Committee Report - Leg Matters - 3-6-12 — File 192659

March 6, 2012 Legislative Matters Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 3/8/2012 REPORT OF THE LEGISLATIVE MATTERS COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Rebekah Gewirtz Chair Present John M Connolly Vice Chair Present Bruce M. Desmond Alderman At Large Absent William A. White Jr. Alderman At Large Present Thomas F. Taylor Ward Three Alderman Absent Dave Shapiro Asst. City Solicitor Present Ed Bean CFO Present Dan Sherman Actuarial Services Present 192347 - Requesting acceptance of Section 20 of M.G.L. Chapter 32B allowing the City to establish a Trust Fund for Other Post Employment Benefit Liabilities (OPEB).: Mr. Sherman spoke about MGL 32B Section 20, which allows the city to establish a separate fund, to be known as an Other Post Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund and a schedule for funding such fund. The schedule and any future updates shall be designed, consistent with standards issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, (GASB 45), to reduce the unfunded actuarial liability of health care and other post-employment benefits to zero as of an actuarially acceptable period of years and to meet the normal cost of all such future benefits for which the governmental unit is obligated. Essentially, the trust acts as a pension fund with the city setting money aside to fund its retirement liability. The advantages of this program are that it is economical over time and will decrease cost, it increases security for employees and retirees, it helps the city’s bond rating, it assists in planning city budgets and keeps a new book of liability under control. Aside from its complexities, disadvantages include a higher current cash outlay and higher administrative costs. RESULT: APPROVED 192468 - That the City Clerk and the City Solicitor draft appropriate language to create a local ordinance concerning the issuance of Fortune Teller licenses.: Mr. Shapiro discussed the state statute regarding fortune tellers as well as the ordinance used in Salem, MA, which includes a CORI check. After researching provisions for a criminal background check, public interest, exceptions, holidays and transferring of a license, Mr. Shapiro will draft an ordinance and present it to the committee. The committee would like the license to

Committee Meeting March 6, 2012 Legislative Matters Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 3/8/2012 include an annual review. Chairman Gewirtz requested that the Law Department provide clarity as to whether members of the Board of Aldermen, who are not members of this committee, may be included in the deliberations of this item. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192528 - That the City Solicitor immediately draft a City Ordinance for the licensing of food trucks.: Mr. Shapiro informed the committee that mobile food vendors are currently licensed by the Board of Health and Inspectional Services. He has drafted an ordinance to deal with these vendors, but would like further input from the committee. Alderman White suggested that language be added to the proposed ordinance giving the Board of Aldermen the ability to grant and regulate the licenses with public interest after the requirements of the Board of Health are met. Additionally, the committee would like to have specific requests made as to where these vendors might operate, rather that granting a broad license, and would prefer to ban the use of Styrofoam, encouraging vendors to use compostable items instead. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE