Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CA-2019-09-18CITY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 6:00 p.m. September 18, 2019 PRESENT: Alderperson Mohlenhoff – Chair Alderpersons (3): Gearhart, McGonigal, Nguyen Mayor: Myrick EXCUSED: Alderpersons (1): Kerslick OTHERS PRESENT: Director of Planning – Cornish Sidewalk Program Manager – Licitra Youth Bureau Director – Klohmann Superintendent of Public Works – Thorne City Attorney – Lavine Manager of Organizational Development – Moskowitz Chief of Staff – Cogan HR Director – Michell-Nunn Controller – Thayer Deputy Controller – Andrew 1. Call to Order 1.1 Agenda Review: Alderperson Gearhart asked that the following item be pulled from the agenda and discussed when Alderperson Fleming could be present: 5.1 – Council Rules of Procedures. 1.2 Review/Approval of Minutes: Alderperson Nguyen made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 21, 2019 meeting of the City Administration Committee. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart. Motion carried unanimously. 1.3 Statements from the Public: None. 1.4 Statements from Employees: None. 1.5 Council Response: None. 2. Consent Agenda Items 2.1 Planning, Building & Economic Development – Amendment to Personnel Roster Moved by Alderperson Nguyen. Seconded by Alderperson McGonigal. WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca’s Planning Division currently has one full time Historic Preservation Planner; and City Administration Committee Meeting September 18, 2019 Page 2 WHEREAS, in 2018, Common Council approved an increase in hours from 35 to 40 for the Historic Preservation Planner position beginning January 1, 2019; and WHEREAS, also at that time, funding was approved for the change from Historic Preservation Planner to Historic Preservation and Neighborhood Planner; and WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Planner is responsible for eight locally designated historic districts, twenty-four locally designated individual landmarks, and the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission; and WHEREAS, the incumbent also attends neighborhood meetings, assists with neighborhood public outreach efforts, researches and drafts sections of comprehensive neighborhood and thematic plans, and attends neighborhood events; and WHEREAS, the position of Historic Preservation and Neighborhood Planner better reflects the actual work being done; and WHEREAS, funding for this position was approved for 2019 and is expected to be approved for 2020; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends the 2019 authorized roster as follows: Add: One (1) Historic Preservation and Neighborhood Planner at 40 hours per week Delete: One (1) Historic Preservation Planner at 40 hours per week and be it further RESOLVED, That the sole purpose of determining days worked reportable to the New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System, the standard workday for the title of Historic Preservation and Neighborhood Planner 2 shall be established at eight (8) hours per day, forty (40) hours per week. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 2.2 Youth Bureau – Amendment to Personnel Roster Moved by Alderperson Nguyen. Seconded by Alderperson McGonigal. WHEREAS, the Youth Bureau recently had a longtime Youth Program Leader retire; and WHEREAS, an amendment to the 2019 Youth Bureau roster would enable the department to find the best staffing pattern that will meet community needs, utilize staff strengths, help support the vision, mission and goals of the organization, while operating within budgets; now, therefore, be it City Administration Committee Meeting September 18, 2019 Page 3 RESOLVED, That the Personnel Roster of the Youth Bureau be amended effective October 1, 2019, as follows: Fund: One (1) Youth Program Leader (35 hours) Increase:One (1) Recreation Program Assistant (40 hours) Defund: One (1) Youth Program Leader (30 hours) and, be it further RESOLVED, That funds for this roster amendment shall be derived from the existing Youth Bureau budget. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 2.3 YB – Amendment to 2019 Budget Moved by Alderperson Nguyen. Seconded by Alderperson McGonigal. WHEREAS, The summer Sailing Program increased its offerings to young people in the community and experienced increased registration numbers; and WHEREAS, the Ithaca Youth Bureau collected an additional $15,452 in fees for the 2019 summer sailing program now; therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Common Council hereby amends the 2019 Youth Bureau Budget to account for said increase as follows: Increase Revenue Account: A 7310-2001-1569 Sailing Camp $15,452 Increase Expense Account: A 7310-5435-1569 Contracts $15,452 A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 2.4 Finance – Civil Service Agreement with ICSD Moved by Alderperson Nguyen. Seconded by Alderperson McGonigal. RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Controller be authorized and directed to execute an agreement between the City of Ithaca and the Ithaca City School District for performance by the City for services in connection with Civil Service matters for the period July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020, in an amount of $61,375 payable to the City of Ithaca on or before December 1, 2019. City Administration Committee Meeting September 18, 2019 Page 4 A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 3. Finance, Budget and Appropriations 3.1 DPW - Confirmation of Sidewalk Improvement District Assessment, Budget and Schedule of Work for Fiscal Year 2020 Moved by Alderperson Nguyen. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart. Local Law No. ____-2020 A local law entitled “Confirmation of the Sidewalk Improvement District Assessments, Budget, and Schedule of Work for Fiscal Year 2020” WHEREAS Section C-73 of the City Charter creates five Sidewalk Improvement Districts (each a “SID”) for the construction and repair of sidewalk, and provides for an assessment against each property located in each SID for the benefits received by the property from said construction and repair, and WHEREAS the Board of Public Works has recommended a budget, schedule of work, and schedule of increased assessments for Fiscal Year 2020, subject to review, amendment, and confirmation by the Common Council, and WHEREAS Section C-73 provides that Council shall amend as appropriate and confirm the SID assessments, budget, and schedule of work after a public hearing, and WHEREAS the appropriate public hearing has been held, and Council has given due consideration to the comments made, if any, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca as follows: Section 1. Legislative Findings, Intent, and Purpose. Pursuant to Municipal Home Rule Law Section 10(1)(ii)(c)(3) the City of Ithaca is authorized to adopt a local law relating to the authorization, making, confirmation, and correction of benefit assessments for local improvements. The Common Council has reviewed the increased assessments, budget, and schedule of work recommended by the Board of Public Works for Fiscal Year 2020, and makes the following findings of fact: A. The public hearing prior to confirmation required by Section C-73 has been held, and all owners of property subject to a SID assessment appearing to speak before Council have had an opportunity to do so. B. The attached schedule of work, as recommended by BPW and previously subject to review by Council, constitutes a set of local improvements, the cost of which should be assessed against the properties located in the SID in which the work is to be performed. City Administration Committee Meeting September 18, 2019 Page 5 C. The attached budget, and the related assessments reflected on the assessment roll kept on file with the City Clerk, are necessary to defray the cost of construction and maintenance of sidewalk in the City, and Council has made a legislative judgment that each property in each SID is being assessed in proportion to the benefit received by that property from the sidewalk construction and repair contained in the schedule of work. Section 2. Confirmation of the Assessments, Schedule of Work, and Budget. The Common Council approves and confirms the increased assessment roll, a copy of which is maintained in the City Clerk’s office, and the budget and schedule of work attached hereto, and imposes a lien upon each property so assessed as set forth in the assessment roll. In the event there are additional funds available following completion of the schedule of work, or changes to the work plan are required for financial, engineerin g, or other reasons, the Superintendent of Public Works or his or her designee may alter the schedule of work in his or her discretion, as instructed by the Board of Public Works from time to time; provided, however, that if such actions affect ten percent or more of any Sidewalk Improvement District’s annual levy, such actions must be approved by resolution of the Board of Public Works. Section 3. Severability Clause. Severability is intended throughout and within the provisions of this Local Law. If any s ection, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Local Law is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, then that decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Local Law. Section 4. Effective and Operative Date. This Local Law shall be effective immediately after filing in the office of the Secretary of State. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 3.2 Finance Department – Approval of 2018 City of Ithaca Single Audit Moved by Alderperson McGonigal. Seconded by Alderperson Nguyen. RESOLVED, That the Independent Auditor’s Report for the period of January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, prepared by the accounting firm of Insero & Company CPAs, LLP, be accepted to comply with all of the City’s applicable Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement 34 and other related audit and single-audit requirements. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 3.3 Common Council – A Local Law to Override the Tax Levy Limit Established in General Municipal Law Moved by Alderperson Gearhart. Seconded by Alderperson Nguyen. City Administration Committee Meeting September 18, 2019 Page 6 Local Law No. _____ - 2019 BE IT ENACTED by Common Council of the City of Ithaca as follows: Section 1. Legislative Intent It is the intent of this local law to allow the City of Ithaca to adopt a budget for the fiscal year commencing January 1, 2020, that requires a real property tax levy in excess of the “tax levy limit” as defined by General Municipal law §3-c. Section 2. Authority This local law is adopted pursuant to subdivision 5 of General Municipal Law §3-c, which expressly authorizes a local government’s governing body to override the property tax cap for the coming fiscal year by the adoption of a local law approved by a vote of sixty percent (60%) of said governing body. Section 3. Tax Levy Limit Override The Common Council of the City of Ithaca, County of Tompkins, New York, is hereby authorized to adopt a budget for the fiscal year commencing January 1, 2020, that requires a real property tax levy in excess of the amount otherwise prescribed in General Municipal Law §3-c. Section 4. Severability If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this local law or application thereof to any person, firm or corporation, or circumstance is invalid or unconstitutional, the court’s order or judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of this local law, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this local law or in its application to the person, individual, firm or corporation or circumstance, directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment or order shall be rendered. Section 5. Effective Date This local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 4. City Administration, Human Resources, and Policy 4.1 DPW - Amendment to Personnel Roster—Fleet Manager Moved by Alderperson McGonigal. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart. WHEREAS, the current Fleet Manager in the Streets and Facilities Division of the Department of Public Works is anticipating retirement in the Spring of 2020; and City Administration Committee Meeting September 18, 2019 Page 7 WHEREAS, the Fleet Manager is a highly specialized, key position in the Department of Public Works, with significant recordkeeping, procurement, management, and regulatory duties, such that a new hire would have a difficult time starting the position without the benefit of training from the existing Fleet Manager; and WHEREAS, a loss of continuity in the Fleet Manager position would significantly disrupt operations related to the procurement, services, maintenance, and repair of City vehicles and construction equipment; and WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works has funds available in its 2019 budget, and has requested funds in its 2020 budget, to overlap this position, allowing the new Fleet Manager to work with the current Fleet Manager for up to 4 months to learn City-specific aspects of the job; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the personnel roster of the Department of Public Works be amended as follows: Add: One (1) Fleet Manager position; and be it further RESOLVED, That upon the retirement of the current Fleet Manager, the redundant position shall be removed from the roster on the date of retirement; and be it further RESOLVED, That the redundant Fleet Manager position be funded through transfer of funds from A5111-5115, which has three funded vacant positions that won’t be filled until spring 2020. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 4.2 Attorney - Children’s Garden Lease Moved by Alderperson Gearhart. Seconded by Alderperson Nguyen. WHEREAS, the Ithaca Children’s Garden (“ICG”) is a three-acre public garden, leased within the City of Ithaca’s Cass Park, that inspires, promotes, and sustains youth and community stewardship of the natural environment through garden-based learning and discovery; and WHEREAS, ICG seeks to construct an “Urban Environmental Education Center” at the garden as part of an expansion of the garden into additional acreage in Cass Park that is in close proximity to the garden’s already-leased space; and WHEREAS, an “Urban Environmental Education Center” at ICG would advance the mission of the garden, provide additional community space and educational opportunities, and otherwise benefit members of the public visiting Cass Park and ICG; now, therefore, City Administration Committee Meeting September 18, 2019 Page 8 BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca as follows: Section 1. Legislative Intent and Purpose. The Common Council makes the following findings of fact: A. ICG’s operations provide community gardening opportunities of great value to the public, and within the meaning of NY General Municipal Law, such that the contemplated lease represents a valid exercise of municipal powers in support of a municipal purpose under said Law. B. ICG’s delivery of public gardening services and ICG’s contemplated improvements to the site each independently provide adequate consideration (to the extent required, if any) to the City for the lease authorized herein. C. The lease authorized herein constitutes an alienation of parkland and therefore will not take effect until State legislative dispensation has been granted for the same. Section 2. Approval and Execution of Lease. The Common Council authorizes and directs the Mayor, on the advice of the City Attorney, to execute with ICG a lease substantially similar the lease included herewith, for a term of twenty-five years and a potential renewal for another twenty-five years, including contingencies on the effectiveness of the lease for: (i) New York State legislative approval of the parkland alienation necessary to permit the City to lease the premises to ICG, and (ii) Relocation of the existing parking area to the mutual satisfaction of the parties. Section 3. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect immediately. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 4.3 Agreement between Cornell and the City for Construction of Expanded Thurston Avenue Sewer Main Moved by Alderperson McGonigal. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart. WHEREAS, Cornell University has proposed a development project on its campus, entitled the North Campus Residential Expansion (hereafter, “NCRE”), that seeks to construct five new undergraduate student residence halls and related facilities; and WHEREAS, the NCRE proposal will cause the waste loads passing through the Thurston Avenue sewer main to exceed the recommended maximum flows for certain segments of that main; and WHEREAS, the NCRE therefore cannot be constructed until certain sections of that main are replaced with larger-capacity pipe (“the Project”); and WHEREAS, Cornell now seeks permission to contract out—at Cornell’s expense—the Project, subject to appropriate City oversight; now, therefore, be it City Administration Committee Meeting September 18, 2019 Page 9 RESOLVED, That the Mayor, subject to the advice of the City Attorney, is authorized to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Cornell substantially similar to the Memorandum of Understanding included herewith. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 4.4 An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 346 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code entitled “Vehicles and Traffic” Moved by Alderperson Nguyen. Seconded by Alderperson Gearhart. ORDINANCE NO. 2019- BE IT NOW ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca that Chapter 346 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code, entitled “Vehicles and Traffic” be amended as follows: Section 1. Section 346-26 entitled “Overnight Parking” is hereby amended to read as follows: § 346-26 Overnight parking. Effective November 1 through April 1 of each year, no vehicle shall be parked between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. on the odd-numbered side of a City street on even-numbered calendar days, nor on the even- numbered side of a City street on odd-numbered calendar days, [no person shall park a vehicle between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on the odd-numbered side of all City streets on the odd-numbered days of the calendar month, and on the even-numbered side of all City streets on the even-numbered days of the calendar month,] except for streets or parts thereof described in Schedule XIX of the traffic regulations of the Board of Public Works, attached to and made a part of this chapter. For the purpose of this section, a night shall be deemed even-numbered if that portion thereof prior to midnight was part of an even-numbered day and odd-numbered if that portion thereof prior to midnight was part of an odd- numbered day. This section shall not apply to the streets repealed under §§ 346-27 and 346-28 below. Section 2. Severability clause. Severability is intended throughout and within the provisions of this ordinance. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this ordinance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, then that decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. Section 3. Effective date. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon publication as provided in the City Charter. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Passed unanimously. 5. Discussion City Administration Committee Meeting September 18, 2019 Page 10 5.1 Council Rules of Procedures: This item was pulled from the agenda. 5.2 Common Council and Mayor Salaries Information about the proposed salary increases for the Mayor and Common Council were distributed to and discussed by the Committee. After discussion on the salary increases for the Mayor and Common Council, Controller Thayer will look at the financial impact of the salary increases, and Chief of Staff Cogan will  Draft a resolution for the proposed salary increases  Ask the Mayor to include the resolution on the proposed salary increases in the 2019 budget discussions  Talk to the City Attorney about the process and whether the salary increases for the Mayor and Common Council would need a public hearing The Committee thanked Chief of Staff Cogan for the work he has done to bring forth the salary information. 6. Budget 6.1 Updates and Special Topics: On September 25, 2019, there will be two [2] Common Council meetings. One to appoint the new Police Chief and a special meeting. The agenda items for the special meeting will be  Special events  Police staffing due to retirements 7. Meeting Wrap-up 7.1 Announcements: The Committee thanked the Controller and his office on a job well done with the audit. 7.2 Next Meeting Date: October 16, 2019. 7.3 Review, Agenda Items for Next Meeting: None. 7.4 Adjourn: With no further business and on a motion by Alderperson McGonigal, the meeting was adjourned at 7:39 p.m.