As far as city council uh committee on finance meeting will now be called to order at 6:00 p.m. >> Madam clerk, roll call, please. >> Council Kadine, >> Chimera >> here, >> can >> here. >> Dion >> here. >> Hart >> here. >> Peekom >> here.
>> Carrera >> here. >> Raposo >> here. >> President Ponty >> here. Councelor Kadim is not going to be making it tonight. He did have a prior commitment prior to this meeting being scheduled. Pursuant to the open meeting law, any person may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting or may transmit the meeting through any
medium. Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings or transmissions are being made whether perceived or unpersceived by those present and are deemed acknowledged and permissible. Uh first item on our agenda is citizens input. Anybody sign up? >> Nope. We have one written uh
communication uh that is uh exempt from um having to attend for various reasons approved by the city. Madam clerk, three minutes. >> Council President, members of the city council, on Tuesday, I, like many other taxpayers, witnessed that some members of this council refused to look out for
the city taxpayer. Councelor Pekka made several motions to reduce the assessment on the city taxpayer and the resulting decrease in revenue would not affect the city's ability to operate. If the reductions resulted in 2 million in reduced revenue, but the city
historically generates over 20 million in free cash excess taxation, what would giving the taxpayer a break cost? Statements by some city councilors that they wanted to review the budget first makes no sense. Reducing the budget does
not result in a savings to the taxpayer, only a reduction in the assessment will. The budget has nothing to do with the assessment. The statements by councelor Pereira saying that the city could recoup the the reduced levy in the future is an error. Once the city
assesses a levy, it cannot come back retroactively. Get your facts straight. New Bethford tried that one and it was shot down. >> It's going to be CJ. >> The city council has lost its effectiveness, especially when the line needs to be drawn in the sand like with the legal department and councils cannot
support exercising your rights. Maybe it is time for a new council. The people want a new government and we are still waiting for that. You have gotten who the government is. It is the people. When the people do not exercise their right to vote, they get the mess we now
have. Reduce the assessment, then reduce the budget. It is time for a hard look at the department. Starting with the mayor's budget. Eliminate the chief of staff position over $100,000 for a glorified secretary. The same wasteful spending exists within other departments
and more so in the school department. We need a leaner government. We are not an employment agency for the unqualified. Although with this council, you keep approving unqualified people for a position that is still not in ordinance. Wake up Fall River respectfully CJ Ferry.
>> Thank you very much. >> Was that CJ Ferry? I'm sorry. >> Yes, it was. >> I thought so. Thank you. >> Any of the address you you say the address for the record, madam clerk? 300 Buffington Street. >> Thank you very much. Uh, next item on our agenda is a uh continued discussion
with the fiscal year 2027 municipal budget. There were there were there motion to lift the budget from the table has been made by councelor Raposo. Seconded by councel Pekham discussion hearing none. All those in favor? >> Opposed? The eyes have it. >> There is no carryovers from uh our
session that lasted a little after midnight on Tuesday. Um so we're going to run right into community services. uh that is uh beginning on page 101 in our budgets. I'm just going to ask um come on down. I'm just going to ask our colleagues for the interest of time. Um
obviously the meeting got a little contentious on Tuesday which just happens to happen in government. I'm just going to ask all of the counselors and we're probably going to upset some people along the way. I really want to try to keep the questions to budget related questions. We want to get away from operations. We're not going to be
talking about how a department is going to operate unless it's a budget related question. So I am going to I am I am going to stop you when I feel it's necessary. Uh if we're going on operations and not budget related. Okay. Um so I just wanted to make that clear.
Councilman seat four vice president >> if I may. I just uh and this is budget related. I I just want to backtrack for a second to a statement that I made on Tuesday. Sure. about perhaps having an assistant uh city auditor as opposed to the other position in um
yep you know where so I want people to know that my suggestion does not add any money to the budget and it does not add a position to the budget that position exists in chapter 50 article 450-301
in um ordinance and not to exceed and the dollar amount that's in the uh present position is actually $10,000 under the not to exceed. So I just wanted to clarify that. >> Thank you, council vice president. Uh Mr. Aguar, join us, please. We're going to first do city planning. City planning
which is on page 102. Councelor in seat 8. Councelor Raposo. Just allow Mr. Aguar to introduce himself for the record, please. >> Good evening. For the record, I'm Dan Aguar, the director in engineering and planning and interim planner, >> council in sheet 8, councelor reposo.
Uh, and Miss RP, Miss Souza, please introduce yourself. >> Emily Arpi, CFO and O'Neal, Souza, interim city administrator. >> Councelor, thank you, Mr. President. Afternoon everybody. Mr. Aguar, two quick questions for you. Y on the assistant city planner. >> Yes.
>> How long has that position been vacant to this point? >> Recently? >> Yeah. Two or three weeks. >> Okay. So, it's new. >> Yeah. We had we had we had hired a young gentleman for about a year. I think he he went through about the year process and then decided to move on. >> Okay. How many how many assistant
planners have there been recently? And and I want to ask the question because it connects back to the salary. Is the salary competitive enough for the position? >> So originally we had an assistant planner that was at an elevated salary. Okay. And even in that elevated salary,
we were not able to get applications or applicants that met the need for even that proposed salary, which I think was around $70,000 at the time. Mr. Pirano was the last to hold that elevated pay scale uh for an assistant planner. And
when we couldn't get someone for $70,000 that had value of 75 or $70,000, we decided to reduce that number to around $55,000 so that we could bring someone in train someone that was an entry level position
and build them back up again. >> Gotcha. >> So we actually so we reduced that that line item by I think 15 or $20,000 a week. >> Correct. Yeah. So it is the intention to fill it, post it and all that forward. >> Yeah. Okay. Good. And then the other
vacancy in this department is the administrative clerk. Correct. We we've had that spot empty for I think the four years that I've been here. Um and we've been able to operate very efficiently without that and providing a savings um
every year to the city. Would it, and I guess to both of you here, would it be worth reducing that position at this point since it's been >> vacc absorbed them into their daily duties, going to a meeting that that clerk would have been paid gets paid overtime. any
specific duties to those meetings, it comes down to the conservation commission. >> So the the person the clerk that would have been handling the conservation commission, those duties have been transferred to Patty Aguiar who is the administrative assistant. So she's absorbed those through overtime, which
is a lesser dollar amount than filling that position completely. So we do have the ability >> and again we've had this discussion for four years now. We've trans we're trying to trans transition into a department of engineering and planning >> where we have a number of clerks across
both of those what would have been separate departments before that have the capability of doing the work of all the clerks and we're getting close to that. >> Okay. >> So we could operate 100%. We're getting rid of that position. However, it's not the entire salary position because there
are some overtime hours that are being absorbed by other other positions. Miss RP, do you have a sense of what's been turned over at the end of the year for four years in that position particularly? >> So, if you look at the overtime line um on page 103, you can see that the
average um actuals for the overtime is upwards of $20,000 >> and we've been budgeting um you know, this year we only budgeted four. I believe the prior year to that was around 5,000. Um, so with that being said, that alone, um, and then what we
budget for, it's about a $20,000 savings that ends up being turned back just from that position being vacant. He's had some other savings just because of turnover, but from that position specifically, it's probably about 20,000 a year. >> Okay. Yeah. I guess I wonder if if the
position's been vacant for that long, could we reduce that out completely or or reallocate some of that money to an overtime line item and then essentially the rest of it get rid of it? So if we're removing the position, I believe we'd have to talk the CBA 100%. Yes.
>> But we have the we have the ability to reduce the line item. >> Correct. We could definitely reduce the line item in that sense. So I think I think that's definitely fine. The idea of eliminating the position becomes a bigger conversation, but reducing the budget >> reduce not eliminate the position, but reduce the line item, which would be my
correct statement. Um >> as long as we increase the overtime line item. >> Yeah. And and I think because you're not going to use the entire 36, you're probably going to use 20 of it. So you're saving 16 and we can also do it on the revenue side as well. >> To be clear, we're not able at the council level to increase anything.
>> Just so we're clear. So if it's going to stay in the salary line, a supplemental will need to come down on that. >> So So all of the overtime, all of it, the way the appropriation is is by salaries and overtime is included in that salaries basis. So if you just adjust by a number,
>> you know, it'll adjust accordingly. >> Mr. Aer, you'd be comfortable with that if that were to come to fruition. >> 100%. >> Okay. Excellent. Thank you. I yield. Thank you, Councilman 6, Council Pek. >> Well, that was actually my question. Thank you, Council Rapo. >> I know you're already lean in that
department, but I am through the cost of these hearings going to touch upon overtime and um structure like what's needed. And you had said that that position hasn't been filled in a long time. So, I understand the back and forth with the money. We
could put it into the overtime line. I think was just stated. Um, so I'll just see how that plays out. But going forward, I would like to address all the overtime in these departments. Um, I said last week that >> we're kind of at a an edge now where we have to lean out and that is something
that I want us to focus on. With that, I yield. Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor. Anything further? >> I can just add one thing to councelor Pekkham's question. So some of our overtime is required due to the fact that we have three clerks. So we handle five
different boards and commissions. All of those evening meetings are overtime that we cannot cut. That is a number that is a number and that's the number that you you you'll see rolled in here at the $9,300 spot.
>> So it's calculated at each clerk three hours a month times each of the meetings. So, so that's that's a necessity. Or >> they don't work three or four hours during the week. So, it's one or the other. Y, >> so overtime, whether you call it overtime or whether you call it a
meeting stipened, it might just be what it's called. I know we don't like to use the word stipen, so it falls under the overtime category. Correct. Yeah. No, understood. And that's why I said I I know you're already lean in your department. So, and then the only other caution I would have with not completely
funding a position that's opened at some point in time, let's take Patty Aguia for instance, who is an incredible worker, works incredibly hard. Some point in time, she decides, Dann, I can't I can't put in the overtime anymore. Now, I've got to go back and try and refund or increase
the value of of the position that I need to hire someone to do the job that she's no longer getting paid overtime to do. And we can we can go through that process when the time comes, but it be might be a different council at the time that may not look so kindly upon well why do you need a new clerk all of a sudden and then we have to revisit
history of why did we get technically get rid of a clerk or at least the funding for that clerk. So at the end of the day the math works and our overtime has been paid out of the position that's been on the bookshelves for a while. >> Okay. I appreciate you. Thank you. >> Council C4 council vice president Dion.
Yeah, just one um council reposo asked questions I was going to ask, but um council in seat one isn't able to be here and he had a follow-up question. >> Okay. >> Um who handles your planning and zoning determinations from a legal standpoint?
>> Well, when we say legal, so zoning determinations are done through the zoning enforcement officer, which is Mr. Hathaway. That's the dayto-day. Um if it's a legal aspect of let's say a zoning board of appeals case where someone appeals a decision of of the
board, it runs through the legal department um and um corporate council assigns that to one of the attorneys in the office. 90% of the time that type of work gets um sent to attorney Thomas. So
anything regards to zoning appeals or dealing with the courts um that's usually attorney Thomas' work. If there's anything that deals with the land taking um for Quicoan rail trail for instance when you have to take pieces of land to build a rail trail there are appraisals that get done and
then the actual legal work that goes into preparing the documents for taking most of that work usually goes through uh attorney Thomas. >> Okay. Thank you. With that I yield. >> Thank you. Anything further regarding city planning? Councilman seat 7 council Pereira. I think with all the work that's going on in the city, all the
development that's going on in the city, there is a need for an assistant planner. I would hate to get rid of that. How much do you actually expect Mr. Agie ought to do to handle planning? >> I don't think the intention is to get rid of an assistant planner. It's to get
rid of of a clerk position that hasn't been filled. I don't think councelor Raposa was proposing to get rid of the planner. I actually responded that that we will be hiring one. That's assistant planner. the >> you want to talk about planner that's something else and if the administration determines that they want to hire a
planner I am not opposed to it I serve at the will of of the administration um I don't have to wear four hats um but that has that is what I'm doing but if the administration decides we want a dedicated planner then we'll deal with that when the time comes
>> but I think the money that you have towards an administrative clerk let's say that you don't feel you need. I think to get a planner, you're going to get a planner with experience with more money. When you put out an ad for the
planning position, do you put what the range would be or is it just this is the amount or do they put it's it's up to. But now again, we need to back up and have the conversation of assistant planner or planner. We have not advertised for a city planner,
>> correct? For many years since I've been here, we've only advertised for assistant planners. >> Correct. >> Planner would that would be a discussion. That would be a newly created line item in salary that does not appear here. So that would be another position putting back into the
budget at about $120,000 a year. So just understand the implications of of thought process of hiring a planner. That that's all I'm >> The assistant planner position is it's but it's a union position. So that the amount that you see there's not a range that is the amount there's no
>> that's the amount correct and how come before >> I believe that Mr. Aguia just said that when Piranha was there he was getting 70 >> wasn't that through the N that that was still a union position and we we advertised at that salary range and we
we had no one of any qualification to receive that amount of salary. So, it was determined, okay, we've got six applications or we keep getting applications from junior level planners still in school, just out of school. We can't pay them $70,000. We can pay them
$55 to $60,000. So, we went through the process with HR and with the union to reduce that pal that that salary scale to what you see today. >> So, when when do you think you're going to put the ad out to fill that position? >> It it literally was it was three weeks ago. No, I'm waiting for HR to put it
back out again. >> So, that person left through. Do you know if they left to go somewhere else and >> Nope. Just He didn't even speak with me. So, just walked out the door. Spoke with HR, not me. >> That's interesting. >> Yeah.
>> And let me ask you this. You say that Patty Aguia does a wonderful job. >> She does. >> And she gets paid overtime. >> Yep. >> To do clerk positions, etc. Does that overtime uh does that count in her base salary for retirement later on?
>> No, overtime does not count. >> That would be an HR question. That's not something that that I know. >> It doesn't. Right, Emily? >> So, we have an employee who goes above and beyond who's doing well, but we're not giving her the money to
put in her salary. I find that we do that with a lot of people with stipens and this and that, which is kind of unfair to the worker. I mean, you wouldn't like that. >> Part of I will say part of the problem is it's not a it's not a choice that we have. It's the way the laws are written.
When they're doing >> extra work, yes, she's going above and beyond, but she's doing overtime, which is out of her scope of work. We don't have a choice to say whether it's overtime or not. If she's working outside of her scheduled hours, she's working outside of her scheduled hours, especially for a meeting. So, we don't have any other ability but to call it
overtime. So, there's not really a way to >> I understand that, Emily. But what I'm saying is we want to keep people working here in the city and we often on the council say we don't pay competitively to what other people pay and you know
you'll hear that from workers and maybe this question is to you um to talk to administration you know what is the feelings on that I know we do a lot of stipens and snow removal and other stipens I think the clerks here even get x amount if their
clerking meetings. I think that that's something maybe HR and administration needs to look at because you want to value the people that work here that do an awesome job. Uh we want to value them and I I'll tell you that I hear some
people don't feel that they're valued when things like this happen. So I mean we can certainly speak with HR and I mean do an evaluation of how many individuals are in this situation because you'd have to do it across the board. I don't think we could just do it
for one individual and how many would it affect? How will it affect us financially? So >> I think we we should look at that and see what the effect would be. >> With that I yield. Thank you. >> Thank you counselor. Counselor in seat 8. Councelor Raposa. >> Yeah. Just a followup question. The the union we're referring to is which one?
Please ask me. Okay. Um, so I just to clarify, so knowing that the projection for FY26 was 18, but we only proposed a budget of 9,300 >> that excess is the one that is being
paid. Um, >> yeah, but I know that I'm just I guess I'm curious why didn't when you said I I'll explain it, Mr. Aar. Um, and I alluded to it. In this year's budget, >> it was calculated the three hours per employee per meeting. >> Gotcha.
>> So the 9300 is is a separate number. Then the overtime. So that so that's that's the number calculated for that. The remaining overtime gets paid out of the unfunded position. >> Last year it didn't appear that way in in budget. >> Okay, that makes
>> and Emily and I talked about that today. said even the the documents the document that gets submitted >> kind of sets us up for failure because you don't understand the underlying numbers and and that's why we're here to answer questions like that. >> Understood. Thank you, sir. I yield, Mr. President. >> Council C6, Council P.
>> I just uh in rebuttal to councelor Pereira, um I do agree wholeheartedly that the city employees deserve that overwhelming support from us. Um but for a planner position, Miss Arky, could we fit? We can't afford a bag of chips. How
would we fit that full-time position in there? Could we even entertain that >> for a city planner? You mean I at this point in time, I don't think it's ideal. I think when we have somebody doing it and it's doing it well, why would we add $100,000 to have somebody else do it? So >> that's my exact point. I'm not
>> yet. We don't dis >> this table does not disagree with that sentiment at this point in time. >> My goal here is to reduce whatever I can and not add to it eventually. So and I think you're doing a fantastic job of what you're doing, Mr. Agass. So thank you. I yield. >> Thank you, Councilman C2. Council Chimera.
