HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-1993-07-14 r '
BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING 7 :30 P.M. JULY 14, 1993
MINUTES
Present-
Committee Members: Daley, Booth, Romanowski, Johnson
Committee Member Excused: Berg
Others Present:
Mayor - Nichols
City Controller - Cafferillo
Deputy Controller - Thayer
Building Commissioner - Eckstrom
Youth Bureau Director - Cohen
Commons Coordinator - Deming
Asst. Commons Coordinator - Callahan
Deputy Planning Director - Sieverding
Assistant City Attorney - Kennedy
Police Chief - McEwen
Members of the media
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1 . Opening Comments:
Chairperson Booth stated that the following change was made to
the Agenda:
Additional item for the Police Department - Parking
Enforcement Officer discussion
Members of the public were asked to speak on any topic; no members
spoke.
2 . Building Department - Request for Rental Housing Inspector
Building Commissioner Eckstrom presented a request to
approve a new Building Department position, Rental
Housing Inspector, at an annual salary of $25,255 to
$31, 918. He explained that this position was discussed
last month at the B & A meeting, but was tabled to allow
him to gather more information on the position.
Commissioner Eckstrom explained that this request would
re-classify the vacant, but funded, Housing Inspector
position in the Building Department to a Rental Housing
Specialist.
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING JULY 14, 1993
Commissioner Eckstrom stated that this new position would
be responsible for filling an educational and information
source need for the Building Department, with particular
focus on the needs of landlords and tenants . He
explained that this position would fill the final piece
of the Building Department' s "user friendly, more
efficient department" image. He explained that the
position would also provide seminars to the public
concerning topics such as : how to fix up housing; funding
sources for the rehabilitation of affordable housing; how
to choose a landlord; variances; and inspections.
Commissioner Eckstrom stated that he felt the position
would spend half the time as a housing inspector and half
the time as a rental housing specialist. Alderpersons
Daley and Romanowski stated that the position should be
a full-time housing inspector. A discussion regarding
the position and the associated duties followed.
Alderperson Johnson stated that this position is needed,
and made the following motion:
RESOLVED, That the Building Department 1993 Authorized
Personnel Roster be amended by:
Adding ( 1) Rental Housing Specialist
Deleting ( 1) Housing Inspector
The motion failed for lack of a second. Further discussion of
the position continued.
Alderperson Daley recommended the following motion:
RESOLVED, That the Building Department fill the current
vacant, but funded, Housing Inspector position.
Voting results on the motion were as follows :
Ayes (2) - Daley, Romanowski
Nays (2 ) - Booth, Johnson
The motion failed 2-2 . The Committee decided not to send this
recommendation to the next COW meeting. No other action was taken.
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING JULY 14, 1993
3 . Commons Coordinator - Request to Amend 1993 Authorized
Equipment List
Commons Coordinator Deming and Jeremy Callahan presented
a request to approve the purchase of one
computer, a printer, and related software for an amount
not to exceed $4,000 . Ms . Deming stated that this
request was tabled from last month' s B & A meeting. She
explained that the department met with the Mayor on this
issue, and he felt the equipment was needed. Callahan
explained that the proposed computer system will benefit
the Commons Coordinator and the Planning Department
because some of the equipment purchased will be shared
between the two departments. After a discussion
regarding the equipment and the determination that the
funds should be derived from the Unrestricted Contingency
Account, the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the Commons Coordinator's office is in need of a new
computer, printer, and related software to provide assistance
in the department' s graphic design work, and
WHEREAS, the computer system will also benefit the Planning
Department's staff because the system will be shared with
certain staff members; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 1993 Authorized Equipment list be amended
by adding the following
One ( 1) 486 DX 33 8 MB RAM $1, 800
One ( 1 ) Laser Printer 1,200
Computer Software 11000
Total $4,000
and be it further
RESOLVED, That an amount not to exceed $4,000 be transferred
from Account A1990 Unrestricted Contingency to Account A8510-
210 Office Equipment for said computer system purchase.
The motion passed 3-0-1 . Alderperson Daley abstained from
voting on the issue.
