Common Council

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT MAY 12, 2011 Special Meeting A special meeting of the Common Council of the City of Middletown was held in the Council chamber of the Municipal Building, on Thursday, May 12, 2011 Immediately following the 7 p.m. Community Public Meeting. Present Mayor Sebastian N. Giuliano, Council Members Thomas J. Serra, Ronald P. Klattenberg, Philip J.. Pessina, Gerald E. Daley, Joseph E. Bibisi, Robert P. Santangelo, Hope P. Kasper, James B. Streeto, Grady L. Faulkner, Deborah A. Kleckowski, David Bauer, and Daniel T. Drew; Corporation Counsel William Howard, Sergeant-at-Arms Acting Deputy Chief of Police William McKenna and Officer Patterson, and Council Clerk Marie O. Norwood. Also Present Fourteen members of the public Meeting Called to Order Mayor Giuliano called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m. and leads the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. Call of Meeting Read The Call of Meeting was read and accepted. Mayor Giuliano declares the Call a Legal Call and the Meeting a Legal Meeting. Public Comment Opened The Chair opens the public hearing on agenda items at 7:12 p.m. He asks if there are any members of the public wishing to address the Council Earle Roberts comes forward to reiterate his comments from the 7 p.m. meeting relative to resolution 4-1, the general City budget. he is encouraged in the direction we are going for relief for people. There will be arguments on the cuts, but between now and next year, there should be a mindset to streamline government for consolidation and regionalization. Public Hearing Closes The Chair closes the public hearing at 7:12 p.m. Motion to Recess Councilman Klattenberg moves for a five minute recess; the Chair states without objection, he will call the recess and asks everyone to come back at 7:20. The Recess is declared, without objection at 7:13 p.m. Meeting Reconvenes The Chair calls the meeting to order at 7:19 p.m. Agenda Item 4-1 Councilman Pessina presents resolution 4-1, approving the budget as presented by the Mayor and printed in the Hartford Courant on April 20; Councilman Bibisi seconds his motion. î BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIDDLETOWN: That the City of Middletown General Fund Budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 as prepared by the Mayor and advertised in the Hartford Courant on April 20, 2011, is hereby approved and adopted; and Be it further resolved: That the mill rate be set as 26.3 to cover this budget, and said rate shall be due and payable in two equal installments on July 1, 2011 and January 1, 2012, in accordance with the Charter of the City of Middletown, Chapter VI; and Be it further resolved: That the Tax Collector be and is hereby authorized to collect said taxes.ï Motion to Amend Councilwoman Kasper states she has an amendment to the budget and she reads the adjustments to the general fund budget. Councilman Daley states what we should do is make an amendment by substitution. The Chair states does the entire resolution have to be read into the record. Councilman Klattenberg states usually the council reads the bottom line for each change. Councilwoman Kasper moves to amend through substitution and reads the changes. Councilman Serra corrects the mill rate stated and says it is 26.1. Councilwoman Kasper moves the amendment for approval and Councilman Serra seconds the motion. Councilman Drew is recognized and states he will read the Democratic address May 12, 2011 Common Council Meeting Page 2 regarding the budget. He thanks the workforce and during economic difficulties with gas moving to $5 a gallon we are all being asked to do more with less. This was paramount when they looked at the budget. We will at some point see people back to work. They gave careful considerations for the constraints but looked at the services Middletown offers including public education and the social safety net with tax relief. Striking a balance between taxes and services is important. This budget represents a fair balance with those forces. They saved through insurances, attrition and fund balance. They have used some dollars from the insurance and it lets them focus on the community. Quality of education affects Middletown and the future of Middletownìs children. There was $1.4 million from reduced insurance and attrition and a grant from the State of Connecticut. They are giving the Board of Education $1.2 and those funds give them full funding. There should be no layoffs at the Board. There is no desire to gain short term gains on the balance sheet. They have made a commitment for police and fire to hire three police officers and two firefighters and we are committing the resources. The officers will be deployed over 8 districts for more efficiency for police patrols. They have added money to grants for after school, arts, and sports. They added in money to CNR. The balance will go to operating costs. The budget will reduce the mill rate from 26.4 to 26.1. This budget is more than a collection of figures; it shows we care about our citizens and will provide for the seniors and by providing meaningful tax relief. Councilman Bauer states he is glad the taxes are going down and it is short lived. We managed to move numbers around and sending out the same thing. The majority of people he has talked with said we are going in the wrong direction; we have not done what we should have to prepare for the bad news we may here. This Councilìs budget does not look beyond the current year and I believe that we have ignored the financial stewardship which is the Councilìs responsibility and we are blindly heading into the future. He will not support this budget. Councilwoman Kasper states the budget shows a decrease in the mill rate and they were able to fund the Board of Education, including the matching grants. They understand if the insurances are not enough, they will have to come back and appropriate more funds. Councilman Serra states the Democrats spent three long caucuses relative to the budget. They have heard the sky is falling in, in Middletown. We are solid here in Middletown. Our long caucuses were resourceful. We are well aware of what Councilman Bauer is saying. Next year, Aetna is going off line and we will have to find $1.3 million but we have to go year by year on this. He thanks Councilwoman Kasper and Councilman Faulkner for their ideas an doing the work on the budget. He thanks the City administration and Finance Department to make the budgets work. We are fiscally sound. We need to watch the extra appropriations that come before us and we are able to make sure the ability to pay the bills is there. We moved money around and yes we received $494,000 additional dollars from the State. His concern is giving the Board of Education $1.2 million and we expect no layoffs from anyone at the Board. We identified savings in their budget and gave them $1.2 million and that should be sufficient that they can work within that budget just like the City side has worked within theirs. We could have had this down a half mill if we had used the $800,000 instead of purchasing Eckersley Hall with those funds. Finally, he is concerned relative to the State fiscal difficulties and if they come forward with something not advantageous to us, we will have to come back and adjust the budget. The calls he made, they are not touching the grants to city and towns. He is concerned about that. It is a great budget for the times. The economics dictate the budgets and with that in mind, he congratulates everyone and it is a good, fiscally responsible budget. Councilman Daley states he is compelled to respond to Councilman Bauerìs concerns and he accepts them as legitimate and he does not want to discount their validity. One or members of this body says the sky is falling and we are using gimmicks and this is my 18th year and the sky hasnìt fallen yet. Let us try to be positive and if someone has a better idea and someone wants to take issue with it, you are free to make an amendment to the amendment. With respect to the concern specifically with Councilman Serraìs concern is how do we replace the Aetna taxes. I will say without any specifics, the Mayor and I and Larry McHugh and Bill Warner have discussed ideas to try and attract investment in that property. He is confident they will have something positive happen there. I donìt know if it will affect the budget a year from now, but I have great faith in the attractiveness of this area and we demonstrate our willingness to work with business. He is sure it will be utilized and generate taxes in the years to come. He wants to acknowledge the work of the Department heads and City employees and looking at the State situation and other municipalities and no one will take issue with the fact Middletown is truly in good shape. It is due to the Department heads and employees who respect the taxpayers and deliver services. The one area he feels frustration with in the budget process and what brought it into focus is the on-going tension with the general government side and the Board of Education side of our town government. That frustration is we do not have better transparency in our finances particularly with the Board of Education side. It is in the Board of Educationìs purview to spend the $70 million we appropriate them, May 12, 2011 Common Council Meeting Page 3 but we need to call for and find a way to cooperate and collaborate to remove doubts on how the Board of Education spends money, how they spend and how decisions are made. We had a discussion at the last meeting on money spent on attorneys. It is coming from Property Casualty. Those should be more transparent to the Council and the public. For his time on Finance and Government Operations, he will focus their efforts in that direction, concentrating on financial reporting and day to day operations of the City. He commends everyone who worked on the budget, and more so than in any other time, there was communication between the majority and minority about their ideas and concerns and that resulted in a better product before us tonight. He thanks Tom and Phil for that effort. He will support this budget as amended and encourages everyone to do so and if you have a better idea, bring it on. Councilman Klattenberg thanks Councilwoman Kasper, Councilman Faulkner, and Councilman Drew who really did a yeomanìs job to have the Democratic caucus come up with the numbers you see in this budget. As Councilman Serra points out, there were three long nights of discussion, arguments and debates to come up with a budget that was fair and equitable and reaches what is important for local government and tax payers: education, public safety, and public works. Those are the key core services necessary for the City. He points out the knowledge of Councilwoman Kasper regarding insurance; without that insight, it would have been difficult to arrive at some of the figures in the budget. This is not a voodoo budget as has been claimed in the past. I think when you look at the numbers, they are fair and equitable and reach the important issues that the community cares about. I am worried about the State budget, but we canìt plan tonight for the unknown. With the information we have before us, this lowers the tax rate at a rate that is responsible for the tax payers. He adds to Councilman Daleyìs comments that the information we have before us would never be as accurate or successful without the directors of the departments. The staff care a lot about how government works. They are first class and many would do extremely well in government or corporations. He will support this and hopes everyone else will. Councilwoman Kleckowski states this is her second budget; she finds it hard to support it because it was presented 5 minutes before we got here. It does not give us ample time to review it and she would gladly come forward with an alternative if she had the time. It does not give the public an opportunity to review it and ask questions of us. I think as we go forward it would behoove us as a Council to present something in a manner that the public would have access. My position on the Board of Education is public; the addition of police and fire officers is good. The other point is we canìt validate numbers or compare and contrast. She has concerns for $1.2 million for the fact that we are still struggling with confirmation on how the budget is currently spent. She would not have supported an increase to the Board of Education. The $400,000 out of insurance, we donìt have the directors to ask questions of and she thinks the Risk Manager may not feel secure about taking out the $400,000. From members of the Insurance and Claims, it can be contentious and what to do about being self- insured. We donìt have the impact from directors. With the Board of Education, if we were to have æ the schools, by statute, the City has to give them the same allocation. We canìt by State statute lower their appropriation and we should look at the State statute to see it changed. We donìt know about retirements and lastly approving the amendment as presented, she is approving a budget blindly and finds that irresponsible. She will not approve this budget. She has talked to people and she hopes next year they can work more collaboratively to have bi-partisanship work on the budget. We have people with many years of experience and newcomers and we would welcome the opportunity to share ideas. Councilman Pessina thanks the Mayor for when we met early on and you had concerns to establish a flat line budget and you did come up with it. The directors stepped up to the plate as well. He reviews the budget and it is a little worrisome. There is a reduction in fund balance and insurance funding and there will be some GASB changes and he worries about the funds removed from retirement. It is worrisome because of the State and he understands that Councilman Serra has communication with the State members and he is still nervous. If something drastic happens they will be back. He will support it. He was worried when they had Dr. Frechette hear about laying off teachers. It is not a good thing. He was happy and pleased to see that we will give them $1.2 million; however, we will be watching the Board of Education and we hope they keep the teachers and move the education process forward. This is a win budget; three new officers outstanding; two firefighters outstanding. We respect the public safety officers. There will be redistricting. Here is the other win; teachers is a win and he hopes the Board of Education will keep them. The other win is after school programs and youth sports grants. We are taking care of the younger members of the Community. The Mayor did a great job with the mill reduction and the Dems added a little more. Any time we can help the public, it is a good thing. He worries about the seniors and it is his hope that the State manages to have successful negotiations. We have a lot of taxes coming in July and we canìt see reductions in State grants. I feel good that we are solid May 12, 2011 Common Council Meeting Page 4 Noted for the Record Councilman Bibisi left his seat at 8 p.m. Councilman Pessina continues that he is encouraged in the future that there is no vacancy for office space on Main Street, and our bond rating is good. I am supporting the budget and he will vote for it with a cautious eye. The last comment to the Board of Education. He has been on the Council for three years; we have workshops for everything and I would hope and ask respectfully that we can have workshops with the Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Education to understand their budget and they can understand ours. Bipartisanship is needed to do the Cityìs business transparently. He believes we are on the path to doing that. He believes in collaboration and believes the Council is listening and moving in the right direction. He will support the budget. Noted for the Record Councilman Bibisi takes his seat in the chamber at 8:02 p.m. Councilman Streeto states regarding Councilwoman Kleckowskiìs point about getting changes shortly before the meeting, but a lot came up during the hearings with directors and the public has commented on that. The $1.2 million to the Board of Education, he remembers a lot of people talking about it. I think more collaboration is in order. He appreciates Councilman Pessinaìs support on this. There is a reduction of the fund balance in the original budget. He recognizes the concerns regarding the State and nobody wants to be overtaxed if State aid is cut. It is the publicìs money and we should not take more than is needed to run the community. We should be watching the Board of Education and the way we came up with the figure is through meetings with various members of the Board of Education and this is a better budget because of that. In terms of the savings, he doesnìt have the list handy and others can give you where the savings can be generated. We are maintaining a reduced burden on citizens and give the Board of Education what it needs to deliver the services it is providing this year. To close, a bipartisan approach is appreciated and your idea of workshops is a good one and should be pursued commencing next fall. We can learn more if we interact on a non- confrontational basis. We have the same goals, but different ideas to get there. It is important to remember we are all part of the same community. Councilman Santangelo states one thought that Councilwoman Kleckowski brought out was sharing good ideas; the issue we run into is that we came to our conclusion on Monday night and Hope was getting calls on Tuesday. Until the rules are changed, that is the way budgets are done. He has been on the Council for 18 years and there is a lack of progressive approach we take on this. He commends his colleagues and he has been Chair of Public Safety and we are seeing something progressive that we are looking at a formula to expand it to the size it should be. The same for the Fire Department. We need to get them up to the right number of people. It is for the safety of citizens and firefighters and police officers. The suggestion from Public Safety, Councilman Serra put it in and Councilman Pessina and Councilman Serra worked with Chief to design the districts. It creates more officers on the streets. Firefighters, he has heard that we needed more and we are moving progressively to do that. We are being progressive and looking in the right direction. Councilman Bauer states he has listened to the comments and appreciates how mindful the issues came out and there are so many things to be concerned about and one thing brought out is the price of gasoline and it has gone up 50% and we didnìt change any amounts in the budget. That price increase that everyone has will happen at the Cityìs gas pumps and we did not manage to plan for and I know our budget is ø ìs payroll and benefits and we have union contracts that go out in the future and some beyond this fiscal period and how employees will make 15% contribution to the premiums and the taxpayer is making an 85% contribution and knowing what happens to insurance, that is another loose end that may