Town of South Windsor, CT Agendas & Minutes Archive - Town Council Work Session Minutes 3/4/2013

Town Council Work Session Minutes 3/4/2013

TOWN COUNCIL

TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR

Minutes Page 1 March 4, 2013

TOWN COUNCIL – Regular Meeting

Council Chambers – South Windsor Town Hall

1. Call Meeting to Order

Mayor Delnicki called the Regular Meeting to order at 8:03

4. Roll Call

Members Present: Mayor Thomas Delnicki

Deputy Mayor Gary Bazzano

Councillor Cindy Beaulieu

Councillor Edward Havens

Councillor Kevin McCann

Councillor Cary Prague (arrived at 8:05 p.m.)

Councillor Keith Yagaloff

Members Absent: Councillor M. Saud Anwar

Councillor Janice Snyder

Also Present: Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager

After Roll Call was complete, Mayor Delnicki read a proclamation into the record for the celebration of the Girl Scouts of America’s 101^st Anniversary and proclaiming March 12, 2013 as Girl Scout Day.

5. Public Input

Mr. Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail came before the Town Council to request that he be allowed to speak after the audit is discussed.

Chief Cooney came forward and first thanked the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and then introduced the 2013 Town Marshal who is Mary Etter and the 2013 Town Honoree who is Kevin Foley for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade which will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2013.

Mr. Mike Sullivan, 24 Jared Court stated that the Town Council should seriously consider holding a referendum for any project that is proposed instead of bypassing the voter through a 63-20 Corporation or a 501C3. Each Council member should have the opportunity where they stand on this issue. Mr. Sullivan then questioned what the status of the Connecticut Studios project is, what is actually in the plan for this project, how does the Town evaluate the infrastructure that is necessary, and how much money will be spent for infrastructure. Mr.

ITEM:

5. Public Input

Sullivan then stated that he is hoping that there will be discussion regarding the proposed removal of the car tax under a certain dollar value from the tax roll of the Town’s and the effect that it would have on the budget. Mr. Ray Favreau is a good leader of the Recreation Department and rather than limit the department, the Council should look to Mr. Favreau as somebody who is a proven revenue generator.

Mr. David Joy, 100 Bramblebrae came forward to speak as the Chairman of the Board of Education. Mr. Joy wanted to address agenda Items 14. D., 14. E., 14. F., and 14. G. Mr. Joy feels that after discussing these items with a number of individuals, it is the appropriate action to name the Board of Education as the Building Committee for these projects. Mr. Joy then stated that the Board of Education will be discussing the space issues of the elementary schools and is part of the Board of Education’s three year strategic plan which runs through 2014. The plan was approved in September of 2011 has been the Board’s road map for the activities since then and the plan does call to develop a long range elementary facilities plan that promotes a safe, engaging learning environment that is accessible to all students and community members. Our strategic plan goes on to say that the components of that long range elementary plan will include an update to the 2007 strategic planning study of South Windsor Elementary Schools, so the Board is already working with the Administration to plan and prepare for this work.

Deputy Mayor Bazzano made a motion to Suspend the Rules in order to bring Items 14. D., 14. E., 14. F., 14. G., and 14. H. forward. Councillor Havens seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.

14. New Business

D. Resolution Designating the South Windsor Board of Education as the Building Committee for State Project Number TMP-132-KSFW, Orchard Hill Roof Replacement Project

WHEREAS, the November 6, 2012 referendum question #1 approved the Orchard Hill Roof Replacement Project

(Resolution Continued on Next Page)

ITEM:

14. D. (Continued)

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby designates the South Windsor Board of Education as the Building Committee for State Project Number TMP-132-KSFW, Orchard Hill Roof Replacement Project; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council authorizes said Board of Education to proceed with preparation of the necessary schematic drawings and outlines specifications for the project; and authorizes South Windsor’s Superintendent of Schools to file an application for a School Construction Project Grant.

Was made by Councillor Havens

Seconded by Councillor McCann

Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Joy explained that it is the intent to utilize Mr. Pat Hankard to manage these projects directly. Mr. Hankard would be the day to day construction manager of the projects and he has a number of years of experience doing similar work.

Mayor Delnicki called for a vote on the motion; it was approved, unanimously.

