HomeMy WebLinkAboutMn-B&A-1991-09-19 BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING 7 :30 PM SEPTEMBER 19, 1991
MINUTES
PRESENT:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Booth, Peterson, Romanowski, Golder,
Cummings (arrived late)
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Controller - Cafferillo
Deputy Controller - Thayer
Police Chief - McEwen
Assistant City Attorney - Kennedy
Planning Director - Van Cort
Deputy Planning Director - Sieverding
Personnel Administrator - Saul
City Chamberlain - Parsons
Fire Chief - Olmstead
Deputy Fire Chief - Wilbur
Transit Consultant - Carpenter
Members of the Media
1 . Opening Comments
Chairperson Booth stated the following changes to the
agenda:
A. The DPW item on the request for Traffic Island funding
will be deferred until a future meeting.
B. The Planning Department has an additional item on
surveys for the Pogo Parcel and the Northside
Neighborhood Park.
C. The City Controller has an additional item on
legislation dealing with the utilities gross receipts
tax.
Members of the public were asked to speak on any topics; no
member of the public spoke.
2 . Committee to Proceed into Executive Session
The Committee voted, 4-0, to move into executive session to
discuss possible litigation items with the Assistant City
Attorney.
3 . Report From Executive Session
Chairperson Booth reported that the following action was
taken during the Executive Session:
BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 9/19/91
A. Attorney - Request Funds for Litigation
Resolved, that an amount not to exceed $5,000 shall be
transferred from A1990 Unrestricted Contingency, to account
A142'0-435 City Attorney Contractual Services in connection
with litigation brought against the City.
The motion passed 4-0 . Alderperson Cummings was not in the
room at the time of the vote.
B. Attorney - Request Funds for Litigation
Resolved, that an amount not to exceed $1,000 shall be
transferred from A199O Unrestricted Contingency, to Account
A1420-435 City Attorney Contractual Services, to pay for
legal services in connection with litigation brought against
the City and a City employee.
The motion passed 5-0 .
No other action was taken in executive session.
4 . Police Department - Request to increase Authorization
for Capital Project #211
Police Chief McEwen presented a request to increase the
authorization of Capital Project #211, Computer Acquisition,
by $20,462 for the purchase of computer equipment.
Chief McEwen stated that he has been slowly computerizing
the Police Department over the past few years and that this
purchase is part of that long range plan. He stated that
this purchase includes hardware to implement the Police
Department ' s new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAO) System and
new computerized accident management and diagraming system.
The Chief stated that the $20, 462 in computer equipment
would include:
-4 PC' s and terminals
-2 Printers
-1 Plotter
-2 Terminals
- Software package for accident management
and diagraming system
The Committee asked the Chief for a memo stating exactly
what equipment would be purchased and the corresponding
prices . The memo was requested to be received prior to the
next Common Council Committee of the Whole meeting.
After a brief discussion on the computer system the
following motion was made:
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 9/19/91
WHEREAS, the Police Department has recommended that
additional hardware and software be acquired to continue the
Police Department' s gradual upgrade of its existing computer
system, and
WHEREAS, the hardware and software acquired will assist in
the implementation of the new Computer Aided Dispatch System
and the new computerized accident management and diagraming
system, by January 1992; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that Capital Project #211 Computer Acquisition be
increased by $20,500, to acquire hardware and software
required to upgrade the Police Department' s existing
computer system, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the financing for such acquisition shall be
derived from the issuance of Bond Anticipation Notes to be
amortized over a five year period.
The motion passed 4-1 . Alderperson Golder voted against the
motion. He stated that he would like to see used computer
equipment purchased instead of new equipment.
5 . Attorney
A. Status of City Projects Compliance with City
Zoning Requirements - Report
Assistant City Attorney Kennedy presented the Committee with
a report outlining the current status of the City' s Capital
Projects compliance with the City Zoning requirements .
