HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-1993-03-16 BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Regular Meeting 7:30 P.M. March 16, 1993
MINUTES
Present:
Committee Members: Booth, Romanowski, Daley
Committee Members Excused: Johnson, Berg
Others Present:
City Controller - Cafferillo
Deputy Controller - Thayer
Assistant City Attorney - Kennedy
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Planning Director - VanCort
Building Commissioner - Eckstrom
BPW Commissioner - Gerard
Mayor Nichols
Members of the media
1. Opening Comments
Chairperson Booth stated that the following changes were made to the
Agenda:
A. An additional DPW item regarding current status of blizzard
costs to the DPW Budget.
B. An additional Police Department item relating to
Standardization on a Closed Circuit Television System.
Members of the Public were asked to speak; no members spoke.
2 . DPW
A. Blizzard Cost Update
Superintendent of Public Works Gray reported to the
Committee regarding the effects of the Blizzard of 1993 on
the City's DPW budget. Superintendent Gray explained that
a total estimated cost of the blizzard would be
approximately $100, 000 if the current 24 hour-a-day activity
continues for a week.
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 16, 1993
The Committee stated that they would like to see the
downtown area cleared, but they wanted to let the remaining
snow melt without the overtime funds being spent. The
Committee felt that it was late enough in the winter that it
is possible the snow would melt within a week or two.
Superintendent Gray explained that it was a level of service
question. The Committee agreed that the 12 hour shifts were
sufficient and after the night of March 16th the 24 hour
shifts should be stopped. It was noted that the City may be
eligible for some Federal/State funds to assist in
offsetting the total blizzard cost. The Police and Fire
overtime accounts as a result of the blizzard will be
forthcoming. No formal action was taken.
B. Request to Promote Senior Account Clerk Typist
Superintendent of Public Works Gray presented a request to
promote Cindy Percey from the Senior Account Clerk Typist
position in Streets and Facilities to the vacant Principal
Account Clerk position in the Transit Office. He explained
that Ms.Percey was the most qualified for the job:
Superintendent Gray explained that filling the vacant
Principal Account Clerk position was approved by the Vacancy
Review Committee in January. He stated that the position
would assist Nancy Oltz at the new Transit Facility. He
stated that a salary of $21, 189, Step 7 on the 1992 CSEA
Administrative Unit Contract is being recommended. He
stated that the funding for this promotion was included in
the 1993 Transit Budget.
After a brief discussion, the following motion was made:
RESOLVED, That Cindy Percey be provisionally appointed to the
position of Principal Account Clerk in the Transit Department of
the Department of Public Works at $21, 189 . , which is Step 7 on
the 1992 compensation schedule of the C. S.E.A. Administrative
Unit, effective April 12, 1993 .
The motion passed 3-0 .
C. Request to Increase Street Permit Fees
Superintendent of Public Works Gray presented a request to
increase street permit fees . He explained that Common
Council approved a resolution that directed the Board of
Public Works to look at all street permit fees and make
necessary adjustments .
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 16, 1993
Superintendent Gray stated that the old street fees are as
follows:
Sidewalk Construction Fee $ 5.00
Street Opening Fee $10 .00
He explained that the new fees should be $10.00 for sidewalk
construction and $30 .00 for a street opening permit. He
noted that the Board approved these rates at a recent BPW
meeting.
He explained that the street opening permit is mostly used
by NYSEG when they cut open a street to find various
utilities. After a brief discussion regarding fees, the
following motion was made:
WHEREAS, Common council has directed the Board of Public Works in
its 1993 Budget Direction to review the possibility of increasing
fees for "Street Opening Permits, " and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has approved and adopted the
following "Street Opening Permit" rates; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the following Street Permit fees are hereby
approved by Common Council:
Sidewalk Construction Fee $10.00
Street Opening Fee $30 .00
The motion passed 3-0 .
D. Request to Transfer Funds for Sewer Replacement
Superintendent of Public Works Gray presented a request to
transfer $20, 000 from the 1993 Sewer Fund Contingency
Account to a sewer operating budget account line to
undertake a sewer replacement project. He explained that
Cornell University is currently renovating drainage
facilities and a parking lot in the same area that the City
had proposed a sewer main replacement.
