Common Council

COMMON COUNCIL MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT SPECIAL MEETING FY 2024-2025 BUDGET WORKSHOP #3 MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2024 6:00 PM MINUTES The Special Meeting of the Common Council of the City of Middletown was held on Monday, April 22, 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 third of three (3) scheduled budget workshops for the proposed FY 2024-2025 budget. Present: Councilman Eugene Nocera, President Councilman Steven Kovach Councilman Vincent Loffredo Councilwoman Linda Salafia Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell Councilman Anthony Gennaro Councilman Darnell Ford Councilman Jonathan Pulino Councilman Grady Faulkner, Jr. Councilwoman Leslie Spatola Councilwoman Kelly Sweeney Absent: Councilman Anthony Mangiafico Also Present: Hon. Benjamin Florsheim, Mayor Linda Reed, Clerk of the Common Council Sergeant-at-Arms: Middletown Police -- Officer Brandy Liseo City Staff: Economic & Community Development – Christine Marques, Director Finance & Revenue Services – Carl Erlacher, CPA, Director General Counsel, Brig Smith, Esq., Director; Rohan Manning, Finance Health – Kevin Elak, Director Land Use – Markey Kozikowski, AICP, Director Police – Erik Costa, Police Chief Public Works – Howard Weissberg, Acting Director Recreation & Community Services – Cathy Lechowicz, Director Russel Library – Ramona Burkey, Director; Brandy Doyle, Finance Water & Sewer—Joseph Fazzino, Director; Theresa Spalletta, Deputy Director CALL TO ORDER Common Council President, Councilman Eugene Nocera, is serving as Chair for this budget workshop. He calls the workshop to order at 6:01 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. Land Use Department City Planner Marek Kozikowski, AICP, presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 2. Recreation & Community Services Department Director Cathy Lechowicz presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 3. Economic & Community Development Director Christine Marques presented the budget, including information for the Parking Division, and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed.  APRIL 22, 2024 COMMON COUNCIL – SPECIAL MEETING Page 2 BUDGET WORKSHOP #3 4. Health Department Director Kevin Elak presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 5. Finance & Revenue Services Director Carl Erlacher presented the department budget, including information related to the Tax Collector’s Office, and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 6. Office of General Counsel Director Brig Smith, Esq. presented the budget, including information for the Human Resources Division, and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. He was assisted by Rohan Manning, Finance. 7. Police Department Police Chief Erik Costa presented the budget, including information for animal Control, and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 8. Russell Library Director Ramona Burkey the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. She was assisted by Finance staff member Brandy Doyle. 9. Water & Sewer Department Director Joseph Fazzino presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. He was assisted by Deputy Director Theresa Spalletta. 10. Public Works Department Acting Director Howard Weissberg presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. ADJOURNMENT There being no further discussion on the budget, the Chair closes the workshop at 10: 04 PM. Councilman Vincent Loffredo moves to adjourn. Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell seconds the motion. There being no discussion, the Chair calls for a voice vote. The motion is approved unanimously by a vote of 11-0 (AYE: Councilmembers Nocera, Loffredo, Blackwell, Ford, Faulkner, Sweeney, Kovach, Salafia, Gennaro, Pulino, and Spatola; ABSENT: Councilman Mangiafico). The matter is approved. The meeting is adjourned at 10:05 PM. ATTEST: LINDA S.K. REED, COMMON COUNCIL CLERK K: review/ minutes/ 2024 April 22 – FY 24-25 budget workshop 3 – 22 April 2024