Finance Committee

CITY OF GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS CITY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES OF MEETING OF JANUARY 15, 2025 The Finance Committee meeting was called to order by Councillor Aleksander Dernalowicz at 4:00 PM in the City Council Chamber, Room 219, City Hall. Finance Committee Member Councillor Brad Heglin was also present. Councillor Judy Mack was absent. Also participating, Mayor Michael Nicholson, and City Clerk Titi Siriphan. #11457 – An Ordinance to Amend the Code of the City of Gardner to have the Community Development Block Grant Steering Committee Meet Monthly. (Submitted by Councillor George Tyros) Mayor Nicholson informed the Committee that he has spoken with the Council President and Assistant Director Evan Cudmore that during the interim time they are meeting monthly out of practice. The committee will be meeting on Thursday. Chair Dernalowicz recommends keeping this item on the agenda as a place holder for now to ensure that they are meeting monthly and wait to see if an ordinance amendment is necessary. 11458 – A Communication from the Mayor Regarding the Appointment of the Review Committee for the Request for Proposals for Grant Writing and Lobbying Services Mayor Nicholson informed the Committee of the review committee that he appointed to the proposals received for the City’s Grant Writing and Lobbying Services contract. Councillor Brad Heglin – A City Councillor, having proposed several resolutions this past year relating to projects that could rely on grant funding. Ayn Yeagle, Executive Director of Growing Places, LLC. – Director Yeagle has an extensive background in grant writing and administration through her current work as the CEO of Growing Places, and in her previous positions in the North Central Mass. Area. Dr. Stephanie Marchetti, Executive Director of Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center – Dr. Marchetti also has a very strong background in grant writing and administration. As the current Director of MVOC and in her previous roles in higher education administration (which she also has her doctorate in), Dr. Marchetti has first hand knowledge of what this type of relationship should look like and what benefits it brings to the community On a motion by Councillor Heglin and seconded by Councillor Dernalowicz, it was voted to recommend the City Council to place the communication on file. 2 yeas, motion passes. Page 1 of 4  CITY OF GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS CITY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES OF MEETING OF JANUARY 15, 2025 #11459 –A Communication from the Mayor regarding the awarding of a contract for up to 5- years for Grant Writing Services to Keller Partners Company. Mayor Nicholson informed the Committee that at the unanimous recommendation of the review committee, he has directed the City’s Purchasing Department to award the City’s contract for grant writing and lobbying services to Keller Partners Company of Washington, DC. The City received a total of seven (7) proposals from various companies. The full package of all proposals received were reviewed by the review committee of Councilor Brad Heglin, Ayn Yeagle- Executive Director of Growing Places, and Dr. Stephanie Marchetti- Executive Director of the Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center. On a motion by Councillor Heglin and seconded by Councillor Dernalowicz, it was voted to recommend the City Council to place the communication on file. 2 yeas, motion passes. #11460 – A Communication from the Mayor Regarding the Execution of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City and the Teamsters, Local 170- Inspectors Union. Mayor Nicholson informed the Committee that on December 18th, 2024, the City of Gardner and the Teamsters Local 170 executed the inaugural collective bargaining agreement for inspectional services. On a motion by Councillor Heglin and seconded by Councillor Dernalowicz, it was voted to recommend the City Council to place the communication on file. 2 yeas, motion passes. #11461 – A Communication from the Mayor Regarding the FY2026 Budget. Mayor Nicholson informed the Committee that on November 18, 2024, the Mayors Office issued its budget directives to all department heads within the City. Budget requests are due to my office from each department by Friday, January 31st. This deadline has been set for both the budget request and the written narrative, as was done last year. On a motion by Councillor Heglin and seconded by Councillor Dernalowicz, it was voted to recommend the City Council to place the communication on file. 2 yeas, motion passes. #11462 – A Communication from the Mayor Regarding the Receipt of Prison Mitigation Funds from the Commonwealth for FY2025. Mayor Nicholson informed the Committee when included in the Commonwealth’s budget, the City receives payments from the Office of the State Treasurer/Receiver General to offset the costs incurred by the City for being the host community for a state prison facility. Page 2 of 4  CITY OF GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS CITY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES OF MEETING OF JANUARY 15, 2025 The funding was included again in the Commonwealth’s FY2025 budget and Gardner has received $149,502.32 from this program. This funding falls to the General Fund, as required by the General Laws of the Commonwealth as revenue to help fund budgetary operations and expenditures already approved by the City Council. On a motion by Councillor Heglin and seconded by Councillor Dernalowicz, it was voted to recommend the City Council to place the communication on file. 2 yeas, motion passes. #11463 – A Communication from the Mayor Regarding the Snow and Ice Expense Account as of January 7, 2025. Mayor Nicholson informed the Committee traditionally covered any overages in this account from free cash appropriations after the winter season, out of the spirit of transparency and collaboration, he will be providing the City Council with monthly updates on the status of funding in this account so that when the appropriation arises, there are no surprises. So far this winter season, the majority of costs have been incurred from sending crews out to salt the roads during ice events. As of the date of this letter, there is currently $95,707.16 remaining in the account. He anticipates the account to go into the yearly anticipated deficit by the end of this month. On a motion by Councillor Heglin and seconded by Councillor Dernalowicz, it was voted to recommend the City Council to place the communication on file. 2 yeas, motion passes. #11464 – An Order Authorizing the Creation of a new Human Resources Manager Position for the City’s Human Resources Department. On a motion by Councillor Heglin and seconded by Councillor Dernalowicz, it was voted to recommend the City Council to adopt the following order: AN ORDER AUTHORIZING THE CREATION OF A NEW HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER POSITION FOR THE CITY’S HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT ORDERED: That the Mayor and Human Resources Director are hereby authorized to create a new position in the City’s Human Resources Department to be titled, “Human Resources Manager,” and that all other positions in the Human Resources Department be discontinued following all required ordinance amendments in conjunction with this change. 2 yeas, motion passes. Page 3 of 4  CITY OF GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS CITY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES OF MEETING OF JANUARY 15, 2025 #11465 – A Measure Accepting a Donation of Land from the Gardner School Committee for Elm Street Resurfacing and Repaving as part of the Safe Routes to School Project On a motion by Councillor Heglin and seconded by Councillor Dernalowicz, it was voted to recommend the City Council to adopt the following order: ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS AND GIFTS GARDNER SCHOOL DEPT. LAND DONATION VOTED: That the City of Gardner is authorized to accept certain donations and gifts namely certain parcels of land on Elm Street as described on the Certificate of Donation attached hereto, with an estimated value of $10,500.00, said acceptance in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, Section 53A½ of the General Laws. 2 yeas, motion passes. #11454 – Report on the Investigation of the Maki Park Project. (In the City Council and Referred to Finance Committee 12/16/2024) On a motion by Councillor Heglin and seconded by Councillor Dernalowicz, it was voted to keep this item on the agenda and recommend to the City Council, A Proposal Relative to the Rules of the City Council – To add a Committee on Economic and Community Development to Rule 13 as well as to Amend the Order of Business in Rule 15. 2 yeas, motion passes. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Councillor Heglin and seconded by Councillor Dernalowicz, it was voted to adjourn at 4:28 p.m. Page 4 of 4