Common Council

COMMON COUNCIL MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT SPECIAL MEETING FY 2025-2026 BUDGET WORKSHOP #1 THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2025 IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE COMMUNITY MEETING AT 6:00 PM MINUTES The Special Meeting of the Common Council of the City of Middletown was held on Thursday, April 10, 2025, beginning immediately after the conclusion of the 6:00 PM Community Meeting. 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 2025-2026 budget. Present: Councilman Eugene Nocera, President Councilman Kelly Sweeney Councilman Darnell Ford Councilwoman Linda Salafia Councilman Grady Faulkner, Jr. Councilman Anthony Gennaro, Sr. Councilwoman Steven Kovach Councilman Jonathan Pulino Councilman Vincent Loffredo Councilwoman Leslie Spatola Also Present: Hon. Benjamin Florsheim, Mayor Linda Reed, Clerk of the Common Council Sergeant-at-Arms: Middletown Police -- Officer Thomas Absent: Councilmembers Jeanette Blackwell and Anthony Mangiafico City Staff: Arts & Culture – Kisha Michaels, Coordinator Finance – Carl Erlacher, CPA, Director Public Works – Bobbie Knoll Peterson, Acting Deputy Director Water & Sewer – Joseph Fazzino, 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 7:10 PM. The Councilmembers join in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The Chair requests a change in the order of business, allowing the presentation of the Arts & Culture budget to precede the Mayor’s presentation followed by Public Works and Water & Sewer. Councilwoman Leslie Spatola moves to change the order of the budget presentation, as described by the Chair. Councilman Vincent Loffredo seconds the motion. There being no discussion, the Chair calls for a voice vote. The motion is approved unanimously by a vote of 10-0 (AYE: Councilmembers Ford, Faulkner, Gennaro, Kovach, Loffredo, Nocera, Pulino, Salafia, Spatola, and Sweeney; ABSENT: Councilmember Blackwell and Mangiafico). The matter is approved. The Chair begins the budget workshop presentations, inviting spokespersons to the podium for each of the following items. 1. Arts & Culture Arts & Culture Coordinator Keisha Michael presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 2. Mayor The proposed Budget for FY 2025-2026 was introduced and presented by Mayor Benjamin Florsheim, including details for the Mayor’s office. Councilmembers asked questions as needed. 3. Public Works Department Acting Deputy Director Bobbie Knoll Peterson presented the Public Works Department budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. APRIL 10, 2025 COMMON COUNCIL – SPECIAL MEETING Page 2 BUDGET WORKSHOP #1 4. Water & Sewer Department Water & Sewer Director Joseph Fazzino 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 9:43 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 10-0 (AYE: Councilmembers Ford, Faulkner, Gennaro, Kovach, Loffredo, Nocera, Pulino, Salafia, Spatola, and Sweeney; ABSENT: Councilmembers Blackwell and Mangiafico). The matter is approved. The meeting is adjourned at 9:45 PM. ATTEST: LINDA S.K. REED, COMMON COUNCIL CLERK K: review/ minutes/ 2025 April 10 – Budget workshop 1 – 10 April 2025