not be in favor of the taxpayer in out years. When gas has been going up, he is on the Public Works Commission and he made the point is we remill the roads and what rejuvenates them is liquid asphalt and it is now over $500 a ton and I donìt know if we have it under control with 200 miles of roads in Middletown. He thanks Councilman Daley for being about as kind for his scolding this year and where you can really engage the collaboration and I donìt always agree with the positions, but he has a great respect for his knowledge on how the City works and where we should be going and would like the Council to collaborate, We need to have the fabric on how we structure the budget, the first year should be a first year for a five year budget and we can include the public to achieve more transparency on our deliberations on where the City is going and determining the priorities and we would be better prepared to face the future. I heard a lot of good thinks tonight, but hopes the Council is inclined to move in the direction that we will budget all the time and we will always look as far into the future as we possibly can and it would help to get me on board. Councilman Bibisi states he will support this based on the increase to public safety. The additional officers. He has some concerns about some of the cuts here particularly with the uniforms in the police department and mileage in Park May 12, 2011 Common Council Meeting Page 5 and Recreation. He has some concerns with the decrease in insurances. He supports the dollars to the Board of Education and his concerns when a teacher came before us and he has not had an upgrade in books and we are giving them $1.2 million and they canìt upgrade books, then we have concerns with them. He will support this. Councilwoman Kasper states she wants to clear up the $400,000 from Health Insurance; it was money being appropriated for the GASB debt for retirements that the City must start putting aside and what the Council did was to create a trust for that purpose on retirement and we have been putting money away yearly for that and at the Retirement Board meeting we will invest it with our consultant that works with us on the pension plan. The Retirement Board is very conservative and doesnìt believe we will run into trouble. Councilman Serra states the time constraints for doing the budget and communicating is very short. The time line was changed so we could get better figures from the State. We had the last meeting on April 28 and they finished in 11 days their discussions and he called Councilman Pessina and Ted Raczka, Board of Education Chair. When he spoke with Councilman Pessina, he was enthusiastic about the Board of Education funding as well as the Fire and Police officers. As Councilman Daley stated he has not seen that in years. Relative to the time frame, we did it in 11 days and we have a fund balance of $10 million which is good for us and a bond rating that is sufficient for us. The bottom line, it is a 3/10 mill decrease in these depressed economic times. The Chair asks for further discussion; seeing none, he calls for the vote on the amendment presented by Councilwoman Kasper. It is ten affirmative votes by Council Members Serra, Klattenberg, Pessina, Daley, Bibisi, Santangelo, Kasper, Streeto, Faulkner, and Drew; and two nay votes by Council Members Kleckowski and Bauer. The Chair states the amendment to the general fund budget passes with ten affirmative and two negative votes. The Chair asks if there is any discussion; seeing none he calls for the vote on the budget resolution as amended. It is ten affirmative votes by Council Members Serra, Klattenberg, Pessina, Daley, Bibisi, Santangelo, Kasper, Streeto, Faulkner, and Drew; and two nay votes by Council Members Kleckowski and Bauer. The Chair states the budgetary resolution for the general fund budget passes with ten affirmative and two negative votes. The Mayor states he advises the Council he will not exercise the veto option on this one; in this case the differences are matters of priority which is the purview of the Council and the Executive Branch owes the Legislative Branch deference on those types of things. The best you can do, as Councilman Serra and Councilman Streeto said is adopt it on the information you have at the time. I agree that they donìt operate in a vacuum and we have next year. He doesnìt believe what was done will cause a crisis that cannot be addressed. What Councilwoman Kleckowski discussed is the amendments that come in last minute and he can empathize about making an intelligent decision, but the practicalities is best intentions do not get fulfilled. He tried to get the budget to the Council a week early and then some information comes in and you adjust and literally up until the last minute, they were fine tuning the budget until 4 p.m. on April 1 and he believes that Councilwoman Kasper was engaging in the same way. How you deal with that, he doesnìt know. That is the reality. To both Councilman Serra and Councilman Pessina, they did as best they could to keep everyone advised. You take every available minute to squeeze every possible budgetary minute. The Executive Branch will do its best to make it work and things always happen and you have to be flexible and deal with it. We will approach the fiscal year when it hits and deal with it. A budget when adopted contains a bit of hope and this one has a lot of hope, both figuratively and literally, but we will get it to work. He congratulates everyone who worked on this and appreciates everyoneìs vote. They were cast for legitimate reasons. The people who work for the City do everything they can to create success and the workforce will do that again this year. Thank you for all the efforts and these remarks are for the next five budgets as well. Councilman Serra states we will take your nonveto words in good faith and we appreciate them. We look forward to working with you to make sure it works. Resolution No. 74-11 File Name cc11-12generalfundbudadjust.doc Description Adopting the General Fund Budget for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 as amended with a mill rate of 26.1 mills. (Amended and Approved) BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIDDLETOWN: That the City of Middletown General Fund Budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 as prepared by the Mayor and advertised in the Hartford Courant on April 20, 2011, is hereby approved and adopted with the following changes: COUNCIL ADJUSTMENTS TO BUDGET FOR YEAR ENDING 2012 EXPENDITURES 01000 MAYOR May 12, 2011 Common Council Meeting Page 6 53460 KIDS ARTS 1000-01000-53460-0011-00500-0000-000 KIDS ARTS: KIDS ARTS 1 BUSING ..................................................... 