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 05/12/2021 Attendees: FINANCE Committee Members: Councilor Dan Rist, Chair Councilor Peg Conniff Councilor Homar Gomez Other Attendees: Nicole LaChapelle, Mayor Greg Nuttelman - Director DPW Jennifer Gallant, City Treasurer John Mason, Director, Parks and Rec Meeting called to order at 5:00pm. The meeting was held remotely due to the COVID-19 pan- demic and was videotaped. There were no minutes to approve Mayor Communication: None Public Speak: Carolyn Cushing requested an overview and more information about the budget process. Councilor Gomez offered to help anyone who had questions about the budget. New Business 1. Supplemental Appropriation A. $100,000 for Legal Services - The amount requested will be used for the following purpose: to cover the deficit for legal expenses that increased due to staff needs during the pandemic. Including police CBA negotiations, policy review resulting from Mayor’s Pledge Recommendations, Union Street Easement reviews and monthly flat fees.  B. The original budgeted amount for this line item was $65,000. The appropriation will come out of the Cannabis Stabilization fund which has $1.244M C. The Mayor reported that much of this money is due to some easement and ap- praisals for Union Street project. Motion by Councilor Gomez, second by Councilor Conniff to make a recommendation to the full council to approve a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $100,000 from Cannabis Stabilization fund to the Legal-Professional Services fund. Motion passed 3-0. 2. BUDGET REVIEW FY22 FULL BUDGET CAN BE FOUND HERE: A. https://easthamptonma.gov/component/fileman/file/ FY22%20Proposed%20Budget%20Book.pdf.html? routed=1&container=fileman-attachments B. Public Works - $1,866,799.60. Some errors were found in the budget and those corrections were sent out by the City Treasurer. Director Greg Nuttleman spoke to the mission of the DPW and the rationale for the budget requested. • Question regarding a reduction to the BPW stipend. Budget reflects 50% reduction which is likely an error. • Longevity amount was reduced because there are not as many long term employees • Street Lights have increased because there are more lights being added be- hind the mills and around the new rotary on Ferry Street C. Culture and Recreation - LIBRARY - $217,144. Nora Blake - Library Director spoke to the process for funding the budget. The budget NEEDED is $386,624 and the City is budgeting at $217,144. Nora questioned whether the state calculation for municipal appropriation is not correct. The formula is to take the 3 year look- back, average it then add 2.5%. City Treasurer will review. RECREATION - $137,711 John Mason - slight increase for temp workers and increase to State min- imum wage. PARK - $252,599. D. Enterprise - $2,749,970.18. These accounts are self sustaining accounts as they receive their budget dollars from fees from taxpayers. (Water, Sewer and Waste- water) Review: Meeting on 5/24 will be changed to 5/20. City Treasurer will provide motions for the final meeting on May 26. City Treasurer will review the various areas of number discrepan- cies and provide changes including Library calculations 6:20 pm - Motion to adjourn by Councilor Gomez, Second Councilor Conniff 3-0 NEXT MEETING: May 13 @ 5:00pm