4 . Planning Department - Business Improvement District Discussion
Deputy Planning Director Sieverding and BID Steering
Committee Chairperson Walker discussed the current status
of the proposed Business Improvement District (BID) with
the Committee Deputy Director Sieverding distributed the
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING JULY 14, 1993
proposed BID budget and BID plan schedule to the
Committee. He explained that the proposed BID plan has
been worked on for a few months, and per the schedule
should be approved and adopted by December 30, 1993.
Deputy Director Sieverding defined the proposed district
for the Committee and discussed the proposed budget. He
explained that properties in the BID would pay, over and
above the normal City tax, 20% of the City tax rate, or
$1 .59 per $1,000 . He stated that based on the assessed
value of taxable property in the BID ($130, 926,800) , the
BID would receive $208, 174 in income from property
owners .
He also explained that the proposed budget had been
designed in two different ways . The first budget would
be based on $208, 174 in BID income plus a contribution of
$7,500 each from the City of Ithaca and Tompkins County
for a total BID income in the first year of $223, 174.
The second budget would involve $208, 174 from City and
County property owners plus payments of $1.59/1,000 on
the total value of property owned by the City and County.
This budget would result in the following:
City of Ithaca $ 47,547
Tompkins County 41, 672
Town of Ithaca 1,025
BID Assessment 208, 174
Total $298,418 1
Sieverding explained that the following types of
properties were removed from the total assessment
calculation in order to derive the $208, 174:
A. Religious and Other Non-Profit Institutions
B. Single Family Dwellings
C. Duplexes
Sieverding stated that the $208, 174 will be used by the
BID to pay for the following items :
A. Executive Director And Administrative Aide
Salaries
B. Parking Promotion
C. Guides for security ( $100, 000) to assist with
downtown merchants and businesses - much
like security officers
D. Office Furnishing and Equipment
E. Recruitment and Retention
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING JULY 14, 1993
Sieverding asked the Committee to consider whether the
City should contribute to the BID Budget Plan, and if so,
whether by direct contribution or by a contribution based
on assessment. The Committee discussed the contribution
by the local governments to the BID Plan, and felt that
it would be very difficult and costly to come up with the
specified amount based on the assessment methods of
calculation. Deputy Director Sieverding stated that he
researched many different BIDs around the country, and
none of them had full participation by the governmental
units on an assessment basis, but instead a negotiated
contribution is made by the government.
The consensus of the Committee was to conceptionally
approve the BID Plan as presented with a direct
governmental contribution instead of a contribution based
on governmental assessment for municipalities .
Alderperson Daley felt that the government entities
should be put on the same basis as all other property
owners who are subject to this BID. No formal action was
taken.
5 . Youth Bureau/GIAC
A. Youth Bureau - Request to Amend 1993 Youth Bureau Budget
Youth Bureau Director Cohen stated that the Youth Bureau
will receive a $2, 000 grant from Cornell Univerisity to
support the Paul Schreurs Memorial Program. He explained
that the program will be offered to high school and
middle school students during the summer through TC-3 and
BOCES. If accepted, the program will alter the 1993
Youth Bureau budget income and expenditures equally.
After a brief discussion,the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Youth Bureau has been advised by Cornell
University that $2, 000 in funding will be received to support
the Paul Schreurs Memorial Program, and
WHEREAS, the program will be offered in conjunction with TC-3
for high school students, and in conjunction with BOCES for
middle school students; now, therefore, be it
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING JULY 14, 1993
RESOLVED, That the 1993 Youth Development Budget be amended as
follows :
Increase Income:
Account A2070 Contribution for Youth $2,000
Increase Appropriations :
Account A7310-120-1201 Hourly P/T Paul Schreurs $ 550
Account A7310-435-1201 Contractual Paul Schreurs 600
Account A7310-460-1201 Program Supplies
Paul Schreurs 425
Account A7310-470-1201 Rental Paul Schreurs 375
Account A9030 Social Security 42
Account A9040 Workers ' Compensation 8
The motion passed 3-0. Alderperson Daley was absent when the
vote was taken.
