CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

JOURNAL– SPECIAL MEETING

BUDGET SESSION: FINANCIAL YEAR 2020-2021

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020

CALL TO ORDER: 6:30-8:30 P.M.

14S TAUNTON AVENUE – CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

EXECUTIVESESSION: CONFERENCE ROOM A

 

City Council:

Council President, Robert Britto - Ward 1

Council Vice-President, Bob Rodericks - At Large

Councilwoman Anna Sousa - Ward 2

Councilman Nate Cahoon - Ward 3

Councilman Ricardo Mourato - Ward 4

City Solicitor, Michael J. Marcello

City Clerk, Samantha N. Burnett

 

As a result of the COVID-19pandemlc, this meeting will be held in person, but alternatively offered

Virtually, through an application called, "Zoom".

 

IN ORDER TO VIEW THE MEETING, USE THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS:

 

By phone:

Call the toll free number: 1-877-853-5247 (audio only) and enter the following information:

MEETING ID: 993-0796-0324

You will then be asked for the meeting passcode.

Enter the following passcode:

PASSCODE: 653929 (please note this is corrected)

 

By computer or Smartphone (this is the audio and video option):

To participate visually (with audio) you will need to log into the following from your computer or smart

phone, go to: www.zoom.us

Enter the following information when prompted:

MEETING ID: 993-0796-0324

You will then be asked for the meeting passcode.

Enter the following passcode number:

PASSCODE: 653929

 

Once entered, you will be able to join the meeting.

 

The meeting will also be available live on our city website, located at:

 

http://www.clerkbase.com/RI_EastProvidence_Live_CityCouncil.html

 

I.         CALL TO ORDER – Meeting called to order.

II.        PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Council President Britto led the pledge.

III.       BUDGET SESSION -

A.   SCHOOL DEPARTMENT – SUPERINTENDENT CROWLEY AND DIRECTOR ENOS

Superintendent Crowley thanked the Council for the opportunity. Small increase this year is presented to the Council, but she is concerned about the lack of the stimulus package, as there is a $78,000 decrease received from the state. The Special Education line item is a volatile line item. She also had to postpone talks with the four unions, all in which were cooperative with her. All of her directors are taking a freeze in salaries this year.

Council recessed momentarily due to a technical malfunction.

Director Enos stated this budget only includes contractual step increases for certified and non-certified staff. Modest increase of 5% for health care, 16% increase for school bus drivers. Items shared regarding budget items including upgrades in technology, distance learning resources, etc.

Capital investments were improvements were shared with the Council.

The School Department is requesting a 0.56% increase, equating a new total of $50,409,351 which is an increase of $284,574.

B.   MAYOR'S OFFICE - MAYOR BOB DASILVA

Director of Administrations, Napoleon Gonsalves, was presenting, representing the department. Increases were due to healthcare and insurance. $1,400 increase from last year was noticed by Council President Britto. Councilwoman Sousa asked for clarification about the increase and was given clarification that it was due to the increase of the health care costs.

C.   HUMAN RESOURCES - DIRECTOR, VICTOR SANTOS

Director Santos was presenting and began with the decrease in the budget, with EEO breaking away from Human Resources and their proposed budget is still under $25,000 from last year. Councilwoman Sousa asked about a line item – 55-810 recruitment and unencumbered and it is in the amount of $7,500. Director Santos stated that this is the cost of testing, (pyschological and physical exams) that they need to pay for.

D.   PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT-PLANNING DIRECTOR, BILL FAZIOLI

Planning Director, Mr. Bill Fazioli, was present. He would like to fill the Planner I position by fiscal year. They have been operating with two vacancies and would like to have them both filled.

E.   WASTEWATER POLLUTION CONTROL

Director of Department of Public Works was representing and it is very level funded with a slight decrease due to the 2000 wastewater bond that came off the rolls. Councilman Mourato asked about how that plays out with the $500,000 deficit. Mr. Coutu stated that they are two separate accounts.

