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OCTOBER 14, 2004

ATTENDANCE: Bruce Kimmel, Chairman; Doug Sutton; Carvin Hilliard; Doug Hempstead.

STAFF: Fred Gilden, Comptroller; Karen DelVecchio, Director of IT; Tom Hamilton, Finance Director.

The meeting was called to order at 8:10 p.m. by the Chairman, who said that the next meeting would probably be held on Wednesday, November 10th.

APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 9, 2004 MEETING

The following correction was made: On page 1, 1st paragraph, 1st sentence, “as” was changed to “in”.

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

CLAIMS COMMITTEE: RECEIVE THE MONTHLY CLAIMS REPORT; REVIEW AND APPROVE CLAIMS AS REQUIRED FOR CLAIMS REPORT DATED OCTOBER 14, 2004

The Special Request – Southern Connecticut New England Telephone Company - $16,814.22 – was reviewed. Mr. Hamilton said this was a tax appeal. The Chairman asked that someone be at the next meeting to provide further information if necessary.

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

NARRATIVE ON TAX COLLECTIONS DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004/MONTHLY TAX COLLECTOR’S REPORT DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004

The Chairman noted that Ms. Biagarelli was unable to attend tonight’s meeting. Mr. Hamilton said that collections are down slightly but there is no problem. The numbers are within the range of assumptions built into the budget.

Mr. Hempstead asked if there are plans to replace the cashier position, and Mr. Hamilton responded that the position is funded and has been posted. The employee moved over to Human Relations.

Noting the comment in the report regarding billing taking place over Thanksgiving, Mr. Hempstead asked if they are budgeted for overtime. Mr. Hamilton said there is a small budget for overtime.

AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASING AGENT TO ISSUE A PURCHASE ORDER TO TYLER TECHNOLOGIES, A SOLE SOURCE PROVIDER, FOR THE RENEWAL OF THE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT AGREEMENT FOR THE CITY’S MUNIS FINANCIAL SYSTEM (ACCOUNTING, BUDGETING, GENERAL LEDGER, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, PURCHASING, PAYROLL, PERSONNEL, TAX) SOFTWARE, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $65,091.30

Ms. DelVecchio said that the Purchasing Agent and Corporation Counsel had signed off on the sole source purchase. The City has had this sole source contract since 1995. This will provide telephone technical support, the license, software updates, etc.

Mr. Hempstead asked if this was for the entire building, and Ms. DelVecchio responded affirmatively.

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

AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO SIGN AN AMENDMENT TO THE MILLIMAN, USA CONTRACT TO AUTHORIZE MILLIMAN, USA TO PERFORM AN ANALYSIS FOR THE CITY ON THE BEST WAY TO INTEGRATE THE UPCOMING MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE INTO THE CITY’S RETIREE MEDICAL PROGRAM, FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $6,000

Mr. Hamilton said that the Federal government has passed a medical prescription drug benefit. Beginning in January 2006, there will be a benefit paid for in part by the Federal government, in part by premiums paid by people paying into the program. Congress did not want employers backing away from their coverage to retirees, so the Federal government is providing employers with a 28% reimbursement beginning in January 2006. The City will apply to receive that, but another option would be to redesign their prescription drug benefit for retirees to encourage them to take the Medicare Part B and provide a wraparound program to cover any holes. They have to find out which is more advantageous to the City. The purpose of the analysis is to analyze options and get the City set up to make sure they can demonstrate to the Federal government that their plan is actuarially equivalent to the Federal plan.

Mr. Hamilton said it makes sense to go to Milliman. The City spends $1,600,000 per year for prescription drugs for retirees.

Mr. Hempstead asked if Milliman would oversee anything that they might recommend. Mr. Hamilton said he did not think there would be anything to administer. However, there may be consultant services required if the recommendation is to design a wraparound service.

The Chairman asked if the 28% was based on what they are paying out now. Mr. Hamilton said he would have to research that question. He noted that there is big growth in prescription drug costs.

The Chairman said that the information provided to the Council should include an explanation of what the 28% relates to.

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

Mr. Hempstead spoke about the special meeting of the Board of Estimate & Taxation that is going to be held next Wednesday. He cannot attend, and he asked that Council members receive any backup information that was going to be provided. Mr. Hamilton said that the Mayor has invited CCM to make a presentation. It is a Board of Estimate meeting but the Mayor has asked that the Board of Education and the Common Council also be invited. The idea is to make the working relationship between the City and the Board of Education more productive. He was not aware of any backup material, but any information that is distributed will be shared.

The Chairman said that the Council members would appreciate receiving information on how this is handled in other cities.

** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Cheryl Telesco
Telesco Secretarial Services