B. Request to Amend 1993 Youth Bureau Budget
Youth Bureau Director Cohen presented a request to amend
the 1993 Youth Bureau Budget by $3, 751 to reflect funding
from Tompkins County for the Paul Schreurs Program. He
explained that the program will be funded through the
National and Community Service Act. He stated that if
this funding is accepted, the 1993 Youth BureaA Budget
should be amended equally in terms of income and
expenditures . j.
After a discussion by the Committee regarding the
amendment, the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Youth Bureau has been advised by Tompkins
County that the Youth Bureau will receive $3,751 in funding to
support the Paul Schreurs Memorial Program, and
WHEREAS, the program will be funded through the National and
Community Service Act for the Community Service component of
the Paul Schreurs Memorial Program; now, therefore, be it
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING JULY 14, 1993
RESOLVED, That the 1993 Youth Development Budget be amended as
follows :
Increase Income:
Account A2350 Youth Services Other Governments $3,751
Increase Appropriations :
Account A7310-120-1201 Hourly P/T Paul Schreurs $2,885
Account A9030 Social Security 221
Account A9040 Workers ' Compensation 205
Account A9060 Health Insurance 440
The motion passed 3-0. Alderperson Daley was absent when the
vote was taken.
C. Request to Amend 1993 Youth Bureau Budget for Summer Camp
Iroquois Program
Youth Bureau Director Cohen presented a request to amend
the 1993 Budget by $2, 140 to reflect unanticipated
revenue received for the Recreation Mainstreaming
Services' Camp Iroquois Program. He explained that this
additional funding for this program was being derived
from the following sources :
Cornell University $1,000
Micawbers "Charles Dickens" Day Fundraiser 900
BOCES Teachers ' Association 240
After a brief discussion, the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Youth Bureau has received unanticipated
revenue in the amount of $2, 140 for the Recreation
Mainstreaming Services ' Camp Iroquois Program, and
WHEREAS, the funding for the Camp Iroquois Program will be
received from the following sources :
Cornell University $1, 000
Micawbers "Charles Dickens" Day Fundraiser 900
BOCES Teachers ' Association 240
now, therefore, be it
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING JULY 14, 1993
RESOLVED, That the 1993 Youth Bureau Budget be amended as
follows :
Increase Income:
Account A2070 Contribution for Youth $2, 140
Increase Appropriations:
Account A7310-120-1631 Hourly P/T $1,500
Account A7310-460-1631 Program Supplies 418
Account A9030 Social Security 115
Account A9040 Workers' Compensation 107
The motion passed 3-0 . Alderperson Daley was absent when the
vote was taken.
D. GIAC - Request to Establish Petty Cash Fund
Youth Bureau Director Cohen presented a request to
establish a $100 Petty Cash Account at GIAC. He
explained that GIAC currently does not have a petty cash
account, but because of pool activity and various other
minor expenses, a $100 account is needed.
City Controller Cafferillo stated that a petty cash fund
will improve accountability over these minor expenses.
He explained that the initial funds may be derived from
the Unrestricted Contingency Account. After a discussion
regarding the petty cash account, the following motion
was made:
WHEREAS, the Alex Haley Municipal Pool is in need of a petty
cash account for various minor expenses related to the pool
activities, and
WHEREAS, the amount for such petty cash account has been
estimated at $100; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That an amount not to exceed $100 be established for
the Alex Haley Municipal Pool Petty Cash Account, such funds
to be located in the Alex Haley Municipal Pool cash drawer,
and be it further
RESOLVED, That $100 be transferred from Account A1990
Unrestricted Contingency to Account A210-007 Alex Haley Pool
Petty Cash for the purpose of establishing said petty cash
account.
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING JULY 14, 1993
The motion passed 3-0 . Alderperson Daley was absent when the
vote was taken.
