|
I hereby notify you that at twelve o'clock noon today the following items of business had been filed with this office and can be acted upon at the meeting in City Council Chambers, Room 200 at City Hall, 36 Court Street, Monday evening September 12, 2011 at seven o'clock according to Section 12, Rules and Orders of the City Council.
Wayman Lee
City Clerk
Roll Call
Present: Councilors Melvin A. Edwards, John A. Lysak, Clodo Concepcion, Timothy C. Allen, Timothy J. Rooke, Zaida Luna, Kateri B. Walsh, Thomas M. Ashe, Amaad I. Rivera, E. Henry Twiggs, Michael A. Fenton, James J. Ferrera, III, Jose F. Tosado arrived at 7:40 pm. City Councilor Vice President Kateri B. Walsh served as President.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR
(1.) Statement of Revenues and Other Sources Period Ending 6/30/11 (Mayor) - - Read and Patrick Burns, City Comptroller made presentation to the City Council relative to the period ending 6/30/2011 and the Report provided that the City ended FY11 with an un-audited surplus of $2,876,523 but the amount did not include monies expended on Tornado expenses which are carried as a separate line item based a vote of the City Council to allow deficit spending. Councilor Allen asked how much money had been expended. Mr. Burns stated approximately $800,000 but the City expects that FEMA would cover some of the cost. Council received the Report by a majority voice vote with Councilor Tosado absent and the Report was put on file for the Finance Committee to discussion.
(2.) Statement of Revenues and Other Sources Period Ending 7/31/2011 (Mayor) - - Read and Patrick Burns, City Comptroller made presentation to the City Council relative to the period ending 7/31/2011 the Report provided that the City does not have a balance budget and shows a deficit of $26,558,274 because pension payment is made at the beginning of the FY and revenue has not come in from the State and because of the cuts to the Mayor recommended budget by the City Council. Council received the Report by a majority voice vote with Councilor Tosado absent and the Report was put on file for the Finance Committee to discussion.
FINANCIAL ORDERS
(3.) Transfer $8,942,097.00 from Stabilization Reserve Fund to School Department (Mayor) - Read the first time and Rule 19 suspended and Finance Committee Chairperson Fenton gave a verbal report (see Reports of Committee below) and an explanation was given by Lee Erdmann and T J Plante that the transfer was needed to balance the FY12 budget and to fund the School Department Schedule 19. Mr. Plante also said that the transfer is a “no brainier” in as much as the funds are available and the City expected to be able to replace at least 5 million of the funds used in the transfer. After further discussion and read for a second time and the Transfer Failed to pass by the following roll call vote: Yes, Six (6) Councilors Melvin A. Edwards, Clodo Concepcion, Zaida Luna, Kateri B. Walsh, Thomas M. Ashe, James J. Ferrera, III; No, Six (6), Councilors John A. Lysak, Timothy C. Allen, Timothy J. Rooke, Amaad I. Rivera, E. Henry Twiggs, Michael A. Fenton; Absent, One (1) Councilor Jose F. Tosado.
