Finance, Assessment and Taxation Committee

This meeting is being held in accordance to Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order and other Federal and State Orders that impact in-person attendance at public meetings, if applicable orders expire or are revoked before April 1, 2021, this will be an in- person meeting in City Hall, please check our website and Facebook for updates. Please submit your public comment via email commoncouncil@albanyny.gov or on our website https://www.albanyny.gov/Government/CityOfficials/CommonCouncil.aspx by Wednesday, March 31, 2021 12pm. These comments will be shared with members and/ or read for the record at the meeting. The meeting will be held using Zoom and streamed through the Albany Common Council’s Facebook. To stream this video please visit: https://www.facebook.com/albany.commoncouncil. If we experience any technical difficulties on Facebook, the video will be streamed to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-rQHp1fBLPcdk_4N6J4XbQ COMMON COUNCIL MEETING FINANCE, ASSESSMENT AND TAXATION COMMITTEE Ginnie Farrell, Chair DATE: Thursday, April 1, 2021 TIME: 5:30 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: YES TOPIC(S) OF DISCUSSION/CONSIDERATION: Resolution Number 22.31.21 R A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CONSENTING TO THE CREATION OF A FULL TIME POSITION, WHICH WILL AFFECT A SALARY TOTAL FOR THE 2021 BUDGET (DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES) Resolution Number 23.31.21R A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CONSENTING TO AN ADJUSTMENT IN SALARY FOR THE 2021 BUDGET (ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT) Resolution Number 25.31.21R A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CONSENTING TO THE ELIMINATION OF ONE FULL TIME POSITION AND THE CREATION OF ANOTHER, WHICH WILL AFFECT A SALARY TOTAL FOR THE 2021 BUDGET (DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION) Council Member Farrell on behalf of the Committee on Finance, Taxation, and Assessment introduced the following: RESOLUTION NUMBER 22.31.21R A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CONSENTING TO THE CREATION OF A FULL TIME POSITION, WHICH WILL AFFECT A SALARY TOTAL FOR THE 2021 BUDGET (DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES) WHEREAS, section 603(D)(b) of the Charter of the City of Albany dictates that any transfer of budgeted funds that affects a salary rate or salary total that occurs outside of those described in the duly adopted budget requires the approval of the Common Council; and WHEREAS, the Department of General Services has requested the creation of one full time Social Media/Web Specialist position, at the salary of $40,000 (A.1493.8160.7440); NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council of the City of Albany consents to the transfer of funds affecting a salary total due to the creation of a Social Media/Web Specialist within the Department of General Services for the 2021 budget year. To: Danielle Gillespie, City Clerk From: Brett Williams, Esq., Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel Re: Request for Common Council Legislation Support Memorandum Date: February 12, 2021 Sponsor: Council Member Farrell on behalf of the committee on Finance, Taxation, and Assessment RESOLUTION NUMBER 22.31.21R TITLE A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CONSENTING TO THE CREATION OF A FULL TIME POSITION, WHICH WILL AFFECT A SALARY TOTAL FOR THE 2021 BUDGET (DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES) GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION The Department of General Services has requested the creation of a Social Media/Web Specialist position within DGS to handle the department’s social media accounts, monitor its general email accounts, and execute resident notifications via email, regular mail, and door hangers. DGS hopes, through creation of this position, to be better able to respond instantly to inquiries made through social media, and to get up to date information out to the general public in real time. NECESSITY FOR LEGISLATION AND CHANGE TO EXISTING LAW Pursuant to section 603(D)(b) of the City Charter “any transfer of budgeted funds that affects any salary rate or salary total” requires the approval of the Common Council, which is expressed by resolution. FISCAL IMPACT The creation of this position represents a change of $40,000. Council Member Farrell on behalf of the Committee on Finance, Taxation, and Assessment introduced the following: RESOLUTION NUMBER 23.31.21R A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CONSENTING TO AN ADJUSTMENT IN SALARY FOR THE 2021 BUDGET (ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT) WHEREAS, section 603(D)(b) of the Charter of the City of