Council
of
Albany
Neighborhood Associations
Meeting Minutes –
November 6, 2002
Albany
Public Library
1.
Howard Stoller, CANA Chair, called the
meeting to order.
2.
Minutes of the
October 2, 2002
, meeting were corrected for spelling.
3.
Guest speakers: Jim
Sano, Chair of Common Council Budget Committee and Tom Nitido, City Comptroller,
discussed the 2003 City Budget:
Total revenues (in thousands) $118,395; total expenditures $118,395.
Projected fund balance as of
12/31/02
$1 million, with a proposed 7.4% tax increase.
Sales tax revenues are down $1 million, partly based on population
recalculation, partly because of the economy.
80% of the budget is salaries and benefits.
The wage increase built into collective bargaining agreements was given
to non-bargaining employees as well. The
City is trying to accelerate $10 million payment due in 2005 from the State.
The City bond rating is A from S&P and Fitch; Moody’s is A3.
The Council voted not to increase council members’ salary, but did
approve increases for the Counsel and clerical for the Council, plus raised
Election inspectors from $65 to $75.
The Council will be looking at increasing fees, comparing what surrounding
communities charge, and possible postage efficiencies.
There are centralized purchasing departments in different departments
which use State contract. Warehousing
supplies has been looked at, but that has costs for inventory, guards, shipping.
About 7 years ago, the City did a comprehensive management audit with an
outside firm. As a result, the City
reduced staff and consolidated departments.
Budget and Finance Committee meeting is 11/12 at
5:30
; next public forum is 11/14 at
7:30
in Council chambers.
About 10% of revenues come from the City Landfill, which will be filled up
by 2005. The City is in the process
of siting another landfill in Town of
Coeymans
.
A Court
ruling prohibited the City from buying property
outright prior to the siting process. The
trailer park is to be put into the Pinebush preserve after expiration of the
long-term leases of people still living there.
Offices that are at the landfill are being relocated.
Revenues
from cable TV are lower because based on a recent FCC ruling the City can no
longer collect a fee on Roadrunner. Four
million dollars revenue in budget is transfer of land on river to Water Board
& Port, transfer of Library to Board.
4.
Guest
speaker Mike Breslin,
County
Executive
, spoke about the 2003 County budget:
Last year was uncertain due to 9/11 and the economy.
This year is worse. Upstate
counties had $1 billion deficit,
Albany
County
$32 million. Budget up from $427
million 2001 to $438 million in 2002. This
budget reduced a number of positions, used $11 million of surplus, and raised
taxes 23.8% for $8.5 million.
Other counties raised sales and property taxes.
Biggest burden is State mandates – of which Medicaid is the largest.
In most other states, State picks up most of the cost.
NY does a 50/50 split.
Last year, NY changed PINS legislation – added 16 & 17 year olds;
the number in this group will be equal or higher to the number under age 15.
The Medicaid increase and PINS increase together exceed the tax increase.
A total of 237 positions are eliminated under the budget proposal, 127 of
which are currently vacant. An additional 110 positions would be eliminated
through early retirements. The workforce reductions will yield $7 million in
savings. Nursing home employees,
child protective workers and jail guards are exempt from early retirement
eligibility.
Three years ago
Albany
had a $42 million surplus, which is down to $10
million with $11 million put into this year’s budget.
Next year will be $11 million short.
Relief is needed from the State.
Payroll is $100 million, pension contribution $2 million, next year $47
million. $1.75 million for added
medical insurance, $1 million for county participation @ HVCC.
No salary increase for those earning over $50,000.
Medicaid increase is rising faster because of expanding programs.
County leaders are working through the New York State Association of
Counties (NYSAC) to lobby State legislators.
There does not appear to be a decrease in sales tax revenue in
Albany
County
because
Rennselaer
County
eliminated sales tax.
Total sales tax revenue is $125 million.
Measures put in place to improve quality of delivery of services at the
Nursing Home and Social Services are:
·
dual
track system – when CPS called, County goes in 1st to assist, not
police;
·
added
personnel in CPS and integrated all social agencies – Mental Health, child
protective services;
·
At
NH, procedures put in place to identify those likely to fall.
Send copies of agendas to: countyexec@albany.county.com
CANA
links to county site; County asked to link to
CANA
.
1.
Committee
Reports
a.
Committee on University and Community Relations - Tom
Gebhardt: Next meeting will be
11/13. Joint APD/UPD program for
Hudson Avenue
“Adopt a Block” will focus on cleaning up.
They hope to have one program per month.
Five to 6,000 students live off campus.
Those creating problems are a small percentage and not all are UA
students. University does have
alcohol awareness programs, screening at the counseling center.
- Neighborhood Works III
Planning Committee –
Gene Solan: This year’s
conference will have more focus on workshops
- Communtiy Police Council - Fred
Perkins: The Council is
reevaluating its mission, developing goals and objectives.
- Reapportionment – Marggie Skinner:
nothing to report.
2.
Communications
and Announcements
·
Tom
McPheeters distributed the ARISE Declaration of Independence, which will be
discussed at the ARISE Public Meeting, 11/19,
6 PM
at Proctor’s Theatre,
Schenectady
·
·
Harold
Rubin distributed copies of
CANA
goals, history.
·
DANA
will be meeting with the Times Union about neighborhood coverage.
·
Howie
Stoller proposed that
CANA
do an outreach to Austin Neighborhood Associations
– Marggie suggested Ann Savage.
·
Speaker
for the 12/02 meeting will be Ray Bromley on the Monumental Visions conference.
·
CDTC
has overview, questionnaire on web page.
Erin Duggan, Time Union reporter covering local neighborhoods, asked that
she be added to email lists for neighborhood associations.
Her email is: eduggan@timesunion.com
The meeting adjourned before the Library closed.
CANA
MONTHLY MEETING
November 6, 2002
Attendees