Committee Report - Finance - 4-1-14 — File 196637

April 1, 2014 Finance Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 4/7/2014 REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Tony Lafuente Chair Present Maryann M. Heuston Vice Chair Present Katjana Ballantyne Ward Seven Alderman Present John M. Connolly Alderman At Large Present William A. White Jr. Alderman At Large Present Others present: Alderman Mark Niedergang, Alderman Mary Jo Rossetti, Peter Forcellese, Jr., Ed Bean, Omar Boukili, Roger DeRocher (Pop Warner) 194500 - That the Excise Tax Demand Fee be amended and adjusted from $30.00 to $5.00.: Mr. Forcellese addressed this issue and responded to members' questions. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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.: Mr. Boukili indicated that company will be meeting with the committee at a future date. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 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.: Mr. Boukili reported that the City of Cambridge is on board with this matter. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED

Committee Meeting April 1, 2014 Finance Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 4/7/2014 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.: Mr. Boukili stated that the committee will received a report from the city's Personnel Director. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195168 - That the Library Director provide this Board with a timeline for accessibility improvements to the West Branch Library.: Mr. Boukili stated that a needs assessment is being completed. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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.: The mayor will provide an update to the Board of Aldermen this month. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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.: Mr. Boukili stated that a needs assessment is being completed. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195734 - That the Administration provide this Board with a breakdown of special events (festivals, concerts, road races, etc.), indicating if they are/were city sponsored and/or privately sponsored, and including city expenditures for each.: Mr. Boukili distributed a list of events and the committee discussed city sponsored events, benefits to the city or community, cost to the public, new application forms, objective criteria for permitting, advertisement of events prior to approval being granted and financial analysis of events. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196468 - That this Board’s Committee on Finance determine the use and allocation of all funds donated to the city for the American Youth Football League.: Chairman Lafuente stated that he wants the Recreation Superintendent present at future committee meetings dealing with Recreation Department issues. A review of the actions leading up to this order being filed was given and members of the committee expressed concern about the way the situation was handled by the administration, especially since city funds were used to assist the AYFL in light of the fact that the Board of Aldermen deleted the proposed funding of that league during the FY-14 budget hearings. Mr. Boukili and Mr. Bean spoke about the city’s

Committee Meeting April 1, 2014 Finance Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 4/7/2014 use of funds from a $75,000 payment from Tufts and explained that the intent was to replace the funds once the donation from the Cherilus Foundation was received. Committee members discussed whether PILOT payments should go into the general fund vs. being encumbered for other purposes, with Alderman Heuston adding, for the record, that the city does not receive enough funding from Tufts. In addition to the funding, the AYFL uses city vans and buildings, and it was unclear whether the league pays for the use of the city’s fields. Requests were made for: All communications between the city and the Cherilus Foundation, All purchase orders, copies of checks and timelines for equipment for the AYFL There was a discussion about what control the Board of Aldermen has, if any, over how donated funds/grants are spent and Mr. Bean explained that the BOA has the authority to accept the funds but has no say in how they are used. Committee members voiced displeasure at the administration’s disregard for the will of the Board of Aldermen, prompting a discussion of what actions the BOA might be able to take to regulate future expenditures. Alderman Ballantyne stated, for the record, that the process surrounding this matter was flawed. Alderman Heuston’s motion that the City Solicitor advise the Board of Aldermen on the binding nature of Resolutions and Orders (put forth during the city’s fiscal year budget hearings) prohibiting the city from spending funds of a certain nature, was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196588 - That the Recreation Superintendent appear before this Board to provide an update of all expenditures for the current fiscal year.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE