Common Council

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT FY 2020-2021 BUDGET WORKSHOP MONDAY, MAY 18, 2020 6:00 PM MINUTES The Special Meeting of the Common Council of the City of Middletown was held remotely via WebEx and livestreamed on the City of Middletown’s Facebook page on Monday, May 18, 2020, at 6:00 PM. This meeting is the first of three (3) scheduled budget workshops for the proposed FY 2020-2021 budget. Present: Councilwoman Jeanette White Blackwell Councilman Vincent Loffredo Councilwoman Meghan Carta Councilman Anthony Mangiafico Councilman Grady Faulkner, Jr. Councilman Edward McKeon Councilman Darnell Ford Councilman Eugene Nocera Councilman Edward Ford, Jr. Councilman Philip Pessina Councilman Anthony Gennaro, Sr. Councilwoman Linda Salafia : Also Present: Hon. Benjamin D. Florsheim, Mayor Keisha Michael, Arts & Culture Coordinator Carl Erlacher, CPA , Finance Director Hon. Joseph Marino, Probate Judge Justin Carbonella, Youth Services Coordinator Ashley Flynn-Natale, City & Town Clerk Damon Braasch, CCMA II, Tax Assessor Dr. Michael Conner, Superintendent of School Christine Bourne, Board of Education Natalie Forbes, Board of Education Cheryl Walcott, Board of Education Marco Gaylord, Board of Education Michael Skott, Board of Education Magda Parvey, Board of Education Daniel Ryan, Esq., Corporation Counsel Linda Reed, Clerk of the Common Council Members of the Public: WebEx (7 attendees) and Facebook livestream (unknown number of viewers) A. CALL TO ORDER: Councilman Vincent Loffredo is serving as Chair for this budget workshop. He calls the workshop to order at 6:00 PM. The Councilmembers and participants recite the Pledge of Allegiance. B. PROPOSED DEPARTMENT BUDGETS 1. Mayor The proposed Budget for FY 2020-2021 was introduced and presented by Mayor Benjamin Florsheim, including details for the Mayor’s office. Councilmembers asked questions as needed. 2. Arts & Culture Arts & Culture Coordinator Keisha Michael presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 3. Treasurer Finance Director Carl Erlacher, CPA presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. City Treasurer Steven Kovach was also present. 4. Finance Department Finance Director Carl Erlacher, CPA, presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 5. Tax Collector Finance Director Carl Erlacher, CPA presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. May 18, 2020 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL MEETING – BUDGET WORKSHOP Page 2 6. Probate Hon. Joseph Marino, Esq. presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 7. Youth Services Youth Services Coordinator Justin Carbonella presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 8. Town Clerk City/Town Clerk Ashley Flynn-Natale presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 9. Tax Assessor and Board of Tax Review Tax Assessor Damon Braasch presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 10. Board of Education Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Conner presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. Dr. Conner was assisted by Christine Bourne, Natalie Forbes, Marco Gaylord, Magda Parvey, Cheryl Walcott, and Michael Skott. C. MEETING ADJOURNED There being no further discussion on the budget, the Chair states that he will entertain a motion to adjourn. Councilman Eugene Nocera moves to adjourn. Councilman Philip Pessina seconds the motion. There being no discussion, the Chair calls for the vote. It is approved unanimously with 12 aye votes. The Chair states the matter passes with 12 affirmative votes. The meeting is adjourned at 8:50 PM. ATTEST: LINDA S.K. REED, COMMON COUNCIL CLERK K: review/minutes/ 20 May 18 – special meeting – budget workshop – 18 May 2020