(4.) Transfer $791,533.00 from Estimated General Revenue Fund to General Fund Financing (Mayor) - Read the first time and Rule 19 suspended and Finance Committee Chairperson Fenton gave a verbal report (see Reports of Committee below) and an explanation was given by Lee Erdmann and T J Plante that the transfer would fund a tiered furlough for the non-bargaining ($219,517) and tradesmen ($89,252); add Police Department overtime $100,000); restore DPW bulk-up($150,000); restore Performance Management & Accountability (formerly CitiStat) ($70,000); restore TJO ($37,026); restore/add Terraces & Clean City positions ($125,738). Councilor Fenton stated that Finance Committee had recommended passage of the tier furlough for the non-bargaining ($219,517) and tradesmen ($89,252) but the other items be sent to Finance Committee as they could be taken up at a later time. Read for a second time and after a discussion whether to vote only on the tiered furlough Councilor Fenton made a Motion to refer to Finance Committee and was seconded by Councilor Rooke and the Motion Failed to pass by the following roll call vote: Yes, Six (6) Councilors Timothy C. Allen, Timothy J. Rooke, Amaad I. Rivera, E. Henry Twiggs, Michael A. Fenton, Kateri B. Walsh; No, Six (6), Councilors Melvin A. Edwards, John A. Lysak, Clodo Concepcion, Zaida Luna, Thomas M. Ashe, James J. Ferrera, III; Absent, One (1) Councilor Jose F. Tosado. Councilor Tosado joined the meeting after the vote to refer to Finance Committee. Councilor Allen made request for “immediate reconsideration” on the vote to refer to committee and on a majority voice vote the President Walsh declared the request for “immediate reconsideration” Passed. Councilor Lysak asked for a roll call vote but President Walsh said she was not in doubt of vote. Then the request for reconsideration of the referral to Finance Committee Passed by a requested roll call vote as follows Yes, Eight (8) Councilors Timothy C. Allen, Timothy J. Rooke, Zaida Luna, Jose F. Tosado, Amaad I. Rivera, E. Henry Twiggs, Michael A. Fenton, Kateri B. Walsh; No, Five (5), Councilors Melvin A. Edwards, John A. Lysak, Clodo Concepcion, Thomas M. Ashe, James J. Ferrera, III.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
(4A.) From the City Council Finance Committee (Report Only) - The Finance Committee (Councilors Fenton, Rooke and Rivera along with Councilor Walsh, Edwards, Lysak, Luna) met on September 9 and 12, 2011 to discuss monthly Revenue and Expenditures Reports for fiscal year ending June 30, 2011 and month of July 31, 2011 as well as a transfer from Stabilization, Supplemental Appropriations Order, payment of prior year bills and increasing the Excise Tax Demand fee. Councilor Fenton gave a verbal report stating that the Committee had voted unanimously to reject the transfer from Stabilization and had approved the tiered furlough but not Police Overtime, Performance Management, DPW, TJO and restoring Clean City and Terraces. The Committee also unanimously approved the increase in the Demand fee and “prior year Bills.” Council received the Report by a majority voice vote with Councilor Tosado absent and the Report was put on file for the Finance Committee to discussion.
NEW BUSINESS BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL
REPORTS
(5.) From Board of Public Works re: #52 Ft. Pleasant Avenue – Installing PVC Conduit (WMECO) - Read and debated and the Council received the Report and Passed the Order by a unanimous voice.
(6.) From Board of Public Works re: #196-#200 Locust Street – Installing PVC Conduit (WMECO) - Read and debated and the Council received the Report and Passed the Order by a unanimous voice.
(7.) From Board of Public Works re: #270 Locust Street – Installing PVC Conduit (WMECO) - Read and debated and the Council received the Report and Passed the Order by a unanimous voice.
ORDERS
(8.) Order – Written of $15.00 Demand Fee Charged by the City Collector (Mayor) - Read and an explanation was given by Stephen Lonergan, Collector/Treasurer stating that it his and Finance Department recommendation that the “demand fee” be raised from $5 to $15 which bring in an estimated income of $374 thousands to support City priorities and the City has the authority to raise the fee to a maximum of $30. Finance Committee Chairman Fenton stated that the Finance had recommended unanimously to increase the fee and the Order was passed by a majority voice vote with Councilor Lysak voting no stating that the increase is just another tax.
(9.) Payment of Bills from Previous Fiscal Year (Mayor) - Read and an explanation was given by LeeAnn Pasquini, Budget Director stating that Finance Department had review for FY11 in the of $38,569.58 that were not paid by June 30, 2012 and the money was available without any transfers and the Finance Committee Chairman Fenton stated that the Finance Committee had recommended unanimously that the prior bills be paid and the Order was passed by a unanimous voice vote.
(10.) Quitclaim Deed re: 11 Jefferson Avenue (Mayor) - Read and an explanation was given by Tina Quagliato from the Office of Housing that the property was being transferred to North End Housing Initiative for development purposes for $10,000.00 and the Order passed by the following roll call vote: Yes, Thirteen (13) Councilors Melvin A. Edwards, John A. Lysak, Clodo Concepcion, Timothy C. Allen, Timothy J. Rooke, Zaida Luna, Kateri B. Walsh, Thomas M. Ashe, Amaad I. Rivera, E. Henry Twiggs, Michael A. Fenton, James J. Ferrera, III; No, None (0); Absent, One (1) Councilor Jose F. Tosado.
