Common Council

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL MIDDLETOWN CONNECTICUT MAY 13, 2016 The Special meeting of the Common Council of the City of Middletown was held in the Council Chamber of the Municipal Building on Friday, May 13, 2016 at 7 p.m. Present Mayor Daniel T. Drew, Deputy Mayor Robert P. Santangelo and Council Members Eugene Nocera, Thomas J. Serra, Mary A. Bartolotta, Gerald E. Daley, Carl R. Chisem, Robert Blanchard, Grady Faulkner, Sebastian N. Giuliano, Philip J. Pessina, Deborah Kleckowski and Linda Salafia,; and Acting Common Council Clerk Linda DeSena. Absent Corporation Counsel Daniel Ryan 1. MAYOR CALLS MEETING TO ORDER The Chair calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and leads the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Clerk reads the call of the meeting; the Chair declares the call a legal call and the meeting a legal meeting. 2. PUBLIC HEARING OPENED ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA. The Chair opens the public hearing at 7:03 p.m. and asks any member of the public may come forward and speak; he asks that they give their name and address for the record and keep their remarks to five minutes. Brian Kaskel speaks about the Board of Education budget. He states he doesn't know why he is speaking because the Council probably knows what it is going to do, but he wants to be a reminder. He sent an email last night signed by 400 like-minded Middletown residents who want the Board budget funded completely. If the rumors are true, he is happy, but not satisfied. He speaks to perception. When he had his first real job, he had a coworker tell him two things. The first, Kaskel, wake up. The second thing is that perception is reality and he had a problem with that. The Chair asks if he has something on the agenda he is addressing. Mr. Kaskel responds yes. The perception is you guys have an opportunity to put the rest of us at ease and not have a tumultuous budget process. We are talking about the budget, Mayor; if you did not put out $700,000 in the budget, maybe we would not have the perception that you have no regard for education in the City. I believe you all have regard for education in the City and it is important, but the perception you gave, the slap in the face, was unacceptable. If you say what you truly feel every year, use your common sense on how the public will react, and let the public know what you are feeling, then the public would not stand up and argue over the budget. That is what I am doing; I am talking about the budget. The fact you question that is ridiculous. The Chair asks for members of the public wishing to speak. MS Law, Middletown School Teacher, has been a teaching for 12 years and it grieves her that we don't provide more for the students. We don't provide foreign language from kindergarten through high school; we want the students to be problem solvers to compete in the foreign markets. We don't give them these skills in terms of foreign language acquisition. We either invest in the children or pay exorbitant health costs or incarceration, or mental health services. We pay because people are unable to work or are severely under employed. We pay for the loss of human potential and for what we pass to future generations. Cutting the budget lacks common sense as we pay for it in so many other ways. As a teacher she needs to do better and as a community we need to do better. I do not think we should give Dr. Charles the budget she asked for, but more. Chris Drake, High Street, member of the Board of Education and Chair of the Budget Committee. He states the way he understands it is to fund the Board at $ 2.164 million over the previous budget. Broadly speaking that is a fair number given the fiscal circumstances the City and State finds themselves in. We are aware that things are tumultuous in Hartford and cities are being squeezed more than in recent history. There was the potential of a large tax increase. I appreciate the Council's time to look at the Board's budget. Dr. Charles and I have looked at the number floating around and we will go back and address the situation. We will be able to adjust to that number with no layoffs of teachers or custodians. We will account for a small decrease of the budget given the Board's recent decision not to renew Sodexo on the Facilities' side. I don't think it will be the savings that you think it is, but we heard from the Mayor and Council that it was something you wanted the Board to take into consideration and we did and voted unanimously not to renew Sodexo. Many of you are aware that we have tried very hard to examine the transportation numbers based on the Council's concerns and had a long conversation and we can see that budget go in the right direction. The current budget shows a $300,000 decrease from last year. Given the appropriation on May 13, 2016 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL MEETING Page 2 the table, we would only be able to make certain representations about layoffs if it weren't for the fact that there may be significant health care savings on the table. That is something that came to the Board's attention well