Committee Report - Finance - 10-16-14 — File 197898

October 16, 2014 Finance Committee Page 1 of 7 Printed 10/22/2014 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 Also present: Alderman Robert McWatters, Alderman Mary Jo Rossetti, Alderman Mark Niedergang, Mayor Joe Curtatone, Ed O'Donnell - OSPCD, Eileen McGettigan - OSPCD, Michael Glavin - OSPCD, Peter Forcellese. Jr. - Treasury, Ed Bean - Finance, Kevin Kelleher - SPD, David Fallon - SPD, Bill Roche - Personnel, Hayes Morrison - OSPCD, Omar Boukili - Mayor's Office, Greg Kenkins - Arts Council, Cindy Hickey - Council on Aging, Dave Fallon - SPD, Doug Beaudet Approval of the Minutes of July 02, 2014 RESULT: APPROVED Approval of the Minutes of October 08, 2014 RESULT: APPROVED 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.: Mr. Boukili stated this was addressed on multiple occasions. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED

Committee Meeting October 16, 2014 Finance Committee Page 2 of 7 Printed 10/22/2014 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 stated the report has been finalized. 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.: Mr. Boukili deferred the matter to the Finance Director, who has been working with the Public Employee Committee. The current reimbursement rate for retirees is 75%. Alderman Heuston asked what the cost to the city would be. Mr. Bean asked to defer this to the Personnel Department with a copy of the information to be sent to all members of the BOA. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195373 - Requesting authorization to borrow $900,000 in a bond, and appropriate the same amount, to implement a comprehensive wayfinding plan.: RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 195532 - Requesting authorization to borrow $500,000 in a bond, and appropriate the same amount, for ADA Accessibility - Building Improvements.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 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.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195769 - Requesting approval to appropriate $106,812.60 from Free Cash to the Highway Professional & Technical Services Account to provide the first year of GPS monitoring services for city vehicles.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195787 - That the Purchasing Department purchase decibel meter readers for the use of the Police and Inspectional Services Departments.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED

Committee Meeting October 16, 2014 Finance Committee Page 3 of 7 Printed 10/22/2014 195964 - Requesting an appropriation of $31,500 from the Wage and Salary Stabilization Fund to the Library Salaries Account to establish the position of Associate Director of the Library System.: RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 196058 - Assistant City Solicitor responding to #195769 re: GPS devices on city vehicles and collective bargaining rights.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196125 - Sanford Pooler submitting comments re: #195769, installing GPS devices in city vehicles.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196191 - Conveying the partnership agreement with Tufts University.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196265 - Updating this Board with respect to Partners Healthcare at Assembly Row.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196288 - Requesting the transfer of a parcel of land at 163 Glen Street to the Redevelopment Authority for neighborhood development.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196463 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) provide the Finance Committee with a copy of the application for residential property rodent control assistance.: Mr. Glavin will provide a copy. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196469 - Submitting the city's FY2014-FY2018 Capital Investment Plan.:

Committee Meeting October 16, 2014 Finance Committee Page 4 of 7 Printed 10/22/2014 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197063 - DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 5/8/14.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197186 - Requesting acceptance of a mitigation payment of $94,744.75 to establish the Open Space Improvements Stabilization Fund.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197339 - Requesting that the City-owned portion of 163 Glen Street be declared available for disposition.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197416 - Requesting authorization to borrow $1,000,000 in a bond, and appropriate the same amount, for ADA Accessibility - Curb Ramp installation and improvements.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197418 - Requesting an appropriation of $110,000 from the Capital Stabilization Fund to conduct a Street Light Conversion Energy Audit.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197420 - Requesting the acceptance of a $20,000 grant from the MA Public Safety and Security Highway Safety Division for the Police's Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and Click It or Ticket Mobilization Program.: RESULT: APPROVED 197421 - Requesting the acceptance of 3 Electronic Meters as mitigation from Kung Fu Tea at 237 Elm Street.: RESULT: APPROVED 197518 - Requesting an appropriation of $107,200 from the Parks Stabilization Fund to partially fund the renovation and safety improvements for the Kennedy School Playground:

Committee Meeting October 16, 2014 Finance Committee Page 5 of 7 Printed 10/22/2014 RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 197531 - Economic Development Director conveying information regarding the Union Square D-2 North Prospect Block.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197610 - Requesting the transfer of $2,000 from Ordinary Maintenance Accounts to the Personal Services Account within the Constituent Services Department to cover wage adjustment for fill-in operators.: RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 197675 - Requesting authorization to amend #193816, an authorization to borrow and bond for Union Square Urban Renewal Block D2, by increasing the total amount to $9,500,000.: Mr. O'Donnell provided some budget information and said that discussions with the Somerville Redevelopment Authority (SRA) were ongoing. Ms. McGettigan stated that claims would not impact the timeline of the project. The committee discussed the financial figures provided by the consultant and felt that better information should have been provided. Members also expressed a desire for the Board of Aldermen to be more involved in the process and requested a comprehensive plan for borrowing with a schedule of the debt services. The committee also requested a cash flow production. Mayor Curtatone stated that several parcels have been sold in Union Square and that eminent domain takings should be the last resort. The Mayor promised to keep the BOA up-to-date on negotiations. Alderman White stated that he does not want any additional eminent domain takings without coming to the BOA. RESULT: APPROVED 197701 - Requesting authorization to borrow $200,000 in a bond, and appropriate the same amount, for Citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Upgrades.: Ms. Morrison spoke about the upgrade done last year to improve the safety of intersections, which included green paint, bike lanes and additional lighting. The funds being requested would purchase a new bike corral to replace a damaged one and 100 bike racks in the Powder House area. The committee requested that a list of the bike rack locations be provided by the October 23rd BOA meeting. RESULT: APPROVED 197749 - Requesting acceptance of a $50,000 grant from the Office of Justice Assistance for the Police Dept.'s Mental Health Collaboration planning program.:

Committee Meeting October 16, 2014 Finance Committee Page 6 of 7 Printed 10/22/2014 RESULT: APPROVED 197750 - Requesting the acceptance of an Emergency Management Performance Grant of $44,435 from the MA Emergency Management Agency for Fire Dept. emergency operations.: RESULT: APPROVED 197751 - Requesting the acceptance of a grant of $11,975 from the Mass Cultural Council, for the Arts Council's ArtsUnion Union Square programming.: RESULT: APPROVED 197752 - Requesting the acceptance of a $10,000 donation from the estate of Mary Fontaine to the Council on Aging, for activities and social programs.: RESULT: APPROVED 197757 - Requesting the establishment of an Infiltration/Inflow Stabilization Fund.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197818 - Requesting approval to pay FY2014 invoices totalling $8,542 from FY2015 Personnel Dept. Ordinary Maintenance funds.: RESULT: APPROVED 197819 - Requesting approval to pay FY2014 invoices totalling $1,575 From FY2015 Personnel Dept. Ordinary Maintenance funds for NWI Investigative Services.: Mr. Roche explained the reason for the request. RESULT: APPROVED 197820 - Requesting the expenditure of FY15 funds totaling $961.05 to pay prior year invoices in the Police Dept.: Chief Fallon explained the reason for the request. RESULT: APPROVED 197821 - Requesting approval to pay FY2014 invoices totalling $380 from FY2015 Personnel Dept. Ordinary Maintenance funds for North Shore Psychiatric Services.:

Committee Meeting October 16, 2014 Finance Committee Page 7 of 7 Printed 10/22/2014 RESULT: APPROVED 197822 - Requesting the acceptance of a gift of $4,137.46 from Federal Realty Investment Trust for Fire Department overtime expenses incurred for the Riverfest Fireworks.: RESULT: APPROVED 197850 - That the Director of Finance and/or the City Treasurer report to this Board on what categories of grants, gifts, payments, donations, etc. and by what type of entities need to be formally accepted by a vote of this Board and which do not require official acceptance.: Mr. Bean will submit a document with the relevant statues in response to this request. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197852 - Requesting an Order of Taking of real estate property at 515 Somerville Avenue to provide for the relocation of the Fire Department from its current facility in Union Square.: Mayor Curtatone stated that the current fire station location is not suitable. A joint location to include the public safety building was considered but would require the need for greater land and lot size. Information regarding environmental concerns for proposed municipal buildings at the 515 Somerville Avenue site was distributed. Alderman White requested information demonstrating this is a suitable structure for the fire station and Alderman Heuston stated the relocation of engine 3 needs to stay in either Ward 2 or 3. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE