Common Council - Regular Meeting

Roll call lady. Council member Tobin here. Council member Sllon here. Member here. Council member Lane here. Council member Conan here. Council member Carpenter here. Council member Beckith present. Council member Michaels here.

Please. All right. the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Got one signed up for the privilege of the full. Thank you. Thank you uh council. I I just wanted to bring an opportunity to your attention if I might and that's to join with other state municipalities in a community choice aggregation uh agreement to purchase electric power collectively and uh in News York where they have that already uh they estimate that people have saved on average $300 to $400 a year on their electric bills. Um the city if it undertook this would be free to buy electricity from whoever it wanted. That's different from who actually delivers it but the source of the electricity would be different and um people could still opt out if they didn't want that uh to be due. So that seems like an opportunity. Istica is going to start that next year and uh well became aware of it. In addition to the so-called uh community choice aggregations or CCAs, there's a another uh vehicle called the distributed energy resource option and that's to provide a pathway for individuals to invest collectively in

largecale um project like district thermal heating where you have warm water going under the streets and so on. or it could be just another community solar field. And uh that's also an opportunity for the city to shepherd it. The in the first case, the city would be intimately involved in choosing the supplier of electricity. But in the second case, it's largely just giving its approval for this kind of project to be managed by a third party and uh people could it would help organize people to invest collectively in these community projects. So thank you and just wanted to make you aware of those things I hadn't been previously aware of.

Thanks. Thank you. What was that thing we just agreed on solar? Yeah. So based on

basics. It's just a note the receive and file that policy is um not been finalized. So that'll roll over to the next move in to be received and filed. Sorry. Thank you.

Had the opportunity to meet with Front Chuck Sher. Welcome. Good to have you here. Appreciate the time on Friday. Uh, also there's been some issues in terms of a sewer line over on Chestnut dealing with the resident and also talking with uh, Mr. Wise about that as well and been following up on the numbers in terms of trash and recycling uh, financials and diving a little deeper into that. Also looked at some of the past budget numbers and I had sent council an email back in December after it was elected. There were some concerns I had terms of the 24 budget and um, I think it still is relevant. I think there are some things that uh should be reviewed in terms of moving forward 226 and a lot of this my concern stem from the annual financial financial report that the city filed with the state showed our general fund balance down to about $100,000 and looking at the 2025 numbers. My concern is that there's a negative number there and that we could be entering 2026 in a deficit. So getting the numbers up to date in a timely manner in the next couple weeks I think is very important. Thank you. Um real quick for you I apologize. This is our new finance director Mr. Shagger.

Hi Mr. Shagger. You're up Katie. We have anything from your word? And the second word's been very quiet. No concerns at the moment. Third word is good. No problems.

Um, in the fourth board, uh, the college kids are back, so traffic's up a little, but nothing that we're not used to. Uh, welcome, Chuck. Thank you. And, uh, I noticed today that the trees on Broadway, uh, did get removed. Um, so the lumber is all sitting there. I assume it's going to be picked up, but the trees are down. So, thank you to DTW or I know they didn't cut the trees down, but I assume they they got somebody to do it. So that's it.

Uh for I would like to welcome Mr. Shager as well. Looking forward to working with you. Um I've also it's been quieter in the fifth board. I will be having another board meeting February 23rd on Mon Monday 6 p.m. in Bo Park. Um and I have heard from some folks in the fifth board who are disappointed to see that for the produce will be uh leaving uh not a lot of grocery store options in the fifth board. So, uh, he'll be missed and hopefully we can find a replacement in the future, uh, over there in the fifth board for groceries and that doesn't six,

just want to say hi to associate you again several months ago and it's great to see you back.

Thank you. uh playing the eighthorn uh I was involved with a neighbor few uh just by associations uh or DPW uh the mayor and myself uh uh listened to the uh the two parties involved and the mayor came to a conclusion where uh both parties were split the the cost right down the middle which I'm glad That was it to get worked out. This involved a a tree that was up on one property. So I'm I'm glad that was able to get worked out. That's that's all I have. My

also all quite as let me note uh there's a error in the attendance. Um I have there both Mr. Michaels and uh Miss Canelo recorded present and absent and uh they uh should be recorded as above.

Everybody going to live with that? Yep. Yeah. All in favor? I resolutions. Um going to call for an executive session. Um we demand a motion to journ from this session. Billy second motion to go into executive session. Quick clarification what it's for. Oh yes. I'm sorry Brian. Thank you. I follow my she discuss collecting bargain negotiation pending litigations.