Albany dictates that any transfer of budgeted funds that affects a salary rate or salary total that occurs outside of those described in the duly adopted budget requires the approval of the Common Council; and WHEREAS, the Police Department of the City of Albany has requested an amendment to the 2021 budget to increase by $4,804 the salary for the position of Building Services Supervisor, from $45,196 to $50,00; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council of the City of Albany consents to the transfer of funds affecting a salary total due to the increase in salary of the Building Services Supervisor position within the Albany Police Department for the 2021 budget year. To: Danielle Gillespie, City Clerk From: Brett Williams, Esq., Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel Re: Request for Common Council Legislation Support Memorandum Date: February 12, 2021 Sponsor: Council Member Farrell on behalf of the Committee on Finance, Taxation, and Assessment RESOLUTION NUMBER 23.31.21R TITLE A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CONSENTING TO AN ADJUSTMENT IN SALARY FOR THE 2021 BUDGET (ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT) GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION The Albany Police Department has requested to increase the salary of the Building Services Supervisor position from its current $45,196 to $50,000. This will enable APD to better attract qualified applicants for the position. NECESSITY FOR LEGISLATION AND CHANGE TO EXISTING LAW Pursuant to section 603(D)(b) of the City Charter “any transfer of budgeted funds that affects any salary rate or salary total” requires the approval of the Common Council, which is expressed by resolution. FISCAL IMPACT This salary change represents an increase of $4,804. Council Member Farrell on behalf of the Committee on Finance, Taxation, and Assessment introduced the following: RESOLUTION NUMBER 25.31.21R A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CONSENTING TO THE ELIMINATION OF ONE FULL TIME POSITION AND THE CREATION OF ANOTHER, WHICH WILL AFFECT A SALARY TOTAL FOR THE 2021 BUDGET (DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION) WHEREAS, section 603(D)(b) of the Charter of the City of Albany dictates that any transfer of budgeted funds that affects a salary rate or salary total that occurs outside of those described in the duly adopted budget requires the approval of the Common Council; and WHEREAS, the Department of Recreation has requested the elimination of a Laborer II position, which will result in the following changes: Eliminate Laborer II A.7180.4200.7000 ($35,006) Decrease (Salaries) A.7180.4200.7000 $35,006 Total $35,006 and WHEREAS, the Department of Recreation has also requested that such Laborer II position be replaced with the creation of a Laborer I position, which will result in the following changes: Create Laborer I A.7180.4200.7000 $29,702 Increase (Salaries) A.1430.1600.7000 $29,702 Total $29,702 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council of the City of Albany consents to the transfer of funds affecting salary totals due to the elimination of a Laborer II position and the creation of one Laborer I position within the Department of Recreation for the 2021 budget year. To: Danielle Gillespie, City Clerk From: Brett Williams, Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel Re: Memorandum in Support of Legislation Date: February 19, 2021 SPONSOR Council Member Farrell on behalf of the Committee on Finance, Taxation, and Assessment RESOLUTION NUMBER 25.31.21R TITLE A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CONSENTING TO THE ELIMINATION OF ONE FULL TIME POSITION AND THE CREATION OF ANOTHER, WHICH WILL AFFECT A SALARY TOTAL FOR THE 2021 BUDGET (DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION) GENERAL PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION The Department of Recreation has requested that a Laborer II position, vacated by the recent retirement of an employee, be replaced with a permanent Laborer I position, with a salary of $29,702. The individual hired to fill this position will be responsible for recreations-based operations labor, including maintaining and repairing recreation equipment such as playgrounds, pools, skate park, athletic courts and fields, the skating rink, and spray pads. The Department hopes to fill the position before the beginning of the summer to ensure that the individual is fully trained before the arrival of that season. NECESSITY FOR LEGISLATION AND CHANGE TO EXISTING LAW Pursuant to section 603(D)(b) of the City Charter “any transfer of budgeted funds that affects any salary rate or salary total” requires the approval of the Common Council. FISCAL IMPACT(S) This change represents a difference of $5,304.