CITY OF CENTAL FALLS
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2000
AT 7:00 P.M.
A Budget Workshop of the Central Falls City Council was held on the above date in the City Hall Council Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
Councilman Leger
Councilwoman Canavan
Councilman Robichaud
Councilman Lazieh
Councilman Noury
Quorum present.
City Council President Gene Noury presided and led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Police Chief Alan DeNaro was present to answer questions of the Council pertaining to the Department's proposed budget.
Councilwoman Canavan questioned the Chief regarding the Salaries Account. Chief DeNaro reported that there would be three additional Police Officers in the Department. There are presently 30 Officers on staff with 3 graduating now and 5 more will graduate by September. There will be 42 Officers which will be the highest the Department has had at any one time.
Councilman Lazieh questioned the 3 additional officers.
Chief DeNaro stated that the Department will need to add three new officers and then 5 new officers to compensate and replace the Officers that have and will retire.
Councilman Lazieh asked when Chief DeNaro was hired.
Chief DeNaro stated that he was appointed on April 19, 1999.
Councilman Leger questioned the Chief relative to the overtime in the budget.
Chief DeNaro responded that he would have to research the information and get it back to the Council President.
Councilman Lazieh requested that the Chief provided a printout of the last three years compiled in columns. He stated that he wanted this type of spreadsheet to compare each item from year to year. He wanted to be sure of the history of the account.
Councilman Lazieh questioned the Chief on repairs to police vehicles.
The Chief responded and related that the Department is looking for 2 more cars.
Council President Noury asked if this was in addition to what was already budgeted.
Chief DeNaro stated yes.
Councilman Robichaud questioned the Chief on Municipal Court fees.
Council President Noury recessed the meeting at 8:05 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 8:12 p.m.
Mr. Peter Granieri, Public Works Director was present to answer questions related to the Public Works Budget. He opened his remarks by stating that he didn't have much input relative to some budget items because they are contractual in nature.
Council President Noury asked Mr. Granieri is he was aware of any additional lay-offs that would affect this Department.
Mr. Granieri stated not to his knowledge.
The Public Works Director discussed the new trash pick-ups.
Council President Noury asked how many positions were in the Highway Department including the Director.
Mr. Granieri answered that there are 11 plus the director.
Councilman Lazieh questioned the Director on the services provided by NEED.
Mr. Granieri responded.
Councilman Leger asked who collects from the Parks.
Mr. Granieri stated that Highway personnel places the containers near the gate for NEED to pick up.
Councilmen Leger stated that Macomber Field's trash cans are full.
Mr. Granieri responded.
Councilwoman Canavan asked when would NEED advertise exactly what items they will pick up from residents etc.
Mr. Granieri responded that he would contact them regarding her concerns.
Council President Noury commented and questioned on the time of day that NEED picks up and related that some neighborhoods have later pick-ups than before while others are earlier than 7:00 a.m.
Mr. Granieri responded that NEED does begin around 6:30 a.m. but that they do pick up more items and that it would therefore take longer to do a route.
Councilman Lazieh questioned Mr. Granieri on water service, summer help, and the Highway Fleet.
Mr. Granieri responded on the water service and explained what the department does relative to that issue. He related that the Department would have about 3 or 4 youngsters this summer to primarily sweep sidewalks and the parks and with regards to the Highway Fleet he responded that it was in fairly good shape.
Council President Noury commented on the cost analysis of privatization.
Councilman Leger stated that the figures are not the same.
Councilman Lazieh stated that Review Commission did not support privatization but that the Mayor had already signed the contract.
Councilwoman Canavan stated that in longevity there was suppose to be a $14,500 savings but the worksheet doesn't support this and she commented on the annual cost of privatization.
Councilman Lazieh asked that the Finance Director provided an updated printout of expense to date for this fiscal year.
Council President Noury responded that this has been asked several times and answered. He related the areas that the City Council should discuss with regards to information on the worksheet for Thursday's meeting.
Councilman Leger agreed with Councilman Lazieh relative to an update of financial information related to expenditures in the current budget.
