Common Council

COMMON COUNCIL MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT SPECIAL MEETING FY 2025-2026 BUDGET WORKSHOP #3 MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2025 6:00 PM MINUTES The Special Meeting of the Common Council of the City of Middletown was held on Monday, April 21, 2025, 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 2025-2026 budget. Present: Councilman Eugene Nocera, President Councilman Anthony Mangiafico Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell Councilwoman Kelly Sweeney Councilman Darnell Ford Councilwoman Linda Salafia Councilman Grady Faulkner, Jr. Councilman Anthony Gennaro, Sr. Councilman Vincent Loffredo Councilman Jonathan Pulino Councilwoman Leslie Spatola Absent: Councilman Steven Kovach Also Present: Linda Reed, Clerk of the Common Council Sergeant-at-Arms: Middletown Police -- Officer Cologne City Staff: Assessor – Damon Braasch Economic & Community Development – Christine Marques, Director Finance – Carl Erlacher, CPA, Director General Counsel – Brig Smith, Esq. Health – Kevin Elak, Director Land Use – Marek Kozikowski, AICP, Director Library – Ramona Burkey Recreation – Cathy Lechowicz, Director Technology Services – Brianna Skowera, Director Transit District – Halyna Famigletti, Director and Brendan Garrity, Transportation Planner CALL TO ORDER Common Council President, Councilman Eugene Nocera, is serving as Chair for this budget workshop. He calls the workshop to order at 6:02 PM. The Councilmembers join in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Council President Nocera announces that the order of business for this agenda will be changed. The Board of Education presentation is cancelled this evening and will be rescheduled to another date, if possible. In addition, the Finance Department and the Library will swap positions in the order of business this evening. 1. Assessor & Board of Assessment Appeals Assessor Damon Braasch presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 2. Transit District Director Halyna Famigletti and Transportation Planner Brendan Garrity presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 3. Land Use City Planner Marek Kozikowski, AICP presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. APRIL 21, 2025 COMMON COUNCIL – SPECIAL MEETING Page 2 BUDGET WORKSHOP #3 4. Recreation & Community Services Director Cathy Lechowicz presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 5. Economic & Community Development Director Christine Marques presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 6. Health Director Kevin Elak presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 7. Library Director Ramona Burkey presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 8. Technology Services Director Brianna Skowera presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 9. Office of General Counsel (Legal, Risk Management, & Human Resources) General Counsel Brig Smith presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 10. Finance & Tax Collector Director Carl Erlacher 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 9:00 PM. Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell moves to adjourn. Councilman Grady Faulkner, Jr. 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 Blackwell, Ford, Faulkner, Gennaro, Loffredo, Mangiafico, Nocera, Pulino, Salafia, Spatola, and Sweeney; ABSENT: Councilman Kovach). The matter is approved. The meeting is adjourned at 9:32 PM. ATTEST: LINDA S.K. REED, COMMON COUNCIL CLERK K: review/ minutes/ 2025 April 21 – Budget workshop 3 – 21 April 2025