HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-1993-09-22 BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING 7 :30 P.M. SEPTEMBER 22, 1993
MINUTES
Present:
Committee Members: Booth, Johnson, Berg, Romanowski
Committee Members Excused: Daley
Others Present:
City Controller - Cafferillo
Deputy Controller - Thayer
Police Chief - McEwen
Fire Chief - Wilbur
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Personnel Administrator - Saul
Members of the media
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1 . Opening Comments:
Chairperson Booth stated that the following additions were made to
the agenda:
A. DPW - Traffic Engineer Position
B. City Chamberlain - Tax Sale Item
C. Police Department - Item on Neighborhood Policing
D. Police Department - Item on Community Service Officer
E. SPCA Dog Enumeration
F. Dates for November Budget Meetings
G. DPW - Snow Removal Costs Transfer
H. DPW - Executive Session Item
Members of the Public were asked to speak; no members spoke.
2 . Police Department
A. Request to Authorize Application for Federal Grant
Police Chief McEwen presented a request to approve an
application for a federal grant to provide partial funding for
the hiring of three police officers . He explained that the
City has an opportunity to hire three new police officers with
up to 75% of the funding for three years to be derived from a
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 22, 1993
grant for the Police Hiring Supplement Program. He explained
that Council needs to approve the application now to allow the
City to have a chance to be approved for this program.
Chief McEwen explained that he is recommending that three
officers be hired under this program, and that the officers
will be used to enhance the City's community policing efforts .
He stated that funding from the grant can provide up to 75% of
the total cost at an annual maximum of $75,000 for the next
three years. The City would have to pay the remaining 25% of
the cost. He explained the funding as follows:
Cost including benefits $349,755
for 3 officers
City Share 124,755
Federal Share 225,000
Chief McEwen stated that the officers would be used to assist
the Department's current Community Policing Program. He felt
three officers would greatly improve this program, and provide
much needed policing in certain areas of the city. He
explained that the Mayor supports this program. He noted that
the City funding for this program will be placed in the Police
Department's 1994 budget requests .
Chief McEwen stated that he is looking for a resolution that
allows him to submit an application for this program. He did
state that the intent of his long-range plan is to keep these
three officers as permanent officers after the grant is
completed in three years, but the City would not actually be
deciding at this time to make these permanent positions. He
stated that the City will continue to seek additional federal
funding for these types of programs.
After a lengthy discussion regarding the grant program, the
following motion was made:
WHEREAS the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Ithaca, are
interested in promoting effective crime-fighting partnerships
between the Ithaca Police Department and the citizens of Ithaca,
and;
WHEREAS since November 1991, the Mayor and Common Council have
supported the Ithaca Police Chief in his efforts to promote such
partnerships by implementing a pilot Community Policing Program in
the City of Ithaca, and;
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 22, 1993
WHEREAS there is evidence that the pilot Community Policing Program,
commonly referred to in Ithaca as the Neighborhood Oriented Policing
Program, has been successful in obtaining unprecedented citizen
support and involvement in crime prevention efforts in the targeted
pilot area, and;
WHEREAS the City of Ithaca would like to continue and expand its
Community Policing Program, with the only impediment to the
continuation and expansion of such a Community Policing Program
being the problem of fiscal constraints currently faced by the City,
and'
WHEREAS United States Attorney General Janet Reno has announced the
Police Hiring Supplement Program to assist law enforcement agencies
in hiring additional sworn law enforcement officers to expand
community policing to "prevent crime, promote problem-solving, and
enhance public safety" ; and;
WHEREAS this Federal Program would provide up to 75% funding, with
a maximum of $75, 000 for the next three years, including salary and
fringe benefits, for each officer hired through this program, and
the City would pay the remaining 25% cost, and;
WHEREAS the Mayor and Police Chief are recommending that three
police officers be hired through this program, with an estimated
budget of $349,755 for three years, with a Federal share of $225, 000
and a City share of $124,755; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED that the Common Council of the City of Ithaca, does hereby
authorize Police Chief Harlin R. McEwen to submit an application to
the Department of Justice' s Police Hiring Supplement Program for a
grant in the amount of $225, 000 to partially fund three new police
officer positions in the Ithaca Police Department which will enable
the City of Ithaca to enhance its Community Policing efforts; and be
it further
RESOLVED that the Common Council of the City of Ithaca hereby
expresses its intention to continue this Community Policing Program
after the completion of the three year grant period.
The motion passed 4-0 .
B. Request to Amend 1993 Authorized Personnel Roster
Police Chief McEwen presented a request to amend the 1993
Authorized Personnel Roster by the addition of one Community
Service Officer. He explained that Council asked him last
month to look into the possibility of hiring a community
service officer to assist with increased traffic concerns .
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 22, 1993
Chief McEwen stated that if this officer were hired, he could
then move a fully-trained police officer, currently on non-
enforcement traffic duty, to full-time traffic enforcement
duties . He explained that a community service officer is not
a fully-trained police officer, and therefore, is paid about
half the salary of a police officer. He presented the
Committee with the job description for the community officer
position (attached) . He stated that these officers do not have
arrest powers, but may assist police officers in routine
traffic duties, records duties, and communications duties. He
stated that he would take a Charter amendment to C & O next
month for approval of the Community Service Officer position.
A discussion regarding the officer and his duties followed.
Chief McEwen noted that the salary range for this position was
$13, 358 to $16,902 . The following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the Police Department has recommended that the City hire a
Community Service Officer to assist with routine traffic, records
and communication activities without arrest powers, and
WHEREAS, once this person is hired and trained, it will allow a
fully-trained police officer, currently being used largely for non-
enforcement traffic detail, to perform traffic enforcement activity;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 1993 Police Department Personnel Roster be
amended by the creation of the following position:
Add: (1) One Community Service Officer
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the position shall be assigned to the C.S.E.A.
Administrative Unity with an annual salary range of $13,358 -
$16, 902, that being Grade 7 on the 1992 C.S.E.A. Administrative Unit
compensation plan, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the job description for said position is hereby
approved and attached.
The motion passed 4-0 .
C. Request to Release Contingency Funds for Community Service
Officer
Police Chief McEwen presented a request to transfer current
funds in the restricted contingency account to fund a Community
Service Officer for the remainder of 1993 . He explained that
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 22, 1993
$20,500 had been placed in the 1993 restricted contingency
account to fund a traffic enforcement officer for six months.
He stated that now the City could hire a community service
officer as an alternative to the traffic enforcement officer.
He- stated that this officer could be hired and be on line by
mid-November.
Chairperson Booth stated that the hiring of this Community
Service officer should be considered at the 1994 budget
discussion, so that all items could be looked at together. The
majority of the Committee felt this officer would greatly help
the Police Department and it should be done now. After a
discussion, the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the 1993 Budget included $20,500 in the restricted
contingency account to fund a traffic enforcement officer for six
months, and
WHEREAS, the Police Department has recommended an alternative to a
traffic enforcement officer by use of a Community Service Officer to
assist with traffic duties; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That $1,875 be released from the restricted contingency
account A-1990 and transferred to Account A-3120-110 Police
Department Staff to fund a Community Service Officer for a month-
and-a-half in 1993, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the salary for 1994 for said position will be
allocated in the 1994 Budget with funds being derived from the
restricted contingency account in the 1993 budget.
Voting results on the motion were as follows:
Ayes (3) - Berg, Johnson, Romanowski
Nays ( 1) - Booth
The motion passed 3-1 .
3 . Finance Department - Request to Transfer Funds to Establish
SPCA/City Dog Enumeration
City Controller Cafferillo presented a request to perform a
city-wide dog enumeration. SPCA representatives were present
to discuss various dog enumeration possibilities for the city.
Controller Cafferillo explained to the Committee that the City
has had a poor history in trying to perform city dog
enumerations .