Council President Noury recessed the meeting to Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
Council President Noury reconvened the meeting on Thursday, June 15, 2000 at 7:09 p.m. for the record all members of the Council was present with
Councilwoman Canavan arriving at 7:15 p.m.
Chief Rene Coutu of the Central Falls Fire Department was present.
Council President Noury began questioning the salaries and overtime portion of the Fire Department budget with the Chief.
The Chief explained that the figures were off by $67,000 because a vacancy was not filled until January 2000 and that 4 out of 5 firefighter were paid at various times for out of rank.
Council President Noury asked if the Fire Department had a full compliment.
Chief Coutu responded the Department has 37 men.
Councilman Robichaud asked the Chief why the overtime was so much more than in other Department.
The Chief responded that the Fire Department has a different minimum-manning clause in the contract than in the Police Department.
Council President Noury stated that this problem would only be solved when the City hires more men to that Department.
Councilman Lazieh asked what the highest number of personnel the Fire Department ever had.
Chief Coutu responded 41 and currently there are 37.
Councilman Lazieh asked what the plans were to change the numbers.
Chief Coutu stated that he wasn't sure but that contractually the numbers were changed to 37.
Council President Noury directed the Council's attention to the 97/98 figures provided by the Chief and that would relate to them when the contract change took place.
Councilman Lazieh asked the Chief about his opinion how this change affects the department.
Chief Coutu responded that the men have adjusted to the change and that naturally 4 new men would be good for the department to save the cost of manpower for rescue runs, major fires and the like.
Council President Noury commented on the arbitration.
Chief Coutu stated that this is in the process of being finalized.
Councilman Leger asked the Chief if figures in this budget unrealistic.
Councilman Lazieh commented on the overtime in the budget versus the hiring of 4 men and asked what the average cost of a firefighter with benefit would be.
Chief Coutu responded that the budget is a fair estimate of the cost of the Department for the next year and that the cost per firefighter as related in discussion with the Finance Director is approximately $45,000 each.
Councilman Lazieh stated that it would not only be financially cost effective to hire 4 men but would also be a public safety issue.
Councilman Lazieh questioned the Chief on the Clothing and tool account.
Chief Coutu explained the non-capital equipment account and commented on the replacement of air bottles that were produced in 1986 and have been recalled. He commented on a company promotion which if the department bought 3 and traded in 4.
The 4th bottle would be at no cost. He explained that the newer bottles are lighter and that the Department has 30 bottles. The idea would be to replace a few each year. This account also requests the purchase of hose, a stretcher and 2 nozzles.
Councilman Lazieh stated that the entire Fire Department Budget has a $3,065 difference over the current budget and that some of the expenses are outside the control of the Chief. He complimented the Chief on his fiscal management which he has demonstrated for many years.
Council President Noury questioned the Capital Budget with the Chief as proposed last year and asked the Chief if the request were the same for this year excluding the Rescue.
Chief Coutu responded yes.
Discussion centered on the vehicles in question relative to a pumper, command vehicle and pickup.
Councilman Leger questioned the numbers and cost of each as they relate to the total request.
Councilman Lazieh requested that each item be identified along with the cost.
Councilman Lazieh asked the Chief what his long-term plans were for the Department.
Chief Coutu recapped the progress made in the Department and the year to year and step by step upgrade made to the Department.
Councilman Lazieh questioned the position of Deputy Chief as well as other officers for the Department.
Chief Coutu commented that these issues are in arbitration. He also stated that he has made no increase in salaries of any kind for the Fire Department.
Councilman Lazieh engaged in discussion relative to the affect of an arbitrator's decision relative to the Department.
Council President Noury noted for the record that the Finance Director had no chance to check his calendar when first told about this workshop and as a result was unable to attend. He also related to the Council that he would be meeting with the Finance Director on Friday and if anyone wished to accompany him was welcome so that they could get a clear picture of the proposed budget.
Councilman Robichaud stated that he would be happy to accompany the Council President on Friday.
Councilwoman Canavan questioned whether the issues discussed with the Finance Director also are discussed on Monday in Public.