2,000 2 NEAR ....................................................... 2,000 3 ODDFELLOWS ................................................. 3,000 5 COUNSELORS ................................................. 3,000 NET INCREASE - KIDS ARTS 10,000 53510 GENERAL VEHICLE SERVICES 1000-01000-53510-0010-00000-0000-000 MAYOR: GENERAL VEHICLE SERVICES 1 VEHICLE SERVICES ........................................... -570 NET DECREASE - GENERAL VEHICLE SERVICES -570 NET INCREASE - MAYOR 9,430 02000 TREASURER 51110 SALARIES & WAGES, FT PERM 1000-02000-51110-0000-00000-0000-000 TREAS: SALARIES & WAGES, FT PER 1 TREASURER .................................................. -250 NET DECREASE - SALARIES & WAGES, FT PERM -250 NET DECREASE - TREASURER -250 03000 FINANCE 51215 SALARIES & WAGES, PT PERM 1000-03000-51215-0030-00000-0000-000 FIN: SALARIES & WAGES, PT PERM 1 ............................................................ -2,000 NET DECREASE - SALARIES & WAGES, PT PERM -2,000 52120 CONFERENCES 1000-03000-52120-0000-00000-0000-000 FIN: CONFERENCES 1 TRAINING, WORKSHOPS & TUTION REIMB. ........................ -2,000 NET DECREASE - CONFERENCES -2,000 NET DECREASE - FINANCE -4,000 03500 COMPUTERS/TELECOMMUNICATIONS 55360 WEB SITE 1000-03500-55360-0000-00000-0000-000 IT: WEB SITE 1 SITE MAINTENANCE AND HOSTING ............................... -2,500 NET DECREASE - WEB SITE -2,500 NET DECREASE - COMPUTERS/TELECOMMUNICATIONS -2,500 05000 LEGAL DEPT 51110 SALARIES & WAGES, FT PERM 1000-05000-51110-0000-00000-0000-000 LEGAL: SALARIES & WAGES, FT PER 8 ACTING CITY ATTORNEY SAVINGS ............................... 47,871 NET INCREASE - SALARIES & WAGES, FT PERM 47,871 55185 CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 1000-05000-55185-0050-00000-0000-000 LEGAL: CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 5 OUTSIDE LEGAL COSTS (TR FROM COMMON COUNCIL) ............... 5,000 NET INCREASE - CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 5,000 NET INCREASE - LEGAL DEPT 52,871 06000 YOUTH SERVICES 51960 UNUSED SICK PAY 1000-06000-51960-0000-00000-0000-000 YOUTH: UNUSED SICK TIME 1 YOUTH SERVICES UNUSED SICK PAY ............................. -2,342 NET DECREASE - UNUSED SICK PAY -2,342 NET DECREASE - YOUTH SERVICES -2,342 10000 TAX ASSESSOR 55110 ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING 1000-10000-55110-0000-00000-0000-000 ASSESS: ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING 1 SELECT PERSONAL PROPERTY ................................... 8,000 2 TMA-PERS PROP DISCOVERY .................................... -40,000 NET DECREASE - ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING -32,000 55185 CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 1000-10000-55185-0000-00000-0000-000 ASSESS: CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 5 REVALUATION ................................................ 100,000 NET INCREASE - CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 100,000 NET INCREASE - TAX ASSESSOR 68,000 12000 COMMON COUNCIL 53123 AUDIO VISUAL MATERIALS 1000-12000-53123-0000-00000-0000-000 COMMON: A/V MATERIALS 1 ............................................................ 7,500 NET INCREASE - AUDIO VISUAL MATERIALS 7,500 NET INCREASE - COMMON COUNCIL 7,500 13000 SENIOR SERVICES 52110 GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE 1000-13000-52110-0000-00000-0000-000 SEN SVC: GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE 3 CONFERENCES/TRAININGS ...................................... -450 NET DECREASE - GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE -450 NET DECREASE - SENIOR SERVICES -450 17000 PERSONNEL May 12, 2011 Common Council Meeting Page 7 51930 PROF DEVELOP/TRAINING 1000-17000-51930-0000-00000-0000-000 PERS: PROF DEVELOP/TRAINING 7 TUITION REIMBURSEMENT DEPUTY DIRECTOR ...................... -800 NET DECREASE - PROF DEVELOP/TRAINING -800 55160 OUTSIDE LEGAL SERVICES 1000-17000-55160-0000-00000-0000-000 PERS: OUTSIDE LEGAL SERVICES 1 LEGAL ADVICE/SERVICE (MOVED FROM 17000-55100) .............. -5,000 NET DECREASE - OUTSIDE LEGAL SERVICES -5,000 55480 TESTING SERVICES AND MATERIALS 1000-17000-55480-0000-00000-0000-000 PERS: TESTING SERVICES AND MATE 1 POLICE/FIRE PSYCHOLOICALS .................................. 2,400 2 POLICE/FIRE POLYGRAPHS ..................................... 1,000 3 POLICE/FIRE MEDICAL EXAMS (CONCENTRA) ...................... 1,500 NET INCREASE - TESTING SERVICES AND MATERIAL 4,900 NET DECREASE - PERSONNEL -900 18000 POLICE 51110 SALARIES & WAGES, FT PERM 1000-18000-51110-0180-00000-0000-000 POLICE: SALARIES & WAGES, FT PE 61 3 OFFICERS TO BE HIRED 4/1/2012 ............................ 41,274 NET INCREASE - SALARIES & WAGES, FT PERM 41,274 51365 SPECIAL EVENT OVERTIME 1000-18000-51365-0180-18008-0000-000 POLICE: OVERTIME-MOTORCYCLE MAN 1 MOTORCYCLE MANIA ........................................... -169 NET DECREASE - SPECIAL EVENT OVERTIME -169 51950 UNIFORM ALLOWANCE 1000-18000-51950-0180-18055-0000-000 POLICE: UNIFORM ALLOWANCE-INITI 1 INITIAL OUTFIT FOR REPLACEMENT HIRES ....................... -5,000 1000-18000-51950-0180-18057-0000-000 POLICE: UNIFORM ALLOWANCE-SWORN 2 SWORN PERSONNEL ALLOTMENT .................................. -11,250 NET DECREASE - UNIFORM ALLOWANCE -16,250 52110 GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE 1000-18000-52110-0180-18101-0000-000 POLICE: GENL ADMIN-ACCREDITATIO 2 POLICE CRUISER REPLACEMENT RESEARCH ........................ -5,000 NET DECREASE - GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE -5,000 53102 SPECIALIZED UNIT SUPPLIES & EQ 1000-18000-53102-0180-18202-0000-000 POLICE: SPEC AGCY SUPPL & EQUIP 1 DARE ....................................................... 1,000 1000-18000-53102-0180-18213-0000-000 POLICE: SPEC AGCY SUPPL & EQUIP 1 VOLUNTEER SERVICES ......................................... -40 1000-18000-53102-0180-18214-0000-000 POLICE: SPEC AGCY SUPPL & EQUIP 1 STREET CRIME UNIT .......................................... -500 NET INCREASE - SPECIALIZED UNIT SUPPLIES & E 460 54110 TELEPHONE 1000-18000-54110-0180-18392-0000-000 POLICE: TELEPHONE-INTERNET 1 INTERNET - T-1 LINE ........................................ -7,440 1000-18000-54110-0180-18393-0000-000 POLICE: TELEPHONE-PHONE SYSTEM 1 PHONE SYSTEM REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE ........................... -1,000 NET DECREASE - TELEPHONE -8,440 NET INCREASE - POLICE 11,875 18500 PARKING DEPARTMENT 52150 POSTAGE 1000-18500-52150-0000-00000-0000-000 PK DEPT: POSTAGE 1 POSTAGE .................................................... -2,000 NET DECREASE - POSTAGE -2,000 54120 CELL PHONE 1000-18500-54120-0000-00000-0000-000 PK DEPT: CELL PHONE 1 BLACKBERRY SERVICE ......................................... -700 NET DECREASE - CELL PHONE -700 NET DECREASE - PARKING DEPARTMENT -2,700 22000 PUBLIC WORKS 55475 TREE SERVICE 1000-22000-55475-0226-00000-0000-000 HWAY: TREE SERVICE 3 3 PLAQUES MEMORIAL TREES ................................... 5,000 NET INCREASE - TREE SERVICE 5,000 NET INCREASE - PUBLIC WORKS 5,000 25500 OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 51510 WORKERS COMP 1000-25500-51510-0000-00000-0000-000 EMER MGMT: WORKERS COMP 1 ............................................................ -4,355 NET DECREASE - WORKERS COMP -4,355 NET DECREASE - OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMEN -4,355 26500 HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES 59200 GRANT 1000-26500-59200-0724-00000-0000-000 MATCHING: GRANT 2 EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE GRANTS (FORMER AFTERSCHOOL GRANT) .... 54,999 1000-26500-59200-0738-00000-0000-000 YOUTH GRNT: GRANT 1 SPORTS GRANTS - NEED BASED ................................. 5,000 NET INCREASE - GRANT 59,999 NET INCREASE - HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES 59,999 27000 SPECIAL ACCOUNTS 56100 BUILDINGS May 12, 2011 Common Council Meeting Page 8 1000-27000-56100-0716-00000-0000-000 PROBATE: PROBATE COURT 1 RENT, HEAT, ELECTRICITY .................................... 2,025 2 INSURANCE .................................................. 51 3 TELEPHONE .................................................. 466 4 ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES .................................... 1,647 NET INCREASE - BUILDINGS 4,189 NET INCREASE - SPECIAL ACCOUNTS 4,189 28000 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS 51530 HEALTH INSURANCE 1000-28000-51530-0000-00000-0000-000 EMPL BEN: HEALTH INSURANCE 3 HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS ..................................... -400,000 NET DECREASE - HEALTH INSURANCE -400,000 51570 RETIREMENT 1000-28000-51570-0000-00000-0000-000 EMPL BEN: RETIREMENT 1 ............................................................ -25,000 NET DECREASE - RETIREMENT -25,000 51960 UNUSED SICK PAY 1000-28000-51960-0000-00000-0000-000 EMPL BEN: UNUSED SICK PAY 1 ............................................................ -10,000 NET DECREASE - UNUSED SICK PAY -10,000 51970 UNUSED VACATION PAY 1000-28000-51970-0000-00000-0000-000 EMPL BEN: UNUSED VACATION PAY 1 ............................................................ -90,000 NET DECREASE - UNUSED VACATION PAY -90,000 NET DECREASE - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS -525,000 29000 INSURANCE - BONDS 51510 WORKERS COMP 1000-29000-51510-0000-00000-0000-000 INS - BOND: WORKERS COMP 1 INSURANCE WORKERS COMP ..................................... -507,120 NET DECREASE - WORKERS COMP -507,120 52230 PROP/CASUALTY INSURANCE 1000-29000-52230-0000-00000-0000-000 INS - BOND: PROP/CASUALTY INSUR 1 INSURANCE LIABILITY ........................................ -327,720 NET DECREASE - PROP/CASUALTY INSURANCE -327,720 NET DECREASE - INSURANCE - BONDS -834,840 32000 PARKS & RECREATION 52130 MILEAGE 1000-32000-52130-0321-00000-0000-000 RECR: MILEAGE 1 MILEAGE REIMBURS./SUPV. .................................... -400 NET DECREASE - MILEAGE -400 NET DECREASE - PARKS & RECREATION -400 33000 EDUCATION 57010 EDUCATION CONTRIBUTION 1000-33000-57010-0000-00000-0000-000 EDUCATION CONTRIBUTION 1 EDUCATION CONTRIBUTION ..................................... 1,200,000 NET INCREASE - EDUCATION CONTRIBUTION 1,200,000 NET INCREASE - EDUCATION 1,200,000 35100 CAPITAL EXPENSE 59500 CNR CONTRIBUTION 1000-35100-59500-0000-00000-0000-000 CAP EXP: CNR CONTRIBUTION 1 11/12 CAPITAL PURCHASES DEPT REQUESTS ...................... 350,000 NET INCREASE - CNR CONTRIBUTION 350,000 NET INCREASE - CAPITAL EXPENSE 350,000 35500 RESERVE FOR SALARIES 51120 SALARY RESERVE 1000-35500-51120-0000-00000-0000-000 RES SAL: SALARY RESERVE 1 SALARY RESEVE BASE ......................................... -150,000 2 ATTRITION/RETIREMENT ....................................... -200,000 NET DECREASE - SALARY RESERVE -350,000 NET DECREASE - RESERVE FOR SALARIES -350,000 TOTAL NET INCREASE IN FUND 1000 GENERAL FUND 41,127 COUNCIL ADJUSTMENTS TO BUDGET FOR YEAR ENDING 2012 REVENUES 1000-03000-41110-0033-00000-0000-000 COLL: TAXES-REAL ESTATE/MOTOR VEH -702,932 1000-03000-43100-0030-00000-0000-000 PROPERTY TAX RELIEF 494,059 1000-03000-49030-0030-00000-0000-000 FIN: FUND BAL BUDGET CONTRIB 250,000 TOTAL NET INCREASE IN FUND 1000 GENERAL FUND 41,127 Be it further resolved: That the mill rate be set as 26.1 to cover this budget, and said rate shall be due and payable in two equal installments on July 1, 2011 and January 1, 2012, in accordance with the Charter of the City of Middletown, Chapter VI; and Be it further resolved: That the Tax Collector be and is hereby authorized to collect said taxes Agenda Item 4-2 Councilman Serra reads and moves for approval agenda item 4-2, a budgetary resolution for the Fire Department; his motion is seconded by Councilman Pessina. Motion to Amend Councilman Santangelo reads and moves for approval an amended resolution for the Fire Department budget; His motion is seconded by Councilman Pessina. May 12, 2011 Common Council Meeting Page 9 The Chair asks, for the record, to include the offset in the motor vehicle; you need to reduce the revenue side. It is read into the record. The Chair states amendments have been moved and seconded. Councilwoman Kleckowski asks, through the Chair, a question to Councilwoman Kasper. She asks if the Councilwoman can give a brief explanation to the decreases in Property/Casualty Insurance besides the Health Insurance. Councilwoman Kasper states on the spreadsheet from Insurance and Claims and that is how she determined the cost of property casualty. Councilman Streeto