Committee Report - Finance 3-22-17 — File 203005

Finance Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 3/23/2017 March 22, 2017 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 Matthew McLaughlin Ward One Alderman Absent William A. White Jr. Alderman At Large Present Robert J. McWatters Ward Three Alderman Present Mark Niedergang Ward Five Alderman Present Lance L. Davis Ward Six Alderman Present Mary Jo Rossetti Alderman at Large Present John M. Connolly Alderman At Large Present Dennis M. Sullivan Alderman At Large Present Also in attendance: Tony Pierantozzi - SHS Building Commission, Joe Curtatone - Mayor, Michael Glavin - OSPCD, Ed Bean - Finance, Robert King - Capital Projects, Marc Levy - Assessing, Doug Kres - HHS, Stephen Mackey - Chamber of Commerce, Mary Skipper - School Superintendent, John Oteri - SHS Headmaster, Representatives from PMA Consulting, Alex Pitkin - SMMA, Ben Summer - OSPCD, Laura Pitone - School Committee, Carrie Normand - School Committee, Tim Snyder - Mayor’s Office, Annie Connor - Legislative Liaison, Rositha Durham - Clerk of Committees. The meeting took place in the Aldermanic Chamber and was called to order at 6:00 PM by Alderman Lafuente and adjourned at 8:05 PM. Approval of the February 8, 2017 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED Public Hearing: Requesting an appropriation and authorization to borrow $255,982,704 in a bond for the construction of a new Somerville High School. COMMENTS - Current Meeting: Mr. Pierantozzi, Chairman of the SHS Building Committee, began the presentation thanking Alderman Rossetti for her many hours of service dedicated to the SHS project and then

Finance Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 3/23/2017 highlighted some key dates and critical milestones in the presentation. Alex Pitkin, from SMMA, spoke about linking Gilman Square to Union Square. He then reviewed the floor plans, details about science labs, art rooms, library, a small theatre and commons area. The new high school will have a lot of useable and accessible green space. Superintendent Skipper spoke about the beautiful design of the school, 21st century learning, vocational and academic coming together with Full Circle and Next Wave students having a space within the High School. Headmaster Oteri spoke about his meetings with the MSBA regarding vocational and technology coming together, helping to foster better learning and more collaboration among students to make this high school a world class learning institution. A construction document should be ready by April 2018, with modular trailers and early package drawings. Mr.King said the schedule for the high school is aggressive and the plan is to break ground early 2018 with minimal impact to students. Mr. Bean explained the MSBA requirements for borrowing the entire amount of $255,982,704, noting that it does not need to be borrowed all at the same time. The committee discussed the projected 30 year debt service with the full debt service payment starting in 2026. The debt exclusion is time limited (FY-18 - FY-27). Alderman Ballantyne asked for documentation on the city's debt services. Alderman White asked Mr. Bean for a document showing the 5% interest rate for bonds and current interest rate along with updates for 2017 and suggested that this information be posted on the city's website. Alderman White also talked about setting up a reserve for the high school, perhaps putting a little money aside to pay for the school or perhaps considering the sale of city property to help with the cost of the school. Alderman Ballantyne asked about the value engineering, retaining wall and concerns about erosion and also asked if the city is bonding what's in the drawing with the exterior work as part of the $255 million. She requested an image that displays what's included in the $255 million. Alderman Niedergang inquired about parking options and temporary spaces that might mitigate any loss of parking during construction. Mr. King said that different parking options are being considered. Mr. Mackey spoke at the public hearing about the importance of the new high school to the community and said that the Chamber of Commerce appreciates the work being done relative to Union Square, SHS and the GLX. 202944: Requesting an appropriation and authorization to borrow $255,982,704 in a bond for the construction of a new Somerville High School. See discussion (Public Hearing) above. RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES:Lafuente, Heuston, Ballantyne, White Jr., McWatters, Niedergang, Davis, Rossetti, Connolly ABSENT: McLaughlin, Sullivan 202946: Requesting the use of available funds of $11,091.20 in the Health and Human Services Salaries Account to establish a new position of Health Assistant.

Finance Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 3/23/2017 Mr. Kress spoke on the item. RESULT: APPROVED 202945: Requesting the appropriation of $350,000 from the CPA Fund historic resources and undesignated reserve budgets to the Somerville Hispanic Association for Community Development for the rehabilitation of the roof of the Grace Baptist Church. Alderman White recused himself from voting on this item. Ms. Connor told the members that the project is not new, but just being expedited ahead of some other projects. RESULT: APPROVED 202947: Requesting approval to extend the Parson's Brinkerhoff Union Square Utility and Infrastructure engineering contract. Mr. King talked about the contract with OSPCD which is managed through Capital projects. There would be increase of value for this contract by extending it to 12/31/17. RESULT: APPROVED 202815: Requesting the acceptance of a grant of $38,000 from the MA Office of Public Safety for Police Department staffing. Mr. Snyder told the committee that the Chief of Police was unable to attend this meeting and said that no matching funds would be required. RESULT: APPROVED 202885: Requesting acceptance of a $120,000 grant that requires a match, from the Metro North Regional Employment Board to SPCD to promote advanced manufacturing. Mr. Summer spoke about this 3-year grant program that has a cash match of $36,000 a year with in-kind staff time. This amount would cover 7 interns. RESULT: APPROVED 202971: Green Cab requesting a waiver of Taxi Medallion fees. Mr. Snyder said that this item is currently being evaluated and asked that it be kept in committee. The Administration will be able to discuss this item at the next Finance Committee meeting. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Handouts: • SHS Presentation (with 202944) • CPA Data (with 202945)