Finance & Government Operations Commission

City of Middletown Finance & Government Operations Commission Agenda Regular Meeting Wednesday, September 28, 2022, 2022 @ 6 pm via WebEx event# 2343 301 4873 Or dial in: 408-418-9388 Present: Councilman Edward McKeon, Councilman Gene Nocera, Councilman Anthony Gennaro, Councilwoman Linda Salafia, Councilwoman Meghan Carta, Assistant Finance Director Tayna Oliver- Perry Director Christopher Holden, Director Joseph Fazzino, Captain John Lozefski, Youth Services Coordinator Justin Carbonella, Vincent Loffredo Absent: Director Carl Erlacher 1. Councilman McKeon called the Finance & Government meeting to order and requested a motion to approve the August 31, 2021 minutes. Councilwoman Carta motioned to approve, Councilwoman Salafia second; unanimously approved. 2. Public Comments on the Agenda – none 3. Items submitted for discussion:  Library – Request for Additional Appropriation from the General Fund for $225,000 for outside technical services to begin pre-development work for the construction of a new Middletown Public Library. Councilman made a motion to approve the Request for Additional Appropriation from the General Fund for $225,000 for outside technical services to begin pre-development work for the construction of a new Middletown Public Library; Council seconded; unanimously approved. Russell Library is requesting $225,000 for pre-development work leading up to construction of a new library building. The appropriation would fund consulting expenses for community input sessions, evaluations of potential sites, schematic architectural elevations and statements of probable cost for 5 sites, development of more detailed conceptual plans for 2 selected sites, environmental impact studies, and two deliverable reports: one documenting results of the above, and another recommending potential re- use of the existing Russell Library building.  Mayor’s Office – 1.) State Grant Confirmation totaling $1,953,336 for school readiness- Supplemental Funding for FY 2023; 2.) State Grant Confirmation totaling $ 19,023.00for school readiness- Quality Enhancement for FY 2023; 3.) Appropriation for $5,000 for the 2022 Amistad Journey to Freedom Community Day Celebration on October 8th, 2022; 4.) Resolution requesting a bid waiver for the use of the Show Mobile October 8th, 2022, Amistad Journey of Freedom Community Day Celebration; 5.) Appropriation for $2,000 for the National Night Out Event Council made a motion to approve the State Grant Confirmation totaling $1,953,336 for school readiness- Supplemental Funding for FY 2023; Council seconded; unanimously approved. The City is in possession of a State Grant award letter for the total amount of $2,250,800 for the School Readiness Program. The funds requested from this grant will continue to be used to 1) Maintain and/or increase the number of accredited or approved slots which will improve access to high quality preschool; 2) provide the opportunity for more students to receive full day, full year child care services to meet family needs and to enable parents to maintain employment; 3) establish shared services to early care and education programs among the state, its various agencies, the community and families. Council made a motion to approve the State Grant Confirmation totaling $19,023.00for school readiness- Quality Enhancement for FY 2023 Council seconded; unanimously approved. Funds received through this Grant will be utilized to enhance the quality of school readiness programs. Council made a motion to approve the Appropriation for $5,000 for the 2022 Amistad Journey to Freedom Community Day Celebration on October 8th, 2022; Council seconded; unanimously approved. This appropriation is in regards to the 2022 Amistad Journey to Freedom Community Day Celebration at the location of Harbor Park on October 8th, 2022. It is needed to cover Port Fees charged to hosting cities for the transportation of ship vessels to its destinations. Council made a motion to approve the Resolution requesting a bid waiver for the use of the Show Mobile October 8th, 2022, Amistad Journey of Freedom Community Day Celebration; Council seconded; unanimously approved. The visit of the Amistad Ship to Middletown will pay honor to and acknowledge the resiliency and determination of the Mende captives during the 1839 Amistad Uprising. Discovering Amistad recognizes the significance of their fight for freedom, and its relevance to social and racial justice today. During its week in Middletown, the Amistad and its crew will host more than 400 Middletown Public School Students for educational tours and anchor a community-wide celebration on Saturday October 8th, 2022. Council made a motion to approve the Appropriation for $2,000 for the National Night out Event; Council seconded; unanimously approved.  