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BOARD
OF ESTIMATE & TAXATION MEETING ACTIONS
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JULY 10, 2006
ATTENDANCE: Mayor Richard Moccia, Frederick Wilms, Chairman; Stuart Wells,
Randall Avery; Jim Clark, Leo Mellow
STAFF: Mary Roman, City Clerk; Thomas Hamilton, Finance Director;
Donna Castracane
OTHERS: Police Chief Harry Rilling, Fire Chief Denis McCarthy, Emergency
Dispatch Chief Michael Dolhancryk
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Moccia called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Ms. Roman called the roll and announced that there was a quorum present.
Mayor Moccia and Mr. Wilms welcomed Mr. Mellow to the Board.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
June 5 2006 Minutes
** MR. CLARK MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.
** THE MOTION PASSED WITH FOUR IN FAVOR (MOCCIA, WELLS, AVERY AND CLARK) AND ONE ABSTENTION (MELLOW).
SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS AGENDA ( SECTION A)
List of resolutions
Advertised Items ( 6)
Report on Special Appropriations
Justification/Back up Material
Chairman Wilms announced that Chief Rilling had been delayed and therefore Item #3 would be considered first. This was agreeable to all.
3. RESOLVED, that a sum not to exceed #82,353 be and the same is hereby transferred from Contingency to the Fire Department to pay for severance payments. (Account No. 01-3120-5110).
Mr. Hamilton reviewed the details of this request which involve two retirements from the Fire Department plus some overtime payments for the Board. He explained that the Fire Department DROP plan was not part of this request. Chief McCarthy approached the podium and stated that the DROP plan and stated that his department would be including DROP in their budget in the future, but they were not able to do so this year because they did not know how many firefighters would be in the plan.
** MR. WELLS MOVED TO APPROVE THAT A SUM NOT TO EXCEED #82,353 BE AND THE SAME IS HEREBY TRANSFERRED FROM CONTINGENCY TO VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS TO COVER SEVERANCE PAYMENTS. (ACCOUNT NO. 01-312-5110).
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. RESOLVED, that a sum not to exceed $135,511 be and the same is hereby transferred from Increased Estimated Revenues to the Police Department to pay for severance payments. (Account No. Various)
Mr. Hamilton reviewed the details of the Police Department DROP plan, which are different from the Fire Department DROP plan. He stated that this was not a new liability. Chief Rilling approached the podium and informed the Board that over the life of the contract, 53 officers would be eligible for the plan and that 39 officers have enrolled.
** MR. WILMS MOVED TO APPROVE THAT A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $135,511 BE AND THE SAME IS HEREBY TRANSFERRED FROM INCREASED ESTIMATED REVENUES TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO PAY FOR SEVERANCE PAYMENTS. (ACCOUNT NO. VARIOUS).
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. RESOLVED, that a sum not to exceed $327,285 be and the same is hereby transferred from Increased Estimated Revenues to the Police Department to pay for a shortfall in overtime expenses. (Account No. Various)
Mr. Hamilton reviewed this request and expressed strong concerns about the amount of overspending in overtime. He then reviewed a number of past years requests and stated that the Police Department budget for 06-07 had been approved by the Council as submitted with no cuts. He concluded with a strong suggestion that the Police Department monitor their overtime carefully as this request has been the highest in four years.
Chief Rilling referred to a memo dated July 3rd regarding this issue and stated that he was as concerned as Mr. Hamilton. He also informed the Board that three audits of overtime hours have been done and that there has been no evidence of abuse. Chief Rilling cited the fact that there was an upsurge in crime in 04-05 which required a total of eight officers being switched from their regular various duties to deal with the situations. The increase in police presence has resulted in a drop in retaliatory actions. Chief Rilling also mentioned that there has been a drop in the number of officers from 179 to 158, which leaves the department short staffed. He noted that there are some long term disabilities, along with an increase in vacation and sick time. Previously, the Department used vacant position funding to cover the gap. He also reported that the Department has a number of officers at the Academy for a forty week course.
Mayor Moccia stated that it was his belief that the originally negotiated DROP plan for the Police Department was a major mistake for the City and that it has had a devastating effect on the budget. He commended the Police Department on their handling of the past murders and the fact that the extra police presence reduced the retaliatory actions.
** MR. WILMS MOVED TO APPROVE THAT A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $327,285 BE AND THE SAME IS HEREBY TRANSFERRED FROM INCREASED ESTIMATED REVENUES TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO PAY FOR A SHORTFALL IN OVERTIME EXPENSES. (ACCOUNT NO. VARIOUS).