F.   WATER UTILITIES

Director of Department of Public Works was representing and presented a slightly decreased budget from last year. Councilwoman Sousa asked how we are doing with payments for water and sewer. Finance Director, Malcolm Moore stated that it was fairly consistent.

G.   RECREATION - DIRECTOR OF RECREATION, DIANE SULLIVAN

Director of Recreation, Diane Sullivan was representing the department. Ms. Sullivan stated that they shaved a bit off of staffing. The summer program was good with the Governor’s workforce. Council Vice President commended Ms. Sullivan and the Recreation Department for providing lunches and other resources during the summertime. Council Vice President also addressed the vandalism issue and then mentioned the security person at Pierce Stadium. Councilman Cahoon mentioned the discrepancies of the fields across the city (comparison of Kimberly Rock and Roderick’s Field). Councilwoman Sousa mentioned the same amount of employees though there is a decrease in the part time pay of $18,000. Ms. Sullivan mentioned that the three positions are the full time positions and she did budgeted based on the needs and how the budget year falls. The breakout is shown on the OpenGov application.

H.   PIERCE STADIUM

Director of Public Works, Steve Coutu representing the department. Council Vice President conversed with Mr. Coutu in continuation of his mentionings above.

Councilwoman Sousa questioned the revenue that Pierce Field and wondered if it should be higher. Mr. Coutu mentioned that the fees are handled by the Recreation Department and fee reconsideration was discussed as a possibility. Councilwoman Sousa mentioned the outdoor lighting and if they had LED. Mr. Coutu answered no. Councilwoman Sousa asked if the city was looking at that number, and Mr. Coutu stated initially they looked into it, but it was high at the time. The bigger number concern is water, according to Mr. Coutu. Council President Britto asked if they water could be recycled. Council Vice President Rodericks brought up that the Pierce family gave the field for the children to enjoy.

I.    CAROUSEL - CAROUSEL MANAGER, TRACY JOHNSON

Carousel Manager, Tracy Johnson, represented to the Council. The Carousel is not in operation this last season. Ms. Johnson mentioned some ideas during the week to keep operating hours open, but to a minimum. Restoration is made possible by the non-profit. There was a trust donated to the Carousel and it was used for the horses.

J.    LIBRARY - ACTING DIRECTOR, JOYCE MAY

Acting Director, Joyce May represented the department. There was communication regarding Sunday hours and the overtime associated in providing this service. Ms. May mentioned the achievements including the Farmer’s Market that was given and available during the COVID-19 pandemic. Councilman Cahoon did state that he is likely going to suggest level funding for the library and ensure that library services do not get cut and the $400,000 from the state is not lost. Council Vice President Rodericks mentioned services that were offered that himself and his wife, Diane, used. He mentioned the how busy the libraries are whenever he passes by them.

Mayor DaSilva approached the podium to elaborate more on this department’s budget, and he mentioned that he spoke with Karen Miller, Office of Library and Commission Services and shared additional information. In discussion with the budget, this department budget was made by the former Library Director, Michael Carlozzi. Director of Finance, Malcolm Moore mentioned that there will be a bond that will dropped off in the next couple of years which will free up about $90,000.  Councilman Cahoon mentioned that it makes an excellent argument that he should be less concerned about a loss of state aid.

K.   SENIOR CENTER - DIRECTOR, LAURA JONES

Senior Center Director, Laura Jones, represented this department. Classes and services that are offered and discussed. She mentioned that this does bring in some revenue. Councilwoman Sousa inquired about the Center/gym re-opening and as of now the gym is not opened still.

L.   CITY COUNCIL - COUNCIL PRESIDENT ROBERT BRITTO

Council President Britto represented this department. Same budget presented as last year.