This Appropriation is in regards to the National Night Out event on Main Street. The event is a national community building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships. The event includes numerous games, events, distribution of free gears, etc.  Police- 1.) Local Grant Confirmation totaling $4,000- Animal Control Donations; 2.) Local Grant Confirmation totaling $7,500 from the American Kennel Club awarded for a Patrol K-9; 3.) Local Grant Confirmation totaling $2,500 from the Farmington Valley Kennel Club awarded for a Patrol K-9 A motion was made by Council to approve the Local Grant Confirmation totaling $4,000- Animal Control Donations; Council seconded; unanimously approve. The Animal Control donation account is used as a special needs fund for the animals in our custody. It is used for veterinary fees not normally covered by the City such as spay/neuter, tumor removal or more specialized surgeries that used to result in euthanasia. It can also be used for behavioral training to help animals get adopted sooner. Because of this fund the number of euthanasia’s has been reduced. A motion was made by Council to approve the Local Grant Confirmation totaling $7,500 from the American Kennel Club awarded for a Patrol K-9; Council seconded; unanimously approved. The American Kennel Club awarded $7,500.00 for a patrol K-9 A motion was made by Council to approve the Local Grant Confirmation totaling $2,500 from the Farmington Valley Kennel Club awarded for a Patrol K-9; Council seconded; unanimously approved. The Farmington Valley Kennel Club organization awarded $2,500.00 for a Patrol K-9  Recreation & Community Services – 1.) Local Grant Confirmation totaling $3,000 for the purchase of toys/gifts for annual holiday toy drive; 2.) Local Grant Confirmation totaling $35,000 to support Recreation & Community Services Department activities, supplies, wages, and bussing. A motion was made by Council to approve the Local Grant Confirmation totaling $3,000 for the purchase of toys/gifts for annual holiday toy drive; Council seconded; unanimously approved. The funds will be used to purchase toys/gifts for annual holiday toy drive.  A motion was made by Council to approve the Local Grant Confirmation totaling $35,000 to support Recreation & Community Services Department activities, supplies, wages, and bussing; Council seconded; unanimously approved.  The funds will be used to support Recreation & Community Services Department activities, supplies, wages, and bussing.  Health- State Grant Confirmation totaling $13,689.93. Tobacco Cessation Heath Block Grant for salaries and materials for Middlesex Hospital. A motion was made by Council to approve the State Grant Confirmation totaling $13,689.93. Tobacco Cessation Heath Block Grant for salaries and materials for Middlesex Hospital. Council seconded; unanimously approved. Preventative Health and Health Services Block Grant. Salaries and materials expenses for subcontractor Middlesex Hospital.  BOE- Grant Confirmation totaling $ 4,772,807.91 to cover a multitude of items and special programs. A motion was made by Council to approve the Grant Confirmation totaling $ 4,772,807.91 to cover a multitude of items and special programs. Council seconded; unanimously approved. Description of services to be provided by this Grant: 2042-IDEA-Part B, Sect 611-Public $1,309,737.00; 2043-IDEA-Part B, Sect 611- Non Public $65,244.00; 2142 IDEA-Part B,Sect 619-Public $38,439.00; 2360-Family Resource: Farm Hill $ 101,725.00; 2377 Aded-Provider (State) $1,351,506.00; ADED- Cooperative $8,670.00; 2392-School Readiness-Snow $270,000.00; 2610 Rise MHS Innovation Grant $177,000.00; 26311-United Way- Club Support at MHS$4,000.00; 8033 Adult Educ-Coop $475,982.00; 8001 Retirees/Cobra Insurance $157,327.98; 8003- Workers Compensation Claims $4,903.80; 8004 Preschool Program Fees $4698.00; 8027-Central