WELLING CONFERENCE ROOM
SPECIAL MEETING/HURRICANE SANDY
OCTOBER 27, 2012
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Majority Leader Barbara-Ann Rossi, Councillors Marc I. Weinberg, Ram Aberasturia, Patricia Harmon and Esther B. Clarke
VIA Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr., and Minority Leader Eric A. Thompson
TELEPHONE
ABSENT Councillor Linda A. Russo
ALSO
PRESENT Michael Walsh, Finance Director
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 11:03 a.m.
Discussion was held regarding the measures the town has and will take in preparation of Hurricane Sandy. Finance Director Michael Walsh provided an overview of the town’s preparations for Hurricane Sandy and the need to quickly contract services such as tree trimming and removal and the operation of emergency shelters. The Chair explained that the intent of the two motions is to limit the use of the appropriations to storm related expenses. If the storm veers off to sea, the money would not be used except for storm preparation. The Finance Director suggested the Town Council rescind the motion if the funds are not used so they are returned to Fund Balance.
The Councillors discussed whether there should be an emergency exception to the bid requirements in the town ordinances. The Ordinance Committee will discuss the merits of such a provision.
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Esther Clarke
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION CONCERNING A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION AND FUND BALANCE TRANSFER FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2013 TO FUND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH HURRICANE SANDY
WHEREAS, the community of East Hartford is expected to experience some storm related damage of an unknown magnitude from Hurricane Sandy, and
WHEREAS, the Town is in the early stages of emergency preparedness to protect life, limb, and property to the extend possible from the effects of Hurricane Sandy, and
WHEREAS, the Town expects to incur costs to open and continuously operate an Emergency Operations Center, and if needed, Emergency Shelters for the duration of the emergency, and
WHEREAS, the Town will also incur costs to begin the clean-up process of storm related debris and the possible effects of storm related rain and wind on the community and Town owner properties, and
WHEREAS, as necessary, an extended cleanup operation will commence using Town forces, rented equipment, and outside vendors to begin the process of returning the Town back to normal.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the East Hartford Town Council approves the following Supplemental Budget Appropriation of funds in the amount of $250,000 from the Town’s Undesignated Fund Balance as follows:
G0320-55900 Fund Balance Appropriation $ 250,000
G3100-63999 Finance Administration - Other $ 250,000
Provided such funds shall be used solely for the costs of operating emergency shelters, clean-up operations and other costs directly related to the impact of Hurricane Sandy and provided further that the Administration shall provide the Town Council with an accounting of the use of such funds not more than thirty days from passage of this resolution.
Funds certified as unobligated and available.
On call of the vote, motion carried 8/0.
Blanket Bid Waiver: Hurricane Sandy
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Esther Clarke
to waive the bidding requirements of Section 10-7 of the Ordinances of
the Town of East Hartford for any contract for goods or services related to
the operation of emergency shelters, clean-up operations or other
operations directly related to the impact of Hurricane Sandy, such waiver
being in the best interests of the town of East Hartford because it will
expedite the town’s recovery efforts, provided that the Administration shall
determine the reasonableness of such contract price by comparing the
State of Connecticut’s contract bid price for the same or similar goods or
services and taking into consideration the impact of Hurricane Sandy on
the price for such goods or services. Not more than thirty days from
passage of this motion, the Mayor shall provide the Town Council with an
accounting of contracts entered into by the Town of East Hartford
pursuant to this bid waiver.
Motion carried 8/0.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Esther Clarke
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to adjourn (11:30 a.m.)
Motion carried 8/0.
Attest____________________________
Richard F. Kehoe
Town Council Chair
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