HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-1993-11-22 - Budget Meeting �r
BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING 7 :30 P.M. NOVEMBER 22, 1993
MINUTES
Present:
Committee Members: Booth, Johnson, Berg
Committee Members Excused: Romanowski, Daley
Other Alderpersons Present: Blanchard, Efroymson
Others Present:
Mayor - Nichols
City Controller - Cafferillo
Deputy Controller - Thayer
City Chamberlain - Parsons
Asst. City Attorney - Kennedy
Planning Director - VanCort
Police Chief - McEwen
Members of the Public
Members of the Media
1 . Opening Comments:
Chairperson Booth stated that the following changes were made
to the agenda:
A. The Finance/Personnel item to approve Fringe
Benefits for Managerial Personnel was deleted.
B. The Building Department item to standardize fees
for demolition permits was tabled.
Members of the Public were asked to speak; no members spoke.
2 . Finance Department/Chamberlain
A. Request Extension of Tax Sale Redemption Period
City Chamberlain Parsons presented a request from the
property owner of 432 N. Titus Avenue to extend the tax
sale redemption period. Parsons explained that Council
approved an extension of the tax sale redemption period
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 22, 1993
for this property at its June, 1993 meeting, but the
extension expired November 11, 1993 . She explained that
the property owners would like to extend the period
another six months .
Members of the Milkin family discussed the request with
the Committee. They explained that, because of the
owner's health problems, the taxes were not paid by the
22nd, but would be paid within six months .
Parsons explained that the property owner currently owes
$9,463. After a brief discussion, the following motion
was made:
WHEREAS, the Common Council at its regular meeting of June 2,
1993, approved an extension for property redemption until
November 11, 1993 for 432 North Titus Avenue, and
WHEREAS, the property owner at 432 North Titus Avenue has
requested an additional extension to redeem the property; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the existing owner be permitted to redeem the
property at 432 North Titus Avenue, up to May 11, 1994, for
the total lien amount outstanding, plus additional interest
penalty and related costs through the date of the redemption.
The motion passed 3-0.
B. Request Extension of the Tax Sale Redemption Period
City Chamberlain Parsons presented a request from the
property owner of 315 Second Street to extend the tax
sale redemption period. Parsons explained that the
property owner currently owes $10,864 .
Members of the property owner' s family discussed the
request with the Committee. The members cited financial
difficulties as the reasons for the late payment, but
felt that their financial position would improve over the
next six months, and the outstanding balance would be
paid. After a brief discussion, the following motion was
made:
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 22, 1993
WHEREAS, the property owner at 315 Second Street has requested
an extension for property redemption for the property at 315
Second Street; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the existing owner be permitted to redeem the
property at 315 Second Street, up to May 23, 1994, for the
total lien amount outstanding, plus additional interest
penalty and related costs through the date of the redemption.
The motion passed 3-0 .
3 . Common Council - Request to Release Contingency Fund for
Tompkins-Cortland Labor Coalition.
A request to release $2,500 from restricted contingency
was made by the Tompkins-Cortland Labor Coalition. It
was noted that in the 1993 budget, $2, 500 was placed in
restricted contingency to partially fund the 1993
Tompkins-Cortland Labor Coalition. The funds were
contingent on the Coalition's providing Council with
evidence of a formal, good-faith effort to secure funding
from other municipalities in its service area, including
Tompkins County, Cortland County and the City of
Cortland.
Coert Bonthius, Coordinator of the Tompkins-Cortland
Labor Coalition, presented the Coalition's required
evidence respecting its efforts to secure outside
funding. He explained that, to date, no outside funding
has been obtained, but that the effort to secure such
funding has been made.
The Committee continued to be concerned about the lack of
funding from other municipalities . After a discussion
regarding the outside funding problem, the following
motion was made:
WHEREAS, Common Council placed $2,500 in restricted
contingency during the 1993 Budget Approval, and
WHEREAS, the funds were contingent on the Tompkins-Cortland
Labor Coalition' s providing Council with evidence of a formal,
good-faith effort to secure funding from other municipalities
in its service area, including Tompkins County, Cortland
County and the City of Cortland; now, therefore, be it
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 22, 1993
RESOLVED, That the Tompkins-Cortland Labor Coalition has
successfully provided Common Council with the appropriate
documentation to support a formal, good-faith effort to secure
funding from other municipalities, and be it further
RESOLVED, That $2,500 be transferred from Account A1990
Restricted Contingency to Account A1012-435 Community Services
Contracts for 1993 funding to the Tompkins-Cortland Labor
Coalition.
Voting results on the motion were as follows:
Ayes ( 1) Johnson
Nays ( 1) Booth
Abstain ( 1) Berg
The Committee agreed to send the motion forward to the next
Common Council C.O.W. meeting.
4 . Police Department - Request to Transfer Funds for Purchase of
Equipment
Police Chief McEwen presented the Committee with a
resolution to purchase various pieces of investigative
equipment for an estimated cost of $19,304. He explained
that a transfer of funds from the Department's Drug
Seizure and Crime Prevention accounts would be needed to
support the purchase.
McEwen stated that the equipment would be used for
general investigative purposes . After a brief discussion
regarding the equipment, the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the Police Department has requested to purchase and
rent various pieces of investigative equipment, and
WHEREAS, the total cost of equipment and DARE Program Supplies
has been estimated at $19, 304; now, therefore, be it
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 22, 1993
RESOLVED, That an amount not to exceed $19, 304 be transferred
from and to the following accounts for said purposes:
From Account To Account
A690-8 Drug Seizure Monies $11, 676 A3120-460 Program
Supplies
A690-8 Drug Seizure Monies $ 1, 163 A3120-470 Equipment
Rental
A690-9 Crime Prevention
Donations $ 6,465 A3120-460 Program
Supplies
The motion passed 3-0 .
5 . DPW - Request to Release Contingency Funds for Transit ADA
Requirements
Alderperson Blanchard presented a request to release
$10, 000 from the 1993 Restricted Contingency Account to
fund the Transit ADA Coordinator computer equipment
purchase. Blanchard explained that during the approval
of the 1993 City of Ithaca Budget, $10,000 was placed in
Restricted Contingency to fund various ADA transit
requirements . She explained that the funds will be used
to purchase computer hardware and transit software for
the ADA Coordinator at the Ithaca Transit Center.
Blanchard explained that the estimated cost of the
computer hardware and software is $30, 000 . She explained
that both Cornell and Tompkins County are funding the
other $20, 000 of the purchase.
After a brief discussion, the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, $10, 000 was placed in restricted contingency in the
1993 Budget for the purpose of funding the City of Ithaca's
portion of the 1993 Transit American Disability Act
requirements, and
WHEREAS, the funds have been requested by Ithaca Transit in
relation to the Ithaca Tompkins Transit Center for the purpose
of purchasing computer equipment, and
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 22, 1993
WHEREAS, the other Ithaca Tompkins Transit Center entities,
Cornell University and Tompkins County, are funding similar
amounts for the Transit ADA requirements; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the $10, 000 placed in Restricted Contingency
Account A1990 be released and transferred to Account A5630-435
Bus Operation Contracts for the purpose of funding the
purchase of equipment for 1993 Transit ADA Requirements.
The motion passed 3-0 .
6 . Committee to Proceed to Executive Session
The Committee voted, 3-0, to move into executive session
to discuss a possible litigation item.
7 . Report from Executive Session
After the Committee voted, 3-0, to move back into regular
session, Chairperson Booth reported that the following
action was taken:
Attorney - Request Funds for Litigation
RESOLVED, That an amount not to exceed $1,000 be transferred
from Account A1990 Unrestricted Contingency to Account A-1420-
435 Law Contractual Services to fund the use of outside legal
services for pending litigation against the City.
The motion passed 3-0.
8 . Planning Department - Request to Approve Contract for Land
ARRraisal
Planning Director VanCort presented a request to approve
a contract for land appraisals for multiple properties in
the City. These appraisals are related to the potential
alienation and conversion of certain City-owned lands on
Inlet Island. VanCort explained that the appraisals are
complicated and have an estimated cost of $27,900. He
explained that the funding for the contract would be
derived from Capital Project #207 West End Development.
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 22, 1993
VanCort explained that the Planning Department and Common
Council had authorized Charles Francis to perform the
appraisals at a cost of $8, 000. He explained that the
appraisals were never performed by Francis. VanCort
recommended that the contract with Francis be cancelled.
VanCort explained that the Planning Department received
proposals for the appraisals and has recommended Midland
Appraisal Associates to perform the appraisal. He
explained the $27,900 cost of the appraisal as follows:
Letter appraisals of the properties $19,400
Travel reimbursement 500
Contingency for severance damage to
the properties 8,000
27 900
VanCort stated that the letter appraisals cost of the
properties is about half what it would cost for a full
appraisal. The following property areas will be
appraised:
# of Parcels
1 . Inlet Island 6
2 . Conrail 5
3 . Ithaca Falls 9
4 . Inlet Trail 2
5 . Sheldrake 1
6. Six Mile Creek 4
7 . Bikeway 8
The Committee discussed the properties with VanCort.
VanCort explained that the letter appraisals would be
completed within 75 days .
After a discussion of the properties and the appraisal
process, the following motion was made:
WHEREAS, the City received Requests for Proposals to perform
letter appraisals on the Inlet Island Alienation and
Conversion for multiple properties, and
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 22, 1993
WHEREAS, the previous contract for said appraisals in the
amount of $8, 000 was never performed by the authorized
contractor, and
WHEREAS, the Planning and Development Committee has
recommended that the proposal for said services be awarded to
Midland Appraisal Associates of Rochester, New York in the
amount not to exceed $27,900, and that the previously approved
contract with Charles Francis shall become null and void; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Mayor be authorized to execute a contract
with Midland Appraisal Associates in the amount not to exceed
$27, 900 for letter appraisals services respecting multiple
properties relating to the potential Inlet Island Alienation
and Conversion, and be it further
RESOLVED, That said funds will be derived from Capital Project
#207 West End Development, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the existing contract with Charles Francis for
said appraisal services be cancelled.
The motion passed 3-0 .
9 . Controller - Bond Resolution for Purchase of Property
City Controller Cafferillo explained to the Committee
that there may be a possible resolution on the Council
Agenda to fund the purchase of the Seacord property
through the use of serial bonds . Cafferillo explained
that he is waiting for a detailed listing of the property
cost and associated closing costs . No formal action was
taken.
10. Committee to Proceed to Executive Session
The Committee voted, 3-0, to move into executive session
to discuss the current status of labor negotiations
between the City and various units .
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BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 22, 1993
11 . Report from Executive Session
After the Committee voted, 3-0, to move back into regular
session, Chairperson Booth reported that the Committee
was given a status update on current CSEA and PBA
contract negotiations from Assistant City Attorney
Kennedy. No action was taken.
The next B & A meeting is scheduled for December 22, 1993 at
7 :30 P.M. 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.
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