Chairperson Booth stated that this was generated from the
current zoning issues regarding the Municipal Pool Capital
Project (i.e. the new pool to be built across the street
from GIAC) . The report described various zoning
requirements and the project ' s compliance with the zoning
requirements for each of the following City Capital
Projects :
A. Joint Transit Facility
B. City Court Facility
C. BT Glass Day Care Facility
D. GIAC Neighborhood Pool
E. Southside Community Center
The Committee stated that this report should be circulated
to other members of Common Council and will be put on the
Planning and Development Committee agenda and the Charter
and Ordinance Committee agenda in the future.
No action was taken.
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 9/19/91
B. Properties Exempt From Real Estate Taxes - Report
Assistant City Attorney Kennedy reported that City Attorney
Guttman circulated a memo regarding properties exempt from
Real Estate Taxes, specifically, the WVBR property on Linden
Avenue. She stated that the City cannot pursue litigation
on the WVBR matter for this year, but could pursue
litigation for 1992 .
The City Attorney is looking into other properties that are
exempt from Real Estate Taxes for which the City may wish to
pursue litigation. As soon as that report is completed, it
will be forwarded to Common Council members . No action was
taken.
6 . Planning Department
A. Joint Transit Facility Construction Contract -
Discussion
Deputy Planning Director Sieverding, Transit Consultant
Carpenter, and Assistant City Attorney Kennedy presented the
Committee with the latest Joint Transit Facility
Construction and Operation Agreement draft. Many of the
Committee members had not previously seen the latest version
of the construction and operation agreement until this
meeting.
Chairperson Booth suggested that this item be put on the
Council ' s Committee of the Whole Agenda for action. It was
noted that the new draft of the agreement is basically the
same as the most previous draft but has some minor language
modifications .
Assistant Kennedy was asked by the Committee to outline the
major items of compromise in the agreement and the current
outstanding items related to this agreement. She stated the
following:
A. The owners of the Facility are trying to keep the
insurance costs lower by agreeing not to sue the other
owners of the facility.
B. The establishment of an easement is an issue: the City
must provide easement areas for the outside of the
facility for emergency access, right of way, and
parking. After the easements are developed the project
will then comply with the City' s zoning requirements .
C. The language dealing with the role of Operations
Committee has been modified to include the goals and
purposes of this Joint Transit Facility.
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 9/19/91
D. The Operations Committee will establish an equitable
schedule for vehicle maintenance.
E. Environmental Review has been completed. Neighbors
around the proposed facility are not happy with the
facility, but they will have the opportunity to take
complaints to the Operations Committee.
F. Cornell will run the facility. The City and County
will own the land jointly.
G. A detailed budget will be established. The bids have
been received and are $760, 000 below the original
budget. A new budget will be established.
H. The Operation Contract needs to be approved this month.
The Committee decided to put this item on the Common
Council ' s next Committee of the Whole meeting for formal
action. No action was taken.
B. GIAC Renovations - Discussion
Planning Director Van Cort presented the Committee with an
estimate of construction costs for the GIAC Renovations
Project. He was seeking approval of the construction budget
for the GIAC Renovation Project in the amount of $550, 000 .
Director Van Cort listed the construction costs as follows :
Elevator $114,440
Code Related Basement Work 28,260
First Floor Restrooms 8, 000
First Floor Code Related Work 18, 100
Second Floor Restrooms 8, 000
Second Floor Code Related Work 7, 330
Roof Replacement 81, 825
Alarm System 18,750
Lighting and Power 18,500
Ventilation Improvements 58,400
Temperature Controls 21,700
Sprinkler System 74, 000
Other Project Expenses 92,795
Total Project Costs $550, 100
A representative from the GIAC Board stated that currently
the GIAC Roof is leaking and needs to be fixed soon.
Chairperson Booth suggested that this project approval
should be deferred to next month so that the total project
cost may be examined in relation to the 1992 proposed budget
and that Council members be allowed to tour GIAC to actually
determine what will be renovated.
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 9/19/91
It was noted that $25,000 has been established for design
work for the GIAC Renovations Project. This request would
increase that Capital Project to $550, 000.
The Committee was concerned over the use of the GIAC
Building and the relation to daycare. Van Cort stated , that
the second floor of the building will continue to be used
for multipurposes . Currently, the second floor is also used
for rental space. It was stated the current renovation
design does not incorporate the possibility of a Drop In
Center. Also stated, was the fact that the building has a
small space available for daycare. Alderperson Cummings
stated that she was supportive of the GIAC Renovation
request, but that the Daycare issue needs to be looked at in
the future.
Alderperson Romanowski stated that he is in favor of the
funding for the renovation project, but feels that the GIAC
Building can be used for additional purposes . He stated the
project should be deferred until all uses are explored. He
stated that the maintenance problem ( leaking roof) should be
corrected now.
No action was taken on this topic. It was deferred until
next month.
C. Request for Funds for Pogo Parcel and Northside
Park Surveys
Deputy Planning Director Sieverding presented a request to
appropriate funds for the Pogo Parcel and Northside Park
surveys .
He stated that he has received a quote from T.G. Millers to
perform the two surveys . The survey for the Pogo parcel
would establish the outer boundaries of the Pogo Parcel
which will include the boundaries of the Northside
Neighborhood park. The cost of the two surveys would be as
follows :
Pogo Parcel $930
Northside Neighborhood Park 510
$1,440
The funds would be derived from the unrestricted contingency
account. A discussion on the original survey done for this
property followed. It was noted the Pogo Parcel was
purchased so that in the future the Northside Neighborhood
Park and the MHA Housing Project could be placed on the
land.
The following motion was made:
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 9/19/91
RESOLVED, that an amount not to exceed $1,500 be transferred
from Unrestricted Contingency to account A8020-435 Planning
Department Contractual Services, in order to pay for a
survey of City owned property located at 515 First Street in
the City (The Pogo Parcel) , in connection with the location
of the Northside Park on that site and the implementation of
the MHA Housing Project.
Voting results on the motion were as follows:
Ayes (3) Booth, Peterson, Golder
Nays (2 ) Cummings, Romanowski
The motion passed 3-2 and will be forwarded to the next
Common Council Committee of the Whole meeting.
7 . Fire Department - Permit Fees and Rates
Fire Chief Olmstead and Deputy Fire Chief Wilbur presented a
request to establish certain permit fees for a variety of
Fire Department permits . This request was originally
brought to B&A last month, but action was deferred until
this month so that an hourly rate could be established for
the Fire Department permits .
Olmstead explained that the Fire Department has established
a $28 per hour fee for each hour worked by a member of the
Fire Department related to permit fees . He also stated that
a $42 per hour fee for each hour worked that requires
overtime in relation to permit fees has been established.
Deputy Wilbur stated that the hourly rate covers all costs
related to the establishment of the permits . This hourly
rate is consistent with the Building Departmentis permit
fees previously established.
The hourly rate will be established for the seven permits
currently established and for other subsequent permit fees
to be established. It was recommended that the permit fees
should be examined annually to determine if any adjustments
need to be made to reflect current personnel and
administrative costs related to the issuance of the permits .
Chief Olmstead stated that there are seven proposed permits
that still need to be reviewed by the C&O Committee. The
following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the Fire Department has examined their current
system for issuing permits and has recommended that a fee be
established to offset the actual costs of issuing certain
permits by Fire Department Personnel; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Fire Department be and is hereby
authorized to establish a fee for the issuance of the
following permits:
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 9/19/91
Blasting
Fireworks
Flammable and Combustible Liquids
Liquid Petroleum Gas - Permanent Installations
Liquid Petroleum Gas - Temporary Installations
Bonfires/open burning
Asphalt kettles
Welding or cutting
at a rate of $28 per hour for each hour of work by a member
of the Fire Department related to the above permits and $42
per hour for each hour of overtime related thereto by a
member of the Fire Department in the interests of recovering
the actual personnel and administrative costs involved in
preparing and processing said permits, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the permit fees shall be adjusted annually to
reflect current personnel and administrative costs related
to the preparing and processing of said permits.
