Finance Committee

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Mar 25 2024 9:18 am City of Fitchburg Massachusetts 01420 CITY COUNCIL Councilors at Large President Ward Councilors Anthony M. Zarrella Marcus L. DiNatale Ward 1 – Bernard J. Schultz, III Vice President Ward 2 – Paul R. Beauchemin Sally H. Cragin Andrew J. Van Hazinga Ward 3 – Andrew J. Couture Amy L. Green Elizabeth R. Walsh Ward 4 – Andrew J. Van Hazinga Anthony M. Zarrella Ward 5 – Marisa R. Fleming Ward 6 – Derrick J. Cruz Finance Committee A meeting of the Finance Committee was called to order by Councilor DiNatale on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 6:05 PM in the Legislative Building, 700 Main Street, Fitchburg, MA. Committee Members present: Councilors Anthony Zarrella, Paul Beauchemin, and Elizabeth Walsh Committee Members absent: Derrick Cruz Others Present: Deputy Commissioner of Wastewater, Mark McNamara; Public Works Commissioner, Nicholas Erickson; Director of Public Health, Steve Curry; Director of Parks & Recreation, James Bunnell; Executive Director of Community Development, Liz Murphy; Community Legal Aid Managing Attorney, Ines Kenney; President & CEO of North Star Family Services, Jon Hogue; NCM Habitat for Humanity Executive Director, Carolyn Read; and Fitchburg Redevelopment Authority Executive Director, Meagen Donahue. 049-24 ORDER: the City of Fitchburg hereby appropriates the sum of SIXTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($65,000) from Available Funds, crediting as follows: LAW-LABOR COUNSEL $35,000 LAW-DAMAGES PERSONS & PROPERTY $30,000 Discussion: Councilor DiNatale noted that these Law Department line items are almost fully expended. City Auditor Cronin added that the Damages appropriation is not directly related to a pending settlement. Action: (4-0) Be Adopted 1 050-24 ORDER: there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of SEVENTY-TWO THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED TEN AND 97/100 DOLLARS ($72,110.97) from RESERVE FOR APPROPRIATION - PEG ACCESS EXPENSES to support capital needs at the FATV broadcast location. Discussion: Councilor DiNatale explained that this allocation of funds to FATV is from the capital portion of PEG funding, and is in addition to the contracted FATV franchise fees and capital allotment. Councilor Zarrella recommended that in the future, all PEG proceeds be allocated to FATV. Action: (4-0) Be Adopted 051-24 ORDER: the sum of Thirty Nine Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($39,500,000) be and hereby is appropriated to pay the cost of various sewer separation projects including, but not limited to, sewer separation project CSO 032, 045 and 083 Separation/Rehabilitation, and ongoing repairs and rehabilitation of the sewer system infrastructure in the City, including without limitation all costs incidental and related thereto and all costs thereof as defined in M.G.L. Chapter 29C, as amended; and to meet this appropriation, the City Treasurer, with the approval of the Mayor, is authorized to borrow said amount under and pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 7(1) or 8(14), or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the City therefor; and that the City Treasurer with the approval of the Mayor is authorized to borrow all or a portion of such amount from the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust established pursuant to Chapter 29C and in connection therewith to enter into a financing agreement and/or security agreement with the Trust and otherwise to contract with the Trust and the Department of Environmental Protection with respect to such loan, and for any federal or state aid available for the project or for the financing thereof; and that the Mayor or other relevant City official is authorized to enter into a project regulatory agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection, to expend all funds available for the project and to take any other action necessary to carry out the project. The Treasurer is hereby authorized to file an application with the Municipal Finance Oversight Board to qualify under M.G.L. Chapter 44A any or all of the bonds authorized by this order, and to provide such information and execute such documents as the Municipal Finance Oversight Board may require for these purposes. Discussion: Councilor DiNatale stated that this borrowing is the next tranche in continuing to address sewer/stormwater separation in compliance with the EPA Consent Decree. Mr. McNamara explained that this is for Phases II and III (CSO 32) - beginning this spring - and encompasses downtown from Prospect Street to Mechanic Street, and over toward Mount Vernon Street. He confirmed that the current rate schedule includes the related debt service on the borrowing. Two more projects will follow; and a potential tertiary treatment project, pending a reevaluation of the results of the inflow & infiltration reduction. He also stated that the EPA is very happy with Fitchburg’s response to the decree, and holds the city out as a model community. Action: (4-0) Be Adopted 2 052-24 ORDER: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of grant funds by the Board of Health, from the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, in the amount of TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000) to supplement the Winter Warming Center. Discussion: Mr. Curry informed the committee that this grant will add to funds already received for operation of the center on Mechanic St. The center has been opened 19 nights and 2 days thus far, serving 52 guests, with the added benefit of providing person-to-person assistance with services. Councilor Zarrella was appreciative to learn that guests have been matched with services such