Office Reimbursement $1,182.11; 8029-Aerospace Receipts $200.00; 8034 Adult Educ-Enrichment $20,144.00; 8036 Even Start Family Learning Prog $1,371.00. Total Special Programs through 08/16/2022:$326,753.42 Additions: $4,772,807.91. Total Special Programs through 09/15/2022: $5,099,561.33  Land Use- Request for an additional Appropriation for $ 5,335 to cover the costs of the 2022 Fall Event. A motion was made by Council to approve the additional Appropriation for $5,335 to cover the 2022 Fall event. Council seconded; unanimously approved. The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC), partners with agencies, municipalities and organizations to orchestrate a comprehensive and coordinated approach to identify and remove invasive water chestnut from location in the Connecticut River watershed. CRC  hosts an annual event in Middletown for the removal of this invasive species from the Mattabesset River. They are seeking assistance from the City to cover the costs for the 2022 Fall event. Previously in 2021, the Common Council approved appropriations to cover the cost for the 2021 event.  Town Clerk- 1.) Local Grant Confirmation totaling $20,000 to cover the costs of salary grade increase for (2) Assistant Town Clerk positions; 2.) State Grant Confirmation totaling $12,908.28 to assist in the Town Clerk’s extra cost for the upcoming Gubernatorial Election on November 8, 2022. A motion was made by Council to approve the Local Grant Confirmation totaling $20,000 to cover the costs of salary grade increase for (2) Assistant Town Clerk positions; Council seconded; unanimously approved. To cover the cost of the Assistant Town Clerk’s salary change from Grade 9 to 11 and to continue preservation projects in the Town Clerk’s office. A motion was made by Council to approve the State Grant Confirmation totaling $12,908.28 to assist in the Town Clerk’s extra cost for the upcoming Gubernatorial Election on November 8, 2022. Council seconded; unanimously approved. The Grant is to assist the Town Clerk’s in the extra cost for the upcoming Gubernatorial Election on November 8, 2022  Water/Sewer- 1.) Request for an additional Appropriation for $ 105,584 to cover 6 month payroll for the Water Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent at the Mount Higby Facility; 2.) Resolution that the job description of the Assistant Superintendent of Water Treatment, at Salary Grade 16 is approved into the Maximus Classification Plan; 3.) Resolution that the job description of the Deputy Director of Water and Sewer, Grade 17 (UPSEU) be revised to Grade 19 (UPSEU) to correspond with revisions in job description; 4.) Resolution that the job description of Superintendent of Water Treatment, Grade 13 (UPSEU) be revised to Grade 18 (UPSEU) to correspond with revisions in job description. A motion was made by Council to approve the request for an additional Appropriation for $105,584 to cover 6 month payroll for the Water Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent at the Mount Higby Facility; Council seconded; unanimously approved. Reason for the request: 6 Month Payroll for the Water Superintendent and 6 Month Payroll for the Assistant Superintendent at the Mount Higby Facility. A motion was made to approve the Resolution that the job description of the Assistant Superintendent of Water Treatment, at Salary Grade 16 is approved into the Maximus Classification Plan; Council seconded; unanimously approved. A motion was made to approve the Resolution that the job description of the Deputy Director of Water and Sewer, Grade 17 (UPSEU) be revised to Grade 19 (UPSEU) to correspond with revisions in job description; Council seconded; unanimously approved.  A motion was made to approve the Resolution that the job description of Superintendent of Water Treatment, Grade 13 (UPSEU) be revised to Grade 18 (UPSEU) to correspond with revisions in job description. Council seconded; unanimously approved.  Committee- Discussion approving the 2023/2024 Finance & Government Meeting Dates 4. Report  Transfer of Funds/BOE Transfers  General Fund Appropriations  City’s Investments  Tax Collector Report  Professional Services Report  Monthly Expenditure Summary Report 5. Other – Discussion of Police Chief’s residency The next regular meeting is Wednesday November 2, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.