The motion passed 5-0 .
8 . Personnel Department - Request to Implement Civil
Service Application Fees
Personnel Administrator Saul presented a request from the
Civil Service Commission to establish a seven dollar
application fee for all Civil Service examinations .
Saul explained that currently the City is charged a five
dollar fee for each examination paper that is graded by the
State and five dollars for each candidate who competes in a
decentralized exam. During 1990, the City Personnel
Department spent $1, 750 on Civil Service examinations . She
stated that the 1991 expenditure is expected to be the same
or greater than 1990 .
Saul explained that the State allows municipalities to
charge individuals who take the Civil Service examination, a
five dollar fee to cover the City' s cost to the State for
grading the Civil Service test. Many municipalities have
implemented this five dollar fee. However, the City of
Ithaca waived the fee in the interest of recruitment. If
the seven dollar fee were established it would be effective
January 1, 1992 . Currently Tompkins County and Cortland
County do not charge a fee for Civil Service exams .
Administrator Saul explained that the fee would also
decrease the number of no shows to take the Civil Service
exam. She would recommend, if there were no financial
problems with the City, that the seven dollar fee should not
be established. After a brief discussion, the following
motion was made:
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 9/19/91
RESOLVED, that pursuant to Section 5O.5(b) of the New York
State Civil Service Law, the City of Ithaca does hereby
authorize the implementation of a civil service application
fee of seven dollars ($7) for all civil service
examinations, effective January 1, 1992.
Voting results on the motion were as follows:
Ayes (3) Booth, Peterson, Romanowski
Nays (2 ) Cummings, Golder
The motion passed 3-2 and will be forwarded to the next
Common Council Committee of the Whole meeting.
9 . Finance Department
A. Chamberlain - Request for City to Purchase Liens
at 1991 Tax Sale
City Chamberlain Parsons presented a request for the City to
purchase liens at the 1991 tax sale.
Parsons explained that this has been an annual resolution
since 1989 . She stated that by purchasing the liens at the
tax sale it would allow the City to earn 15% on the monies
invested in the liens and maintain control of the
foreclosure process in the event the property is not
redeemed.
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 at the 1991 City Tax Sale, except for Tax Map No.
69.-1-8, known as the Strand Theater, without competitive
bidding, for the gross amount due.
The motion passed 5-0 .
B. Chamberlain - Request to Reduce Redemption Period
of Properties at Tax Sale
City Chamberlain Parsons presented a request to reduce the
period of redemption, for occupied or mortgaged properties
sold at tax sale, from three years to 18 months, as allowed
under Real Property Tax law.
Currently, the City is carrying almost $400,000 in tax
liens. Chamberlain Parsons stated that the City would only
reduce the period for redemption for those properties with a
commercial property class code and with a tax sale lien in
excess of $2, 000 . This procedure would not affect one or
two family residences .
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 9/19/91
This procedure would allow the City to accelerate the period
of collection. The City would receive the outstanding tax
sale lien monies in 18 months rather than three years. The
interest on the liens is ten percent per year with a
cumulative total of 30% . This procedure would reduce the
interest to a cumulative total of 25% . After a brief
discussion, the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the City Chamberlain' s office has informed the
Budget and Administration Committee of Common Council that
substantial sums of unpaid City taxes remain outstanding for
the entire three-year redemption period permitted under
State Law for occupied properties, and
WHEREAS, since 1989 the City has been the purchaser of all
City tax liens, thereby incurring a substantial loss of
revenue for the years in which the taxes are owed, and
WHEREAS, Section 1022 (2) of the New York State Real Property
Tax Law permits a purchaser of tax liens to reduce the
period of redemption for real property by serving
appropriate written notices as provided in that statute, and
WHEREAS, the City Chamberlain' s Office has requested the
authority to shorten the redemption period by use of the
notice provisions under Section 1022(2) ; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, that the City Chamberlain' s Office is authorized
to reduce the period for the redemption of real property
from thirty-six (36) months to eighteen (18) months through
the service of appropriate written notices as outlined under
New York State Real Property Tax Law on all City properties
on which tax liens are owed, with the exception of
single-family homes and owner-occupied duplexes.
