[0:01] all your [0:02] requests [0:06] yeah dates [0:09] it's the cdvg [0:12] foroni the [0:14] [Music] [0:20] assessment [0:26] should thank you how about you have [0:32] my then [0:58] again [1:02] I'd like to call the ordance make city [1:03] council committee meeting for Wednesday [1:06] October 18th 2023 and I'll turn up to Mr [1:09] muton thank you I would like to [1:12] reconvene finance [1:15] committee and there is one item that we [1:17] need to address a follow from last [1:19] meeting and it has to do with the human [1:21] resource [1:25] department have some question from [1:28] Mr [1:33] [Music] [1:57] it's on page eight [2:06] okay [2:07] [Music] [2:11] L [2:21] questions you have some questions [2:23] regarding you want to go ahead certainly [2:25] um so I noticed in the budget when uh [2:28] Miss Ali was here that there's two [2:30] office excuse me two positions that were [2:33] removed from the budget um the positions [2:35] weren't removed I should say that they [2:36] weren't funded and they were [2:39] the assistant yeah I'm just wonder about [2:42] his office you mean the assistant yeah [2:45] he doesn't have control over [2:47] that so about the affirmative action um [2:50] offices so the uh affirmative action [2:53] office clerical Aid and program [2:55] coordinator neither of those were funded [2:57] this year so um just really want to know [3:00] from you that was that was a decision [3:02] that you wanted to make or no I I would [3:05] ask that you Rec considerer that we've [3:07] been working to try to get you know [3:09] these positions funded they're very very [3:11] desperately needed to assist the work [3:13] that we're trying to do in this off of [3:14] affirmative action uh we just now [3:17] completed the U in process so we sent [3:21] one selection up to the to the mayor's [3:23] office today consideration so you know [3:25] so that's up there and also uh a a [3:30] challenging Jal situation in terms of [3:32] affirmative action office and [3:34] Empowerment Center the both connected to [3:38] what we're trying to do with the 18 [3:39] office Hader funded and all that but [3:43] since we've had such a [3:45] um cost overrun in terms of being able [3:48] to get the building done and get [3:49] everything on track to make it move [3:51] forward it's it's been almost impossible [3:54] to say how can we you know get to you [3:57] know position in that to run the program [3:58] if not going run the programs out of so [4:01] that was the one issue that was you know [4:05] in in contention for me but we did you [4:07] know work with and I want to come back [4:09] to you um to discuss at at another time [4:13] the reappropriation you know of the the [4:16] office fund to go more toward the [4:18] programming side and so therefore we're [4:21] able to serve the community and do the [4:22] things we want to do Asos being locked [4:24] down to the to the capital [4:26] infrastructure of the of the building I [4:28] want to come back [4:30] that but in terms of the two positions [4:34] they're critical in the sense that you [4:36] know we definitely need help in terms of [4:38] the day-to-day operations of what we're [4:40] doing down here what TR do to service C [4:43] and you know get the word out and [4:45] service and and hold true to the mission [4:47] so um there it's been a process to to do [4:51] that you a lot of people and you know [4:54] it's just been hard so we got to we got [4:57] the first part of it the um you know [4:59] think very close to being ready with the [5:01] 7s you know move that forward for [5:03] consideration but in terms of program [5:05] we've been doing you know a lot of [5:07] things that um require the help you know [5:10] you talk about creating U access to [5:13] Opportunities U you know word available [5:17] in terms of you know what we have to [5:18] offer and what we're trying to do [5:20] specifically to Workforce Development [5:22] and training working with our partners [5:24] and you know just trying to develop the [5:26] whole program in a quality fashion so [5:28] that it's sustainable [5:30] and deliver the results they were trying [5:31] to do so I think we'll be able to move [5:33] forward with the quality sustainable [5:36] program and a product that's going to [5:37] make the city proud and we'll be able to [5:40] deliver what the uh what the community [5:42] is asking for so follow question you [5:45] said that you submitted something to the [5:47] um mayor's office which one of these [5:49] positions was it for for a clerical a [5:51] clerical a um and it's my understanding [5:53] that someone was hired at one point but [5:56] it didn't work could you could you speak [5:58] to that a little bit yeah that that [5:59] didn't work I went to the state so oh [6:02] simply didn't work out here right so it [6:05] wasn't for lack of trying you did have [6:06] someone employed but they decided didn't [6:09] have start they didn't start they just [6:10] accepted the job but didn't start right [6:12] right [6:13] okay all right so but you you have [6:15] reached out because I just you know [6:17] wanted to ask those questions um because [6:19] I just want to be frank that um we were [6:21] told that that there had been you had [6:23] been submitted several applications but [6:25] not had not considered any of the people [6:27] well we' considered a lot I mean we've [6:29] and you know it's a process you know um [6:32] you get you know 10 20 applications you [6:34] call them all you know you know the B [6:37] don't answer don't show up or whatever [6:39] you know so that process and some don't [6:40] work out but you know we've been going [6:42] through that process and um you know I'm [6:45] very comfortable with what you know [6:47] we've come out with to you to get this [6:49] started um so my last question if if [6:53] between these two positions because [6:55] neither one of them have been funded at [6:57] this point if you said if we said like [6:58] we can only fund one one or the other um [7:01] from your perspective as the person who [7:02] runs the office which would you have [7:05] chosen well well I I have to go with the [7:08] data uh you know the data entry person [7:10] because that's you know where we're [7:12] getting B down the most you know so much [7:15] is coming in and just keeping up with [7:16] things so that's you know that's one [7:18] thing the the other position is is [7:21] important too because um there's a lot [7:24] of support that we get from within the [7:27] current administration of the city that [7:29] that ABS a lot of those things that [7:31] typically would not be done you [7:33] specifically Civ Heth Ministry in terms [7:36] of gr writing identifying gr [7:39] opportuni um connections and [7:41] relationships with Department that we're [7:42] trying to work with when it come to the [7:43] Community College the school district U [7:47] you know all these things uh it takes [7:49] time you know a year ago we started [7:52] working [7:52] on with the school district to talk [7:55] about a Workforce initiative so that's [7:56] been last September here we are this [8:00] year we just not getting to the point [8:01] where they're coming back with their [8:03] draft or they want to move forward so [8:05] everything just takes a very long time [8:08] and the uh and we need to be in a [8:11] position to go after the funding we need [8:12] to go after the gr so we can sustain the [8:14] program once we you know get them done [8:17] so we do talk with [8:19] funders [8:21] [Music] [8:22] f talking with you know the district you [8:25] know what resources can they bring to [8:28] be Community College you know they work [8:30] with us Workforce [8:32] ini program what can they they do so you [8:36] know many things that they can do uh you [8:38] know retrospect is you know it may be [8:41] like non-ash you know transaction but [8:43] they consist with staff for example the [8:46] col they do like all the screening and [8:48] taking the applicants and all that but [8:50] it's tax in on them to keep up trying to [8:54] keep up people so you know we do what we [8:58] can to you it happen and you know keep [9:01] doing and then we still you know go to [9:03] outside resources looking for funding so [9:07] we were talk for a whole year with the [9:09] group that want to support the you know [9:11] the Empowerment Center you know itself [9:14] and they will you know they would come [9:15] you know with some you know significant [9:17] funding but they didn't want to get [9:18] involved with the capital P you know [9:20] nothing to do with the building but [9:21] programming P you [9:24] know you know something that we you know [9:27] what happen you know this conversation [9:30] like that is why this this coordinating [9:33] piece becomes critical because somebody [9:36] strong enough to have those [9:38] conversations and you know and sometime [9:41] you know we're not as ex to the [9:43] traditional routes you know we don't [9:44] have those relation we have to build [9:47] these relationships and it just simply [9:49] takes time so we need the help of [9:52] these it out thank you go ahead please [9:57] so would you say that the program [9:58] coordinator is more focused towards the [10:01] Empowerment Center and the work that [10:02] will be done um once that Center opens [10:05] well no no well you know the Serv doing [10:07] the program so I think we can do the [10:09] programs without having a building so we [10:11] just make the program work so for [10:13] example we have the skills training [10:14] program the next CT starts next week [10:18] 23rd and then after that we have the [10:20] business uh Workshop we doing like a [10:23] business Workshop series and um you know [10:27] things you know like for try something [10:29] like each month to you know keep the [10:31] activity going and make it happen and [10:34] the two ironically go hand in hand in [10:37] other words we train people so let's say [10:39] that we run 150 people through the [10:42] skills training program and at the end [10:45] of the day we you know having trouble [10:47] getting them place you know we obious [10:48] the priorities of getting them plac [10:50] within the city but you know we're not [10:51] getting them here so it's it's just hard [10:54] so we need to build the capacity of [10:56] small businesses that have the [10:57] opportunities to take on so we have to [11:01] you know do them both at the same time [11:02] so we're working to build capacity for [11:03] our business and you know being part of [11:07] the mission and enthusiasm that's going [11:08] on within the city and uh and ultimately [11:11] create the uh you know create the jobs [11:15] and we do have a disconnect you know um [11:17] you he today about people looking for [11:21] for employee that said we can't find [11:23] where are they you know and you know we [11:25] have it here and but yet when you go two [11:27] blocks up you [11:29] I can't get an interview or why can't I [11:31] get this or you know and these are the [11:34] realities that we we deal with and we [11:37] talk about things in a true public [11:41] private kind of relationship you know [11:43] you know we have to do them both with [11:44] the same [11:49] time Mr So currently the work are done [11:53] by you miss [11:57] right do backl in terms of reviewing the [12:01] the compliance [12:03] report we do I mean it all chall you [12:06] know you know come tax you know because [12:10] chase down what um you know what's [12:12] happen with the projects and you know [12:14] report you know get done you know so we [12:18] get it done but we would like to be on [12:20] the proactive side to you know deal the [12:24] reason why you people have chall get in [12:27] there and [12:33] how many grants did you submit this year [12:35] and what are what's the status of those [12:36] grants well in the past 12 months I said [12:39] submitted like [12:41] three one to the state two to the [12:44] federal we didn't we didn't [12:47] get got closer than we did the year [12:49] before the year before you know we [12:52] submitted about the same and you we [12:54] didn't get any you know we didn't get [12:57] anywhere with it this we we got a lot [12:59] you know a lot of feedback in ter of you [13:02] know what part somebody you know those [13:05] type of things [13:06] so we did get small from National [13:11] gr we did apply through the state [13:13] through the you know Workforce [13:16] initiative you know and some of those [13:17] things are still pending but um you know [13:21] we working we're working out with the um [13:24] you know Workforce Development Institute [13:25] and Department of Labor so they have [13:29] um that's s Tas what we done with our [13:32] Workforce program [13:33] where the negotiation is once they [13:36] complete out five six program that they [13:39] will go into the next level which would [13:41] be like a pre apprenti program so we're [13:43] trying to you know produce that Gap so [13:48] how many programs did you run this year [13:50] and how many students went through it [13:52] this is well we typically run like about [13:55] three [13:56] TOS per year is going to be the third uh [14:00] C this year start next we and how many [14:04] students 15 typically we start 15 e 12 [14:14] 11 go ahead please so are do you are you [14:17] able to utilize the um grant writer for [14:20] the city to write your grants or who [14:21] writes your grants for you silly right [14:24] most of them and we do you know we have [14:26] work with Su you know [14:30] has been writing the ones that [14:35] we but she's not really she's not part [14:37] of your department she works in a [14:38] different department but she's assisting [14:40] yours thank you she's part of [14:41] development she works mostly with [14:43] development mostly with yeah but you [14:46] know actually she does grants for the [14:47] city I know she's done police she's done [14:50] Finance she's done other grants did she [14:52] do help with [14:54] your