HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-1990-12-19 -BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING 7:30 P.M. DECEMBER 19, 1990
MINUTES
PRESENT:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Booth, Peterson, Romanowski, Golder
COMMITTEE MEMBER EXCUSED: Cummings
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Controller - Cafferillo
Deputy Controller - Thayer
Mayor - Nichols
City Attorney - Guttman
Personnel Administrator - Saul
Acting Superintendent of Public Works/City Engineer - Gray
Members of the Media
1. Report From CSEA Administrative Unit Grievance Hearing
Chairperson Booth reported that the B&A Committee took no
action on the CSEA Administrative Unit Grievance Hearing
that was held prior to the meeting.
2. Opening Comments
Chairperson Booth stated that the following items will be
discussed in Executive Session during the meeting:
A. Sale of Fire Station No. Six
B. Hudson Street Update
C. DPW Personnel Item
D. Labor Negotiations with the City's Unions
E. Salaries for City Employees not covered by
a Union
F. Performance Evaluations - City Controller,
Personnel Administrator
G. Personnel Department - Personnel Item
Chairperson Booth stated that the following changes would be
made to the Agenda:
A. Delete 1989 Audit Report - this item will be put
on the January 1991 B&A Committee Agenda
B. Add DPW Traffic Signal program item
C. Add Controller' s item for the possible acquisition
of computer equipment
Members of the Public were asked to speak; no members of the
Public spoke.
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION MEETING MINUTES - 12/19/90
3 . City Attorney
A. Domestic Partnership Issue
City Attorney Guttman presented an ordinance on the Domestic
Partnership Issue related to sick and bereavement leave. It
was noted that this issue was discussed at length two months
ago at a B&A meeting, and the City Attorney was directed to
bring a resolution back to the Committee.
City Attorney Guttman stated that the amending ordinance to
Chapter 7 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code was
thoroughly developed by the City Controller, the Personnel
Administrator, and the City's Attorney. The ordinance is
already in some of the City's current contracts, and the
unions have agreed to include it in all of the remaining
City contracts.
A short discussion followed on the ordinance presented. It
was stated that Domestic Partners must be registered to
qualify as a Domestic partnership under the ordinance.
After some minor changes in the ordinance as presented, the
following motion was made:
ORDINANCE NO. 91 - 1
An ordinance amending Chapter 7 Entitled "Domestic
Partnership" of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code.
BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the Common Council of the City
of Ithaca, as follows:
Section 1. That Chapter 7 entitled "Domestic
Partnership" of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code is hereby
amended as follows:
1. That a new subdivision to be known and designated
as Section 7.9 entitled Sick and Bereavement Leave is hereby
added to said chapter to read as follows:
"Section 7.9. Sick and Bereavement Leave. In all City
labor contracts, when determining when an employee is
entitled to take sick or bereavement leave, a domestic
partner of the employee, as defined by this Ordinance, shall
be considered as if he/she were the spouse of the employee."
Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect
immediately.
The motion passed 4-0.
2
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION MEETING MINUTES - 12/19/90
B. Possible Sale of Fire Station No. Six
City Attorney Guttman stated that Fire Station No. Six is up
for sale and has been advertised. He stated that bids will
be received until January 2, 1991. The bids will be opened
the afternoon of the 2nd, and the bids will be presented to
Council at that time.
No formal action was taken on this issue. However, if a
reasonable bid is received by January 2nd, a resolution for
the sale of Fire Station No. Six may be added to the Common
Council Agenda for January 2, 1991.
C. Sale of City Hall Annex
City Attorney Guttman reported that no new information has
been received on the sale of the City Hall Annex. He stated
that at least one proposal has been received. Any proposals
that are received will be directed to the IURA. No formal
action was taken on this issue.
4 . Department of Public Works
A. State Street Culvert Reconstruction
Acting Superintendent of Public Works/City Engineer Gray
presented the Committee with an update on the Budget related
to the State Street culvert reconstruction.
Acting Superintendent Gray stated that the culvert is back
in operation and stated that State Street will open within a
week to traffic. He presented the Committee with the
current budget relating to this project. The project
required $220, 000 of reconstruction work in 1990 and
approximately $20, 000 in restoration work in 1991, with a
total project budget of $240, 000.
City Controller Cafferillo stated that financing for this
project would be provided from the following sources:
1. $150, 000 or less from CHIPS funds
2 . $150, 000 in BANS
Mayor Nichols congratulated the DPW and Staff on the fine
work they did on the emergency situation of the
reconstruction of this culvert.
Formal action has already been made on this issue, and no
further action is needed.