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 22, 1993
The SPCA representatives stated that after several discussions
with the Controller, the following dog enumeration procedure is
being proposed for the City:
A. ' The City and SPCA will work together on the enumeration.
B. The City will hire 10-15 Contract Agents @$150-$250 each.
C. The agents will visit city housing units to collect data.
D. A temporary person will check dogs found against license
lists in the Clerk' s office.
E. Owners of unlicensed dogs will be ticketed.
F. The City will write up tickets, delivered by SPCA.
The SPCA explained that the City should increase their revenues
by $2, 000 - $5, 000 per year if the proposed enumeration method
is put in place. They stated that the revenue will vary,
depending on the cost of agents and number of dogs found.
After a lengthy discussion regarding the process, the Committee
agreed to attempt this enumeration process with implementation
in 1994 at a total cost of $5,000. The following motion was
made:
WHEREAS, the City, in conjunction with the Tompkins County SPCA will
attempt to perform a complete dog enumeration for the City of
Ithaca, and
WHEREAS, the program will consist of hiring contract agents to
perform counting, training agents,. managing agents, sending notices
and writing tickets, and
WHEREAS, it has been estimated that the cost for said dog
enumeration program will cost $5,000, and it has been estimated that
the dog enumeration program will increase City revenues by $5,000;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That an amount not to exceed $5, 000 be transferred from
Account A1990 Unrestricted Contingency to Account A1315-435 Finance
Department Contracts to fund a dog enumeration program.
The motion passed 4-0.
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 22, 1993
4 . Fire Department - Request to Amend Current Fire Chief Officers'
Contract
Fire Chief Wilbur presented a request to amend the current
Chief Officers' Contract. He explained that the changes are,
as specified in the following items, to the following areas and
relate to an Assistant Chief's being assigned to the Municipal
Training Officer position:
A. Hours of Work - Municipal Training Officer shall work
a nominal 40-hour work week.
B. Call In - Municipal Training Officer shall be
available for call-in when it will not
require the MTO to work in excess of 38
straight hours.
C. Kelly Time - Assistant Chief not eligible for Kelly
time.
D. Vacation Allowance - Assistant Chief shall be
entitled to take vacation leave
in whole-day increments .
E. Float Officer Coverage
Chief Wilbur stated that all of these changes will "sunset"
when the current contract expires . After a brief discussion
regarding the contract items, the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the Fire Department has recommended amendments to the
current contract between the City of Ithaca and the Chief Officers'
for the Fire Department to modify language with regards to hours of
work, call in, call back, holdover, Kelly Time, vacation allowance,
and float officer as follows :
CONTRACT DATED: January 1, 1991 - December 31, 1993
All modifications would "sunset" when the current contract expires .
P. Hours of Work - add the following
The Assistant Chief assigned as the Municipal Training Officer
shall work a nominal forty (40) hour work week. The actual
scheduled hours shall be dependent upon training classes, needs
and other factors. The actual scheduled hours shall be
mutually agreed upon between the MTO and Fire Chief or the Fire
Chief ' s designee.
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 22, 1993
5 . Call In, Call Back, Holdover - add the following
The Assistant Chief assigned as the Municipal Training
Officer shall be available for Call In when said Call In
will not require the MTO to work in excess of thirty-eight
(38) straight hours of work. The Call In shall be outside
of the MTO's regularly scheduled hours of work. The MTO
shall be part of the regular Assistant Chief's Call In
list.
6. Kelly Time - add the following
The Assistant Chief assigned as the MTO shall not be
eligible for Kelly Time.
Q. Vacation Allowance - add the following
The Assistant Chief assigned as the Municipal Training Officer
shall be entitled to take vacation leave in any combination of
whole day increments that the employee desires .
Z . Float Officer
Upon the permanent assignment of the current Float Officer to
one ( 1) shift and the MTO being relieved of permanent shift
coverage, this clause shall become null and void for the
duration of this agreement.
WHEREAS, the aforementioned proposed amendments have been approved
by the Chief Officers ' ; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the aforementioned proposed amendments be made to the
existing contract between the City of Ithaca and the Chief Officers'
of the Fire Department.
