City Council - Finance Committee

CITY OF EASTHAMPTON OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL Easthampton Municipal Building 50 Payson Ave., Ste. 100 Easthampton, Massachusetts 01027-2260 Telephone #: (413) 529-1460 MINUTES FINANCE Meeting 03/24/2021 Attendees: FINANCE Committee Members: Councilor Dan Rist, Chair Councilor Peg Conniff Councilor Homar Gomez Other Attendees: Nicole LaChapelle, Mayor Jennifer Gallant, City Treasurer Greg Nuttelman, DPW Jeff Bagg, City Planner Meeting called to order at 5:00pm. The meeting was held remotely due to the COVID-19 pan- demic and was videotaped. Minutes from 03/09/2021 were approved 3-0 Mayor Communication: None Public Speak: None New Business 1. Supplemental Appropriations A. $10,000.00 for EV Vehicle & Bike Charging Stations expenses in FY ‘21 - Ever- source rate structures are creating variable electric bills on the charger. When the chargers were free, there was high usage. Once we started charging, the usage went way down. The ability to plan for future charges (probably at a reduced rate) has been difficult to determine given the current environment. (Pandemic) This appropriation is to fill the gap in the expected revenue v. actual which was much lower than planned. The maintenance on these chargers is also still an unknown  but would include potential damage from cars and/or vandalism. If rates are to be changed, the Board of Public Works will set those rates. This appropriation also includes money for the Vally Bike Share maintenance charges. Valley Bike Share was never meant to be a revenue generator. The purpose of the arrangement is to eliminate car rides for short trips in town where possible. The Bike stations gener- ate electricity and that costs is borne by the City. Motion to recommend to the full council a supplemental appropriation for $10,000 for EV Vehicle and Bike Charging Station expenses made by Councilor Gomez, second by Coun- cilor Conniff. Approved 3-0 B. $60,000.00 for Cherry St. CDBG project – Appropriation to show the city’s commitment to the work to replace aging Water and Sewer Utilities on Cherry Street. These funds are needed to be able to apply for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) plans and bid document preparation. Cherry Street was list- ed in the IWRR as the site most likely to fail. This is an upgrade that is critical for ongoing operation. Motion to recommend to the full council this supplemental appropriation for $60,000 for Cherry Street CDBG made by Councilor Gomez, second by Councilor Conniff. Approved 3-0 Public Hearing set for April 7, 2021 City Council Meeting 5:45 pm - Motion to adjourn by Councilor Conniff, Second Councilor Gomez 3-0 NEXT MEETING: April 14, 2021 @ 5:00pm