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Report of the Committee on Financemeeting as a Committee of the Whole
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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCEMEETING AS A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLEThe Committee on Finance convened on May 5, 2010, as a Committee of the Whole with Chairman Maryann Heuston presiding and Committee Members Aldermen Bruce Desmond, Rebekah Gewirtz, Walter Pero, John Connolly, William Roche, Dennis Sullivan, Robert Trane and William White also present and voting. Also present were Administrative Assistant Matt Dias, Executive Director of OSPCD Monica Lamboy, Phil Ercolini from OSPCD, Michael Lambert, Rob May, Dan Federico and Chad Eaton from OSPCD, Director of Capital Projects Jerry Boyle, DPW Commissioner Stan Koty, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds George Landers, Deputy Director of Communications Jaclyn Rossetti, CIO Ed Bean, State Representatives Timothy Toomey, Denise Provost and Carl Sciortino, Robert Fitzpatrick (representing Senator Patricia Jehlen), incoming Senator Sal DiDomenico and interested members of the public.189016 - discussion with State Delegation regarding the State Budget and Local Aid :The delegation discussed the upcoming state budget ? charter schools will have to return excess funds to cities/towns proportionately,? there will be some local aid cuts, but they should not exceed 4% of the total amount of Chapter 70 and Unrestricted General Government Aid funding,? efforts were made to repeal the alcohol tax and to return the sales tax to 5%. Both measures were defeated, thereby saving additional cut from being made,? the governor is encouraged by the state?s revenue figures, so mid-year cuts hopefully won?t be necessary,? the House?s version of the budget has been passed and sent to the Senate. The Senate?s version is due out on May 19th and probably won?t be much better than the House version.Alderman Trane inquired about H2509, a bill regarding extending GIC health care coverage to cities and towns, and asked why local communities aren?t being helped by lowering the threshold to 70%. Representative Sciortino replied that the legislature realizes that this is a sensitive issue for those who have fought for health care benefits over the years. Chairman Heuston stated that if delegation could advocate for this, it would help the city tremendously. Health care cost will be the budget buster for Somerville in the next fiscal budget.Alderman Gewirtz asked if there were any projections of what the costs would be to communities to offset the cost associated with casinos, e.g., domestic violence, gambling addiction, bankruptcy, foreclosure, etc. The delegation told the members that the senate isn?t done with the bill yet and that the state hasn?t calculated any actual costs. Representative Toomey told the members that he voted for the casino bill because he sees it as a revenue stream, noting that there are other addictions draining the state?s resources, e.g. drugs and alcohol.Alderman White asked the delegation to find out from the Department of Revenue the method used to arrive at the figures presented to the committee this evening since the cut appears to exceed the 4% cap.The committee asked about the status of the Home Rule petition regarding the city?s retirees and Representative Provost said that it has been sent to committee with a study order apparently because the committee felt that it wasn?t good for the city, even though the members understood that the city was self insured. Alderman Provost said that she had not received a call prior to the study order being entered.189045 - Requesting acceptance of the utility infrastructure improvements in Assembly Square:Ms. Lamboy addressed the members regarding this issue and said that Federal Realty (FRIT) would provide a one-year warranty on the improvements. Alderman White suggested that the city should also have assignment of FRIT?s rights as they relate to the improvements. Monica will work with Law department to draft language to accommodate this request. Alderman Desmond wants assurances that someone from the city, or on behalf of the city, actually approved the work that was done. Ms. Lamboy will research this issue for the information.189048 - Requesting approval to transfer $44,000 for an organizational study of the Inspectional Services Division:Ms. Lamboy told the members that the funds are for a comprehensive study of the Inspectional Services Department. With Assembly Square starting to move, it is expected that ISD?s workload will. The study will examine the department?s training and operation methods and offer suggestions as to where improvements might be made. The study will compare Somerville?s methods and efficiency to that of other communities and will look at best practices across the