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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMn-B&A-1991-11-12 - Budget Meeting BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE BUDGET MEETING 7 : 30 PM NOVEMBER 12, 1991 MINUTES PRESENT: COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Booth, Peterson, Romamowski COMMITTEE MEMBERS EXCUSED: Cummings, Golder OTHER ALDERPERSONS PRESENT: Johnson, Blanchard, Schroeder, Daley, Hoffman OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor - Nichols City Controller - Cafferillo Deputy Controller - Thayer Deputy Planning Director - Sieverding City Attorney - Guttman Acting Building Commissioner - Eckstrom BPW Commissioner - Berg Fire Chief - Olmstead Council Member Elect - Efroymson Members of the Media 1 . Opening Comments Chairperson Booth stated that the agenda for this meeting is as follows : A. Council ' s general concerns B. Controller' s comments C. Revenues D. Executive Session/Building Department E. Planning Department Members of the Public were asked to speak on any topic; no member of the public spoke. 2 . Common Council General Concerns The following items represent areas of concern for the 1992 Budget and tonight' s agenda that Common Council members would like addressed. Alderperson Romanowski presented his concern as follows: . A. Revenues in general/State Aid Alderperson Blanchard presented her concerns as follows : A. Revenues/Sales Tax B. State Aid Chairperson Booth presented his concerns as follows : BUDGET MEETING - 11/12/91 A. Parking lot fees - 1992 Budget anticipates a fee increase in parking - BPW to adopt resolution for fee increase. B. Increase parking meter fees - no increase in 1992 Mayor' s Budget. C. Fines - Increase in base fine from $3 to $4 . D. State Aid reduction - Council should look at 18% reduction. E. Revenue - Youth Bureau fees increased in Mayor' s Budget. F. Rent of Property G. Fees to private individuals . H. Building Department filling of vacant position. No other Alderpersons raised concerns . 3 . Revenues City Controller Cafferillo presented the Committee with a schedule of sales tax. He explained to the Committee how the 1992 estimate for sales tax was computed. He stated that the 1991 sales tax revenue is ahead of last year only because the City has received large amounts of prior period adjustments . He stated that to arrive at 1992 ' s estimate he made the following computations: A. Sales Tax actual to date $4,429,853 B. Add 1990 sales tax actually received for November/December $1, 160,220 C. Subtract prior period adjustments ( 120, 330) Adjusted Sales Tax $5,469, 743 D. Increase by Average CPI 5% $ 273,487 Sales Tax Revenue in 92 Budget $5, 743,230 The Committee agreed that the estimated amount for sales tax was a good number. Some Alderpersons were concerned over other economic impacts such as large chain department stores being built close to Ithaca. Cafferillo stated that a detailed analysis of sales tax revenues will be forthcoming. No changes in sales tax revenue were made. Account A2262 Fire Protection Services was discussed. The amount in the 1992 Budget is $1, 097, 100. Controller Cafferillo stated that this amount is arrived by using the City/Town Fire Contract. He stated that the Town ' s 1992 base payment for fire services is $905, 928. The Town also 2 BUDGET MEETING - 11/12/91 is obligated to pay 27% of the 1990 City fire equipment purchases and 70% of the 1990 City debt on fire capital projects . It was noted that the Town pays for the City fire costs two years back (i.e. , 1992 contract will be based on 1990 actual costs) . It was also noted that the Town of Ithaca has included the $1, 097, 000 in its 1992 Budget. No changes in fire services revenue were made. Account A2803 Transfer from Capital Fund was discussed. Cafferillo explained how the $918,200 1992 Transfer amount was made. The amount was calculated as follows: Interest Earned on Capital Projects/ close out of Projects $290, 000 City Force Account work-labor + benefits on Street & Bridge Projects $528, 200 Reimbursement for engineering, planning, legal and financial professional services $100, 000 Total Transfer $918,200 This transfer is required to be used to pay down on capital project debt. No changes were made to this account. Account A2350 Youth Services was discussed. Cafferillo stated that the $659, 168 amount represents contracts with Tompkins County, Town of Ithaca and Town of Enfield for Youth services . No changes were made to this account. Account A1131 Utilities Gross Receipts Tax was discussed. Cafferillo explained that currently the City receives 1% in Utilities Gross Receipts tax from the Utilities . The amount in the 1992 Budget is $275, 000 . It was noted that this amount has decreased over the past four years . Cafferillo stated that there has been a shift in a major users place of receipt and payment of this tax. This shift has resulted in a loss of utilities gross receipt tax to the City. No changes were made to this account. Account A1720 Parking Lots and Garages and Account A1740 Metered Parking were discussed. The amount in A1720 for 1992 is $625, 000, a $1,500 increase from 1991 ' s estimated amount. However, in 1991, the City is expecting only $545, 900 in revenues . The 1992 Budget anticipates an increase in parking revenue. Alderperson Daley stated that he would rather see an increase in the meter fees instead of an increase in ramp fees . It was noted account A1740 has been estimated at $320, 000 for 1992 . Daley suggested that the BPW should 3 BUDGET MEETING - 11/12/91 examine the budget and increase the fees appropriately to arrive at the revenue amounts . Alderperson Romanowski