Budget and Finance Subcommittee

By City Clerk at 10:35 am, Sep 21, 2023 City of Amesbury Office of the City Clerk 62 Friend St. Amesbury, MA 01913 City Council Budget & Finance Committee Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 21, 2023, at 7:30 PM Councilor Stanganelli called the meeting to order at 7:33 PM. Roll Call: • Roll call was taken, and present were Councilor Deschenes and Councilor Stanganelli. Absent was Chairman Hickok. Minutes for Approval: March 21, 2023, April 24, 2023, May 16, 2023 Councilor Deschenes moved to approve the minutes from March 21, 2023, April 24, 2023, and May 16, 2023. • Councilor Stanganelli stated that he would like to take the minutes separately. • Councilor Deschenes withdrew the motion. Councilor Deschenes moved to approve the minutes from March 21, 2023 as submitted. • Councilor Stanganelli stated that regarding 2023-021 he would like the dollar amount of $204,133.62 for the grant to be included. • Councilor Deschenes accepted this as part of his motion. Councilor Stanganelli seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously (2-0). Councilor Deschenes moved to approve the minutes from April 24, 2023 as submitted. Councilor Stanganelli seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously (2-0). Councilor Deschenes moved to approve the minutes from May 16, 2023 as submitted. Councilor Stanganelli seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously (2-0). Communications & Updates: • CFO Marisa Batista presented the monthly reports (see attached). Public Comment: • Councilor Deschenes suggested having the public speak at the time that 2023-040 is taken. Councilor Deschenes moved to take 2023-061 out of order. Councilor Stanganelli seconded, and the motion passed unanimously (2-0). 2023-061 An Order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a FY 2024 Public Health Excellence for Shared Services Grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services Department of Public Health in the amount of $143,105.00. -Mayor Sponsor • Chief of Staff Ann Marie Casey introduced Michael Hugo from the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards. • Mr. Hugo shared a presentation on the Public Health Excellence Grants (see attached). Councilor Deschenes moved to send 2023-061 back to the full City Council with a positive recommendation. Councilor Stanganelli seconded, and the motion passed unanimously (2-0). 1 Councilor Deschenes moved to continue with the regular order of the agenda. Councilor Stanganelli seconded, and the motion passed unanimously (2-0). 2023-40 An Ordinance to amend the Amesbury Code of Ordinances Chapter 396 Special Events to update various Special Event usage fees. -Mayor Sponsor • Chief of Staff Ann Marie Casey highlighted that the major redline changes were to the usage fees. Ms. Casey also shared that there was an issue with a big document regarding the construction of the ballfields at the town park. • Ms. Casey stated that the Mayor has been in communication with Amesbury Girls Youth Softball League relative to improvements to the softball field. • Shannon Asselin, 19 Woodman Road, questioned the cost of $75,000. • Dr. Crystal Sorgini, 82 Prospect Street, questioned the language of the bill and the economics behind the fees. • Councilor Stanganelli asked how the fees were created. Ms. Casey stated that she worked with the Assistant Director of Youth Recreation. • Councilor Stanganelli shared his concern regarding the scope of the softball field. • Councilor Stanganelli noted that the committee had voted to defer this matter indefinitely. Councilor Deschenes moved to send 2023-040 back to the full City Council with a negative recommendation. Councilor Stanganelli seconded the motion. • Councilor Deschenes asked Shannon Asselin if she had attended meetings regarding concerns over the softball fields. Ms. Asselin stated that she had. The motion failed to carry 1-1, Councilor Deschenes in favor, Councilor Stanganelli opposed. The motion returned back to City Council with no recommendation. • Public Works Director Joe Buckley shared that part of his job is to restore faith in the process. 2023-057 An Order to authorize inter-departmental transfers of general fund appropriations in accordance with MGL c.44 Section 33B. -Mayor Sponsor • CFO Marisa Batista shared that this is an annual council order. • Councilor Stanganelli asked which employee benefits are not going to be expended. Ms. Batista replied that it is mostly health insurance. Councilor Deschenes moved to send 2023-057 back to the full City Council with a positive recommendation. Councilor Stanganelli seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously (2-0). 2023-058 An Order to appropriate $199,991 from Sewer Retained Earnings to Sewer Enterprise Fund Other Expenses. -Mayor Sponsor • CFO Marisa Batista stated that they are trying to balance the year end.______ • Councilor Stanganelli clarified that the amount will be reduced to $786,525 after being appropriated. Councilor Deschenes moved to send 2023-058 back to the full City Council with a positive recommendation. Councilor Stanganelli seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously (2-0). 2023-059 An Order to appropriate $200,000 from Free Cash to Water Enterprise Other Expenses. - Mayor Sponsor • CFO Marisa Batista stated that they are now requesting retainer for this transfer. Councilor Deschenes moved to send 2023-059 back to the full City Council with a positive recommendation. Councilor Stanganelli seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously (2-0). 2023-060 An Order to appropriate $76,311.06 from Free Cash for the purpose of paying the final invoice from George Cairns and Sons related to the South Hunt Road Corridor Development Project. -Mayor Sponsor • Chief of Staff Ann Marie Casey stated that there was supporting information provided with the council order. Councilor Deschenes moved to send 2023-060 back to the full City Council with a positive recommendation. Councilor Stanganelli seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously (2-0). 2 2023-062 An Order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a grant in the amount of $62,769 from the Josetta Fund for the purpose of procuring a new K-9 cruiser. -Mayor Sponsor • Chief of Police Craig Bailey read a memo sent to the Mayor (see attached). Councilor Deschenes moved to send 2023-062 back to the full City Council with a positive recommendation. Councilor Stanganelli seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously (2-0). 2023-063 An Order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a cash gift of $25,000 from Next Era Energy Seabrook for the care and maintenance of the Emergency Operation Center and the generator supporting the Emergency Operation Center. -Mayor Sponsor • Councilor Stanganelli asked if this was for a generator to go on Main Street. Fire Chief James Nolan confirmed that it is. Councilor Deschenes moved to send 2023-063 back to the full City Council with a positive recommendation. Councilor Stanganelli seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously (2-0). Adjourn: Councilor Deschenes moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:59 PM. The motion was seconded by Councilor Stanganelli, and it passed unanimously (2-0). Respectfully submitted, Jasmine Looney June 22, 2023 3