>> Yes. So, Mr. Niger, I've been asking all the department heads have been asking the same thing. You're the city engineer, right? >> Correct. >> Is there anything you can save in your department to save the taxpayers money? >> So, I think if you historically look at my budget since I've been here or the engineering department and the planning department budget and even in these
light items, you'll see a bunch of dashes going down where to the very left column, you see descriptions of things. You see a number year one following year. I've cut this department literally down to the bone to the point
to the point where we had a discussion last year >> and it's more on the engineering side of it, but you you were alluded to the engineering part of it. Um the roadways when we want to accept the street, we always had a line item that would sit in an account when you the
council decides we want to accept small street for instance. That was one of the ones that we did. We then have to go out and hire a survey company to prepare the layout plan that gets recorded at the registry of deeds. There was always money sitting in an account to take care of those line items. Sometimes people didn't petition to have a roadway
accepted and the money ends up getting turned back in. So we decided last year strip that fund completely with the understanding and councelor Kendall and I had this discussion a day or two ago with the understanding that when you decide and I come and we have a
discussion should we accept this street I make it clear to you that if you want to accept this street we have to spend this much money to fix it and then now also understand that you have to immediately appropriate funds for me to go have that work done. So it's same amount of money, same work done. It's
just process for me to come ask for it while you're saying accept the street and make it a city street. So we've reduced a bunch of those line items. I honestly other than unfilled positions and in engineering we have unfilled positions as well and the ones that are
there we cannot cut. the planning department. We have that one clerk position that councelor uh reposuo had suggested we could do without funding that position. Um again handling the overtime I've already stripped this to the bone and increased all of our fees
all of our revenues gone up. Um there's really not much more to go. >> Okay. With both planning and engineering >> for both. Yeah. I'll I I can answer it separately when we discuss engineering. >> No, no, that's okay. Just want to ask the questions and I'm going to ask all the department heads see if we can fix I mean we want to try to make cuts as much as possible. So it wouldn't be fair for
me not to ask certain department heads >> with as long as we're on the subject of city planning and engineering. I see things a little differently. I think you do a phenomenal job in both departments. The problem I have is that what happens when you leave? We're going to be on the
hook for a planner and an engineer at the same time. >> We have discussion many times. Okay. And we have and as I said at the beginning, we're we're moving this little reorg of these two departments in a way. Just >> point let finish.
>> When you say we're having discussion many times, who are you having discussion with? It's not the council, is it? >> You've raised this question to me multiple times. >> Oh, okay. So, it's what was the answer? >> I'm going to give you the same answer. That's what I was just starting with. >> All right. I I thought you guys were internally discussing and that's where I was going to next. So historically an
engineering department, historically a planning department, two fully staffed departments with four people sitting here rather than one today is how it used to operate. >> Mhm. >> So when I came in, I was able to take Bill Kenny left wanted to retire. I assume those duties things have worked
well since and I understand completely. So we've had discussions with RIO like we call this a department of engineering and planning. There really is not a department of engineering and planning. it shows up in the new ordinance for the new Rio. So, we're trying to establish that and in
that there is a flowchart of a director of engineering and planning, a city engineer and a city planner. The director also has to hold one of these two positions. So, it's a complete restructure so that when I >> you basically have a city engineer and a
city planner, but the director will be one, >> one of them is a director. So it it will it will ultimately set up an ordinance and on paper that if I leave the structure is there to fill this this department. You may need to fund it differently at a much higher number
>> which is what you just brought up before by saving now $120,000. We're going to have to So we're going to eventually have to go to that. >> You eventually you will do I do I expect that to be within the next 10 years? >> No. No. Look, I don't I'm not expecting you. >> Listen, I understand things happen all the time. Yep. I'm just saying it's it's
a concern of mine in the past. >> I don't see any movement to see what we're trying to do. Maybe you guys are having internal discussions. That's why I said >> I asked this question a year ago. >> Well, it's created, we've worked and discussed of creating the framework. As I stated to councelor Pereira, as soon
as the administration, whether it's this administration or the next, says we want to hire a separate planner, >> y >> I don't get a $28,000 stipen for doing the planner job anymore. you can pay $120,000 and then I can just I don't have a problem with the pay cut, >> right? >> You'll do less work because you have to
deal with the whole department. >> So I don't know what it doesn't make sense logistically now, but long term you will have to deal with this at some point, right? 100%. >> So kicking the can down the road as some people might say. >> Saving the money while >> saving money now while you can. Exactly.
You earn during your earning years, right? >> Yeah. Remember when we had the incinerator in the landfill? Remember the saying back then? burn the trash, bury the ash, and keep the cash. >> There you go. >> Sometimes you got to set it, look at it differently so that you can spend it
wisely going into the future. But it's a concern of mine. I hope not saying that I want you to leave anytime soon. I know you handle both departments fine, but I don't think that's something that we can keep looking at and saying, "Hey, you get hit by a bus, right? Where are we
now? We are out two positions with not a lot of internal knowledge under you." >> Correct. >> With that, I thank you. Thank you, councelor. Anything further regarding uh this department? Well, we're going to keep Mr. Aguiar here uh so he doesn't have to leave the table and come back.
Let's go to engineering on page 98 98. City engineering under community services counselor in seat 8, council repos. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. Aguar, in your department, you have the vacancy of the GIS specialist. >> Correct. >> Um is this newly vacant as well? Um, so
TJ Sullivan, who had historically held that position even before I started, um, a position opened in IT and I I'm here I hear listened to you all have discussions with Tyler the other day about TJ coming in and doing positions. It gave TJ the ability almost the same
skill set >> to get into a a better pay scale where where this position is capped even after we had increased it. So I I do not fault Mr. Sullivan for moving moving on. Do I miss him? Yes. It's a very specific skill set. Yeah. >> And we've had discussions about filling
that position and HR has been working on a job description. So the previous position was there was a GIS requirement component to it about 30 hours of the 30% of the manh hours. >> Mhm.
>> So you can only pay a position so much when your highest skill set is only 30% of the job. the mindset moving forward is well maybe we make that the lower end of the skill set and potentially need to pay somebody additionally but these are discussions to have with the union about
this position >> and how do we accommodate that um but currently it's funded at the same amount of money that Mr. Sullivan was getting paid, but it will be getting advertised. And the agreement with when when he came to me very responsibly um said, you
know, I'd like to do this. Do you think I can handle it? Right? He's actually asking me, you know, if he could handle an IT job, which I can I can barely turn the computer on, but I I can get by. Um I said, TJ, of course you have to, right? You have a wife or young child. You do whatever you can to better
yourself. Um, I said, "I will ask you and I'm going to ask HR and I'm going to ask Tyler in the short term until we find somebody to help with the IT duties or the GIS duties." Tyler, I'm asking you, can TJ provide
that through it? And we have an internal agreement where the super technical GIS stuff, >> um, which is, it's not a lot, but it's very specific skill set. >> Correct. he's been able to help cover doing some of that work while we while we get this position resolved. >> Yeah. And obviously in the short term
plan right now just >> Yes. 100%. >> But long term is to fill the position, change change a little bit of it and then >> Yes. Because it'll get you know because some of the position it was GIS super high technical and then he was out actually filling in some cler clerical duties at the same time. Yeah. where I
would like to see the position have an engineering component to it as well that could provide or assist in the engineering side of things as well. All in the grand scheme of this reorg of how you can get >> people doing the highest level of their ability in the positions that they're in
and they can get paid accordingly. >> In that same topic, you mentioned that reorg a few times now to the administration. Do we have a sense of when that could be a reality? Well, the the very the biggest step was that it's listed now in the new ordinance that's before you. Even with DCM, if you look
at departments, there is a department of engineering and planning. Yes. So, that that's the first start. >> First, >> and then and then now how we create >> it's all the there's no new positions. It's just what they're called, what some of their duties are, and the pay scales associated with it. So, >> understood. I would like to see it done
within a year complete >> and that there is a framework here like councelor Camra said that it it doesn't all fall on me that if I do leave there are people here that have a higher level skill set to do the work. >> Okay. And just as a side note I think it would be helpful that maybe at the next
ordinance meeting when that comes up then maybe we can have you there as well to discuss that part of it. I think that would be useful to the committee. I I've offered my opinions and and services to the general Rio discussion for all. >> Yeah, I I'll actually pass it along to the clerk to make sure you're invited to that.
>> Um the other question is on your on page 899 under the expenses the technical consulting service. >> Yep. >> And and I was just looking back at FY24 at 25,000. FY25 was 45,000
and now projected 26 was 20 was 50,000 and then FY27 is 13,000. >> Okay. So >> So explain explain what that line item is if you could and how it moves >> around. It's the only thing I have circled in red on on my paper because it's really the only question that I would think that somebody would ask. Um,
I have an employee that's been out on FMLA for had the initial 12 weeks, applied for an extension for an additional 12 weeks, and during the winter months, we could get by without having that inspector doing doing work. I was able to cover
some of that my own. The sewer department provided one of their consultants to help do some of the sewer connection permits into the summer months. And and this literally only came about >> two or three weeks ago. It got to the point when when that employee asked for
that extension. I we expected him back April April 1. Asked for the extension. The extension was granted. >> I now need a body. >> I can't fill a position because he's out on FMLA. I had to reach out to engineering firms that we use for consultants in the planning department
to review subdivision construction and and private consultant >> and enter into a contract with them to cover for inspections while that employee is out or until that position gets filled >> on an asne basis. >> Gotcha. >> The agreement went into effect I want to
say two or three weeks ago. Every week I've I've put them off put them off for as long as we can. This is the first week that the person started. So I think initially we had contemplated an 80,000 or $85,000 line item but by by putting them off because consultants don't work cheap but we're also not paying them
benefits and retirements and everything else but so that's where that 50,000 is it's to cover the position that I can't refill because of FMLA. >> So now so now in the projected budget it's 13,000. So now it's >> because July 1st starts. >> Okay. >> A new
>> and you don't you don't sense that this you're essentially planning for that employee to return probably in the next >> I I I'm out of that I'm out of that discussion. >> Okay. >> All right. That answer my question. I yield Mr. President. Thank you. >> Council seat three. Council. >> Thank you. Uh most of my questions were
asked by councelor C8. Uh just under educational supplies the $5,000 listed uh hasn't been used. Just kind of wondering what that's for and how it's used. So the GIS position for instance um when TJ was in that spot very
technical job very the skill set the technology changes we've always had a line item in to provide him educational dollars for what we need him to go learn I'm not going to go learn anything else um he had planned on taking additional
courses this year ended up leaving so we haven't ended up spending it but there are many times during the year that we'll have, you know, an opportunity for educational, especially for him because everything is so technical. I've offered to all the clerks. I'm not a big Excel spreadsheet guy. I can use it. I can't
create one. I'm just being honest with you. And I've asked all the clerks, if you all have an interest in learning and you want to take a class BCC on Excel or what there there is money here to provide educational abilities to train you for specifically for what for what
we do. Most don't take advantage of it. Um this has been mostly for TJ AutoCAD classes specific to a task GIS classes and in most cases he has utilized those in the past um but has not this year but I would like to keep the ability to do
that >> especially with a new employee. >> So then my follow-up question is more to the administration uh in terms of uh tuition reimbursement or anything to help employees grow. Do we I guess we don't offer those type of benefits at all? >> I mean we traditionally don't. I mean,
of course, the police department has their Quinn bill that that's built into the budget, but um we we do not generally do that. >> A lot of departments have training, but the tuition reimbursement, I mean, that's a that's a huge cost and not necessarily usually specific to the work
that we're doing here. So, we do a lot of departments do have kind of training or conference costs to keep up to date on very specific things within our job. Um, and it's obviously a much more affordable rate than, you know, thousands of dollars of tuition. So we do a lot of departments do offer that and and utilize that.
>> Yeah. I think it just goes back to the question we were talking about just a moment ago with the engineering position, right? You know, he I'm I'm a little more positive than uh my colleague in C2 where he says you're going to get hit by a bus, you could win the lottery, right? >> I could and but I probably wouldn't
leave if I did. >> But I think this goes to the you know, how do we make sure the bench talent, right? the the people who work under Miss Aari etc be able to take that next step and grow and if there's you know someone who's ready or needs that next
step you know what what you know even at a limited more limited scale not a formal program but I like what I see you know for this being available for those type of opportunities so um >> I just give a quick response so when I came here there was a department in
place that had certain expectations we we've tried to run as efficiently as possible possible across the board. That that's not to say that the engineering department and planning department couldn't be run differently and maybe more effectively, but it would require an incredible amount of
employees. Not it's not always a comparison to to Fall River and New Bedford. I want to say New Bedford's probably got eight planners at different levels in the planning department. There's one specific to the zoning, not clerks, planners, lower level staff.
they have a a city planner, but then there were probably eight planners that have their own little little duties. If I had eight true assistant planners, we could do a lot, but when you're trying to keep funding down and what our
payroll is, I I don't want to say we we we fund departments and we we move forward to do as best as we can with what we've got. That's what we do in Fall River. We we don't hire. If you gave me two planners at $100,000 a year,
I could probably guarantee you a million dollars in grant funding through those two positions. Not to pay for those positions, but on construction projects. But that's a different mindset. And that's that may be where that may be where we go to. But there are discussions, you know, again, that we
have about at what point do we come and say, "Okay, we wanted to hire two $100,000 planners." Before I got here, we didn't utilize, we've had a discussion about Eastern Avenue and spending some design money on getting on a program with Mass Dot through the TIP
program for a $30 million construction project. That really wasn't done before, but that takes time and effort to do that. So, if we had staff that was dedicated to just Serpent and Masdot projects, you know, we broke ground today on the globe. Joe's not here, five
corners, if you'd like to call it five corners. They started the work today cutting. That's a grant program. That's through the local bottleneck reduction grant. Instrumental in that was Chris Hathaway. Just so that you all know before I even started starting that with, hey, can we can we get on this?
Then when I came in, the two of us were able to pick it up and get the $700,000 award to rebuild that intersection. But you need bodies to do that. So, it's an entirely different concept of do we continue on just are we happy with what we're able to do or could we do so many
more things but it costs money to get there and I don't want to take any more time. >> So, this goes to the grant question I asked the other day. We had more grant writers would do we get more funds. It sounds like >> it's more specialized. >> Correct. Yes. Well, the council recently
took up a resolution by I believe it was councelor Kadeim and former councelor Tith um related to investing more and providing more matching funds for the streets and roadways in terms of that funding. But you're telling me if I fund
potentially two of those positions at $100,000, we could potentially be able to secure an additional $800,000 worth of value towards those type of projects. Correct. >> Are there any other creative ways that we could get more? >> This isn't an operational discussion as
as as the president asked us, but again, anytime you want to come by, you you know, we've in a short period of time, we've had many conversations. Um, but that's that's the overall discussion of Rioorg and and how can we improve what we do for the cities of Fall River. >> I think I would like to look to not this
budget cycle of course, but potentially for the future. And you know I I'm always a fan of running pilots. If this is going to come to fruition in terms of that value of impact if we can validate that that be helpful. So >> that you know
>> thank you councel C7 council Pereira. >> That was my point exactly. You have to hire the positions to be able to do what Mr. Aguia is talking about doing. >> Um but you have to have the bodies there. It's not just even hiring a grant
writer to bring in money for certain, you know, certain places. You still have to have the bodies there to do it. >> Correct. >> Um, where on this does it talk about how much we're paying Byron Holmes? Is that on part of this? Is that in the engineering?
>> No. Um, come out of chapter 70. >> Byron comes out of chapter 90. >> Chapter 90. >> Yeah, >> that's what I meant. 70 was schools. >> Yeah. So, chapter 70. >> 70 schools. So, um, what Byron does is, um, he deals with the reimbursements, um, of submitting the paperwork, all of
the bills and everything else to mass doping everything and doing all that. I know what he does. Is he somebody, uh, Mr. Aguia that you could look at to fill in if you don't have >> I've asked >> Sylvia around. Do you think, Mr. Aya, he could >> I can't answer that question. No.
>> At least he knows. >> You mean could Byron? Could Byron >> fill in? I thought you were asking me if Dennis was coming back. No. Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Byron and I have had that discussion. >> Um, >> he's retired. >> What Mr. Silva primarily did was like
roadway inspections, street inspections out in the field. Byron's not the youngest gentleman either anymore. Um, this is a short-term >> dealing with this consultant >> to get us through. And again, this is a comfortable number >> to to minimize the exposure of somebody
calls. The other option is nobody can open a street, nobody can connect to a sewer. We don't have an inspector, but there are there are curb cut permits to look at. There's roof, drain, drywall, and so there are inspections that need to take place. And again, this has been the first week that I've utilized that outside consultant.
One of the things that we've done, and sorry, it's operational, is >> I've given him a list of all of the trenches that have been dug in our streets for the last year because contractors always one year, >> right? He's going through all of them telling me what condition they're in and
they need to be redone. And I'll be sending out letters to the ones to the excavators that say, "Okay, you need you have one year is up in a month. Your patch is failed. It needs to be fixed because a year and a day. They don't owe us anything."
>> All right, let's refocus this on budget questions. >> No, I think that that's important that the public know that that is being done as well. >> Wasn't done before, >> right? and I'm glad that it is. Um I don't have any other questions. Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor. Uh very quickly as just points of clarification, um you
made a comment about um FMLA extensions. Does the city usually approve those? >> I don't know. >> Um I've never met just >> I am not that's not my >> human resource. >> All right. Well, can you get back on that? And then the $2 million that the
city uh allocated to match um for roadways that we discussed maybe three or four meetings ago, is that uh in this budget anywhere? >> No. So we haven't that no order has come down before you. >> Are you intending on doing that in FY? >> It would be in FY27. So it's for FY27.
So we would be sending something down in FY27. >> Why would you help me understand why would you send an order and not put it in the budget? because the order is for $2 million and I I am trying to not add a $2 million line item to the budget. So, we would be funding it through debt at this point in time is the plan most
likely. If if we happen to have other resources available, then we would use that. But, um that debt wouldn't be taken out or be paid on until the following fiscal year. So, that's why there's nothing in the budget for it. >> I thought we were going to have a commitment to add $2 million every year. How are we going to do it sustainably
>> through the debt? That's the That's the whole capital. >> The capital plan walks through all of that and the funding schedule and what that looks like and how we're maintaining that. So I I can we can revisit that if you'd like. >> Fair. Any other questions regarding engineering? >> Talk to Cat 5 council. >> Just a quick point of order, Mr.
President. The FMLA is it goes to the HR and then up to the state. It's at my job. So there's a few folks that are on PF FMLA. Then there's PFMLA where they get paid up to 12 weeks and then they get the extension in 12 weeks. And Mr. Yeah, is exactly right as far as the
FMLA. You can't do anything about that because that protects that person's position. So, >> thank you. Thank you. All right. Hearing nothing further for engineering or city planning. Thank you, Mr. Agiar. >> Thank you. We're going to go to uh inspectional services under community services.
That is on page 105. Mr. Hathaway, counselor in seat, councelor repos. After Mr. Pathway introduces himself for the record. Thank you, Mr. Aguiar. As always, >> again, budget related questions, not policy or anything else.
>> Good evening, Glenn Hathaway, building commissioner. >> Hi, Mr. Haway. How are you? >> Um, two budget questions for you, I promise. Um on page 106 the gasoline
the gas allowance I should say um is zero. Was that reallocated? Can you explain was that a union thing? Was it reallocated? What's the situation on page 106? Uh 1 2 3 4 six lines down. >> It was changed with the CBA. So it was changed over um if you look at the
gasoline budget down below um they were getting an allowance through the CBA. The CBA actually very clearly describes in it, you either get an allowance or you have a gas card to fuel at the city yard. We have shifted them back over to getting fuel from the city yard. And so
that means that they don't get that gas allowance anymore. >> So it's actually a little bit of a savings from what we had. Um that was my next question. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And then the other item is other professional services. Um can you define? So actually it's actually two
questions. other professional service and other purchase services. Very vague titles of course. Um can you and if you can answer it now great. If you can get back to me that would also be great on what those items are. >> I can answer. So other professional
services would be um an outside contractor that we would hire to do something in relation to what we're doing. Um one of them is going to be uh the for landfill. We have a monitoring
company that monitors the wells >> and that's where that is comes from. >> Um >> other professional services >> other professional service or the purchase services. >> Sorry that's confusing. So professional is the coverage for the inspectors.
>> Okay. I'm sorry. Yeah. Okay. See you you asked for both of them. >> Yeah. I apologize. So let's start with other professional services first which is I it's budgeted for $10,000. >> Yeah. That's for um inspectors such as
electrical. Um mainly is the is the big ticket item. Uh we only have one electrical inspector. In his absence during sick days or vacations, we would hire somebody else to come in and fill in as needed. >> Mhm. >> And that's where those services come in. >> Okay.
And then on the purchase services, >> that's that's the um the well monitoring >> is the big ticket item for that line item. >> Okay. Is there anything else within that line item? That's >> Yes, there is. And um we have a system
in place to deal with uh campers, believe it or not. Uh campers that's abandoning on city streets. um campers that no tow company wants to deal with or is able to deal with. Um we
have a uh small amount of money in that line item to dispose of the campers after a certain period of time. I can go into a lot of detail with that if you'd like, but I I'll just summarize it. >> No, you don't need to. But I I guess my
my question becomes and and going back to the FY25 or 26 budget, the the number really has never exceeded, you know, somewhere the lines between 25 to 40,000, but yet we continue to fund
it at 75 and FY20 70,000 FY25 and then 26 to 75,000 now 2768. It really hasn't touched even close to that in three years. So, does it have some room to to reduce? >> Um, we could probably reduce it, but that's based on what the problem with
that is is the well company that's doing the monitoring. >> Um, first of all, they've changed hands. It's a different company. Um, we solicit bids for that process. Uh, they change frequently. So, we we need to be covered in that account in the event of a change
of a contractor or uh they have a different bid proposal. Obviously, um we could probably save a little bit, but Emily is putting money in that account in order to uh fulfill the obligation uh for the campers.
>> So, we did actually reduce it $15,000 this year. So, it really was going to drop down to 60, but then we added in the eight for the campers. So, we did finally see that that wasn't fully being utilized. So, we dropped it down some and then added it back in. So, I mean, there is potential that you could maybe, you know, reduce it another five. But
the campers are new in there. They've been having them and trying to figure out how to deal with them and have been using some of that excess this year to cover it. But that isn't necessarily fully reflected in some of these numbers that you're seeing. >> I I would ask that we don't cut it too much because I've just disposed of two
campers. >> Um and it's mainly the cost of the rubbish removal uh or debris from the campers uh disposal wise. And it's quite costly and if we can avoid it, we avoid
it at all costs. But um and then coming out of that is the tow companies don't get paid for courtesy. This is not a courtesy toe. >> Sure. >> Um I've in order to for them to respond uh we've agreed to pay them for that
toe. That comes out of that. But that's only for campers. >> Understood. >> Okay. Um, we've had a severe problem of uh disposing of campers until Emily was kind enough to put something in my budget to to deal with this >> uh issue.
>> Okay. Yeah. I mean, I I guess my point still stands though that in the past two fiscal years, the most that's been spent in that line item is 50,578 and we're still budgeting, you know, upwards to 70,000. So, I mean, you could probably I mean, my theory is you could
get away with a budget of maybe 55,000. Well, the boats weren't in. >> Yeah, I was going to say we haven't dealt the campers haven't been in those past numbers at all. Right. >> We've had a in the little bit that we've done this year probably it may not be reflected in the projected right now just because of the timing of the projections versus him realizing he had
money left over to do those this year. So, we can look at that and get back to you and confirm what that amount is if because if that is correct and that still stands then absolutely. But I I'm not I'll have to just check those numbers again to make sure that we're >> that would be good to get if you could. And to relation to this question, how
many campers in this fiscal year have you disposed of? >> So there is currently the bill is being paid or was paid yesterday at around figure of $4,000 for two. I still have two more in in the background waiting for the paperwork
>> to be uh finalized and there'll probably be another based on the size of them. Uh it'll probably be another 4,000. Well, those are my 8,000 right now, but that additional four that is going to be forthcoming won't come in this year's budget because it'll be after July. So,
um, and it all depends on whether the owner of the cont. >> Sure. >> So, there's there's items in there. >> There's variables involved, >> right? >> Yeah. Okay. Not to prolong the conversation, if you could get that information to me and then if we could
revisit it uh in a further discussion to see if we can uh if there's any wiggle room on that particular line item, I think that'd be great. I yield, Mr. President. >> Thank you, Councelor and C6. Councel Pek, >> just a question for you mentioned um the city for gas. How many vehicles do we
have that don't use the city for gas? >> Um I could pull that out of here, but I can tell you um in a general sense, the departments that kind of don't. So assessors doesn't use the cityard. Um I believe >> human minimum housing director does
>> the minimum housing director doesn't. Um there is >> I think one in health department that does not um I think that there is sorry I'm running through my head. There's a there's only a few that don't
anymore. Now with the let's use the assessors for example where are they driving to >> different properties to do different assessments. Yeah. Around the city. >> Okay. So they go from the government center every morning out to a property and then return home back to the government center at the end of their shift. Right.
>> Correct. >> Why can't they fill up at the city in the beginning of their shift? >> So that was something that was I'm going to say well before my time it's in the CBA that way that it says either one. Um and so we had had conversations about switching them back over from these departments. So, we did um but we can
revisit that. Like I said, it's right now it's in the CBA as as it was. So, it wasn't it's not necessarily new, I'm going to say in that sense, but we can definitely look at, you know, addressing it in totality. Um, >> okay. Now, these are gas cards, credit cards.
>> So, I'm sorry, let me take a step back. The people in assessors, they don't get gas, they don't get a fuel allowance. They only get an auto allowance. So, essentially for the wear and tear on their vehicles, they don't pay, they don't get coverage for gas at all. >> Okay. Understood. Sorry. Um, so some of these other departments that, like I said, they don't go out of state
>> that, you know, they're not going to be away from the city yard to have to fuel up somewhere. So I don't see an issue with them fueling up in the city. Whoever has, you know, an outside fuel card. I'd like to reel that in a little bit because I would assume there's interest rates and stuff that we do have. >> So what that what that other amount was,
let me sorry, let me take a step back because I was probably short in my description. The 2400, it's not an outside fuel. It's something that's given in their salary. Actually, they just get $200 a month flat. >> So, it's a stipen. >> Yeah. In place. >> No one has credit cards. >> No. Yeah. They either fill up at the
yard or they get a $200 amount monthly in their salary. >> Okay. So, that's much easier. It's a lot >> different. It's better to track than what I was just thinking. >> If if I may answer your question a little more directly, each inspector
from my department gets $200. >> Okay. >> Okay. We used to or they used to I still get it in my my check $200 allowance per month in 30 days. They get the same amount, but they've been granted a card
now to go back to DPW and gas up. That 200 is no longer in a stipen or in a pay to their check. It comes out of the garage. that is monitored through the keypad card that they receive and if
there is an overage it's being deducted from their pay. If there's an underid if they use an under it's under. Okay. Did I >> cl understood? So what I was thinking was that we were using a card. >> No no no sorry it's just a card at the
key. Yeah that was my mistake. >> I appreciate it. Yeah. With that I yield. Thank you. >> Thank you councelor C3 council. >> Thank you. Um, the gasoline was asked for. Um, I'm I'm assuming this is really, but I did want to ask R&M vehicles. $2,000 is on this year's budget. Was not in previous year's
budgets. >> So, >> so that's my weights and measures, gentlemen, that has a pickup truck that is owned by DCM and it's uh I think it's a 19 92 pickup truck that is used solely for
weights and measures. and uh DCM purchased that in 1992. And the expenses were going to DCM uh such as um any any expenses associated with the truck that has now
been put into my line item to maintain that truck. Uh because of the the dollar amount that these departments no longer want to contribute to other departments. So we took it out. Emily gave me 2,000.
Um, if we need a tire, we're going to go buy a tire. If we need a sticker, we're going to go buy a sticker. If we need an oil change, we may get it done at DCM as a courtesy. Um, if we need something else in an alternator or a starter, um,
we're going to be able to pay for it now versus begging that department to help me out. >> Okay. Do we have a sense as to how we got to the 2000 number? Was there some historical data on >> There's no historical data. This is all new. Um
>> I guess from the DCM side, what they were spending to maintain this vehicle? >> No, there's no significant um expenses that I'm aware of. Uh we did have to tow it at one point a couple years ago. Um DCM paid for that tow. Uh I believe the
starter let go while he was at a uh conference. We towed it. They put a new starter in and that was the end of it. But, uh, it seems as though in the last couple of years, budget-wise, breaking things out to keep things between departments, it's been a concern
maintaining this vehicle. So, I suggested to Emily that we put in $2,000 to maintain the vehicle. Um, I don't think that's going to be needed at this time. It's still it's still a good vehicle. Um, I I would like to see uh him maintain it even better by getting a
car wash stifen at some point, but I'm not going to go there right now. I'm going to start slow and see what the account does. Um, I believe the truck needs to be cleaned and I mean washed. Uh, it it's um I think it represents the city. It's labeled and it needs to be uh
it's entitled to be washed uh as as a city vehicle. Um, so I'll work at that. But I asked for the 2,000 in general because if it doesn't take long to spend $200 or $300 if a starter goes or a tire
goes or it needs new tires or it needs whatever. Um, and it is getting an old getting to become an older truck, but it's still in good condition. I think there's uh I want to say there's only 35,000 miles on this truck.
So 90 92 and he works every day. So it doesn't travel very far. >> I think we talked about that. I thought you said the AC wasn't working in there anymore. >> Yeah, there was something there's been minor repairs that have gone down. Um
and and uh we've had to have them fixed. >> Um the other question I have is around dues and memberships. Uh looks like in FY25 we spent about $2,500. Uh the projected for this year is 2759. I just kind of want to understand what
are these dues, what are these memberships and why are we budgeting in both years uh you know $800 more than what we've been spending in this area. >> So dues and memberships is for all inspectors whether it be plumbing,
electrical or building. um their dues to um and myself included to uh be affiliated with an association in relation to their job. Um whether it be seminars uh in my case it's a seminar uh
monthly um and be associated with the uh building commissioners association which is called Simboa. um they provide uh my continuing know uh education that we need I need uh per my
license uh it's the same thing across the board for plumbing and electrical it's dues and sub uh subscriptions for anything associated with their uh with their profession. >> Okay. Um so that went up uh well let me
ask first the validity of the current projected number I think we've um do we believe the 2759 number to be correct >> u right now okay so that went up 27 >> so the cost of the memberships do have a
a slight increase each year from these associations um and I think part of the problem is is at the time of setting these budgets we don't have those figures so I think that's where the the estimate comes comes from. Um but as you can see it does increase each year in the actual. So I think um there could I
mean there could be a slight overestimation in that. >> We also have we also have a membership with um the international building code which is um national. That's where the building code books and equipment come
from. um we have to be a member with that association in order to get these stipens when it comes time to buy uh the current code books. And if you're not a member, you can't buy them. And uh it's um the the money that we pay for that
membership um far doesn't outweigh the uh the cost of the books and and buying them outright. So it it's uh that's where the dues and sub subscriptions go uh in order for us to
survive in this uh building code world. >> Okay. So we went up $269 from 25 to 26 in terms of the actual cost. Um we are showing uh the requested
amount as $3,500 which is $741 higher. Um um so I guess I I would say at most I would expect this to go up 300 may even 400. I think this particular
line item you know can be cut by a few hundred potentially. I think councelor if we cut that we're cutting somebody's my requirement for them to be certified or educated. >> How so? The line item request is 3500
>> correct? You spent $2,759 this year. And if I sent the reduced this by $400 to $3,100 for that, that gives you the money you had spent this year plus an additional $341.
>> Okay? Multiply that times two inspectors for plumbing. if their if their dues or subscriptions or anything that they're they're required to have their profession goes up in any way, we have to be able to cover that for them. We also have to do the same for electrical
and building and not knowing between now and next year throughout the entire budget year 27 if any of those rates are going to go up. Those are not uh they may come out in November
of next year and we're going to have to pay that current subscription. If it goes up 100 for each person, that's 200 right there. If it goes up 75, it's it's it is what it is. >> So, can we confirm the the headcount? How many you have? One, two, three,
including yourself. One, two, three, four, five. Six people. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. So we have six people right now at a cost of $2,759. So that's $460 per person right now. Has
this ever gone up? I assume given this is going up each year. Has this ever gone up $100 in any of the last five years? >> I I can pull that data for you if you'd like. >> Okay. Yeah, if you can pull it for the last five years what this has gone up each year. I think this is just padded
by a few hundred dollars. And I do completely um respect and understand that the these are needed, but I just want to make sure that we aren't overestimating here. Um which ends up getting turned back to certified free cash later. So I think we're we're
looking to save every dollar we can. And I just I see this as a line item that, you know, is probably going to go up from where it is right now, but I think where it's being proposed is just a little too high. So >> Okay. >> With that, I yield. Anything further for inspectional services? Council C7,
Council Pereira. >> Um, Mr. Hathaway, what are we looking at budget-wise? Order Bridget, what are we looking at budget-wise to tear down some of these buildings? And, you know, with all the development that's happening in the city and the development that's
going to be happening on 79, what's your thoughts on all the inspectors that we have? Um, do you have any foresight to that? If there was a wish list for you, >> I always have a wish list. Um, >> careful what you ask for.
>> I I I I would love to have one more building inspector full-time. Um, that that's a given. I I've been recommending that for years. Um, I would love to have an an additional inspector.
Uh if we're all getting older, there's one of the other inspectors in my office. Um he he uh has talked about retirement in the near future. Um I haven't been confirmed in
any way, shape, or form. I'm not pushing him. Um, but if we were to lose him or any one of them during any period of time right now, I'd be in trouble cuz I'm in trouble now with the amount of help I
have and how busy we are. So, we Yes, we could use an additional inspector in the building department. Uh, no questions asked there from from my perspective. Um, as far as your first question of
demolition or any of that nature, uh, we are going to proceed or we are proceeding with the police station. That's an additional sum of money that you've appropriated. Um, I do have some money in the um demolition account that
there is a I have a wish list uh for at least two maybe three pieces of property, maybe four, could be um to demo. And based on that, that could deplete the uh the budget uh just with
one house, one building. uh but I try to use the uh taxpayers funds um to the best of our ability. So I there is four more buildings I'm going to say that or four buildings other than the
police station that I would like to demolish or in that category and clean up. Um, >> what does it cost you to demolish one? Because you don't have you don't have a whole lot of money. >> Demolishing city- owned was like 48 and and transfer demo to vacancy, it was
another 20. >> So, it all happens in another fund for the most part. There's some stuff within, but most of it, the demolition, especially for um city properties that aren't city- owned, they definitely happen in that other fund. So, you don't see it here. The other part of the
>> caveat to this is if we're demoing a privatelyowned building, we lean it. So then the money comes back into that fund and that's why it's set up in a revolving fund. So in some ways, we don't actually need the full amount to be there upfront because we are able to kind of wash it around in that sense. So and per I'm going to say the accounting
laws, we're able to have that in there knowing that it's going to be a receipt that'll be received at a later date. So we obviously try to be mindful because we don't want to just be sitting out, you know, half a million dollars at all times, but um it is an ability that we have. So we kind of approach it in that basis.
>> What's the general cost of demolition that >> I'll give you I'll give you an example. So please don't ask for the address cuz I don't want no to say it out in public. Um but I have a piece of property that has been on the
uh radar for a long time. I have not moved forth with it because I was hoping that um potential buyers would come along and redevelop it. uh the people that have purchased it over the last several years in hopes of redeveloping
it uh have found out that it's not feasible um to after they purchase it, they have found out that it's not feasible for them to rehab this piece of property and make a certain amount of profit. So
therefore, they either resell it, uh lose money, or they walk away from it. Um, this piece of property just sold again. I met with the new prospective buyer, the new owner. Um, we'll see where this piece of property goes uh
from here. However, if I had to tear the building down and do what needs to be done in order to just keep it raw land, I'm talking I'm thinking of $150,000. And that money will never come back to the city because the lot will never be
worth that much money. So, I try to be patient with this and everything, but I can no longer be patient with it. I need to act on it, and that may happen this year. However, it was just resold, and I'll give the potential new owner some
time to evaluate and hopefully come up with a successful plan to rehabilitate it. As far as a red another piece of property or one of the others, um we're probably looking at $30,000 today because of disposal fees uh for the
average house. Um it and that depends on the one that I'm talking 150. Let me go back for a second. Has a retaining oil, has a nightmare. So that's why the building is the my calculation would be extremely
high. Um these other properties I have to have them abated. So there's asbestous testing uh asbestous abatement if there is any involved uh found and then there is demolition. So you're
looking at 30 35,000 easy for a house um in some cases. So it's not going to take long to eat up some money. Um, I'm mentioning the one to you now because you're asking, but I may be coming back to this committee in
the sometime this year if if these new owners don't do anything because I'm tired of waiting. Um, and it's getting to a point that it needs to be addressed, not only because of the conditions down there, but because of the neighbors. The neighbors are the ones that count, and they've been
suffering with this for a long time. And yes, they've been patient in hopes that some of these prospective buyers come along and and are going to do what they say they're going to do. But when they start getting the figures and they start learning exactly what is involved with
this piece of property, they find out it's not profitable and they can't make thousands of dollars in their efforts. So, they walk away and uh it comes back to us. >> Well, thank you, Mr. Hathaway. And I've got to tell you, I work with a lot of
your inspectors on and they never stay still. They're always on the road. They're always hustling their own. You have a great team. >> I do absolutely have a wonderful kudos to them. >> A wonderful group of people that are working hard on behalf of the city. Um
and and and I appreciate every everything they do. And believe it or not, that yes, we they get paid for their services, but let it be known that they work a lot of overtime. Uh
sometimes for free, okay? Uh 4:15 we get a call and they'll go out uh 4 4:00 they get a call and they go out and they'll work for half an hour extra. Um or they'll do something extra in their in their daily activity. Um and and they do
it on behalf of the city. So, uh, they like their jobs and they respect the city and they they enjoy what they do, but they're fantastic. >> I agree. Thank you. With that, I yield, Mr. President. >> Thank you. Uh, Council 6, Councel Pekham. >> Mr. Haway, I'd be remiss to not say that I
appreciate your work. We talk often. Um, and you do a great job. You said you needed another inspector. How far behind are you or how much work do you have that you feel you need this other position? So there is a lot of things we can do in inspectional services more than what
we do. Okay. In in if you had a third another an additional inspector um the problem lies right now or that's been happening a lot. We have a lot of construction going on. There's a lot of inspections with the construction. Uh some of it is major such as diamond. Um
some of it is uh a nice cold storage building up on an innovation way. There's a pharmaceutical company developing up there. Um there there's a lot of hours goes in not 8 hours a day, not 5 hours a day into those buildings, but over a period of time of the
construction. It takes a lot of time. Sometimes some code research to make sure it's being done correctly. Um but on the other side of that, we have an enormous amount and getting worse of complaints. complaints that need to be acted upon and researched. And as I'll
remind everybody, I'm also a zoning officer. So, the zoning officer um uh responds to complaints of uh the auto mechanic doing repair work in his backyard. >> Um the building inspector responds to
the guy putting the swimming pool in his backyard with no permits. Um and various other things. Um, so there's there's a lot of complaints in the last couple of years that is what I'm going to say has materialized extensively. Um, I'm
dealing with several now. I don't >> Now, if I may interject, are there any fines with these complaints? >> Yes and no. It depends on what goes on. So, um, as an example, I have a complaint in regards to, uh, a camper
and somebody living in it, and I've asked for them to be, um, to remove the camper and so on and so forth. They have not. They're refusing. They're about to get a $300 a day fine for that through
our zoning ordinance. Okay? Because I enforce that. um the auto mechanic that works in his yard and I've asked to I try to give these people time and to relocate uh to take and do what they need to do to solve the problem on
behalf of everything. So I give them the benefit of the doubts. Not all of them, it doesn't always work out for me to be nice. >> Okay. >> Um when I'm when it gets to that point, yes, there is a fine. There hasn't been many fines issued because when it gets to the bottom line, they go.
>> I appreciate that. Thank you. I think the bottom line here is, and I I've said it a few times now, same thing with Mr. Aguia came down. We have positions that need to be filled. Can't talk about those anytime soon. I would highly recommend to lean this budget out a lot more so we can put money aside to be
able to pay our bills in the future, which would include adding these positions that are key positions. Mr. Aguas is key, and yours is definitely key. I call you often because I get a lot of public safety complaints that I have to reach out to you for. Um so again, I would look to cut as much as possible
from this so we can save for the next next year and the year after. >> I think with this one, I know especially with the inspectors, um the things that are going to be happening on the waterfront and all of that development, it will truly fund some of these additional things that we're going to need down there. So I know that we are thinking about it and looking towards
that and trying to plan. >> Is there a time frame for when this waterfront development and they'll be able to kick in? I'm going to say that's part of the problem. But as soon as that starts being transferred over and we know that that timing is going to so I don't personally have a better sense of the time frame, but once we all do at that point, I still think it'll have enough lead time that we can actually
plan and shift some of these things um and and be able to have that additional support naturally coming in in the revenues that we can kind of uptick in that way. So we are looking at it and and I mean things are being built, there'll be permits being pulled and things like that. So that alone will
create some of it. >> I appreciate it. Thank you with that. I >> thank you Constancy 2 council Camaro. >> Thank you M. Thank you Mr. Hathaway. I think you do an outstanding job as well and the entire staff. >> Thank you. >> And I also agree that you should hire or we should try to work. Are we working on I know you just said it but
>> it's not and I can tell you from my perspective I can't say from the administrations in that sense but it's not an immediate within the next year that we're necessarily looking at it but it's something that I think we are I am and have been talking with him about that it's something a goal that I would like to help work towards in that sense. So, >> can you hold off that long? Can you
wait? >> As long as nobody retires or nobody gets sick or somebody doesn't quit. >> Uh, you know, I'm I'm hoping I'm hoping we can maintain what we have uh currently. But, um, it's desperately needed. I I consider it getting
desperately needed that we uh we could use another inspector uh in the near future. If the administration thinks um otherwise and wants to hold off, I I can speak. >> Inspectors are important because sometimes when there's a closing and you
have to do inspections to get stuff wrapped up and the bank wants to get things certified and people time is of the essence and if you don't have the people to get there, then it's going to cause a lot of problems. >> Correct. >> Just to clarify, I mean, this wasn't a request made during budget discussion. I
agree. >> That wasn't honored. It it it of course Mr. Hathaway and I'm sure a number of other department heads would like to see additional staff in their departments but it wasn't something that were said in this concern that never came up prior to this. I understand but I just I just
wanted to mention that >> it definitely came up last year and >> so sometimes department heads will make those concerns and then keep them going throughout the year and then sometimes department heads will make those concerns see that it fell on deaf ears and then say well just go next year and this is what's going to happen. But I think it's something that we probably
should have our eyes on the radar and say, "Listen, at some point we're going to there's more properties. Those inspections are growing. I don't want to even ask them how many they do a day because I know it's enough they can't keep up with. And we're going to have more buildings taking place. We do for
more inspections. It's just a matter of a numbers game." >> Yeah. >> The more inspections need to get done, the more manpower you need to do adequate. >> Definitely works very very hard. >> Yeah. So, I just hate to see him put in a place where he's going to lose somebody and there's nothing that's, you know, >> I mean, I think he knows my door's open
and and if when when if or when he is notified about retirements and and is ready to actually take steps and make plans in that sense, you know, we'll have a conversation and we'll try and get ahead of it before we're chasing. >> And I'm not saying he doesn't know the doors open, but sometimes if when he's wanting something and if it doesn't happen and sometimes they just say, you
know what, let's just wait and see what happens and hope that maybe the conversation will come to him. How are you doing? What can we do for you? what can we help you with? And I'm I'm saying that doesn't I'm not saying that that doesn't happen, but sometimes it needs to happen throughout the entire year to see where he's at. >> But I think you do a phenomenal job. I'm
going to ask you, is there any cuts you can make in your department? I'm sure you I know we tried to get $300 and that's a >> council. We're also trying to add $75,000. So >> yeah, >> council can just cut a couple couple of bucks from it. So I'm concerned about it all. I I I'm going to say no. The
difference is, Emily, just m just so you know, >> throwing it out there. >> So, so the 75,000 that we're trying to create will bring in more revenue because you get more inspections done during the day and it's actually turn >> I mean the same number of permits are being pulled though. >> Yeah. So, this is it. I'm concerned in
two categories. Okay. Yes, I can do more inspections in in the troubled areas, but let's look at the fact that um >> there's a lot more >> if one retires or one gets ill or one
I'm down one inspector, uh it could be um not catastrophic, but it's going to get extremely busy compared to where we are now. And we're >> What happens when one goes on vacation for two weeks? >> We cover for one another. We just work harder. What happens if one goes on vacation for two weeks and one gets pneumonia and now you're two people
shot? >> I mean, there is a line in the budget to help back fill when they >> I can I can get an outside source to come in and cover. Um, in the building department, we've I've never used that. We always use it for electrical because
there's only one. Um, there's uh other professional services line item. If that was to get exhausted, I'd have to come back to the council, >> right? >> And we try to avoid that. We just work harder, >> right?
>> Uh there's no excuse um as somebody would say, for not working harder. So, >> I agree. Solves a lot of things. Well, thank you for what you do. I appreciate what you and your staff do on a regular basis and and keep doing what you're doing. >> Appreciate it. With that, I yield. Thank you.
>> Thank you, councelor. Councilman C3, Council Daniel Canuel. >> Thank you. I have one other question. And as I was doing my research, um, the title of project specialist is not a standard or especially common title in other Massachusetts municipal
inspectional services areas. And so just trying to understand what comparable position is this maybe in another community uh or what does this role do? >> So it it's that we do use project specialists here. I can tell you that in my experience in New Bedford, they call
it a um finance and management finance and oh I just lost the title. So it it is just titled differently in different places but it's it's an a higher level administrative role um that it's called different things in different places. So
we do I mean throughout the budget book you can see a project specialist that's in there. So it's >> yeah it's common here but not specific to his department in other areas. >> No it is I have a project specialist. Um, >> but you're saying in other departments, they would probably honestly have an assistant director in other places.
>> So, how that come about was several years back uh we were not online. We didn't have a online any um >> services >> online permitting systems. And when we started that, uh, that was Brenda, the
head administrative clerk clerk, uh, her task to oversee that and make sure that, uh, it runs smoothly and and get it off the ground. And back then, that that position was a head clerk, and that was
before both Emily and I. So, I'm going to say it was a head clerk or or in that department, and it was a union position. um in order to and this is through the previous comm building commissioner Mr. Bisco um to in order to uh obtain
somebody with the qualifications that they were looking for such as what Brenda has um they created project specialist and um her job was solely for administrative work in the office and
they they titled it back then project specialist. She I was to say she also oversees the payroll for the department and the accounts payable. Um she supports that and oversees that. So she does higher level in that sense with it. It's I'm going to say a management
role more than >> when I when I acknowledge the people or you acknowledge the people in my department and you thank me. I acknowledge all of them and I think of all of them as equal whether they're an inspector or they're an administrative
and Brenda like the other people in my office um work extremely hard throughout the day each and every day. They put up with some uh uh unforeseen phone calls or or guest at the counter. Um had one yesterday uh
that is unbelievable. And Brenda in her role, she tries to assist the clerks in dealing with these people. Um, she does administrative work throughout. She helps, she does the budget with me, I do the budget with her, and the department
couldn't live without her >> and she's just tremendous. So, um, the title doesn't really describe everything that she does is my point. Um, she she's administrative clerk like Emily said.
She oversees payroll. She oversees all the clerks in the office and she oversees the permitting process. If there's any refunds that we have to issue or any problems with the permit, um, she researches all of that stuff and uh, we we
need her. >> So, I think I was thinking maybe it was equivalent like a project manager, but that's not that at all. Okay. >> Yeah. We to be honest with you, it's one of the positions that I think in our conversation about changing some of the non-management things. It's a position that we're looking to retitle citywide.
So just a confusing title as you've pointed out clearly. >> All right. Thank you. I yield. >> Council C4, Council Vice President Dion, >> Mr. Hatway, would is it fair to say that
outsourcing generally is more expensive than in-house? Yes. >> So, let's assume somebody in your department gets hurt. They go out and work as comp. They're out for six months, maybe even a year.
Dollar and centswise, how much more are we going to pay to outsource to fill that position because you need that work done versus what we pay people who are working for the city. And the reason I asked that question is sometimes it makes more sense to pay
overtime than hire a position. We heard that earlier tonight. Other times it makes a lot more sense to hire somebody than to to continue to pay overtime. In this situation, we know what is more expensive. And I'm going to just say this is my seventh year on the city
council. So this is my seventh budget. Honestly speaking, I have heard you year after year after year say that you need more help. You need more inspectors. We need to get more
done. So to me, and I know you haven't been here the whole time, however, if you're hearing it and you're hearing it over and over, why does there have to be a specific
ask? If somebody doesn't specifically ask, we don't give because they didn't ask, but yet we know they need it. And if and if we fill the position, it's going to cost us less in the long run. So, I don't quite understand the whole
dynamics of this conversation, let's say. >> I do want to take a step back on the idea of if somebody's out longer term, if he knows he's having retirement, we would immediately have a conversation about if it was going to be that long term. We wouldn't, our suggestion would not be to outsource it for 6 months to a year. We would never suggest that we
would talk about hiring, we'd come to you for additional money at that point to make sure that we had what we needed. Um, I think in the sense of adding the position, it's obviously not just a conversation with me. It's a conversation with administration and HR. So, I can't speak to the whole history of why over seven years it hasn't been
added. I just know that we had the conversation last year and yes, he's getting it done. He does have a lot of work and he could always use one more, but if he's able to operate as it is, again, we've kept this budget lean in a lot of ways. I mean, if you look at our position count compared to cities of a
comparable size, we have far less positions. So, and that's citywide, not just in this department. So, I think that was the mindset when it probably wasn't agreed to, but I can't say why it wasn't. And again, it's a conversation and if that's the route that we're going to go, we can go that route.
>> So, I guess I would ask in that situation. So, if we had the discussion and had to hire somebody when that person came back, because sometimes they do workers comp, they're not always they don't always retire. What would we do with the person we
hired? Fire them? >> Like I said, it would be a conversation at that point. This is all theoretical, right? So, >> yeah, this is theoretical, but it's it's pertinent and important. >> So, I I can't I mean, we can speculate. So, if we knew that they were coming back and we needed it and we found it was working better, then we would have
that conversation about if we're keeping the position. Like I said, it would be a long-term thing. If somebody was out for three weeks, we're not we're not hiring a body to cover the three weeks. If we know somebody's going to be out for at least six months to a year, we would hire somebody and then >> explore how we're going to move forward. if we're able to keep it in and it's working better, then we would do that.
But that's not, you know, the need at this time. So, it this is I mean, I I'm not >> We certainly can have the conversation, counselor, with the mayor regarding it. As I said, >> I as one council would appreciate that. Um, and again, I know I can't create
positions. I can't increase the budget. I understand all that. But when it comes to things that are going to benefit the city, things that help to also create revenue, stay on top of issues that need that that that impact the city on very sometimes, I mean, on on many levels.
Uh, you know, you have people running illegal businesses. You have people just some of these backyard mechanics are spilling oil down their down their driveways into the street. I mean, that's serious contamination. So, we're not talking
I it's important >> and it and it and it's something I believe that is just >> I mean we we certainly can take it back. As I said it and Emily mentioned it's a we're trying to keep it a lean budget. There have not been positions created in here or things added to other you know a
number of departments. But if it's something that you'd like to have discussed absolutely we'll take it back. And perhaps moving forward, we we we're not done with this budget, and I know council in seat 2, rightfully so, keeps asking everybody, can you trim your budget? Can you trim your budget? Fair question.
>> Um, but we may get into areas where we look and say, you know what, yeah, we can >> and if we can, then that position can be afforded, of course. But that's just my opinion. And with that, I yield. >> Thank you. Anything further on inspectional services? >> Thank you very much, Mr. Hathaway.
>> Thank you. >> Next is Health and Human Services. This is going to be on page 110. Counselor in seat 8. Councelor Reposo. And Miss Curran, if you could just introduce yourself for the record, please. >> Hi, Tess Curran, director of health and
human services. >> Thank you, counselor and CAD. Councelor Repose. Thank you, Mr. President. >> Hi, Tess. How are you? >> Well, how are you? >> Good, thank you. Um, first thing is on the auto allowance changes. I'm going to go with the assumption this was a CBA thing. It was the same thing that just happened in inspectional services. Um
same exact thing we had um the inspector switched over to fuel cards. >> Okay, Tess, one thing I will say, the Oric Charter of Health and Human Services is a fun time fun thing to read. Um but as I'm looking through it and you have a vacant position being a senior aid part-time,
>> correct? >> That has a vacancy. I guess my question, you have a number of senior aids that are part-time across the different um senior centers. >> Yes. >> The one that's budgeted in the city. Is
this necessarily a position that you need currently? >> Yes. Yeah. All the centers do need additional support. So when um when we don't have a senior aid, then there's more stress on the on the coordinators. Um and so the positions are are
necessary to help those um centers run appropriately. >> Help me just understand, of course, from a budgetary sense, the four senior centers, Niagara has five in total, Flint has four, North has four, South
has three, and then you have a senior aid in the COA office. >> Yes. >> What how does is that just based on population that attends those senior centers? >> Yeah. So the the Flint Center is is certainly our our bigger center and they have higher attendance um just
essentially due to the space. Same with Niagara. Uh North is a bit smaller and then South Main has has fewer seniors frequenting the centers and then our COA office team member um is within this
building and so she works out of the COA office upstairs. >> Okay. So the vacancy in that position was assigned to which senior center? >> The vacancy right now I believe is at the North End Center. >> Okay. So let me just ask again just to clarify.
So if that position were not funded, would that be a detriment to the to the senior center in the department? >> Yes. >> How so? >> Because we need um the the senior center coordinators need staff. We only have part-time people. So that there's like
morning shifts and afternoon shifts. And so if we don't have um a a part-time senior aid, then there's there's not the level of staffing that we need to make sure those centers run efficiently. Sometimes they help with more like custodial work where they're helping to
maintain the centers or you know they're helping to support with lunch or you know the events. So the there is an impact like particularly now when we don't have that part-time senior aid where sometimes we have to flex another
team member from a different center to that center to help or and or um Jen Miller who's the director has to cover um more at that center in order to allow it to run efficiently. >> So you mentioned flexing and that was gonna be my next question in in this org
chart here. Um has this has this changed at all? How many part-time aids are assigned to the senior centers or has it been like this for quite some time? >> It's been like this for some time. Um, you know, the Flint Center has grown a bit. So, um, but again, we've been able we've really been able to manage, but
having all of that staff, particularly again because they are the 19-hour a week positions. Um, we we really do need team members there. >> Understood. Uh I I want to bring something to your attention and of course as the chair of ordinance I I did a lot of research and looking at
positions. Um the proposed budget for the director of minimum housing uh the base salary is actually audit of ordinance. It's it's above the not to exceed of 67,000. >> So that one was done um I'm going to say in this last
the cola that was applied this year. So I I want to say it's the same thing. Not to call it out, but I know we've already had conversations about um the director's salary being in the same boat. So his was in the same one. So we had made that adjustment. I I think HR has had the communication that we thought it was acceptable. We've been
told it's not. So we obviously have not pulled back the cola. That doesn't include another one for next year, but that is the current salary as it stands. So um I think along the discussions of not reducing salaries, that's where it's at. But we are working on getting something down to you to to correct
this. >> Okay. I'm I'm just going to tell you for the record, I can't I can't approve that. It's out of ordinance. So that has to that has to be addressed. >> Yeah. >> To the to the intram city administrator. We we had this whole conversation about
about salaries out of ordinance and here's the situation before we do that. Well, as Emily mentioned, I mean, these are as a result of colas, and that's the problem that we've had. We we've tried to build them in >> in past years so that we have enough time, and then we're coming back, but
unfortunately, sometimes there's one or two that you might not get in time to bring it down and then the cola kicks in. And then >> but just understand what I'm saying is that FY26 the base salary was at the cap of 67,000 and now this year's base
salary for FY27 is >> with the 2 and 12% added all >> that's with the two and a half though it's not a wage increase. Not to go on a on a tangent here, but the reality is is that in ordinance, we've had this discussion, I think other councils have had this discussion that in the whole
fiscal year, we knew that that position was at the cap and it was never brought forward to for make an adjustment. We we've made an adjustment for Mr. Hathaway. Director Currins is currently an ordinance committee. Here's another situation where we're going to have to
now go go ahead. So my understanding is that um HR has been working on a list to submit for the next meeting to correct the there are I think it's seven >> including the two including the two that you've already addressed with um Mr.
Hathaway and and um Miss Curran. So I think there would be five left then that so the list will be coming down and at this point in time this is their what's in the budget book even though it's over. It's it's what they're already getting paid over. So, we didn't pull it back at this point and we know that it
needs to be addressed and and however the council, you know, wishes to move forward is is how we'll move forward. >> Are you going to be able to identify to the council the individuals? >> I don't have that. I do. >> Do you have that list with me? >> Yeah. Just for the record, I don't have
that list yet. So, that's why I'm I'm curious myself. Are all these out of curiosity, council, if I may, are are all these individuals that are um being paid over and above ordinance going to continue to all get paid over and above ordinance or we going to wait for it to be fixed?
>> So they they got they got moved being paid over ordinance when the cola was applied from this last one back in November. So in that sense yet we we I think that is the wish of the administration not to reduce anybody's salary at this point in time and to
address this with you guys in the meantime and not go even further over is the sentiment. So um that is my understanding. So yes I'm going to say we are continuing to pay them because we had already changed that before we realized that adding the cola even it
making that above ordinance was not acceptable. So, >> and that's going to be consistent with all six or seven of these employees. >> Correct. >> They're all going to get paid. >> Point of clarification. >> They've already been getting paid. >> How many are there? Because you have the list. >> I Yeah, I'm looking at it right now. Sorry. Um the list is mixed with other
things. So, I'm just reading through it real quick. >> All right. We know it's six or seven. What does the overage come to? >> 2 and a half%. >> No, I understand that. monetary wise conserencation.
Thank you. >> Thank you. >> It's five people. The math is going to need to be done faster than I can do it for you. So, you're going to have to give me a second. Um, >> you can get back to us on that. We can continue the line of questioning,
please. It's appropriate to get that number. But um I mean the reality is is that I would have loved to have this already in ordinance for a discussion and and and to look at this. I mean it's to my counselor my colleague in C3 we
have this discussion ordinance committee and and kind of the issue of being over ordinance and what and what the problem is with it and and how we justify it and how we deal with it. And really there was no good answer. Correct counselor? I mean, it was really very nothing that was said to address it. So,
>> um, Mr. President, through you to the clerk, can we get a message out to the HR director, um, as soon as humanly possible to get that information to me as the chair of ordinance so we can get that addressed? >> Well, it needs to come down to the city council, >> correct? Um, to get referred.
>> It needs to it needs to come yesterday >> pronto. Yeah. >> If if that would be great. I would appreciate that. Um, >> I have the numbers >> if you may. >> $6,35916 >> and that's the total of >> of all of them what they're over >> to councelor Pekkham's question.
>> Correct. >> Okay. All right. Let's we need to address that. And again, I'll echo to my defense of my colleague at scene 3. We need to really get on top of this. You know, I had a conversation with Mr. Molini about what system is in place to
avoid this and I I I guess to you we need we do need >> I mean I can tell you what I was advised by a former CFO is that there was a decision that was made a long time ago prior to the Kugan
administration that there was a legal opinion rendered that if it was over because of a cola we had the ability to to let that go. if it was over, if it was going to be a salary increase,
>> we were not here at that point. >> It has been past practice. Not that that's an excuse or a reason to continue. We have been working to keep them up to date and that is the reason that there's been work started on a
whole new step system where this is going to be avoided in the future. Correct. And it's a very with the number of employees and you and and the CBAs and such which you have to look at it's a very large undertaking. So that has taken some time.
>> And just for the record I mean I've had conversation with Mr. Malini about this already. >> But again >> I as one person going through positions and I'm checking the ordinances to make sure they match. >> Right. >> Again last year he that position was already at the cap. >> Okay. >> Correct. So we knew going into the next
fiscal year >> it's going to go over y >> naturally unless you're going to freeze it and leave it where it is. >> So make talking a whole year we know it was there. >> Yeah he is. >> You know so again I don't want to pick on that particular I'm not picking on the person by any means but it's just an example of this is not the first time
we've had a conversation about this and yet we just continue to revisit the same thing over and over again. I mean there needs to be a system in place other than a human literally looking at every position in ordinance to avoid this. I do just want to be clear though that this all happened these several that we're talking about was all from one
point in time change that took place. So I I just want to not that it's an excuse or anything but I want to be clear it's not like we've done this now over the last several months. It was all at once at this time. >> To your point when you look at the ordinances you know you see you see a batch of them that were changed like we did this council I think two or three
years ago made a batch a bunch of changes >> and again those are going to roll over in two three years. This is part of a few others from 22 7122 that were approved then but never readressed since correct. So again um >> absolutely
>> the HR director I'm sure will be reaching out to me tomorrow about it and uh we will we will get that moving along >> and um and Director Curran if I could and and I'm going to ask the same question to similar department heads.
Uh, in your contract, your raises are based on a percentage or is it a flat increase? >> I I have I'm not a contracted employee. Um, so >> I should say you're how you get paid. Is it a flat increase or is it a percentage?
>> Follows the cola. >> Follows the cola. So, a percentage. >> Yes. >> Two and a half me. >> Yes, I follow the meme. >> Two and a half >> contracts. Well, that's what the current one is. It's not necessarily always that way. It's whatever the cola. So, right now, yes, it is the two and a half. current two and a half. Correct. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield.
>> Thank you, Councilman C6. Councelor Peekham, >> how are you? >> Hi, how are you? >> Good. I have a question about regards to the overtime. So, in FY25, you're at roughly 14,000. Then it was budgeted in FY26 for 20. The projections are 177
and then the proposed is 20. Why is that all over the place? So, it really can vary um depending on traditionally it's the the two food inspectors who utilize the overtime. Sometimes our minimum housing team if
they have a court case that that extends um and it can vary based on the number of events that happen in the community, weekend events and or emergencies, a fire at a restaurant or something like that. So, traditionally, we've kind of come around that um 20,000 number of
late. It had been um more in prior years, but once those team members came over to HHS, um we've really tried to keep it under that $20,000 number. >> So, yeah, just to be clear, too, these
these positions that she just mentioned were transferred in I think like two or three months into FY25 into her department. So that's why it's also a little bit different because they were partway through the year in 25 transferred back into her department. So that's also the adjustment.
>> Okay. I know it's small money, but is are we able to meet in the middle there and maybe go up 15 grand in that line item? I >> I'm not the one to meet that. So >> yeah, you know, I've I kind of continue to have conversations with with folks about, you know, what can we do to try and, you know, bring that number down as
much as possible. So, um, you know, I can certainly work to to to reduce that. Again, it just can vary if there's, you know, depending on emergency situations that arise where where um inspectors have to go out outside of any events or planned.
>> I appreciate it. >> Yeah, if we could keep an eye on it and try to, you know, keep it around that number, I'd appreciate it. And as far as a vacancy, like councelor Reposo said, >> we can't find volunteers. There's the city. We don't have volunteers. >> Volunteers have been historically really
difficult. In fact, it's actually it can be difficult to to maintain even the part-time folks. We we either have people who have been here for a really long time or folks who, you know, come and go. Um the CFC program is, you know,
we don't pay those folks, but again, it it that program had been on on hold for some time. It's now being rolled out again, so we're able to get CFC um individuals into the centers where we don't have to pay them, but um
it's tough to get volunteers who will routinely, you know, commit and have a certain schedule um that we can rely on in order to maintain. >> All right? Because ultimately, I would like to see that back and not in the budget any longer. Um again, these
vacancies, we have to start cutting some of them. Um, if we could think outside the box, >> we have been it hasn't been vacant for very long. So, >> it is now, though. And unfortunately, I'm looking. >> Yeah, it it's it has it has been um we're really looking for folks. We've had some applicants that haven't been,
you know, the right fit or it doesn't work for their schedule or whatever it may be. Um, so, but we can keep an eye on kind of what the demand is. >> Maybe, like I said, maybe some outside the box thinking. I I really don't even know what to suggest, but I always like that. So if we could do that, I'd
appreciate it. With that, I yield. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman C4, Council Vice President Dion. >> So I guess first I'd just like to mention that when I went on the city website, looking at the uh positions that are under not to exceed, the last
time that those were looked at or addressed was in 2022. It's been four years. Uh I think we need to um I don't think we should be waiting four years uh to to be reviewing this. Um so
that's part of the problem. We just never look at it and never revisit it. Um but with that said, um on page uh 110 under the uh health and human services programs
um additional pay, who receives auto allowance? So that that would be our nurse, our public health nurse. >> Okay. >> And she goes out to um patients homes to observe them taking their medication if they have >> Okay.
>> Um now that's also on page 111. That would also be the staff nurse >> or those two the same person? >> Yes, that's the same person. >> So in total additional pay, what does the total additional pay include? >> Uh uniform allowance.
It's the It's the 2400 plus the 900 to get to the 33 if you're looking just under programs, right? Um. Yes. >> So, so, so the gas is 2400 and the uniforms
are 900 which brings a total of 3,300. >> Correct. >> Okay. Well, looking Yeah, looking at that you Yeah, I'm glad I asked because you wouldn't understand that. To me, I thought it was 2400 and 3,300. >> Oh, no. Sorry. That's this is Yeah. No, sorry.
>> Okay. But um and total additional pay. Um under positions one, two, three, four. There's five people who get total additional pay. Um the top section on page 111.
What would that include? >> So that is the auto allowance and uh the the uniforms. Okay. Okay. And then that gas is separate similar to inspectional services where they just got the fob, the key fob. >> So the auto is 1,200 and then the 900
for the uniforms get you to the 21 per person. >> Okay. Thank you. That's all I have. I yield. >> Constency 3 councelor can. >> Thank you. Just one question similar to my question of Mr. Hathaway. When it comes to dues and memberships, um, how
many people does that apply to and, uh, what what is consisting of that? >> Sure. So, it depends. So, sorry, I'm just trying to find >> 110. >> Yep. In the the top section, um, that's
primarily um, for Yeah. U like state conferences or um, state organizations. I try and utilize that money when I'm able to. If my team needs it, if they can't be covered with, you know, like
sponsored by an organization or um a grant program, then we use the then I use the city dollars. So, like for example, last year I didn't I I was um on maternity leave a lot in the fall. A lot of the conferences, the public health conferences are held in the fall.
Um so I didn't utilize that money to attend those conferences this calendar year because um I was on leave. >> All right. So I think the conferences one which is below right below that. >> Well some of them it's to be to go to the conference you're a member. So she
might not have renewed the membership. >> Yes. So, so like for for example, this year I didn't feel as though it was going to be worthwhile because I wasn't going to be able to attend a lot of these conferences in the fall to utilize um those funds to to attend a conference
or have a membership because I was out on leave. Um, so again, some some team members um are grant funded, so they're able to utilize um grant dollars for that, but mostly it's for either municipal staff, including myself, or as
needed um you know, any of the inspectors that are not grant funded. >> Okay. So, do you currently hold all the dues and memberships that you're looking to hold? So this calendar this this fiscal year I did not because again I
wasn't going to be taking advantage of those conferences for the for this fiscal year when I'm going to be able to attend those fall conferences. I will be looking to take advantage of that. >> So when I look at FY25, were you out on maternity leave that
year? >> Um no. I'm sorry. I've had a few kids so I can't keep track of when I when I was out. The reason I ask is because you didn't have any money spent in fiscal 25 under that dues and memberships uh line.
>> Yeah. And so again, it kind it can vary based on like if like for example maybe that year the the bigger conference was out in Springfield, I wasn't going to be able to attend um that year. So it's kind of also varies depending on the year, depending on the um the location
of the conference. it either makes sense for you know one of my team members schedules or and and myself or otherwise it's it's there's not you know value in terms of of making the trip. >> I guess I'm really confused between you
know this this dues and memberships one which I'm asking for and then you keep talking about >> well it's they're very much kind of related. So a lot of times if I am a member I get a discounted rate at a conference. So, there's a benefit to me being a member because I get, you know,
um, a handbook or, you know, additional resources or something like that and I get a discounted rate on the conference. So, they're kind of, um, very much intertwined because if if I if I take advantage of the conference, there's really no point in me paying a higher
rate without being a member. So you're saying for if there's a conference that you need to do for your role, you're signing up for a membership to get a discount on that conference. >> So a lot of them are like the Massachusetts Association of Health
Boards. You you have um opportunities for additional resources and and networking outside of that conference if you're a member and then you attend a conference. So there's again there's there's benefits to both. this past year
um there wasn't going to be value in me having a membership and um going cuz a team members had a membership so if I needed something from a handbook or resources somebody else within my department who's grant funded had that
um and again I wasn't going to be taking advantage of any of those conferences due to due to to my leave so it kind it there's value in me having the opportunity to um take advantage of the conferences and the memberships, but sometimes it depending on if I know
it's, you know, not going to work with my schedule or whatever it may be, I don't take advantage of those conferences. >> So then just indulge me because we didn't spend any money in conferences this year, but we spent $315 in dues and memberships. So what did we get? Uh what
were those dues and memberships? >> I'd have I I actually don't know what that $315 was amount was. So I'll have to get back to you on that. >> Thank you. How you anything further? Councilman C2, Council Clear. >> Thank you. I also want to say that I
think you and your department do a great job. >> Thank you. >> Seriously. >> Um getting back to the volunteers, finding volunteers. You said it's tough to find volunteers. Could you just tell the people at home that are listening what their hours would be if they wanted to volunteer? like what does a weekly schedule look like for them or
>> so the the centers it's n well right now for our part-time staff it's 19 hours a week um we have morning shifts and then afternoon shifts like >> the morning shift would start at what 9:00 >> n yes like 9 to 1 and then like a 12 to
12 to 3 12 to 4 um and it can you know again vary based on the need at the center um you know I think we'd have to connect with with HR in terms of you you know, volunteers and the corey checks and and all that. There's a lot to go with it, >> but there, you know, there's um a lot of
great things happening at the senior centers. Um, and they're a lively place, so it's a great place. It would be a great place to to volunteer if we look to go down that road. It's a great place to work. Um, everybody's very welcoming and it's it's, you know, I it is quite a lot of people don't know
that you're actually looking for people to work and they might be at an age where they could give you a few hours and help out. So, I just wanted to find out what the schedule's going to be like. >> Yeah, it again, it varies based on who's who's at the centers um and kind of the the current needs. Um but again, you
know, it's it's a 19- hour a week position. We've had people who have been senior aids for for years and years. Um and so, um so it's it's a it's a fun place to work. >> And my last question is, is it anywhere in your budget that you can save any
money? The short answer I think would would be, you know, we're pretty much salaries and and supplies. >> Have you and you started from a zerobased budget and you've also made this this um cuts along the way last year. And
>> yes, we did make we did make pretty, you know, fairly significant cuts last year um in terms of some of these line items. But I think that, you know, we we have a pretty nimble budget and the staff um does a lot with what we have and we're also we have a lot of grant funding in
the department which has really allowed us to do a lot of the work that we're doing out in the community. >> Good. Good to know. Well, thank you again for what you do. Appreciate it. >> With that idea, thank you. >> Thank you, counselor. Anything further? Thank you. Uh library page 113. Consulate. Councelor Raposo,
>> just introduce your name and uh role for the record, please. >> Hi, my name is Felicia Desaris. I'm the library director. >> Good evening. I'm going to ask you the similar question I've asked most department heads at this point. uh your your increases in your particular contract uh
percentages are built in >> uh they were built in. >> Okay. So the what is uh about $6,000 increase is the built-in Emily. Is that >> Yeah. And that's um the way her contract falls is kind of over two years or or
sorry it's hitting in a weird it hits in like January. So it's a split in that way. So that was my next question cuz it was when she was confirmed it was not particularly in the beginning of a fiscal year. >> Yeah. >> So this salary isn't to be honest with you a salary that she actually receives at any point. It's half of one and half
of another. So it's kind of wonky looking. >> Yeah, that's why I asked the question because I know it was middle of the fiscal year when it was when it happened. Um, I think and the mayor had alluded this to me already ahead of this budget, but can you address the retirement contributions shift here in the from the budget to I'll let you kind
of explain it. >> Yeah, sure. Um, so our state aid, the way that our state aid reporting is, we have a certain amount that we have to spend to meet our state aid requirement and stay certified as a library um, in Massachusetts. So the requirement
historically was just around 2 million. Um but once we were doing the reporting we kind of noticed that there was retirement contributions in there that wasn't necessarily um in the correct area in the reporting
historically which kind of did two things. It looked like we were spending a bit more and it also made our requirement annually higher. So, uh, we kind of had the discussions with the state so that they could readjust our, u municipal appropriation requirement, so
it's more in line with what you're seeing now at the 1.5. >> And then to be clear on our side, that retirement contribution, it's part of our pension assessment. So, we give one assessment every year and what was happening was part of that assessment was being pulled out from where you see it normally in the budget book and put
into hers. So, when we change this, we just put it back over. So, it's not like it went away. It is a real cost and all of that. it just is being relocated. She still does report on it. It's just not part of her spending requirements in that sense. >> Okay, that makes sense. Um
I know last time, I think last time we had a conversation about the library itself, there was some talk about security, the police department being there. Is the current status still PD is is walking the building? >> Yes. So, they are doing uh details and
so that's been working out really really great. We've seen a big change and I think the rate of crime that's happening on site and around the building hasn't altogether stopped but I don't know that it ever will but it's come down an awful lot and then when something happens they're there to respond to it which is
nice. >> Okay. Emily, is there an indirect for that or is it just the police department? >> So she pays for it in full but it's not being paid out of her um operating budget. It's being paid out of her state aid right now. I will say that it's not
intended to stay that way for long term. So, it's more of a temporary >> support. Um I think the my intention was to just make sure that that was the plan and that was going to work as I intended it. >> Um yeah, and we've been having we've already had conversations. So, when we made that decision, I'm want to say
you're you're not even at a year yet of doing that. We're just under >> might be just getting >> So, we we have actually started having conversations about what we're going to do to move forward. when we had her budget meeting, we were talking about setting up um a meeting with um the current interim chief um at police to
kind of have conversations about how we can move forward. I know one of the initial conversations that we had around it is the difficulty of filling positions that police was having. So that was part of the reason that first of all the details worked I think better for everybody. It was less of a commitment but also they were having hiring issues to get to where they even
needed to be. So I think all around we're in different situation now and I think we're going to start moving forward those conversations and um if or when we need to come down and have that conversation with you guys we will to change budget structures. >> No that make that makes sense. um to to
direct numbers in the budget here. Um page 113 um the increase in educational supplies which I mean I'll celebrate myself but I'm just curious what the increase and I'm sure it's for good reasons but why? >> Yeah. So I will just be honest it's more
about representation again. I noticed when we were going through our budget, um, part of the books went to digital books, digital resources, and so I just felt that it was easier for me to decipher with our state aid reporting and also it makes a little bit more clearer to you all what's happening. Um,
so we take those out of the educational supplies with a lot of our other digital resources. >> Okay. So, so when I look like educational supplies and books, it kind of >> Yes. >> switches essentially, which makes perfect sense on that. um
in subscript subscriptions for the library and I particularly think about um the service that's behind essentially Libby, right? I'm assuming that's continuing to grow, >> but is is it growing at a cost to the
particular our particular library or is that just kind of part of the greater system that the library is a part of? >> So, um all of those resources are actually they're not under subscriptions. they will be uh under educational supplies. Um but yes, they
do keep changing costs. Uh the easiest way that I found to kind of control that a little bit is we go with many different vendors that offer many different kinds of ebooks. Uh sometimes we find that when we have one, which is what I kind of came into when I came
into the budget, they charge a whole lot for one service and you don't end up getting much and they're temporary materials that you don't get to keep. Uh so we're just trying to use the money that we have there wiser whereas we're working with different digital um e e-
resources partners where like a lot of the times they'll have us be able to buy the materials outright even though it's digital uh if a company closes down. They don't just leave with all of their materials. We get to maintain those digital resources and then we can migrate them to another software.
>> If that makes sense. >> No it does. Okay. No I I followed you. That's and that's why I'm just looking at, you know, I I re I recognize that resources are getting more digital and, you know, books, physical books are great, but the digital landscape is growing and and I know I'm just curious of what the impact that was going to be
on the budget as you kind of look ahead as library administrator. Um, how those costs are going to change for you. >> Yeah. Yeah. Um, so the costs definitely they tend to go up and uh so I try to lock in prices when I can. Um, and then like I said, we spread out our our net
so that they don't think that we that they're our only supplier because when that happens, that's that's when our price hikes start to happen. So, if we have multiple vendors, it's easier to cut one off and then turn another one on.
>> No, I I I get that. Um, as I was going through ordinances and the budget and kind of looking at positions, um, one of the positions that's listed in ordinance and this was in 2025 was the person who's responsible for archiving
in your budget. Who is resp what what position is responsible for that? >> So, that was initially going to be funded with state aid. Um, at first we were going to to try moving that was when I had first started. I think afterwards I I thought about it a little
bit more. I do feel that we need an archavist. However, we have our construction happening and that's influencing those rooms. So, I didn't feel it was intelligent to use any funds from anywhere to hire someone when we don't really have a good space to put them in an organized space for them to
actually start going through those documents. So, um I've just >> put a pin in that plan. I think we still need it. Absolutely. Um, but I just want to wait to make sure that our construction can get settled. >> Yeah. And I I recognize not it's not in this budget in front of us, but I I know
I remember when you brought that forward and we voted on it and it kind of never came to be. So that's why I was curious of where that stood, >> but it was going to be out of state aid. >> It was going to be out of state aid, but I think the the intention again because I can't fully fund a position uh permanently out of the state aid like
that was to eventually move it into my budget, which should be possible. So at some so probably maybe in the next year or two you're going to see that reality. >> Yes. I'm hoping um really how quickly the construction kind of comes together and and how we can make space in the
building. That's that's what we'll that will depend on. >> And that's naturally my next question is the the construction currently going on. Do you have any sense of a timeline of when you think that's going to be over? >> Um so >> if we can just refocus the question on budget please. >> Budget. Budget.
>> Okay. >> I'll disregard I yield. Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. Constant C3 council. >> Thank you. Question on the natural gas. Um the usage projected is $7,000 for this fiscal year. I feel like this is
one of the coldest winters we've had or I don't know. I feel like I my gas bill is the highest it's been in many years. So I'm curious um why that is, you know, $9,000 lower. And particularly the followup to that would be um if it is going to whether or not it would remain
low because we're budgeting 21,000 for the next fiscal year. >> So I know we actually were digging into this um at some point. So we realized that some of the bills in the past had been I'm going to say overpaid. So then some of that carried forward into this
fiscal year with a surplus that then didn't need to be paid. So if you look at the actual costs that's we are we are in line with that 20,000 um and so we are we are working through that um we did go through it you know I can show you some of the documents that we have
where we are calculating it at nauseium um and then I think that 7,000 number is going to be actually a little bit higher for this year again it's the timing of the grab of this that um you know I thought more bills had been paid at that point that hadn't been so but when you look at the actuals we do have that we
have a a detailed breakout of what the actual current charges are by month for this department. Um, and it's it is in line with the 20,000 rather than the seven. >> Okay. Could you please provide uh me with a ledger just kind of detailing that as a followup?
>> Um, I mean, I do see that we spent 16,000 natural gas and 25, you know, to be a 21 and 27 isn't unrealistic given what's happened in my own budget. Um, so I can >> Yeah, I'm happy to provide that. Like I said, we we've been looking at all of that and are talking about making sure
it stays correct moving forward. So, >> okay. Um, when we look at the bookmobile, um, which is, uh, I believe purchased with ARPA funds, how much does it cost to operate that annually? >> Um, to operate, well, that depends if
you're counting my staff members. So I don't have the specific um so I have one section head and one bookmobile driver um in the organizational chart. So my section head
>> is at 53.5,000 uh annually and then >> driver is 423. >> Yeah, the driver is 423. >> So just under 100. >> Yeah. So, those are the staff members. And then for the gas, it really doesn't take that much. I think it's just over
2,000. Um, >> yeah. >> And so, it doesn't take a whole lot. We do use our books budget though to purchase some of those items. So, there is uh some of those funds that are coming out for that >> for the books to there that are on the bookmobile. >> Yeah. And they move in and out of the
building. It's a rotating collection. So, there's more that goes into it than that, but that's what I can kind of segregate out quickly for you. Were these new positions created when we um purchased the bookmobile or were these positions reshifted uh from other areas?
>> So, I've actually only been here since uh January 20 uh 2025. So, I'm not 100% sure. I think this was I think the bookmobile librarian was a new position. Um, the bookmobile driver
I do know was a new position, but it was new in the way that it's full-time now, whereas before we had two part- timerrs. Um, and as Tess had kind of said, it's a little bit difficult to go back and forth with part-time uh with part-time work, scheduling, those kinds of things.
So, we found it to be beneficial to change that to a full-time, give uh one person the ability to fulfill all the hours that we needed and also have a dependable employee. Um, so so the full-time has been working out for us. So, that is relatively newer.
>> I can dig back in history to see if we converted positions or if we added positions because and I'm in the same boat as her, they were both already in the budget when I came in. So, I we can look back and see if something was converted or added for those. So I have I understand we need someone
to drive a bookmobile. What do we need a section head for a bookmobile for? >> So she oversees everything. She um she makes all of her all of her calendar events. So she goes to all the schools or most of the schools most weeks. I'd
say she goes bi-weekly to many. Um we go to parks. She I should say not we because she basically does this all on her own. So that is why we need a section head. um she plans her entire calendar. She works with different city organizations to join their events and
she does outreach opportunities at across the city. We used to have two branches in the city. Um and so it's on her to make sure that she gets to as many of the senior centers as she can, people that can't get to us and also to make it to the areas of the city that no longer have libraries.
>> So is she always on the bookmobile or she's staying behind? Um, so she has she has a stationary room in the library where she spends very little time. Um, she also is able to cover in the department, which is nice, as is the bookmobile driver. That's part of the
the position. So, if ever there's bad weather, anything like that, they come back into the library and they're absorbed and they help us uh to not have to spend so much on overtime. >> I guess my question is, could we not have one person overseeing the bookmobile and driving it around? It
would be a safety issue. I I would think um just in case anything happens to that one person. I really don't like having one staff member anywhere, especially in a vehicle of that size. I would not feel comfortable driving it myself. So, just in case anything were to happen, they also do safety checks around the entire
bookmobile, which we've been really lucky about. Uh when she's going into schools, parking in those areas, it's I think it's important to have two sets of eyes. Could you not repurpose a library assistant to go on the bookmobile for that purpose? >> So, she technically is a library
assistant. We just put driver because that's the specialty of her assistant position. And what I would like to say is that there was a section head um that we had for youth services that we actually transitioned that position into uh into a different position that would
work a little bit better um for what we needed. So, we've kind of been trying to move around uh the positions as far as they can really because my team, they're very flexible in what they do and a lot of people who are in-house like to do outreach, those kinds of things. So, when we do post positions, we're keeping
that in mind for them to be um used in a variety of ways across the building because not only do we need that, but they actually really want to be able to do different things. I I'd also like to remind you that part of the budget with um if we pulled out a position, you
would have to add in an expense because we do have to have a certain amount of funding maintained at all times to get the state aid. So, you would lose out on upwards of 300,000 plus a year if you pulled out one of these positions and didn't add in an expense. So, um I know we all talk about lean budgets and all
of that, but her budget is statutoily required to go up by a certain percentage every year. So again, I want to be clear. You're more pull out what you want, but it'll also cost us money to do that. So I just want to be >> My final question was where are we at? Is there are we at the minimum spend
kind of like you know the we're told what we have to spend on schools is a minimum. Are we at the minimum here? >> Yes. I think I think we might be maybe about 20,000 over. Yes. >> But that's also because if something happens and something isn't spent, then we would lose out on all of that money
because we didn't meet the minimum. So there is a little bit of flexibility um built in especially since we changed so much because in the past if we were off on what we were going to be spending we would change it in the pension line and now that that's no longer a possibility
to absorb these minimum amounts. Um I think we left that $20,000 buffer this year just because it is such a big adjustment and we don't have another area to adjust to meet that minimum spending. So I don't think that that will always be our intent. I think it's just because we're changing so much right now. I mean, it's a $500,000
difference and and there's nothing to absorb any shortfalls that we could have in any other areas of being spent. So, even the electricity and natural gas, if those we would all love to have those come in under, but if they come in under and she doesn't meet her minimum spending,
>> what are we doing? We're going to lose the money. So, we have to be able to kind of move things around and and have a little bit of flexibility and um ordering books and some of that stuff can take time. So, it's just a a new game that we've entered this year that we're trying to be mindful of.
>> What I will say is that even though there is a minimum spending requirement, I am looking at the funds and how they're being used within each category and trying to get the most out of each category. Um, so I don't think that I don't take that as we just have to spend this money. Um, I think that there's a
lot of different important ways to spend the money. And so that's kind of where I focus my efforts um is is can we do more with the specific categories and that's why you see some things moving around too. >> I do want to say um my children do go to the library regularly and they
appreciate everything that goes on there. So want to say thank you for that and with that I yield. >> Thank you counselor. In seat six council Pekkham >> how are you? >> I am good thanks. the employee buyouts proposed for 27. There is nothing there. I we're not expecting
to have to use that. >> Yeah, I'm not expecting anything. Um I wasn't expecting last year either. Um this this FY26. So it's possible that that could change, but >> yeah. So part of um I'm going to say citywide what we've been moving to. You talk about, you know, pulling out stuff
that we don't necessarily need. Um a big thing that I did when I came in, a lot of people would say, "Oh, I have this estimated amount. I did this in the past." But the the problem with budgeting things like in the employee buyouts when you're not talking about a major level department head is that usually when that happens the turnover and the vacancy savings ends up covering
that. So to you're kind of double budgeting at that point because you then you can see if you look at her salaries and wages per minute she's falling about 12,000 14,000 underneath budget and so it really naturally covers that. So we do have part of the employee reserve is intended that if there is ever a time
that it's not fully washing like that, we would come down for a year and transfer and make it up. But that's part of why we start moving away from that. There's a lot of that you'll see in the budget too. A lot of service out of ranks, we did the same thing. Obviously hers isn't necessarily with that. But we did try and pull stuff like that out because usually when that's happening,
people are not in their salaried positions and so it kind of naturally covers that um with the vacancy savings that occurs at that time. So that's that's why we don't um budget for it in every department now. >> Okay. And I'm going to touch upon the
bookmobile driver as well. Um total salary FY2742,26550. We were talking earlier. So you said the security has been better at the library. >> Yes. >> What do we use for security there now? >> Uh the fall police.
>> Okay. Do you hire them by detail? >> Yes. >> Then what does that cost us roughly? >> Um I would say probably like 75 an hour. Um the only thing is these are details offered in 4hour time slots. They're not always taken and that's not coming out
of this budget. Um so so you're not seeing that reflected here. um we would we would like to of course have that service at a regular rate, but this uh like I think we discussed before, it gives them the flexibility to take the shifts when they're able. It also has a
level of unpredictability so our patrons don't get used to what time they're there because we had um different security scheduled at say in the evenings 5 to 8 and then individuals would know that before 5:00 they could come in and do whatever they wanted.
Okay. >> Would it be would it be more cost effective if we had a gentleman like we do here? >> We had those last year and then we pulled them out of the budget because it wasn't working. It was the amount that the police were being called to the
library >> constantly. So people on duty were being called it. We So that's part of that big shift that happened at that point. We actually pulled them out um last year because >> now you said that the only way that that position could be moved is if there was an expense. Correct.
>> Or removed from the budget. >> Oh yeah. So if we pulled it out, we would essentially I shouldn't say that's the only way. Let's be clear. If we want to not meet the minimum, we that's off obviously an option to meet minimum. >> Yes. We would have to switch it over. Obviously less the 20,000 potentially that we were talking about. But um I also want to be clear that maybe this is
my misrepresentation. I thought it was a clear representation, but the bookmobile driver is a library assistant, too. That position that's in there, it's a union position. Um, and they are at the same qualifications. That person's just dedicated to the bookmobile in that sense. So, >> per CBA, what's their position?
>> It isn't a library assistant, too. >> Can we put that in a book? >> Yes, absolutely. Like I said, I that's probably a a clarity I was trying to add. >> Yeah. I don't want to I don't want to diminish their title by any means by just calling them a driver because that position um >> is that that's >> the actual clerk position. We're just
calling this person a driver. So, I would like to understand what their actual position is. >> I think there's a lot of there's a lot of um the the positions kind of align with different positions at government center. So, the grades just kind of look different. And then we have ours with
specific titles just based on the area because we have so many different departments in our library that it is pretty specific. These people work in very specific areas. Um so it's just for clarity but we can we can add that in even if we just add it with a comma after it so that it's clear of what they're dedicated to. But yeah
absolutely. >> So you said that the section had bookmobile um person 5651626. They go out with the quote unquote driver. They're out there together. And I know you had expressed concern for I guess safety having them out there. Now,
the events they go to are public events, right? >> Yes. >> With a lot of people. >> Yes. Unless they're going to say a senior center where they're sometimes they'll bring those books inside. Okay. >> Um so, so at times they'll go >> We really wouldn't be kind, you know, so much worried about the security of the
senior center, right? Of the I'm just trying to get a >> Oh, you you safety of the >> Yeah. of the people in the in the book. >> It's the driving of the vehicle. >> Yeah, it's mostly the driving of the bookmobile itself. Um, aside from her doing all of the planning for everything that happens on that bookmobile. Um, she
does the the collection development, so ordering all of the books. Um, she does a lot of like the reader advisory. So her her and also I mean if you picture a classroom of children, it takes two. It really does. Um,
>> yeah. So, I would feel I I would feel like I would I was sending her to the wolves if I sent her by herself. >> Okay. And just lastly, I know your budget's not much for overtime, but can we try to work on that and bring it down a little bit? >> Isn't your overtime based on um
>> um so the overtime, I think it's there's a very specific reason that you calculate that. You've told me. What is it? Um I know that there's a there's a lot of we do a lot of outreaches those kinds of things and sometimes um the overtime is needed especially on the weekends for for certain people.
>> I was thinking of shift premium. >> Um but I mean we can absolutely I think that that's kind of been my goal right along which is why we took on the bookmobile driver. She's been kind of offsetting the overtime. Uh we haven't had her for a full full year yet. So I think that we might >> we knock that down about three grand and
see if it works. Is that possible? >> Yeah. I mean, we did knock it down two this year because we did see that we weren't hitting the 10. So, I mean, I that's a >> Yeah, I just I I think that we could take it down, but I I always we'd just have to put that probably we'd end up
having to just move the money. Um, so we can we can take it out if that feels >> everyone. So, I just appreciate it. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Thank you. I yield. Thank you, councelor in C8. Council repos. >> Yeah. threw you to my colleague in C3.
FY23 was when the bookmobile was first in the in the budget and then it kind of evolved because if I remember these conversations FY22 was a was like a bus driver that was coded in there was a vacant FY23 a bookmobile but it was a
very low salary also vacant. I believe it was FY24 when we saw we saw that change in in anticipation for the bookmobile coming and then FY25 uh the current individual who was was already at the library is now coded in that
position that uh Felicia is talking about. So >> I yield council in C7 council Pereira. >> Thank you Felicia. I think your group down there does a great job. I love the bookmobile and I think there definitely needs to be two people on the
bookmobile. Even the overtime money, I think you're on target because when the city has an event and the bookmobile is at the event and that event is held on a Saturday or a Sunday or some night during the week, uh when they do something at the parks too, they bring
the bookmobile and it gives people the advantage to see it, to get a book and to have two people there. is not the security or safety of the individuals on the bookmobile, but kids circling around the bookmobile. You want to make sure
that there's no child that's running around, especially when you go to a school and you have all these kids come out. Uh a whole classroom submerging onto the bookmobile at once is not uh an easy fit. Uh those of us who have been in education, I get what you say. You
don't want to put them out to the wolves. I get it. Um, and but I have to say too, I do like um the book room that they have there where people can go in and buy books. The bookstore uh books
are inexpensive to buy. You can bring in books too and they uh sell some of the books. The other services like passport services and other services that they have there um are all part of what's in
the budget here. Um, and I think the board of trustees that you have at the library, I think they do a great job and they keep an eye on what money is being spent as well. So, kudos to them. Um, but I think I don't think there's
anything uh in this budget that I could say, gee, you really could get rid of this or cut this or cut that. I I don't see it. Um, but I do thank you and your whole staff. Um, especially that Mr. Melo downstairs. He's not going to
retire, is he? This year because I didn't see that. I'm happy about that. With that, I yield. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, Conorency 2, Council Chimera. >> So, I know we're concerned about the security and I'm glad you do have a police detail there because they do, you
know, a good job better than securities. But we have a new chief and he's looking for new ideas and maybe Miss Suzu or Miss Ay, we could talk to him about maybe having a police substation at the library. Other communities have substations for the police department where some
officers go in and do some paperwork, do some stuff. They pop in and out on a regular basis. Um, >> I'd be >> it's something to toss up in the air. >> Open to that. Yeah. >> No cost to you. They're going to be there couple hours here and there doing whatever they do, doing filling out reports, paperwork, stuff that they have to do at the office after they do
something. Maybe they can just stop in there. And police station is not close to the library. area. I mean, in essence, so it' be not not a bad place to have a substation somewhere in the downtown area. Maybe we run it by the chief. I haven't spoken to him about it, but I think it's something that being new at his job and maybe it's something
that he's looking to do and branch out and that'll be a big savings to you and a big plus to the community in that entire area because it's not just the library with people going and cause a lot of havoc. It's that area. >> Yeah. >> So, something to think about. Maybe we can have a discussion with him and I I'll call.
>> Like I said, we we we did talk about um in our meeting like two weeks ago to set up something with him. We were just trying to wait to get through this with all of the department. >> Hopefully if he's willing to do it and we try it and it's a it'd be a win-win for everybody, I think. >> And getting back to I know you say you spend a lot of money, a lot of time
looking at what books to buy and stuff about raising revenue. I know you have a bookstore, but years ago they had one big sale of some very important books. Do you read still a big sale? Well, the the library bookstore uh the funds that go there, they go to the friends of the library. So, you won't see that in this budget. Um
>> but years ago when they sold library books that those funds went to the library, I believe or to the general fund. >> So, the nonprofit organization donates some of those money uh that money back to the library. So, in the form of like the their group will approve programs,
different things like that. Um but but again, you won't see that represented in any of this. That's a That's the nonprofit group. >> But I'm talking about something different. It was maybe over 10 years ago when the library had a big sale of a lot of books that they had there. They were some were very old and worth a lot of money and
>> Oh, >> people were not taking these books out and they weren't getting very much use out of them and there was somewhat of a demand for them and they had an auction and they sold quite a few books. >> Yeah. I think uh I don't know if it was 10 years ago, but many years ago they they auctioned a lot of our old special collections and they they paid for
building construction with that. >> I know. So they made a lot. >> The only thing is we can't ever get those priceless works back. >> So as a liar, >> I I I agree. It was a tough tough decision. I agree. Some people were very upset. I understand. But they did raise a lot of money in those those books.
>> But that's not something that's going to take place or that you know of or that's something that >> I wouldn't promote that. No. Normally >> it's good to know. I'm the last the person that did it back then. So when you hold on to those things, the value only increases and then it also gives different um people reasons to come to
our institution. >> I I understand. >> Yeah. >> I'm not saying it was a right decision, but it happened and they did raise a lot of money. >> We're thinking of different ways though. I'd love to be able to charge for certain things, but um being uh the library, there is a certain restriction I have with charging for services. I
wish that we could do like after hours special events, those kinds of things, but it's all about like what we're able to do as a library itself. Um, we're not necessarily able to make profits on on items. Um, so what you see come back is mostly printing and those kinds of
things. >> Do you still do things with the passports? And >> we do. Yep. And that comes back to us in our revolving fund. >> But there's a charge for that. Correct. >> There is. And um that's I think we've probably I think it was about 13,000 maybe that uh they generated this year and that will go towards uh programs
those kinds of things. >> Do you still have tickets to different functions throughout the state and they can buy a discounted rate? >> Yes. So that falls in our subscriptions and we're uh we're making we're expanding that collection. So we have I'd have to say maybe probably 20
different museums now. So people get a lot of free access to things that uh they don't realize. So >> yeah, and I think that's a poor part because they don't realize it and that's why I'm bringing it up. A lot of people in this community have no idea that the benefits they can get at the library with different tickets at different places and it's it's it's pretty interesting. >> Yeah.
>> Well, good. You do a good job. You do a great job. Um I was going to ask is there anything you can save? I know you said it's been cut. It's been lean. >> Um yeah, not necessarily with our restriction uh with with the uh with the mandate. Um >> it wouldn't make sense. >> Yeah. Uh the only thing that I think that I'd love to be able to do is of
course I think morale is really important. So increasing like all of the all of my support staff's salaries would be great, but that's more of a union thing. So I'm aware of that. Um >> there's a lot of people in the city that would like to see their their increases go for their salaries to our
own. >> The most valuable asset that's in my department. Um so while everything else uh seems, you know, funded really well, that's where I would like to see something go. >> Well, thank you. Thank you for your staff. They do do an amazing job. I was there a while ago. actually took I took
my son there and he's a lot older now and he said I haven't been in a long time and it's it's it's it's it's a great place to be. >> Yeah. >> With that ideal. Thank you. >> Thank you, counselor. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Felicia. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Last but not least this evening, page
96, traffic and parking. Counselor in seat three, councel. >> Thank you. I'd >> like to recognize you first after we have a introduction from our director. Stephanie MacArthur, director of traffic and parking.
>> Thank you. >> So, the first question I have is when it comes to credit card fees, what revenue line items generate credit card fees? Is it just the parking meter
fees? So, the credit card fee line item is technically I know it's set up as an expense, but it's technically more of a reimbursement. That credit card line line item that you're you're talking about the 75,000. >> Yes.
>> So, that is basically when a customer pays online for a parking ticket, there is a service fee that is paid to the city, but we have to reimburse the company back because the customer pays for that service fee. It's the other ones.
>> So then where is that money coming in reflected? >> That's the parking meter fees and the um the parking fines. So that would be parking meter sorry parking meter fees is on page 24 under fees and then the parking fines
are under fines and for fines and forfeitures on page 25. >> So when people are paying fines they are able to pay that via credit card and they are paying a fee to do it with a credit card. Correct. >> Correct. >> Okay.
When I look at the revenues that are being estimated for the parking meter fees, we are projecting less uh 32,000 less than what's projected for this fiscal year. >> So, we actually went over that today.
You mentioned it on I don't know what day it is anymore. Um >> Tuesday, you told me to ask this question today. >> Yes. I'm sorry. So, we did take time to talk about it today and and prepare for it and look at it. So that estimation that's in there for the parking meter
fees is actually right in line with what it was last year. Um the timing of the estimation and the capturing of the receipts in the time that they're recorded because there are a lot of daily recorded things. I thought that we were up to date, but I didn't realize that there are certain things that are weekly and monthly because there's so
much daily stuff bogging down what I was looking through. So we did repole it today. I can send you the detailed report of what we pulled, but we are actually landing almost perfectly in line with um last year at the 460 again. >> So then why are we projecting in the FY27 proposed budget we're only going to
get 410,000 if we've hit 460 2 years ago? >> I have to be at at least 90% or below the previous year's collected receipts per do with my local receipt estimates. Okay.
>> I I mean I I we can talk but do when they when we put in for tax rate recap they will make me lower it again. So I I mean we can increase it but I'm going to have to lower something else. So >> Well, you can increase it 4,000 up to because you said it has to be 90%. So 90% of the 460 would be 414. So you
could probably >> Yeah, but I in total also have to look at all of these. So again, we can do that. We can we can move some of those around. But um do if even if we move it now, let's be clear, when I put in for tax rate recap in October, November, they will make me adjust things if
they're not comfortable with it. So I I'm happy to adjust it, but know that it may not stand. >> Okay. Um when we look at gasoline, um this this jumps pretty substantially for the FY27
budget. um it was about 10,000 in fiscal 25 looks like projected similarly uh for this year we're going up over 40%. >> It's based on the gas prices going up. So we did use I have a um speaking of
the fueling at the city yard we get um reports. So I took the detail from all of the gas per month for the last I think I when I pulled it was almost through it was through March so 9 months and I averaged the rest of the three months. Um and then I used for um
regular fuel um not diesel I know that's not very technical terms so this is what I have for you right now. Um I pulled that from the year and that's what it comes out to at 275 a gallon. So that's the rates that we're we're typically closer to $250 to 270, but lately we're
upwards of almost $3. Um I think all of us are hoping that we're not staying at this $3. So um with that being said, we did increase the estimate for the year a little bit um to try and account for some of those increases, but um it is based on hard data and actuals that I
can share if you would like to see at all. >> That's all right. on that one. Um, snow stipen in fiscal 25, which I believe was a mild winter, there was 1250 spent on that. Um, and I can see that there were three potential employees who would
receive that snow stipen. My question is in this fiscal year, it's projected that only two are going to receive that stipen. yet. This was probably >> so the the stipen is based on the CBA and the CBA specifies the number of um times that they are required to respond
and show up to a snowstorm um and certain number of hours to hit in order to be eligible for the stipen. So while there might be more than enough snow, their availability may not have allowed for them to show up. So that's the way that those work. >> Okay. They can't be forced in because like the blizzard was all hands on deck.
Okay, >> that was my question on that. Um R&M vehicle um revised budget is 37,000. This is over budget by $12,67. >> I'm sorry. You're talking about electricity is the 37,000.
>> I'm sorry. >> Yes. Sorry. >> I just died a little bit when you said the vehicle. Sorry. >> Um >> just a kink. >> Yes. Electricity is over. Yes. So, the electricity. So, this is technically a line item that's paid for all the signal
lights within the city. Um, I'm not sure exactly when we're going to be picking up all the additional signal lights from the 79 project. So, we are requesting the increase for those additional signal lights that we're going to be paying for. >> Okay. Parking meters and service. Um,
this is proposed budget 135,000. um looks like we're going to come in about about $11,000 shy of that for this fiscal year. And then FY25 it was only 91,000 which is substantially less. So my question is
what is this line item? What are we spending on parking meters and service? Is this a person? Is this a company? Is this a parts? And I guess >> Yep. So it is it's a company. Um it's IPS. It's our enforcement system. Um, so that's for all the parking tickets that
are issued for the city of Fall River. Um, so that fee covers the issuance fee for every parking ticket that's issued. Um, it also covers the registry information. So any registry lookups that we do, that fee covers that. And it also covers the handheld support.
>> So the handheld support and the monthly for the motor vehicle lookup, those are fixed fees. Um, the tickets are what vary. So the the way that the rate is written it's150 per ticket or 90 1950
sorry monthly whichever one is higher. So that there is a variable. So we've obviously we take past data and estimate but it's >> it's a moving target in that sense. >> Why did it jump so much from fiscal 25 to 26 >> ARPA? ARPA is what brought this online.
So there was ARPA funding that supported bringing the system online and it was being phased out. So part of it was covering still in 25 and then that was fully utilized. So that's why you don't see a full year of cost. So this 135 is obviously like I said there's a portion of it that is truly an estimate but the
rest of it is a hard cost. Um there was the other thing for the kiosks. So the kiosks are technically a monthly fee that's rented out of this line. It's $60 a month with 46 kiosks around the city. So another fixed cost that again we know to be what it's going to be. It's the
tickets that really are the variable in this line. >> Okay, just give me one moment. >> So, if we're not projecting to increase or expected increases in traffic fines, parking fines rather, why would this
expected cost go up for this next budget from where we're >> It didn't it didn't go up necessarily. So, it's based on the number of tickets we write. Obviously, the number of tickets that are then paid a whole different ballgame, right? So that what we're seeing in revenues may not be what we actually issue in tickets and expect.