stated that he thought the revenue amount in the parking lots and garages account is too high. BPW Commissioner Berg stated that it was possible to increase revenue by extending the hours at the ramps, instead of increasing the rates . After a brief discussion, the following motion was made: RESOLVED, that the BPW should investigate how they will increase revenues in the A172O Parking Lots and Garages and the A1740 Metered Parking Accounts and report back to Council on their recommendations by December 4, 1991. The motion passed 8-0 . Alderpersons Cummings and Golder were excused from the meeting. No changes were made to these accounts . Possible Stewart Park charges were discussed by the Committee. The Mayor suggested that these possible charges to non-city residents will not be implemented until 1992 and that the revenue should not be budgeted at this time because there are no solid revenue amounts at this time. No action was taken. Accounts A2001 Parks and Recreation charges, A-2025 Beach and Pool charges, A2050 Golf Course charges and A2065 Ice Rink charges were discussed. It was noted that all these accounts were budgeted for 1992 increases in revenue except for the Golf Course, which was budgeted for a $13,000 decrease to a total of $120, 000 . The Committee suggested that the BPW should look into possibly charging a non-city resident fee for the Golf Course. The Committee stated that the Youth Bureau and BPW should examine these accounts and recommend possible fee increases to arrive at the revenue increases . No changes in these accounts were made. Account A2610 Fines and Forfeited Bail was discussed. The amount in the 1992 Budget is $825, 000. This is $90, 000 over the 1991 budgeted amount of $735,000 . The City is expected to receive $777, 000 in 1991 from fines . A possible increase in the base fine was discussed. Currently, the City is charging three dollars for the base parking ticket fine. After a discussion on fines, the following motion was made: RESOLVED, that the base fine for parking violations be increased from three dollars to four dollars with all other fines remaining at the same rates. The motion carried 8-0. Alderpersons Cummings and Golder were excused from the meeting. 4 BUDGET MEETING - 11/12/91 The Committee discussed State and Federal Aid Revenues including: Public Safety, Security Services, Per Capita and Federal Public Safety. It was noted that most of the revenue amounts budgeted were grants received by the City. Chairperson Booth suggested that the per capita state aid will be reduced in 1992 by at least 18% . The Mayor currently has $1, 481,450 in the 1992 Budget for Per Capita Aid. Booth suggested that an amount of the City' s part-time and seasonal money, which is used mostly from June to December, should be set aside to be used in case of a 18% decrease in the per Capita State Aid. The consensus of the Committee was that this was a good idea, but at this time no motion was made. No changes were made in these accounts . After a brief discussion, the following motions were made: RESOLVED, that the 1992 General Fund Revenues be approved as recommended by the Mayor in the amount of $22,820,436. The motion passed, 8-0 . Alderpersons Cummings and Golder were excused from the meeting. RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works examine the following accounts and make recommendations, on increasing fees to arrive at the 1992 budgeted revenue amounts, to the Common Council: A1710 Public Works Services $ 36,000 A1720 Parking Lots & Garages $625,000 A1740 Metered Parking $320,000 A2050 Golf Course Charges $120,000 A2410 Rent of Property, Public $ 45,000 A2560 Street Opening Permits $ 1,500 The motion passed 8-0 . Alderpersons Cummings and Golder were excused from the meeting. RESOLVED, that the Youth Bureau Board examine the following accounts and make recommendations, on increasing fees to arrive at the 1992 budgeted revenue amounts, to the Common Council: A2001 Parks & Recreation Charges $168,270 A2025 Beach & Pool Charges $ 41,387 A2065 Ice Rink Charges $130,700 The motion passed 8-0 . Alderpersons Cummings and Golder were excused from the meeting. RESOLVED, that the Charter and Ordinance Committee examine the following account and make recommendations on increasing fees to arrive at the 1992 budgeted revenue amounts, to the Common Council: 5 BUDGET MEETING - 11/12/91 A2610 Fines & Forfeited Bail $825,000 The motion passed 8-0 . Alderpersons Cummings and Golder were excused from the meeting. It was noted that account A2560 Street Opening Permits should be examined to determine if the streets are being put back the way they were prior to the street opening. The permit fees should be increased to reflect City expenses relating to the street opening. This would deter companies from trying to repave the street and doing a poor job of it, which in turn downgrades our asset. It was also noted that account A2410 Rent of Property, Public should be examined by the BPW to determine if the fair market value is being received for the rental of property. Also, the boat slip revenue should be examined. 4 . Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services The Mayor has recommended that the INHS Budget be funded at $83, 000 which is the same amount as 1991 . It was noted that INHS had requested $95, 000, but could operate with the $83, 000 recommended amount. After a brief discussion, the following motion was made: RESOLVED, that the Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services Budget be approved as recommended by the Mayor in the amount of $83,000. The motion passed 8-0 . Alderpersons Cummings and Golder were excused from the meeting. 5 . Committee To Move Into Executive Session The Committee voted, 8-0, to move into executive session to discuss personnel items dealing with the Building Department. 6 . Report From Executive Session Chairperson Booth reported that the Committee discussed the search for a Building Commissioner and took no action at this time. 7 . Building Department Budget Acting Building Commissioner Eckstrom presented his budget to the Committee. The Mayor' s recommendation for the Building Department is $420, 352 . Eckstrom presented a request to fill a vacant position for an Account Clerk Typist at $7, 224. The position is not in 6 i BUDGET MEETING - 11/12/91 the 1992 Mayor' s Budget. However, the position is currently unoccupied, but funded. Eckstrom gave the following reasons why the position needs to be filled: A. There is a cost to do the work that this position would do - each person would have to file building files every day - it would take at least 1/2 hour a day for each person to file. B. The efficiency of support staff would be decreased if the position was not filled. C. Improves accuracy of records and filling. Eckstrom stated that he understood that if this position was funded it would still have to be approved by the Vacancy Review Committee. The Committee understood the need for the position, but could not fund the position unless there was a corresponding $7 , 224 decrease in his budget. Eckstrom stated that the Building Department Budget has been decreased to the bare necessities and that $7, 224 could not come from any other lines in his budget. No motion was made on his proposal. The Committee decided that they would not take a vote on the Building Department Budget until a later date. No action was taken. 8 . Planning Department Budget The Mayor recommended the Planning Department Budget at $315, 342 . Deputy Planning Director Sieverding did not present any adjustments to the Mayor' s recommendation. However, he did state that he would like to examine the possibility of charging for copies that the Committees make through the Building Department. He stated that the Planning Department supports about six different Committee' s that have formed over the years . These Committee' s make many copies during the year. A discussion on copying followed. It was suggested by Alderperson Daley that the individual Committee ' s should have a budget approved by the Planning Department. Also, the copier may need to be equipped with a counter. The Planning Department will examine this situation more carefully. The following motion was made: RESOLVED, that the Planning Department Budget be approved as recommended by the Mayor in the amount of $315,342. 7 BUDGET MEETING - 11/12/91 The motion passed 8-0 . Alderpersons Cummings and Golder were excused from the meeting. 9 . Legislative Budget The Mayor recommended the 1992 Legislative Budget in the amount of $81, 300 . This amount is the same amount as 1991 . It was noted that the contractual services includes the second half of the payment for the recodification. A discussion followed on the Legislative salaries. The following motion was made: RESOLVED, that $10,000 be deleted from Account A1010-105 Salaries - Admin. to leave a remaining balance of $50,000. Alderperson Blanchard stated that this reduction would only be for one year and that Council needs to set the tone for the 1992 Budget discussions. Alderperson Schroeder stated that Council has taken their cut in salary over the past three years by not increasing the salary at the rate of inflation. He stated he would not support this resolution. Alderperson Daley amended the resolution to state the following: RESOLVED, that $3,600 be deleted from Account A1010-105 Salaries - Admin. to leave a remaining balance of $56,400. The Committee agreed to allow the amendment. Voting results on the motion as amended were as follows : Ayes (2) Blanchard, Daley Nays (4) Johnson, Booth, Schroeder, Hoffman The motion failed 4-2 . Alderpersons Romanowski and Peterson did not vote on the issue. Alderpersons Cummings and Golder were excused from the meeting. The following motion was made: RESOLVED, that Account A1010-440 Staff Development and A1010-445 Travel and Mileage be reduced by $500 each for a total of $1,000. Voting results on the motion were as follows : Ayes ( 6) Schroeder, Hoffman, Romanowski, Blanchard, Daley, Johnson 8 . •-.�t.-xa.u.: ..:.,,a.....a.ou w_+�a...'._ .. .�.e..rtiva. ..._:_.:.�-_...:wr-iibi=Y1'S':'r`._'a`.L'%:_:i.' a BUDGET MEETING - 11/12/91 Nays (2) Booth, Peterson The motion passed 6-2 . Alderpersons Cummings and Golder were excused from the meeting. The following motion was made: RESOLVED, that the Legislative Budget as amended be approved in the amount of $80,300. Voting results on the motion were as follows: Ayes (6) Schroeder, Hoffman, Romanowski, Blanchard, Daley, Johnson Nays (2 ) Booth, Peterson The motion passed 6-2 . Alderpersons Cummings and Golder were excused from the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 11 : 15 P.M. 9 J i BUDGET MEETING - 11/12/91 Mayor' s Recommendation: $22,820,436 Net increase in Mayor' s Budget through 11/7/91 $ 1, 070 Balance Mayor ' s Recommendation Prior to Budget meeting of 11/12/91 $22, 821,506 Action taken during meeting of 11/12/91 : Legislative Budget Reduction in Account A1010-440 Staff Development ( $ 500) Reduction in Account A1010-445 Travel & Mileage ( $ 500) Mayor' s Adjusted Recommendation as of conclusion of 11/12/91 B&A/Committee of the Whole Meeting $22, 820,506 Net Overall Reduction in Mayor ' s Appropriation from 11/12/91 meeting ( $ 1,000) Combined Net Increase in Mayor ' s Budget After the 11/7 and 11/12/91 meetings $ 70 10