City Council

SPECIAL MEETING 24-Feb-2014 Honorable Mayor Mark D. Boughton Members of the City Council Honorable Mayor, Mark D. Boughton, called the meeting to order at 8:36 pm in the Council Chambers. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Andrew Wetmore, Benjamin Chianese, Duane Perkins, Fred Visconti, Gregg Seabury, Irving Fox, Jack Knapp, John Priola, Joseph Cavo, Mike Haddad, Philip Curran, Thomas Saadi, Vinnie DiGilio, Warren Levy, Chris Arconti, Elmer Palma, Joe Scozzafava, Paul Rotello, and Peter Nero. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Colleen Stanley was out of town Marina Loyola had a death in the family PRESENT: 19 ABSENT: 2 Robert J. Yamin, Corporation Counsel; Laszlo Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel and David St. Hilaire, Director of Finance, Wayne Shepard, Chief of Staff were also present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG & PRAYER: David. St. Hilaire led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council Member Curran led everyone in the room in a prayer. A motion was made by Joe Cavo, that the call and return of service be accepted. Motion was seconded by Andrew Wetmore. The motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC SPEAKING Scott Brunges, 38 Sunset Cove Public speaking ended at 8:41pm. The Council wished Councilman Digilio a Happy Birthday 1. Tax Relief Residential/Apartment Taxpayers, Code of Ordinance Section 18-29 A motion was made by Mr. Cavo to waive the reading of the Ad Hoc report as all members have copies and copies are on file at the Legislative Assistant’s office for review. The motion was seconded by Jack Knapp. The motion passed unanimously. Page 1 of 2 A motion was made by Mr. Cavo, seconded by Mr. Curran to receive the communication report from the Ad Hoc Committee and authorize the adoption of Code of Ordinance Section 18-29, Tax Relief Residential/Apartment taxpayers. The motion passed unanimously. Councilman Saadi addressed the issues of the tax relief. He explained why this does not apply to commercial industrial business properties. He spoke about the complaints received about the company who did the assessments with, “very odd results”. Mr. Saadi asked Mr. Pinter to explain what happens to the residents who fall in the parameters of this ordinance could apply for its remedies. Mr. Pinter said the ordinance applies to affected properties verifiably inequitable valuation properties as determined by the officials in charge, this is not geographically limited. Mr. Saadi asked Mr. Pinter to explain the process of the tax relief. This ordinance gives the Tax Assessor additional authority through the City Council to act to apply the clerical adjustment provision and other provisions of the statues or through the Director of Finance. He explained the flexibility of the ordinance. Mr. Saadi said he supports the ordinance and that future assessments need to be done properly. Mayor Boughton said he signed an order that will allow for another (30) thirty days to file an appeal. March 20th is the deadline. Mr. Rotella asked Mr. Pinter about language in Section 1 regarding a tax levy of no less that three and one half percent. New properties would not be in this grouping because this applies to the 2012 re-evaluation. Mr. Chianese asked about how the ordinance would be implemented. Mr. St. Hilaire said they would go to the Board of Assessment Appeals and then it would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Mayor Boughton said that they have outside council that will represent the City and the City’s interpretation of the Cushman and Wakefield report and will brief the BOA before they begin the first round of appeals which will be done at an open meeting. Mr. St. Hilaire continued to explain the appeals process with Mr. Chianese. Mr. Levy asked if this would be sun setted out after the 2012 grand list. Mayor Boughton said the next re-val will be a statistical re-val 4 years from now and this could impact next years appeal. He encouraged the Council to look at a sunset provision next fall. Mr. Saadi asked why the BOA wasn’t mentioned in the ordinance and can they utilize the authority given in the ordinance. Mayor Boughton said there are 2 processes- the first is the appeal to the Board of Assessments. The second is what to do about the current grand list. This ordinance will impact the current grand list for this budget year. Mr. Levy asked about the Yacht Club. They have no remedy for 2012 but do after that. Mr. Nero asked what is the first step-that is to file an appeal and fill the form out in the Assessors office. A motion was made by Mr. Seabury, seconded by Mr. Perkins to adjourn its special meeting at 9:08 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Lisa Morelli, Recording Secretary Page 2 of 2