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. RESOLVED, that a sum not to exceed $222,570 be and the same is hereby transferred
from Contingency to Various Departments to cover severance payments ( Account
No.
Various).
Mr. Hamilton explained that an unusually large number of City employees elected to retire on June 30th of this year. He stated that it has been the practice to keep the positions vacant until the funding for the severance package was available. When asked by Mr. Wilms about the severance package, Mr. Hamilton explained that it was really the payment for accrued vacation and sick time and not a true severance package. He also stated that a retiring employee could receive up to sixty days pay for unused sick and vacation time.
** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO APPROVE THAT A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $222,570 BE AND THE SAME IS HEREBY TRANSFERRED FROM CONTINGENCY TO VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS TO COVER SEVERANCE PAYMENTS ( ACCOUNT NO. VARIOUS).
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. RESOLVED, that a sum not to exceed $8,000 be and the same is hereby transferred from Increased Estimate Revenues to the Combined Dispatch and Emergency Preparedness Planning Department to pay for training costs. (Account No. 01-3620-5272).
Mr. Hamilton briefly reviewed this request for the Board.
** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO APPROVE THAT A SUM NOT TO EXCEED
$8,000 BE AND THE SAME IS HEREBY TRANSFERRED FROM INCREASED ESTIMATE REVENUES
TO THE COMBINED DISPATCH AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO PAY
FOR TRAINING COSTS. (ACCOUNT NO. 01-3620-5272).
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. RESOLVED, that a sum not to exceed $121,908 be and the same is hereby transferred from Increased Estimate Revenues to the Combined Dispatch and Emergency Preparedness Planning Department to cover a shortfall in regular wages ( Account No. 01-3620-5110).
Mr. Hamilton reported that Mr. Dolhancryk had brought the Combined Dispatch online and converted the uniformed positions into civilian positions. He explained that the original target date for this project was in July of 2005. When asked when the Fire Department dispatch had moved into the Combined Dispatch Center, Mr. Dolhancryk replied that the Fire Department move happened in February of 2006. It was noted that former Mayor’s Assistant Jack Orchulli spent many hours on this project. Mr. Dolhancryk commented that the combination has resulted in a drop of uniformed police participation from 36% to .4%. He stated that this resulted in a major decrease in overtime and concluded by stating he hoped not to be overbudget next year. Mr. Wells asked that this be included in the record.
** MR. WILMS MOVED TO APPROVE THAT A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $121,908 BE AND THE SAME IS HEREBY TRANSFERRED FROM INCREASED ESTIMATE REVENUES TO THE COMBINED DISPATCH AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO COVER A SHORTFALL IN REGULAR WAGES ( ACCOUNT NO. 01-3620-5110).
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. RESOLVED, that a sum not to exceed $11,000 be and the same is hereby transferred from Increased Estimated Revenues to the Fire Department to pay for an entry level firefighter exam. (Account No. 01-3140-5258).
Chief McCarthy explained that the Fire Department had started a recruitment fee of $50.
** MR. WILMS MOVED TO APPROVE THAT A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $11,000 BE AND THE SAME IS HEREBY TRANSFERRED FROM INCREASED ESTIMATE REVENUES TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PAY FOR AN ENTRY LEVEL FIREFIGHTER EXAM. (ACCOUNT NO. 01-3140-5258).
Following a brief discussion, it was noted that the actual amount needed would be $10, 288.
** MR. WILMS MOVED TO AMEND HIS PRIOR MOTION TO APPROVE THAT A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $10,288 BE AND THE SAME IS HEREBY TRANSFERRED FROM INCREASED ESTIMATE REVENUES TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PAY FOR AN ENTRY LEVEL FIREFIGHTER EXAM. (ACCOUNT NO. 01-3140-5258).
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. RESOLVED, that a sum not to exceed $20,000 be and the same is hereby transferred from Increased Estimated Revenue to the Health Department to pay for a shortfall due to the City not going forward with a Regional Health District. (Account No. 01-2011-5110).
Mr. Hamilton briefly reviewed the request for the Board.
** MR. WILMS MOVED TO APPROVE THAT A SUM NOT TO EXCEED
$20,000 BE AND THE SAME IS HEREBY TRANSFERRED FROM INCREASED ESTIMATED REVENUE
TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO PAY FOR A SHORTFALL DUE TO THE CITY NOT GOING FORWARD
WITH A REGIONAL HEALTH DISTRICT. (ACCOUNT NO. 01-2011-5110).
