Finance & Government Operations Commission

Finance and Government Operations Commission Meeting Minutes Middletown, Connecticut January 31, 2018 Municipal Building Room 208 7:00 P.M. Present: Councilman Thomas J. Serra, Councilman Sebastian Giuliano, Councilwoman Linda Salafia, Councilman Gerald Daley, Councilwoman Mary Bartolotta, Carl Erlacher, Cathy Lechowicz, Christopher Holden, Joe Fazzino, Justin Carbonella, Chris Smedick, Patrick Bowe, Ed Hathaway, Vincent Loffredo, Ronald Norsek, Santo Carta, Lisa Seymour, Lou Carta Absent: None 1. Councilman Thomas Serra called the meeting to order and requested a motion to approve the minutes from the December 27, 2017 Finance and Government meeting. Councilman Giuliano motioned to approve, Councilwoman Salafia seconded; Councilwoman Bartolotta abstained. 2. Public Comments on the Agenda – Vincent Loffredo expressed his interest in the audit report and asked if he could speak to them when the audit report was discussed. Councilman Serra replied, yes. 3. Conference and Training – Senior Services requested $507.00 for three employees to attend the ServSafe Manager Certification Classes in Hartford; unanimously approved. 4. The following Departments have submitted items to be discussed: *Councilman Serra asked to change the departments order on tonight’s agenda. There was no objection by the commissioners.  Youth Services – Grant Confirmation totaling $7005 in State funds for YSB Enhancement Grant for expansion & enhancement of Diversion Services; Grant Confirmation totaling $26,646 in State funds for SDE YSB Support Grant for assistance in general programming and support of Diversion & Youth Development efforts Councilwoman Salafia motioned to approve the $7005 YSB Enhancement grant, Councilman Guiliano seconded, unanimously approved. Councilman Giuliano motioned to approve the grant confirmation totaling $26,646 in state funds, Councilwoman Salafia seconded, unanimously approved.  Recreation & Community Services – Grant Confirmation totaling $6,000 in Local funds for Harbor Park Skating rink; Grant Confirmation totaling $30,000 in local funds to support Department activities, wages, supplies and bus trips Councilman Giuliano motioned to approve the $6,000 in Local funds for the Harbor Park Skating Rink, Councilwoman Salafia seconded. Councilwoman Bartolotta asked for clarification. Catherine Lechowicz explained that this was essentially fronting money at this time, since there isn’t any money in the revenue account to pay for employees to work the ice skating rink. The monies will be back filled once the skating rink is operational; unanimously approved. Catherine explained the grant confirmation totaling $30,000 in local funds is to support the Recreation & Community Services Department’s activities, wages, supplies and bus trips; these are the annual programs that are not city subsidized. Councilman Giuliano moved approval, Councilwoman Salafia seconded; unanimously approved.  Health – Appropriation Request totaling $18,376 to support expenses and over-time costs for the Middletown Kids Health & Safety Day Event Councilman Serra asked for an explanation as to why the request was much higher than last year. Carl Erlacher explained that last year the departments absorbed the cost and were told that if they ran short at the end of the year then come back for an appropriation. Councilman Daley suggested postponing and asking the departments if they can once again absorb the cost into their own budgets. Councilman Serra asked if Carl could find out the cost of the OT for Police for the event. Councilman Giuliano suggested selecting another date for the Kids Health & Safety Day. Councilman Daley motioned to postpone the vote and Councilman Giuliano seconded, unanimously approved.   Common Council – Appropriation Request totaling $30,000 for architect and building administrative costs for Building Committee; Appropriation Request totaling $1000 for additional funding for Bond Council costs Councilwoman Bartolotta motioned to approve, Councilman Daley seconded with discussion regarding the reimbursable amount. Councilwoman Bartolotta explained this is the most proactive course of action at a minimal rate. Councilman Daley asked if the BOE would fund the additional $30,000 in their budget, Councilwoman Bartolotta said, yes they have the money to support it. Councilman Daley motioned to approve the Appropriation request totaling $1000 for additional funding for Bond Council costs, Councilman Giuliano seconded, Councilwoman Bartolotta abstained.  Water & Sewer – Resolution requesting the Common Council to approve the “Inner-Municipal Agreement for the Sale of Water Between the City of Middletown and the Town of Durham” and, amend the City of Middletown’s Water Use Charges to include a “Bulk Water Rate”; Review of the Inter-Municipal Agreement for the Sale of Water between the City of Middletown and the Town of Durham Councilman Giuliano motioned to strike the last part of the sentence, everything after “pit” on the Resolution under Fiscal Impact. Councilman Daley seconded, unanimously approved. Carl will notify the Council Clerk of the change before Monday’s meeting.  Central Communications – Appropriation Request totaling $160,000 for Dispatcher Replacement OT Wayne Bartolotta explained that the Dispatch Center has had staffing issues in retention of new employees. Two dispatchers left the center, one after completion of training and the other after three months into the training program. Councilman Daley motioned to approve, Councilman Giuliano seconded; Councilwoman Bartolotta abstained.  Audit – Discussion of FY 1617 CAFR (Blum Shapiro) The Auditors from Blum Shapiro discussed the 2017 Fiscal Year End report recommendations and results. 5. Reports  Transfer of Funds/BOE Transfers  General Fund Appropriations  City’s Investments  Tax Collection Recap Report  Professional Services Report  Monthly Expenditure Summary Report 6. Other th The next meeting is Wednesday, February 28 , at 7pm in Room 208 Respectfully Submitted by, Tracy Vess on behalf of Carl R. Erlacher