oh no Su no I was asking about oh [14:58] yeah no I'm just saying also help yeah [15:02] MH okay and we have talk with you know [15:06] you know like in TR you know what to go [15:08] after [15:10] that you know so we have to VI [15:12] but [15:14] you [15:16] just identify [15:20] what put the [15:24] resources thank [15:27] you [15:29] any other question for Mr [15:32] G thank you sir appreciate thank you [15:36] have a [15:57] good thank [16:10] [Music] [16:25] you so before you it's the it's a [16:28] combine of all the proposed changes [16:31] so give you a couple minutes to go [16:33] through them and then we'll go through [16:35] them [16:36] individually discuss it and [16:57] forward [16:59] you just hiding it want me to read on [17:00] your [17:03] paper [17:05] so doesn't really explain [17:27] it [17:57] for [18:43] this is the most come [18:57] year [19:27] okay [20:27] for [20:28] [Music] [20:36] [Music] [20:56] inside holy [21:15] days oh my God [21:27] sorry [21:50] okay so we'll just go through um each [21:52] item and uh first section is revenue the [21:57] question Mr forar is to explain the real [21:59] property tax collection here to date on [22:02] the first pral you have given to us and [22:05] the one today the number remain the same [22:07] despite the fact that collection was [22:09] ongoing say again please real property [22:11] tax collection you know the monthly St [22:13] as I give you every every month if you [22:15] read the bottom you know the way our our [22:18] books the way the computer works is that [22:20] we figure we achieve 100% but in [22:22] actuality we were receiving about [22:25] 93% increasing every year so you receive [22:28] about 93% collection on that line [22:33] yes the next one can you explain to us [22:36] um the sales taxs and growth for 2024 [22:39] yeah so we increased the sales tax by a [22:41] million dollars over High share uh as we [22:44] see even [22:45] though you know you know hear about the [22:49] economy going up but the cost of [22:50] everything is up especially gasoline [22:52] we're getting all those sales tax [22:54] increases so we're looking forward on [22:56] that so you think million a million [22:59] increase from 2023 [23:02] is is that conservative to yes yes I [23:07] think it [23:08] is should it go up a little bit more I I [23:12] I would not put it up [23:14] anymore excuse me John can you tell us [23:16] the line number sorry sorry revenue is [23:19] on Revenue page [23:21] one uh a11 [23:25] a 1 0 it [23:29] yeah [23:34] sorry so it's conservative but recommend [23:37] stay the million yeah million please and [23:40] the next one can you walk us through the [23:41] last Revenue you had given us the [23:44] statement [23:45] [Music] [23:46] here for the [23:50] benefit [23:56] sure [23:58] the we talking about the [24:00] 6.6 million 6.6 [24:03] million yeah that is just to basically [24:06] balance the books and uh that's what we [24:08] have left over uh for our L loss Revenue [24:12] that was a calculation of um [24:16] 5.2% uh what we received uh from the [24:19] aror monies um so we do that calculation [24:23] and I believe I sent everyone that [24:26] sheet uh that shows uh the amount uh uh [24:30] we actually received um but 6.6 million [24:33] is what is left over and uh that's just [24:36] going to be filling the gap between our [24:37] revenues and our [24:42] expenditures any question on this so 6.6 [24:45] is what we have left in arpa and that's [24:47] what that figure represents l so you're [24:51] using that yes to cover our loss of [24:53] Revenue [24:54] correct and it could be we're not going [24:56] to use it all like like what we used [24:58] last year we may not use it all this [25:09] year are you good with that you guys [25:13] okay so we'll U move to the next item [25:16] the next one is a1010 D100 city council [25:21] there's a proposal for a 16% increase of [25:24] city council [25:25] member open for discussion [25:31] sorry I brought this forward and so as [25:34] you can see um I researched so the [25:37] council hasn't received a increase in [25:39] the stien since 2002 and um we it's [25:43] increased our duties have increased [25:44] overall uh including doing the budget [25:47] which has increased over the years so uh [25:49] at this point in time I was just putting [25:50] forth that um to increase the stien for [25:53] the city council members while at the [25:55] same time um considering the uh outside [25:58] Council which we had put in and reducing [26:00] that since we had not used it but [26:02] leaving um some of it in place 15,000 in [26:05] order into just in case we needed but [26:07] not [26:08] um but not take but but taking some of [26:11] it away um from the 25,000 that we had [26:14] originally [26:18] budgeted open questions on this go ahead [26:22] please so I would not support as I as [26:24] I've mentioned the increase for city [26:26] council um um I don't think that that's [26:28] really why we're here um doing the job [26:32] but I also recommended that I think we [26:34] should take out the entire 25,000 for [26:36] the outside Council as we discussed last [26:38] year I mean I think that um most of us [26:42] um use our Corporation Council for any [26:45] questions that we have U and folks in [26:47] the Corporation Council Office uh for [26:49] questions that we have um when they come [26:52] up so I just as we discussed last year I [26:55] again do not think that we need that um [26:58] in the budget at [27:06] all any other discussion on this item no [27:10] I mean I understand your position so I [27:12] mean so if it fall goes through then you [27:14] know you could stand on principle and [27:16] then if you you know feel like it's not [27:18] something that you would want to take I [27:19] understand [27:25] that any got a question [27:28] this we'll move to the next one 8 10 [27:32] 10440 that's kind of like linked to the [27:34] one before mhm propos increasing outside [27:37] legal service by [27:44] $10,000 yeah it's it's currently 25,000 [27:47] so this has been asked to reduce it to [27:50] to [27:56] 15,000 [27:58] any discussion on [28:01] this again I just don't think that we [28:03] needed even the 15,000 but I would [28:05] reduce it to [28:10] zero any other comments on [28:15] this [28:17] sorry I would just say based on a [28:20] preparedness standpoint I definitely [28:21] understand that our Corporation Council [28:23] is like willing and able to do this [28:24] types of work but I think just because [28:26] there's not an immed use does not deter [28:29] you from having these types of budget [28:31] items as a just in case resource I think [28:33] having it for another year to see if we [28:35] are going to potentially utilizing it [28:36] then I think I'd be more in favor of [28:39] assessing uh its uh long-term uh [28:42] implications as as a line [28:45] number any other [28:49] discuss see n move to the next item is a [28:54] 1210 [28:56] D100 and that that's adjusting the [28:59] admin [29:01] assistant to the current 2023 salary of [29:12] 57392 open for [29:18] discussion well you're not very [29:21] consistent you give the [29:25] uh Park Str [29:28] 4% and you don't give anything [29:45] here go ahead please I would just say [29:48] there's just blatant differences between [29:50] a director and administrative assistant [29:52] no slate to either position because [29:54] they're both vital to the C Halls [29:56] long-term point [29:58] we can't use reasoning for one and not [30:00] for the [30:03] other um like believe there was a there [30:06] was a 4% increase in this line item from [30:09] last year's budget to the 2023 and then [30:12] it was vacant for a while and um this [30:15] person came in very very recently so [30:19] um I I mean generally a 4% increas is is [30:24] um like over something that's that [30:27] hasn't been has been a long time and let [30:29] me just also say I looked back and there [30:31] was in 2020 between 2020 and 2021 there [30:34] was like no increase in this line [30:35] whatsoever so This Is Not Unusual it's [30:38] not like it's never happened before [30:39] because when we P when the 2020 and 2021 [30:42] budget was passed it was also not an [30:44] increase in that in that [30:48] line any other [30:54] discussion I'm sorry oh no not [30:59] really some people go upstairs well I do [31:02] want to say I think the parks director [31:03] was hired um in February perhaps I mean [31:07] um so I think that that person has been [31:09] in their position for almost a year or [31:12] you know certainly by the time the um [31:14] but the I don't know when the [31:16] administrative assistant was uh hired [31:20] so it probably was very recently but I [31:23] think maybe July maybe August I'm not [31:25] but very recently yes [31:31] any other [31:33] questions we'll move to the next one a13 [31:36] p [31:37] 100 uh question the proposal is to [31:40] increase the deputy Finance commission [31:42] position to [31:46] $80,000 currently it's 78 [31:56] 78p [32:00] I know [32:07] him and there there's a currently 78 Bud [32:11] for proposed budget has [32:14] 78,000 we asked him to bring that to [32:17] 80,000 and there's a little bit of [32:19] reason for that um there at the [32:22] bottom I don't want I don't not seek fin [32:26] retirement yeah but [32:28] um to make [32:31] it I didn't