Common Council

SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL AUGUST 7, 2017 06:00 p.m. MINUTES The Special Meeting Questions to Directors Workshop of the Common Council of the City of Middletown was held in the Council Chamber of the Municipal Building on Monday, August 7, 2017 at 6 p.m. Present: Councilman Robert Blanchard Councilman Eugene Nocera Councilman Carl R. Chisem Councilman Philip J. Pessina Councilman Gerald E. Daley (6:05pm) Councilwoman Linda Salafia (6:05pm) Councilman Grady L. Falkner, Jr. Councilman Robert P. Santangelo Councilman Sebastian N. Giuliano Councilman Thomas J. Serra Councilwoman Deborah Kleckowski Common Council Clerk, Linda S.K. Reed Absent: Mayor Daniel T. Drew, Corporation Counsel Daniel B. Ryan, Councilwoman Mary Bartolotta Also Present: Arts Coordinator -- Stephan Allison Police-- Lt. Michael DeSena City & Town Clerk -- Acting Clerk Tina Ranno Public Works -- Director William Russo, Communications -- Director Wayne Bartolotta Technology Services -- Director Bryan Skowera Fire Department -- Deputy Chief Al Leary Water & Sewer -- Acting Director Robert Young Finance -- Director Carl Erlacher Parks & Recreation -- Acting Director Deb Stanley General Counsel -- Brig Smith, Esq. Planning, Cons. & Dev.– Director Joseph Samolis Health -- Director Dr. Joseph Havlicek, M.D. Tax Assessor -- Deputy Director Roger Palmer Human Relations -- Director Faith Jackson, Youth Services Coordinator -- Justin Carbonella Parking -- Director Geen Thazhampallath, Esq. Members of the Public: 1 1. Call to order Acting Chairman, Deputy Mayor Robert Santangelo, calls the meeting to order at 6:00pm and leads the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Clerk reads the Call of the Meeting and Deputy Mayor Santangelo declares call a legal call and meeting a legal meeting. Councilman Gerald Daley and Councilwoman Linda Salafia arrive at 6:05pm. 2. Questions to Directors Opens Acting Chairman Santangelo opens the Questions to Directors Workshop at 6:05pm. Councilman Thomas Serra request that the Communications Director, Police Chief, and Fire Chief come to the podium. The following individuals step forward: Communications Director Wayne Bartolotta, Police Lt. Michael DeSena for Police Chief McKenna and Deputy Fire Chief Al Leary for Fire Chief Robert Kronenberger. Councilman Serra states that they can probably anticipate his questions based on concerns raised by the Public Safety Committee. He states that does not support this matter unless they convince him otherwise. This has been a problem at Middletown High School for many years. He notes that the Council is now being assured that there will be no interference. Mr. Bartolotta states that the Public Safety Comminute requested that he prepare the memo now in the Council’s agenda packet to address specifically what will be done when the system goes live, including the testing to be done at the site before that system comes on line for the Police Department and Fire Department. Councilman Serra asks if the testing will be done before the proposed contract is signed. Mr. Bartolotta states that the testing will not be done before the proposed contract is signed; rather, the contract would be signed before they start using the new radio system. The lease agreement states that, if there is any interference, the lessee will fix the radio system. The testing will be done before the system is used. If any problem is detected, the lessee will be asked to correct that problem. The City/ its agents will have the opportunity to test and then re-retest to double-check that there is no interference problem. In addition to testing inside the high school, testing will be done at 49 other buildings citywide for coverage. In other words, at the end of the day, with this new radio AUGUST 7, 2017 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL MEETING Page 2 system, coverage of the City in those 50 buildings will be taken care of, including any interference issues. Councilman Serra asks if this testing will address the multiple interferences. Also, if there interference, is the lessee committed to correcting this issue, which has been experienced over the past 4 to 6 years. In other words, if there an interference issue and it is corrected, and then interference occurs again, is the lessee committed to fixing the recurring situation? Will they fix that problem again? Mr. Bartolotta states that they will fix it again; it is covered by contract language Councilman Serra asks if both the Police Department and Fire Department are satisfied with this arrangement. Mr. Bartolotta states that, in fairness to Police Lt. DeSena, who spoke with Chief McKenna and is attending on behalf of the Police Department, both Chief McKenna and Deputy Chief Timbro were at that meeting and were in agreement with this arrangement. Deputy Chief Leary states that the Fire Department is also in agreement with this arrangement. Councilman Serra states that, predicated on this arrangement, he will reluctantly support this agreement. He states that he is cautious about this matter given the past experience of the Public Safety Committee and all that has been experienced with interference. Mr. Bartolotta states that he will invite Councilman Serra to the testing. Councilman Serra asks whether or not there will be multiple testing if there is an issue. Mr. Bartolotta states, yes, and the lessee is committed to fixing any problem per the contract. Councilman Serra asks about the plan for multiple testing. Mr. Bartolotta assures him that, relative to the high school, we are fortunate to have an SRO Officer at that facility. The SRO Officer is very busy with many communications each day, so we know if and when there is a problem based on the SRO Officer’s communication with the Police Department. Since the radio transmission frequencies rotate, if the Police Department has a problem, then the Fire Department will have a problem. If the Police Department does not have a problem, then the Fire Department will not have a problem. Councilman Serra