SEPTEMBER 4, 2007

ATTENDANCE: Fred Wilms, Chairman; Leo Mellow; James Feigenbaum; Mayor Richard Moccia; Stuart Wells; James Clark.

STAFF: Thomas Hamilton, Finance Director; Ossie Lewis, Manager of Budgets & Systems; Darlene Young, Assistant City Clerk.

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by the Chairman.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

JULY 2, 2007 REGULAR MEETING

** MR. WILMS MOVED APPROVAL.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

JULY 9, 2007 SPECIAL MEETING

The following correction was made: On page 1, under the listing of “Staff”, “James Hamilton” was corrected to “Thomas Hamilton”.

** MR. WILMS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS CORRECTED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

JULY 25, 2007 JOINT MEETING

The Chairman stated that these minutes were informational only. Mr. Wells pointed out that he had attended. Mr. Clark said he had not been aware of this meeting and would have attended if he had known there was a meeting. Mr. Hamilton said this meeting was organized by the Council President and he was not instructed to invite Board of Estimate members. Mr. Clark suggested that the minutes be retitled. Mr. Hamilton said this meeting was noticed as a Board of Estimate/Common Council/Board of Education meeting. Mayor Moccia said this was an ad hoc meeting arranged by Mr. Coffey.

SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS AGENDA

$61,935 FROM CONTINGENCY TO THE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS DEPARTMENT TO COVER THE COST OF ADMINISTERING POLLING LOCATIONS IN NORWALK FOR BOTH LOCAL AND NATIONAL ELECTIONS

Mr. Lewis said this request was submitted by the Office of the Registrars of Voters. After careful review of the appropriation request, the Office of Management and Budgets decided to reduce it by approximately $28,000. However, after further consideration today, they have decided to add back approximately $5,000 for training, for a total appropriation of $38,915. The City received $14,000 from the State. The net cost will be $24,915 to the City. Finance recommends approval.

Mr. Hamilton said that the old lever machines are now gone and have been replaced with optical scanning machines, which require training. If additional requirements come down from the State, the City will have to provide additional training.

Mayor Moccia said this is a draconian over-reaction, which puts pressure on everyone. This is a legitimate request.

Mr. Clark asked about knowledge gained from other communities that have used this new technology. Mr. Hamilton said it was used in 25 communities. Mayor Moccia said this is an unfunded mandate.

** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED: RESOLVED, THAT A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $38,915 BE AND THE SAME IS HEREBY TRANSFERRED FROM CONTINGENCY TO THE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS DEPARTMENT TO COVER THE COST OF ADMINISTERING POLLING LOCATIONS IN NORWALK FOR BOTH LOCAL AND NATIONAL ELECTIONS. (ACCOUNT NO. 01-1210-532A).
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.

TRANSFER AGENDA

** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO APPROVE THE TRANSFERS FROM PURCHASING ($13,554), HEALTH DEPARTMENT ($18,451), POLICE DEPARTMENT ($118,268 & 44,094), COMBINED DISPATCH ($5,651), PUBLIC WORKS ($11,918 & $134,570), RECREATION & PARKS ($98,502 $ $15,683), LIBRARY ($6,235 & $7,413) AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS ($59,340).
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.

OTHER BUSINESS

FY2006-07 OAK HILLS UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Vincent Grillo said their auditor is working now; the final copy should be ready by the end of September. They had a good year.

The Chairman said they were very profitable. Mr. Grillo said they had better weather this year. They have spent over $75,000 in the past three years for a DEP diversionary permit; if not, their profit would have been higher. Mayor Moccia said he had made inquiries to the DEP Commissioner as to the necessity of this permit.

The Chairman asked if anything can be done to increase golf revenues. Mr. Grillo said that golfing is on the decline.

Mr. Feigenbaum inquired about accumulated depreciation. Mr. Aikenhead said the fixed asset decrease is because of the restaurant, as well as the depreciation.

Mr. Feigenbaum asked about out of town fees as compared to other courses. Mr. Grillo said they charge $46 plus a cart during the week, $50 plus a cart on weekends. They are right in line. Sterling Farms is a bit higher. They have been talking about reducing the rates for out of towners. 25% of their play is from non-residents. Mr. Aikenhead said they increase their fees every two years. They are competitive with other courses. Mr. Grillo said they are the lowest in terms of rates in Fairfield County for senior golfers.

The Chairman asked about the restaurant. Mr. Grillo said it has always done very well, but the golfers don’t like it.

Mr. Mellow said course personnel decreased from last year. Mr. Grillo said their head greens keeper left and they brought in someone else. In April, his assistant took another job; they have not yet filled this position. Liability insurance has decreased.

The Chairman noted that last year was better than the year before.

FY 2006-07 UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR WPCA AND PARKING AUTHORITY

Mr. Hamilton said that the WPCA continues to have very favorable results. The Parking Authority, for the first time, had favorable results. When they set the rates for WPCA, they set them to break even or do better and sufficient to generate the cash needed to operate. The Parking Authority has generated a small surplus and their cash position is now reasonably strong.

The Chairman said there is a very sophisticated financial model in place for the WPCA and it is moving in a good direction. For the first time, the Parking Authority is making money. Mayor Moccia noted that they have also improved service. Overall, they are doing much better, thanks to many dedicated people. Both agencies are doing very well.

FY 2006-07 UNAUDITED GENERAL FUND SUMMARY

Mr. Hamilton reviewed his memo, noting total revenues of $251.913.282 and expenditures of $249,511,223, for actual revenues of $2,402,059.

FY-2006-07 RESERVE FOR ENCUMBRANCES AND RESTRICTED FUND BALANCE

Mr. Hamilton reviewed the report.

** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO APPROVE $1,588,107.49 TO BE RESTRICTED FOR ENCUMBRANCE FY 2006-07.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE.

** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Cheryl Telesco
Telesco Secretarial Services

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