Superintendent Gray stated that with Cornell doing part of
the work, the City can save approximately $20,000 if this
sewer replacement project is undertaken now. He explained
that the replacement of the sewer main will eliminate
current drainage problems in the area and help the City
verify sewer billing by relocating the Cornell flow to a
monitoring manhole. He stated that the work was being done
in the Stewart and University Avenue areas. He stated
further that the work would be contracted with Cornell
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 16, 1993
University. The following motion was made:
WHEREAS, Cornell University is currently renovating drainage and
reconstructing parking lots in the Stewart Avenue/University
Avenue area where a replacement sanitary sewer main has been
proposed, and
WHEREAS, the planned replacement of this line will eliminate an
acute drainage problem and relocate the Cornell flow to a
monitoring manhole to help verify billing, and
WHEREAS, this Cornell project provides an unanticipated
opportunity to complete a portion of the proposed sewer at a
substantial savings; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That $20,000 be transferred from Account G1990 - Sewer
Fund Contingency Account to Account G 8121-435 Contractual
Services to facilitate this work.
The motion passed 3-0 .
E. Request Collection of 1992 Sidewalk Assessments
Superintendent of Public Works Gray presented a request to
have the 1992 Sidewalk Assessments in the amount of
$10, 390.09 be placed on a warrant for collection by the City
Chamberlain from appropriate property owners . He and Deputy
Controller Thayer explained that this is an annual process,
except for minor problems that occurred in collection
between 1987 and 1991 .
After a discussion on the problems with the sidewalk
assessments between 1987 and 1991, the following motion was
made:
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works levied sidewalk assessments on
June 17, 1992 in the City of Ithaca, and
WHEREAS, a public hearing thereon was held by said Board on June
24, 1992, and
WHEREAS, on March 10, 1993 said Board approved said assessments
and filed a schedule thereof with the Common Council for
confirmation and final approval, such schedule shall be set forth
in Attachment A which is made part of this resolution; now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That said assessments in the total amount of $10, 390 . 09
be, and the same is hereby approved and confirmed,, and be it
further
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 16, 1993
RESOLVED, That the City Clerk be, and hereby is, directed to
prepare a warrant on the City Chamberlain, in accordance with
such schedule, for the collection of said assessments; and that
the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to sign and execute such
warrant; whereupon all such assessments will become due and
payable from the date of execution thereof; and on all such
assessment or proportions thereof remaining unpaid after the
expiration of six months from the date of such warrant, the City
Chamberlain shall add and collect the percentage thereon, at the
rate of $10% per annum, except and provided, however, that the
City Chamberlain may allow persons to pay their assessments, if
the aggregate amount exceeds $100 . , in five equal installments,
with interest at 10$, on or about June 1, each year, provided,
however, that any person desiring to pay by installments shall
make application promptly, in writing, to the City Chamberlain;
and all properties having such assessments or portions thereof of
installment payments in arrears and remaining unpaid at the close
of any City Tax collection period shall be included by the City
Chamberlain in the subsequent City Tax to be collected in the
manner and subject to the same penalties and procedures as the
City Tax.
Attachment A:
OWNER'S NAME PROP ADDRESS AMOUNT
& ADDRESS - work site - OWED
Kathleen Gale Stone 510 S. Albany $ 323.44
510 S. Albany St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
James & Louise Rotholz 115 S. Titus 112 . 13
& J. Penniman
480 Halseyville Rd.
Trumansburg, NY 14886
Theron Johnson 220 W. Spencer 534 .75
138 Linn Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
Victoria Romanoff 112 W. Marshall St. 1280 . 81
& Sara Hector
112 W. Marshall St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
Charles Pomada 413 S. Geneva St. 1313 . 13
& K. Noonan
85 Starks Road
Newfield, NY 14867
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 16, 1993
Beatrice Hanrahan 401 S. Cayuga St. 77 . 63
401 S. Cayuga St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
Marc & Virginia Albanese 428 S. Geneva St. 107 .81
428 S. Geneva St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
Steven Centeno 216 W. Spencer St. 560. 63
421 N. Albany St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
Carl Eichenlaub 217 Wood St. 240. 63
217 Wood St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
Eileen Sommers 616 S. Plain St. 77 . 63
616 S. Plain St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
Monica Burgess 515 S. Cayuga St. 1690.31
3 Edward St.
Binghamton, NY 13905
Robert & Esther Johnson 215 Wood St. 240. 63
65 Nates Floral Estates
Ithaca, NY 14850
William Baldini 505 S. Cayuga St. 646 . 88
& David Buckle
27 Beckett Way
Ithaca, NY 14850
Jeanne Riley 806 S. Plain St. 107 .81
806 S. Plain St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
Thomas Kimble 801 S. Plain St. 107 .81
801 S. Plain St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
Florence Smith 423 S. Geneva St. 207 .00
423 S . Geneva St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
Wayne Wheeler 608 S. Albany St. 564 . 06
608 S . Albany St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 16, 1993
George & V. Demas 612 E. State St. 1293.75
POB 2144
Telluride, CO 81435
Anna Birmingham 233 Wood St. 481 .25
233 Wood St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
John & Marlene Driscoll 113 S. Titus Ave. 422 .00
113 S. Titus Ave.
Ithaca, NY 14850
Total
$10,390. 09
The motion passed 3-0 .