The motion passed 5-0 .
C. Clerk - Request to Amend the 1991 Finance
Department Budget
City Controller Cafferillo presented a request from the City
Clerk to amend the 1991 Budget to reflect a grant that will
be received from the New York State Education Department for
the establishment of a records management system in the
City.
The grant would run for nine months and would require the
hiring of two individuals for the positions of: Records
Management Consultant and typist. These positions would be
temporary and would be authorized only for the period of the
grant. The total grant amount is $39,204 .
After a brief discussion, the following motion was made:
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 9/19/91
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Clerk' s Office has received a
$39,204 Grant from the New York State Education Department
for the implementation of a records management system; now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Finance Department Personnel Roster be
amended as follows:
Add: (1) Records Management Consultant
(1) Clerk/Typist
and be it further
RESOLVED, that the additional roster positions established
as a result of this funding are temporary positions which
are subject to the continuation of the Grant funding from
the New York State Education Department for the period of
the grant, October 1, 1991 - June 30, 1992, and be it
further
RESOLVED, the the 1991 Finance Department Budget be amended
as follows:
Increase Revenue Account:
A3989 Home and Community $39,204
Increase Appropriation Accounts:
A1315-110 Staff [25,425 & 7, 113] $32,538
A1315-425 Office Expense $ 1,250
A1315-445 Travel $ 161
A1315-435 Contracts $ 1,867
A903O Social Security $ 370
A9O1O State Retirement $ 764
A9040 Workers Compensation $ 1,386
A905O Unemployment Insurance $ 868
The motion passed 5-0.
D. Controller - Authorized Equipment Transfer Policy
The Controller asked to have this item deferred to the next
B&A meeting. The Committee agreed.
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 9/19/91
E. Controller - CPF Litigation Payment
Deputy Controller Thayer presented a memo outlining the
status of the final bill for the appeal process of the
Central Processing Facility. He stated the following:
Original Final Invoice Amount for CPF
Appeal Process $4,466.27
City Attorney Negotiated Reduction of
Final CPF Appeal Invoice ( 715 .56)
Amount Paid to Whiteman, Osterman &
Hanna per Common Council action
8/7/91 for Appeal of CPF ( 1,519 . 38)
Additional Reimbursable Costs on most
recent invoice received 25 . 47
Amount of Original Invoice Outstanding
(including Additional Reimbursable
Costs) as of 9/19/91 $2,256 .80
SUMMARY BY ACTIVITY:
Funds Allocated by Common Council
for litigation $22, 141 .00
Litigation Payments Made to Date: (22, 371 . 02)
Amount Overpaid ( 230. 02)
Funds Allocated by Common Council
for Appeal $10, 000 .00
Appeal Payments Made to Date: ( 9, 769,98)
Amount Underpaid $ 230 .02
Balance Due Based on Common Council
Allocation of Funds for Litigation and
Appeal Process of CPF $ -0-
The outstanding amount due to the attorneys for the appeal
process is $2,256 .80 . It was noted that this has been an
outstanding issue for a number of months. The Committee
agreed that the amount should be paid. The following motion
was made:
WHEREAS, the City has received the final bill regarding the
appeal of the Central Processing Facility lawsuit decision,
and
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 9/19/91
WHEREAS, the final bill is greater than the original amount
estimated for the appeal process and greater than the
payments made to date by the City; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that $2,256.80 be transferred from Account A1990,
Unrestricted Contingency, to A1420-435, City Attorney.
Contractual Services, to pay the final bill relative to the
Central Processing Facility lawsuit appeal.
The motion passed 5-0 .
F. Controller - Request City to Approve the IHA
Establishment of Positions/Salaries
City Controller Cafferillo presented a request from the
Ithaca Housing Authority to approve the establishment of IHA
positions and salary amounts . It was noted that this is an
annual item. The IHA salary increase for 1991 is five
percent. The following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Housing Authority is mandated by the
Department of Housing and Urban Development, its funding
agency, to demonstrate that the salaries and wages of the
employees of said Housing Authority are comparable with the
practices of the local governing body for all positions of
similar responsibility and required competence, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca authorized a 5% increase for
1991, including step increases for qualified employees, and
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Housing Authority (IHA) has authorized a
5% increase for all qualified employees to bring the IHA
employees closer to parity and comparability with City of
Ithaca employees, and
WHEREAS, the IHA has established the following positions,
comparability and salary ranges for its Public Housing
Section and covered by its Operating Budget:
Position Comparable Position Salary
Ex. Dir. Director of Planning & $43,556-64,474
(15 yrs) Devel/Controller $49,088 (oper)
8,662 (Sec 8)
Salary $57,750
Assis. Dir. Deputy Dir. Planning $34,601-51,218
(15 yrs) Dept. (35 hours)
Salary $40,039
Prin Acct Clerk City of Ithaca CSEA $16,580-20,979
(14 years) (40 hours) Salary $30,428
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 9/19/91
Admin. Secy City of Ithaca CSEA $17,331-21,929
(12 yrs) (40 hours) Salary $22,965
Site Mgr Planner III $21,906-27,718
(9 yrs) (40 hours) $13,353 (oper)
$13,352 (Sec 8/
Salary $26,705 Vou)
Tenant Relations Admin. Asst. $15,622-19,766
Asst. (1-1/2 yrs) (35 hrs) Salary $16,000
Acct Clerk/ City of Ithaca CSEA $13,226-16,735
Typist (6 yrs) (35 hrs) Salary $16,475
Sr Acct Clk City of Ithaca CSEA $14,549-18,409
Typist (1 yr) (40 hours) $11,059 (Oper. )
(Lateral transfer from City of Ithaca) 5,955 (Sec 8)
Salary $17,014
Dir of Resident Recreation Supervisor $21,732-27,498
Services CSEA
(7 mos) (35 hours) Salary $19,816
Super of Maint. Ithaca School Dist. ** Range not
(18 years) (40 hours) available
Salary $28,821
Stock Manager City of Ithaca CSEA ** Range not
(6 years) (40 hours) available
Salary $21,308
Bldg Maintenance Maintainer CSEA $7.00-7 .70/hr
Mechanic (14 yrs) (40 hours) IHA $11.08 + OT
guaranteed
Salary *$23,877
Bldg Maintenance Maintainer CSEA $7 .00-7.70/hr
Mechanic (13 yrs) IHA $10.49 + OT
guaranteed
Salary *$22,574
Maint. Worker City of Ithaca CSEA $6.36-7 .06/hr
(10 years) (40 hours) IHA $8.22 + OT
guaranteed
Salary *$17,693
Maint. Worker City of Ithaca CSEA $6.36-7.06/hr
(6 years) (40 hours) IHA $7.68 + OT
guaranteed
Salary *$16,519
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 9/19/91
Maint. Worker City of Ithaca CSEA $6.36-7 .06/hr
(5 years) (40 hours) IRA $7.53 + OT
guaranteed
Salary *$16,202
Laborer City of Ithaca CSEA $5.99-6.69/hr
(5 years) (40 hours) IHA $7.05 + OT
guaranteed
Salary *$15,204
Laborer City of Ithaca CSEA $5.99-6.69/hr
(1-1/2 yrs) (40 hours) IHA $6.29 + OT
guaranteed
Salary *$13,572
Laborer Seasonal $5.00/hour
(Summer help) $2,600
Laborer Seasonal $5.00/hour
(Summer help) $2,600
Summer Camp Seasonal $13,650
Directors/Counselors
Recreation $6.50/hr
Assistant
SECTION 8/VOUCHER
Section 8 Planner II - CSEA $21,906-27,718
Admin. (14 yrs) (40 hrs) Salary $30,226
Tenant Selector Admin. Assistant CSEA $15,622-19,766
(3 yrs) (40 hrs) Salary $18,201
Account Clerk/ City of Ithaca CSEA $13,226-16,735
Typist (3 yrs) (40 hrs) Salary $14,811
Account Clerk/ City of Ithaca CSEA $13,226-16,735
(2 yrs) (40 hrs) Salary $14,613
Section 8 Assistant *See Site Manager $21,906-27,718
(Pro-rated Salary) Planner II $13,353 (Sec.