The motion passed 4-0 .
5 . Finance Department - Personnel
A. Request to Establish Policy on Filling Vacancies on a Temporary
Basis
Personnel Administrator Saul presented for approval a policy on
filling vacancies on a temporary basis . She explained that the
B&A Committee directed her last month to draft a policy of
filling vacancies on a temporary basis . She explained each
possibility of filling vacancies as follows :
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 22, 1993
A. Temporary Vacancies : Each department head should have the
authority to fill temporary vacancies through the use of
temporary agencies or out-of-title assignments only if the
permanent employee is expected to return, and when the
position has become vacant due to a disciplinary
termination and an arbitration decision is pending.
B. Permanent Vacancies : If a position becomes permanently
vacant, and the position needs to be filled, the
department head should be able to temporarily fill the
position through the use of temporary assignments or out-
of-title assignments subject to the following:
1 . A vacancy review request would have to be filed
within thirty (30) days of opening.
2 . If vacant position is authorized to be filled by
Vacancy Review, the position could be filled by use
of temporary means, up to six (6) months .
3 . If vacancy is longer than six (6) months, Vacancy
Review approval would be needed.
4 . All out-of-title assignments and use of temporary
agencies should be reported to the Personnel
Administrator.
5. If Vacancy Review denies the approval to fill, all
out-of-title assignments and temporary agencies
should be discontinued.
After a discussion of the issues, the following motion was
made:
WHEREAS, the Personnel Department has recommended that a policy be
established and approved relating to the filling of vacancies on a
temporary basis; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the policy on the filling of vacancies on a temporary
basis by City departments be hereby established as follows :
Temporary Vacancies
Each department head shall have the authority to fill a temporary
vacancy in his/her department through the use of out-of-title
assignments or temporary agencies, in the following situations :
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 22, 1993
1 . When a permanent employee is temporarily absent from his/her
job, but is expected to return (i.e. extended illness, leave of
absence, etc. ) , a department head may fill the position through
temporary means for the duration of the absence.
2 . When a position has become vacant due to a disciplinary
termination and an arbitration proceeding is pending, the
department head may elect to fill the position through
temporary means until the arbitration proceeding is resolved.
Permanent Vacancies
In the event that a position becomes permanently vacant, and the
department head believes that the position must be filled
immediately, the department head may temporarily fill the position
through the use of out-of-title assignments or temporary agencies,
subject to the following:
1. The department head must submit a request to fill the position
permanently to the Vacancy Review Committee within thirty (30)
days of the occurrence of the vacancy.
2 . If the Vacancy Review Committee authorizes the department head
to fill the vacancy, the department head may continue to fill
the position through temporary means for up to six (6) months
of the original date of the vacancy, while recruitment for a
permanent replacement is underway.
3. If recruitment difficulties delay the permanent filling of the
vacancy beyond six months, the department head must receive
approval from the Vacancy Review Committee to extend the use of
out-of-title assignments or temporary agencies.
4. All out-of-title appointments and the use of temporary agencies
must be reported to the Personnel Administrator. If the
position involved is represented by a union, the Personnel
Administrator shall notify the Union President that the
position is being filled through temporary means.
5 . Should the Vacancy Review Committee deny approval to fill a
position permanently, the use of out-of-title assignments or
temporary agencies in lieu of filling said position shall be
prohibited.
The motion passed 4-0 .
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 22, 1993
B. Request to Support Promotional Opportunities for City Employees
Personnel Administrator Saul presented a request to approve a
policy to support promotional opportunities for City Employees.
She explained that the Committee has requested that this type
of policy be established. She recommended that the City's
general policy on promotional opportunities for City Employees
should be as follows :
1 . The City should encourage the filling of City positions
through the use of internal candidates .
2 . The Vacancy Review Committee should require each
department to evaluate fields of candidates prior to
filling a position on an open requirement basis.
