City Council - Special Meeting

Good afternoon. Today is Thursday, May 28th, and we will now start the special meeting of the City Council to do the budget vote. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Councillor Santanello. Absent. Councillor Martin.

Present.

Present. Councillor Perez. Present. Present. Councillor Brown. Absent.

No, he's here. He's on the phone. Present.

Present, Councillor Govan. Present. Present, Councillor Walsh. Absent, Councillor Hurst.

Councillor Walsh is walking in. Okay. Okay.

Councillor Walsh. Present. Present, Councillor Hurst. Absent, Councillor Davila.

Present.

Present, Councillor Fenton. Absent, Councillor Delgado.

He's walking into him.

Councillor Click-Bruce.

Present.

Present, Councillor Edwards.

Present.

Present, Councillor Whitfield. Present. Present. He's coming right now.

We're waiting for you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

Oh, is it? Okay, I'm on. This is like a game show here. Thank you, Madam President, and Dominic J. Sarno, Mayor of the City of Springfield, 109 Carroll Street. And before we start, if we could just take a moment of silence for two dear friends that we lost. State Representative Ben Swan and Henry Thomas just was on the phone with Sade. If we could take a moment of silence in honor of them. Thank you very much, Madam President. To my council colleagues, good evening. And through all the fiscal challenges and uncertainty that we face and many other cities and towns face throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, we have a good story to be told. And I'm going to tell it tonight for your considerations and vote for this budget. Our budget is $1,039,000,000. It's a 5.4 increase over the FY26 adopted budget. Now, I want to thank the award-winning finance team led by CAFO Kathy Bono and Deputy CAFO Lindsey Hackett, Budget Director Chris Frazier, Pat Burns, and the whole team who've done a tremendous job in Kathy's nickname is Dr. No, because she runs a tight, tight budget on it. 19 consecutive years, so every year I've been mayor, we've won the Certificate of Excellence for Financial Reporting, and 14 consecutive year Certificate of Reporting, and the Government Finance Officers Association Award, which indicates about strong fiscal and financial practice, commitment to transparency, and accountability. I'd also like to congratulate Jessica Guerra, our chief, our chairwoman of the assessors. She just was recently voted, elected the president of the Mass Association of Assessors. So we congratulate her. That's quite a testament to her and the city of Springfield. So when you look upon it, I also want to give a big thank you to all our cabinet heads, department heads down the rank and file. You know, when you look at it, Monday, we will mark the 15th anniversary of that devastating EF3 tornado and how we've come back with resiliency and strength. But the natural disasters that we have faced, whether it's been the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic, a gas explosion, the freak nor'easter pre-Halloween some years ago, we've been able to recover it and move forward. So I thank each and every one of the cabinet heads, department heads, and to rank and file for their resiliency and all their efforts. So we continue to be committed on strong financial management and long-term sustainability and stability, because we're gonna have to ride out this storm that's coming now for a difficult FY28 that we're looking at. Been able to maintain core services, for residents and business community. The budget gap initially started at $23.7 million. How do we close the gap? Balance a budget focused on controlled spending, using revenue wisely, avoiding layoffs and cuts to services. We balance the budget through a combination of targeted spending reductions, vacancy management, strategic use of grant funding, and realistic revenue estimates. The FY27 departmental budget, other than personal services, OTPS, budgets decreased by 2%. Departments really worked hard. I commend them. They submitted lean and good budget requests. I had my public hearings, which some counselors did attend. You had your public hearings on it. So the second consecutive year that we've decreased or declined our full-time employment here in the city of Springfield, managing the staff levels with no layoffs. The FY27 budget recommendation maintains all current programs and vital services. Now you gotta remember the school department accounts for well over two-thirds of this budget, almost $709 million, a 5.8% increase from the adopted FY26 budget. City side, we're $330 million. 