated
rate. After a brief discussion the following motion was
made:
WHEREAS, the Chief of Police has received a second request
to allow police officers to work overtime for extra duty
police service, and
WHEREAS, the Chief of Police is requesting that such
services be properly charged by the Police Department and
paid for by the requesting party; now, therefore, be it
8
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (continued)
RESOLVED, that the Chief of Police be authorized to charge
for extra duty police services when the Chief of Police
determines it is appropriate to provide such service, and
the responsible party requests such service and agrees to
pay for it, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the rate, for such services, to be charged is
to be established by the Chief of Police in consultation
with the City Controller and include all fringe benefits and
any other associated costs to the City, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Chief of Police report to the B&A
Committee twice annually for the purpose of updating the
Committee on the number of occurrences, reason for the
occurrences and the rate charged for such services.
The motion passed 4-0.
B. Request Appropriation of Funds for Vehicle Repair
Police Chief McEwen presented a request to transfer funds
into his vehicle maintenance account for the repair of a
damaged police car.
The City made a decision many years ago to drop collision
insurance on City vehicles because of the large cost to the
City and the infrequency in which this type of accident
occured. The City's Insurance Agent is currently looking
into how much it would cost the City to have collision
insurance on all or some of the City vehicles.
Chief McEwen stated that a new vehicle would cost $14, 068
and that repairing the damaged vehicle would cost
approximately $9,817. The damaged vehicle is new and has
only 15, 000 miles on it. The Chief will have an appraisal
service look at the vehicle to determine the actual repair
cost.
Alderperson Golder asked if it was possible to lease or rent
a used police car. The Chief did not believe this was
possible. After a brief discussion the following motion was
made:
RESOLVED, that an amount not to exceed $9,900 be transferred
from account A1990 Unrestricted Contingency to account
A3120-476, Equipment Maintenance, for the repair of a police
vehicle, which was damaged in an uninsured accident in
October of 1990.
The motion passed 3-1. Alderperson Golder voted against the
motion.
9
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (continued)
B. City Chamberlain
A. City Purchase of Liens at the 1990 City Tax
Sale
City Chamberlain Parsons presented a recommendation that the
City buy all the liens that exist on properties at the next
tax sale.
The City should purchase these leins because the rate of
return on the tax sale certificates is attractive, and the
City is in a better position as holder of the tax sale
certificates should any irregularity in the proceeding be
discovered. It was noted that this was also done in 1989.
The City's advantage in doing this is that the penalty money
is collected at the time the tax lien is paid, this penalty
money and represents revenue to the City.
The City Attorney recommended that the Strand Theatre tax
parcel money be exempted from this sale until legal
questions regarding this property are discussed in executive
session. After a brief discussion the following motion was
made:
RESOLVED: that pursuant to Ithaca City Charter, Section
4. 6 (E) the City Chamberlain is hereby authorized and
directed on behalf of the City of Ithaca to purchase all
lands except for Tax Parcel Number 69.-1-8 (the Strand
Theatre) at the 1990 City Tax Sale, without competitive
bidding, for the gross amount due.
The motion passed 4-0.
B. Correction to Tax Roll - Expungement of Taxes
City Chamberlain Parsons presented a request to expunge
taxes on Parcel 98.-1-7 . This parcel was assessed twice on
the 1989 tax roll leaving the 1990 tax roll for this
property in error. The Director of Assessments has
investigated this error and recommends the expungement of
the taxes in error. The following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the 1989 Tax Roll for the City of Ithaca included
property known as Tax Map Number 98.-1-7, and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 554, (Sub. 4A) of the Real
Property Tax Law the Director of Assessments has
investigated an application for the correction of an error
in essential fact filed by Reuben Weiner, and
WHEREAS, said investigation revealed that the assessment of
this parcel was a duplication of an adjacent parcel, and
10
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (continued)
WHEREAS, the Director of Assessments recommends that the
assessed value be changed from $6,800 to $0; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, that the 1990 Tax Roll for the City of Ithaca be
amended to reduce the assessment of Tax Map Number 98.-1-7
from $6,800. to $0, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the City Chamberlain is authorized and
directed to make the appropriate changes in the Tax Roll and
to prepare a new tax bill for said property.
The motion passed 4-0.