8/vou. )
(40 hours) $13,352 (oper)
Salary $26,705
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that pursuant to its responsibilities under
Section 3, Article 32(1) of the New York State Housing Law
the Common Council agrees that the salaries and wages of the
employees of the IHA are comparable to those paid by the
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 9/19/91
City for all positions of similar responsibility and
required competence.
* Per U.A.W. Union Contract
** No range available from City of Ithaca Civil Service
Office
The motion passed 5-0 .
G. Controller - Request Appropriate Legislation To
Authorize the City to Impose An Increased
Utilities Gross Receipts Tax
City Controller Cafferillo presented a request to have the
Common Council request appropriate legislation to authorize
the City to impose an increased Utilities Gross Receipts
Tax. He stated that last year the Governor, in his 1991
Budget proposal, was going to support legislation to allow
local municipalities, by local law, to amend the Utilities
Gross Receipts tax from one percent to three percent, allow
counties to amend the sales tax by an additional one
percent, and to establish a land transfer tax. In the Local
State Budget for 1991, none of these revenue items was
approved.
Cafferillo stated that rather than wait to see if the
Governor will act on these items again for 1992, the City
has the opportunity to be added to current proposed
legislation to increase the Utilities Gross Receipt Tax from
one percent to a maximum of three percent. He explained
that currently the City of Buffalo, City of Rochester, and
the City of Yonkers have the authority to impose an
increased Utilities Gross Receipts tax. The City of Ithaca
can be added to the City of White Plains legislation which
is currently being proposed for this purpose. Cafferillo
stated that if this legislation were acted on in January
1992 by the Legislature, the City' s Common Council could
then decide whether to increase the Utilities Gross Receipts
tax for the City, in February.
The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, that Common Council hereby respectfully requests
Assemblyman Martin Luster and Senator James Seward to
develop and strongly support appropriate legislation to
amend Section 20-b of the General City Law to include the
City of Ithaca among the cities which have the authority to
levy a tax on the furnishing of utility services in an
amount that does not exceed three percentum of gross income
or gross operating income, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Mayor and the City Attorney are hereby
authorized to take all appropriate steps to facilitate the
adoption of such legislation including, but not limited to,
16
BUDGET AND- ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES - 9/19/91
the submitting of a home rule request to the State
Legislature.
The motion passed 5-0 .
H. Controller - Capital Project Amendments
City Controller Cafferillo stated that the City will begin
to charge back internal costs to Capital Projects . These
will include such costs as : planning, legal, engineering and
financial . He stated that an hourly rate would be
established, including benefits and overhead, and the rate
would be attached to the professional services involved with
the project. This would allow for the total actual project
costs to be approved instead of just the construction and
design costs which are currently being approved.
These charge backs will be calculated, and existing Capital
Projects will be amended at a later date. No action was
taken.
I . Controller - Fund Balance Discussion
City Controller Cafferillo stated that in conjunction with
the beginning phases of the 1992 Budget, he is going back
and trying to determine the status of the 1991 Fund Balance.
He stated that there are a significant number of revenue
items which are below budget. He stated that certain
transfers and adjustments will have to be made to cover the
current shortfalls . He said he will come in, possibly next
month, with adjustments to the 1991 Budget to cover the
shortfalls . He stated the total shortfalls in revenues are
approximately $1, 400, 000, including the State Aid
reductions . No action was taken.
10 . Alderpersons Salary Discussion
Alderperson Cummings stated that she will come to B&A with a
proposal on future Alderpersons salaries after she has
received all the time logs, which Common Council members are
currently maintaining. No action was taken.
The meeting adjourned at 10 :40 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.