4.5 increase from FY26. So, $862 million is non-discretionary funds. We can't touch it. You can't touch that money. The budget is balanced for the 12th consecutive year without using any stabilization reserves. Unheard of when it comes to municipal management at times. And we're spending what we're taking in. And that's key. Many households have to do that and businesses have to do that. The reserve balance, which I'm very proud of, is $75.1 million. Now, by statute, we have to keep within 5% to 15% of the overall budget. This comes all from the city-side budget, the 330. That doesn't include anything from the school department. We worked very hard with City Councilor Mike Fenton on the pension reserves. We're aggressively paying that downward. When I took over, we were about 28%, I think we're 42%. So there's 19.3 set aside for pension reserves. Total reserves are $94.4 million on that. And you gotta be careful, because we need that. The DOR and the state has come and spoken and sent edicts to some communities, cities, and towns who are reusing it for reoccurring costs that this is gonna set up. for some challenges down there. So we don't know what's gonna happen on the federal level. It seems to change, forget about every week, every day it seems to change, which trickles down to the city level here. So we have to make sure we protect those reserves so we can be stable, and sustainability's a key word. Sustainability's a key word. Keep core services going for our businesses and our residents. Standard and Poor's, In April 2026, in a presentation, I didn't say it. Our CFO, Kathy Bunnell, didn't say it. But again, highest bond ratings in the city's history. Double A with stable outlook. And you've got to remember, when we took over, we were nearly at junk bond status. But they said this. Not Sarno, not Bunnell. S&P stated, when compared to other municipalities, Springfield is considered a positive outlier. for our strong fiscal oversight, avoiding layoffs, reducing or reducing or cutting core service, or asking taxpayers to approve Proposition 2 1⁄2 overrides, which many, if not all, in the surrounding areas have all failed. Tax relief, and I know Councilors are big on that, as I am too. And what we have put together here, we worked with the Council, I put home rule legislation I want to thank Representative Angelo Pupolo, who led that charge and the whole delegation, and it was signed by Governor Healey, by Maura. We're just the second municipality in the Commonwealth to implement this targeted tax relief program that will provide homeowners who are just above thresholds to be eligible. besides with state statutory exemptions. When you look at it, the new committee that we put together and the new legislation, the 41C, circuit breaker on the state level, certain amount that you can qualify or be eligible. Ours are gonna be $15,000 higher, which is gonna allow many other residents the opportunity to take advantage of that. I committed $1 million to that. And again, working with Councilor Fenton, with the Treasury bills, the T-bonds, T-bills, because of our strong financial position, we've been able to put it in accounts nine months to a year, and we've been able to garner $2 million, which I have dedicated to targeted tax relief. So right off the bat, there's $3 million, and we always look to work with the Council to do more down the road. So the other thing we did, working with the Council, I reduced for seniors, I reduced the age, we reduced the age from 70 to 65. We increased the abatement, we doubled it from 500 to $1,000 for seniors. Public safety will remain my number one priority. And the superintendent's sitting right over here. You look at the overall stats, the trend crime is moving down and I want to thank Superintendent Larry Akers and the brave and dedicated men and women in blue for the job they're doing, because it is making a difference, and I commend you for that. Highest staffing level in years, most diverse department in the state, if not New England, reflects our community, when you see the police department, from rank and file to supervisory roles. were above parity, 514 sworn officers, overall 559 full-time FTEs. We just did a great academy, biggest one in years, 52 academies, 52 graduated from the academy, and we'll have another academy scheduled for this fall. We negotiated contracts, bargaining agreements with police supervisors and the IPO, the rank and file patrolmen, all contracts, All contracts are being honored and funded. We were the first to have body-worn cameras in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and those were implemented during the height of COVID when we put that in the first, so we led the way on that. The entire force employs that technology. We continue all programs and initiatives. The Gaming Enforcement Unit, MGM, all C-3 neighborhood units are in effect. The popular ordinance Flex Squad, it created almost 20 years ago. Neighborhoods love that, working with all the different departments. The Quebec units in our schools work with the school department, keep everybody safe. Real-time crime analysis. We were really the first one, I think one of the first ones in the state. Am I correct, Larry? To have that, you know, on TV shows, you see things solved within an hour. So we were able to keep that going. The FIU, the Fire Investigations Unit, continues to take a record number of illegal guns off the street. We have a dirt bike unit that is out there. You've seen recently we've continued to confiscate bikes and make arrests. Now we need the legislation to destroy them