E. Resolution Designating the South Windsor Board of Education as the Building Committee for State Project Number TMP-132-TVFB, Pleasant Valley Roof Replacement Project

WHEREAS, the November 6, 2012 referendum question #1 approved the Pleasant Valley Roof Replacement Project

(Resolution Continued on Next Page)

ITEM:

14. E. (Continued)

Was made by Councillor McCann

Seconded by Deputy Mayor Bazzano

The motion was approved, unanimously

F. Resolution Designating the South Windsor Board of Education as the Building Committee for State Project Number TMP-132-XJBQ, South Windsor High School Partial Roof Replacement Project

WHEREAS, the November 6, 2012 referendum question #1 approved the South Windsor High School Partial Roof Replacement Project

Was made by Councillor Beaulieu

Seconded by Councillor McCann

The motion was approved, unanimously

ITEM:

14. New Business (Continued)

G. Resolution Designating the South Windsor Board of Education as the Building Committee for State Project Number TMP-132-JKBF, Pleasant Valley School Kitchen Floor Replacement Project

WHEREAS, the November 6, 2012 referendum question #1 approved the Pleasant Valley Kitchen Floor Replacement Project

Was made by Councillor Yagaloff

Seconded by Deputy Mayor Bazzano

The motion was approved, unanimously

H. Discussion Item: Town Audit (requested by Councillor Beaulieu)

Councillor Beaulieu stated that generally this years audit was pretty favorable. There were some accounting changes that were discussed briefly by the Town Council and once you work through the accounting changes the Town is in generally good shape. Councillor Beaulieu explained that it does appear that the revenue anticipation notes were issued with a 2% yield, but it was actually a 2% coupon to yield about a ¼ of a percent. The Town issued them at a premium which allows some premiums dollars to come back to the Town. This is not uncommon in the municipal market in the last couple of years with rates as low as they are, especially in the front end to see bonds issued in a shorter tenor but with a coupon that is outside of the market. The actual yields on the bonds were about a ¼ of a percent.

ITEM:

14. H. (Continued)

Mr. Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail questioned why the audit report did not explain that? Councillor Beaulieu explained that she is unfamiliar with how they would footnote that in an audit report. Mr. Galligan stated that he would discuss this issue with the Auditors.

Mr. Galligan commented that the audit was very good but it is very confusing when you look at the fund balance because it looks like the Town eliminated $1,000,000.00 in fund balance. Mr. Galligan stated he feels the GASB-53 has made things a little more confusing. New terminology will have to be learned to understand this item. During the budget process, the Town Council should get away from using any of the fund balance as much as possible.

Councillor Yagaloff stated that the Town has a tight budget and without revenue coming in last year there would have been a deficit and the fund balance would have had to have been used. The fund balance keeps going down and when the budget increases and the fund balance goes down, the Town is getting away from policy. The Town has had an extremely tight budget and the additional sources of revenues are not something that can be relied upon. The Town needs to increase the fund balance for emergency situations.

Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that any funds that are left over go into the debt service and is part of the budget.

Mr. Gonsalves came forward again and questioned what is the discounted rate that is being used to calculate the liabilities? Mr. Galligan explained that there will be a meeting with the Actuary next month to discuss the calculations.

Mr. Gonsalves stated that he is concerned about the pension earning estimate has changed and the Town is funding less into the pension fund then what should be contributed. Mr. Galligan also stated that there are three different numbers for school spending which are $77M, $51M and $64M) and he would like to know which one is correct and why they are different, someone should explain these numbers to the public. Mr. Gonsalves stated he would like to see a reconciliation of what the Board of Education spends and what the budget is. The clean up costs from the storm should have been specified specifically in the audit report and health

ITEM:

14. H. (Continued)

care costs should be included. The audit report is incomplete and should cover more information to present to the public.

Councillor Prague explained that the Audit Committee questioned why health care was not covered and the Auditor stated that it was not part of their purview. Councillor Prague requested to have the Pension Committee become the Pension and Health Care Committee and review all of the health care numbers every Pension Committee meeting.

Mayor Delnicki questioned Councillor Prague if he would be willing to sponsor a resolution to expand the charge of the Pension Committee? Councillor Prague stated he would.

6. Environmental Health & Safety Message

None

7. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meetings

BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council approves the Minutes of the following Town Council Meetings; Work Session Minutes of February 19, 2013; and Regular Meeting Minutes of February 19, 2013.

Was made by Councillor Yagaloff

Seconded by Councillor McCann

The motion was approved, unanimously

Public Petitions

None

9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council

None

10. Reports from Standing Committees

None

ITEM:

11. Reports from Temporary Committees

Councillor Prague stated that there was a Committee meeting of the Community Center Expansion Committee which is made up of the Mayor, myself and Councillor Anwar. In the meeting goals and mission statements were established.

12. Consent Agenda

Councillor Prague made a motion to approve Items 14. A. and 14. C. as the Consent Agenda. Councillor McCann seconded the motion.

