Committee Report - Finance - 10-25-11 — File 192127

October 25, 2011 Finance Committee Page 1 of 4 Printed 10/27/2011 REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Maryann M. Heuston Chair Present William A. White Jr. Vice Chair Absent John M Connolly Alderman At Large Present Rebekah Gewirtz Ward Six Alderman Present Thomas F. Taylor Ward Three Alderman Absent Omar Boukili Administrative Assistant Present Kevin Kelleher Chief Fire Engineer Present Paul Upton Deputy Police Chief Present Stan Koty Commissioner, DPW Present Steve MacEachern DPW Present Doug Willardson Finance Present 191842 - Requesting acceptance of a grant of $186,976 from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, for the Police Dept.: This grant would support aging equipment and new training for E911 personnel for consolidation and regionalization of E911 operations. RESULT: APPROVED 191882 - Requesting an appropriation of $48,500 from the Capital Projects Stabilization Fund for the purchase of a replacement breathing air compressor for the Fire Dept.: Chief Kelleher spoke about the need for a newer, smaller breathing air compressor to replace the department’s 26 year old unit, which has surpassed it expected life expectancy. RESULT: APPROVED 191884 - Requesting an appropriation of $35,00 from the Capital Projects Stabilization Fund for the purchase of bullet-proof vests for the Police Dept.: Deputy Chief Upton told the members that the Police Department has to provide bullet proof vests to all officers and that the life of a vest is approximately five years.

Committee Meeting October 25, 2011 Finance Committee Page 2 of 4 Printed 10/27/2011 RESULT: APPROVED 191886 - Requesting an appropriation of $24,700 from the Capital Projects Stabilization Fund for the purchase of a fire prevention vehicle for the Fire Dept.: Chief Kelleher told the members that the funds would be used to purchase a hybrid vehicle for use as an academy car and a spare car for mutual aid. Chairman Heuston requested that a list of the department’s vehicles, and their uses, be provided to the committee. The motion was approved with the condition that the Chief Fire Engineer provide a detailed description of its use. RESULT: APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS 191888 - Requesting an appropriation of $20,000 from the Capital Projects Stabilization Fund for the purchase of Mobile Audio/Visual Surveillance Equipment for the Police Dept.: Deputy Chief Upton told the members that this equipment would be mainly for night use by the drug enforcement unit. RESULT: APPROVED 191889 - Requesting an appropriation of $17,460 from the Capital Projects Stabilization Fund to the Ice Rink Enterprise Fund for the purchase of a Veteran’s Memorial Ice Rink Skating Rink security system.: Mr. Koty informed the members that the security system in the old rink cannot be used in the new rink. Alderman Gewirtz raised concerns about the lack of public process and cost associated with the new rink. Alderman Connolly requested that a representative from the rink or the Recreation Department explain how the security system would work. Chairman Heuston's motion that a detailed accounting of the ice rink's enterprise fund expenditures, to date, be provided to the committee, was approved. Chairman Heuston also stated that if a department head or individual covering for the department head who is knowledgeable on the subject matter fails to appear before the committee to discuss an item on the agenda for his or her department, the committee would not move on said item. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 191890 - Requesting an appropriation of $7,500 from the Capital Projects Stabilization Fund for the purchase of 5 laptops with language translation software for the Police Dept.: Deputy Chief Upton told the members that the funds would be used to purchase 5 laptops with translation software, allowing officers to communicate with citizens in their native languages. The software has the capability to translate 90 different languages.

Committee Meeting October 25, 2011 Finance Committee Page 3 of 4 Printed 10/27/2011 RESULT: APPROVED 191957 - Requesting the creation of the 270 Cedar Street LLC Stabilization Fund and the acceptance of a mitigation payment of $1,000 from 270 Cedar Street LLC to purchase pedestrian safety devices.: RESULT: APPROVED 191970 - Requesting an appropriation of $750,000 for the cost of replacing DPW equipment and authorization to borrow $750,000 in a bond to meet the appropriation.: Alderman Gewirtz requested that photos showing the rotting floors of the vehicles be provided along with a detailed description of the problems with the aging fleet. Mr. Willardson said that the city would like to replace approximately 10 vehicles per year, so that bonding does not have to be done at once for the entire fleet. Alderman Connolly requested that Mr. Koty bring the DPW’s 5-year plan to this week’s Board of Aldermen meeting, when a vote on this item will take place. Chairman Heuston stated that the city needs to get back to basics and make sure that departments like DPW, Fire and Police have the necessary equipment that they need to provide basic services and that requests for these expenditures should take precedent and be requested of the Board of Alderman in a timely fashion so that Departments are not left short during crucial times. She added that she would not be opposed to approving an expenditure if the committee is convinced of its need but that when requesting large expenditures there needs to be documentation presented to the BOA at the time of the request. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192031 - Requesting acceptance of a grant of up to $8,000 from the Homeland Security Investigations Office for the Police Dept. to purchase a Cellbrite Mobile Forensic and Data Transfer Device.: Deputy Chief Upton told the members that the funds would be used to purchase cellular forensic equipment, allowing the Police Department to extract hidden, encrypted or deleted data from cell phones. The equipment has a life expectancy of 8 years. RESULT: APPROVED 192090 - Requesting an appropriation of $200,000 for additional renovations to the Public Safety Building and authorization to borrow $200,000 in a bond to meet said appropriation.:

Committee Meeting October 25, 2011 Finance Committee Page 4 of 4 Printed 10/27/2011 Mr. Koty explained how the funds would be used for various repairs at the Public Safety Building. Alderman Connolly requested that the project managers prepare a PowerPoint presentation for the committee along with an accounting of the details and scope of work, indicating what work has been completed, thus far. The committee wants to know how much the city has spent to keep the PSB operational. Chairman Heuston directed the Auditing Department to provide the committee with cost justifications that can be quantified. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE