HomeMy WebLinkAboutMn-B&A-1991-11-19 - Budget Meeting BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
BUDGET MEETING 7 : 30 P.M. NOVEMBER 19, 1991
MINUTES
PRESENT:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS : Booth, Peterson, Cummings, Romanowski,
Golder
OTHER ALDERPERSONS PRESENT: Schroeder, Hoffman, Daley,
Blanchard, Johnson
OTHERS PRESENT:
Mayor - Nichols
City Controller - Cafferillo
Deputy Controller - Thayer
Acting Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Public Works - Ferrel
BPW Commissioners : Reeves, Berg, Cox, Tripp,Rusoff,
Brandford
Commons Coordinator - Deming
Assistant Superintendent for Water & Sewer - Shimer
Fire Chief - Olmstead
Alderperson Elect - Efroymson
Members of the Media and Public
1 . Opening Comments
Chairperson Booth stated that the agenda for this meeting
will be as follows :
A. Council members concerns
B. Department of Public Works
C. Solid Waste Fund/Trash Tags
D. Capital Projects
Members of the public were asked to speak on any topics; the
following members of the public spoke:
Pat Frantz, Ted Crane, Perri LoPinto, Meg Morris, Margaret
Shisler, Christopher Woitach - All of these individuals
spoke in favor of the Ithaca Festival . They all encouraged
Council members to allow DPW to put money into the 1992
Budget to fund the overtime needed for the Ithaca Festival.
It was stated that the Festival brings much more revenue to
the City than what the City pays for in expenses .
Nina Bassuk - Chairperson of the Shade Tree Advisory
Committee. She spoke in favor of increasing the tree
account in the DPW lines. She stated that Mayor has
decreased the DPW' s request by $18, 000 . She would like to
see the Committee put the money back in the budget for
trees.
BUDGET MEETING 11/19/91
Diane Sherman - Chairperson of the Park Commission. She
spoke against the Mayor ' s cut to the Cass Park overtime
account. She stated that the cut in overtime would be a bad
decision by the City. She stated the cut would eliminate
night ice time at Cass Park and the emergency tree crew.
Chairperson Booth reminded the Committee that until the 1992
budget is finally adopted the budget can be amended by the
Committee at any time. The Budget is expected to be adopted
on December 4, 1991 .
2 . Common Council Members Concerns for the 1992 Budget
and tonight ' s Budget
Alderperson Peterson presented her concern as follows :
A. She wanted more information on Cass Park/overtime.
Alderperson Hoffman presented his concern as follows :
A. Public Transportation
Alderperson Blanchard presented her concern as follows :
A. Capital Projects Plan - She does not agree with
ordinary street construction being shifted to the
Capital Projects fund.
Alderperson Romanowski presented his concerns as follows:
A. Vacant City Engineer position.
B. Vacant DPW Garage position.
Alderperson Golder presented his concerns as follows :
A. Lack of funding for the Ithaca Festival
B. Lack of funding for trees
C. Public Transportation
Alderperson Cummings presented her concern as follows :
A. Lack of funding for trees .
Alderperson Johnson presented his concerns as follows :
A. Lack of funding for trees .
B. Cass Park cuts .
Chairperson Booth presented his concerns as follows :
A. DPW - Maintenance of infrastructure.
B. State Aid reductions - should allow for a 18% cut
in State Aid and money should be into contingency
for this reason.
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BUDGET MEETING 11/19/91
C. Sale of City land.
D. DPW Superintendent position.
E. Garbage costs now out of general fund and in solid
waste fund/trash tag now includes all costs for
collection, disposal and recycling.
3 . Department of Public Works Budget
Acting Superintendent of Public Works Gray, BPW Commissioner
Reeves, and Assistant Superintendent for Public Works Ferrel
presented the Committee with the 1992 DPW Budget. It was
noted that the Mayor recommended the DPW Budget in the
amount of $6, 161, 352 (includes refuse and recycling costs of
$1, 069, 275 and $159, 283, respectively these costs are
reflected in the solid waste fund) .
BPW Commissioner Reeves stated the BPW concerns about the
1992 Budget as recommended by the Mayor as follows :
A. Budget has vacancy for Civil Engineer and Working
Supervisor for Highways .
B. Superintendent position vacant.
C. Lack of staff support to the BPW.
D. Bridge Maintenance and Repair program should not
be cut.
E . Reduction to Ithaca Transit could mean two less
bus routes .
F. Cass Park and other OT accounts should not be cut
- cut in OT at Cass Park could mean that the pool
would not be open weekends .
G. No funds in Budget for Strand theatre, City Hall
Annex and BT Glass Building.
H. The six percent cut in the Budget will mean
layoffs .
Chairperson Booth asked Reeves if she could put the above
items .in a memo and give it to each of the Council members .
Acting Superintendent of Public Works Gray stated that the
infrastructure of the City must be maintained. He stated
that the DPW needs part-time and seasonal funds to assist in
maintaining the infrastructure. He stated that if the
equipment for DPW is to be purchased the DPW also needs
manpower to operate the equipment. He stated that you can
not have one without the other.
Mayor Nichols stated that he and the Controller made cuts to
the DPW Budget and many instances the BPW did not have time
to assess these cuts and make changes or adjustments . He
stated that it was appropriate for the BPW to recommend
different cuts as long as the bottom line remains the same.
However, he stated that overtime needs to be restricted to
emergency situations only.
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BUDGET MEETING 11/19/91
Gray explained to the Committee how the six percent cut was
arrived at and what the differences were in relation to the
request for funds by the BPW. The Committee discussed each
DPW account in which there were large differences between
what the Mayor recommended and what the BPW recommended for
the 1992 Budget. The difference between what the Mayor
recommended, $6, 162, 352, and what the BPW recommended,
$6, 665, 557, is $504, 205 .
Gray presented a memo to the Committee suggesting other
reductions to the Mayor' s Budget that could be done in place
of some of the Mayor' s recommended cuts .
Chairperson Booth stated that the Committee should vote on
the following items in relation to the DPW Budget:
A. Vote on Gray' s memo.
B. Vote on Superintendent/Engineer position.
C. Vote on Tree issue.
D. Vote on Trash Tags .
E. Vote on Capital Projects .
F. Vote on Festival overtime issue.
G. Vote on Part-time seasonal issue.
H. Vote on Cass Park overtime.
I . Vote on Garage position.
J. Vote on Transit Part-time seasonal .
K. Vote on Snow Removal.
The BPW memo presented to the Committee was discussed and
voted on as follows :
The BPW suggested that they could delete $18,550 in
PT/Seasonal labor from various accounts .
The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, that $18,550 be deleted in PT/Seasonal Labor from
the following DPW accounts:
A 3311-120 Traffic Control (30 week position
reduced to 25 weeks) $ 1,150
A 5111-120 Highway (Truck driver position
reduced 22 weeks to 20 weeks
and two laborer positions
reduced 23 weeks to 20 weeks $ 500
A7111-120 Parks & Forestry (Eliminate
two seasonal positions, two
26 weeks positions reduced to
22 weeks, two 28 week positions
reduced to 24 weeks) $11,360
A7112-120 Stewart Park (26 week position
reduced to 20 weeks) $ 1,260
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BUDGET MEETING 11/19/91
A7182-120 Cass Park (one seasonal laborer
eliminated, one 22 week Truck
Driver reduced to 20 weeks) $ 3,030
The motion passed 10-0 .
The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, that $20,517 be increased in the following DPW
accounts:
A1490-125 Superintendent Overtime $ 700
A5010-110 Administration Staff (fill Fiscal
Manager/delete Account Clerk
Typist $10,217
A5010-125 Administration Overtime $ 400
A5120-120 Bridges PT/Seasonal $ 9,200
The motion passed 10-0 .
The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, that $15,995 be deleted from Account A7111-115
Parks and Forestry Hourly FT for the purpose of eliminating
a Parks Department Truck Driver.
The motion passed 10-0 .
The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, that $14,000 be increased to the following DPW
overtime accounts:
A7112-125 Stewart Park overtime $ 2,000
A7182-125 Cass Park overtime $10,000
A8170-125 Street Cleaning overtime $ 2,000
The motion passed 10-0 .
The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, that $15,000 be deleted from the Capital Projects
Fund for the purpose of eliminating the Garage Hoist
contract.
The motion passed 10-0 .
The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, that $14,000 be increased to the Capital Projects
fund for the purpose of capitalizing Bridge Construction
material.
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BUDGET MEETING 11/19/91
Voting results on the motion were as follows :
Ayes (8) Booth, Peterson, Schroeder, Hoffman, Daley,
Blanchard, Romanowski, Golder
Nays (2 ) Johnson, Cummings
The motion passed 8-2 .
The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, that $750 be increased to the following DPW
accounts:
A7111-435 Parks and Forestry Contractual
Services for Parks Commission $250
A7113-435 Six Mile Creek Contractual
Services for Circle Greenway $500
The motion passed 10-0 .
A discussion took place on the possibility of buying
computer equipment to assist in computerizing the City' s
utility bills and the analysis of such bills . It was stated
that the equipment would produce potential ' savings in
utility record keeping. The energy commission would oversee
the implementation of this system.
The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, that Account A1620-435 Building Systems
Contractual Services be increased by $5,000 for the purpose
of purchasing computer equipment and software in relation to
the Energy Commission' s implementation of a utility bill
analysis program.
The motion passed 10-0 .
The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, that $5,000 be deleted from the following DPW
accounts:
A1621-410 City Hall Utilities $1,000
A1622-410 Justice Building Utilities $1,000
A1623-410 Community Service Utilities $1,500
A1624-410 Maint. Facility Utilities $1,500
The motion passed 10-0 .
A discussion on the position of Superintendent of Public
Works followed. It was noted that the Mayor' s Budget does
not include funding for the superintendent ' s position.
Currently Gray is acting Superintendent of Public Works and
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BUDGET MEETING 11/19/91
City Engineer. The position has been set up as a joint
position. After a brief discussion it was the consensus of
the Committee to keep the Superintendent of Public Works
position as is, unfunded. No motion was made.
A discussion followed on the vacant Civil Engineer position.
The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, that Account A1440-110 City Engineer staff be
increased by $36,473 plus related benefits $11,671 for the
purpose of hiring a Civil Engineer.
Alderperson Blanchard stated that this position is needed as
long as the Superintendent of Public Works City Engineer is
a joint position.
Alderperson Daley made a motion to defer the above motion to
a later date when the Committee has a better sense of where
the money to fund this position will come from.
Voting results on the motion to defer the resolution were as
follows :
Ayes (5) Booth, Cummings, Golder, Daley, Johnson
Nays (5) Peterson, Hoffman, Schroeder, Romanowski,
Blanchard
The motion to defer failed 5-5 .
Voting results on the main motion to add a Civil Engineer
position were as follows :
Ayes (2 ) Blanchard, Romanowski
Nays (8) Booth, Cummings, Golder, Daley, Johnson,
Schroeder, Hoffman, Peterson
The motion failed 8-2 .
A discussion on trees followed. Currently, the Mayor has
recommended $12, 000 for the purchase of trees in 1992 .
Controller Cafferillo stated that the purchase of trees
could be incorporated into a capital project for sidewalks
or other capital projects . The consensus of the Committee
was that the purchase of trees should remain in the general
fund and that the $12, 000 amount is not enough for the tree
program in 1992 .
The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, that Account A7111-485 be increased by $6,000 for
an account total of $18,000 for the purpose of purchasing
trees.
Voting results on the motion were as follows :
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BUDGET MEETING 11/19/91
Ayes (9 ) Johnson, Schroeder, Peterson, Golder,
Cummings, Blanchard, Romanowski, Daley,
Hoffman
Nays ( 1) Booth
The motion passed 9-1 .
A discussion on trash tags followed. It was noted that the
Mayor has moved all the garbage and recycling costs to a
separate fund (solid waste fund) . The solid waste fund has
been recommended at $1, 414, 000 .
It was stated that trash tags costs will be increasing
substantially in 1992 . The main reason for the increase is
that the County' s landfill fee is increasing from $62 to
$145 per ton. It was noted that trash tags currently are
$13 and $7 for full and half tags, respectively. The 1992
cost for trash tags will be:
$36 for full tag - 35 lb.
$22 for half tag - 20 lb.
One full trash tag will cost $3 per tag
Controller Cafferillo stated that surplus funds from the
sale of 1990 trash tags were able to offset the 1991 trash
tag costs somewhat. He stated in 1991, there will be no
surplus to offset the 1992 tag costs . He stated that if the
county rate is lower than their projected $145 per ton
tipping fee, the City' s tags would be decreased during 1992 .
The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, that the 1992 solid waste fund budget be approved
as recommended by the Mayor in the amount of $1,414, 100 and,
be it further
RESOLVED, that the 1992 trash tag costs be set at the
following rates:
Full tags 35 lbs. $36.00/sheet
Half tags 20 lbs. $22.00/sheet
Voting results on the motion were as follows:
Ayes (8) Booth, Blanchard, Schroeder, Cummings,
Peterson, Hoffman, Johnson, Golder
Nays (2) Romanowski, Daley
The motion passed 8-2 .
A discussion on the 1992 festival costs followed. Gray
stated that $10, 000 of DPW funding, including overtime, is
currently not in the 1992 Budget to assist with the 1992
Ithaca Festival budget.
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BUDGET MEETING 11/19/91
Ted Crane from the Ithaca Festival spoke to the Committee
regarding the Ithaca Festival Budget. He stated that
currently 30 food vendors and 100 craft vendors are involved
with the Ithaca Festival . He stated that each vendor pays a
permit fee. He stated that if the fees to the vendors were
increased, some of the vendors would be able to handle the
increase and others could not. Many suggestions were
discussed including:
A. Increase vendor' s fees to cover the $10, 000
cost from the City' s DPW.
B. Charge for Food by using tickets at a booth.
C. Have the City fund half the $10, 000 cost and
the Festival the other half.
D. Increase selling of advertising for Festival
to increase financial support.
It was determined that the Mayor, DPW, and Ithaca Festival
representatives will meet next week to work out a solution
to the funding problem. No motion was made.
The Capital Projects fund was discussed. Alderperson
Blanchard stated that she did agree with the Mayor and
Controller on the Capital fund strategy to put DPW normal
maintenance items into the Capital Projects funds . She
stated that normal maintenance items and some equipment
purchases should remain in the operating fund. She stated
that the City will regret this decision down the road.
Controller Cafferillo stated that all the items placed in
the Capital Projects fund are legal and can be placed in the
Capital Projects fund per state law. He stated this is a
three year plan to get through the tough financial times for
the short term. He stated that the three year plan also
includes the deletion of approximately 60 positions . He
stated that the funds are not in the general fund to fund
such activity as has been done in the past. He stated the
City is pushing these items to the capital fund so that we
may still do projects to maintain the City' s infrastructure.
It was noted that the Mayor ' s recommended Capital Project
fund amount is $1, 200, 000, which is far less than the
previous five year average of over $3, 000, 000 . Controller
Cafferillo stated that in three years the funds taken out of
the operating fund will have to be put back into the
operating fund.
It was noted that there were no motions made to change the
Capital Projects fund. The Mayor ' s recommended Capital Fund
Budget remains as recommended by the Mayor at $1, 200, 000 .
The Transit accounts were discussed. It was noted that the
Mayor recommended $18, 000 to be deleted from the transit
account from the amount that the DPW had requested. The
$18, 000 is represented by reducing the insurance amount by
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BUDGET MEETING 11/19/91
$10, 000 and reducing part-time seasonal by $8, 000. The
insurance was reduced based on a reduction in the premium
amount. Gray stated that the part-time seasonal reduction
would require that two less bus routes would be run during
the year. Controller Cafferillo stated that these routes
were new routes . It was determined that the Committee would
come back to this issue at a later date when Transit
Consultant Carpenter can be asked questions regarding
part-time seasonal help and bus routes . No motion was made.
The DPW Garage account A5132 was discussed. It was noted
that the Mayor recommended a $58, 631 reduction in this
account from what the DPW had requested. The $58, 631 was
represented by two positions :
A. Motor Equipment Maintenance Supervisor
position - currently vacant ( $31, 631)
B. Automechanic position ($17, 000) currently filled.
Alderperson Romanowski stated that the Motor Equipment
Maintenance Supervisor position is needed in the DPW. He
stated that someone must oversee the mechanics in the
Garage. The BPW also stated that this position is very
important to their Department. After a discussion, the
following motion was made:
RESOLVED, that $20,000 be added to Account A5132-105 Garage
for the purpose of funding the Motor Equipment Maintenance
Supervisor portion for a nine month period.
Alderperson Daley stated that the BPW should find a
different position to eliminate if they want this position
funded, It was noted that layoffs are trying to be avoided,
but can be made if needed.
Chairperson Booth stated that if this position is funded, it
probably will not be filled by the Vacancy Review Committee.
The Department of Public Works stated that if this position
was not filled the work would get done, but not as
effectively.
It was determined that no action would be taken and the
issue will come back up at the meeting of November 25, 1991 .
The motion was withdrawn.
The meeting was adjourned at 11 :50 P.M.
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BUDGET MEETING 11/19/91
REVENUES
Mayor' s Recommendation $22,820,436
Net increase in revenues through
11/13/91 meeting: $ 71,012
Balance Revenues Prior to Budget
Meeting 11/19/91 : $22, 891, 448
No Revenue Changes during 11/19/91
meeting -0-
Mayor' s Adjusted Recommendation as of
Conclusion of 11/19/91 B&A/COW
meeting: $22, 891,448
SUMMARY
Combined net increase in Revenues after
11/7, 11/12, 11/13 and 11/19/91
meetings : $ 71, 012
Combined net increase in Mayor ' s
Budget through 11/19/91 $ 3, 301
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BUDGET MEETING 11/19/91
APPROPRIATIONS
Mayor' s Recommendation: $22,820,436
Net Increase in Mayor' s Budget
through 11/13/91 : $ 67,591
Balance Mayor' s Recommendation Prior
to Budget Meeting of 11/19/91 : $22, 888,027
Action Taken During Meeting of 11/19/91:
DPW
Reduction in A3311-120 Traffic Control
Hourly P/T - 30 week position
reduced to 25 weeks ( $ 1, 150)
Reduction in A5111-120 Highway Hourly P/T -
Truck Driver position reduced to 20
weeks, two Laborer positions reduced
to 20 weeks ( $ 1,750)
Reduction in A7111-120 Parks & Forestry
Hourly P/T - Eliminate two seasonal
positions, two positions reduced to
22 weeks, two positions reduced to
24 weeks ( $ 11, 360)
Reduction in A7112-120 Stewart Park Hourly
P/T - 26 week position reduced to
20 weeks ( $ 1, 260)
Reduction in A7182-120 Cass Park Hourly
P/T - one seasonal Laborer
eliminated, one 22 week Truck
Driver reduced to 20 weeks ( $ 3, 030)
Increase in A1490-125 Supt. - O.T. $ 700
Increase in A5010-110 Administration
Staff - Fill Fiscal Manager -
delete Account Clerk Typist $ 10,217
Increase in A5010-125 Administration OT $ 400
Increase in A5120-120 Bridges - Part-
time & Seasonal $ 9,200
Reduction in A7111-115 Parks & Forestry
Hourly P/T - Eliminate Truck
Driver ( $ 15, 995)
Increase in A7112-125 Stewart Park - OT 2,000
Increase in A7182-125 Cass Park - OT $ 10,000
Increase in A8170-125 Street Cleaning - OT $ 2,000
Increase in A7111-435 Parks and Forestry
Contractual Service - Parks Commission $ 250
Increase in A7113-435 Six Mile Creek
Contractual Services - Circle Greenway $ 500
Increase in A1620-435 Building Systems
Contractual Services - Energy
Commission Computers $ 5, 000
Reduction in A1621-410 City Hall -
Utilities ( $ 1, 000)
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BUDGET MEETING 11/19/91
Reduction in A1622-410 Justice Building -
Utilities ( $ 1,000)
Reduction in A1623-410 Comm. Service -
Utilities ( $ 1,500)
Reduction in A1624-410 Maintenance
Facility - Utilities ( $ 1,500)
Increase in A7111-485 Parks & Forestry
Trees $ 6,000
Capital Projects Fund
Increase Department of Public Works
Capital Project for Bridge Recon-
struction by $14, 000 for Bridge
construction materials to be
financed by BONDS -0-
Delete $15,000 from Department of Public
Works Equipment Capital Project for
renovations to Garage -0-
Mayor ' s Adjusted Recommendation as of
conclusion of 11/19/91 B&A/COW
Meeting $22, 894, 749
Net increase in Mayor ' s Appropriations
from 11/19/91 meeting: $ 6, 722
Combined net increase in Mayor' s
Appropriations after 11/7,
11/12, 11/13, and 11/19/91
meetings : $ 74, 313
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