9 . Executive Session
Prior to the Committee's going into executive session, Bill
Baker, the President of the Administrative Unit asked to
speak to the executive session item on hiring above the
minimum. Mr. Baker stated that he is representing the Union
and voiced their objection to hiring above the minimum
salary. He stated that the City will have three or four
employees with two years service at the City who will be
making less money than this individual. He also stated that
the Union found no justification for individuals to be hired
above Step One. Bill Baker reminded the Committee that
during negotiations the agreement was that this policy of
hiring above step one would be kept to a minimum. It was
noted that four of thirty hirings this year resulted in a
hiring above the minimum salary. Mr. Baker also stated that
he just received notice of this hiring today and would
appreciate it if the notice was given to him sooner. He
felt that at least three grievances will be filed because of
this hiring.
Alderperson Golder moved that Bill Baker be invited into the
executive session to discuss the hiring of the employee
above step one.
The motion died for a lack of a second.
Alderperson Romanowski stated that he did not feel the Union
should be privy to some of the personnel items discussed in
relation to the hiring of any individuals and for that
reason he did not second the motion.
The Committee voted 4-0 to move into executive session to
discuss a number of issues.
11
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (continued)
10. Report From Executive Session
The Committee voted 5-0 to go back into regular session. It
was noted that Alderperson Cummings returned to the meeting
during the first executive session issue.
Chairperson Booth stated that the following actions were
taken during the lengthy executive session:
A. Appointment of Senior Account Clerk Typist
RESOLVED, that Sandra Boyden O'Neil be provisionally
appointed to the position of Senior Account Clerk/Typist in
the Finance Department at an annual salary of $15, 374. , that
being Step 6 on the 1990 CSEA Administrative Unit
Compensation Plan, effective November 13, 1990.
The motion passed 4-1. Alderperson Golder voted against the
motion.
B. DPW - Hudson Street Project Update
Acting Superintendent of Public Works Gray gave the
Committee an update on the status of the Hudson Street
project. No action was taken.
C. DPW - Employee Incentive Award
WHEREAS, the Acting Assistant Superintendent of Public Works
has recommended Senior Account Clerk/Typist Cynthia Percey
for an Employee Incentive Award pursuant to the terms of the
CSEA Administrative Contract, and
WHEREAS, the Acting Assistant Superintendent of Public Works
has provided the Budget and Administrative Committee with
substantial justification for granting this Employee
Incentive Award, and
WHEREAS, the Acting Assistant Superintendent of Public Works
recommendation complies with the procedures and guidelines
outlined in the CSEA Administrative Unit contract; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that Cynthia Percey's salary be increased by eight
(8%) percent to an annual salary of $17, 525 effective
October 12, 1990.
The motion passed 3-2 to be recommended to Common Council.
Chairperson Booth and Alderperson Golder voted against the
motion.
D. City Attorney - Sale of Fire Station #6 Sale of
Annex Building Update
12
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (continued)
D. City Attorney - Sale of Fire Station #6 Sale of
Annex Building Update
City Attorney Guttman gave the Committee an update on the
status of the sale of Fire Station #6 and the sale of the
City Hall Annex. No action was taken.
E. City Attorney - Request to Authorize Appraisal for
the Strand Theatre
RESOLVED, that the City Attorney and the Director of the
Planning Department are hereby authorized to expend a sum
not to exceed Three thousand Dollars ($3, 000. ) for an
appraisal of the premises known as tax parcel number
69.-1-8, 310-312 East State Street, more commonly known as
the Strand Theatre, conditioned on the City Attorney
obtaining the prior agreement of the County of Tompkins and
the Appalachian Regional Commission that upon the eventual
disposition of the premises, the cost of this appraisal will
be considered as an expense of sale and as such be
reimbursed to the City prior to any distribution of the
proceeds of such disposition, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the $3,000 be transferred from Unrestricted
Contingency to account A8020-435, Planning Department
Contractual Services, for the Appraisal of the Strand
Theatre.
The motion passed 5-0.
F. City Attorney - Purchase of Watershed Land
City Attorney Guttman gave the Committee an update on
possible purchase of Watershed Land. No action was taken.
The City Attorney will investigate this purchase further and
report back at a future B&A meeting.
G. City Attorney - Possible Sale of City Property
City Attorney Guttman gave the Committee an update on the
status of the sale of certain City land to the Senior
Citizens Council. The Committee directed the City Attorney
to negotiate a purchase offer for the sale.
H. City Attorney - Joint Transit Facility Project
Update
City Attorney Guttman gave the Committee an update on the
status of the Joint Transit Facility project. No formal
action was made. The update was needed to inform the
Committee on possible litigation.
13
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (continued)
I. City Attorney - Daycare Issue Possible Property
Acquisition
City Attorney Guttman explained to the Committee the current
situation with the Daycare issue, which involves a possible
acquisition of land. No formal action was made.