So we'll be out shortly for those on Zoom. He will resume the recording going on and resume when we return. Hi.

your motion go back to the regular meeting. No, we're good. will uh we return at 6:59 p.m. Well, on the resolutions, um agenda of item number one, we're going to pull till March 3rd. And we take a motion to table it. Postpone. No, postponed. Postpone. All right. Thank you for the clarification. Yeah. We take a motion to the vote. Yeah. Yeah.

Vote when you get to it. Say all in favor. We all in favor. We officially have a motion on the floor. Yes. Somebody second it. I'll second it. We have a motion. Yeah. Who made the motion? I didn't hear. That's what I was asking. Okay. Yeah. So moved. Thank you. All in favor? March 3rd. Yeah. Thank you. Item number two,

set rate of rate of pay for parking enforcement officer position. resolved that the city of Portland County Council hereby authorizes the mayor or their designate to increase the rate of pay for the parking enforcement officer to $19 per hour for 2026. Motion I'll second discussion. So it's a $2 increase, right? Yeah. How many hours do they work the week? It's early 22. 22. 22 hours a week. Yes.

Two-part question. What budget plan will this come out of? And is there enough in there to cover it through the end of the year? budget. I don't yeah I don't need to know the line number itself but there will be enough department that second there's enough there was a budget item the vote.

Council member Tobin, I. Council member Silivan, I member Melo. Hi. Council member Lane. Hi. Council member Conlin. Hi. Council member Carpenter. Hi. Council member Beckwith. Hi. Council member Michaels. Hi.

Agenda item number three. Authorize the city police department to overhire for one police officer position in anticipation of a retirement. Resolve that the city of Cland County Council grants authority to the police chief to hire one additional police officer for their authorized above their authorized staffing levels to lessen the impact of staffing shortages based upon attending retirement to the extent that such position has been funded in the department's budget. I'll move it.

Council member Tolman. Nay. Council member Siliva. Nay. Member Panel. Hi. Council member Lane. No. Council member Conlo. No. Council member Carpenter. Yes. Council member Beckwith. Hi. Council member Michaels. Hi.

Uh there are four nays four eyes uh without the ability to break the tie um in absence of the mayor. Uh so the motion is not approved. Agenda item number four,

transfer care for K9 Max to officer Alexander Perkins. resolved that the city of Portland County Council hereby grant permission for the mayor and chief of police to transfer care and possession of K9 Max to police officer Alexander Perkins for a fee of $1 and also grants permission for the city of Portland to assume any costs associated with Max's medical care and treatment procedures. Any discussion? Motion to approval. Second. Yeah. I got the dollar. What can I ask? What is Max's medical condition?

Chief, come now. Yeah. He was diagnosed just 10 days ago with stage five lymphoma. Um he's not expected to live much longer. It's just independent of his quality of life. Um and officer Perkins and myself make that decision. We don't think it'll be more than another 10 days. So they just were putting them down what that takes. Boy, that's a shame. I'm sorry. I appreciate that. Is he suffering? Not. No, he's on No, he's on medicated, but it's swelling right now. Swell just the concern of that pushing on his heart. So,

and I do know I was on wasn't fortunate enough to make it, but I heard there was a strong turnout last week. It was very good. Radio station covered as always. It's great to have a good turnout. Appreciate everybody that could show up for that. Thank you. Anything else? Thank you. Vote. Council member Tobin. I. Council member Sllamon. I. Member Panel. Definitely I. Council member Lane. Absolutely. I council member Conlin. Hi. Council member Carpenter. Hi. Council member Beckwith. Hi. Council member Michaels. Hi. Item number five.

Authorized preventive maintenance services agreement with Barn Energy Group for the wastewater treatment facilities 500 kilowatt co-generation system. resolved that the city of Corland common council hereby authorizes mayor Steve to execute a service agreement with Martin Energy Services for the wastewater treatment facilities 500 kilowatt co-generation system for an annual cost of $123,600 on this one.

Sure. Thank you. Second. Any discussion? This a one-year time trend. Yes.

Anybody else? Move the vote. Council member Tobin. Hi. Council member Silvin. Hi. Hi. Council member Lane. Hi, Council Member Conlin. Hi, Council Member Carpid. Council member Beckwith, hi. Council member Michaels. Hi. Agenda item number six,

authorized application to the M municipal parks and recreation grant for the Randall Park playground project. resolved that the city of Portland County Council hereby authorizes Mayor Steve Lo's designate to apply for the municipal parks recreation grant for the Randall Park playground renovation project in the amount of 390,83040 with a required city match of $39,834 uh to be paid from the Donald Sharp trust fund and be it further resolved that the mayor or his designate uh is authorized to execute and submit all applications, agreements, and documents necessary to carry out this grant application and if awarded to proceed with all requirements associated with the grant in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Motion, please. Billy, it's Mr. Michaels. Andrew is here. We got any questions for Andrea in the public? I think I do have something to add that district last week and uh that match they will split half of that with us. So it'll be 5% from us 5%. So 19,541. Okay.

