Work Session
March 5, 2007
Present were: Mayor Danderson, Councilors Lafleur, Donovan, Cusson, Grenier, Roy and Nelson; absent were Councilors Danderson and Poulin. Patrick MacQueen, Brian Valerino, Angela Martin Giroux, Blandine Shallow, David Dubey, Jonathan Dubey, and media were also present.
Proposed Three Year EMS Contract
Mr. MacQueen explained that a three year agreement that automatically renews for an additional three years unless one of the parties notifies the other, has been negotiated with BEMS. The agreement would allow 5% flexibility if Medicare raises or lowers the rates by 5%. Councilor Grenier asked what the process is that we use to audit Medicare rates. Mr. MacQueen indicated that we do not receive audit information from Medicare and Medicaid.
Councilor Grenier wanted to know how the City can know the impact of Medicare rates. David Dubey explained that Medicare puts their rates out on the Internet however they are difficult to convert because of the economic modifiers that come into play. BEMS does not know the exact figures until after they have submitted a payment request in January. Once the payment is received, calculations can be projected onto the coming year. Mr. Dubey confirmed that the ambulance contract will now work concurrently with the City's fiscal year. Adjustments will be made effective July 1.
Mr. Dubey noted that BEMS provides a monthly report of call volume to the health department and an annual report is submitted to the City Manager at the end of the year
Welfare Guidelines
Angela Martin Giroux reported to the Council that the Welfare Guidelines need to be updated periodically to keep up with the changing economy. Mayor Danderson questioned where it says that no residency is required to obtain welfare. Ms. Giroux stated that the guidelines abide by the law and are similar to the model guidelines NHMA distributes.
Ms. Giroux pointed out that people cannot be denied based on residency; however she does her best to find those in need services from the agencies most fitting the need. Councilor Grenier noted that the City is fortunate to have a welfare director who makes sure that it is people who are in need that get assistance.
Councilor Lafleur asked how transients are dealt with. Ms. Giroux explained that if they come in and say they are hungry, she will send them to a food pantry. If they refuse going to a homeless shelter, the City has no further obligation.
Ms. Giroux reviewed each change to the guidelines. In addition to updating the amounts paid by the city for rental units, personal care needs and food, the welfare department will not pay for rental units until they meet the health, housing and fire codes of the city. Landlords also have to fill out a W-9 form and rent checks will be held by the City until the form is submitted.
Mayor Danderson questioned prescription medications such as oxycodone. Ms. Giroux indicated that we have to pay for the prescription the doctor provides. The Welfare Department does not pay for lost or stolen prescriptions.
With regard to providing burial or cremation expenses, Ms. Giroux stated that it is sometimes less expensive to have a burial rather than cremation. She has met with the Cemetery Trustees but there has not been a lot of interest in providing a burial location from the City free of charge. Councilor Grenier noted that the County has a paupers cemetery in West Stewartstown that could be used if the situation comes up
The meeting was recessed for a public hearing scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Budget Distribution
Mr. MacQueen distributed the budget that Council will be reviewing between now and June. He reminded the Council that all the grants were taken out of the department budgets and added to fund 30. The City Manager went on to say that taxes in previous years have been reduced using the unappropriated fund balance and this year that money is not there. He is proposing a tax rate of $31.94, up from $29.24. The City's general fund budget is up 3.9 % and schools are up 7.8% for a total increase of 6.5%.
The Manager noted that the Fire Department proposed adding two full time firefighters and they are not in this budget. There are two laborers in the Public Works Department that, through attrition, would not be replaced. The Police Department is asking for an additional officer and that has not been cut from this budget. They are also proposing to fund the SRO and are assuming that they will get revenue from the schools; however the position may not be in the school budget. There is a public works clerical position that has been reduced to part time. Health insurance goes up every year and retirement costs have been huge for the City.
Mr. MacQueen went on to say that this budget assumes the school funding proposed by the legislature. If the Governor's recommendation is passed, there would be a 5% increase from last year and that would put this budget short by about $1 million.
Other
Mr. MacQueen reported on HB 882 which proposes to remove the damage limits of liability if a municipality is sued. The City Manager urged the same opposition that the Council recently expressed with HB 143
With regard to HB163FN, City Welfare Administrator, Angela Martin-Giroux points out that this bill is being backed by the Welfare Administrators Association because it would provide additional TANF monies to those not on HUD or other housing programs making it less likely that they would be coming to municipalities for local welfare assistance. Councilor Grenier moved to send letters opposing HB882 and supporting HB163FN; Councilor Lafleur seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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