after the budget was passed. We examine our numbers and try to find savings where we can. Two of the three bargaining units are open for negotiation and it is an opportunity to make that move. The City should seriously consider whether it can make some more energy savings on its side of the budget. He thanks the Council for their serious consideration and this is a budget that is good and fair and the Board of Education can work with it. Dr. Charles, Superintendent of Schools, echoes Mr. Drake’s comments and regarding our understanding that it was a really tough year and that next year will not be better. The silver lining out of this is she had some of the best conversations with you as Council members over the course of the last few weeks on how we can work together to come up with a solution that will work for the City and Board of Education. She appreciates the open and honest conversations that we have had and she hopes the can continue because the problems will not go away and we have to find ways to be efficient and work collaboratively. Thank you for your willingness to listen and to do that. We will do what we can to make the budget work. As Mr. Drake said, it is contingent upon our being able to get some savings on insurance and we are hopeful that will happen and that it doesn't result in the loss of programs or positions. Vincent Loffredo, Chair of the Board of Education, states he concurs with all the comments made by his fellow Board member and the Superintendent of Schools. We began the conversations with the Mayor's proposal and you heard comments that it was not adequate and your attempts to deal with it and dealing with resources available and we understand that. There was a lot of indication where the City is economically. The Triple A rating on how the town has dealt with its finances, how it has handled its expenses and paid off its debts and things of that nature. That has come through the hard work of you and others who sat in your positions. Your school system is evaluated under a wide spectrum of various proposals. All of our schools are not at the AAA rating and that's where we want to be and need to be. We will never be there unless we work collaboratively and with our combined efforts and willingness to do that, we can achieve that. 3. PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED. The Chair, seeing no further members of the public wishing to speak, closes the public hearing at 7:15 p.m. 4. RESOLUTIONS: A. ADOPTING THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET. (Amended and Approved) Resolution No. 65-16 File Name 16-17amendedgenfundbudget(2) 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, 2016 to June 30, 2017 as prepared by the Mayor and advertised in the Hartford Courant on April 22, 2016 is hereby amended, as follows: CITY OF MIDDLETOWN - EXPENDITURES COUNCIL ADJUSTMENTS TO BUDGET FOR YEAR ENDING 2017 01000 MAYOR 51110 SALARIES & WAGES, FT PERM 1000-01000-51110-0010-00000-0000-000 MAYOR: SALARIES & WAGES, FT PER 2 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE MAYOR (CHIEF OF STAFF) ..... -8,000 NET DECREASE - SALARIES & WAGES, FT PERM -8,000 53452 PUBLIC ARTS 1000-01000-53452-0011-00000-0000-000 ARTS: PUBLIC ARTS 3 VETERANS' MEMORIAL MURAL ................................... 21,000 NET INCREASE - PUBLIC ARTS 21,000 NET INCREASE - MAYOR 13,000 18500 PARKING DEPARTMENT 52150 POSTAGE 1000-18500-52150-0000-00000-0000-000 PK DEPT: POSTAGE 1 POSTAGE .................................................... 5,999 NET INCREASE - POSTAGE 5,999 NET INCREASE - PARKING DEPARTMENT 5,999 22000 PUBLIC WORKS 51340 OVERTIME 1000-22000-51340-0320-00000-0000-000 PARKS: MISCELLANEOUS OVERTIME 6 MHS FIELD USE .............................................. 18,000 NET INCREASE - OVERTIME 18,000 55185 CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 1000-22000-55185-0225-00000-0000-000 GARAGE: CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 1 MECHANICS REPAIR SOFTWARE .................................. 10,000 NET INCREASE - CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 10,000 NET INCREASE - PUBLIC WORKS 28,000 26500 HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES 59200 GRANT 1000-26500-59200-0722-00000-0000-000 ART SUPP: GRANT 1 ART SUPPORT SERVICES ....................................... 23,000 NET INCREASE - GRANT 23,000 May 13, 2016 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL MEETING Page 3 NET INCREASE - HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES 23,000 27000 SPECIAL ACCOUNTS 52110 GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE 1000-27000-52110-0700-00000-0000-000 VET: GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE 7MEMORIAL DAY BANDS AND BUSES ........... 500 NET INCREASE - GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE 500 57030 MISC EXPENSE 1000-27000-57030-0708-00000-0000-000 COMMTY: MISC EXPENSE 13 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS ...................................... 4,000 1000-27000-57030-0725-00000-0000-000 ASSESS: STATE MV FIRE DISTRICT 1 DISTRICT 1 CITY ............................................ -517,125 2 DISTRICT 2 SOUTH FIRE ...................................... -368,373 3 DISTRICT 3 WESTFIELD ....................................... -130,738 NET DECREASE - MISC EXPENSE 1,012,236 NET DECREASE - SPECIAL ACCOUNTS -1,011,736 33000 EDUCATION 57010 EDUCATION CONTRIBUTION 1000-33000-57010-0000-00000-0000-000 EDUCATION CONTRIBUTION 1 SUPERINTENDENT BUDGET REQUEST .............................. 1,464,000 NET INCREASE - EDUCATION CONTRIBUTION 1,464,000 NET INCREASE - EDUCATION 1,464,000 TOTAL NET INCREASE IN FUND 1000 GENERAL FUND 522,263 CITY OF MIDDLETOWN - REVENUES COUNCIL ADJUSTMENTS TO BUDGET FOR YEAR ENDING 2017 1000-03000-41110-0033-00000-0000-000 COLL: TAXES-REAL ESTATE/MOTOR VEH 9,925,961 1000-03000-41115-0033-00000-0000-000 COLL: TAXES-CURRENT YR MOTOR VEHI -8,920,000 1000-03000-41125-0033-00000-0000-000 COLL: TAXES-MV TAX CAP STATE GRAN -213,850 1000-03000-43102-0030-00000-0000-000 FIN: MUNCPL REV SHARING SALES TAX -787,387 1000-03000-43110-0030-00000-0000-000 FIN: PILOT-COLLEGES & HOSPITALS -24,772 1000-03000-43115-0000-00000-0000-000 FIN: MUN REV SHARE PILOT-SELECT, -31,554 1000-03000-43116-0000-00000-0000-000 FIN: STATE REIMB MHS DEBT SERVICE 2,103,785 1000-03000-43145-0030-00000-0000-000 FIN: PILOT-STATE PROPERTY -16,934 1000-03000-43235-0030-00000-0000-000 FIN: PEQUOT -3,109 1000-03000-43430-0030-00000-0000-000 FIN: SCHOOL TRANSP [NON PUBLIC] -98,766 1000-03000-43440-0030-00000-0000-000 FIN: SCHOOL TRANSP [PUBLIC] -494,875 1000-10000-43101-0000-00000-0000-000 ASSESS: STATE MV FIRE DISTRICTS G -1,016,236 1000-22000-42220-0220-00000-0000-000 PW ADMIN: PERMITS-BUILDING 100,000 TOTAL NET INCREASE IN FUND 1000 GENERAL FUND 522,263 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIDDLETOWN: That the general fund budget is hereby approved and adopted as amended; and Be it further resolved: That mill rate be set as 33.3 to cover this budget, and said rate shall be due and payable in two equal installments on July 1, 2016 and January 1, 2017, in accordance with the Charter of the City of Middletown, Chapter VI; and Be it further resolved: That the Board of Education may begin the bidding process for roof repairs at Spencer Elementary School and Woodrow Wilson Middle School but not award any contract until July 1, 2016 when funds become available; and Be it further resolved: That the Tax Collector be and is hereby authorized to collect said taxes Councilman Serra is recognized for resolution 4A. He reads the resolution. Motion to Amend Councilman Gerald E. Daley reads and moves for approval the general fund budget through substitution. He reads the resolution with the proposed amendments to the Mayor's budget with a net increase of $522,263 for both the expenditure and revenues. Councilman Eugene Nocera seconds the motion. Councilman Daley states he would like to be heard, but defers to Councilman Serra. Councilman Serra speaks to the amendment; you saw the increase in the revenue. We have to thank our delegation and in particular, Senator Paul Doyle, Representative Serra to put this together for a seven tenths increase with the Mayor's proposal. Carl Erlacher, Diana Saraceno Doyle and Tina Gomes and without those individuals we would be looking at a 2.5 mill increase for the citizens of Middletown. It is always a difficult task to do a budget to provide services and the ability to pay. To have seven tenths, the credit goes to the individuals mentioned. What this does and he wants to know himself for a house worth $100,000, it is $70 for the year; it isn't much for the services we receive with Police, Fire, and Public Works. He reads a list of values and the increased taxes. He states those raises would have been tripled if they didn't have the help that we had inputting this together. He thanks Councilman Daley for scrutinizing the budget for the past three weeks. He is glad they were able to do this. To the point relative to supporting education, this year, in my history, this one by far in terms of how bad it was, this is in first place. In terms of supporting education, this Council, in the last eleven years has supported education more than the last budget. In the last ten years, we have provided 30% to 70% of what was requested above and beyond the previous year. If his calculations are correct, this year was 58% of what the Board was requesting. It is the ability to pay. This Council signs its name to levy taxes; that is another part of this. We want to serve the public and this year there are 450 students less than ten years ago. He understands special needs of the students and anyone who says if there are less students you should have less money; he doesn't May 13, 2016 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL MEETING Page 4 agree because of the number of special needs students. The Council has supported education in other ways; we take on the Board's debt service. In this case it is $3.7 million; we have Police at schools, the crew boats, the band uniforms, the future park renovations attached to schools including Macdonough. We are well aware of what the needs of education system are and on the other hand we are well aware of what our citizens can pay. It's no surprise we triple AAA; the criteria analyzed to be Triple A, this council and mayor and former mayors and councils have managed financially; the criteria is the pension, infrastructure investment, economic development, the grand list health, mill rate, the education system is rated, which means that obviously yes we have problems, but this system is rating us very well relative to our education system, financial management, fund balance, our demographics. I am pleased to be able to support this amendment and not only give monies to education, but the arts and public works for sports. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. A great thank you to Senator Doyle, Representative Serra, Carl Erlacher, Diana Saraceno Doyle, and Tina Gomes. They actually went to Hartford to help out and make sure how we would do this. Councilman Daley is recognized by the Chair and states I hesitate to start by echoing Councilman Serra's praise for Senator Doyle, Representative Serra, and our Finance Team of Carl Erlacher, Diana Doyle, and Tina Gomes. It is really extraordinary what they were able to achieve. It is not an overstatement that they bailed us out because we would have been facing a really difficult situation relative to an unacceptably high tax increase. It was said 2 or 2.5 mills but it would have been a six to eight percent increase if they did not achieve this funding for the Middletown High School Debt Service. I want to caution; it is important to recognize that is one time revenue. It is a one-time aid to help us with the budget and close out the High School because it might have meant an increase in the bonding. It is an extraordinary achievement and it is one time. We have to think about next year now and Dr. Charles you indicated it wasn't going to be much better; I can guarantee it won't be as good. The State will not be able to layoff two thousand employees next year; they won't be able to make cuts in the State services they are making this year. I am worried about municipal aid and educational aid at the state level. I really feel both on the Board's side and General City side that an aggressive cost reduction program has to start now for next year's budget. With that said, I too feel compelled to talk about our support for education. This year represents the Board getting 58.4% of their increase. I would rather look at what percentage of their request is being provided; it is 98.1% of the total budget request. It is remarkable. One speaker said we shouldn't be cutting education; we are not cutting education. We are increasing education by $2.1 million. Our contribution to education is 2.77% of their budget. The overall city increase is 3.1%. It is supporting education, it is there. He is heartened by the fact that Dr. Charles and the Board spoke to the beneficial aspects of the conversations that occurred. I look at it as the Mayor's budget laid a foundation for the dialogue to occur to find better solutions. I realize the challenges schools face and the achievements that have been made and the servicing of special needs and disadvantaged students. I want to thank Principal Fournier and the staff and teachers at Bielefield School; they illustrated the challenges that the face day to day and how far they have come. One of the good things that came out of the discussions is the recognition of the per pupil costs data matters and we stand up well with other towns. Every way he looks at it on a per pupil basis, we do pretty good. The challenge for the Board and the Council and Mayor is to work at how to direct the overall expenditure at the students in closing the achievement gaps and meeting the needs of the students. The Board took the first step on Tuesday scrutinizing the facilities costs and maintenance and by looking at transportation. Something is drastically wrong with transportation. DATTCO has a contract in both Middletown and East Hampton. For a type 1 bus in Middletown in the Budget, we pay $483.68; East Hampton pays $239.07. Something is wrong and we need to address that; I realize there is a contract, but I urge the Board to work with the City to resolve that problem because it is not an insignificant amount of money that is being used as effectively as it could be to serve the students. He thanks everyone who worked on the budget and special recognition is warranted for Carl and Diana and their work with Senator Doyle and Representative Serra. He urges the Council to support the budget; it is better than he thought they would be able to do in terms of balancing the needs of the community, the school system in particular and the limited ability to absorb a tax increase. Councilman Nocera states I too will support this budget and echo the comments made by Councilman Serra and Councilman Daley. Having served on the Board of Education side for two terms and now serving my first term on the Council, I have to say that the bipartisan dialogue and the effort that I observed is pretty impressive and he has to commend his colleagues and the Mayor's staff and the time spent on the budget to assist us and we have come together with a fair plan as Board of Ed member Chris Drake has indicated. What has been impressive for him is the dialogue that occurred on the Council side was being fiscally responsible. As important in their minds was the eye and heart on the needs of the city and its students. They had many discussions on those needs of the school students and to move together collaboratively to meet those needs. He commends his colleagues for the work they have done in the last two weeks and is proud to be a part of it. Councilman Giuliano states he will be supporting this resolution and he too wants to thank everyone who put in the hard work to come up with something. The Majority Caucus solicited our input and kept us abreast as much as they could with developments beyond their control and changing moment by moment. It is a remarkable feat. And talking about being happy; I don't think we will ever be happy with a budget. We are never happy with our citizens having to pay more; and we are never satisfied either. It is not pleasing to tell the school district that they will not get everything they want and it is the same with department directors that they will not get everything they want to meet their goals. This year, the biggest problems have been presented by revenue shortfalls and the aid from the State. It was good news, bad news and worse news. The level of aid from Ct has been reduced and the good news it wasn't reduced as much, but the worst news is the State not addressing the May 13, 2016 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL MEETING Page 5 structural difficulties that put the State in this mess in the first place. I agree with Councilman Daley we need to get back to work on this right away. Councilman Serra always stated you begin work on the budget the next day. We have to monitor the budget as it is working and work on the revenue issues for next year and come up with a plan to deal with that. We need to look at a strategic plan for the city that includes the school district and what we want to accomplish over the next ten years and lay out a road map. Otherwise we will lurch from budget year to budget year and hope to just tread water. We need to be competitive with other communities going forward. Things are not looking rosy for the State and we need to keep what we have here. If not, improve what we have here and that takes a long view down the road and you have a group of people who understand that is the challenge before us and they are willing to meet it. He thanks everyone for their hard work and urges his colleagues to vote in favor of this. Councilwoman Bartolotta states she agrees with the comments regarding our State Senate to the employees of the City. She thanks the Superintendent of Schools, Principals, teachers that she met with. It was highly educational for her to understand your daily routine. She would also like to address Sodexo; that was a positive change. It shows you are willing to work with the City and you are continuing to do that with Dattco. Hopefully something can come out of that. It is an unfair contract and has undermined the Board's budget. She thinks Dattco has been financially selfish. It is not sustainable to keep taxing year after year. We will all have to do our part. I believe 50% of our student population is on some time of assistance program and that has changed the daily routine in our schools. We are funding at a good rate when you look around, at $15,000 to $16,000 per pupil. The average student is most likely not getting $16,000; they are probably getting $11,000 due to the special needs of many of our students. We have done a good job tonight; she didn't want to be part of another tax increase but she understands the demographics of the city and where we are at. We need to change and we are on the road to doing that. I agree with Councilman Daley to the Mayor's budget, it did open a whole new positive conversation. I would ask everyone involved to be open to listening and we have a few tough years ahead of us and we need to address it. I look at this as a financial band aid to a larger situation. We need to work together and I am open to that as are other Council members. We need to make sure our spending is appropriate; we need to keep them in check. We have our homework to do. I hope this is a big enough band aid to allow our school system to move forward in a healthy way and apologize for the tax increase, but it is the right decision to keep education healthy and keep our financial base healthy as well. I appreciate everyone's contribution to the budget. Councilman Blanchard is recognized and states like Mr. Drake I am acutely aware of how dire the situation is for the State and watched as the deficit was getting larger and knowing there were few areas to cut and knowing they would go to municipal aid; we should feel very lucky. This might be a St. Sebastian miracle. We said last night a prayer to St. Sebastian and he has given us something tonight. On a more serious matter, is the bigger picture. As the State is waking up with a horrible hangover from the party, we need to wake up to the situation and we need to start now. When he was first elected, the older woman across the hall from me said if I raised taxes, she knew where I lived. For