state. Alderman White, anticipating a reduction of funds from the state, said that the city needs to draw the line on expenses. Ms. Lamboy believes that the study will pay for itself multiple times over through more efficient procedures and by making sure that the city collects all the revenue due it. An RFP has been sent out and the field of respondents has been narrowed. Alderman Gewirtz asked for documentation of where savings would be and where increased revenue would come from. Ms. Lamboy will ask the consultant to quantify these figures as the process is worked through. Alderman Roche requested that the vendor appear before the Board of Aldermen prior to commencing the study. Alderman White requested data detailing the revenue brought in by ISD over the past 4 years.189165 - Requesting approval to transfer $50,000 in the DPW, from the Custodian Salary Acct. to the Buildings and Grounds Overtime Acct. to cover spring plantings and special events:Mr. Koty told the members that this transfer would have no impact on salaries since some positions weren?t filled. Mr. Bean said that the transfer is within the same department, from one appropriated division to another.189166 - Requesting approval to expend a $150,000 grant to fund a feasibility study for a Regional Emergency Communications Center:A feasibility study will begin in June and take approximately 3 months. Other communities will be involved in the project. Alderman Sullivan requested that additional information be provided as soon as possible, (how the program works, what communities are involved, what will be accomplished, etc.). Ms. Rossetti concurred with the opinion that it is possible that individual communities may lose their own emergency services, e.g., 911.189167 - Requesting approval to expend a $3,000 grant for the Library to conserve an historic Spanish-American War diary:189170 - Update on the East Somerville Community School project:Mr.Boyle told the members that the city is working on a plan to address the damages to school. An agreement has been reached with MSPA to refurbish the building and maintain the previous capacity. The schematic design process will reach out to the affected parties to obtain input and feedback on the plan. The school?s footprint will remain the same and structural upgrades will have to be made to bring the building up to current codes. More cost information will be forthcoming after the schematic design process. Mr. Boyle cautioned that the process is a slow one. The city has the flexibility to move walls and change the school?s layout as needed. Alderman Desmond asked about leaving anything in the building that might contribute to a sick building later on and Mr. Boyle replied that he?s confident with the steps being taken. A public meeting will be the week of May 10th. The work schedule will be known after the schematic design phase, but it will be approximately 2 years before the project is completed. Alderman Gewirtz spoke about the benefits of including a green roof and Alderman Trane suggested having the Traffic and Parking Department examine the side streets for parking so as not to take away green space.189288 - Requesting approval of the One-Year Action Plan for HUD?s CDBG, HOME, and ESG programs:Ms. Lamboy reviewed the one-year HUD Action Plan and told the members that the CDBG entitlement has increased for the first time since 2001. Item discussed included:? housing,? economic and community development,? transportation and infrastructure,? parks and open space,? historic preservation,? public services,? East Somerville NRSA and? Union Square NRSA189290 - Requesting acceptance of a $2,500 grant for the Health Dept. and Shape Up Somerville: No discussion.The committee discussed matters before it and took action on the following 4 items: 189048: Communication from Mayor - Requesting approval to transfer $44,000 in SPCD, from its Planning Salaries Acct. ($30,000) and its ISD Salaries Acct. ($14,000) to its ISD Professional Services Acct., for an organizational study of the Inspectional Services Division. RECOMMENDATION: Should be approved VOTE: Unanimous, 9 - 0 in favor 189165: Communication from Mayor - Requesting approval to transfer $50,000 in the DPW, from the Custodian Salary Acct. to the Buildings and Grounds Overtime Acct. to cover spring plantings and special events. RECOMMENDATION: Should be approved VOTE: Unanimous, 9 - 0 in favor 189167: Communication from Mayor - Requesting approval to expend a $3,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services for the Library to conserve an historic Spanish-American War diary. RECOMMENDATION: Should be approved VOTE: Unanimous, 9 - 0 in favor 189290: Communication from Mayor - Requesting acceptance of a $2,500 grant from the MA Dept. of Agriculture Resources, for the Health Dept. and Shape Up Somerville. RECOMMENDATION: Should be approved VOTE: Unanimous, 9 - 0 in favor