CITY OF NORWALK

MAY 15, 2001

Ms. Biagiarelli stated that on page 1, the second paragraph under "Delinquent Tax Report", the first sentence should read as; "Ms. Biagarelli said she put the RFP out to bid on the Banque Arabe property this month,…"

** MR. CONROY MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS CORRECTED

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

CLAIMS COMMITTEE

Ms. Biagiarelli reviewed the monthly Claims report stating that there were no special requests.

** MR. BOWERS MOVED TO APPROVE THE REPORT

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

DELINQUENT TAX REPORT

Ms. Biagiarelli reviewed the report. She stated that the close date for bids on Banque Arabe was on May 9 and she did receive 1 bid that was given to Attorney Reed.

Mr. Nolin asked for a status update of the DeNardo case. Mr. Miller reported that he believed the agreement would be satisfied. Mr. Miller also stated that the Linco Proposal has the Finance Department’s recommendation. Ms. Biagiarelli stated that she was very pleased with this as it was a severely contaminated property.

Mr. Conroy stated that it is important for them to continue watching properties that individuals buy and want to turn over and then hold and not pay the taxes on.

REVIEW RESPONSE FROM LAW DEPARTMENT

Mr. Conroy reported that he did email Don with the questions and summary of discussion, but that he has not yet received a response.

UPDATE ON LIABILITY & AUTO PROPERTY INSURANCE BID

Mr. Barron reviewed the report and stated that spikes are starting to flatten.

Mr. Bowers excused himself from this conversation stating that his company is a reinsurer for many of the companies listed and being discussed.

Mr. Barron also reported that a bid document with the variables listed was put out with a June 1 deadline for submission.

Mr. Wilms stated that the retaining losses on worker’s comp. had dropped significantly according to the report. Mr. Barron replied that the number doesn’t reflect the full year.

APPROVAL OF RENEWAL FEES FOR CLAIMS SERVICES FOR WORKERS’ COMPENSATION AND LIABILITY, AUTO, AND PROPERTY

Mr. Barron reviewed the fees and stated that the claims fees are inaccurate due to change in TPA and carry-over of claims. He stated that they will have significant savings and that medical costs have decreases as well.

Mr. Torrano stated that CIRMA does stay on top of matters, are tenacious and have good follow-thru.

Mr. Barron reported that the response from CIRMA is very fast. He also stated that case management helps with the clinical issues.

Mr. Bill O’Connell (CIRMA) stated that regarding medical care the City has a PP Network and that doctor’s are 10% below the fee schedule. He also stated that they are looking for approval of the July 1, 2001 – June 30, 2002 claims period fee’s not to exceed $151,000.

** MR. CONROY MOVED TO APPROVE THE JULY 1, 2001 – JUNE 30, 2001 CLAIMS PERIOD FEE’S, WITH THE ADDITIONAL TIMING, NOT TO EXCEED $151,000

** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE ABSTENTION (MR. BOWERS)

DEPARTMENT UPDATE

Mr. Miller reported that the Munis installation project is a very large project and that the last of the data from the Assessor’s office is to be done this week.

Mr. Darling reported that there are 3 databases and that they are running all programs in training before they are finalized this week.

Mr. Conroy stated that the Department owes the Committee 2 dates, both the tax bill issuance date and the disaster recovery date.

Mr. Miller stated that tax bills will be out by June 4, 2001 and that there is no room for error that the bills must be out on time. He also stated that the tape has to be delivered a week from Friday and that the printer is all set with the new company. Mr. Miller also commented that they would send out a consolidated statement.

Mr. Conroy asked if they have 2 start dates in place. Mr. Miller replied that they only have June 4 set as they are confident that it will happen on or before that date. Mr. Miller also stated that the new server is to be delivered on Friday.

Mr. Conroy asked if the current tax bills could be done. Ms. Biagiarelli replied that they could be done with the consolidated bill a week from Friday. She showed a copy of the consolidated bill to the Committee.

Mr. Miller asked when the assessments and tax amounts would be put on the website. Mr. Silbert replied that it depends on Munis, but will be after the tax bills are sent out.

Mr. Bowers commented that the original question was not answered regarding the drop date and the disaster recovery plan date. Mr. Silbert replied that it varies from day to day and it depends on Munis. Mr. Bowers replied that tax bills must go out no later than July 1, 2001. Mr. Miller replied that they would be going out no later than June 15, 2001 and that it is hard to set dates as it goes day by day depending on the status of Munis. He also commented that Munis is aware that there is no room for error.

Mr. Conroy asked that if the tax bills do not go out by June 4 then what would be the disaster recovery date. Mr. Whitman suggested that if the tax bill is not in test mode by next Friday that they then do the alternative method. Mr. Conroy stated that there should still be a disaster recovery date in place. Mr. Miller reported that there have been back-up plans all throughout the process.

Mr. Bowers asked if the bills would be in the taxpayer’s hands no later than July 1, 2001. Mr. Miller replied that they would be. Mr. Bowers stated that he only asks then that they ensure that the bills go out correctly.