Council President Noury responded that the Finance Director would be attending Monday's meeting. Council President Noury suggested that Councilwoman Canavan and Councilman Robichaud could be the ones to meet with the Finance Director.
Councilman Leger stated that he feels it would be more appropriate to meet in open session with the Finance Director.
Councilwoman Canavan stated that she would prefer to do it publicly.
Counsilman Lazieh recommended that the City Council President meet with the Finance Director to inform he of questions of the Council member and the information needed for a more up to date accounting of this year's budget.
Council President Noury asked exactly the Council was looking for from the Finance Director.
1. As current and up to date balance in each line item up to this date as possible.
2. Any proposed amendments in the operating budget.
3. All information relative to the Capital Projects and Major Purchases.
4. A quick run down of the forecast for current budget.
5. How or when there would be a reduction in the Salary of the Public Works Director to offset the recent privatization of trash.
6. Lack of funding for the Public Health Department which the City Physician is provided for by Charter.
7. Breakdowns of Contingencies account for current budget.
8. Unemployment compensation how payment is made for the 7 person lay off.
Council President Noury directed the Council's attention to page 10 of the Budget Worksheet that covers employees' benefits. He related to the Council that Monday's meeting, along with the information gathering for the budget he would be looking for first passage of the budget ordinances. He also stated that Tuesday's meeting would focus on more information gathering with Council discussion on possible recommendations for amendments and that he plans to hold Final Passage for Thursday and Friday with Friday's meeting lasting until everything is complete. He warned that the Finance Director would be available to give information relative to the budget and discussion relative to policy should take place at a later time. He stated that there has to be 72 hours between First Passage and Final Passage and that the Council should plan to be at meetings for most of next week.
Councilman Lazieh responded that this is a $13million dollar budget and that it is his intention and should be the Council's intention to act responsibility and properly and that the Council has time before the end of the month to proceed in this manner which is his intention?
Council President Noury proceed to focus the Council's attention to the City Clerk's budget and asked members to questioned the Clerk on any items of concern.
Councilman Leger questioned the City Clerk on the Salaries and noted that the City Clerk requested $92,000 and the proposed is $85,584.
City Clerk Elizabeth Crowley explained that the Office Temps hours would be cut to 15 hours per week, resulting in that change. She also stated that the Students in the office are paid a lower hourly rate than the Office Temp.
The City Clerk directed the Council's attention to a partial report of the activity in the office and how much is accomplished by the available staff. She complimented the Staff and related to the Council that the Students are College Students and not young children who are older that she was when she became a full time employee with the City. She related that she has no problem leaving the care of the Office in their capable hands and that they handle the Office in a proper and professional manner. She also commended the Deputy City Clerk, Marie Twohey for her management of the Office during her absence due to illness.
Councilman Lazieh commented on the lack of staff in the Office and the times that she left the office with only one person who had difficulty taking lunch etc. He also
Commented on his knowledge of how busy the Office is and the reason for his concerns.
The City Clerk responded that there have been many changes in the Office since Councilman Lazieh has been City Clerk. She stated that at that time the City Clerk's position was one of a managerial nature and the position was not of a clerical nature and other duties were often spent outside the Office, where the present City Clerk spends most of the day in the Office attending to more of the clerical needs of the Office, so in affect there are still two clerks attending to the daily operation of the office.
Councilman Leger asked why the non-capital equipment request was not funded. The City Clerk simply asked for these funds for a laptop computer in the event the City Council also purchased them for meetings.
Councilman Leger commended the City Clerk's Office and stated that the Office while always busy is very user friendly and the staff no matter how busy tries to accommodate any visitor's request promptly.
Council President Noury thanked the City Clerk and reminded the City Council that he plans to finalize the budget by Friday even if the meeting is extended well into the night.
Councilman Lazieh stated that his only concern is to be sure to pass a balanced budget and to try and get actual numbers on this year's shortfall which could well be $233,000.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
____________________________
Elizabeth A. Crowley, CMC
City Clerk