Committee Report - Finance - 2-22-12 — File 192600

February 22, 2012 Finance Committee Page 1 of 4 Printed 2/23/2012 REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Maryann M. Heuston Chair Present William A. White Jr. Vice Chair Present John M Connolly Alderman At Large Present Robert C. Trane Ward Seven Alderman Present Thomas F. Taylor Ward Three Alderman Present Omar Boukili Administrative Assistant Present Marc Levye Chief Assessor Present Gregory Jenkins Exec. Director - Arts Council Present Michael Cabral Deputy Police Chief Present Tony Pierantozzi Supt. of Schools Present Mary Jo Rossetti Ward 7 School Committeeman Present Paul Bockelman Ward 6 School Committeeman Present Arn Franzen Director of Parks Present Doug Willardson Auditing Present 190546 - Requesting approval to enter into a lease agreement with Zipcar Inc. for 14 City parking spaces for a term of 3 years with two one-year options to renew.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 190738 - Requesting authorization to enter into a contract with City Solutions Inc. to operate a modular news rack program for 10 years.: RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 191387 - Retirement Board notifying this Board of a vote on a cost of living adjustment at its meeting on June 8, 2011.: RESULT: PLACED ON FILE

Committee Meeting February 22, 2012 Finance Committee Page 2 of 4 Printed 2/23/2012 191435 - Requesting approval to transfer $120,420 from the Salary Contingency-Salaries Acct. to the Police Medical and Dental Services Acct. to fund a deficit in medical claims.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 191972 - Requesting an appropriation of $25,000 from the Capital Projects Stabilization Fund for the purchase of 1 License Plate Reader system for the Police Dept.: Chief Cabral told the members that the 4 readers in use by the Police Department have brought in over $300,000 if fees. The readers have the ability to check for unregistered/uninsured vehicles, suspended licenses and outstanding warrants. Alderman Trane’s motion that the Chief of Police, the Chief Assessor and the City Solicitor work together to determine if the Police Department has the authority to ticket vehicles with outstanding excise taxes due, and if so, to proceed with such action, was approved. RESULT: APPROVED 191973 - Requesting an appropriation of $5,000 from the Capital Projects Stabilization Fund for the purchase of 1 Laptop for the Police Dept.’s License Plate Reader System.: See item 191972, above. RESULT: APPROVED 192486 - That the Chief Assessor appear before this Board to provide specific details and responses to citizens’ concerns regarding recent tax bills, including increased land values in particular areas of the city.: Mr. Levye informed the members that in order to meet assessing requirements set by the Department of Revenue, the city’s tax rate increased $12.71 per thousand. Responding to an inquiry from property owners of Concord Avenue, Mr. Levye explained that in that particular neighborhood, the average tax bill increased by $220. An appeal of the assessment was filed by these property owners and a re-assessment will be conducted of the property in question with a determination expected in 3 months. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 192565 - Requesting an appropriation of $781,250 for construction of a new park at 15-25 Cross Street and authorization to borrow that amount in a bond.: See item 192566, below.

Committee Meeting February 22, 2012 Finance Committee Page 3 of 4 Printed 2/23/2012 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192566 - Requesting the acceptance of a PARC 19 grant of $500,000 from the Division of Conservation Services for construction of the park at 15-25 Cross Street.: Mr. Franzen told that members that these funds will be used for the construction of a new Harris Park to be located at 15-25 Cross Street and Mr. Bouliki added that the city will be looking to dispose of the old Harris Park property. There was a discussion about the allocation of previous CDBG funding and associated costs to the city. The committee requested a complete breakdown of all funds received and how same will be expended. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192567 - Requesting approval of a $20,000 grant from the MA Cultural Council for the Arts Council’s ArtsUnion program.: Mr. Jenkins explained that these funds would be used in conjunction with the economic development of Union Square. RESULT: APPROVED 192583 - Requesting a transfer of $931,762 from the Salary Contingency Acct. to the School Salaries Acct. to fund salary increases for the settlement of various collective bargaining agreements.: Alderman Taylor was recused from all discussion on this item. Superintendent Pierantozzi and School Committee Chairman Paul Bockelman explained that the School Department cannot create contingency accounts, therefore, this request is being put forth to cover the expense of a negotiated contract with employees in Unit A. The city has already budgeted these funds in the salary contingency account. The committee requested the following: • a written breakdown of the salary increases (Alderman Trane), • an accounting of the balance in the city’s coffers after the payments for salary contingencies, bonds and capital project funding (Chairman Heuston), • a review of the recently signed Unit A contract by the Law Department (Alderman Trane) RESULT: APPROVED 192584 - Requesting the acceptance of a $45,000 grant for FY2013 for the Police-Based Jail Diversion Program Grant for individuals with mental illnesses or emotional disturbances.: These funds would be used to pay the salary of social workers involved with this program.

Committee Meeting February 22, 2012 Finance Committee Page 4 of 4 Printed 2/23/2012 RESULT: APPROVED 192585 - Requesting the acceptance of a $32,000 grant for FY2012 for the Police-Based Jail Diversion Program Grant for individuals with mental illnesses or emotional disturbances.: These funds would be used to pay for training of all Police personnel in the proper methods of dealing with individuals who have a mental illness. RESULT: APPROVED