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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-15 Finance Committee Minuteso N of Town of Reading Meeting Minutes ,6�9j1NCOApO� Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Finance Committee Date:. 2018-02-15 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose:. Budget Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: REG EJ.�O�ED T 0 W R. K s r NIB 'MAR -8 AM 11: 29 Time: 7:30 PM Location: Conference Room Session: Version: Chair Peter Lydecker, Paula Perry, David ,Neshat, Mark Dockser, Vanessa Alvarado, Anne Landry, Marc Moll, Paul McNeice, Eric Burkhart (by phone) Members - Not Present: Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Administrative Assistant Brendan Sweeney, Schools Finance Director Gail Dowd, Superintendent of Schools John Doherty, Finance Director -Sharon Angstrom, Facilities Director Joe Huggins, Bob Holmes, Chuck Robinson, Linda Snow Dockser Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Brendan Sweeney Topics of Discussion: Chairman Peter Lydecker called the meeting to order at 7:36 PM. Town Manager Bob LeLacheur began the meeting by focusing on the various enterprise funds' budgets. First looking to the water enterprise fund he highlighted the shifts in capital and debt numbers, noting that these are difficult to pinpoint. Additionally he highlighted how the estimate of the MWRA expenses comes into play with that similar logic of estimation. Mr. LeLacheur identified the department's need for more seasonal workers as well as a thorough planning process with capital to mitigate future maintenance expenses, such as having to repaint a water tank (buying one that does not need to be continuously repainted is a way to avoid maintenance through planning). Next Mr. LeLacheur looked at the sewer enterprise fund budget, noting the decreased amount of capital requested. Lastly for enterprise funds Mr. LeLacheur identified the stormwater budget and how the Sturges Park project is the notable capital project on the horizon. As far as general fund capital projects and debt goes Mr. LeLacheur noted that many of the large projects that are being discussed are outside of the capital plan. Ms. Perry inquired .further about potential projects in this category, notably school building security, and whether staffing needs were being factored in at this point. Mr. LeLacheur responded by stating that these concerns were accounted for but not directly reflected in the capital costs. Additionally Mr. LeLacheur clarified that revolving funds do not have the means to support capital projects that they are the direct beneficiaries of, but alluded to creative ways where funding for these capital projects could be derived from.. Mr. Dockser inquired as to which of these upcoming capital projects make sense with our funding levels, to which Mr. Page .1 1 LeLacheur responded that there is no set priority list, however, some projects like the turf and field house. are more urgent than others. Facilities Director Joe Huggins gave, further detail about the process of maintaining and replacing a turf field when questioned by members of the Finance Committee. Ms. Alvarado brought forth a question about school building security, and Mr. LeLacheur noted that the difficulty with these projects is that we as a town cannot cherry pick some schools for upgrades, it will have to be a district -wide approach. The topic of the Killam School was brought up in the capital discussion, and Superintendent of Schools John Doherty noted that a general assessment is taking place currently and that furthering the discussion will have to begin with the School Committee. Chuck Robinson, 81 Prospect Street, of the School Committee noted that their focus right now is on the FY19 budget process and that they will have a discussion`on the Killam School after Town Meeting in April. Mr. LeLacheur then brought up the topic of deficit spending on snow and ice, highlighting that this is one area of the budget where we are allowed to deficit spend. Specifically Mr. LeLacheur noted that he needs the Finance Committee's permission to do so, and that the exact spending figure will be modified up until and after Annual Town Meeting, being adjusted as needed. On a motion by Ms. Perry, seconded by Mr. Dockser, the Finance Committee voted by roll call vote as follows to enact the provision of Chapter 44 Section 31D of the Burkhart — YES, Mark Dockser — YES, Anne Johnson Landry — YES, Paul McNeice — YES, Marc Moll — YES, David Neshat — YES. Mr. LeLacheur then moved the Finance Committee to the FY19 Budget Scorecard vote, noting that the committee can vote on either a higher or lower amount than the Town Manager allocated and use free cash to offset the difference if need be. Motion by Ms. Perry to approve line B99 Benefits in the amount of $17,605,850, seconded by Mr. Dockser, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker — YES, Paula Perry — YES, Vanessa Alvarado — YES, Eric Burkhart — YES, Mark Dockser — YES, Anne Johnson Landry - YES, Paul McNeice — YES, Marc Moll — YES, David Neshat — YES. Motion by Mr. Dockser to approve line C99 Capital in the amount of $2,925,600, seconded by Ms. Landry, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker — YES, Paula Perry — YES, Vanessa Alvarado — YES, Eric Burkhart — YES, Mark Dockser — YES, Anne Johnson Landry — YES, Paul McNeice — YES, Marc Moll — YES, David Neshat — YES. Motion by Ms. Landry to approve line D99 Debt Service in the amount of $4,471,158, seconded by Mr. Neshat, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker — YES, Paula Perry — YES, Vanessa Alvarado — YES, Eric Burkhart — YES, Mark Dockser — YES, Anne Johnson Landry — YES, Paul McNeice — YES, Marc Moll — YES, David Neshat — YES. Motion by Mr. Neshat to approve line E99 Education - Vocational in the amount of $415,000, seconded by Ms. Alvarado, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker — YES, Paula Perry — YES, Vanessa Alvarado — YES, Eric Burkhart — YES, Mark Dockser — YES, Anne Johnson Landry — YES, Paul McNeice — YES, Marc Moll — YES, David Neshat — YES. Page 12 As the topic of Finance Committee Reserves was brought up Mr. Lydecker mentioned increasing the account balance by $300,000, noting that the current $150,000 may no longer be sufficient to cover the unforeseen circumstances that it is designated for. Mr. Dockser agreed that this was a good idea but was unsure if now was the best time to discuss it, which many on the Finance Committee agreed with. Mr. LeLacheur noted that worst case the town can move money from lines with surplus to cover any unforeseen circumstances that the Finance Committee Reserve account cannot. Motion by Ms. Alvarado to approve line F99 Finance Committee Reserves in the amount of $150,000, seconded by Mr. McNeice, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker - YES, Paula Perry - YES, Vanessa Alvarado - YES, Eric Burkhart'- YES, Mark Dockser - YES, Anne Johnson Landry - YES, Paul McNeice - YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. Motion_ by Mr. McNeice to approve line G91 Administrative Services Wages in the amount of $1,362,725, seconded by Mr. Moll, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker - YES, Paula Perry - YES, Vanessa Alvarado - YES, Eric Burkhart - YES, Mark Dockser - YES, Anne Johnson Landry - YES, Paul McNeice - YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. Motion by Mr. Moll to approve line G92 Administrative Services Expenses in the amount of $1,451,350, seconded by Mr. Lvdecker, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker - YES, Paula Perry - YES, Vanessa Alvarado - YES, Eric Burkhart - YES, Mark Dockser - YES, Anne Johnson Landry - YES, Paul McNeice - YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. Motion by Mr. Lvdecker to approve line H91 Public Services Wages in the amount of $1.365,725, seconded by Ms. Perry, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker - YES, Paula Perry - YES, Vanessa Alvarado - YES, Eric Burkhart - YES, Mark Dockser - YES, Anne Johnson Landry - YES, Paul McNeice - YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. Motion by Mr. Burkhart to approve line H92 Public Services Expenses in the amount of $355,700, seconded by Ms. Landry, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker - YES, Paula Perry - YES, Vanessa Alvarado - YES, Eric Burkhart - YES, Mark Dockser - YES, Anne Johnson Landry - YES, Paul McNeice - YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. Motion by Ms. Perry to approve line I91 Finance Wages in the amount of $671,250, seconded by Mr. Dockser, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker - YES, Paula Perry - YES, Vanessa Alvarado - YES, Eric Burkhart - YES, Mark Dockser - YES, Anne Johnson Landry - YES, Paul McNeice - YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. Motion by Mr. Dockser to approve line I92 Finance Expenses in the amount of $152,950, seconded by Ms. Landry, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker - Y_ES, Paula Perry - YES, Vanessa Alvarado - YES, Eric Burkhart - YES, Mark Dockser - YES, Anne Johnson Landry - YES, Paul McNeice-- YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. Motion by Ms. Landry to approve line 391 Public Safety Wages in the amount of $9,918,775, seconded by Mr. Neshat, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker - YES, Paula Perry - YES, Vanessa Alvarado - YES, Eric Burkhart - YES, Mark Dockser - YES, Anne Johnson Landry - YES, Paul McNeice - YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. Page 1 3 Motion by Mr. Neshat to approve line 392 Public Safety Expenses in the amount of $487,700, seconded by Ms. Alvarado and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker - YES, Paula Perry - YES, Vanessa Alvarado - YES, Eric Burkhart - YES, Mark Dockser - YES, Anne 3ohnson Landry - YES, Paul McNeice - YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. Motion by Ms. Alvarado to approve line K91 Public -Works Wages in the amount of $2,613,350, seconded by Mr. McNeice, and approved as follows: Peter_Lvdecker - YES, Paula Perry - YES, Vanessa Alvarado - YES, Eric Burkhart - YES, Mark Dockser - YES, Anne Johnson Landry - YES, Paul McNeice - YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. Motion by Mr. McNeice to approve line K92 Public Works Expenses in the amount of $829,100, seconded by Mr. Moll, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker - YES, Paula Perry - YES, Vanessa Alvarado - YES, Eric Burkhart - YES, Mark Dockser - YES, Anne 3ohnson Landry - YES, Paul McNeice - YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat- YES. Motion by Mr. Moll to approve line K93 Public Works Snow & Ice in the amount of $650,000, seconded by Mr. Burkhart, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker - YES, Paula Perry - YES, Vanessa Alvarado - YES, Eric Burkhart - YES, Mark Dockser - YES, Anne Johnson Landry - YES, Paul McNeice - YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. Motion by Mr. Burkhart to approve line K94 Public Works Street Lights in the amount of $160,000, seconded by Mr. Lvdecker, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker - YES, Paula Perry - YES, Vanessa Alvarado - YES, Eric Burkhart - YES, Mark Dockser YES, Anne Johnson Landry - YES, Paul McNeice - YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. Motion by Mr. Lvdecker to approve line K95 Public Works Rubbish in the amount of $1,644,395, seconded by Ms. Perry, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker - YES, Paula Perry - YES, Vanessa Alvarado - YES, Eric Burkhart YES, Mark Dockser - YES, Anne 3ohnson Landry - YES, Paul McNeice - YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. Motion by Ms. Perry -to approve. line L91 Library Wages in the amount of $1,248,550, seconded by Mr. Dockser, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker YES, Paula Perry - YES, Vanessa Alvarado - YES, Eric Burkhart - YES, Mark Dockser - YES, Anne 3ohnson Landry - YES, Paul McNeice - YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. Motion by Mr. Dockser to approve line L92 Library Expenses in the amount of $343,465, seconded by Ms. Landry, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker - YES, _Paula Perry - YES, Vanessa Alvarado - YES, Eric Burkhart - YES, Mark Dockser - YES, Anne Johnson Landry - YES, Paul McNeice - YES,. Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. Motion bv' Ms. Landry to approve line M91 Core Facilities in the amount of $2,999,275,'seconded by Mr. Neshat, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker - YES, Paula Perry - YES, Vanessa Alvarado - YES, Eric Burkhart - YES, Mark Dockser - YES, Anne 3ohnson Landry - YES, Paul McNeice - YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. Motion by Mr. Neshat to approve line M92 Town Buildings in the amount of $314,400, seconded by Ms. Alvarado, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker - YES, Paula Perry s YES, Vanessa Alvarado - YES, Eric Burkhart - YES, Mark Dockser- YES, Anne 3ohnson Landry - YES, Paul McNeice - YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. Page 14 Motion by Ms. Alvarado to approve line U99 School Department in the amount of $42,723,025, seconded by Mr. McNeice, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker - YES, Paula Perry - YES, Vanessa Alvarado.- YES, Eric Burkhart - YES, Mark Dockser - YES, Anne Johnson Landry - YES, Paul McNeice - YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. Motion by Mr. McNeice to approve line W99 Water Enterprise Fund in the amount of $6,345,975, seconded by Mr. Moll, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker - YES, Paula Perry - YES, Vanessa Alvarado - YES, Eric Burkhart - YES, Mark Dockser - YES, Anne Johnson Landry - YES, Paul McNeice - YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. Motion by Mr. Moll to approve line X99'Sewer Enterprise Fund in the amount of $6,491,650, seconded by Mr. Burkhart, and approved as follows: Peter Lvdecker - YES, Paula Perry - YES, Vanessa Alvarado - YES, Eric Burkhart --YES, Mark Dockser - YES, Anne'Johnson Landry - YES, Paul-McNeice - YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. Motion'by Mr. Burkhart to approve line Y99 Storm Water Enterprise Fund in the amount of $622,225, seconded by Mr. Lvdecker, and approved as follows: Peter Lydecker - YES, Paula Perry - YES, Vanessa Alvarado - YES, Eric Burkhart - YES, Mark Dockser - YES, Anne Johnson Landry - YES, Paul McNeice - YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. After the FY19 Budget Scorecard vote Mr. LeLacheur reminded the Finance Committee that their next scheduled meeting is on March 7 to vote on the financial warrant articles for the Annual Town Meeting. Ms. Alvarado then inquired about the potential for an additional financial forum before the operating override vote in April, presenting it as a chance for the town to summarize all that is happen and answer the remaining questions and concerns of citizens. The rest of the Finance Committee agreed that this was a good idea and expressed the importance of having the School Committee, Board of Selectmen, and Finance Committee all participate in this final financial forum. Mr. LeLacheur noted that he can tentatively schedule Wednesday March 28th as the date for this. event. Ms: Alvarado also updated the Finance Committee of the Board of Selectmen discussion regarding RMLD (Reading Municipal Light Department) and their contract with the town. Specifically the Selectmen had shown interest in looking into the pros/cons of selling RMLD and may introduce a warrant article at the Annual Town Meeting allowing them to explore the possibility further. On a motion by Ms. Perry, seconded by Mr. Neshat, the Finance Committee voted to approve the meeting minutes from February 8, 2015 as follows: Peter Lvdecker - YES_ Paula Perry - YES_ Vanessa Olvaradn - VES_ Fric Rurkhart - YFC_ Mark Dockser - YES, Anne Johnson Landry _- YES, Paul McNeice - YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. On a motion by Mr. Lvdecker, seconded by Ms. Perry, the Finance Committee voted to adiourn the meeting at 8:53 PM as follows: Peter Lvdecker - YES, Paula Perry - YES, Vanessa Alvarado- YES, Eric Burkhart - YES. Mark Dockser - YES, Anne Johnson Landry —YES, Paul McNeice - YES, Marc Moll - YES, David Neshat - YES. Respectfully Submitted, Secretary Page 1 5