TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
WORK SESSION MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2013
COUNCIL CHAMBERS TIME: 7:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Delnicki called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Thomas Delnicki
Deputy Mayor Gary Bazzano
Councillor M. Saud Anwar
Councillor Cindy Beaulieu
Councillor Ed Havens
Councillor Cary Prague
Councillor Janice Snyder
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Members Absent: Councillor Kevin McCann
Also Present: Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager
3. Public Participation
Ms. Kathy Daugherty, 12 Roy Road came before the Town Council to discuss using a 63-20 Corporation as the funding mechanism for a recreation center. Ms. Daugherty stated she would like to know more about a 63-20 Corporation and feels the Council should come to a consensus and direct the Town Manger to bring an expert forward to provide the Council and residents of South Windsor with information regarding a 63-20 Corporation. After the Council receives this information, then the Council can make a decision regarding a 63-20 Corporation for a funding mechanism. As a taxpayer Ms. Daugherty said she would like to know more information so she can make a decision on the direction the Town should be going.
4. Communications
None
5. Town Manager’s Report
Mr. Galligan presented the Town Manager’s Report, as shown in attached Exhibit A.
Councillor Prague felt that under the self-insurance, the employees should have paid higher percentages in order to preserve the reserves. This would have been more costly for employees but less costly for taxpayers. Councillor Prague stated he is glad to see the Town is looking at different alternatives for heath care.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that he would like to have an Audit Committee meeting so that the figures in the report can be explained in detail.
ITEM:
5. Town Manager’s Report (Continued)
Mr. Galligan explained that Connecticut Studios is trying to be designated as another emergency shelter under a micro-grid grant loan. This would not cost the Town anything and would not affect the studio project in moving forward with their facility, but it would allow the Town to capitalize on grant money that will help provide power to our facilities in case of a natural disaster.
Councillor Anwar stated that as far as the health insurance, if the Town and Board of Education work together, the insurance would be effective. Mr. Galligan explained that there has been a change in policy. Ovations has always looked at this as one group and industry trends have been based on the one group. With self insurance, you want 200-250 or more employees and the Town does not have that large of a number.
Councillor Snyder stated that the way the program was configured is based on all of the employee’s from the Board of Education and the Town, but it was set up that the Board of Education funded what they needed on their side for their account and the Town funded what they needed on their side for their account. Councillor Snyder then explained that each year the Board of Education has always funded the necessary amount that goes into a reserve account in case claims are high.
Mr. Galligan stated that when an evaluation is done, Ovations looks at the Board of Education employees and the Town employees as one pool. This helps to keep costs down to all of the employees. When either side, the Board of Education or the Town, have large claims, those costs are also shared by each employee.
Mayor Delnicki requested that after the Audit Committee meets, a formal presentation on the audit be given to the Town Council.
Councillor Yagaloff felt that regarding the insurance claims, the Town Council and the Board of Education need to come up with a policy for payment of claims. Councillor Yagaloff then agreed with the Mayor that the Town Council needs to have a formal presentation on the audit. The Council needs to know as a starting point what these numbers mean, how to interpret them and how to explain them to the public. GASB has advantages and makes for a more transparent government. The fund balance is below target, and in fact, it is below the Town Council’s adopted policy for fund balance.
Mr. Galligan stated that he agrees with Councillor Yagaloff and the fund balance should not be used.
6. Items for Discussion
Mr. Galligan informed the Council that there is a private developer who is interested in doing a hockey rink project at Evergreen Walk. The interested developer did
ITEM:
6. A. (Continued)
state they would like the recreation center proposal separate from the hockey rink proposal. The private developer has mentioned a change from what was proposed by the Youth Hockey. They would be looking at constructing two indoor facilities instead of one indoor and one outdoor facility.
Mayor Delnicki felt that if the private development falls through, the Town Council will need to make a decision through a resolution if the hockey rink proposal is going to go forward or not.
7. Executive Session
None
8. Adjournment
At 8:00 p.m. Councillor Prague made a motion to adjourn the Work Session. Councillor Snyder seconded the motion and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Recording Secretary
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