Common Council

COMMON COUNCIL MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT SPECIAL MEETING FY 2024-2025 BUDGET WORKSHOP #1 MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2024 6:00 PM MINUTES The Special Meeting of the Common Council of the City of Middletown was held on Monday, April 15, 2024, beginning at 6:00 PM. This was a hybrid meeting, participants in-person in the Council Chamber and remotely, via WebEx. The meeting was also livestreamed on local public access cable television, on the City website, and on the City Facebook page. This meeting is the first of three (3) scheduled budget workshops for the proposed FY 2024-2025 budget. Present: Councilman Eugene Nocera, President Councilman Anthony Mangiafico Councilman Vincent Loffredo Councilman Steven Kovach Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell Councilwoman Linda Salafia Councilman Darnell Ford Councilman Anthony Gennaro, Sr. Councilman Grady Faulkner, Jr. Councilman Jonathan Pulino Councilwoman Kelly Sweeney Councilwoman Leslie Spatola Also Present: Hon. Benjamin Florsheim, Mayor Linda Reed, Clerk of the Common Council Sergeant-at-Arms: Middletown Police -- Officer Steven DiMassa City Staff: Arts & Culture – Kisha Michaels, Coordinator Finance – Carl Erlacher, CPA, Director Board of Education: Dr. Alberto Vazquez-Matos, Superintendent Eduardo Miranda, Finance Director Marco Gaylord, Executive Director of Operations Jennifer Cannata, Assistant Superintendent, Administration Stacy McCann, Chief Academic Officer CALL TO ORDER Common Council President, Councilman Eugene Nocera, is serving as Chair for this budget workshop. He calls the workshop to order at 6:05 PM. The Councilmembers join in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The Chair begins the budget workshop presentations inviting spokespersons to the podium for each of the following items. 1. Mayor The proposed Budget for FY 2024-2025 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. Board of Education Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Alberto Vazquez-Matos presented the Board of Education budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. He was assisted by Eduardo Miranda, Finance Director, Marco Gaylord, Executive Director of Operations, Jen Cannata, Assistant Superintendent, Administration, and Stacy McCann, Chief Academic Officer.  APRIL 15, 2024 COMMON COUNCIL – SPECIAL MEETING Page 2 BUDGET WORKSHOP #1 ADJOURNMENT There being no further discussion on the budget, the Chair closes the workshop at 8:43 PM. Councilman Vincent Loffredo moves to adjourn. Councilman Jonathan Pulino seconds the motion. There being no discussion, the Chair calls for a voice vote. The motion is approved unanimously by a vote of 12-0 (AYE: Councilmembers Nocera, Loffredo, Blackwell, Ford, Faulkner, Sweeney, Mangiafico, Kovach, Salafia, Gennaro, Pulino, and Spatola). The matter is approved. The meeting is adjourned at 8:44 PM. ATTEST: LINDA S.K. REED, COMMON COUNCIL CLERK K: review/ minutes/ 2024 April 15 – Budget workshop 1 – 15 April 2024