We need to amend the resolution. We probably should note that. So I can explain how so leave it as is. Yes, we can change next month where we approve the minutes. I'll make that note though uh in the minutes as part of the discussion. Thank you Andy. Council member Tobin. Hi. Council member Sllovic I member Panel. Hi. Council member Lane. Hi. Council member Connum. Hi. Council member Carpenter. Hi. Council member Beckwith. Hi. Council member Michaels. Hi.

Item number seven, authorized salary adjustment for recreation supervisors due to the addition of camp director and aquatic director duties. Resolved by the city of Coronal County Council that the annual salary of each of the two recreation supervisor positions shall be increased by $3,000 as budgeted for in the youth bureau personnel account 7140 51000 in recognition of the addition of camp director and aquatic director duties. And be it further resolved that said salary increases shall be retroactive to the beginning of the 2006 26 fiscal year. Got a question for Andrew.

A motion please. Yeah. Mr. Ger. Yeah. Andrew this has already been budgeted for cor. Yes. We right discussed. Yeah. We talked about this I believe last meeting when it uh during our budget right last last fall right okay so it's already been budgeted for okay

anybody Right. Um question about camp director. Uh there's been an art camp. What what camps are we? Um we are green. We're hosting summer camp. So, it's going to be a new how many participants and time frame catching up? Yep. So, we're going to start with um a 4-week summer camp and a twoe art camp.

We're going to start with 20 campers. It'll be based at Sunny Park. So, all right. Yeah, that requires

So, we'll have to go through the Department of Health per everything like that. We have a uh individual who has ran summer camp before who our fulltime staff is going to shadow to learn the ropes to understand like permanent you know the ins and outs of running the camp and then after two years on what in order to have that in our individual's name on the permit for summer camp. There's a minimum requirement which is certainly not supervising camp. So that's why we can't just jump in and do it. Yeah. But it's somebody on staff and I believe they're going to have the uh the skills and abilities to do it. Absolutely.

All right. And then the aquatic director position. So right now there's seasonal positions. That's usually a teacher, college student who's person. We've had a rec supervisor who was a lifeguard, very familiar with aquatics and um we'll be here for the long haul. So I think it's important to have somebody consistent train our lifeguards to supervise our life guards and our facilities. That way it's consistent every year. We don't have a new aquatic director coming in trying to change things with the way it the way it works for us.

No, it makes sense. But to be the aquatic director, they have to have water safety instructor or No, no, they have to be a lifeguard. So the aquatic director duties, is that for the two swimming facilities or supervising lifeguards, managing lifeguards, they'll take the Red Cross life guard management class. they'll reertify as a lifeguard and then we're looking for a class to have them certified as an instructor. So instead of sending our lifeguard somewhere else to be certified, you can do that in house.

And then the day camp, are they going to be swimming at the pool? Yep. Okay. So you do need a water s you need somebody to uh assess the swimmer's ability. So, our lifeguards are able to do that. We've we've done that for with the lifeguards. Yep. Yeah. We we've worked with the Department of Health and Richard with with us. Okay. Maybe I'll be able to do about that because we do have a water safety instructor, but they're not in life. Yeah. That they run our our swim lessons. Yeah. Very good. You're talking to the right guy.

I know. And then in terms of these responsibility, they're going to be built into their job descriptions. Yep. So then it it travels with the position. Yes. It's not going to be where a couple years and then maybe there's a shift. It'll be part of that position. Thank you. Just one quick thing while you're up here to switch this up before we move on, but uh being the fact that the Cland cut out a lot of the what it 60

80 80 40 from the village. I don't know. Maybe sometime in the near future you can do a recommendation on what that means to the city people or you know how we're going to uh it'll remain the same for city residents. I didn't mean the city people, but not got to educate educate the other people that are going to be thinking they're going to bring their families in from different municipalities. Yeah, they're going to might as well break their heart now from wait till the first 90° July day. Yeah, we have a plan. I wanted to put it like that, but yes, I did. Yeah. And it's not us,

right? point, you know, make sure you guys get your jacket covering, you know, with it, you know, we're dealing with it, too. So, thank you. Thanks, Andrew. Council member Tobin. Hi, Council Member Silvin. I, Council Member Panel. Hi, Council Member Lane. Hi, Council Member Con. Hi, Council Member Carpenter. Hi, Council Member Beckwith. Hi, Council Member Lich. items. Anything else? Before any make a motion to journal.