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Transfer Agenda (Section B)
FISCAL YEAR 2005-2006
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:
From: To: Amount
01-0600-5110 (Regular Wages) 01-0600-5129 (Overtime) $23,398
________________________________________________________________________
This transfer from the department’s regular wage account is to cover a deficit in overtime wages due to several vacancies within the department, after hours IT support, and software upgrades that needed to be accomplished outside of regular business hours.
** MR. WILMS MOVED TO APPROVE A TRANSFER OF $23,398.00 FROM THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY REGULAR WAGE ACCOUNT (#01-0600-5110) TO THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OVERTIME ACCOUNT (01-0600-5129) .
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT:
From: To: Amount
01-2020-5110 (Regular Wages) 01-2020-5140 (Part time wages) $24,472
________________________________________________________________________
This transfer is to cover a deficit in part-time wages due to the Part-time employee working full-time. This additional cost, however, is offset by a savings in regular wages due to a portion of an employee’s salary being charged to a State grant.
** MR. WILMS MOVED TO APPROVE A TRANSFER OF $24,472.00 FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT REGULAR WAGE ACCOUNT (#01-2020-5110) TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT PART TIME ACCOUNT (#01-2020-5140) .
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
TAX ASSESSORS:
From: To: Amount
01-1320-5120 (Overtime Wages) 01-1320-5140 (Part time wages) $2,770
01-1320-5258 (Other Prof. Services) 01-1320-5140 (Part time wages) $5,180
$7,950
________________________________________________________________________
This transfer is to cover the deficit in part time wages due to personnel vacancies and extended sick leave.
** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO APPROVE A SERIES OF TRANSFERS TOTALING $7,950 FOR THE TAX ASSESSOR’S OFFICE TO PAY FOR THE DEFICIT IN PART TIME WAGES DUE TO PERSONNEL VACANCIES AND EXTENDED SICK LEAVE. (ACCOUNTS VARY
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
TAX COLLECTOR:
From: To: Amount
01-1330-5110 (Regular Wages) 01-1330-5221 (Printing & Dup.) $15,600
________________________________________________________________________
This transfer is to cover the deficit in printing and duplication due to higher than anticipated costs for printing tax bills and higher postage costs.
** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO APPROVE A TRANSFER OF $15,600 FROM THE TAX COLLECTOR’S REGULAR WAGES ACCOUNT (#01-1330-5110) TO THE PRINTING & DUPLICATION ACCOUNT (# 01-1330-5221) TO COVER THE DEFICIT IN PRINTING AND DUPLICATION DUE TO HIGHER THAN ANTICIPATED COSTS FOR PRINTING TAX BILLS AND HIGHER POSTAGE COSTS.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
From: To: Amount
01-3012-5121 (Premium Wages) 01-3022-5120 (Overtime Wages.) $2,800
01-3012-5121 (Premium Wages) 01-3022-5120 (Overtime Wages.) $4,020
01-3012-5121 (Premium Wages) 01-3022-5120 (Overtime Wages.) $1,000
$7,820
________________________________________________________________________
These transfers are to cover a deficit in overtime.
** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO APPROVE A SERIES OF TRANSFERS TOTALING $7,820 FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT PREMIUM WAGES (#01-3012-5121 ) TO THE OVERTIME WAGES (#01-3022-5120) TO PAY FOR THE DEFICIT IN OVERTIME WAGES.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
From: To: Amount
01-3065-5150 (Temporary Wages) 01-3022-5120 (Overtime Wages.) $4,310
________________________________________________________________________
This transfer is to cover a deficit in overtime.
** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO APPROVE A TRANSFER TOTALING $4,310 FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TEMPORARY WAGES (#01-3065-5150) TO THE OVERTIME WAGES (#01-3022-5120) TO PAY FOR THE DEFICIT IN OVERTIME WAGES.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
From: To: Amount
01-3021-5110 (Longevity) 01-3022-5120 (Overtime Wages.) $ 505
01-3021-5110 (Longevity) 01-3022-5120 (Overtime Wages.) $2,365
$2,870
________________________________________________________________________
This transfer is to cover a deficit in overtime.
** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO APPROVE A SERIES OF TRANSFERS TOTALING $2,870 FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT LONGEVITY (#01-3021-5110) TO THE OVERTIME WAGES (#01-3022-5120) TO PAY FOR THE DEFICIT IN OVERTIME WAGES.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
PLANNING AND ZONING:
From: To: Amount
01-3310-5110 (Regular Wages) 01-3310-5130 (Temp. Wages.) $5,229
________________________________________________________________________
This transfer is to cover a deficit in temporary wages due to vacancies in the department during the year.
** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO APPROVE A TRANSFER TOTALING $5,229 IN PLANNING AND ZONING REGULAR WAGES ( #01-3310-5110) TO THE TEMPORARY WAGES ( #01-3310-5130) TO COVER A DEFICIT IN TEMPORARY WAGES DUE TO VACANCIES IN THE DEPARTMENT DURING THE YEAR.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS/BUILDING MANAGEMENT:
From: To: Amount
01-3055-5267 (Plumb/Heat) 01-3310-5130 (Other Materials.) $7,328
01-3055-5269 (Other Repairs) 01-3055-5394 (Other Materials) $2,112
$9,440
________________________________________________________________________
This transfer is to cover invoices to year-end for various repair materials.
** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO APPROVE A SERIES OF TRANSFERS TOTALING $9,440 FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS/BUILDING MANAGEMENT TO PAY YEAR END INVOICES FOR VARIOUS REPAIR MATERIALS. (ACCOUNTS VARY)
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
PARKS AND RECREATION:
From: To: Amount
01-6021-5130 (Temp Wages) 01-6010-5130 (Temp Wages.) $6,788
________________________________________________________________________
This transfer is to cover a deficit in temporary wages within the Administration division for temporary clerical assistance. As the Board of Estimate and Taxation will remember, this is an area where clerical staffing was reduced in the recent past, and ultimately a decision was made by the Board of Estimate to add a full time position here in recognition that clerical/administrative staffing had been reduced to the point where it was difficult to serve the public in this office.
** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO APPROVE A TRANSFER TOTALING $6,788 FROM THE PARK AND RECREATION TEMPORARY WAGES ACCOUNT #01-6021-5130 TO TEMPORARY WAGE ACCOUNT #01-6010-5130 TO COVER A DEFICIT IN TEMPORARY WAGES WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION DIVISION FOR TEMPORARY CLERICAL ASSISTANCE.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
LIBRARY:
From: To: Amount
01-6200-5140 (Temp Wages) 01-6200-5120 (Overtime Wages.) $24,159
________________________________________________________________________
This transfer is to cover a deficit in overtime wages due to the Library’s weekend hours. In accordance with the applicable labor contract, in the current year full time staff elected to work more weekend hours than they have in the past, resulting in a shortfall in the overtime account. Historically, more of these hours have been covered with temporary staff.
** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO APPROVE A TRANSFER TOTALING $24,159 FROM THE LIBRARY’S TEMPORARY WAGES (#01-6200-5140) TO THE OVERTIME WAGES ( # 01-6200-5120) TO COVER A DEFICIT IN OVERTIME WAGES DUE TO THE LIBRARY’S WEEKEND HOURS.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
OTHER BUSINESS (SECTION C)
Mr. Wilms took this opportunity to thank Mr. Avery for his seven years of service on the Committee as this was Mr. Avery’s last meeting. Mayor Moccia commented that Mr. Avery had always been articulate in a fair and clear manner, which the Mayor appreciated. Mr. Clark stated that he had learned a great deal from Mr. Avery. Mr. Avery replied that he appreciated everyone’s kind words and stated that he wished to make it known that he was not resigning in protest of anything, it was just time to move on.
Mayor Moccia stated that the City had concluded some meetings with Virgin Air and they will be remaining in Norwalk. This information has been released to the local papers.
Mr. Hamilton informed the Board that Ann Toomey will be moving out of state and has handed in her resignation.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SECTION D)
Oak Hills Park Financial Status – February, 2006
Summary of Special Appropriation – FY 2005-06
Status of Contingency – FY 2005-06
Capital Budget Report
Financial Reports
Year-to-date Capital Budget Report (FY 2005-06)
Year-to-date Operating Budget Report (FY 2005-06)
Board of Education Budget Report (FY 2005-06)
Salary Accounts
Fire Overtime
Dispatch Overtime
Police Overtime
ADJOURNMENT
** MR. WELLS MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon L. Soltes
Telesco Secretarial Services.
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