M.  CITY CLERK - CITY CLERK, SAMANTHA BURNETT

City Clerk, Samantha Burnett represented this department. Ms. Burnett mentioned that they are the 3^rd highest revenue generating department and the last two years they reduced their general operating budget by $50,000 with no reduction in services. The department changed over into more web based applications, and they did not lose, but gained more revenue during the pandemic and closure of City Hall. Discussion was talked about the Preservation Fund and the mayor stated that the monies for this will be used for preserving records. City Solicitor Marcello mentioned that it is unlikely that the Preservation Fund will ever run out of money, as there has always been at least $40,000 in the account. Deputy City Clerk, Leah Stoddard explained about the balance 4^th quarter funding wouldn’t allow us autonomy if we take the $40,000 out of the budget and used the Preservation Fund money and that it limits us. Ms. Burnett agreed. Councilman Cahoon mentioned that this is something to pay attention to.

Ms. Burnett stated that the increase that is proposed would bring the salary to $81,081 as the new salary increase to the City Clerk’s salary to bring this position towards a more fair and equitable to other department heads in the city. Ms. Burnett stated that she ranks 19^th in the salary index for Rhode Island for this position and is one of the lowest department head salaries.

Councilman Mourato inquired how to increase this line item. Council Vice President Rodericks asked if it would take a vote, then a second then a Council vote. Council President Britto agreed with Council Vice President Rodericks. Councilman Cahoon mentioned that they used the salary index when they hired Superintendent Crowley.

N.   FINANCE - DIRECTOR, MALCOLM MOORE

Software is needed due to the current software becoming obsolete. The Council reviewed program costs with Mr. Moore. Councilman Mourato asked if this was the same thing that went out for Capital improvements last year of about $125,000 and wondered what happened with that and couldn’t that just come out of Capital improvement projects and not a line item. Mr. Moore stated that we could take the start up from Capital and once they find out how much the maintenance would be, then it could be made a line item. Mr. Moore stated that if the Council was just looking at maintenance he could get that number for them.

O.  TAX COLLECTION - FINANCE DIRECTOR, MALCOLM MOORE

Mr. Moore represented this area. Mr. Moore spoke of tax collection in regards to revenue and collections. The revenue will go up and the payment to the attorney, who helps with the collection process also increases as well. Mr. Moore stated that this is just how the accounting is. The Law Offices of Rossi, Brinks and offset letters are all part of Purchased Professional Services in Tax Collection.

P.   TAX ASSESSMENT - ASSESSOR, SARAH FREW

Finance Director Malcolm Moore represented this department. There was a decrease in one FTE. Most of the increase is from technology software as it has moved from IT to this department.

Q.  DEBT SERVICE - FINANCE DIRECTOR, MALCOLM MOORE

Director of Finance, Malcolm Moore represented this department. Bonds do go down a bit each year as the interest rate isn’t quite as much. The big difference is the mayor’s proposal of 1.4 million to go towards the high school bond. The city currently has about $3.6 million in there and he has to get to $7.2 million over the next few years. Mr. Moore mentioned the sync fund in reference to continuing to fund that in order to get to the $7.2 million. Councilman Cahoon did mention about doing this year on year is not only do you not hit the bill all at once and you may reach a point where you cannot raise revenue to reach that point. Councilman Cahoon stated that this arrangement only makes sense.

Councilwoman Sousa asked how much longer do we have and do we have an option to consolidate? Mr. Moore stated that they look at that every couple of years. It is a 20 year bond. Annually Mr. Moore speaks to finance advisors and there currently isn’t anything there.

 

R.   INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - CHIEF INFORMAITON OFFICER, KELLY AHRENS – not covered during this meeting.

S.   LAW - SOLCITOR MICHAEL J. MARCELLO - not covered during this meeting.

T.   CAPITAL BUDGET - not covered during this meeting.

 

IV.      ADJOURNMENT -

Motion to adjourn made by Councilwoman Sousa.

Seconded by Councilman Cahoon.

Motion passes unanimously.

Meeting adjourns.