Councillor Yagaloff requested that Item 14. C. be removed from the Consent Agenda.

14. New Business

A. Resolution Appointing Michael Kelly (R) an Alternate to the Park & Recreation Commission and Postponing Consideration of this Motion until the Town Council’s Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting

BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby appoints Michael Kelly (R) an Alternate to the Park & Recreation Commission for a term ending December 31, 2013 to fill an unexpired vacancy and postpones consideration of this motion until the Town Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting.

(Approved by Consent Agenda)

13. Unfinished Business

A. Resolution Approving a Mayoral Reappointment of Charles Margolis as Poet Laureate

BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby approves a Mayoral Reappointment of Charles Margolis as the Poet Laureate.

Was made by Mayor Delnicki

Seconded by Deputy Mayor Bazzano

(Resolution Continued on Next Page)

ITEM:

13. A. (Continued)

Councillor Prague stated that Mr. Margolis has done and excellent job on the South Windsor Voices book that was published using no taxpayer funds. Mr. Margolis is a very good Poet Laureate and has done a lot for the community.

Mayor Delnicki called for a vote on the motion; it was approved, unanimously.

14. New Business

B. Resolution Accepting the Resignation of Teri Dickey-Gaignat (R) an Alternate from the Board of Assessment Appeals

BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby accepts with regret, the resignation of Teri Dickey-Gaignat (R) an Alternate tot he Board of Assessment Appeals, said resignation effective immediately; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council extends its thanks to Teri Dickey-Gaignat for the time she has dedicated to serving her community by her membership on the Board of Assessment Appeals.

Was made by Deputy Mayor Bazzano

Seconded by Councillor Havens

Deputy Mayor Bazzano thanked Teri Dickey-Gaignat for the time she has served on this Commission.

Councillor Yagaloff explained that he had asked for Item 14. C. to be removed from the Consent Agenda because that is the replacement for Ms. Dickey-Gaignat. Councillor Yagaloff stated he read her resignation letter and is disappointed by the circumstances for the reason why she is resigning from this Commission. She wanted to become a full member and has been passed over twice. This should be discussed further and Councillor Yagaloff said he would be voting against this resolution.

Councillor Prague stated he would also be voting against this resolution and feels that this should be brought back to the Chairperson of the Republican party for further discussion.

ITEM:

14. B. (Continued)

Mayor Delnicki called for a vote on the motion; it failed on a Roll Call vote of 3 to 4 with Deputy Mayor Bazzano, Councillor Beaulieu, and Councillor McCann voting in favor of the motion; and Mayor Delnicki, Councillor Prague, Councillor Havens and Councillor Yagaloff voting against this motion.

Mayor Delnicki stated that at this time Item 14. C. would not be acted upon until Item 14. B. is resolved.

Deputy Mayor Bazzano made a motion to Suspend the Rules in order to go to Item 14. J. Councillor Yagaloff seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.

J. Parks & Recreation Department Budget Presentation (Continued from the Work Session)

Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Favreau explained that there are slight increases in fees and some new fees. The Community Gardens is something that has not been charged for in the past and the fee would be very small. In the future there may be more Community Gardens created. The fees for the rental facilities for some of the groups that have been getting them complimentary, will only be charged $15.00 per hour to cover costs for having a staff member present which they have been getting for free in the past. The Camp fees went up $5.00 which is a 3% increase; the 4^th R Program fees went up 3-5% depending on the program that is picked which is $5.00 to $15.00 per month; in the Indoor Account the Travel Basketball program went up $10.00 per player; in the Outdoor Account the tennis program went up $1.00 and the softball program went up from $595.00 to $625.00; in the Social Cultural pre-school classes went up $5.00 per class and costs for Veterans Memorial Park pool passes went up $2.00 to $5.00 per season depending on the type of pass is pertained but daily admission passes have remained the same.

Mr. Favreau went on to explain that the Recreation Department is reviewing the ½ day Wednesdays at all of the elementary schools as a separate program from the 4^th R which is option one. The second option is to run a trip program from each of the elementary schools and take the children off site to different attractions. The third option is to run a program where all the children are at one site and the last option would be to have the children combined with the 4^th R Program. The programs that would be impacted if

ITEM:

14. J. (Continued)

the minimum wage increases would affect more of the summer programming. Mr. Favreau stated he would get the Council those numbers.

Councillor Prague stated that he has no problem with minimum wage going up for full time employees but has a problem with the minimum wage going up for the young part time workers.

Councillor Havens stated he would support the Park & Recreation Department budget and felt that Mr. Favreau does a great job.