states, to this question, is it fair to say it is refinements on earlier costs. Councilwoman Kasper responds yes. Councilman Streeto comments you had other costs; Councilwoman Kasper replies they were told that their may be an addition of $600,000 based on the insurance claim experience and that is how that decision was made. Councilman Streeto states it is made on data received subsequently to the Mayorìs budget. The Chair calls for the vote on the amendment; it is unanimous to approve with twelve aye votes. The Chair states the amendment passes unanimously. The Chair calls for the vote on the budget as amended. It is eleven aye votes by Council Members Serra, Klattenberg, Pessina, Daley, Bibisi, Santangelo, Kasper, Streeto, Faulkner, Kleckowski, and Drew; and one nay vote by Councilman Bauer. The Chair states the matter passes with one in opposition. Resolution No. 75-11 File Name cc11-12firebudget.doc Description Adopting the Middletown Fire Department budget for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 as amended, with a mill rate of 5.5 mills. (Amended and Approved) Be it Resolved by the Common Council of the City of Middletown: That the Middletown Fire District Budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012, as prepared by the Mayor and advertised in the Hartford Courant on April 20, 2011, is hereby approved and adopted with the following adjustments: COUNCIL ADJUSTMENTS TO BUDGET FOR YEAR ENDING 2012 EXPENDITURES 50000 FIRE 51110 SALARIES & WAGES, FT PERM 2010-50000-51110-0500-00000-0000-000 FIRE: SALARIES & WAGES, FT PERM 36 2 FIRE FIGHTERS AS OF JAN. 1,2012 .......................... 50,000 NET INCREASE - SALARIES & WAGES, FT PERM 50,000 51510 WORKERS COMP 2010-50000-51510-0500-00000-0000-000 FIRE: WORKERS COMP 1 ............................................................ -51,960 NET DECREASE - WORKERS COMP -51,960 51530 HEALTH INSURANCE 2010-50000-51530-0500-00000-0000-000 FIRE: HEALTH INSURANCE 1 EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE .................................. -66,120 NET DECREASE - HEALTH INSURANCE -66,120 52230 PROP/CASUALTY INSURANCE 2010-50000-52230-0500-00000-0000-000 FIRE: PROP/CASUALTY INSURANCE 1 ............................................................ -18,900 NET DECREASE - PROP/CASUALTY INSURANCE -18,900 NET DECREASE - FIRE -86,980 TOTAL NET DECREASE IN FUND 2010 FIRE -86,980 COUNCIL ADJUSTMENTS TO BUDGET FOR YEAR ENDING 2012 REVENUE 2010-50000-41110-0500-00000-0000-000 FIRE: TAXES-REAL ESTATE/MOTOR VEH -86,980 TOTAL NET DECREASE IN FUND 2010 FIRE -86,980 Be It Further Resolved: That the mill rate be set as 5.5 to cover this budget and said rate shall be due and payable in two equal installments on July 1, 2011 and January 1, 2012, in accordance with the Charter of the City of Middletown, Chapter VI; and Be It Further Resolved: That the Tax collector be and is hereby authorized to collect said taxes. Agenda Item 4-3 Councilman Serra reads and moves for approval agenda item 4-3, a budgetary resolution for the Sanitation Department. His motion is seconded by Councilman Pessina. The Chair states the matter has been moved and seconded and calls for discussion; he recognizes Councilman Klattenberg. Motion to Amend Councilman Klattenberg moves to amend through substitution reading the adjustments to the Sanitation budget. Councilman Pessina seconds the motion. The Chair states it has been moved and seconded and calls for discussion; hearing none, he calls for the vote. It is unanimous to approve the amendments to the Sanitation budget with twelve aye votes. The Chair states the amendments pass unanimously. He asks if there is discussion on the amended resolution. Seeing no discussion on the budget as amended, calls for a vote on this matter. It is eleven aye votes May 12, 2011 Common Council Meeting Page 10 by Council Members Serra, Klattenberg, Pessina, Daley, Bibisi, Santangelo, Kasper, Streeto, Faulkner, Kleckowski, and Drew; and one nay vote by Councilman Bauer. The Chair states the matter passes with one in opposition. Resolution No. 76-11 File Name cc11-12sanitatinbud.doc Description Adopting the Sanitation Collection District budget for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 as amended. (Amended and Approved) Be it Resolved by the Common Council of the City of Middletown: That the budget of the Sanitation Collection district for the fiscal year July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 as presented by the mayor and advertised in the Hartford Courant on April 20, 2011 is hereby approved and adopted with the following changes: COUNCIL ADJUSTMENTS TO BUDGET FOR YEAR ENDING 2012 EXPENDITURES 40000 SANITATION 51510 WORKERS COMP 2020-40000-51510-0000-00000-0000-000 SANIT: WORKERS COMP 1 WORKERS COMPENSATION - SANITATION .......................... -15,960 NET DECREASE - WORKERS COMP -15,960 51530 HEALTH INSURANCE 2020-40000-51530-0000-00000-0000-000 SANIT: HEALTH INSURANCE 1 HEALTH INSURANCE - SANITATION .............................. -6,480 NET DECREASE - HEALTH INSURANCE -6,480 52230 PROP/CASUALTY INSURANCE 2020-40000-52230-0000-00000-0000-000 SANIT: PROP/CASUALTY INSURANCE 1 PROP/CASUALTY INSURANCE .................................... -13,680 NET DECREASE - PROP/CASUALTY INSURANCE -13,680 NET DECREASE - SANITATION -36,120 TOTAL NET DECREASE IN FUND 2020 SANITATION -36,120 COUNCIL ADJUSTMENTS TO BUDGET FOR YEAR ENDING 2012 REVENUES 2020-40000-44715-0000-00000-0000-000 SANIT: SERVICE CHARGES -51,120 2020-40000-44717-0000-00000-0000-000 SANIT: PUBLIC HOUSING REIMBURSEME 15,000 TOTAL NET DECREASE IN FUND 2020 SANITATION -36,120 Agenda Item 4-4 Councilman Daley reads and moves for approval agenda item 4-4, a budgetary resolution for the Sewer Department; his motion is seconded by Councilman Pessina. Motion to Amend Councilman Streeto moves to amend the resolution through substitution and reads it for the record; his motion to amend is seconded by Councilman Pessina. The Chair asks Councilman Streeto to read the revenue adjustments; he does so and moves the resolution for approval. Councilman Pessina seconds the motion. Councilman Daley states he will accept the motion as a friendly amendment. The Chair states, without objection, he will take vote on the amended Sewer budget. Hearing no objections, he calls for the vote. It is eleven aye votes by Council Members Serra, Klattenberg, Pessina, Daley, Bibisi, Santangelo, Kasper, Streeto, Faulkner, Kleckowski, and Drew; and one nay vote by Councilman Bauer. The Chair states the matter passes with one in opposition. Resolution No. 77-11 File name cc11-12sewerbud.doc Description Approving the Sewer Department budget for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 as amended. (Amended and Approved) Be it Resolved by the Common Council of the City of Middletown: That the budget prepared and adopted by the Water Pollution Control Authority for the Sewer Department of the City of Middletown for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011 and ending June 30, 2012 as advertised in the Hartford Courant on April 20, 2011 is hereby approved and adopted with the following changes: COUNCIL ADJUSTMENTS TO BUDGET FOR YEAR ENDING 2012 EXPENDITURES 65000 SEWER 51510 WORKERS COMP 2050-65000-51510-0000-00000-0000-000 SEWER: WORKERS COMP 1 ............................................................ -6,480 NET DECREASE - WORKERS COMP -6,480 51530 HEALTH INSURANCE 2050-65000-51530-0000-00000-0000-000 SEWER: HEALTH INSURANCE 1 ............................................................ -16,020 NET DECREASE - HEALTH INSURANCE -16,020 May 12, 2011 Common Council Meeting Page 11 52230 PROP/CASUALTY INSURANCE 2050-65000-52230-0000-00000-0000-000 SEWER: PROP/CASUALTY INSURANCE 1 ............................................................ -20,070 NET DECREASE - PROP/CASUALTY INSURANCE -20,070 NET DECREASE - SEWER -42,570 TOTAL NET DECREASE IN FUND 2050 SEWER -42,570 COUNCIL ADJUSTMENTS TO BUDGET FOR YEAR ENDING 2012 REVENUES 2050-65000-44715-0000-00000-0000-000 SEWER: SERVICE CHARGES -42,570 TOTAL NET DECREASE IN FUND 2050 SEWER -42,570 Be It Further Resolved: That the rate of sewer use charges as adopted by the Water Pollution Control shall be due and payable effective May 1, 2011; and Be It Further Resolved: that the Tax Collector, be, and she is hereby authorized to collect said water charges. Agenda Item 4-5 Councilman Daley reads and moves for approval agenda item 405, the budget resolution for the Water Department; his motion is seconded by Councilman Pessina. Motion to Amend Councilman Faulkner offers an amendment through substitution and reads and moves the amendment for approval; his motion is seconded by Councilman Pessina. Councilman Daley, as the maker of the motion, accepts it as a friendly amendment. Councilman Bauer states I always vote no and take good nature ribbing about signing the tax warrants. He respects the work done on the budget and hopes that we will be up to the challenges to the future. He will sign the warrants and hopes you take it as a sign of respect. The Chair calls for the vote on the amended resolution. It is eleven aye votes by Council Members Serra, Klattenberg, Pessina, Daley, Bibisi, Santangelo, Kasper, Streeto, Faulkner, Kleckowski, and Drew; and one nay vote by Councilman Bauer. The Chair states the matter passes with one in opposition. Resolution No. 78-11 File Name cc11-12waterbudres.doc Description Approving the Water Department budget for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 as amended. (Amended and Approved) Be it Resolved by the Common Council of the City of Middletown: That the budget prepared and adopted by the Water Pollution Control Authority for the Water Department of the City of Middletown for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011 and ending June 30, 2012 as advertised in the Hartford Courant on April 20, 2011 is hereby approved and adopted with the following changes: COUNCIL ADJUSTMENTS TO BUDGET FOR YEAR ENDING 2012 EXPENDITURES 60000 WATER 51510 WORKERS COMP 5000-60000-51510-0000-00000-0000-000 WATER: WORKERS COMP 1 ............................................................ -16,380 NET DECREASE - WORKERS COMP -16,380 51530 HEALTH INSURANCE 5000-60000-51530-0000-00000-0000-000 WATER: HEALTH INSURANCE 1 ............................................................ -28,800 NET DECREASE - HEALTH INSURANCE -28,800 52230 PROP/CASUALTY INSURANCE 5000-60000-52230-0000-00000-0000-000 WATER: PROP/CASUALTY INSURANCE 1 ............................................................ -55,680 NET DECREASE - PROP/CASUALTY INSURANCE -55,680 NET DECREASE - WATER -100,860 TOTAL NET DECREASE IN FUND 5000 WATER -100,860 COUNCIL ADJUSTMENTS TO BUDGET FOR YEAR ENDING 2012 REVENUES 5000-60000-44715-0000-00000-0000-000 WATER: SERVICE CHARGES -16,860 5000-60000-49030-0000-00000-0000-000 WATER: WATER - FUND BALANCE CONTR -84,000 TOTAL NET DECREASE IN FUND 5000 WATER -100,860 Be It Further Resolved: That the rate of water use charges as adopted by the Water Pollution Control Authority and approved by the Common Council in May, 2010 shall be due and payable effective May 1, 2011; and Be It Further Resolved: that the Tax Collector, be, and she is hereby authorized to collect said water charges. May 12, 2011 Common Council Meeting Page 12 Agenda Item 4-6 Councilman Drew reads and moves for approval agenda item 4-6 the Special Business District budget resolution; his motion is seconded by Councilman Pessina. The Chair calls for discussion; hearing none, he calls for the vote. It is unanimous to approve with twelve aye votes. The Chair states the matter passes unanimously. Resolution No. 79-11 File Name cc11-12businessdistrictbud.doc Description Approving the Special Business District budget for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 with a mill rate set at 2.4. (Approved) Whereas, the Business Improvement District Board of Commissioners has met and in accordance with the ordinance, Sec. 272-14, Subparagraph G, has set the budget and proposed a mill rate on the assessed value of taxable real estate property within the district for fiscal year 2011 - 2012. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Common Council of the City of Middletown: That the mill rate be set as 2.4 mills to cover this budget, and said rate shall be due and payable in two equal installments on July 1, 2011, and January 1, 2012, in accordance with the Ordinance Section 272-14 Subparagraph G, 2 (a) of the City of Middletown; and Be it further resolved: That the Tax Collector, be and she is hereby authorized to collect said taxes. Meeting Adjourned: Councilman Daley moves to adjourn the meeting and is seconded by Councilman Bauer. The Chair calls for the vote and it is unanimous with ten aye votes. The Chair adjourns the meeting at 8:43 p.m. ATTEST: Marie O. Norwood Common Council Clerk