3. Committee to Proceed into Executive Session
The Committee voted, 3-0, to move into executive session to
discuss a possible waiver of a Certificate of Compliance Fee
that would normally be paid to the Building Department.
4. Report from Executive Session
After the Committee voted, 3-0, to move out of executive
session, Chairperson Booth reported that the Committee
discussed with the Building Commissioner a request for
waiver of a Certificate of Compliance fee from a property
owner at 114 Washington Street. The Committee gave
direction to the Building Commissioner to grant a
conditional 90-day approval of the Certificate of Compliance
contingent on payment of the fee within that time period.
No other action was taken.
5 . Planning and Development - Request to Authorize Mayor to Sign
Youth Bureau Acoustic Project Design Contract
Planning Director VanCort presented a request to authorize
the Mayor to sign the Youth Bureau Acoustic Project Design
contract in an amount not to exceed $8,550 . 00. Director
VanCort explained that a staff committee, made up of
himself, Sam Cohen and Lynne Gifford, received six requests
for qualifications to perform the design phase of the Youth
Bureau Acoustic Project. He explained that after interviews
were held, the staff committee recommended Demjanec &
Associates to perform the design work.
Director VanCort explained that the cost for this portion of
the project would be $7,550 plus reimbursables and would be
derived from Capital Project #244 previously established for
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING MARCS 16, 1993
the Youth Bureau Acoustic Project in the amount of $82,000.
He stated that the total project cost of $82,000 may be too
low since it was estimated back in 1991 . He explained that
after the design phase is complete, an updated project cost
would be established.
After a brief discussion on the project, the following motion was
made:
WHEREAS, the Client Committee for the Youth Bureau Acoustic
Project has received proposals for Architectural Design related
to the Acoustic Project, and
WHEREAS, the Client Committee has recommended that the firm of
Demjanec & Associates be retained to perform the architectural
design for said project; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Demjanec & Associates be retained to perform the
total architectural design phase of the Youth Bureau Acoustic
Project at a cost not to exceed $8,550, including reimbursables,
and that the Mayor be authorized to execute the necessary
contract documents upon the recommendation of the City Attorney
and Planning Director, and be it further
RESOLVED, That said funds shall be derived from Capital Project
#244 Youth Bureau Acoustics.
The motion passed 3-0 .
6 . Finance Department - Chamberlain - Request to Deny Waiver of Tax
Penalty
City Controller Cafferillo presented a request to deny a
waiver of a tax penalty in the amount of $20.75 for 132-134
Linn Street. He explained that the property owner changed
her address in 1991 and the County never put through the
change of address on subsequent tax bills. He stated that
the bills were being sent to the old address and were not
paid by the property owner on a timely basis. He noted that
New York State Real Property Tax Law states that failure to
receive tax bills shall not affect the validity of the tax
or penalty. The City Chamberlain recommends that the
requested waiver of tax penalty be denied.
After a brief discussion, the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the property owner of 132-134 Linn Street has filed a
request to waive a $20 . 75 penalty on tax bills sent to an
incorrect address; now, therefore, be it
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 16, 1993
RESOLVED, That the request to waive the $20.75 penalty on taxes
be denied in accordance with NYS Real Property Tax Law.
The motion passed 3-0.
7 . Committee to Proceed into Executive Session
The Committee voted, 3-0, to move into executive session to
discuss the current status of labor negotiations with the
PBA and the CSEA Admin. Unit.
8. Report from Executive Session
After the Committee voted, 3-0, to move back into regular
session, Chairperson Booth reported that the Committee was
updated on the status of the current labor negotiations with
the PBA and CSEA Admin. Unit by Assistant City Attorney
Kennedy and City Controller Cafferillo. No formal action
was taken.
9 . Downtown Revitalization Leadership Committee - Request to
Appropriate Funds for Downtown Improvement Projects.
Downtown Revitalization Leadership Committee (DRLC)
Coordinator Blumenthal presented a request to appropriate
$22, 000 for Downtown Improvement Projects. Coordinator
Blumenthal explained that Common Council approved $30,000 in
1992 to be spent on small downtown projects . She also
stated that $8, 000 has already been set aside for the brick
circle project on The Commons . She explained that funds for
these projects are available from the loan repayment of the
land under the Green Street Ramp.
