HomeMy WebLinkAboutMn-B&A-1991-11-21 - Budget Meeting f
BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
BUDGET MEETING 7 :30 P.M. NOVEMBER 21, 1991
MINUTES
PRESENT:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Booth, Peterson, Romanowski, Cummings,
Golder
OTHER ALDERPERSONS PRESENT: Johnson, Blanchard, Schroeder,
Daley, Hoffman
OTHERS PRESENT:
Mayor - Nichols
City Controller - Cafferillo
Deputy Controller - Thayer
Commons Coordinator - Deming
City Attorney - Guttman
Police Chief - McEwen
Fire Chief - Olmstead
Deputy Police Chief - Ecklund
Acting Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Representatives of the Board of Fire Commissioners
BPW Commissioner - Berg
Council Member Elect - Efroymson
Volunteer Coordinator - Lynch
Deputy Fire Chief - Dorman
Deputy Fire Chief - Wilbur
1 . Opening Comments
Chairperson Booth stated the agenda for this meeting is as
follows :
A. Council concerns
B. Police Department Budget
C. Fire Department Budget
D. City Attorney Budget
E. City Prosecutor Budget
F. Elections Budget
G. Executive Session for personnel matters
Chairperson Booth stated that the November 25, 1991 Budget
meeting will include DPW items and any carry-over items . He
stated that the November 26, 1991 Budget meeting will
include a Public Hearing on the 1992 Budget and the regular
B&A meeting for November.
Chairperson Booth asked members of the public if they wanted
to speak on any topic; the following members of the public
spoke:
Pat Frantz - Board member of the Ithaca Festival. She spoke
on the issue of Police funds for the Ithaca Festival. She
stated that the Festival relies on the Police to provide
security and traffic control during the Festival. She
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BUDGET MEETING - 11/21/91
stated that it was doubtful that the Ithaca Festival could
operate without the Ithaca Police Department. She urged
Council members to put money back into the 1992 Budget for
Police Ithaca Festival overtime activity.
Christopher Woitach - Board member of the Ithaca Festival.
He urged Council members to put the needed Police overtime
funds for the Ithaca Festival back into the 1992 Budget.
Ted Crane - Board member of the Ithaca Festival. He also
urged Council members to put the Police overtime funds back
into the 1992 Budget.
No other members of the public spoke.
2 . Alderperson' s General Concerns
Alderperson Cummings stated that she wanted to have an
executive session regarding a Fire Department Personnel
item. No other Alderpersons raised concerns for tonight ' s
agenda.
3 . Police Department Budget
Police Chief McEwen and Deputy Chief Ecklund were on hand to
present and answer questions regarding their 1992 Budget.
The Mayor recommended the 1992 Police Department Budget at
$3, 266,576 .
Chief McEwen stated that he submitted a zero growth Budget
for 1992 with some recommended revenue increases . He stated
that the actual increase of the 1992 Budget over the 1991
Budget was less than one percent. McEwen stated that if the
Police Department went to a minus three percent or a minus
six percent 1992 Budget there would have to be some layoffs
of police staff. It was noted that during the budget
discussions prior to this meeting, the Mayor asked for
further cuts in the Police Department ' s Budget and that the
Mayor allowed the Chief to make the determination of what
lines would be cut further.
McEwen stated that the 1992 Police Department budget is a
bare bone and very tight Budget. He stated that there is no
flexibility in the accounts . McEwen stated that he is very
concerned over Police overtime. In 1991 the City had two
very serious crimes that pushed the 1991 overtime account
over the budgeted amount.
McEwen stated that he had two adjustments that needed to be
made to his budget. The adjustments have no impact on the
bottom line amount of the 1992 Budget. The adjustments are
as follows:
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BUDGET MEETING - 11/21/91
A. Delete $14, 730 out of the A3120-210 Office
Equipment line and increase account A3120-225
Other Equipment by $14, 730 to reflect a
reclassification of equipment.
B. Delete $26,570 from A3120-225 Other Equipment and
delete $26, 570 from Revenue Account A4389 Public
Safety to reflect the reduction in a Federal Grant
passed through the State. The total local match
for this grant $12, 612 should remain in the budget
to purchase some radios for the Police Department.
C. The result of these adjustments do not change the
total budget final amount. The bottom line of the
Police Department Budget is now $3, 240, 006.
McEwen stated that these are the only changes to the Police
Department Budget that he is proposing.
The Police overtime account was discussed. McEwen stated
that he requested $196, 098 in Police Department overtime
which includes the following:
1 . Emergency/Investigative OT $63, 374
2 . Court OT 19,740
3 . Holiday OT 76, 635
4 . Stewart Park Patrols 5, 776
5 . Special Olympics 5, 391
6 . Collegetown OT 4, 297
7 . Ithaca Festival 5, 885
8 . Ithaca School District OT 4, 000
9 . Stop DWI Patrols 10, 000
10 . Parades/Misc. Events 1, 000
$196, 098
McEwen explained that the Mayor deleted the following
overtime money to reach the recommended 1992 overtime
account of $148,046 :
1 . Stewart Park Patrols $ 5, 776
2 . Special Olympics 5, 391
3 . Ithaca Festival 5, 885
4 . Parades/Misc. Events 1, 000
5 . Emergency/Investigative OT
reduction of $30, 000
$48, 052
McEwen stated that none of the items 1-4 above will happen
in 1992 if funds are not found to support these overtime
activities . He stated that he recommends that revenues need
to be increased to offset the overtime expenses .
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BUDGET MEETING - 11/21/91
McEwen explained that without the overtime money the Stewart
Park patrols will not be performed. He explained that he
has also talked with the Special Olympics and told them that
the police overtime dollars for that event will not be spent
in 1992 .
McEwen stated that the lack of Festival overtime money means
there will be no Ithaca Festival because the Police
Department approves the permit for the function. It was
determined that the Mayor, Police Chief and the Ithaca
Festival Board will meet and try to work out an agreement to
obtain the funds needed.
McEwen and the Committee discussed the overtime money for
the emergency and investigative activities . McEwen stated
that with only $33, 374 to use for investigative purposes
that the proper job cannot be done. He explained that if
the City has any kind of serious crime in 1992, the overtime
budget will be in jeopardy. It was noted that the 1992
police overtime budget is already $21, 000 over budget
because of two crimes in 1991 . He recommended that if the
overtime money, especially the emergency/investigative
overtime, can be put back into the budget, it should be
done.
McEwen stated that in the past the Police Department Budgets
have allowed for innovative police programs such as :
A. Bicycle Patrol
B. Neighborhood Police Patrols for certain
sections of the City
He noted that because of the cuts the 1992 Budget will not
allow for these innovative services .
Mayor Nichols stated that the PBA negotiations are currently
ongoing and the funds are not reflected in the Police
Department Budget. The Mayor stated that the Police
Department is taking a less of a cut than any other City
budget.
After a brief discussion the Committee voted 10-0 to move
into executive session to discuss the current PBA
negotiation status .
Report From Executive Session
Chairperson Booth reported that the Committee discussed a
variety of personnel and contract negotiation items dealing
with the Police Department. He stated that no action was
taken.
After a brief discussion, the following motion was made:
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BUDGET MEETING - 11/21/91
RESOLVED, that $14,730 be deleted from account A3120-210
Office Equipment and $14,730 be increased to account
A3120-225 Other Equipment to reflect a reclassification of
equipment, and, be it further
RESOLVED, that $26,570 be deleted from account A3120-225
Other Equipment and $26,570 be reduced from revenue account
A4389 Federal Aid Public Safety, to reflect a reduction in a
Police Department Federal Grant, and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the 1992 Police Department Budget be approved
as amended in the amount of $3,240,006.
The motion passed 10-0 .
4 . Fire Department Budget
Fire Chief Olmstead presented his 1992 Budget. The Mayor
recommended a 1992 Fire Department Budget in the amount of
$2, 972 , 710 .
Olmstead presented the Committee with a memo (attached to
minutes) stating some minor 1992 Budget amendments .
A Board of Fire Commissioners member stated that the Board
could live within the Mayor' s 1992 Budget with the following
proposed amendments to reallocate the $60, 000 in lost funds :
A. That $30, 000 encumbered for the 1990 LOSAP payment
be liquidated, and these monies be reencumbered in
account A3410-415 Clothing. No affect on 1992
Budget.
B. An additional $10, 000 be transferred within the
1991 Budget from account A3410-435 Contractual
Services, for the 1991 LOSAP payment to account
A3410-415 for a total of $40, 000 . No affect on
1992 Budget.
C. The remaining $20, 000 allocated in the 1991 Budget
for LOSAP Program be added to the 1991
appropriated fund balance, which amount would be
used to assist the funding of the 1992 Budget.
The $20, 000 in funds would be distributed as
follows :
1 . Account A3410-125 OT $14, 000
2 . Account A3410-225 Equip. 6, 000
This would affect the 1992 Budget, but would not
change the bottom line.
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BUDGET MEETING - 11/21/91
He stated that the amendments would allow the Fire
Department to operate in 1992 and allow for limited
recruitment of Volunteers for 1992 .
Mayor Nichols stated that these amendments seemed to be a
constructive solution to the recruitment activity problems
for the 1992 Fire Department Budget and that he supports the
amendments .
Fire Chief Olmstead stated that the $6, 000 in equipment will
be used to purchase 15 pagers and 2 self contained breathing
units . He stated that the $14, 000 in overtime will only be
used for emergencies . The funds encumbered in the clothing
account will be used to purchase and provide protective
equipment for new and existing fire fighters .
Olmstead stated that the 1992 Budget does allow for the
filling of three positions and continues to maintain the 400
accounts at the 1990 funding levels . He explained that no
other amendments to the 1992 Fire Budget are being proposed.
The Committee voted 10-0, to move into executive session to
discuss personnel items related to the Fire Department.
Report From Executive Session
Chairperson Booth reported that the Committee discussed Fire
Department personnel items and took no action.
After a brief discussion, the following motion was made:
RESOLVED, that $30,000 encumbered for the 1990 LOSAP payment
be liquidated and be encumbered in account A3410-415
Clothing, and, be it further
RESOLVED, that $10,000 be transferred within the 1991 Budget
from account A3410-435 Contractual Services, for the LOSAP
payment, to account A3410-415 Clothing, for a total of
$40,000, and, be it further
RESOLVED, that $20,000 allocated in the 1991 Budget for the
LOSAP Program be added to the 1991 appropriated fund balance
for the purposes of using the funds to assist the funding of
the 1992 Budget, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the $20,000 in allocated 1991 funds would be
distributed to the following accounts:
Account A3410-125 Overtime $14,000
Account A3410-225 Other Equipment 6,000
$20,000
and be it further
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BUDGET MEETING - 11/21/91
RESOLVED, that the 1992 Fire Department Budget be approved
as amended in the amount of $2,992,710.
The motion passed 10-0.
5 . City Attorney Budget
City Attorney Guttman presented his 1992 Attorney Budget to
the Committee. The Mayor recommended a 1992 City Attorney
Budget in the amount of $109, 185 . It was noted that the
1992 Attorney Budget is up slightly from 1991 ' s budget of
$107, 383 . The increase is related to salary increases for
the Assistant City Attorney.
Accounts A1420-430 and A1420-425 were discussed. Guttman
stated that the 430 account represents his contractual
salary amount with the City ( $33, 600) . Guttman stated that
the 425 line has been increased $2 , 200 over the 1991 Budget.
Guttman explained that the office supply line has increased
due to the number of attorneys in the Department. He stated
that in previous years the department only had one attorney
and possibly a part-time attorney.
The Attorney' s office contribution to City Revenue was
discussed. It was stated by Guttman that most of the
revenue that the Attorney' s Department generates is from
Building Department claims, litigation claims, and the
savings of tax payments .
Alderperson Cummings stated she was uncomfortable on the
over reliance on the City' s Legal Department. She stated
the City Attorneys are forced to attend many meetings and be
involved with too much policy making. She stated that the
Staff Attorney salary should be reduced so that less time is
spent in the above two areas .
The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, that $25,000 be deleted from Account A1420-105 Law
Salaries.
The motion died for a lack of a second.
The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, that the 1992 City Attorney' s Budget be approved
as recommended by the Mayor in the amount of $109,185.
Voting results on the motion were as follows :
Ayes (9 ) Booth, Peterson, Blanchard, Hoffman,
Schroeder, Daley, Johnson, Romanowski,
Golder
Nays ( 1) Cummings
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BUDGET MEETING - 11/21/91
The motion passed 9-1 .
6 . City Prosecutor Budget
The Mayor recommended a 1992 City Prosecutor Budget in the
amount of $26, 505 . Chairperson Booth asked the Mayor if the
question of not funding this position was examined. It was
noted that in 1991 this question was examined, but no
changes were recommended.
Mayor Nichols stated that he has met with Judge Sherman and
Chief McEwen and both agree the City Prosecutor position
should remain funded.
Alderperson Daley stated that he thought the position needed
more assistance or extended hours . He stated the revenue
has increased because of the amount of fines that are being
issued. The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, that $1,150 be added to account A1110-110 Salaries
Staff for the purposes of increasing the hours for the City
Prosecutor' s staff, but not increasing the hourly rate.
Voting results on the motion were as follows:
Ayes (4) Golder, Daley, Cummings, Schroeder
Nays ( 6) Booth, Peterson, Romanowski, Blanchard,
Hoffman, Johnson
The motion failed 6-4 .
The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, that the City Prosecutor' s 1992 Budget be approved
as recommended by the Mayor in the amount of $26,505.
The motion passed 10-0 .
7 . Elections Budget
The Mayor recommended a 1992 Election Budget in the amount
of $14, 307 . After a brief discussion, the following motion
was made:
RESOLVED, that the Elections 1992 Budget be approved as
recommended by the Mayor in the amount of $14,307 .
The motion passed 10-0 .
8 . Next Meeting Agenda
Chairperson Booth stated that the November 25, 1991 Budget
meeting agenda will be as follows :
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BUDGET MEETING - 11/21/91
A. Finish DPW Budget
B. Water and Sewer Budget
C. Joint Activity Budget
D. Building Department Budget
E. Undistributed Items
F. Other Items
9 . The Committee Moved Into Executive Session
The Committee voted 10-0, to move into executive session to
discuss personnel items .
10 . Report From Executive Session
Chairperson Booth reported that the Committee and the Mayor
discussed items on personnel matters and no action was
taken.
The meeting adjourned at 10 : 55 P.M.
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BUDGET MEETING - 11/21/91
REVENUES
Mayor ' s Recommendation $22,820,436
Net Increase in Revenues through 11/19/91: $ 71,012
Mayor' s Adjusted Revenues prior to Budget
Meeting of 11/21/91 $22, 891,448
Action Taken During Meeting of 11/21/91 :
Reduction in A4389 Federal Aid Public
Safety for Reduction in Federal Grant
for Police Department ( 26,570)
Mayor' s Adjusted Revenues as of conclusion
of 11/21/91 B&A/COW meeting $22, 864, 878
Net reduction in Revenues from 11/21/91
meeting: ( 26,570)
Summary
Combined Net Increase in Revenues after
11/7, 11/12, 11/13, 11/19 and 11/21/91
meetings: $ 44,442
Appropriated Fund Balance adjustments
through 11/21/91 meeting: $ 20, 000
Combined Net Increase in Mayor' s
Budget through 11/21/91 : $ 3, 301
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BUDGET MEETING - 11/21/91
APPROPRIATIONS
Mayor' s Recommendation: $22,820,436
Net Increase in Mayor' s Budget
through 11/19/91 : $ 74, 313
Balance Mayor' s Budget Recommendation
Prior to Budget Meeting of 11/21/91 : $22, 894,749
Action Taken During Meeting of 11/21/91 :
Police Department
Reduction in A3120-210 Office Equipment
to reclassify equipment ( 14, 730)
Increase in A3120-225 Other Equipment
to reclassify equipment 14,730
Reduction in A3120-225 Other Equipment
to reflect reduction in Federal Grant ( 26,570)
Fire Department
Increase in A3410-125 Overtime - to
reflect 1991 F/B Allocation of
LOSAP Program: 14, 000
Increase in A3410-225 Other Equipment -
to reflect 1991 F/B allocation of
LOSAP Program/Purchase 15 pagers/
2 SCBA Tanks 6, 000
Mayor ' s Adjusted Recommendation as of
conclusion of 11/21/91 B&A/COW meeting: $22,888, 179
Net decrease in Mayor' s Appropriations
from 11/21/91 meeting: ( 61570)
Combined net increase in Mayor' s
Appropriations after 11/7, 11/12, 11/13,
11/19, and 11/21/91 meetings : $ 67,743
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