HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-1993-05-19 BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING
MAY 19, 1993 - 8:00 P.M.
MINUTES
PRESENT:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Booth, Berg, Romanowski, Daley
COMMITTEE MEMBER EXCUSED: Johnson
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Controller - Cafferillo
Deputy Controller - Thayer
Personnel Administrator - Saul
City Chamberlain - Parsons
Supt. of Public Works - Gray
Transit System Manager - Oltz
Building Commissioner - Eckstrom
Planner - Meigs
Youth Bureau Director - Cohen
Police Chief - McEwen
Members of the media
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1 . Opening Comments
Chairperson Booth stated that the following changes were made to
the Agenda:
A. Deleted Planning request to Appropriate Capital Funds for
Bike Racks .
B. Deleted Youth Bureau request to Amend Youth Bureau
Acoustic Project remediation contract.
C. Added a Building Department Personnel item.
D. Tabled the item requesting funds for Collegetown and B-2
District Signage Boards .
Members of the Public were asked to speak; no members spoke.
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2 . Planning Department - Request to Establish Caaital Project for
Grants
Planner Meigs presented a request to fund two grant
projects under the National Recreational Trails Act. He
explained that the City has two proposed projects that
may be eligible for grant funds under the National
Recreational Trails Act. He stated that together both
projects would have a total cost of $31,700. Planner
Meigs explained that the grant (if acquired) will provide
for 80% matching funds, or $25, 360 .
Planner Meigs briefly explained the two projects. He
stated that the first project would cost $9,200 and would
enhance handicapped accessibility to the Circle Greenway
in the Six-Mile Creek/VanAtta's Dam area. The grant
would fund 80% of the total cost or $7,360. He stated
that the second project would cost $22,500 and would
improve the path along the bank of Cascadilla Creek
between Rt. 13 and the Ithaca Farmers ' Market. The grant
would fund 80% of the total cost, or $18, 000 .
Mr. Meigs explained that both projects are being defined
and will be presented in greater detail at a later date.
He stated that 20% of the funds will have to be
appropriated by the City, or $6,340 . He explained that
the application for this grant must be completed and
submitted by June 21, 1993 to be eligible for funding.
He stated that the grant process is highly competitive.
The Committee agreed to support the projects. City
Controller Cafferillo stated that a new Capital Project
could be established for the projects pending approval of
the grant. After a brief discussion regarding the
projects, the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, National Recreation Trails Act Grant moneys may be
available for partial funding of Recreation Trail Projects,
and
WHEREAS, one Recreational Trail Project would enhance
handicapped accessibility to the Circle Greenway in the Six-
Mile Creek/VanAtta's Dam area, while a second project would
improve the path along the bank of Cascadilla Creek between
Rt. 13 and the Ithaca Farmers' Market, and
WHEREAS, the National Recreational Trails Act Grant provides
80% matching funds, with up to a maximum of $25,360 available
to be allocated to the City: $7, 360 toward the Handicapped
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B & A COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MAY 19, 1993
Accessibility Project in Six Mile Creek/VanAtta's Dam area;
and $18, 000 toward the Recreational Path Improvement Project
along Cascadilla Creek, and
WHEREAS, the required 20% City match of $6, 340 would be funded
by appropriating $1,840 from Unrestricted Contingency and
$4,500 from Capital Project #267 for Bicycle Facility
Improvement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Mayor is hereby authorized to sign the
required grant applications for said projects, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That Capital Project #274 be established for an
amount not to exceed $31, 700, the combined project
authorization subject to approval of said National
Recreational Trails Act Grant, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the City Controller is hereby authorized to
advance the grant portion of the two projects, pending
reimbursement from the applicable agency.
The motion passed 4-0 .