everyone like her there are other seniors that are feeling pushed out of towns; they can't afford to stay here. If she decides to move, I hope she can sell the home for more than she paid for it and for the young family that might purchase it, he hopes they understand that we care for education and it is worthwhile to invest in because we care for the kids and schools. They chose us over other towns because we do care for our schools. I am proud to vote for this budget; he didn't want a tax increase out of the gate, but we do care for education. I want to thank the parents who have come out; our delegation went above and beyond as did the Finance Department and Board of Education. But it is the parents who love to be home doing homework with the children and for the love of their children come out to fight for these dollars. He hopes the dialogue continues and we continue to collaborate to get through these dire circumstances. He will gladly support this budget. Councilman Santangelo states I taught school and once an educator, always an educator. I would like to talk about what the Council had to see. The council had to look at the City side. If you look at the budget and what the state is going through, one of the things we did was have the conversation as to what we would do. We had to make sure public safety is maintained; our fire department is one of the best in the State as far as I am concerned. Our Fire Department is blessed with three fire departments and we thought seriously about the future and city employees. My colleagues were sensitive to that. We made a contribution to the Board, but we had to make sure the rest of the City was safe. What makes the City alive is where we make our investments and bringing people to the downtown. This helps the tax base. There are businesses still looking at Middletown. He works with individuals coming from all over the states, he hears them say they are coming to Middletown for dinner or an event. Our next event is the fireworks. They come from all over the state. It says a lot about who we are. Recently central business bureau, someone from Wesleyan states Middletown is one of its selling points. That says a lot and we have worked hard to maintain that. A lot of time was spent on education and it is wonderful to see how much time was spent on making sure we maintain these. Councilman Pessina states listening to all the comments and hearing from the parents and listening to the Superintendent and her staff I truly believe we care for education in the community. A lot of us are proud of it. When I started in the Police department years ago, the south end was decimated due to redevelopment. I am proud to see what has happened in the community as far as revitalization. In June, we will celebrate 50 years from graduating from Middletown High. Many of us could not have seen the progress and the educational facilities we have today. He heard tonight that as part of the Board of Education you will be looking to tightening up the budget. I look at a budget as the way we did less with less. We made it and the Community will make it. It is a living document. We need to do this every day and we need to look at every expenditure that comes across our table. It is a value May 13, 2016 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL MEETING Page 6 system. How much value does the expenditure make to the citizens. If it’s to the benefit of our citizens and children, fine. We have to be creative and the Mayor has started this and we need to continue it. The Board and city needs to look at consolidation and shared services that is what reduces expenditures. We have to be wise with our money and look to the benefit of the public. A major concern is the citizen's ability to pay. There are job losses and a reduction of income and the ability to pay has been diminished. We have to be careful and have creative ways to subsist in this type of economic downturn. Middletown will succeed. If we budget appropriately and critically look at the monies and expenses, we can do it. We need community conversations on education and how the city succeeds and the harbor we will be developing. We are proud. We are ahead of the curve and we need to stay there. Fiscal responsibility. I will support this. The chair, before he calls for the vote, he thanks everyone for their efforts and bipartisanship. The situation at the state is extraordinary dire. Had it not been for the efforts of our delegation, particularly Senator Doyle and Representative Serra, we would be facing a dramatically different situation. It is difficult at the State and Councilman Giuliano made a good point that the State has not yet worked through its structural problems. Because they haven't done that, some of the structural problems will drive future State deficit budgets which will impact municipalities, very likely in the coming fiscal year. He will be calling together the directors as soon as this budget passes and we are going to begin working on next year's budget and begin reviewing fee structures, programs, and I will invite both caucuses of the Council into that conversation. To address the notions of consolidations, we are actively working with the Board of Education on one right now and we have had discussions on the possibility of sometime of joint facilities consolidation in addition to what we do already. We will continue to do this. I appreciate the public comment and input from across the community and we will have to be mindful as we watch the situation at the State, as we watch what happens here, and as we move forward. Until the structural budget deficits are taken care of at the state, and by structural budget deficits, I mean that statutory and regulatory structure that is driving deficits and they are not always apparent and cannot be found in a budget document. They are the laws that are scattered throughout the Statutes and code books that drive deficits into the budget. You don't necessarily find them in a budget document. Until they are addressed the problem will persist. We are mindful of the challenges and will take them into consideration; we are mindful and we are in a good place with this final budget product. He calls for the vote and it passes affirmatively with twelve affirmative votes. The Chair states that was a vote on the amendment and now we have to deal with the budget; he thanks General Counsel Smith. He asks if there is any discussion on the underlying motion, the amended budget. Councilman Faulkner wants to talk about solutions and activities. We focus on the money and forget there are things we have to do. This is not a band aid but an opportunity to get things right. We have to manage our resources and rethink the way we do things around here. We have a lot of issues, but if we pool our resolutions to lift a lot of oats instead of focusing a few that have issues, we will spend a lot of money. We have to rethink how we attack certain situations. Investment in computers, we do a lot more investing in them than people. Technology is hot, but if our young people are not exercising their brains, we will have issues educating them. We had a workshop on the adolescent brain and one of the things to come out of that was the more our kids work with technological advances the less their brains are developing. We have to pay attention to that. Sodexo is a good example of how we utilize our grants; they are temporary. The first thing you should be aware of when you get a grant is how you will live without the grant. Take what we learn and integrate it more into the system. We need to learn to leverage the whole city. The School system is not an island of its own. All departments need to help with the school system. There are people in law enforcement that know a lot to help city schools and families. Schools see stuff, law enforcement sees stuff, youth services sees stuff, the health department sees things and everyone who sees them says it is not in my jurisdiction and you need to talk with someone who can go into those places and that is what will help us reduce the cost of operating and serve the city better. I am talking about every department, not just the school system. We would do better working together looking for solutions between us. The Chair calls for the vote on the amended general fund budget; it is unanimous to approve with twelve affirmative votes by the Common Council. The Chair declares the matter approved as amended with twelve affirmative votes and none in opposition. B. ADOPTING MIDDLETOWN FIRE DISTRICT BUDGET. (Amended and Approved) Resolution No. 66-16 File Name 16-17amendedfirebudget Be it Resolved by the Common Council of the City of Middletown: That the Middletown Fire District Budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017, as prepared by the Mayor and advertised in the Hartford Courant on April 22, 2016, is hereby amended as follows: CITY OF MIDDLETOWN - REVENUES COUNCIL ADJUSTMENTS TO BUDGET FOR YEAR ENDING 2017 2010-50000-41110-0500-00000-0000-000 FIRE: TAXES-REAL ESTATE/MOTOR VEH 522,837 2010-50000-41125-0500-00000-0000-000 FIRE: TAXES-MV TAX CAP STATE GRAN - 517,114 May 13, 2016 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL MEETING Page 7 2010-50000-43110-0500-00000-0000-000 FIRE: PILOT-COLLEGES & HOSPITALS -5,218 2010-50000-43145-0500-00000-0000-000 FIRE: PILOT-STATE PROPERTY -505 TOTAL NET DECREASE IN FUND 2010 FIRE -0- NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIDDLETOWN: That the amended Fire budget is hereby approved and adopted; and Be It Further Resolved: That the mill rate be set as 7.9 to cover this budget and said rate shall be due and payable in two equal installments on July 1, 2016 and January 1, 2017, 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. The Chair recognizes Councilman Santangelo who reads and moves for approval agenda item 4B, the Fire Department budget. Motion to Amend Councilman Robert Blanchard reads and moves for approval a substitute 4B with amendments to the revenue side of the budget and no change to the mill rate for the Fire Department budget. He reads the amendment into the record and moves it for approval. Councilman Robert Santangelo seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. It is unanimous to amend with 12 aye votes. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 12 affirmative votes. The Chair calls for the vote on the on the underlying motion and hears numerous seconds to the motion. It is unanimous to approve with twelve affirmative votes. The Chair declares the matter approved as amended. C. ADOPTING SANITATION COLLECTION DISTRICT BUDGET. (Approved) Resolution No. 67-16 File Name 16-17sanitationbudgenres 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, 2016 through June 30, 2017 as presented by the mayor and advertised in the Hartford Courant on April 22, 2016 is hereby approved and adopted. Councilman Carl Chisem reads and moves for approval Adopting Sanitation Collection District Budget. Councilman Grady L. Faulkner, Jr. seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. It is unanimous to approve with 12 aye votes. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 12 affirmative votes. D. ADOPTING WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY BUDGET FOR THE WATER DEPARTMENT. (Approved) Resolution No. 68-16 File Name 16-17watergenres 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, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017 as advertised in the Hartford Courant on April 22, 2016 is hereby approved and adopted; and 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 (May 2, 2016) shall be due and payable effective May 1, 2016; and Be It Further Resolved: that the Tax Collector, be, and she is hereby authorized to collect said water charges. Councilman Eugene Nocera reads and moves for approval Adopting Water Pollution Control Authority Budget For The Water Department. Councilman Thomas J. Serra seconds the motion. Point of Order Councilwoman Salafia states he read for the water department; the Chair states they are listed in opposite order. Motion to Amend the Agenda Councilman Giuliano moves to amend the agenda to take up the Water Department before the Sewer Department; Councilwoman Kleckowski seconds the motion. The Chair calls for the vote. I it is unanimous with twelve votes to amend the agenda to take up item 4E. The chair states the matter passes and we are taking up the Water Department Budget as 4D. May 13, 2016 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL MEETING Page 8 The Chair calls for the vote on the Water Department Budget as moved and seconded. It is unanimous to approve with 12 aye votes. The chair states the matter Water Department budget is approved unanimously with 12 affirmative votes. E. ADOPTING WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY BUDGET FOR THE SEWER DEPARTMENT. (Approved) Resolution No. 69-16 File Name 16-17sewerbudgetgeneralresolution 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, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017 as advertised in the Hartford Courant on April 22, 2016 is hereby approved and adopted; and 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, 2016; and Be It Further Resolved: that the Tax Collector, be, and she is hereby authorized to collect said water charges. Councilwoman Mary Bartolotta reads and moves for approval Adopting Water Pollution Control Authority Budget For The Sewer Department. Councilman Robert Santangelo seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. It is unanimous to approve with 12 aye votes. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 12 affirmative votes. Councilwoman Salafia (inaudible). The Chair states we switched them. She comments further (inaudible). The chair states with the noted distinction, we have a motion to approve the Sewer Department budget. The vote is called and it passes unanimously with twelve affirmative votes. The chair declares the Sewer Department budget passes unanimously. F. ADOPTING THE SPECIAL BUSINESS DISTRICT BUDGET. (Approved) Resolution No. 70-16 File Name 16-17businessdistrictbudresolution 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 2016 - 2017. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Common Council of the City of Middletown: That the mill rate be set as 2.41 mills to cover this budget, and said rate shall be due and payable in two equal installments on July 1, 2016, and January 1, 2017, 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. Councilman Grady L. Faulkner, Jr. reads and moves for approval Adopting The Special Business District Budget. Councilman Philip J. Pessina seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. It is unanimous to approve with 12 aye votes. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 12 affirmative votes. 5. MEETING ADJOURNED. Councilwoman Bartolotta is recognized by the Chair. She states she appreciated your comments after the budget was approved and looks forward to being part of that conversation. The Chair states he will be looking for everyone's participation from the Council and the Community. Councilman Thomas J. Serra moves to adjourn the meeting. Councilman Carl Chisem seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. It is unanimous to approve with 12 aye votes. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 12 affirmative votes. The Chair states we are adjourned at 8:20 p.m. ATTEST: MARIE O. NORWOOD COMMON COUNCIL CLERK