After a brief discussion, the following motion was made:
RESOLVED, That it shall be the policy of the City of Ithaca to
support and encourage the filling of City positions through the
promotion of internal candidates whenever possible, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That when reviewing requests to fill positions, the
Vacancy Review Committee shall require each department head to
review and evaluate potential promotional fields of candidates,
prior to filling a position on an open recruitment basis.
The motion passed 4-0 .
C. Request to Approve Fringe Benefits for Managerial Personnel
Personnel Administrator Saul presented a request to approve the
currently established Fringe Benefits for Managerial Personnel.
She explained that the adoption of this request would not
change any of the current managerial employees' benefits, but
simply put them in writing in one place. She explained that
some of the managerial employees will be involved in the
upcoming negotiations with the Executive Association. Because
the fringe benefits those same managerial employees receive are
derived from the Executive Association contract, it could be
construed as a potential conflict of interest. Consequently,
she is recommending that Common Council reaffirm the benefits
for managerial personnel and establish them separately and
apart from the Executive Association contract, so that
negotiated changes in Executive Association benefits will not
automatically impact managerial employees .
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 22, 1993
After a brief discussion regarding the benefits, the following
motion was made:
WHEREAS, the fringe benefits provided to managerial personnel not
covered by a bargaining unit have been set as follows by numerous
City decision of a period of years :
1 . Vacation•
Annual vacation shall be granted as follows:
Two (2 ) weeks after one ( 1) year or service.
Three (3) weeks after two (2) years of service.
Four (4) weeks after seven (7) years of service.
Five (5) weeks after twenty (20) years of service.
Vacation leave shall accrue on January 1st of each calendar
year. For the purpose of this Section, an employee's seniority
date shall be considered to be January 1st of the year of hire;
provided, however, that for all new employees, vacation
credited in the first January following employment shall be a
pro-rated amount in accordance with the following schedule:
Date of Hire Vacation Allowance
Jan 1 - Mar 15 10 days
Mar 16 - May 31 8 days
Jun 1 - Aug 15 6 days
Aug 16 - Oct 31 4 days
Nov 1 - Dec 31 2 days
An employee may elect to receive cash payment for up to two (2)
weeks of accumulated vacation time, in December of any calendar
year.
2 . Holidays :
Holiday leave shall be as follows:
January 1st Labor Day
Martin Luther King Day Columbus Day
Lincoln' s Birthday Veteran' s Day
Washington's Birthday Thanksgiving
Memorial Day Christmas
Independence Day Two (2 ) Floating Holidays
Whenever any of these holidays falls on a Saturday, the
preceding Friday shall be considered the holiday. If on
Sunday, the following Monday shall be considered the holiday.
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 22, 1993
3. Sick Leave:
Sick leave shall accumulate at the rate of one ( 1) day per
month. There shall be unlimited accumulation of sick leave.
4 . Sick Leave Bank:
In the event that a management level employee is absent from
work due to prolonged illness which has exhausted that
employee's leave credits, fellow management employees may
voluntarily donate earned sick leave time to the affected
employee up to a maximum of five (5) days per donating employee
per year. Donated sick leave days shall be deducted from the
earned sick leave time of the donating employee.
5. Sick Leave Buyout:
Upon an employee's retirement, the employee shall be
compensated for unused sick leave as follows:
a. The employee may elect to receive a cash settlement for
unused sick leave not to exceed $9,000.
The employee may elect to have the above cash settlement
paid weekly as regular salary during his/her last six
months of employment; provided, however, that no such
settlement shall be paid until after the employee has
submitted a letter of commitment which specifies the date
of retirement.
If the employee elects to receive the above cash
settlement and has accumulated sick leave credit in excess
of the above amount, the remaining sick leave, computed at
the employee's current rate of pay, may be applied toward
the payment of extended health and/or dental insurance
coverage until exhausted.
b. The employee may elect to waive the cash settlement
described in (a) above, and apply all of his/her
accumulated sick leave toward extended health and/or
dental insurance coverage. If the cash settlement is
waived, extended health and dental insurance coverage
shall be provided at the rate of one ( 1) month of
insurance for each twelve ( 12) hours of accumulated sick
leave.