Yeah. Could I ask council to entertain a resolution uh to pro resolution will be to approve an ad hoc audit and finance advisory committee consisting of three council persons and up to three community members to be recommended by council. I'll second. Hold on, Katie. Is is this uh in lie of what the mayor's proposed appointment that you'd been asked about?

So, what uh clerk is referring to, we have the opportunity to volunteer for a couple of committees. I I think this could be the same one. Uh I think there's value and I believe there would be people in the community with appropriate financial background who would be willing to serve the city as well in a volunteer capacity. So basically making it semi more formal and a little bit more in terms of community engagement.

What do we have set up now? Well, I I refer council back to the memo that um the mayor sent earlier this week. Yes. Tonight, correct? To the audit and finance committee option. Don't you want to add community?

Correct. So similar to we've got boards and commissions where we have people volunteering public works while public safety and police commission, fire commission, youth bureau. Uh this would not I'm not asking for a formal commission but the opportunity to maybe recruit some people with financial background to help council as we ask some questions. I'll uh I'll leave from what the mayor has um uh the memo that he's provided sent to you of that this memo is to formally propose the creation of three new common council committees each to be chaired by the respective department liaison. The proposed committees and chairs are as follows. The audit finance committee chair is council member Tobin. uh parking fee schedule review committee. The chair is um council member Beckwith and the code office fee schedule review committee. The chair would be uh council member Conlin. Each committee will consist of three members total. Uh the designated chair and two additional common council members um who volunteer to serve. Uh if you're interested in serving in any of these positions listed above, please indicate uh your interest at this meeting here. Uh the mayor's proposed that the audit and finance committee. Uh the purpose of that would be to provide oversight of the financial operations of the city's finance department, including participation in and review of the city's annual audit process. I'll uh there's more to the memo, but I'll end it there.

Will um as with any commission within the city, typically the mayor appoints members to the commission. Um and usually it's named members. Um, my advice would be for the audit committee to meet with the three council members that are on it and identify the two or three members that they think in the community that would be appropriate to add to it and then bring those names back to council um through the mayor, you know, make the appointment and then have council confirm them to that committee. Um, of those three, I think the audit committee is probably the one that most likely. Um, but I mean the other committees certainly the same thing. You know, theoretically they could suggest that, you know, somebody from the community might want to be involved in it.

Wow. But I think tonight without having names, it's hard to appoint people to a commission when there's nobody to appoint. Yeah. No, the request isn't for appointments. It's to recognize the creation of the ad hoc committee and then at a second date in the future to appoint. I think the mayor can appoint ad hoc committees without councel confirming them. So I I think the committees are set up now. If the committee wants to find some additional members, I think it would be, you know, then do those could be brought back to council to be added to the committee.

Right. So So we already have the audit and finance committee. If when you meet you decide you want people from the community, then that's the time to do it as opposed to a totally separate group than the audit and finding. Well, I think Brian said that it probably could be the same committee. Absolutely. Yeah. I mean, I think it's just identify who who the committee would want on it. You know, the three council members, you know, work with the mayor, come up to the people, then bring the whole names back to council for approval. Right. Right. I think that's the way to proceed forwardly with that.

For the other two are not the chair of each of these committees. Is the mayor going to pick from interested parties on council or? I mean, yes, he's he's asked you to uh indicate which committee you'd like to volunteer to be on. uh presuming that there's more than two additional people who express an interest that uh at that point the mayor would make the determination

or could suggest that if you know if only four people is there one committee that wants four there's no reason you couldn't put four on that committee you All good. Yeah, I would think that if one committee is a little light on participants, then you could open up the door to add more. You may find that five people want scheduling and nobody wants audit finance. So, I don't know. We'll see how it shakes out and go from there.

I guess with Ryan's thing, I think if he's got anybody that, you know, you think in the community that wanted to be on the committee, I guess write a letter of re, you know, like we've done on the zoning or the planning board in the past, we'll bring it forward and go from there. So, I'm not even asking for a straw poll, but we're comfortable the idea of having additional community members generally in support of I'm supportive of something like that depending on the the scope of it too. Depending on I agree.

Let me recommend that entertain a motion to receive and file uh the mayor's memo and make that part of the uh uh documentation records of the meeting. Do we need a motion?

All those in favor? I post Anything else? Motion. All in favor? I I All right.

We know what that's called. He knows you folks are finished with those poll cards. I'll pull up those. Okay.