and the courts to back us. Park patrols. Union Station. That will continue. Superintendent DeMille, good to see you. I hope Bowling School went well. We're very unique. One of the first in the Commonwealth. Combination mental health issues have always been challenging, but it's been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. I see Councillor Santanello nodding his head. He's always been on health issues, public health issues. Our police department goes out with the BHN, clinicians, when those calls come in. We also work with First Justice Kevin Malte and the Roderick Ireland Court there. We have a clinician in the courthouse when these cases come about. If it's not a criminal, a bad criminal activity and it's a mental health activity, the clinician in BHN is there. I really commend Lieutenant Brian Elliott, Stephanie Tonnelli for their efforts. because now we have the peer-to-peer program, Project HOPE 2.0, homeless outreach for the individuals, and we worked through Jerry McCafferty on that. Narcan, the men and women in blue, last seven years and running has saved over 700 lives, 700 lives that they've been able to save and hopefully turn around. The fire department with Commissioner Calvey is another department that reflects our community. It's above parity. It is very diverse and it goes from rank and file all the way up to supervisory roles. We continue to hire new recruits and we stay above attrition. Two more mini academies occurring in FY27. City negotiated a collective bargaining contract with the local 648, our firefighters. Can you see how dangerous their job is with Bobby Kildorf Jr., a Boston firefighter who lost his life last week and God rest his soul. We continue to fund for all new equipment, turnout gear. We're also purchasing new fire trucks, got to purchase them ahead of time. And the department continues with health and wellness programs to promote physical and mental health to reduce on the job injuries. Fire department continues to respond to a record number of calls as they save lives and property. They continue with Narcan and they've saved hundreds of lives also. Emergency dispatch communications, which is a front line, and I commend Deputy Mike Hess and the front line people that are there, Deputy Jessica Ocasio and Mikey Trangeese. New computer-aided dispatch CAD records management system, the whole nine yards there. It's consolidated, which has been a home run, helping out with police, fire, and ambulance calls. We also continue to have text to 911 and smart 911 programs. Cybersecurity, and again, I'm a guy that still has an Etch-A-Sketch here, but that's extremely important. Budget continues full funding for the IT operations to maintain. Andy, Dodie, and team do a great job. They have protected us on security cyber threats. You've seen other communities where we have proper firewalls, other communities who have been hit and who had to pay, knock on wood, who had to pay ransoms. Andy and team have done one hell of a job on that, and I appreciate that. Tim Sheen and Amanda Fahm, when it comes to Union Station, the Congressman Neil Ritchie, Neil Cyber Security Center Excellence, state-of-the-art, a training education facility located there. It opened in FY25, supports municipalities, school department, IT division, small, large businesses, college and university partners, military bases, utility companies, and has a robust STEM cybersecurity program for our K-12 students and adult learners. She just walked in, she was at Bowling School. Our superintendent, Dr. Sonia Deneau, who's done an outstanding job. And under her leadership, we're providing safe and quality learning experience for all our students across more than 50, well over 50 different schools. We've increased the graduation rates and decreased the dropout rates. When I took over, we were about 50% graduation rate, hovering that, unacceptable, unacceptable. Dropout rate was nearly 14%. We've now moved up to, we were as high as 82 on a graduation, 86 on a graduation rate, and 1.9 dropout rate pre-COVID. Now we're moving back up again, 82%, and about a little over 3% on a dropout rate. 35% decrease there, 23% increase since 2025, ranking one of the highest in the state during that period. Full day, universal, free, pre-K, first in the Commonwealth to do that. We've added additional, I think, 17 more classrooms, and we just last school committee with Dr. Marisa McCarthy, we are now looking, you know, autism affects a lot of friends and families that we know, to have a separate autism school to deal directly with that. But as Dr. Dinalda indicated to me, that will not take away from any child that's going to the regular school now. So we're looking to do that. The MSBA, and I thank the council in voting on that, Because of our strong financial status, we've done the most building of new schools and rehab schools in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Well over $750 million and more to come, rehabilitating roofs, windows, HVC units, most of Massachusetts. This includes, Maria, as you know, Brightwood Lincoln, the Barry Swans, in the