RESOLUTIONS

Approve Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of $28,537,500 General Obligation Bonds of the City to meet the Appropriations in the 2001-2002 Capital Budget and the Making of Temporary Borrowings in Anticipation of the Proceeds Thereof.

** MR. CONROY MOVED TO APPROVE THIS ITEM

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Approve the sale not to exceed $14,600,000 in General Obligation Bonds for various Capital Projects and Special Appropriations, as listed in the bonding resolution.

Mr. Miller stated that he asked the departments for expenditure requirements for next year and it was determined to be $14,600,000.

Mr. Conroy asked Mr. Gilden at the next meeting to provide them with an outstanding authorization report. Mr. Gilden replied that he has the report now and will mail to the Committee.

** MR. CONROY MOVED TO APPROVE THIS ITEM AS PRESENTED

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Authorize the reduction of the Capital Budget appropriations for the Police Substation and Eastbound RR Station Project-Account No. 024031-5777-CO193 – Reduction: $19,680.00.

Authorize the Special Capital Appropriation for the Police Substation and Eastbound RR Station Project-Account No. 024031-5777-CO236-Supplemental Appropriation: $19,680.00.

Mr. Nolin stated that the DPW asked for these authorizations.

** MR. CONROY MOVED TO APPROVE BOTH AUTHORIZATIONS

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

REDUCTION TO AUTHORIZATION

Reduction to Authorization. Balance of original $3.5 million loan not needed due to positive cash flow estimates.

Mr. Miller reported that these monies are no longer needed.

Mr. Conroy stated that there is no agreement page enclosed and that is necessary to have included. Mr. Miller stated that they can conditionally approve.

Mr. Bowers stated that he feels the Maritime Authority Committee should review this first before any approvals are made. Mr. Bowers also asked what the rush on this reduction was. Mr. Miller replied that he would like to take the item off of the books.

Mr. Nolin stated that there should be an agreement page from the Aquarium.

Mr. Conroy suggested tabling the item until the agreement is given to the Committee.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

APPROVE RELEASE OF GRANT APPROPRIATIONS TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES

Mr. Conroy reported that there were joint meetings with the Finance Committee and the Board of Estimates volunteers and that they reviewed grant requests orders and made judgments. Mr. Conroy stated that the volunteers from the Finance Committee were Mr. Kimmel, Mr. Nolin and Mr. McCready.

Mr. Darling reviewed his report. Mr. Kimmel asked when the decisions were made. Mr. Darling replied that they were made approximately late February.

Mr. Nolin stated that the Board of Estimate gave the appropriation and asked if they were asking for approval tonight. Mr. Miller replied that they were looking for approval tonight.

Mr. Nolin stated that he would like to see a comprehensive integrated budget from NEON. He also stated that the Committee should not go forward with item #1 on the Grant Agency Funding Recommendations Report. Mr. Nolin also stated that a City legal chairman is not currently running NEON.

Mr. Kimmel stated that he went to the first meeting and he is not sure if everyone is held to the same budget standards. Mr. Darling replied that they are and that he would have followed up with them if they didn’t do the required forms.

Mr. Wilms asked if the same forms are sent to all departments. Mr. Darling replied that they are.

Mr. Kimmel stated that some budgets seemed very vague and that it appeared that NEON was held to a different standard.

Mr. Darling stated that he was at all meetings and questions were asked of all organizations. Mr. Conroy stated that he was at the meetings and thought the questioning depended on the size of the grant.

Mr. Nolin asked if it was their goal to put everyone to the same standards. He also stated that there is a problem with the way that Neon is being run.

Mr. Conroy stated that he is not in favor of holding up the issue. He also stated that being a member of NEON he feels that the Board was reviewing this item very thoroughly.

Mr. Bowers asked if the City has a limit of the number of times that they can go back and ask for funding. Mr. Nolin replied that there is no limit.

Mr. Conroy stated that a level of scrutiny should be there. He also stated that a source and amount of revenue and expenditures for programs and non-programs was needed. Mr. Darling replied that he would get that for the Committee.

Mr. Conroy requested a federal assessment for the next meeting.

REVIEW MONTHLY BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT

Mr. Darling distributed 2 reports, 1 in the old format and 1 in the new format. He stated that the new format should be more informative.

Mr. Kimmel stated that it is an improvement but that it is still hard to separate out the functions.

Mr. Nolin stated that he would like for the report to include the definitions of each category.

Mr. Conroy asked if this report was shared with Mr. John Quinn. Mr. Darling replied that it had been. Mr. Conroy stated that he would like to hear Mr. Quinn’s comments.

Mr. Kimmel stated that he feels the Committee should discuss the various categories of Special Education.

Mr. Wilms asked what the "Culturally Different" category was. Mr. Darling replied that he believed it was the Japanese Study Program.

ADJOURNMENT

As there was no further business to discuss the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 9:40pm

Respectfully submitted,

Julie Bales

Telesco Secretarial Services

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