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 22, 1993
In the event of an employee's death prior to his/her
retirement, or if retired, prior to the exhaustion of remaining
accumulated funds, such monies due the employee shall be
applied toward the purchase of health insurance for his/her
surviving dependents, if any.
Upon the exhaustion of the above credits in (a) and (b) above,
the City will no longer extend health insurance coverage to
retirees and dependents except by direct full payment to the
City by the retiree at the appropriate rate available as
determined by the City.
6. Personal Leave:
All employees shall receive three (3) personal leave days each
calendar year. Personal leave shall be granted to allow the
employee to conduct personal and/or family business which
otherwise falls on a workday. Unused personal leave shall be
credited annually on December 31st to accumulated sick leave.
Once unused personal leave is credited to accumulated sick
leave, it may not be used for personal leave, but may be used
as accumulated sick leave would be used.
7 . Bereavement Leave:
In the event of death in the immediate family of the employee
or family of the employee's spouse or domestic partner, such
employee shall be allowed a leave of absence with pay to a
maximum of three (3) days. The Mayor may grant additional time
as needed.
The immediate family is defined as: the spouse or domestic
partner, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother or
sister of the employee or the parent, grandparent, child,
grandchild, brother or sister of the spouse or domestic
partner. It shall apply also to any other relative living in
the same household.
8. Parenting Leave:
Pursuant to Section C-109(B) (3) of the City Charter, any
employee taking a parenting leave shall be entitled to use up
to eight (8) weeks of accumulated sick leave without providing
a doctor's certificate. Parenting leaves shall be available to
both male and female employees and shall be available only in
the case of childbirth or adoption. Employees may use
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 22, 1993
additional sick time at the end of the eight (8) week period
for parenting leave upon presentation of a doctor's certificate
attesting to the necessity for such continued leave from
employment.
9 . Jury Duty:
An employee shall be granted a leave of absence, with pay, at
no loss to accrued leave, to serve jury duty or to appear as a
witness pursuant to subpoena, or other order of the court upon
presentation to the City of proof thereof. Any compensation
received from the court except expense reimbursement, shall be
returned to the City.
10 . Work Schedule:
The City recognizes the need to provide a certain degree of
flexibility in the work schedules of managerial employees to
accommodate for work performed during non-traditional work
hours .
11 . Health & Dental Insurance:
The City agrees to pay one hundred percent ( 100%) of the cost
of the health insurance and dental insurance programs.
12 . Retirement:
The City shall provide membership in the New York State
Employees' Retirement System with benefits as described in the
"Improved Non-Contributor Plan" (Section 75-i) . In addition,
the City shall provide Section 384d benefits for members of the
uniformed services, including Section 302(9 ) (D) for Tier 1
members .
13 . Day Care:
The City shall continue to provide the established Day Care
Assistance Program (Cash Subsidy Program, Flexible Spending
Account and Flexible Work Schedule) according to the program
and procedures adopted by the Ithaca Common Council.
14 . Educational Assistance:
The City of Ithaca agrees to pay the tuition for education
courses, including technical and trade schools, up to a maximum
cost of $200 per course. Such assistance shall be limited to
courses which are related to an employee' s position and which
will further development in the performance of his/her duties .
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 22, 1993
Assistance is to be limited to four (4) courses per year, with
a career limit of twenty (20) courses .
15 . Mileage Reimbursement:
Employees who are required to use their personal automotive
vehicle in the conduct of official business shall be reimbursed
at the prevailing IRS rate.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the fringe benefits granted to
managerial personnel not covered by a bargaining unit are hereby
established in accord with items #1 - #15 previously stated.
The motion passed 4-0.
6. Department of Public Works
A. Request to Sell State Street Bricks
Superintendent of Public Works Gray presented a request to
approve a contract to use historic bricks to construct a
walkway in front of a business at 413 West State Street. The
Committee asked that a new procedure for the approval of these
brick contracts be examined and established. The following
motion was made:
WHEREAS, the City Landmarks Preservation Commission has issued to
Tsvi Bokaer a certificate of appropriateness for the use of
historical used bricks belonging to the City to construct a walkway
in front of his business at 413 West State Street; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That Common Council approves and authorizes the
Superintendent of Public Works to sign the agreement between the
City and Tsvi Bokaer for the sale of said bricks .
The motion passed 4-0.
B. Request to Amend 1993 Authorized Personnel Roster
Superintendent of Public Works Gray presented a request to
amend the 1993 Authorized Personnel Roster for the position of
Traffic Systems Engineer. He explained that the Board of
Public Works has approved this amendment. He explained that
the current Traffic Engineer position would be deleted and
replaced by a Traffic Systems Engineer position at an annual
salary of $32,244 to $40,702 .
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 22, 1993
Supt. Gray stated that the Traffic Systems Engineer position
would include the following duties :
- focus on traffic engineering and traffic planning
- collect, analyze and interpret data on traffic
designs and develops traffic control systems
including parking
- perform traffic studies
- work under the supervision of the City Engineer
After discussion regarding this position and the related
duties, the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed and recommended that
the position of Traffic Systems Engineer be created and that this
position replace the Traffic Engineer position currently part of the
Department of Public Works' Personnel Roster; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 1993 DPW Personnel Roster be amended by the
following:
Add: ( 1) One Traffic Systems Engineer
Delete: (1) One Traffic Engineer
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Traffic Systems Engineer shall be assigned to the
Executive Unit with an annual salary range of $32,244 - $40,702,
that being Grade 2 on the 1993 Executive Union compensation plan,
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Traffic Systems Engineer position will be funded
from the existing appropriation for the position of Traffic
Engineer, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Department of Public Works is hereby authorized
to fill the position of Traffic Systems Engineer.
The motion passed 4-0 .
C. Reguest to Transfer Funds to Cover Snow Removal Costs
Superintendent of Public Works Gray presented a request to
transfer $52, 782 in funds to cover various expenditures related
to the Blizzard of 1993. He explained that as a result of the
blizzard of 1993, many of his snow removal accounts are in need
of funds for upcoming snow removal activity for the remainder
of the year. He stated that most of the funds will be derived
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 22, 1993
from unneeded funds resulting from a vacant position in the
Street Administration account.
City Controller Cafferillo stated that he normally does not
like to use funds from the open position accounts, but, because
of the nature of this request, he endorses this funding method.
After a discussion regarding the accounts, the following motion
was made:
WHEREAS, the Blizzard of 1993 depleted many of the accounts in the
DPW Snow Removal Budget, and
WHEREAS, the snow removal accounts should be replenished prior to
the upcoming winter months for the remainder of 1993; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 1993 Budget be amended as follows:
Transfer from Appropriation Accounts:
A5010-110 Street Administration Staff $18,000
A3312-125 Traffic Control Overtime 1,500
A5010-125 Street Administration Overtime 200
A5113-125 Surface Treatment Overtime 2,000
A5654-125 Dryden Rd. Garage Overtime 500
A8141-125 Storm Sewers Overtime 1,000
A8170-125 Street Cleaning Overtime 500
A8745-125 Flood Control Overtime 1,500
A5111-470 Highways Rental 5,000
A5111-477 Highways Equipment Parts 2,582
A5113-483 Surface Treatment Const. Supplies 13, 000
A-1990 Unrestricted Contingency 7, 000
$52
Transfer to Appropriation Accounts:
A5142-125 Snow Removal Overtime $32,200
A5142-470 Snow Removal Rental 10,582
A5142-484 Snow Removal Salt & Sand 10,000
$52 ,782
Increase Revenue Account:
A-4589 Federal Aid $7,000
The motion passed 4-0 .
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BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 22, 1993
7 . Committee to Proceed Into Executive Session
The Committee voted, 4-0, to move into executive session to
discuss a personnel issue relating to the Department of Public
Works .
8. Report From Executive Session
After the Committee voted, 4-0, to move back into regular
session, Chairperson Booth reported that the Committee
discussed a personnel item relating to the Department of Public
Works, and took no formal action.
9 . Finance Department
A. Chamberlain - Request to Authorize Chamberlain to Purchase
Liens at 1993 Tax Sale
City Controller Cafferillo presented a request from Chamberlain
Parsons to authorize the City to purchase all the liens on
properties at the next tax sale. He stated this was done as an
annual resolution because the rate of return on the tax sale
certificates is attractive, and the City is in a better
position, as a holder of the tax sale certificates, should any
irregularity in the proceedings be discovered.
After a brief discussion, the following motion was made:
RESOLVED, That pursuant to the Ithaca City Charter, the City
Chamberlain is hereby authorized and directed on behalf of the City
of Ithaca to purchase all liens at the 1993 City Tax Sale, without
competitive bidding, for the gross amount due.
The motion passed 4-0.
B. Purchasing Policy Discussion
Deputy City Controller Thayer discussed the Purchasing Policy
with the Committee. He explained that the policy is currently
being reviewed by the City Attorney. The Committee stated that
the policy discussion will be placed on next month's agenda.
No formal action was taken.
C. Request to Support Constitutional Amendments
City Controller Cafferillo presented a request to support two
State Constitutional Amendments . He stated that the two
proposed amendments are as follows :
19
BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 22, 1993
1 . To provide an alternative to the 50% rule method of
amortizing principal of indebtedness by allowing a level
debt service method of amortizing both principal and
interest on indebtedness, similar to the current home
mortgage method.
2 . To extend the existing exclusion of sanitary sewer debt
from the constitutional debt limitation of local
government.
Controller Cafferillo stated that both these amendments have
passed the last two separately-elected State Legislatures. He
explained that both of these amendments must be approved by the
State voters in November. The following motion was made:
WHEREAS, two "Blue Ribbon Commissions" have been empaneled, one by
the Governor and one by the State Comptroller, in the interest of
studying existing constitutional restrictions on the issuance of
local governmental debt and making recommendations, and
WHEREAS, both commissions proposed two constitutional amendments:
the first would amend various provisions of Article 8, Section 2 of
the State Constitution to provide, as an alternative to the so-
called 50% rule method of amortizing principal of indebtedness, a
level debt service method of amortizing both principal and interest
on indebtedness; and the second would amend the State Constitution
to extend, for another ten-year period, the exclusion of sanitary
sewer debt from the constitutional debt limitation of local
government, and
WHEREAS, both proposed constitutional amendments have passed the
last two separately-elected State Legislatures, and now must be
approved by the voters of the State of New York this November 2,
1993, and
WHEREAS, the passage of the two proposed constitutional amendments
disclosed herein would provide local governments with the authority
to determine the most affordable and cost-effective manner of
financing capital improvements on behalf of their specific
constituencies in each instance; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Common Council of the City of Ithaca hereby
endorses, and recommends approval of both of the aforementioned
proposed constitutional amendments, in the interest of providing
local governments with the home-rule authority to contract
indebtedness more effectively for future capital improvement
requirements .
20
BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 22, 1993
D. Request to Approve Local Finance Law Amendments
City Controller Cafferillo presented a request to support the
following two Local Finance Law amendments :
1 . Allow municipalities to stay in one-year financing beyond
the current five year limitation. Municipalities are
currently allowed to issue Bond Anticipation Notes for up
to five years; then permanent financing must be obtained.
This amendment would allow the City to stay in short-term
financing for longer than five years. This procedure
would allow for greater cost savings relative to interest.
2 . Allowing self-funding municipalities to issue debt to pay
for catastrophic years in health insurance coverage.
These items do not need approval by the State voters. The
Committee agreed to support the two Local Finance Law
amendments by a vote of 4-0 . No formal resolution was made at
this time.
10. 1994 Budget Discussions
The Committee set the preliminary 1994 Budget discussions as
follows: November 11th, 16th, 17th, 22nd, 23rd, and 29th.
The next B & A meeting was set for October 20, 1993.
The meeting adjourned at 10:45 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.
21