3 . Personnel - Request to Extend Part-time Status of Personnel
Administrator
Personnel Administrator Saul presented a request to
extend her part-time status of 28 hours per week until
September 3, 1993. She explained that the 28 hours per
week status was originally approved in January, 1993 by
Common Council . The following motion was made:
WHEREAS, Common Council at their regular meeting of January 6,
1993, approved part-time status, twenty-eight (28) hours per
week, for the Personnel Administrator; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the part-time status of the Personnel
Administrator (i.e. , 28 hours per week) be extended through
September 3, 1993, as requested by the Personnel Administrator
and approved by the Mayor.
The motion passed 4-0 .
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B & A COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MAY 19, 1993
4 . DPW
A. Request to Expunge Sidewalk Assessment Bill
Superintendent of Public Works Gray presented a request
to expunge a $390.45 Sidewalk Assessment bill at 413
Mitchell Street. Supt. Gray explained that because of a
problem with the sidewalk assessment process, sidewalk
repairs from 1987 to 1991 were not billed until 1993 . He
explained that the current property owners at 413
Mitchell Street purchased the property in May, 1991 and
asked for a tax search at that time. The tax search did
not reveal the sidewalk assessment because it was not
billed until January, 1993. Supt. Gray explained that
the current owners are requesting that the bill be
expunged because they were not the property owners at the
time of the repair, and because the tax search did not
reveal an assessment due. He explained that the Board of
Public Works approved the expungement.
After a brief discussion, the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, in January, 1993, the City Chamberlain billed
sidewalk assessments to homeowners for sidewalks repaired in
1987, and
WHEREAS, Anne and Paul Bonaparte-Krough, owners of 413
Mitchell Street, received a bill for work done at that address
which they are appealing because a tax search did not show an
outstanding debt for sidewalk repairs when they purchased said
property in 1991, and
WHEREAS, they feel that they are not responsible for the
repairs done to their property because they were not the
owners of record at the time of its completion, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works recommends said sidewalk
assessment in the amount of $390 .45 be expunged; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 1987 sidewalk assessment levied against 413
Mitchell Street in the amount of $390.45 be hereby expunged.
The motion passed 4-0 .
B. Request to Expunge Sidewalk Assessment Bill
Superintendent of Public Works Gray presented another
request to expunge a sidewalk assessment bill of $564 .06
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B & A COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MAY 19, 1993
for a sidewalk repair at 608 S. Albany Street during the
1992 Sidewalk Program. He stated that the owner is
contesting that the sidewalk repairs were never done.
Supt. Gray explained that his staff researched the
repair, and also found that the work was never dong. He
stated that the Board of Public Works recommended that
this bill be expunged.
The following motion was made:
WHEREAS, Wayne Wheeler, owner of 608 S. Albany Street, has
received a sidewalk assessment bill for sidewalk repaired
during the 1992 Sidewalk Program, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wheeler is contesting the bill because the
sidewalk was in fact not repaired, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has recommended that the
sidewalk assessment in question be expunged; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the 1992 sidewalk assessment bill levied
against the owners of 608 South Albany Street be hereby
expunged.
The motion passed 4-0.
C. Request to Amend 1993 Authorized Transit Personnel
Roster
Superintendent of Public Works Gray and Transit Manager
Oltz presented a request to amend the 1993 Authorized
Transit Personnel Roster by changing an existing 27 hour
part-time bus driver position to two half-time bus
drivers . Supt. Gray explained that the part-time
position would be deleted from the roster and two half-
time bus driver positions would be added.
Transit Manager Oltz stated that the change in the roster
would reduce operating costs of the transit system by
reducing current overtime hours needed. She explained
that this roster change would save the City approximately
$6 .42 per hour.
After a brief discussion, the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the Transit System Manager has recommended that an
existing 27 hour part-time bus driver position be changed to
two half-time bus drivers, and - -
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B & A COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MAY 19, 1993
WHEREAS, the Transit System Manager feels that two half-time
drivers will reduce current- operating costs; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That one 27 hour part-time bus driver position be
deleted, and that two twenty hour part-time bus driver
positions be added to the Department of Public Works roster,
such action to be accomplished within existing 1993 budget
appropriations.