want to say it but you know [32:34] I was very D's customer [32:52] there that [32:56] ising [32:58] she [33:01] charges we want to make sure we have [33:03] succession plan in this department to [33:05] our city and M been fantastic years so [33:10] we want to make sure the transition [33:12] happen and the deputy is equipped to [33:15] carry on and we need to um put that in [33:19] place and as you see there there's a [33:21] great job he's he listens he trained [33:24] well and hopefully he's going to [33:26] continue to grow even [33:29] more any question on [33:32] this okay the next one [33:36] here the assess um this [33:40] a355 [33:42] 100 assessment [33:45] office the assess was um in front of us [33:48] a couple of days mentioned to us that [33:52] um [33:55] tookess EX pass on the for try and you [33:59] know she has a to certification and this [34:02] was a two-part question because there's [34:03] one here and then there's another one in [34:04] the back so can to combine all together [34:08] and we have the opportunity to from her [34:11] and I think that um we should um you [34:14] know put some consideration in place to [34:18] compensate certification and the [34:20] qualification that she has she did [34:23] mention that she has the only one in the [34:25] New York state have [34:27] if I'm not [34:29] mistaken something close to that [34:33] yes go ahead please I was going to say [34:36] professional development is something [34:37] that is uh needed in every organization [34:40] and I think it's our responsibility to [34:41] make sure that we uh properly [34:43] incentivize that that a no way shape [34:45] form means giving people um 100% raise [34:49] increases but I think that as they start [34:51] to add more knowledge skills and [34:53] abilities to their skill set uh City [34:55] Hall is able to be more um affected in [34:57] it businesses within that individuals [35:02] scope we did ask for documentation I [35:05] think attached to [35:10] the her is 93 she requested 93 [35:15] yes3 you have this [35:19] k64 [35:25] more [35:27] 1,64 oh 1,64 got [35:55] it [36:07] So currently the proposal is um 91 [36:12] 936 and she requested [36:25] 93,000 [36:32] any [36:34] discuss I would support [36:40] that okay it's not much of a difference [36:42] from the proposed budget and what is [36:45] being asked from the [36:52] Department next item is a420 D100 law [36:59] proposal is high power legal and then [37:01] there's a narrative as why the [37:03] suggestion is being brought [37:16] forward go ahead please I would like to [37:18] ask if Mr Mr col could weigh in [37:22] a um thank [37:24] Youk um we do that one of the parttime [37:27] attorneys um who's been working for us [37:29] for quite a while now um will be leaving [37:33] um at the end of the year full [37:35] retirement um he's already retired from [37:38] the DA's office and um he's been doing [37:41] phenomenal work for us in fact we [37:44] actually had a judgment today in court [37:46] from a trial over [37:47] $100,000 five in asss um this case that [37:51] he [37:52] handled um as it's noted here we do have [37:55] unfilled assist Corporation Council [37:57] positions uh obviously we're trying to [37:59] fill those positions um you I don't know [38:04] what will happen in 2024 as appli to the [38:07] other administrative staff um know we [38:11] get a lot of foil requests obviously as [38:12] you all know and technology has changed [38:15] where we don't have body cam so there's [38:16] more redactions to do and more video [38:19] review and all of that and that consumes [38:21] a great deal of time uh there'll never [38:23] be a shortage of notice of claims that [38:25] are filed against the city um and Code [38:27] Enforcement cases that come up um from [38:30] the building department for us to [38:31] prosecute and um having obviously you [38:35] know if we can't fill the assistant [38:37] Corporation Council positions um there's [38:39] always going to be a need for additional [38:41] support staff um we have two paralal [38:44] currently in the office who don't have [38:46] the title paralal um they have code [38:49] enforcement Specialists and record [38:52] access officer um having a paralal could [38:55] provide uh additional assistance um to [38:58] handle closings draft documents um [39:01] things along those lines um so that the [39:04] attorneys that we do have can you know [39:07] essentially do the the things that [39:09] attorne only attorneys can do go to [39:11] court [39:15] um what would be an average salary [39:18] there's no there's no salary attached to [39:20] that recommendation so yeah it's Guided [39:22] by I believe it may fall under