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 06/15/2021 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 Emily Russo, HR Director Hetal Patel, Auditor JP Kwiecinski, City Councilor 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: New Business 1. Supplemental Appropriation A. $27,000 to cover the cost of city staff “Undoing Racism” workshops - The amount requested will be used for the following purpose: to cover the cost of the mandato- ry Undoing Racism workshops (2) for staff at City Hall. DISCUSSION: Mayor explained this is a workshop that will encompass 3 days and is an intense training process. In collaboration with Dr. Lomax Campbell this training has already been presented in Rochester and will be presented in July and August to City employees.  There will be 50 screens with multiple people working on one screen. Cohorts are being created with the assistance of Dr. Campbell. This training will be mandatory for city staff. Councilor Gomez had some concerns about the fact that this was not in person training. The Mayor agreed but feels that the remote ability may also al- low a level of safety for some people attending. Motion to recommend to the full council the supplemental appropriation of $27,000 to cover the cost of city staff attending Undoing Racism workshops by Councilor Gomez. Second by Councilor Conniff. Motion passed 3-0. B. $60,000 for repairs to the Nonotuck Well pump motor - The amount requested will be used for the following purpose: The Nonotuck Well is a source of supply for the Easthampton Water System. A 2019 inspection of the Nonotuck Well Pump Motor noted increased vibration and recommended the electric motor be removed and overhauled. During the overhaul process multiple issues with the pump were discovered which have led to an increase in the cost for this project. DISCUS- SION: Greg Nuttleman explained that last year an appropriation to evaluate the well motor was approved. This motor is circa 1995. The discovery of the issues after removal of the pump are generating this appropriation. Typical life of a pump/motor assembly is 20-25 years. Brooks street well is redundant for Nono- tuck and vice versa. Motion to recommend to the full council the supplemental appropriation of $60,000 to cover the cost of repairs to the Nonotuck Well pump motor by Councilor Conniff. Second by Coun- cilor Gomez. Motion passed 3-0. 2. Interdepartmental Transfer A. $48,205.35 transfer from the PEG Access Receipts Reserved Account - To give approval to spend from the PEG Access Receipts Reserved Account for cable relat- ed purposes consistent with the franchise agreement. DISCUSSION: Discussion around the fact that this money comes through the contract between the City and Charter cable based on the number of cable subscribers. The money is not part of the city budget. This account is set up to receive the funds from Charter and dis- perse the funds to Easthampton Media. Motion to recommend to the full council the interdepartmental transfer of $48,205.35 to give approval to spend from the PEG Access Receipts Reserved Account for cable related purposes consistent with the franchise agreement by Councilor Conniff. Second by Councilor Gomez. Motion passed 3-0. 3. REVIEW FY22 FULL BUDGET: A. Reviewed the FY 2021 Revenue - Presented best estimated revenue based on the state estimates. No questions B. Reviewed FY22 Budget revisions - See attached for changes. Motion to recommend to the full council the amended budget of $45,900,466 by Councilor Gomez. Second by Councilor Conniff. Motion passed 3-0. 5:51 pm - Motion to adjourn by Councilor Gomez, Second Councilor Conniff 3-0 NEXT MEETING: July 14, 2021 @ 5:00pm