E. GIAC - Request to Amend 1993 GIAC Budget for Purchase of
T-shirts
Youth Bureau Director Cohen presented a request to
purchase Youth Bureau Summer Camp T-shirts at a cost of
$1, 000. He explained that the camp fees have been
increased to reflect the $1,000 T-shirt expenditure. He
stated that the 1993 GIAC Budget will be increased
equally on both the revenue side and on the expenditure
side. After a discussion regarding the T-shirts and
their associated costs, the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, GIAC needs to purchase Youth Program Summer Camp T-
shirts in the amount of $1,000, and
WHEREAS, the GIAC camp fee was increased to cover the cost of
the purchase of camp T-shirts; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 1993 GIAC Budget be amended as follows for
purchase of said T-shirts :
Increase Revenues:
Account A2001 Parks & Recreation Charges $1,000
i
Increase Appropriations :
Account A7311-460-1101 Program Supplies $1,000
The motion passed 4-0 .
6 . Police Department - Parking Enforcement Officer Discussion
This item was brought forward from the Common Council
meeting of July, and discussed at the Committee' s June
B & A meeting. It was noted that $20,500 has been set
aside in the 1993 Budget to reflect the possible hire of
a 1/2 year full time Traffic Enforcement Officer. The
Police Chief was asked to investigate alternatives to
hiring another officer, such as a speed radar trailer.
Police Chief McEwen explained that he researched this
issue and has found an alternative to hiring another
Traffic Enforcement Officer. He stated that New York
State law allows the Chief to designate a person(s) other
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING JULY 14, 1993
than a police officer to direct traffic in the City.
This would take a local law, passed by Common Council, to
allow the Chief of Police to designate a person, other
than a police officer, to direct traffic in the City.
This could free up current officers, who are regulating
traffic, to be used to enforce traffic laws.
Chief McEwen explained that the City of Syracuse has
several individuals, known as Community Services
Officers, who are designated by the Police Chief to
direct traffic, among other things . He stated that these
individuals work for the City Police Department, and
perform the following services:
A. Provide Airport Security
B. Undertake Traffic Enforcement/Parking Ticket
responsibilities
C. Assist police officers with auto accidents
D. Provide liaison between businesses and the
Police Department
Chief McEwen explained that their training time is
shorter than police officers, and that they can be hired
for $17,000 - $20, 000, approximately half the cost of a
normal officer. i
Mayor Nichols stated that this was going in the right
direction, and that a local law would be needed to give
the Chief the authority to designate an individual or
individuals to be a Community Services Officer. He
explained that the Chief should work on the proposal,
discuss this with the PBA, get the local law, and
establish a job description for the position. He stated
this should be done for the next budget cycle. The
Committee agreed with the concept of this idea. No
formal action was taken.
7 . Finance Department - Controller - Purchasing Policy
Deputy City Controller Thayer distributed a draft
Purchasing Policy for the City of Ithaca to the
Committee. He explained that this was a draft policy.
It is required by New York State law that we approve a
policy for purchasing. The Committee agreed to review
the policy and bring it back next month for discussion.
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING JULY 14, 1993
No action was taken.
8. Committee to Proceed into Executive Session
The Committee voted, 4-0, to move into executive session
to discuss upcoming contract negotiations, and to discuss
a tax lien policy item.
9 . Report from Executive Session
Chairperson Booth reported the following after the
Committee reconvened in public session.
A. City Attorney - Contract Negotiations
Assistant City Attorney Kennedy discussed with the
Committee the upcoming contract negotiations between the
City and the Executive Unit, Chief Officers Unit, and the
CSEA DPW Unit. Ms . Kennedy was given some preliminary
direction from the Committee. No formal action was
taken.
B. Finance Department - Controller - Enforcement of Tax
Liens
City Controller Cafferillo discussed tax sale procedures
with the Committee, relating to three properties . The
Committee concurred with the City Controller and City
Chamberlain' s request to delay serving notices on the
applicable properties until September. No formal action
was taken.
The next B & A meeting will be August 16, 1993 at 7 : 30 P.M.
The meeting adjourned at 9 :45 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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