Committee Report - Finance - 11-12-19 — File 209219

Finance Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 11/14/2019 November 12, 2019 REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived William A. White Jr. Chair Present Mary Jo Rossetti Vice Chair Present Matthew McLaughlin Ward One City Councilor Absent Ben Ewen-Campen Ward Three City Councilor Present Katjana Ballantyne Ward Seven City Councilor Absent The meeting was held in the Committee Room and was called to order by Chair White at 6:00pm and adjourned at 6:41pm. Others present: Linda Dubuque - Treasurer; J.T. Scott - Ward 2 City Councilor; Ed Bean - Finance; Hannah Pappenheim - Law; Eileen McGettigan - Law; Luisa Oliveira - OSPCD; Chief Breen - Fire; Annie Connor - Mayor's Office; Captain Lavey - Police; Sergeant Fusco - Police; Steven MacEachern - Public Works; Kimberly Wells - Assistant Clerk of Committees Approval of the October 15, 2019 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 208938: Requesting acceptance of a $50,000 grant with no new match required, from the Boston Mayor's Office of Emergency Management to the Police Department for the purchase of 2 all-terrain vehicles. Captain Lavey and Sergeant Fusco noted that there are no matching funds required and shared photos detailing how these vehicles can be used for things like fireworks and to get people around more quickly. These vehicles would be useful in travelling down the GLX path, which would be difficult for larger width vehicles. Councilor Rossetti clarified that these grants are funded through the Mayor's office in Boston, which receives the funds from Homeland Security. Councilor Ewen-Campen confirmed that the City will bear the responsibility to pay for any maintenance and upkeep, and the anticipated life span for vehicles of this type can be 20 years or more if well-maintained. These vehicles are not armored, they are plastic. RESULT: APPROVED 209008: Requesting the adoption of MGL Chapter 200A, Section 9A, regarding the

Finance Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 11/14/2019 disposition of abandoned funds. After a year of a check not being cashed, it is considered abandoned and the city can take the funds back. Councilor Rossetti clarified that the previous statute allowed us to keep the funds, but the law has recently changed relative to the notice requirements, which is why adoption of the updated statute is recommended. She asked that a detail of the backlog be provided to the Committee. Councilor Ewen- Campen asked what the process would be for the payee to recover funds, and the individual could still submit a claim for abandoned funds. RESULT: APPROVED 209015: Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices from Home Depot totaling $4,732.72 using available funds in the Department of Public Works Fleet Division and Highway Division Accounts for under-funded Home Depot purchases in June. Mr. MacEachern explained that the purchases were leaf blowers and weed whackers last June. Home Depot bills 30 days later, so the bills were not received until this fiscal year. RESULT: APPROVED 209016: Requesting acceptance of a $236,976.00 grant with no new match required, from the State 911 Office to the Police Department to fund E911 personnel costs. This is another non-matching grant, which is received annually. RESULT: APPROVED 209017: Requesting acceptance of a $80,749.62 grant with no new match required, from the State E911 Office to the Police Department for 911 training and emergency medical dispatch services. This grant also does not require any matching funds and is how the city pays for EMT services. RESULT: APPROVED 209018: Requesting acceptance of a $77,047.27 grant that requires a match, from the Department of Homeland Security to the Fire Department for active shooter/hostile event training. Chief Breen shared that this is for Active Shooter Hostile Event Response (ASHER) training, to assist police and provide medical care during hostile events. The funds will provide for a contractor to provide training, as well as overtime costs for the personnel to attend the training. The City match required is 10%. Councilor Ewen-Campen asked if this will involve live drills within the city and that appropriate notifications be made if this is the case. He requested that the City Council be included in the notifications and that care be taken to avoid impact on neighborhoods and residents. Chief Breen thought that the training sessions would be held indoors, so the public might not be impacted as opposed to live drills that take place in the streets or other outdoor public areas. RESULT: APPROVED

Finance Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 11/14/2019 209019: Requesting acceptance of a $24,500 grant with no new match required, from the State 911 Office to the Police Department to fund E911 emergency medical dispatch services. This is similar to the other E911 grant and funds EMT services. RESULT: APPROVED 209095: City Solicitor requesting to appear in Executive Session to discuss settlement of a pending claim, pursuant to SCO Section 2-124 The Committee entered executive session to discuss settlement of a pending claim. No votes were taken in executive session. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 209159: Requesting the adoption of an Order of Taking for the acquisition of 217 Somerville Ave for the creation of neighborhood open space. Ms. McGettigan noted that the title issue has been resolved. By the statute, there are 30 days to record the order with the Registry of Deeds. As soon as that takes place, the city owns the property and has an additional 60 days to pay the pro tanto amount. Interest begins on the date recorded and continues until the date paid, which is why the appropriation is requested for $1.4M. Councilor Rossetti wondered whether the owner is aware that this action may be taking place. The Chair opened the meeting for public comment and Councilor Scott shared background information that the property owner is aware of the taking possibility and has submitted a petition requesting that it not be turned into a park. There also was a petition submitted by neighbors in favor of the taking. If the taking for a park is approved, this parcel will automatically have Article 97 protection due to the open space use. Ms. Oliveira added that the open space usage would be determined through a public process if the parcel is acquired. Councilor Ewen- Campen noted that this is an opportunity that should be taken advantage of and would be great for the neighborhood. RESULT: APPROVED 209160: Requesting an appropriation and authorization to borrow $1,400,000 in a bond for the acquisition of 217 Somerville Ave for the creation of neighborhood open space. See 209159. RESULT: APPROVED Handout: • Polaris Flyer (with 208938)