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
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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
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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.
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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:
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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