states that, based on everything that is being said tonight, he will reluctantly support. Mr. Bartolotta states that he will be sure to include Councilman Serra at the testing event to reassure him that the system works. Councilman Serra states that he would appreciate that. He stated that it is important because, in the past, we fixed it again and again and the system went down again, making him feel uneasy. Acting Chairman Santangelo asks if there are any other questions. Councilman Philip Pessina states to Mr. Bartolotta that, when the invitation to attend testing is issued, he be sure to notify all members of the Public Safety Committee because many members had concerns. Like Councilman Serra, he has deep concerns. Council members need to see for themselves. Councilman Pessina notes that he is now comfortable with this matter based on the information that Mr. Bartolotta shared previously at the Public Safety Committee meeting as well as this evening. Mr. Bartolotta states that he will be sure that Public Safety Committee members are invited. In addition, before the testing occurs, he will come to a Public Safety Committee meeting and explain how the testing is to be done. He adds that, if any other Council members would like to be notified of the testing, please let him know. Acting Chairman Santangelo asks if there are any other questions. Councilwoman Kleckowski asks the Director of Health to step forward. Dr. Havlicek steps to the podium. Councilwoman Deborah Kleckowski notes that, since her iPad is down, she is relying on memory. She recalls that Dr. Havlicek sent her an email. Dr. Havlicek affirms. She has a question about the proposed $5,000 appropriation request: Is this money for a permanent part-time staff member or for summer only? Dr. Havlicek states that the funds are for the whole year to have someone on staff either when a full-time staff member is on vacation or out of the office for an extended period. He states that the Health Department cannot run properly when they are down a staff member. The funds requested are for one part-time person. Councilwoman Kleckowski asks if that person is essentially on call, as needed. Dr. Havlicek states yes. Acting Chairman Santangelo asks if there are any additional questions. Councilman Sebastian Giuliano asks Finance Director Carl Erlacher to come to the podium. Councilman Giuliano states that his question pertains to agenda item 7A. He states that he understands that the Common Council proposed appropriation of $5,600 is meant to help train the new Council Clerk. He sees that the funds are also earmarked to cover staff for the middle school building committee. The paperwork does not indicate how much money is proposed to be allocated for each function. He does not want a tug of war for the funds. He asks if there is a way to apportion these funds. Mr. Erlacher states that they can do a transfer of the funds. The line item is currently set as a salary and wage. It could have been set up differently, as a part-time function. Ho notes that a different AUGUST 7, 2017 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL MEETING Page 3 code can be used to create that as a part-time positon. In general, Finance does not usually transfer funds out of a full-time function. Councilman Giuliano asks if that transfer can be done at a later date. Mr. Erlacher states, yes. Acting Chairman Santangelo asks if there are additional questions. Councilwoman Kleckowski states that, to continue on this question, there is no delineation on cost. She notes that there is a cost of $75 associated with Woodrow Wilson School Middle School Building Committee, but the proposal does not say how much is allocated for training. She asks if the fee is meant to be an hourly rate, a per phone call fee, or some other arrangement. Mr. Erlacher states that he is not sure how the former clerk is to be paid; that is, whether it is her former hourly rate or some other rate. Councilwoman Kleckowski states that staffing the building committee meetings is a big responsibility. Councilman Serra states that, based on recent discussions, it is his understanding that the retired clerk will be paid at her former hourly rate and the time will be used on demand; that is, as needed by the new clerk for additional training. Mr. Erlacher acknowledges that the retired clerk will be paid at her former hourly rate. Mr. Erlacher states that any different rate would require a change sheet, and no change sheet has been submitted to the Finance Department. Councilwoman Kleckowski states that she also wants to be sure there is enough money for the retired clerk to staff the building committee as it is an important project. She notes that the Council does not have this information. She states that it is disconcerting to have an hourly rate for one work element and little information for the building committee duty. Mr. Erlacher notes that this appropriation is sponsored by Councilwoman Bartolotta, who chairs the building committee, so it seems there is probably some understanding. Acting Chairman Santangelo asks if there are any more questions. Councilwoman Linda Salafia asks Mr. Erlacher how this payment will dealt with technically. For example, she asks if there will there be any pension contribution. Mr. Erlacher states that he does not believe that pension is an issue since it is a part-time, temporary job by the former Council Clerk. Also, if there is an agreed upon stipend, then a 1099 tax form will likely be issued. Acting Chairman Santangelo asks if there are any additional questions. There are none. Councilman Giuliano moves to adjourn the meeting at 6:17 p.m. Councilman Robert Blanchard seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. It is unanimous to approve with 11 aye votes. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 11 affirmative votes. 3. Questions to Directors Closes. 4. Meeting adjourned. ATTEST: LINDA S.K. REED COMMON COUNCIL CLERK K: review/ minutes/ 17Aug 7 minutes special common council meeting – questions to directors – 08-07-2017