So it's >> So if we're at 124,000 now, how is this getting to 135 for next year >> based on the the estimates of what we on average write out, but again, every month we don't hit that average necessarily. So that we're taking one year of data to get that estimate. But
>> I can I mean I can break down that calculation more. So we, like I said with the handheld devices, it's 275 a month. I don't know how many handheld devices. >> We have five devices. >> So that's 5 time 12 times the 275. Then you also have the 1,800 monthly. And
then like I said, the kiosks, that's a pretty much a flat rate based on the monthly amount. So the tickets are the variable. So we can get you that data to show how this was calculated. So what I'm hearing is you expect that in next year's budget we will be at 135 on this line.
>> I can almost guarantee you that every line item that we budget we will not to the penny hit every time. So no I cannot say that we're going to hit exactly 35,000 0.0. No, we probably won't. But it could also be higher than that. It could be lower than that. It's it's the best
estimate. I mean, it's a budget, so we have to there is a little bit of wiggle room that's going to happen within, you know, reason. I I think to be clear, there's there's times where it's just this is a number because it's a number and and we're 20,000 off historically and that's the way we live versus, you
know, there's a couple thousand dollars of wiggle room because things do change and and you don't know what it's going to be. But we can pull the data and and give you that to see if you would like to have a different calculation. Yeah, I think it's just it's a little higher than the the standard deviation I would
expect for that. That's over 8% different, I think. So, if you can just help me understand that with the detail a little bit more later, that would be appreciated. Uh, parking meter upgrades. Uh, we have 20,000 allocated for this. I feel like
everywhere I go, every place I visit, people aren't having meters anymore. They have stickers. I I've seen us here in the city use them in some areas. The MBTA parking lot uses it um on the polls. What are the what's the $20,000
here for parking meter upgrades? >> The the title of the line could be a little miss. >> I think I think that's the problem with the titles. Um so this is basically for anything that's paid for the kiosk. So any of the slips that we need for the pay and display, we need to purchase that paper monthly. any batteries for
the meters that need to be replaced, screens, credit card readers, that's what that monthly fee is paid for. >> So, it's it's sometimes the box where you don't have actual individual meters, but sometimes it is some of the digital meters, but it's it's all of the service and supplies around maintaining those
and and having them. >> What line item does parking tickets come out of? >> What do you mean? >> Uh she ordered she has a stack of 30,000 I think uh she mentioned recently. Um and Is that office? Does that come out of office supplies when you order them or is that
>> Nope. Nope. That comes out of the parking meter upgrade as well. >> So that's was something that be >> correct. >> Okay. >> All right. I yield for now. Thank you. >> Thank you, council. And seat five, Council Hart. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh good evening, Stephanie. Save the best for last.
>> Um I just wanted to talk to you about the What's the correct term for the uh the mobile speed bumps >> that you've >> the speed tables? >> Speed tables. Are those budgeted in here for in your or is it another is it another department? >> So no I mean yes it is per department.
Um there is so we did do something. We just asked for a transfer um for FY26 to buy some from free cash. There is money that's in the capital plan for 27 but there is um what is the state money that you have access to that we decided we
would use for 27 for those? What is the state money that um from the Uber receipts or something? Is that what that line is? The what's that transfer that transportation line that you get? It's like 60,000 a year. >> I don't get that. >> Yes, you do. >> Dan gets that.
>> Right. But he gave it to you to spend on this. >> Oh, the ride share. Right. >> Thank you. Ride share. I knew I wasn't >> All right. Um so Oh, go ahead. Sorry. >> That's the plan for 27 for that budget line that we did this year. I think it was 165 that we transferred. So there is
about that balance in there right now. So we were going to use that in 27 and then I think from there figure out between these temporary/permanent what the move is to go forward and we'll have a plan for 28 at that point. >> And how many are out there right now? >> We only have the two temporary ones that are out there right now.
>> One you have at Albert and here which is a huge success. Um so thank you very much. They they needed that very badly. They're very happy about it. They're like asking for one another one at Stafford up north. >> So, um, so how many more will be
budgeted next year, you think? >> I don't know. >> I mean, we're So, we're actually we're looking more at the permanent options. So, I'm actually waiting. I'm working with Dan Aguar right now for us to hire a contractor to do the permanent ones. >> And how much are they? >> Uh, the permanent ones we're looking at
about $8,000 each $8,000. Okay. >> Yeah. >> The temporary ones are more though. >> Yes. Way more. Temporaries are what? >> They they vary. It all depends on the width of the roadway. >> Okay. So, you you think the obviously the permanence are more >> Absolutely. And the temporary ones we need to we need to take those out before
the first snowfall, >> right? Exactly. But are we going to use keep using the um uh >> temporary ones? Temporary. >> Yes. >> Yeah, I think we should. >> Absolutely. the ones that we do have currently, we will we do intend >> and we're we're we're I mean for obviously I think you did say that
possibly or potentially could go into certain schools. >> We're looking at school zones, park areas. Um we're just looking to get some type of >> I'm working with the police department just to see exactly where >> some type of guideline in place because at that point everyone's going to want
them everywhere. People speed everywhere. So we're just what you said. Oh, sorry. Go ahead. Start. >> No, that's okay. for free cash. We're going to purchase some. >> So, we did we did transfer some free cash for this year for the 165. Um, and then we are looking to do
>> more out of the ride share. So, and also we're going to see what more we actually even need after that because you know the temporary ones that 165 would be gone you know in a snap. But if we are going that permanent route more quickly than we kind of anticipated because it is already working well um we'll at that
point for FY28 and maybe even next year if there is some additional we'll kind of revisit it once we see the success and what's really needed because we are we were kind of testing it to start out with and then we'll we'll circle back >> and and are the permanent ones going to be similar to what the temporary Okay, good. And I I I don't know. I I don't
know what you're gonna plan on getting, how many or what the plan is, but I would recommend as many as you can, >> and get them into the areas where they're much needed, like uh Albert and Hu. Um but thank you very much for doing that. I appreciate it. Um crossing
guides, we have enough. >> I actually requested six additional in this budget. >> Um we do at the moment. Yeah, >> we have enough currently at the moment, but unfortunately with it being I I have a turnover. I constantly have a turnover in crossing guards. >> How how how big is the turnover?
>> I mean it >> they're working two hours a day. >> Yeah, >> that's the problem. >> It's high. >> No, I get it. But but they're very important. >> They are. They are. They're very important. >> And I do and I'm working with the schools. I mean, like I said, there was a there was a few different schools that have actually requested additional
crossing guards, but unfortunately, you know, two hours a day at $20 an hour after taxes, >> they're not they're not making much. >> And and most of the time the the crossing season >> Yeah. Right. And most of the time the crossing guards that are needed mo, you
know, like say Spencer Bordon, you need two there. >> Um, where else do you need two? >> Oh, I have a lot of places. I have some schools that are requesting six. Five and six crossing guards. >> Six. Okay. Wait. Well, we >> I have averis. Okay. Right.
>> I have I have five at a ver. Um >> how about fansa? >> Fansa. I have six >> because I wanted to ask how many? >> Six. >> Okay. I wanted to ask you something about that. It's the first time I saw where Fzica. Was there a crossing guard at Bedford in >> Nope. That's a new one. That's a new one.
>> That's a new one. >> Okay. Cuz that's a good spot. Yeah. for especially requested. I think there was also war going on >> there. So, they were badly needed there. >> So, they're going to stay there. >> Correct. >> Okay, good. That's very good. Um Okay.
>> Well, as far as the the the turnover, I know you can't avoid that. >> Um however, um I would really strongly I mean, some need six then. Yeah, >> we need to I mean we need to maybe go full core press and get more crossing
guides and and you know accommodate those schools because they're very important and my guess is that they're just obviously not right around the school. They're extended out further where they're >> like that one for an example even for Talbet. >> Y >> um I have one at Eastern Avenue and
county that one's for Talbot specifically. >> Okay. Yeah. So could you let us you how that update how it's going? Okay. I yield. Thank you very much. And just uh also too, one more thing, Mr. President. Great job, Stephanie. Uh you do you do a fantastic job with the department. The department is really run very well and
that's reflective of the leader of it. And that goes for all the department heads that we're seeing here. And that goes for uh Miss Opy as well. You're doing a great job. And Ann, great job. But um I'm glad to see that the uh that you're going to have more permanent of
of the uh speed bumps because I think they're badly needed. So thank you very much. Thank you. Councelor Conor C8. Consular Reposo >> only have one question. Uh Stephanie, is in the next fiscal year, is there going to be a review of parking rates for both
garages and for meters? >> Is there a plan for that? >> Um there is there has been some discussions. Yes, there has been. >> It only I asked because it was a question I asked you last year. I'm just curious if there's any movement on that with with fees and what have you going up >> for especially the new meters. I guess
that's more of a curiosity question than anything else. But I'll I'll let you get back to me on that once once you have some information. I yield. Thank you. Thank you, Constency for Council Vice President Dion. >> Good evening. >> So, I've never quite understood and I don't know if I've ever really gotten the answer and I still to this day don't
understand why crossing guards are under traffic instead of on the school side. >> Neither do I. >> Please call the state. >> Excuse me. >> Please call the state. >> Oh, well then maybe we need to >> That's where we're stuck at. Yeah. So, it >> it makes no sense. If the schools weren't open, we wouldn't need crossing guards. They're directly related to the
schools. >> Nobody here will disagree with you. >> Nobody. >> Because think about this. Her department, if I'm looking at this budget correctly, >> would not only operate at a net zero cost with the revenue they bring in,
they would profit almost 120 uh uh just well yeah 125,588 a year above and beyond their expenses. >> No questions asked. >> That's like incredible. >> Yep. And with the third street garage going to be uh repaired, those revenues
are going these numbers are just going to continue to increase. And instead, we're operating at a deficit >> because >> because of crossing guards. >> So to be clear, in in New Bedford, they actually have um most of their parking traffic, they have a downtown um
enterprise fund for parking >> because it it is so profit profitable in that sense. So, I mean, it's something we can also, you know, work towards down the line, but you're right, the crossing guards, I mean, you can shift them to wherever and look at it the same way, though. So, even though this is kind of tucked up under parking, um, traffic and
parking, it really, I mean, you could drop it into police. It's been in police before, it's getting schools to take it on. We could technically put it over under schools, but it's still a cost outside of net school spending. So, we could shift this around more. um schools hasn't really had we've had a very brief
conversation about them taking it on and because it's not they just you know it's the conversation didn't really extend past that at this point um and there wasn't really a reason to push because it doesn't change really much. So um we are we >> 5050 split >> we would love it
>> 50/50 we want a 50/50 split everything else why we 5050 split that as well. Um, so let me ask you a question. In a perfect world, which we don't live in, one, >> how many more employees would you need to bring this to net zero? >> At least one.
>> Just I know that's not a question you can just that's just going to fly out of your head. So maybe >> I don't mind being clear. We we've been talking about adding in another one for her department. Um, we are we're exploring that. We've been >> testing some things with a little bit of overtime. Um, but we are now in conversations with the union to make
these adjustments that we would all like to see. >> So, I would anticipate that with the 79 corridor, there's going to be more fees collected on 79 in the future, which will demand more um
employees to be able to just cover that area. >> I'd like to be clear, we're talking about this aside from that. So we might, you know, when that point comes to we'll come back again, too. Yeah. So it that's definitely again it's part of that whole 79. I think I um hinted towards it with the building and the code and all of
that, it it's the same thing. So that's what I meant by we're waiting for that to start really fully transitioning and that to open up and these are conversations that we've had um you know on our side of things about what the plan will look like, what the needs will be and making sure that we're going to be ready for that at that time.
>> Well, Monday night we'll be meeting with the school department. Maybe we can start discussing a 5050 split at the minimum. >> Yeah. I mean, it's not net school spending eligible. So, even if we technically split it, when they go to report it, it's going to get kicked back out. >> I know. That's the problem. It's not net school spending eligible. It's not It's
not any of our choices. It's I mean, it's like that statewide and everybody has a problem with it to be honest with you. So, it's add it to the transportation list. >> Yeah. Yeah. The transportation fight. >> Okay. Thank you. With that, I yield. >> Thank you, Councelor C7. Councelor Pereira. Hi. Hi, Stephanie. Just one
question that I have on the kiosks. >> Yep. >> Why don't we have the pay by phone on the kiosk? Because >> there is a text to pay option. We started that in >> July, >> but there's no signs that >> July of 2025. Yep. There's there's
actually stickers and there's signage directly on the side of the kiosks in every meter. >> Put some signs up that says pay by phone, whatever. Yeah, we we can definitely look into putting additional signage, but there is signs directly on the side of the meter. Um, which you can also download the app. You So, we have the
>> the pay by phone app. >> Yep. You can do text to pay or you can pay through the app. >> Now, if you did that, do you still pay a fee? >> Yes, >> you still do pay a fee. >> Okay. I wasn't sure if you still paid a fee or not.
>> Y any type of credit card usage there's a fee with. >> Right. I know I had talked to you about that being bilingual, triilingual, whatever. >> Uh we've tried to work with that. So maybe with this app, >> it works out. And um as far as the
traffic uh the parking control offices that you had >> that you have now and you're trying to get some >> to do some overtime at night. >> We had an ordinance committee meeting. We spoke about >> commercial vehicles, people with big trailers that are taking up a lot of
spots that maybe there's somebody that wants to do it at night that could be hired at night >> um to do that because >> there there's definitely revenue out there to be made at night. I assure you and you know the city people get pretty upset with the fact that
>> you know they don't have a parking place when they get home. It's tight enough in your budget. Do you have any money to do a study on two-way streets that have parking on both sides but are very narrow? >> I do not.
>> So, how is that study going to be done? >> I haven't been asked about that. I'm sorry. I'm not aware. I >> All right. So, >> put it in put it in your mind. Ask about it and >> let us know. It's just that there's streets are narrow. If there's parking
on both sides and it's two-way street, people can't get by. I will say I've heard about that. I didn't know that there was a study that was being asked for. So, we can definitely look into that. >> There has to be something. I'm sure uh Miss O'Neal can Mrs. O'Neal can bring that up to administration. >> Yeah, we can. Serped does a lot too with
the roads. We can talk with Dan and see if there's any funding available for something in >> there's a grant or something available. >> Absolutely. >> With that, I yield. >> Thank you. Council to Council Kamar. >> Thank you, Mr. President. So Stephanie, people still pay their parking tickets
at your window or >> Oh yes. >> Oh my god. Yes. >> So I know Mr. Hathaway said that you know sometimes you get some disgruntled employees. I can just I know exactly what you go through sometimes and it's you might need security at your your window some people and then you put them >> be something I consider between my
window and then when I do my hearings. So >> yeah, it's it's >> sometimes you look at city employees and some people go through an awful lot of >> things that they shouldn't be able to go through when they just want to go to work and earn an honest day's pay for an honest day's hard work. >> So it's unfortunate, but I think you and
your staff do a great job as well. >> As far as why the crossing gods are on the city side, the same person that decides that the school buses have to be paid by the city as well, Yes. >> is making those decisions at the state and yes, >> he should get fired or she should get fired. Yes,
>> but that's a discussion for another day. Um, I think overall you're doing a good job. Is there talk about maybe bringing more revenue in by extending pocket meters or taking pocket meters out of the place? And someone always asked me the Flint doesn't seem to have any pocket meters. Is there any talk and not that I think we want to put them there,
but is there any talk about that at all? Some >> to put any more in the Flint? >> Yeah. >> No. >> Okay. >> No discussions on that. But like I said, there is we're looking into the second shift option for parking control and I do think that would be a huge increase in my revenue
>> with doing so. >> Down at the wall street when that all gets developed, is there going to be any parking meters down there? >> We're planning on putting some kiosks. I do have three to install down there. >> How many parking spots available is projected down there? >> I don't have that number. I can get it for you though. >> Just curious. >> Mhm. >> Because that would be an additional
source of revenue for your department as well. And you do do a good job with revenue. You guys bring in quite a bit and they do work very hard at it. >> Thank you. >> Is there anything you can save us any money at all? I know you've been hearing me ask everybody. >> Unfortunately, no. I mean, being a revenue generating department and
safety, there's really not much I can trim for you. Sorry. >> You can add more revenue and we're working more revenue. >> Do you have confidence that the parking garages are going to be developed and taken care of anytime soon? And I know you're involved in that and the planning
stages. and how soon before we can see any return on investment that's coming. >> We did just we did just um award the bid for one of the repairs. Um we will have something before you for the next meeting to help fund those repairs. So and at that time I think we'll have a full presentation on the timeline of
repairs and everything. So um we will have an answer for that very soon is what I'll say. >> Okay. All right. With that I just want to thank you and you guys do a great job. Keep it up. >> Thank you. >> With that I yield. Thank you. >> Thank you counselor hearing. No further discussion. Um we uh appreciate it. Um
tonight uh we'll conclude uh we begin again on Monday at 6:00. We'll have the school department here uh for budget presentation and followed by city operations and facilities. We'll meet again on Tuesday uh for public safety uh and and uh then we'll possibly meet
again most likely on Wednesday uh for um insurance and other and that will conclude our budget hearings. >> On on Monday this department they have a presentation. Do we have any idea how long that presentation is that they're going to be making? >> I can find out, counselor, and get back to you on that. >> I'm just curious. I mean, I don't know if they're going to have a half hour
presentation, a 20-minute presentation, an hour presentation. I just >> I can find out. I'll let you know. >> I'll let everybody know. Motion to table. Motion to table the budget has been made by councelor Raposo, seconded by Council Pekum. All those in favor? Opposed? The eyes have it. Motion has been made. Motion to adjourn the
committee on finance has been made by councelor Raposo, seconded by councel Pekkham. All those in favor? Opposed? the ice. Have a good night.