Upper Hill and Old Hill neighborhoods in North End, Brightwood, Lincoln. I want to thank Treasurer Goldberg and the Mass School Building Authority team. They've been great. We just recently had a presentation we had to make for two other combo schools we're doing, and Dr. Deneau, Pete Garvey, Bob the Builder, Johnny Kerrigan, the Walking Encyclopedia, Tommy Ash, and Kathy Bunnell, because we have to back it up. We get 80%. But we got 20% comes on the city side. So when you look at that, the Brightwood Lincoln was awarded the official LEED gold certificate for design, construction, operation, high performance, energy efficiency. Horena School, Maria, is coming to fruition down the north end. Combined schools, my old school I went to, White Street School, Kensington Avenue are next in line. Those will be combination schools. And then Washington and Beale School, I did a little time at Washington. Those are next in line too. Some of those schools were built in the early 1900s. So that's gonna bring the total investment from the city of Springfield, city of first, again, we will lead the Commonwealth to over $1 billion of new schools and rehab schools. Economic development, I call them the creative one, Chief Development Officer Tim Shee and his team, Brian Connors, Tina Q, the whole team. Again, we continue to build on over $5 billion of public and private investment over the last few years. So, you know, besides MGM and CRRC, the largest railway manufacturing company in the world, Union Station, the Mass Mutual Center expansion, I think you're going to hear more good news on that. The parking garage, which came to fruition working with the state. 31 Elm, another project. Court Square, they said it wouldn't get done. There's a waiting list to get into their market rate. Court Square Park's been renovated. Eastfield Mall, you'll never get it done. Springfield Crossing is there. $31 million expansion of Performance Food Group, York Street Riverfront Development. We continue to help create a good four-letter word. Jobs, market rate, housing, and bring properties back on a tax roll. We continue to add market rate housing units, including 31 Elm, Gemini townhouses, and the old Gemini site in the south end. The Knox building, that was another one, decrepit for decades. Brightwood School Apartments, Maria, is now going to become, that's a $68 million investment there in senior housing. Main Street State, McCafferty's developers out of Chicago, that's 100 units, market rate affordable housing. State Street, the old, the vault building across from Helen Carlton Harris' shop, Health and Human Services. See, that's moving forward, that's workforce development housing. The old school department, you're gonna get workforce development housing there, 195 state. Next to it, 1925 Maple Street. So you go from 65 there, 62 more units there. Estimated development costs in that $30 million. And on top of that, East Columbus Avenue, the old Howard Johnson and the pie shop, decrepit for years, if not decades. Entrance area to our city in the south end area, worked with a developer, that's all market rate housing that's gonna be going there, and where the old pie shop is there. Home ownership's very important, not only for the tax base keeping at well over 50%, but it's important building generational wealth and equity for our residents. We've been in record pace on first time home buyers, And coupled with the announcement that Governor Healey has recently made and continues to make on housing, we're going to pursue that. We've also, so right now, there's 378 new units of multifamily housing in the pipeline, with 105 single-family units expected to sell prices above market value. We want to keep people in their homes. Besides the first-time homebuyers program, which I sign every week, many are females, many are minorities. We also have people who want to stay in their homes. We've helped out hundreds. I signed some more today. Hundreds of families of all creed, colors, and backgrounds that qualify for emergency repairs in their homes to stay in there. Healthy neighborhoods. I know that's important to city councilors. Budget continues to fully fund all quality of life programs for our neighborhoods. The code enforcement funds both building and housing code. I want to commend Building Commissioner Steve Desolete and Deputy Director of Housing Code Enforcement Keith O'Connor. And I want to give a shout-out, too, to Solicitor Steve Bonacani and Associate Solicitor Amber Gould. They really do a tremendous job when we have to go to housing court, when we have to really press the issue to get the owner's attention and drop the hammer on them. So I really appreciate that. Mayor's clean city crew. I think all counselors love that because of your calls. So I really got to commend Tommy Ash and Coach McCluskey and Tommy McCarthy and Sergeant, especially Sergeant Bill K. Lane from the police, Cotillier from the police department. They really, really get into that and I know that's important. Counselor Edwards always does keep Springfield beautiful. And again, they work hand in hand with the Flex Ordnance Squad. Implementation of a new open government system, streamlined permitting process, homeowners and developers. Steve, we finally have that. Time is money. So now it is much more streamlined for developments, whether it's residential or businesses. DPW, with our DPW director Chris Signoli and his team, full trash pickup, single stream, affordable bulk pickup at your curb, yard waste pickup for free, Other communities I go to, we're the envy of those communities. They go, how the hell do you still have those big, big barrels on both sides? Some of those communities have tall kitchen barrels on it. So we've been able to keep that affordable, and it's been award-winning on it. Sidewalk crews continue. We're funding on that. I thank Governor Healy and the legislature. They gave us more chapter... So that's going to build up. We usually do about $3.6 million or so with paving. Now with the extra money, Chris, I think it's $5 or $6 million we're able to do. So we're going to be doing more roads. And then we've done about well over 25 safety measures when it comes to corridors and 15 intersection when it comes to pedestrian crosswalks, the hawkers, the whole nine yards. But I also urge people, I see them many a time, still not using it, or they step into the crosswalk area, and they don't press the button for the Hawker lights. And even at that point in time, you still need to be cognizant, because sometimes a car might not stop. The Tom Ash, again, and Pete Krupsek, the Parks and Recreation, we continue the Clean Sweep Initiative. I have ROCA on our payroll. Executive Director Solomon Bayman does a great, great job. These are individuals that we're giving a second chance to, and they go out in our neighborhoods and help clean up, and many times I'll stop and see them, and it makes them feel good, because they're giving back. And we do this through the 311 calls, or calls to my office, or calls to the city council. Tree stump removals, doesn't sound sexy, but it still goes forward with the forestry division, and Alex Sherman, our forester, does a great job. All maintenance and upkeep continue in our neighborhood parks and city terraces. We have a state-of-the-art Camp Angelina, Camp Stark and Angelina, fully open, fully open for the disabled and handicapped children, which warms my heart. All pools, splash pads will be available for summer months, families enjoy. All recreation programs, activities will continue, after school programs, evening gym programs, summer concert series, movies in the park, swan boats are back, big hit, everybody loves those swan boats. So you look at facilities also, and I want to commend Dr. Deneau, Pat Roach, Johnny Kerrigan, and Tom Ash. We received ESSER funds. And unlike other communities, for whatever reason, and they were told not to do it, they used it for reoccurring costs. So you see these other communities now, especially in the school system, that are cutting services and laying off teachers. We used them for one-time improvements. $110 million toward HVAC, AC, schools upgraded data networks, virtual school relocation. We're gonna be down after this summer, I think to less than 10 schools that don't have air conditioning. We used ESSER funds to do the Putnam Vocational Technical Practice field now, that's front there. We did the Ted Plum. field, which I had promised Gary Brown we'd do. Duggan is a beautiful complex there. All playing fields will continue to be maintained. Central High School, it's a mini college campus there. You've got four. Four turf fields that we have there. We were able to put that together. Recently, and we were just, Superintendent Dr. Nolak, the award-winning high school of science and technology, banned. They have their own amphitheater now. And that was about $3 million. STEM has a new pavilion. Numerous school playgrounds have all been done or new playgrounds putting in that they didn't have it. All with the ESSER funds. Parks, Five Mile Pond, we just recently announced Five Mile Pond improvements are going to occur. Greenleaf Park, completely redone, named after, and I wear his lapel pin all the time to remind our residents what our cops do. Kevin Ambrose Memorial Field there. Girdenbill Park. People wanted the bike and skate park on it. First time ever we've been able to put that there. That's moving forward. Renovations. Adams Park has just been done. Magazine Park is just finishing up. Pickleball courts. I guess pickleball is very, very popular. You see on ESPN, I flip around, they have $100,000 tournaments now. Greenleaf, hugely popular. They've got a hell of a league going up there. You're going to have, you have Kiley Middle School, my old junior high, will be announcing that. Hubbard Park and the Orchard has one. Yali Nohorniak Park in Pine Point has one. So the Orchard, Outer Belt, and 16 Acres. Health and Human Services Division, which is led by the elegant and eloquent Commissioner of Health and Human Service, Helen Carlton Harris. Budget continues to fund all health and human service programs, including public and environmental health aspects. And I appreciate your Your patience, indulgence, because you see what's going on in many other surrounding communities with the cuts going, layoffs going, prop to an F.O. rights. I have other mayors call me today on how did you do this, how did you do that. Opioid funding, Helen's done a great job. Those grants have gone out to organizations that are on the street to respond to that, partnerships with local nonprofits, health organizations, community stakeholders. Budget continues to fund the cannabis compliance program. Problem gambling, and we were just highlighted again. Where's Helen? Helen, there she is. They had the state conference of Mass Mutual Center last week, and the state officials highlighted Helen and myself. Springfield was the first to step forward 10 years ago on problem gambling, and that has really become an issue when it comes to our young people now, gearing them up. So that continues. The Office of Health and Racial Equity, my old sister, Chanel Ford, who does a great job. And I just want to remind people, too, my Chief Diversity Officer Inclusion, Judy Croa, you've seen private institutions and public institutions get rid of those offices, cut those offices right out. I didn't do that. We didn't do that here in the city of Springfield. Elder Affairs Department, Roy Goodman, All the senior centers remain open, including Riverview in the North End, Hungry Hill, Collado Concepcion Community Center, Fitness Center in North End, and the crown jewel, the Raymond A. Jordan Senior Center. My budget will continue to include free meals, free meals for all our seniors and their programs. Transportation will continue to fund the budget on transportation coordinator position to drive the bus and the minibus for our seniors field trip. That's Helen. That's those buses that we bought a few years ago to keep a driver on board. Joe DeCarol does a great job. Very humble and genuine. Veteran services fully funded to assist all our veterans and their families. They helped 11 unhoused veterans. Joe did placed in a permanent housing. Thank you, Joe. Springfield was the first, I know Catery will appreciate this, was the first community to adopt the HERO Act to help our disabled veterans with increased, there's another property tax relief, increase the benefits for veterans with a rating below 100% disability from $400 to $800. Benefits for veterans with 100% disability from $1,000 to $2,000. The state doesn't reimburse me, doesn't reimburse us, but for what our veterans have done for us, this is the right thing to do. Springfield took the lead on this, and I appreciate working with the council on it. Neighborhood, all neighborhood libraries, Molly Fogarty and Helen and Jean Canosa-Albano, congratulations on your award, by the way, and too bad about our T-birds. They remain open. Hours of operations have expanded. Where other places are curtailing that or shutting down libraries, we're building new libraries. Besides East Forest Park, East Springfield Library Branch, a new branch will be built there, working with Kathy Brown and Councilor Fenton and my facilities team and the Mass Board of Library Commissioners. Our administration, working with the council, respect, $5 million we're putting into that project, and Congressman Neal came across with another half a million on that. The community rooms, Jerry, as you know, in East Forest Park, you're there many times, fully available. Now four, four nights a week. Mason Square Library up in the square. HVAC system has been done. That got hit by lightning there. The rear and entrance has been completely redone and repaired. That had fallen apart, and I thank Tom Ash and John Kerrigan on that. Continued funding for all library programs, including the portable hotspots, free internet, Wi-Fi access at the libraries, Read, Write, and Now adult literacy program. I want to thank the Library Foundation. They've been very, very helpful to us. And then something that's near and dear to our hearts as I close, TJL. What they, Heather Catilane and her team, what they do, and I thank her and her team. It's fully funded. We have contractual agreements. with Holyoke and Chicopee, and I thank Helen and Sylvester Bonacani negotiating those. And TJO has been a trusted resource for animal welfare and adoption center. And I urge people, if you need a pet dog, go to TJO. At this point in time, I want to thank Madam President Whitfield and the counselors for giving me this time and indulgence on it. And again, I thank all our cabinet heads, department heads in rank and file. But it is a good story to be told. And I wanted to tell it. Because you see all around us, all around us, budget cuts are occurring. Layoffs are occurring. Service cuts are occurring. Proposition two and a half overrides are occurring. That is not occurring here in the city of Springfield by working together. So I respectfully ask for the approval of the budget. And if you have any questions or comments, myself or others that are here will be more than happy to try to address those questions or comments. So thank you very, very much. Appreciate it.

Thank you, Mayor Sarno, for the overview. Counselor Sancinello?

Yeah, just a quick question, Your Honor. Sure. Your Honor, I've been called worse. I'll take that, Brian. Mayor Sarno, there was a big story that just was in the paper on autism in our schools.

Yeah.

What exactly, and that number went up from like 150 a few years back to 600, which is a big jump. What's the student-to-teacher ratio for that? And next year, if the budget has problems, is there a ceiling on that, or how do we deal with that?

I believe, and I could be correct, I think it's a six-to-one ratio with two assistants, but I can have I'd love to have Dr. Dinnall, Superintendent Dinnall, come up and speak on it. But I believe that's what it is. Thank you, Madam President.

Sorry, I need to recognize councillors in seat number one, seat number seven, seat number nine.

Councillor Santanello.

Here.

Present, Councillor Fenton. Here. Present, Councillor Hurst.

Present.

Present. Thank you. Any more questions or comments from counselors?

Okay, I can go ahead and address that.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I forgot there was a question.

Yeah, no problem.

All right, moving it along. Thank you, Madam President. Good evening, everyone. In response to your question, Counselor Santanello, yes, the need has increased exponentially over the years. We will always center student need over all other needs. When there is a budget crisis, which we are facing for the 27-28 school year, we will most definitely ensure that our students have what they need. We make those cuts as far away from the classroom as possible. $20 million will be a challenge. However, we've already begun taking a look at some positions at central office and away from the classroom to be proactive and intentional and very strategic in order to ensure that we are able to meet the budget next year. But again, students first. Students always come first. and we will do our very best to keep those cuts as far away from them as possible. No guarantee. $20 million is a big gap for us to fill, but we will do our best.

ADHD, that's a special needs to you students?

It is a diagnosis that may or may not need an individual education plan. Some of our exceptional learners who are diagnosed with ADHD may be able to function just fine and access a curriculum on grade level with a 504 plan. Some of them may not need any of that at all. So it's really collaborative effort between our exceptional learner teams, the physician, the pediatrician, the parents, the results of the assessments for those students to determine what is in the best interest of the student.

Do we have a number on how many children fall under that category now?

I'm sure we do. I don't have that number available right now, but we can always follow up with you. We have several diagnoses that we most definitely track very carefully and ensure that we are meeting those needs based on what's in the best interest of the student.

Thank you so much.

Absolutely.

Thank you, Councilor. Thank you, Superintendent Deneau.

Thank you, Superintendent.

Councilor Davila.

Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for your presentation, for a very thorough presentation. I do have some... I've got two quick questions, but one of them is to Dr. Denal, if I may. Just... Good evening, Dr. Dinal. Good evening. Good to see you. Just keeping the same subject as my esteemed colleague here, Chancellor Santanillo was talking, with the autism school, I read the article. I believe that's a 600% increase from roughly to 144 to almost 700 students. Do you say $20 million? Is that the added cost to accommodate for the increase in students?

The $20 million that I was referring to, by the way, good evening, Councilor Davila. The $20 million was referring to the budget shortfall that we are projecting for the 26, 27, excuse me, for the, what is it, 27, 28 school year. Yes, so my chief financial officer, Chief Pat Roach, has already begun crunching the numbers, and he has notified me that there are some critical federal grants and some other funding that we will not have access to at that time. So the $20 million did not pertain directly to the cost of running the proposed special education school.

So would you be able to quantify for us how much money, the extra money that will take to run the special school?

For that school, I don't have those numbers on me, but I definitely can get that for you.

Okay. Now, I'm wondering, did I also hear, are we building a school or are we refurbishing a school?