as permanent shelter, detox, state IDs, etc. Councilor DiNatale thanked the United Way for the generous donation. Councilors Walsh and Beauchemin commended Director Curry, Keith Barnaby, and Sue Christensen for their efforts. Action: (4-0) Be Adopted 053-24 ORDER: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the expenditure of State Earmark funds allocated by the Department of Conservation & Recreation in the amount of SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($75,000) for the rehabilitation of the youth soccer field area at Coolidge Park. Discussion: Mr. Bunnell explained that the grant will be used to fence-in and improve a delineated space for youth soccer, reducing traffic and unnecessary use, and allowing for proper care and maintenance. Action: (4-0) Be Adopted 054-24 ORDER: the City of Fitchburg hereby approves the transfer of $96,349 from CDBG Year 47 Police Department ADA Parking Improvements to CDBG Year 48 Parks/Playgrounds Improvements. Discussion: Ms. Murphy stated that these funds are no longer needed as originally programmed, and will be used to address a shortfall in funding for the Park Hill and Mama Fitz park improvements. Action: (4-0) Be Adopted COMMUNICATION: Mayor Samantha M. Squailia submittal of the Year 50 Community Development Block Grant application for review. Councilor DiNatale asked for questions/discussion on the CDBG Year 50 Funding Recommendation by category (totaling $955,157.64). PUBLIC FACILITIES AND IMPROVEMENTS (7 Projects) $304,401 Discussion: Re: ADA Crosswalk Projects, $133,651 - Councilor Beauchemin asked whether the DPW projects will be ‘farmed out” (vs. performed by city staff). Commissioner Erickson answered, yes, and 3 explained that city staff are fully occupied with street repairs and there is no longer a need to balance the general fund budget by assigning staff to CDBG projects. Other considerations are that paying overtime and weekend rates will cost the city; by hiring contractors to do the work, the projects will be completed in a timely manner. Action: (4-0) 7 Projects - Be Adopted PUBLIC SERVICES (9 Projects) $137,500 Discussion: Re: Homelessness Prevention, Community Legal Aid, $5,000 - Councilor Beauchemin asked whether the CLA program works with landlords. Managing Attorney Kenney responded that the program represents tenants in eviction and subsidy termination cases. In eviction cases, the program works with both tenant and landlords to promote positive, strong relationships. Many cases settle in mediation, rarely becoming adversarial. Re: Family Homeless Shelter, North Star Family Services $9,500 - Councilor Beauchemin asked how many people from Fitchburg are housed, and what is the success rate. President Hogue responded that it is ordinarily a 50/50 split between Fitchburg and Leominster, both are prioritized, depending on the need and the waiting list. The success rate is more difficult to answer because families are tracked for 18 months after leaving, but many move on and may change phone numbers, for example, and become difficult to reach. However, only two families have returned to the shelter for a second time. Re: Mayor’s Energy Fund $5,000 - Councilor Beauchemin asked why appropriate $5,000 when there are so many programs out there already to address the need. He offered that the money could be better spent on other projects. Ms. Murphy explained, and Councilor Zarrella agreed, that these funds help close the gap and help people that fall between 60% and 80% of the area median income thresholds, and are not eligible for fuel assistance. Action: (4-0) 9 Projects - Be Adopted ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (4 Projects) $172,256.64 Discussion: Re: Downtown Coordinator, Community Development $35,000 - Councilor Beauchemin asked who this employee would be, and is the city “farming it out”. Ms. Murphy answered that Fitchburg State will no longer be partnering with the city, and a request to bring the employee into City employment will be proposed within the Fiscal 25 budget to focus on event coordination downtown. The estimated salary range is $50-60,000, plus benefits. Action: (4-0) 3 Projects (V W X) - Be Adopted Action: (3-1) Downtown Coordinator Project (Y) - Be Adopted (Beauchemin) 4  REHABILITATION AND PRESERVATION (3 Projects) $151,000 Discussion: Re: Critical Home Repair, Habitat for Humanity $30,000 - Councilor Beauchemin thanked Executive Director Read for the work done in Ward 4, and recommends more funding next year. Re: FRA Grants Program, Fitchburg Redevelopment Authority $20,000 - Councilors Zarrella and Walsh expressed disappointment that the funding for this project is less than one-third the requested amount, given the number of properties that need to be brought up to code. Executive Director Donahue explained the intent is to use these funds citywide and extend their reach, for example, in creating an urban renewal district in lower Cleghorn. Re: Code Enforcement, Board of Health $101,000 – Councilor Beauchemin complimented and thanked Director Curry on the work being done with vacant properties, and stressed the importance of improving the city’s neighborhoods. Action: (4-0) 3 Projects - Be Adopted PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION (1 Project) $190,000 Discussion: Re: CDBG Administration, Community Development $190,000 - Councilor DiNatale reminded the Councilors that no more than 20% of funding can be spent on admin expenses, and will offset budgeted salaries. Ms. Murphy explained that the city reports annually on its spending, and whether the program goals have been met. Additionally, a 5-year consolidated action plan is submitted. Action: (4-0) Be Adopted The meeting adjourned at 8:31 PM. Respectfully submitted, Jacquelyn Cronin, Clerk 5