3
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION MEETING MINUTES - 12/19/90
B. Traffic Signal Optimization Program
Acting Superintendent of Public Works/City Engineer Gray
presented a request to fund a Traffic Signal Optimization
Program.
The Traffic Signal Program has been accepted by the State as
a $11,400 grant through the New York State Energy Office and
has been executed by the State and the City. Acting
Superintendent Gray stated that to receive this grant the
money has to be paid by the City up front, and then the
State will reimburse the City for all costs related to this
program.
Acting Superintendent Gray stated that the City has signed
an agreement with RPI to perform the Traffic Signal Program
project at a cost of $9,400. Acting Superintendent Gray
stated that in-house costs related to this project would be
approximately $1,800 for a total cost of $11,200. He also
stated that he is requesting that the funds be made
available so that the contract can be paid and the State may
reimburse the City for all costs related to this Traffic
Signal Optimization Program. After a brief discussion the
following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works has a signed
contract with the New York State Energy Office
confirming the award of a Traffic Signal Timing
Optimization grant; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the City Controller be authorized to
advance $11,200.00 from available New York State
Consolidated Highway Improvement Program Funds
(C.H.I.P.S.) pending the completion of such study,
and the subsequent filing for said reimbursement.
The motion passed 4=0.
5. Personnel
A. 1991 Health Insurance Rates for Retirees
Personnel Administrator Saul and City Controller Cafferillo
presented the Committee with the 1991 estimated cost of the
City's Health Insurance monthly rates for retirees and for
employees who are on leave.
Personnel Administrator Saul stated that these rates are
affecting 12 individuals. These rates only affect those
individuals who retired on or after July 1, 1987. The City
charged City retirees and individuals on leave of absence
$101.90 monthly for individual coverage and $234.48 monthly
for family coverage in the City's Health Insurance Program
4
. BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION MEETING MINUTES - 12/19/90
for 1990. The actual costs for these programs were $116.92
and $268.20, respectively.
Personnel Saul stated that the Labor-Management Health
Insurance Committee met on this issue and was concerned over
the continued increase in Health Insurance rates and the
ability of the Retirees and employees on leave to pay these
increasing rates.
City Controller Cafferillo stated that Blue Cross/Blue
Shield has estimated the 1991 rates at the following:
Individual Coverage: $137 . 66/month
Family Coverage: $315. 52/month
It was noted that the Labor-Management Health Insurance
Committee recommended that the 1991 Health Insurance rates
for retirees should remain fixed at the 1990 rates of
$101.90/month for individual coverage and $234 .48/month for
family coverage. The Labor-Management Health Insurance
Committee also stated that they would work with the B&A
Committee to find solutions to the increasing cost of health
care to the City.
City Controller Cafferillo stated that in prior years the
City has raised rates about half of the actual cost of the
annual increase. After a brief discussion, the following
motion was made:
Accept the Labor-Management Health Insurance
Committee's recommendation of maintaining the
1991 rates at the 1990 rates of:
$101.90/month Individual Coverage
$234.48/month Family Coverage
Chairperson Booth and City Controller Cafferillo recommended
that the rates be increased consistent with prior years or a
subsidy of 50% of the increase in rates over 1990.
Alderperson Golder stated that the retirees cannot afford
the increased rates. Voting on the motion was as follows:
Ayes (1) - Golder
Nays (3) - Booth, Romanowski, Peterson
The motion failed.
After a discussion on the 1991 Health Insurance rates, the
following motion was made:
WHEREAS, in 1990 the City charged City retirees and those
employees on leaves of absence $101.90 for individual
coverage and $234.48 for family coverage in the City's
5
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION MEETING MINUTES - 12/19/90
Health Insurance Program, when the full costs for such
coverage in 1990 would have been $116.62 for an individual
and $268.20 for a family; and
WHEREAS, the 1991 estimated costs of the City's Health
Insurance Program for such individuals, as projected by Blue
Cross/Blue Shield, have been , increased to $137.66 for
individual coverage and $315.52 for family coverage for
these individuals; and
WHEREAS, the difference between what the City actually
charged these individuals for coverage in 1990 and the
City's estimated costs for 1991 is 35%, and an increase of
this magnitude could be a serious burden for these
individuals; and
WHEREAS, in light of significant increases in past years in
health insurance rates and the related hardship these
increases would have caused City retirees and persons on
leaves of absence, the City has adopted a policy of not
charging the full rate increases to these individuals; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the 1991 monthly rate for health insurance
coverage for retirees and those employees on leaves of
absence be established at $120.24 for individual coverage
and $276.69 for family coverage, which will be an increase
of 18% in these rates over those charged by the City in
1990.
