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BOARD
OF ESTIMATE & TAXATION MEETING ACTIONS
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AUGUST 1, 2005
NORWALK, CONNECTICUT REGULAR MEETING
___________________________________________________________________________
PRESENT: Mayor, Alex A. Knopp Tim Buzzee
Gregory Burnett Tanya Court
James Clark Randall Avery
Ron Coley
Also present were: Pam Stark, City Clerk, Thomas Hamilton, Director
of Finance, Ann Twomey, Director of Management and Budgets. The Mayor called
the meeting to order at 7:45 pm.
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APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
July 5, 2005
** MR. CLARK MOVED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF JULY 5, 2005 AS
PRESENTED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
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SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS AGENDA
Section A – Advertised Items – 1
1. RESOLVED, that a sum not to exceed $122,205 be and the same is hereby transferred from Increased Estimated Revenues (FEMA Reimbursement) to various departments to pay for overtime expenses for the snowstorm in January 2005. (Account No. Various)
** MR. BUZZEE MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
Ms. Twomey explained that the city was reimbursed 75% of the expenses plus a 2.6% administrative fee (totaling $135,598) for the January 22-23, 2005 snowstorm. Of that total $122,205 is for various departments in the general fund.
Mr. Avery asked how this is reflected in the budget.
Mr. Hamilton replied that is covers the shortfall in the DPW
and is seen as last year’s money.
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TRANSFER AGENDA
Section B
Mr. Hamilton stated that he characterized all of the transfers as an end of year clean up noting that the largest was regarding snow removal in the DPW.
** MR. AVERY MOVED APPROVAL OF THE TRANSFERS AS A GROUP.
The Mayor asked for further information regarding combined dispatch.
Mr. Hamilton said that this was regarding overtime costs as the budget was built with the assumption that there would be four supervisors at the start, however half way through the year they were brought on board and police officers were used in the meantime.
The Mayor confirmed that funding was in place and it was a transfer from one wage account to another.
Regarding the DPW Mr. Hamilton said the transfers were primarily in the wage account as they have a large number of units within the streets and highways division and the transfers are a way of truing up the figures for the end of the year. He said the good news is that money did not have to come from contingency.
Mr. Coley referred to the Health Department and asked about the loss of grant for a full time employee.
Mr. Hamilton said that a Community Department Block Grant was used for this is in the past and this was not known until after the budget was adopted.
Ms. Twomey added that the Health Department did have enough funds to cover the expenses.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Hamilton pointed out that the last transfer is for 2005/06 and should be covered under a separate motion. He explained that it covered severance payment for a position in the controller’s office and the position needs to be filled right away.
** MR. BURNETT MOVED APPROVAL OF THE 2005/06 TRANSFER.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
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OTHER BUSINESS
Section C
1. Special Capital Appropriation – Norwalk Harbor Dredging Project
Mr. Hamilton explained that in 2002/03 the city appropriated $100,000 as the local share for the dredging project in Norwalk harbor; the project is expected to begin soon as the Federal Government and the ACOE have executed an agreement. The first part of the agreement is for 10% to be put up front and the second part is for the local contribution to be paid over the next 30 years. However, in reviewing the terms of the loan and with the expectation that the interest rate will go up it makes more sense to pay the money back up front from the fund balance. He stated that the finance department is recommending approval.
** MR. CLARK MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
The Mayor concurred with Mr. Hamilton noting that this is a very important project for Norwalk and it within the city’s best interests to find the cheapest way to do it.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Special Capital Appropriation – Nathaniel Ely Child Care Center
Mr. Hamilton commented that most people are familiar with this project, as the city has received notice of the state assistance for renovation of Nathaniel Ely School. This appropriation is a ministerial action to formally approve state financial assistance. He added that the money will be repaid through the state and there is no financial obligation to the city.
Mayor Knopp stated that this is an important initiative to treat Nathaniel Ely the same as all of the other schools. He went on to say that this is one proven way of closing the achievement gap. With regard to the possible termination of NEON, the Mayor said that the state is aware of the current situation and they have said the renovation of the school will continue no matter who the provider is.
** MR. BURNETT MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
Mayor Knopp added that the Common Council approved this during their last meeting.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Section D
Oak Hills Park Financial Status
Mr. Hamilton reported that they had received numbers for June today and it was an excellent month noting that the income exceeds the expenses.
Overall, Mr. Hamilton commented that the city’s numbers are clean as a reflection of tonight’s transfers. He said the comptroller has not closed out the year yet and will do so in the next few days.
Board of Education
Mr. Hamilton explained that the Board of Education is showing a surplus but they are still waiting for the final health insurance numbers that are expected to be substantial. Once they have these numbers a final reconciliation can be expected also.
The Mayor asked if they would expect this as the September meeting.
Mr. Hamilton concurred.
Mr. Avery noted that this is his sixth budget season and congratulated the finance department for their hard work on the non-education side of the budget.
Mr. Hamilton thanked Mr. Avery and passed on his thanks to Ms. Twomey and her department.
Mr. Coley referred to the Board of Education asking how there was a difference of $550,000.
Mr. Hamilton replied that the $550,000 was the amount that this Board had agreed could be appropriated to the Board of Education if the Board were to generate a surplus of that amount. After reviewing the projections the Finance Department recommended that they include the $550,000 in their reconciled budged that they adopted.
Registrar of Voters
Mayor Knopp said they had received a report from the registrar of voters noting that they will exceed their budget.
Ms. Twomey said it had been agreed that the registrar of voters would submit a report when they know in advance that they will exceed their budget. She said this is regarding extra staff to help with the counting and checking of signatures and is not expected to exceed $1000. If it is a primary then all of the expenses are listed on the second sheet.
** MR. COLEY MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm.
ATTEST: ____________________________________
Pam Stark, City Clerk
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