The motion passed 4-0 .
D. Request for Additional Transit Vehicle
Superintendent of Public Works Gray and Transit System
Manager Oltz presented a request to purchase a used
police vehicle for the transit system to alleviate
current problems for relieving bus drivers. Supt. Gray
explained that currently bus drivers change routes at
different times of the day, and the drivers use their
personal vehicles for the changeovers. He stated that
this request would allow the drivers to use a City
vehicle for the changeovers instead of their personal
vehicles .
Supt. Gray explained that he will need to have the
applicable union sign an agreement for a one-year trial
period that states that the vehicle is provided by the
City and is not a benefit, and will not be considered an
existing condition of work. He stated that the
maintenance cost on the vehicle for one year will be
approximately $2,000, which will be derived from the DPW
budget.
After a discussion regarding the process, the following
motion was made:
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed information
from staff relating to the current system for relieving bus
drivers, and
WHEREAS, the cost of said program, inclusive of vehicle
maintenance costs, shall be funded within the 1993
Departmental budget; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That one recycled police car be assigned to the
Transit Division of the Department of Public Works for a one
year trial period, and be it further
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B & A COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MAY 19, 1993
RESOLVED, That the Mayor be authorized to execute a one year
renewable Memorandum of Understanding with the CSEA D. P. W.
Unit relative to this program, such agreement to make clear
that this system will not be considered an existing condition
of work.
The motion passed 4-0 .
E. Request to Amend City Forester Work Hours
Superintendent of Public Works Gray presented a request
to amend the City Forester position from 25 hours per
week to 30 hours per week. Gray explained that Common
Council approved the part-time status of the City
Forester in March so that he could close out his existing
business . Gray stated that this request brings the City
Forester a step closer to the ultimate full-time status,
which he will achieve in August of this year.
The following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the position of City Forester was approved, for
temporary part-time status, twenty-five (25) hours per week at
the regular Common Council meeting of March 3, 1993; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Personnel Roster of the Department of
Public Works be temporarily amended by increasing the part-
time, twenty-five (25) hours per week status of the City
Forester, to thirty (30) hours per week status from June 7,
1993 to August 16, 1993, such change being undertaken at the
request of the City Forester.
The motion passed 4-0 .
5 . Finance Department - Chamberlain - Request to Extend Period to
Redeem Tax Sale Property
City Chamberlain Parsons presented a request to extend
the period to redeem a tax sale property so that the
owner of 432 North Titus Avenue has time to pay the City
the outstanding lien and related interest costs . Ms .
Parsons explained that, in February, Common Council
approved an extension for property redemption of three
properties . She stated that two of the three property
owners have paid the liens on their properties . She
explained that Mrs . Blackman, owner of 432 North Titus
Avenue, did not pay her lien within the original time
approved.
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B & A COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MAY 19, 1993
Ms . Shajn Blackman-Howze, daughter of Mrs. Blackman,
requested that the Committee extend the period of
redemption for at least 60 days. After a brief
discussion regarding this request, the following motion
was made: ,
WHEREAS, the Common Council at its regular meeting of February
3, 1993, approved an extension for property redemption until
May 15, 1993 for three City properties, and
WHEREAS, two of the properties have since been redeemed and
one of the properties, 432 North Titus Avenue, has not; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the existing owner be permitted to redeem the
property at 432 North Titus Avenue, up to November 11, 1993,
for the total lien amount outstanding, plus additional
interest penalty and related costs through the date of the
redemption.
The motion passed 4-0 .
6. Youth Bureau - Request for Resolution of Support on Recreation
Program
Youth Bureau Director Cohen presented a request to the
Committee to support the efforts of the Inter-Municipal
Task Force. Director Cohen stated that the Inter-
Municipal Task Force is moving forward in its long-term
efforts to create a better system for high-quality
recreation programming, and the short-term efforts ,to
maintain the current participants in the program. He
explained that it was important to the other participants
to see that the City was committed to the youth
recreation program.
Director Cohen explained that the long-term goals of the
Task Force include the following:
A. Continuation of free playground programs and low
seasonal passes .
B. Establishment of more neighborhood and locally-
based recreation programs.
C. Continuation of triple fees for non-contracting
municipalities to provide access for one more year
while a new system is developed.
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B & A COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MAY 19, 1993
D. Maintenance of the line on fees to keep individual
programs accessible. -
E. Ongoing work to contain expenses by making the
current service delivery system as efficignt as
possible.
F. More complete reporting of cost allocations for
programs, particularly operation and maintenance
costs .
Discussion of the recreation system followed. The
Committee agreed that the critical short-term issue is
that the Town of Ithaca continue to participate in this
program.
A discussion regarding the financial implications
followed. Director Cohen stated that it is important
that the program costs are not increased, and are
detailed in a way that all participants can understand
and accept them. The following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has a nearly five decades-long
commitment to providing quality recreation programs to area
children, youth and families, and
WHEREAS, access to affordable, wholesome recreation forms one
of the foundations of healthy community life, and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to promote a recreation service
delivery system that provides equal access for all interested
residents and a fair and equitable way of sharing costs to
provide these services, and
WHEREAS, representatives of municipalities served by the
Ithaca City School District have been meeting in an Inter-
Municipal Recreation Task Force during the past year to
inventory existing facilities, survey residents about their
recreation needs and interests, study models for service
delivery and finance, and develop a proposal for a new Inter-
Municipal Recreation system; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Common Council confirms its support for the
efforts of the Inter-Municipal Task Force to develop a plan
for inter-municipal recreation for the greater Ithaca area, up
to and including all of Tompkins County.
The motion passed 4-0 .
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B & A COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTE5 MAY 19, 1993
Director Cohen asked the Committee for a designated
representative of Common Council to the Inter-Municipal
Recreation Commission. He explained that they hold
monthly meetings . Chairperson Booth stated he would be
the representative designated to serve on , this
commission.
7 . Building Department - Request to Appropriate State Fire and
Building Code Aid
Building Commissioner Eckstrom presented a request to
appropriate $7,786 . 84 in State Fire and Building Code Aid
for the purchase of computers and software. Commissioner
Eckstrom stated that his department needs a way to manage
its information in a more efficient manner. The
equipment requested would allow the department to network
with other machines in the department, and communicate
with the Fire Department. He also explained that the
software requested, Novell Netware, is recognized in the
industry as being dependable and reliable. He explained
that this networking system will integrate into whatever
system the City overall decides to purchase.
Deputy Controller Thayer stated the Fire and Building
Code Aid fund currently has $11,933 .05 . He explained
that the Fire and Building Departments share the State
funds . Commissioner Eckstrom stated that the Fire
Department agreed on this purchase. He mentioned that
the remaining balance in the fund will be used by the
Fire Department. The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, That the Authorized Equipment List of the Building
Department be amended by adding the following items:
1 486 Deskpro Computer $2,074.25
1 4MB RAM for the Server 164 . 33
1 Monochrome Monitor 198 . 13
Novell Netware 3 . 11 2, 184.38
Ethernet Cards 1, 718 .71
Ethernet Terminator Kit 25 .55
Netware Installation 361 . 35
Uninterruptable Power Supply/
Software 378 . 14
Cable Installation 232 .00
1 Portable Tape Back-Up System 450.00
Total $7,786 .84
and be it further
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B & A COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MAY 19, 1993
RESOLVED, That $7, 786 . 84 be transferred from Account A690-10
New York State Building and Fire Code Aid to the following
Account A3620-210 Office Equipment for acquisition of said
equipment.
The motion passed 4-0 .
8. Finance Department - Controller
A. Request to Adjust Employee Work Hours
Deputy Controller Thayer presented a request to adjust
the weekly hours of a Senior Account Clerk-Typist in the
Chamberlain's Office from 35 hours per week to 40 hours
per week. He explained that Sharie Bubble is willing to
increase her weekly hours by five hours to assist in the
Chamberlain's office need for more hours to provide
flexibility in scheduling office personnel. He stated
that this request was approved for another employee in
1991, but because of conflicts in scheduling, it was
never done.
Deputy Controller Thayer explained that the financial
impact for 1993 would be $1, 105 which he requested from
the Unrestricted Contingency account. After a brief
discussion, the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the Chamberlain's office is in need of increased
hours for flexibility while opening and closing daily; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That in the interest of providing the City
Chamberlain additional. flexibility in scheduling of office
personnel, the established work week of Sharie Bubble, Senior
Account Clerk-Typist be increased from thirty-five (35) hours
to forty (40) hours per week, and be it further
RESOLVED, That Sharie Bubble's 1992 salary ($13, 406) be
increased to $15, 321 effective June 7, 1993, and be it further
'RESOLVED, That the nec"essary funding be derived from Account
A1990 Unrestricted Contingency.
The motion passed 4-0 .
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B & A COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MAY 19, 1993
B. Request to Transfer Capital Project Funds
City Controller Cafferillo presented a request to
transfer $5,000 from the Parking Meter Retrofit Capital
Project to the Computer Acquisitions Capital Project for
the purchase of two computers: one in the Police
Department, and one in the Chamberlain's Office.
Controller Cafferillo explained that the Police
Department has demonstrated the need for one computer to
assist with activity related to the City Court office.
He stated that this will allow the court officer to look
up the criminal history of various offenders. He also
stated the Chamberlain's office needs a computer for use
in traffic violations activities .
Controller Cafferillo explained that the Parking Meter
Retrofit Capital Project was funded at $30, 000, but will
have an approximate remaining balance of $5, 000. He
stated that we can transfer the remaining balance to the
Computer Acquisition Capital Project for the purchase of
these computers .
After a discussion regarding the uses of the two
computers, the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, a request from the Police Department and the
Chamberlain' s office to purchase one new computer each has
been received by the Controller, and
WHEREAS, the Police Department will use its requested computer
to assist with activity related to the City Court office, and
the Chamberlain' s office will use its requested computer to
assist with activity in Traffic Violations, and
WHEREAS, the Capital Project #262 Parking Meter Retrofit was
funded at $30,000 and will have an unused balance of $5, 000
due to the cost-effective purchases; now, therefore be it
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B & A COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MAY 19, 1993
RESOLVED, That an amount not to exceed $5,000 be transferred
from Capital Project #211' Computer Acquisition for the
purchase of two (2) computers as follows :
1 486 Computer System - Police Department,
1 486 Computer System - Chamberlain's Office
The motion passed 4-0 .
9 . Committee to Proceed to Executive Session
The Committee voted, 4-0, to move into executive session
to discuss and Building Department personnel item and
potential litigation item.
10. Report from Executive Session
The Committee voted, 4-0, to return to regular session,
and Chairperson Booth reported that the following actions
were taken during the executive session:
A. Building Department - Request to Appoint Deputy
Building Commissioner
WHEREAS, in the 1993 Budget, the Common Council approved and
funded the position of a second Deputy Building Commissioner;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Phyllis Radke be non-competitively and
provisionally appointed to the position of Deputy Building
Commissioner at an annual salary of $33, 010, that being above
the minimum of the Executive Unit Compensation Plan for Grade
2, effective June 7, 1993, and be it further
RESOLVED, That funding for said appointment shall be derived
from existing funds within the Building Department's budgeted
appropriations.
The motion passed 4-0 .
B. City Attorney - Request to Appropriate Funds for
Litigation
RESOLVED, That $1,500 be transferred from Account A1990
Unrestricted Contingency to Account A1420-430 Fees for
Professional Services to fund an outside legal opinion for a
potential litigation matter.
The motion passed 4-0 .
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B & A COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MAY 19, 1993
The next meeting has been scheduled for June 23, 1993 at 8 : 00
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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