J. Personnel - Health Insurance
Personnel Administrator Saul explained to the Committee the
situation regarding the Health Insurance Administrative
order. (i.e. , decisions which will be made by the
Controller, Personnel Administrator, and City Attorney
regarding certain payments to the City's Health Insurance
Carrier) After a brief discussion the Committee directed
Administrator Saul to come back to the B&A Committee in the
future with a policy regarding the Health Insurance
Administrative order specifically on the dollar limit and
number of reports that will be needed to be given to B&A
each year.
K. Personnel - Hiring Review for all Vacant Positions
The Committee discussed the possibility of a hiring review
for a short term period. After discussion, the following
motion was made:
RESOLVED, effective immediately, no vacant position shall be
filled without a review and approval by Common Council.
This motion does not pertain to positions already accepted
by individuals.
The motion passed 5-0.
L. Controller - Possible Annexation of Property
City Controller Cafferillo discussed the possibility of
annexing certain property. The Controller was directed to
continue exploring this possibility. No formal action was
taken.
The Committee voted 5-0 to move back into regular session.
11. City Attorney/Personnel - Domestic Partnership/
City Employees in Military Reserve
Both items were tabled until the November B&A meeting.
14
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (continued)
12 . Controller
A. Transfer of Funds for Joint Capital Project -
West Hill Fire Station Sanitary Sewer
City Controller Cafferillo presented a request to transfer
$12, 000 from the Sewer Fund into the Joint Capital Project
West Hill Fire Station Sanitary Sewer - Joint Activity Fund.
This project to construct the sewer line for the West Hill
Fire Station was approved by Council several months ago.
This request just transfers money for the City's portion of
the project to the Joint Capital Project maintained by the
City.
It was noted the Joint Capital Project includes Cornell, the
Town of Ithaca and the City. The following motion was
made:
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca and Cornell
University established a Joint Capital Project for the
construction of the West Hill Fire Station Sanitary Sewer
approved February 1990, and
WHEREAS, the City's financial portion of said project is
$7, 000. plus the City's portion of Cornell 's share, $5, 000. ,
for a total of $12, 000. ; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Sewer Fund transfer $12, 000. to the Joint
Activity Fund - Joint Capital Project West Hill Fire Station
Sanitary Sewer, for the payment to the contractor for
construction costs incurred during the construction of the
West Hill Fire Station Sanitary Sewer.
The motion passed 5-0.
B. S.P.C.A. Contract Discussions
A discussion on the S.P.C.A. Contract with the City for the
1991 Dog Control Contract took place. The S.P.C.A. offered
a 1991 contract of $47, 500. The Committee felt this amount
was too high. The Committee suggested that an amount of
$38, 000 for the 1991 contract, with the possibility of
assistance for a dog enumeration included, be suggested to
the S.P.C.A. This amount is $3, 000. greater than the 1990
contract. No formal action was taken.
13 . Contract with Historic Ithaca for the sale of Bricks
Chairperson Booth presented a letter from Historic Ithaca
requesting the purchase of 10, 000 bricks, to be used on the
paving of its Seneca Street Parking lot.
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (continued)
Chairperson Booth felt that the City should sell the bricks
instead of giving them away. The Council established a
price of $ . 50 per brick about three years ago, but has not
sold any to date. It was the consensus of the Committee to
lower the price to $ .25 per brick and enter into a contract
with Historic Ithaca. It was noted that Historic Ithaca has
set aside $2, 500 for the purchase of paving bricks. After a
brief discussion the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, Historic Ithaca, Inc. has received a matching NYS
grant of $45, 000. for the purpose of renovating portions of
the Clinton House in Ithaca, which includes paving (in
brick) of the Seneca Street parking lot, and
WHEREAS, Historic Ithaca has set aside $2, 500. for the
purchase of 10, 000 bricks from the City's supply of paving
bricks; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the City enter into a contract with Historic
Ithaca, Inc. for the purpose of selling 10, 000 bricks from
the City's supply of paving bricks at $ . 25 per brick, and
be it further
RESOLVED, that the contract state that the bricks are to be
installed according to the guidelines approved by the Ithaca
Landmarks Preservation Commission.
The motion passed 4-1. Chairperson Booth voted against the
motion because he felt the City may not legally sell the
bricks at $.25/brick. The City Attorney will look into this
issue.
The meeting adjourned at 12 : 05 A.M.
NOTE: In many cases the actual texts of the resolutions
presented in these minutes were prepared following the
Committee's deliberations and decisions on the matters
involved. The resolutions presented here are in complete
accord with decisions made by the Committee.
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