Budget and Finance Subcommittee

By City Clerk at 8:55 am, Jun 22, 2023 City of Amesbury Office of the City Clerk 62 Friend St. Amesbury, MA 01913 City Council Budget & Finance Committee Meeting Minutes Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 6:00 PM Chairman Hickok called the meeting to order at 6:07 PM. Roll Call: • Roll call was taken, and present were Councilor Deschenes and Chairman Hickok. Absent was Councilor Stanganelli. Minutes for Approval: March 21, 2023, April 24, 2023 Councilor Deschenes moved continue the minutes from March 21, 2023 and April 24, 2023 to the next Budget and Finance meeting. Chairman Hickok seconded, and the motion passed unanimously (2 members present). Communications & Updates: Councilor Deschenes moved to forgo the monthly financial report. Chairman Hickok seconded, and the motion passed unanimously (2 members present). Public Comment: • There was no one to speak at public comment 2023-044 An Order that $1,991,128 is appropriated to pay costs of the following projects, including the payment of all costs incidental and related thereto; Total: $1,991,128 -Mayor Sponsor • CFO Marisa Batista stated that this is an order that will allow the Treasurer to borrow for any new projects. Councilor Deschenes moved for the Budget and Finance subcommittee to recommend to the full City Council a positive recommendation for 2023-044. He was seconded by Chairman Hickok, and the motion passed unanimously (2-0). 2023-045 An Order to request the City Council vote to authorize the Mayor to enter into a five-year or less lease or loan purchase Agreement for a new Ambulance, DPW Truck and Police Pickup Truck. -Mayor Sponsor • CFO Marisa Batista stated that authorization is needed to enter into any debt. Councilor Deschenes moved for the Budget and Finance subcommittee to recommend to the full City Council a positive recommendation for 2023-045. He was seconded by Chairman Hickok, and the motion passed unanimously (2-0). 2023-046 An Order to appropriate $258,500 from Free Cash for the purpose of funding fiscal year 2024 capital projects listed below. -Mayor Sponsor • Councilors engaged with CFO Marisa Batista and Chief of Staff Ann Marie Casey about the purpose behind the 2024 capital projects. 1 Councilor Deschenes moved for the Budget and Finance subcommittee to recommend to the full City Council a positive recommendation for 2023-046. He was seconded by Chairman Hickok, and the motion passed unanimously (2-0). 2023-047 An Order to appropriate $448,001.53 from Free Cash for the purpose of funding fiscal year 2023 Snow & Ice expenditures in excess of appropriation.-Mayor Sponsor • CFO Marisa Batista stated that this is to appropriate what went over the original snow and ice budget. Councilor Stanganelli moved for the Budget and Finance subcommittee to recommend to the full City Council a positive recommendation for 2023-047. He was seconded by Councilor Deschenes, and the motion passed unanimously (3-0). 2023-048 An Order to establish spending limits for departmental revolving funds pursuant to the provisions of M.G.L. c. 44, Section 53E ½. -Mayor Sponsor Councilor Deschenes moved to accept the redline version of 2023-048 from May 16, 2023 at 3:12 PM and substitute for the previous version of the order. He was seconded by Councilor Stanganelli. • CFO Marisa Batista stated that this order is to establish limits on the City’s revolving funds. Councilor Stanganelli moved for the Budget and Finance subcommittee to recommend to the full City Council a positive recommendation, and that the full City Council formally substitute 2023- 048 as revised before a vote. He was seconded by Councilor Deschenes, and the motion passed unanimously (3-0). 2023-050 An Ordinance to Establish Increased Salaries for the Positions of Mayor and City Councilors. - Councilor Wheeler Sponsor • Councilor Wheeler, District 4 City Councilor, spoke to the purpose and research behind the bill. • Councilor Deschenes shared that the current mayor, Mayor Gove, would like to have the mayor portion removed from the bill. Councilor Deschenes moved to separate the salaries of the Mayor, City Councilors, and City Council President. He was seconded by Councilor Stanganelli. • Chairman Hickok shared his concerns over not making the Mayor’s position competitive in salary. • Councilor Deschenes stated that he would be making a negative recommendation. • Councilor Wheeler stated that the Council stipend was proposed to be increased from $4,000 to $5,000 and the Council President stipend to be increased from $5,000 to $6,250. Councilor Deschenes moved for the Budget and Finance subcommittee to recommend to the full City Council a negative recommendation. He was seconded by Councilor Stanganelli, and after a roll call vote the motion passed (2-1, Chairman Hickok opposed). 2023-051 An Order for the Amesbury City Council to vote to accept the provisions of Chapter 329 of the Acts of 1987. -Councilor Wheeler Sponsor • Councilor Wheeler shared that this is a fairly time sensitive matter and explained the background of the bill. Councilor Stanganelli moved for the Budget and Finance subcommittee to recommend to the full City Council a positive recommendation with the exception of the typographical Scrivener’s error. He was seconded by Councilor Deschenes, and the motion passed unanimously (3-0). Adjourn: Councilor Deschenes moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 PM. He was seconded by Councilor Stanganelli. The motion passed unanimously (3 voting members present). 2 Respectfully submitted, Jasmine Looney June 16, 2023 3