Voting on the motion was as follows:
Ayes (2) - Booth, Romanowski
Nays (2) - Golder, Peterson
The motion was sent forward to Common Council with a split
vote.
B. Review of Department Personnel Levels
Chairperson Booth stated that he is asking the Committee for
any thoughts as to how the City will proceed with reviewing
personnel levels.
Chairperson Booth stated that the vacancy review committee
is currently meeting on this issue.
Mayor Nichols stated that the salary costs would have to be
looked at on a department by department basis. He stated
that to maintain 1992 salary costs at 1991 levels would be
very difficult and that it will take the cooperation of all
employees to maintain salary costs at a reasonable level.
He stated that the Department Heads are taking this
6
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION MEETING MINUTES - 12/19/90
seriously and will be talking to every staff member about
this issue.
Chairperson Booth requested that members of the Committee
give any ideas on this issue to either the Mayor, City
Controller or B&A Chair. No action was taken on this issue.
6. Decision to Proceed to Executive Session
The Committee voted 4-0 to move into executive session to
deal with a number of items.
7 . Report From Executive Session
After the Committee voted 3-0 to move back into regular
session, it was noted that Alderperson Peterson was excused,
during the last discussion in the executive session, for the
remainder of the meeting.
Chairperson Booth stated that the following items were acted
on during the executive session.
A. Increased Authorization For Hudson Street
Reconstruction
Superintendent of DPW/City Engineer Gray gave the Committee
an update on the Hudson Street project. The following
motion was made:
WHEREAS, the actual cost of completing the Hudson Street
Reconstruction Project is projected to exceed the existing
authorization of $1,535,000 by $165,000, now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, that Capital Project #225 for the reconstruction
of Hudson Street be increased by said $165,000 to a maximum
authorized cost of $1,700,000, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the funds necessary to complete the Hudson
Street project shall be provided by the issuance of $156,000
in Bond Anticipation Notes already authorized for Street
Improvements within the City, and that the statutory down
payment of $9,000 be appropriated from available New York
State Consolidated Highway Improvement Program Funds
(C.H.I.P.S. ) , and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works not release any
portion of the contract retainage until all elements of the
proposed final settlement agreement have been executed,
subject to the approval of the City Attorney.
The motion passed 4-0.
7
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION MEETING MINUTES - 12/19/90
B. DPW - Employee Incentive Award
WHEREAS, the Acting Superintendent of Public Works has
recommended Assistant Civil Engineer Thomas West for an
Employee Incentive Award pursuant to the terms of the CSEA
Administrative Contract, and
WHEREAS, the Acting Superintendent of Public Works has
provided the Budget and Administration Committee with
substantial justification for granting this Employee
Incentive Award, and
WHEREAS, the Acting Superintendent of Public Works'
recommendation complies with the procedures and guidelines
outlined in the CSEA Administrative Unit contract, now be it
RESOLVED, that Thomas West's salary be increased by eight
(8%) percent to an annual salary of $31,154 effective
November 28, 1990.
The motion passed 3-1. Alderperson Golder voted against the
motion and stated that he was against the principle of the
award and not the individual receiving the award.
C. CSEA DPW Unit Contract
RESOLVED, that the Agreement between the City of Ithaca and
the CSEA DPW Unit for a new three-year contract commencing
January 1, 1991 and expiring on December 31, 1993, be
approved as recommended by the City's Negotiator, and that
the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to sign
and execute the contract on behalf of the City under its
corporate seal.
The motion passed 4-0.
D. Chief Officers Unit Contract
RESOLVED, that the Agreement between the City of Ithaca and
the Chief Officers Unit of the Ithaca Paid Firefighters
Association for a new three-year contract commencing January
1, 1991 and expiring on December 31, 1993, be approved as
recommended by the City's Negotiator, and that the Mayor and
City Clerk be authorized and directed to sign and execute
the contract on behalf of the City under its corporate seal.
The motion passed 4-0.
E. City Executive Association Contract
RESOLVED, that the Agreement between the City of Ithaca and
the City Executive Association for a new three-year contract
commencing January 1, 1991 and expiring on December 31,
8
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION MEETING MINUTES - 12/19/90
1993, be approved as recommended by the City's Negotiator,
and that the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed
to sign and execute the contract on behalf of the City under
its corporate seal.
The motion passed 4-0.
F. Performance Evaluations
A brief discussion on Performance Evaluations for the City
Controller and Personnel Administrator took place. The item
was tabled until the January B&A meeting.
G. Personnel Department - Personnel Issue
A request for salary increases for two employees was
discussed, and action on this issue was deferred to a later
date.
H. 1991 Compensation For Individuals Not Covered
A Union
RESOLVED, that management employees not covered by a formal
contract, including the City Attorney, Assistant City
Attorney, and City Prosecutor, be granted a 5.5% increase
across the board over their 1990 salary for the year 1991,
effective with the first pay period of 1991, and be it
further
RESOLVED, that Common Council reaffirms its policy of
comprehensive performance evaluation for all management
employees.
The motion passed 3-0. Alderperson Peterson was excused for
the remaining portion of the meeting.
8. Finance - Controller
A. State and Federal Section 18 Mass Transit
Operating Assistance Agreement
City Controller Cafferillo stated that the State of New York
Department of Transportation approved the City's Federal
Section 18 project application for 1991 operating assistance
in the amount of $85, 000.
City Controller Cafferillo stated that the Committee needs
to vote to authorize the Mayor to sign the contract. It was
noted that this is an annual resolution. The following
motion was made:
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has submitted a request for a
grant of funds to the New York State Department of
Transportation and the United States Department of
9
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION MEETING MINUTES - 12/19/90
Transportation, pursuant to Section 18 of the Urban Mass
Transportation Act of 1964, as amended, for a project to
provide operating assistance funds for transportation
services within the City of Ithaca and partly in two
adjoining municipalities, provided by the City of Ithaca
Transit System for fixed route, scheduled opening and
available to the general public during the period January 1,
1991, to December 31, 1991 (PIN 3790.30.406) ; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that Mayor Benjamin Nichols be authorized to sign
the agreement(s) between the City of Ithaca and the State of
New York for the above named project, and be it further
RESOLVED, that Mayor Benjamin Nichols is authorized to act
on behalf of the City of Ithaca to proceed and complete this
above named project.
The motion passed 3-0.
B. Day Care Facility Acquisition
City Controller Cafferillo and Mayor Nichols stated that the
1991 Budget includes the following in relation to the Day
Care Facility acquisition:
1. Located in the Capital Fund is a Capital
Project in the amount of $190, 000 for the
acquisition of a Day Care Facility.
2 . Located in the General Fund is the Capital
Project down payment in the amount of
$10, 000 for the acquisition of a Day Care
Facility.
3 . The total Capital Project, for the
acquisition of a Day Care Facility, is
authorized at $200, 000 in the 1991 Budget.
Mayor Nichols stated that the Capital Project will now cost
more than the original estimated $200, 000 project amount
authorized. Because of possible renovations to the facility
in the amount of approximately $50, 000, the total capital
project is now estimated at $250, 000.
After a discussion on the acquisition of the B.T. Glass
Tompkins Street property for a Day Care Facility, the
following motion was made:
WHEREAS, it has been determined that the cost of renovating
the proposed Day Care Facility at 201-205 East Tompkins
Street may exceed the existing authorization; now, therefore
be it
10
BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION MEETING MINUTES - 12/19/90
RESOLVED, that Capital Project #241 be increased to an
amount not to exceed $250,000. , to reflect the possible
increased cost of renovating said facility, and, be it
further
RESOLVED, that the additional costs shall be financed
through the issuance of Bond Anticipation Notes in the
amount of $47,500. , and that the statutory down payment of
$2,500. , be transferred from Unrestricted Contingency to
Capital Project #241 for such purpose.
The motion passed 3-0.
C. Computer Acquisition For Taxes
City Controller Cafferillo stated that the County has a new
computer software program for the collection and recording
of taxes. The County has stated that if the City wanted to
use the software for the collection and recording of taxes,
the County would, for no charge, provide the software and
train city employees on how to use the computer program.
Controller Cafferillo stated that the problem is that the
City does not have any machines with enough memory space to
maintain this program for taxes. Controller Cafferillo
stated that the Capital Project #211, Computer Acquisition,
has enough money remaining to purchase such a computer and
recommended this funding method for the acquisition. The
computer would cost approximately $1, 400. The Committee
agreed with the recommendation and made the following
motion:
RESOLVED, that the Finance Department be authorized to
purchase computer equipment, with an amount not to exceed
$2,000, for the use of implementing a computer program to be
hooked up with Tompkins County for the purposes of
collecting and recording taxes, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the funding for the computer acquisition
shall be made from Capital Project #211, Computer
Acquisition.
The motion passed 3-0.
The meeting adjourned at 11: 15 P.M.
Note: In many cases the actual texts of the resolutions
presented in these minutes were prepared following the
Committee's deliberations and decisions on the matters
involved. The resolutions presented here are in complete
accord with decisions made by the Committee.
11