(11.) Authorizing the Expenditure in the Amount of $12,500 – Library Services Technology Act (Mayor) - Read and an explanation was given by Molly Fogarty, Director of the Library Department that the grant Library Services Technology Act Grant would be used for the Conversation Circles Program to provide adult speech practice and library orientation and the developing early literacy skills and the Order was passed by a unanimous voice vote.
(12.) Authorizing the Expenditure in the Amount of $7,000.00 – Early Childhood Resource Center (Mayor) - Read and an explanation was given by Molly Fogarty, Director of the Library Department that the grant from Early Childhood Resource Center Grant is to provide outreach, child/family programming, professional development opportunities, and literacy events and workshops and materials and the Order was passed by a unanimous voice vote.
(13.) Authorizing the Expenditure in the Amount of $10,492.00 – Family Child Care Literacy Project (Mayor) - Read and an explanation was given by Molly Fogarty, Director of the Library Department that the grant from the Family Child Care Literacy Project is to help Springfield Family Child Care providers understand the component skills needed to build children’s foundation for literacy and to provide space, curriculum design, select and order children books; reproduce materials; implement training; and prepare handouts and the Order was passed by a unanimous voice vote.
(14.) Authorizing the Expenditure in the Amount of $181,571.00 - Library Department Read Write/Now (Mayor) - Read and an explanation was given by Molly Fogarty, Director of the Library Department that the grant from Adult and Community Learning Services Grant would be used to fund the Read/Write/Now Program and the Order was passed by a unanimous voice vote.
(15.) Authorizing the Expenditure in the Amount of $5,000 - Department of Health & Human Services – Open Gym (Mayor) - Read and an explanation was given by Helen Caulton-Harris, Commissioner Health and Human Services that the grant from Irene E. and George Davis Foundation to support opening 4 after-school gym programs in the city and the Order passed by a unanimous voice vote.
(16.) Authorizing the Expenditure in the Amount of $30,000.00 – Department of Health & Human Services – Mass in Motion (Mayor) - Read and an explanation was given by Helen Caulton-Harris, Commissioner Health and Human Services that the grant would be used to improve policy, systems and environmental conditions that impact the health of the community and the Order passed by a unanimous voice vote.
(17.) Authorizing the Expenditure in the Amount of $90,000.00 – Department of Health & Human Services – Mass CALL II Increase (Mayor) - Read and an explanation was given by Helen Caulton-Harris, Commissioner Health and Human Services that the grant is to reduce substances abuse issues and opioid overdoses and this is the second installment bring the total amount of the grant to $120,000.00 and the Order passed by a unanimous voice vote.
(18.) Authorizing the Expenditure in the Amount of $207,195.00 – Police Department – FY11 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant (Mayor) - Read the first time and Rule 19 suspended and an explanation was given by Sgt. Brian Foley, Police Department stating that grant would be used for equipment technology upgrades and replacement of such things as radios and to purchase portable speed/communication sign and the Order passed by a unanimous voice vote.
(19.) Authorizing the Expenditure in the Amount of $149,275.00 – Department of Elder Affairs – Council on Aging FY12 (Mayor) - Read and an explanation was given by Janet Denny, Director of Elder Affairs that the grant would be used to support Council of Aging activities and the Order was passed by a unanimous voice vote.
(20.) Authorizing the Expenditure in the Amount of $300,000.00 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant (Mayor) - Read and an explanation was given by LeeAnn Pasquini, Budget Director stating that grant would be used to establish Community Learning Centers that operated during out-of-school hours and provide students with academic enrichment opportunities along with other activities designed to complement the students’ school-day program and youth programs activities and the Order was passed by a unanimous voice vote.
(21.) Authorizing the Expenditure in the Amount of $50,000.00 – Davis Foundation – Continued Improvement Springfield Grant (Mayor) - Read and an explanation was given by Lee Erdmann, CAFO stating that funds would be used to maintain/update the Strategic Plan; institute measures to accurately align the strategic, departmental and employee levels; conduct data analysis; provide training and coaching and facilitation improvement; and a saving of 1 million in hard and soft dollars. On a motion by Councilor Fenton and seconded by Councilor Luna was referred to the Finance Committee by the following roll call vote: Yes, Eight (8) Councilors John A. Lysak, Timothy C. Allen, Timothy J. Rooke, Zaida Luna, Jose F. Tosado, E. Henry Twiggs, Michael A. Fenton, Kateri B. Walsh; No, Five (5); Councilors Melvin A. Edwards, Clodo Concepcion, Thomas M. Ashe, Amaad I. Rivera, James J. Ferrera, III,.
(22.) Authorizing the Expenditure in the Amount of $ 1,100.00 - Fire Department (Mayor) - Read and an explanation was given by Capt. David Rivera, Fire Marshall stating that donates can from Performance Food Group (PFG) and CB Richard Ellis to be used for fire public education programs and the Order passed by a unanimous voice vote.
(23.) Authorizing the Expenditure in the Amount of $100.00 – Fire Department (Mayor) - Read and an explanation was given by Capt David Rivera, Fire Marshall stating that donate can from Linda Borland to be used for fire public education programs and the Order passed by a unanimous voice vote.
(24.) Authorizing the Expenditure in the Amount of $10,000.00 – Tornado Donations - Brookings Playground (Mayor, Edwards) - Read and an explanation was given by Councilor Edwards that the Painters and Allied Trades for Children Hope (PATCH) Foundation had donated $10,000 in tornados relief for the repairs and improvement of the Brooking School playground and the Order passed by a unanimous voice vote.
(25.) Authorizing the Expenditure in the Amount of $6,534.00 – Tornado Donations - Miscellaneous (Mayor) - Read and an explanation was given by Stephen Lonergan, Collector/Treasurer stating that gifts totaling $6,534.00 had be received form various individuals and entities to aid in the recovery for the June 1, 2011 tornado and the Order passed by a unanimous voice vote.
(26.) Authorizing the Donation of a Surplus Vehicle - School Department (Mayor) – Read and an explanation was given by Councilor Timothy C. Allen and Cindy Stovall, Executive Director of the Springfield Early Care and Education Partnership that the van would be used to distribute information and provide educational materials, books, toys, activities to hard to reach families of approximately 1,000 families and the Order was passed by a unanimous voice vote.
(27.) Resolve: African American Revolutionary War Monument (All Councilors) - Read and without an explanation the Resolve passed by a unanimous voice vote.
(28.) Resolve: Lazy Cakes a/k/a Lazy Larrycakes (Fenton) – Read and an explanation was given by Councilor Fenton that “Lazy Cakes” contains a melatonin-laced food product that controls the brain and regulates the sleep cycle and has potential negative effects on blood glucose homeostasis, the reproductive/developmental systems, the cardiovascular system, the ocular system and the neurological system and is advertise in a “cartoon” fashion that is attractive to children and is asking the Springfield Health Department to investigate and take approach step to stop the sell in Springfield and the Resolve passed by a unanimous voice vote.
SUSPENSION OF RULES
(29.) Suspension of Rule 12 – Question comes on the suspension of Rule Passed by a unanimous voice vote. Order Transferring Parcels of land for a Rebecca Johnson Park from the City and SRA to Park Commission (Mayor) - Read and an explanation was given by Patrick Sullivan, Patrick Sullivan, Director of Parks, Building and Recreation Management that the properties are being transferred from tax title (4 parcels); School Department (1 parcel) and SRA (1 parcel) to create a playground for Rebecca Johnson Elementary School and the Order passed by the following roll call vote: Yes, Thirteen (13) Councilors Melvin A. Edwards, John A. Lysak, Clodo Concepcion, Timothy C. Allen, Timothy J. Rooke, Zaida Luna, Jose F. Tosado, Thomas M. Ashe, Amaad I. Rivera, E. Henry Twiggs, Michael A. Fenton, James J. Ferrera, III, Kateri B. Walsh, No, None (0).
MATTERS LAID ON THE TABLE
Special Permit – 603 Hendee Street - No Action Taken
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Possible Public Speak-out time at 6:30 P.M.
|
|
