MINUTES
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
AND THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
April 14, 2014
A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority and the Board of Public Safety was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, April 14, 2014.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, City Councilors Anne Ruwet, Gregg Cogswell, Drake Waldron and Paul Cavagnero and Members of the Board of Public Safety Douglas Benedetto, Darlene Battle, Robert Conforti, Richard Zaharek and Glenn McLeod. City Councilors Paul Samele and Christopher Anderson and Commissioner Angelo LaMonica were absent.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:39 p.m.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Emergency Management budget of $36,167.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council considered tentative approval of the Fire Department budget of $4,803,846.
Councilor Cogswell noted that while the budget could be considered a zero percent increase, it doesn't include the effect hiring 7 new firefighters will have on benefits increases.
Councilor Ruwet said the long-term pension liability is a concern to her. Chief Brunoli said the 401 plan for new hires will have less liability than the current defined contribution plan. He said that continued overtime costs will increase the liability in the defined benefit plan for many years to come.
Commissioner Conforti said he thinks firefighters should be hired or else the benefits payouts will be astronomical. He said the longer we pay overtime, the worse it's going to get.
Councilor Cavagnero said he'd prefer to wait a year and have City Council look at the long-term impact in much more detail.
Commissioner McLeod said he trusts the Fire Chief to do the job he was hired for and the need for seven new firefighters has already been explained.
Mayor Carbone explained that the Board of Public Safety has reviewed and approved this budget.
Chief Brunoli added that he needs staffing to both improve the struggling Volunteer Fire Service and to provide service to the City.
Commissioner Battle stressed that safety will be improved by hiring more firefighters.
A vote was taken with Councilors Ruwet and Cavagnero opposed and Councilors Cogswell and Waldron in favor. Mayor Carbone broke the tie with an opposing vote saying she is hearing that the Council needs more information regarding the long-term impact of this decision.
Councilor Cogswell noted that the pension problem is not going to go away. Mayor Carbone agreed, saying that further information will demonstrate what the impact on benefits costs will be.
ANIMAL CONTROL
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Animal Control budget of $209,847. Mayor Carbone said this is an increase of 55.96%, a result of regionalization that carries a revenue stream to offset the increase.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted 3:1, with Councilor Ruwet opposed, to tentatively approve the Police Department budget of $8,316,309, a 3% increase over last year's budget.
Chief Maniago said the reasons for the increase are the contractual pay raises and radio system upgrades. He said further budget reductions will result in personnel reductions.
Councilor Cogswell said he wants to see the Police Department receive the tools they need to provide service to the community.
TRAFFIC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Traffic budget of $304,516.
PUBLIC SAFETY MISC.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to
Tentatively approve the Public Safety Misc. budget of $1,959,343.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Commissioner Cogswell, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:35 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CMC
Assistant City Clerk
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