Committee Report - Finance - 10-3-13 — File 195678

October 3, 2013 Finance Committee Page 1 of 6 Printed 10/8/2013 REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Maryann M. Heuston Chair Present John M Connolly Vice Chair Present Robert C. Trane Present Tony Lafuente Present William A. White Jr. Present 191796 - That this Board requests that the city's contribution towards the health care premiums for its retirees be brought back up to 80%.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 192478 - That this Board’s Committee on Finance meet with the Administration to formulate a Bond request for new seating/benches at Trum Field.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 193060 - That the Director of SPCD provide the information requested herein regarding the purchase of real estate by the Redevelopment Authority.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 193468 - That this Board requests that the Administration provide the Committee on Finance with a detailed explanation of how the additional $6.25 million for the East Somerville Community School project will be used.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 193603 - School Superintendent commenting on a Medford City Council Resolution seeking supplemental State funding for students' out-of-district transportation.:

Committee Meeting October 3, 2013 Finance Committee Page 2 of 6 Printed 10/8/2013 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 193628 - Medford City Council submitting a Resolution seeking supplemental State funding for students' out-of-district transportation.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 193629 - That this Board requests that the Administration consider hiring a full time rodent control manager whose primary responsibility will be to deal with the city's various rodent issues.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 193755 - That this Board requests that the Administration and this Board increase all public occupancy permit fees for events that are not for 100% charitable purposes.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194048 - That this Board requests that the Administration and the City Engineer submit a bond to this Board to rectify the drainage issues on Cedar Street.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194055 - That this Board requests that the Administration provide this Board with an analysis of potential mid-year cuts in state aid on the budget, and contingency plans to maintain current services if the cuts are implemented.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194160 - That the City Solicitor appear before the Finance Committee to discuss the methodology to submit claims to insurance companies for damages to city buildings.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194460 - That this Board requests that the Administration report to this Board the status of the city's application for the "Working Cities Challenge" grant that could bring $700,000 to our community over several years in support of low income residents.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194500 - That the Excise Tax Demand Fee be amended and adjusted from $30.00 to $5.00.:

Committee Meeting October 3, 2013 Finance Committee Page 3 of 6 Printed 10/8/2013 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 194503 - That the Director of SPCD respond in writing within 30 days with a breakdown of all funds provided through the CDBG program, DIF bonds, "I Cubed Bonds" or the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and spent to fund work or purchase materials in connection with Assembly Square, whether by the City, the State, any agencies thereof, or by Federal Realty Investment Trust or any subsidiaries or related companies.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 194504 - That the Director of SPCD respond in writing to #193062, to describe funds paid or anticipated to be paid through the Somerville Redevelopment Authority to Federal Realty Investment Trust, including reimbursements of FRIT expenses, in connection with Assembly Square.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194826 - That the Commissioner of Public Works update this Board on #194517, the renovation of High School Room 143, including the scope, architectural and engineering plans, RFPs, bids and a timeline.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194831 - That the Director of Finance provide this Board with a list of all contracts, purchase orders, or payments to vendors in excess of $25,000 for 2012 and 2013 (to date), whether funded through the budget or through grants, that were not publicly bid, with a brief explanation of why they were exempt.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 194845 - That the Administration arrange for the climate change consultant, Seed Systems, to appear before the Finance Committee to discuss #194312, a requested appropriation of $24,000.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 194846 - That the Director of SPCD provide the Finance Committee with a breakdown of the costs and chronology of the land swap and parcels referenced in #194370 and #194765.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194920 - DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders.:

Committee Meeting October 3, 2013 Finance Committee Page 4 of 6 Printed 10/8/2013 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194959 - That the Administration inform the Ward 5 Alderman on the bond request to update the bleachers at Trum Field.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194970 - That the Administration confirm that the city will contract for a crosswalk bump- out at Elm and Beech Streets in coordination with the City of Cambridge in 2014 and provide a detailed timeline on this process.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 194971 - That the Administration reduce the fee charged to the Davis Square Farmer's Market for use of the Herbert Street lot, as the Market provides a tremendous amenity to the Square.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195027 - Director of SPCD updating this Board on recent developments regarding property acquisitions by the Redevelopment Authority in the Union Square Revitalization Area.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195157 - That the Administration set up a program to reimburse all retirees on Medicare, 80% of their out of pocket contributions, on an annual basis.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195168 - That the Library Director provide this Board with a timeline for accessibility improvements to the West Branch Library.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195179 - That the Administration appear before this Board to explain the current status of the Clear Channel negotiations and the proposed locations of electronic billboards.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195216 - That the Director of Capital Improvements and the Library Director provide this Board with timelines for renovations, repairs and improvements to both the East and West Branch libraries, including projected budget expenditures.:

Committee Meeting October 3, 2013 Finance Committee Page 5 of 6 Printed 10/8/2013 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195298 - Requesting an extension of a Contract with FW Russell & Sons for solid waste pickup and hauling.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195373 - Requesting authorization to borrow $900,000 in a bond, and appropriate the same amount, to implement a comprehensive wayfinding plan.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195376 - Requesting authorization to borrow $500,000 in a bond, and appropriate the same amount, for Tree Planting.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195379 - Requesting approval to extend the Traffic and Parking Dept.'s Multi-Space Meter Contract until September 30, 2013.: RESULT: APPROVED 195476 - Requesting authorization to borrow $1,338,333 in a bond, and appropriate the same amount, for public street improvements.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195532 - Requesting authorization to borrow $500,000 in a bond, and appropriate the same amount, for ADA Accessibility - Building Improvements.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195554 - Requesting approval to retain outside legal counsel to provide services regarding casino proposals before the MA Gaming Commission and surrounding community impacts.: RESULT: APPROVED 195571 - Requesting an appropriation of $500,000 and authorization to borrow that amount in a bond to retain a qualified planning and land use concern to develop a major plan change to existing Assembly Square Urban Renewal Plan.:

Committee Meeting October 3, 2013 Finance Committee Page 6 of 6 Printed 10/8/2013 A motion by Alderman White, that OSPCD meet with the Committee on Housing and Community Development regarding this item, was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195615 - Requesting an appropriation of $75,375 from the Capital Projects Stabilization Fund for the purchase of Garbage and Recycling Barrels.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195628 - Requesting the transfer of $3,184 from the Health Insurance Personal Services Account to the Life Insurance Personal Services Account to cover end of year reconciliation of flexible spending accounts.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195629 - Requesting the use of FY14 funds to pay a FY13 Benefits Strategies invoice totaling $3,183.73.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195630 - Requesting acceptance of a grant of $33,000 From the Cambridge Health Alliance for the Health Department to pursue programming to prevent opiod abuse.: RESULT: APPROVED 195631 - Requesting acceptance of a grant of $21,785.57 from the Boston Office of Emergency Management, to expand the connectivity of the Emergency Operations Center within the Public Safety Building.: RESULT: APPROVED