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 11/30/2021 Attendees: FINANCE Committee Members: Councilor Dan Rist, Chair Councilor Peg Conniff Councilor Homar Gomez Other Attendees: Nicole LaChapelle, Mayor Hetal Patel, Auditor Jen Gallant, City Treasurer Bob Alberti, Police Chief Mark Popielarczyk, EPD Meeting called to order at 5:00pm. The meeting was held remotely due to the COVID-19 pan- demic and was videotaped. Approval of Minutes from 11/16. Motion Councilor Gomez, Second Councilor Conniff. Ap- proved 3-0. Mayor Communication: None Public Speak: None New Business 1. Supplemental Appropriations A. $17,688.35 from Free Cash to cover a deficit in the Urban Agenda Grant account. The amount requested will be used for the following purpose: for the Urban Agen- da Grant Deficit to city council. This amount includes PO received to-date in the  Audit department. 2-year grant for $25,000/year needed to be spent by 6/30/2021. The state indicated that the original $25K was not spent in a timely manner so the second $25K was not granted. Motion Councilor Gomez, Second Councilor Conniff. Approved 3-0. B. $30,000.00 from Cannabis Stabilization in support of the Emily Williston Library. The amount will be used for the following purpose: resources and funding for the Emily Williston Memorial Library. Motion Councilor Gomez, Second Councilor Conniff. Approved 3-0. C. $5,000.00 from Free Cash for Veterans District assistance. The amount will be used for the following purpose: Contract with Northampton’s Veteran’s District clients. Matching $5,000 provided by South Hadley. This is specific to reim- bursement to existing staff for recertification. Motion Councilor Conniff, Second Councilor Gomez. Approved 3-0. D. $328,771.50 from Cannabis Stabilization for police contract funding and retirement payout. The amount requested will be used for the following purpose: To provide funding for the additional cost of the FY22-FY24 Police Union Contract and for the payout of Sergeant Bruce Nicol’s 7/11/21 retirement. EMT reimbursement is for each Police Officer should they receive there EMT certification. The appropria- tion for Sergeant Bruce Nicol’s retirement that cannot be planned for in the budget. As for the educational component is based on base pay plus clothing and holiday pay plus longevity. Each credit hour (up to full bachelors degree = 120 credits - 24% of base+ pay); 150 credits for completed Masters (up to 30% of base+ pay) Each officer can receive a partial Ed. incentive as they take classes. Motion Coun- cilor Gomez, Second Councilor Conniff. Approved 3-0. Meeting Adjourned at 5:27PM Next Meeting:TBD