Answering additional questions, Mr. Caldwell explained that the Maintainer positions in the Parks Department and Public Works are in the budget but the Town will be looking for Maintainer I positions instead of Maintainer II positions. Mr. Galligan explained that there has been a decision regarding the health care and once that is signed the hiring of the Maintainer positions will be going forward.

Deputy Mayor Bazzano questioned if the Parks Department would be able to realign the softball field on Ayers Road? Mr. Caldwell stated that he feels the department would be able to do this but would probably hire an outside contractor to do the fencing.

Mr. Favreau explained that the Legislature is changing rules for the schools for pool safety and would not impact Veterans Memorial Pool at this time. The Recreation Department is already ahead of standards at Veterans Memorial Pool.

Mayor Delnicki requested that Mr. Favreau give the Town Council the changes in the fee structure for Rotary Pavilion.

I. Discussion Item: Infrastructure for the Connecticut Studios Project

Mr. Galligan began discussions by explaining that recently Mr. Stevenson had mentioned a figure of $12 million dollars for infrastructure and Mr. Galligan stated that is incorrect because the Bond Counsel and the Town Council decide on the public improvements. There are improvements in the plan that Mr. Galligan stated he does not consider public and have discussed this with Connecticut Studios.

ITEM:

14. I. (Continued)

Mr. Galligan reviewed public improvements that may be necessary to be done. Mr. Galligan then stated the project would probably use the National Development Council to do a 501C3 and then reviewed the difference between a 501C3 and a 63-20 Corporation. Mr. Galligan went on to review different aspects of the project.

Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that the Town would not lose complete control of the project if a 63-20 Corporation were used, but he would prefer if the Town had control over all of the aspects of the project. Bond Counsel will have the final evaluation on whether items are truly public improvements. There will be the Town’s Bond Counsel to review that as well as MDC’s Bond Counsel.

Council members discussed the different ways the public improvements have been proposed to be paid in the past. Mr. Yagaloff stated that the Town should be putting pressure on this project to get the smallest amount of infrastructure which represents the smallest amount of concessions on taxes for the shortest period of time that will let this project work. The Town should not be paying more in tax abatements then would be necessary to make this project work. Mr. Galligan explained that he feels the Town will end up with a lot more taxes than first anticipated versus the TIF.

Answering further questions, Mr. Galligan explained that there is no tax abatement. The National Development Council will float the bonds that would be at a low interest rate. The Town will have a lease agreement with the National Development Council that these would be the Town’s public improvements. Through the PPA, taxes will pay for the lease for however may years it takes to pay off the public improvements. All of the other taxes would come to the Town.

The developer has until April 3, 2013 to show the Town Council they have all of their financing in place and paperwork done. Councillor McCann stated that Connecticut Studios has until April 3, 2013 to pull their permits and pay for those permits.

Mr. Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail came forward and stated that he feels if the mortgage of $1.5 million dollars has not been removed from the property, the Town should not be moving forward with this project.

14. I. (Continued)

Mr. Mike Sullivan, 24, Jared Court concurred with Mr. Gonsalves comments.

15. Passage of Ordinance

None

16. Public Input

None

17. Communications and Petitions from Council

None

Communications and Reports from Town Manager

Mr. Galligan informed the Council and public that on February 25, 2013 Council received a memorandum regarding the car tax issue and the affect it would have on the Town. This issue has been going on for two years and as a member of the Board of Directors for CCM, Mr. Galligan explained that CCM lobby’s very hard on issues and hopefully can be successful on keeping this out of Legislature.

Mayor Delnicki stated that he feels the Council should take a position on this issue. A resolution will be brought forward to the next meeting.

– this would be sort of like the increase in the sales tax where we were supposed to get a chunk of that revenue off the top for whoever collected sales tax in your town.

Galligan – not getting that either

Delnicki – and we can see how great that’s worked out so far.

Galligan – to say that municipalities have not been affected is not a true statement.

19. Executive Session

At 9:44 p.m. Deputy Mayor Bazzano made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel issue and potential claims and litigation. Councillor McCann seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.

ITEM:

19. Executive Session (Continued)

The following individuals were invited into executive session: Mayor Delnicki; Deputy Mayor Bazzano; Councillor Beaulieu; Councillor Havens; Councillor Prague; Councillor McCann; Councillor Yagaloff; Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager; Mike Gantick, Director of Public Works (if needed) and John Caldwell, Superintendent of Parks (if needed).

At 10:43 p.m. Deputy Mayor Bazzano made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session. Councillor McCann seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.

20. Adjournment

Deputy Mayor Bazzano made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:43 p.m. Councillor McCann seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Deborah W. Reid

Clerk of the Council