Ms. Blumenthal explained that the remaining $22,000 in funds
available have been recommended for small downtown Commons
projects by the DRLC as follows:
A. Downtown Directional Signage (Cost - $8,000) - Ms.
Blumenthal explained that downtown signage needs to be
improved to assist drivers in finding key City
locations . She explained that a plan has been put
together to install signage along state routes into the
City, directing drivers to downtown. She explained
that the exact format of the signage has not been
finalized.
B. Clock Tower Directories (Cost - $3,000) - Ms .
Blumenthal explained that the Clock Tower Directories
originally installed on The Commons are outdated. She
stated that D. I . I . improved the Commons maps in 1991,
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 16, 1993
but they were created as a temporary measure until a
permanent mounting could be made. She explained that
$3, 000 would fund three permanent maps in plexiglas
sheets listing the directory information.
C. Magnetic Announcement Board (Cost - $6,000) - Ms.
Blumenthal explained that this would allow for three
marquee-style boards to be permanently attached to the
three clock towers. The boards would be used to
announce various events on The Commons .
D. DRLC Support (Cost - $5,000) - Ms . Blumenthal and Mayor
Nichols explained that the $5,000 funding would allow
for support to the DRLC support to continue to improve
the downtown area and further the work of the Task
Force until a decision on a Business Improvement
District can be made. A discussion followed on the
person to whom the funds would be paid. The Committee
made clear its feeling that the City should not pay
these funds to any person serving on a City board or
commission that deals with issues addressed by the
D.R.L.C. The Committee made clear that it felt that
way because it is important to avoid the appearance
that a City employee is acting on a City board or
commission that deals with issues addressed by the
D.R.L.C.
After discussions on all the recommended projects, the following
motion was made:
WHEREAS, the Downtown Revitalization Leadership Committee has
recommended the following projects to be funded using available
funds received from G & M Associates for use of land under the
Green Street Ramp, and
WHEREAS, the funds available for stated projects exist in Capital
Project #271 Downtown Improvements; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Downtown Revitalization Leadership Committee
recommend the following projects be funded:
1 . Downtown Directional Signage - To install signage along
State routes into the City, directing drivers to the
downtown and public parking facilities areas
Cost not to exceed $8, 000 .00
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 16, 1993
2 . Clock Tower Directories - To upgrade, expand, and
permanently mount the three existing directories on The
Commons
Cost not to exceed $3,000 .00
3. Magnetic Announcement Boards - To permanently attach
large marquee-style announcement boards to each
existing clock tower
Cost not to exceed $6,000.00
4. Downtown Revitalization Leadership Committee Support -
To support, by contract, the Downtown Revitalization
Leadership Committee to oversee the implementation of
the Downtown Vision Task Force's recommendations until
a decision about a Business Improvement District is
made
Cost not to exceed $5, 000 .00
and be it further
RESOLVED, That an amount not to exceed $22, 000 to fund above said
projects be derived from Capital Project #271 Downtown
Improvements, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor will only approve funds for Capital
Project #271 for the projects listed above.
The motion passed 3-0.
10 . Police Department - Request to Standardize on Closed Circuit
Television System
City Controller Cafferillo presented a request from Police
Chief McEwen to standardize on closed circuit television
system equipment by NAVCO Security Systems . He explained
that the City has purchased a system by NAVCO for the
current Police Station and because of the Police Station
renovations occurring in July, the current television
security system will need to be updated and expanded. He
stated that for reasons of efficiency and economy, the Chief
recommends standardization on the NAVCO System.
After a brief discussion, the following motion was made:
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 16, 1993
WHEREAS, it is deemed to be in the best interest of the City for
reasons of efficiency, compatibility, uniformity, economics and
security to approve the standardization of NAVCO Security Systems
Closed Circuit Television equipment for the Police Department,
and
WHEREAS, a significant capital investment has been made in the
existing closed circuit television system for the Police
Department; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That pursuant to Section 103, subdivision 5 of the
General Municipal Law of the State of New York, this Common
Council hereby authorizes the standardization of NAVCO Security
Systems Closed Circuit Television System as the type of system to
be used and purchased by the City of Ithaca Police Department,
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Police Chief be authorized to execute an
agreement with NAVCO Security Systems for said system.
The motion passed 3-0 .
The next B & A meeting will be April 21, 1993 at 7 : 30 P.M. The
meeting adjourned at 10: 00 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.
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