Committee Report - Finance - 6-9-15 — File 199506

Finance Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 6/22/2015 June 9, 2015 REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Tony Lafuente Chair Present Maryann M. Heuston Vice Chair Present Katjana Ballantyne Ward Seven Alderman Present John M. Connolly Alderman At Large Present William A. White Jr. Alderman At Large Present Matthew McLaughlin Ward One Alderman Present Robert J. McWatters Ward Three Alderman Present Mark Niedergang Ward Five Alderman Present Rebekah L. Gewirtz Ward Six Alderman Absent Dennis M. Sullivan Alderman At Large Present Mary Jo Rossetti Alderman at Large Present 1. FY-16 Departmental Budget review Mr. Kress presented the Health and Human Services budget request. Two new positions are being requested. Mr. Kress explained the reasoning for re-aligning Veterans Services, SomerPromise and the Council on Aging under the HHS umbrella. These administrative moves are supervisory changes for reporting purposes and the functions of departments won’t change, just the reporting process. Mr. Boukili explained that this is just one piece of changing the administrative code. The move was vetted by Law Department and Mr. Boukili will request a legal opinion if the Committee so desires. City Solicitor Frank Wright said there is a provision in the law that allows veterans services to not be separate if joined with other social services and the veterans services director remains as the authoritative figure of the department. Mr. Wright read the applicable section of the law and several members disagreed with his interpretation of it. Alderman Heuston is not in favor of moving Veterans Service as it is a specialized department and she doesn’t see how it would benefit veterans. Alderman Sullivan reported that he has heard from a number of veterans who oppose this change and, therefore, cannot support the change. Alderman McLaughlin would like to see the city’s legal opinion and the state’s opinion on this matter as he believes that the change violates the autonomy of Veterans Services. He requested that the opinion be provided in writing and would like

Finance Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 6/22/2015 assurances that the veterans services employees will only work on veterans issues. Alderman White said that the Veterans Services director is supposed to report directly to mayor and that this change inserts an intermediary. Alderman Ballantyne asked for data about youth duties for FY-15 and FY-16, i.e., what were/are they - summer youth employment, teen employment, etc. Mr. Kress will provide the information. Alderman Ballantyne asked about efforts to deal with opiate abuse and Mr. Kress replied that the department is collecting data now. Alderman Rossetti asked that HHS meet monthly with the Ryan Harrington Foundation and other organizations to share information on the opiate problem. Alderman Rossetti requested a list of communities having their Council on Aging under HHS. Mr. Kulikoski presented the Veterans Services budget request. The city is reimbursed 75 cents for every $1 spent. Mr. Kulikoski expects to increase the number of federal VA claims/appeals, due to his extensive background in that area. Regarding the move to HHS, Mr. Kuliloski said it was inconsequential who he reports to as long as service provided to veterans is of the highest quality. Ms. Hickey presented the Council on Aging budget request. Ms. Hickey reported that the Council ran 35 trips this past year and has events every month. The Council fielded 2,076 calls for assistance, covering food stamps, housing issues, medicare questions/applications, etc. Presently, there are over 10,000 seniors in the city and that number is projected to rise to 20,000 - 25,000 by 2020 Anna Doherty presented the SomerPromise budget request. Glenn Ferdman presented the Library budget request. Mr. Ferdman said he is hoping to implement a program to loan digital devices out to people, who don’t have them, so they can read e-books. Alderman Ballantyne asked how many hours are involved in line 512000. Jill Lathan presented the Recreation budget request. Ms. Lathan reported that online field permitting is now available and that the department has a social media presence. The website has been redeveloped, partnerships have been formed with sporting entities and a volunteer process has been created.

Finance Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 6/22/2015 Alderman Ballantyne requested that demographic information of program participants be provided. There was a discussion about summer programs being offered to youth outside of Somerville and Ms. Lathan stated that preference is given to Somerville youth. Alderman Niedergang spoke about the poor work of the DPW in maintaining the city’s fields. Ms. Lathan said that she wants to work with the DPW to maintain/improve fields/lighting. Alderman White requested a breakdown of pool operation costs vs. the revenue brought in. Alderman White requested a breakdown of field usage revenue. Alderman Connolly requested a breakdown of the revenue generated by non-Somerville organizations using the field, over the last several years. Alderman Heuston requested a breakdown of all athletic equipment, uniforms, recreation supplies, etc. Jill Lathan presented the Rinks/Dilboy budget request. Rinks: Treasurer Peter Forcellese, Jr. spoke about the advertising program at the rinks and Dilboy Field. Mr. Bean reported that the rink is being subsidized in the amount of $150,000 in this budget. Ms. Lathan spoke about an idea to use the rinks as turf rinks from April-September to generate additional revenue. Alderman Ballantyne requested breakdowns for lines 524002, 540000 and 542012 in the rinks budget. Dilboy: Treasurer Peter Forcellese, Jr. reported that he was not aware of any issues with the advertising program. The sizes of the signs are: 4x5 inside, 3x12 outside, 13x13 on sides. Alderman Rossetti said that the banners have not been well received by residents and she would prefer that banners be inside. Mr. Forcellese explained that the location is very visible and that’s why it was chosen, adding that if aldermen want to remove them, they’ll move it. Aldermen Sullivan, Ballantyne and White have also heard complaints from residents. 2. Any and all associated departmental financial matters