We are not building a school. We are finding a location within our pre-existing schools.

I'm sure that there's going to be some special needs. What's the word I'm looking for? Special needs... changes to the building to accommodate for that, correct?

Yes, there will be.

Also, the cost.

There will be minimum construction. However, the cost of establishing a classroom is roughly about $25,000, not including staff.

I understand. I understand. Well, good job to you, Mr. Mayor, as well, and to the team. The special needs students are part of our city, of our community. And, you know, this is a, if I may say, a moral imperative. And so my compliments for taking this initiative. Thank you. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Davila. Councillor Govan.

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you, Mayor Sarno and your team for that great presentation. I was trying to figure out a way, and forgive me for not being in person. I really wanted to be there. I'm in Boston at a trauma conference associated with my business, and what you all are talking about goes right on hand with what I'm learning here. But I was trying to figure out a way to... Identify in detail the work that this budget does, and your departments and our departments, those are our city departments. Mayor Sarno, you've done a great job in making sure that we have clean parks in some areas, we have safety, and I know that every department is working really, really hard to continue to do the work. And because we value that work, because we value the people that rely on it, I am respectfully asking that we postpone the vote today so that we can have a focused, productive conversation with you, Mayor Sarno. This is a billion-dollar budget, as you so noted, and our residents, especially our homeowners, are feeling the strain of all the rising costs. Before we move forward, we need clarity and a firm commitment on one key point – Will the administration commit to using free cash, which is taxpayer money, to ensure the lowest possible property tax increase for Springfield residents? Last year, free cash was certified at just over $21 million. That is real taxpayer money that can provide real taxpayer relief. Postponing the vote is not about delay. It's about a responsible, collaborative governance. It's about making sure every tool available to us, including free cash, is used to protect our residents while supporting the departments that keep the city running. I'm asking that this council stand together, take the step, and ensure that we deliver a budget that truly works for the people of Springfield. And because of that, I make a motion that we postpone the action on the budget until the council has had an opportunity to meet with the mayor to discuss the administration's commitment to using certified free cash to minimize the property tax burden on Springfield residents. The purpose of this postponement is to ensure that all available taxpayer resources are considered and that the council and administration can collaboratively determine the level of free cash that will be applied to reduce the projected property tax increase. Thank you, Madam President.

If I can thank you, Councilor Gavanna. If I can respond, and I'm sure my CFO, Catherine Bono, will respond. Sure. With all due respect, the council's had the budget for 27 or 28 days. I've had public hearings, which some councils did attend, and open to the public. You've had public hearings open to the public. As I have done before, and councils can indicate it, I always try to work with the council to see what we can do to continue to bring tax relief. Free cash, Kathy Bunnell can speak on. I think a lot of that has already been accounted for with things that we have to do. But I'm gonna say it again, I'm gonna say it again, sustainability. You cannot, I have programs already, listening to the council, Zayda, you're one of them, I created the targeted tax relief program to help individuals that fall through the cracks that I heard from Maria saying that also too. Our statutes are gonna be $15,000 higher, which makes many more residents eligible. But I've said it before, We're gonna face a very difficult FY28 budget next year, where that rainy day fund needs to come in effect. You can't do the yo-yo effect, do a massive, massive influx of money, which is not recommended, by the way. by DOR nor our bond rating agencies because it jeopardizes our bond rate. And DOR has indicated to some communities now, don't use that for reoccurring costs. But what'll happen on the yo-yo effect? You might get a little bit of a break, which we're looking to continue to do. I've done it for the past four or five years with some big numbers, but you can't continue to do that. What'll happen is when you do that, the next year when the well is dry, Huge balloon payment will occur. We try to be sustainable. We try to be fair. We've done a multitude of tax relief programs that are available to our residents and to the business community. But again, we had the budget for 27, 28 days. We had public hearings. Publics invited those hearings. City councilors invited those hearings. Some did show up. And I think you were one of them at times too, said, boy, we really got a lot of the nuts and bolts on this and how things work. So I would urge the council to vote on this budget tonight. You want to vote yes, I appreciate that. You want to vote no, that is your prerogative. But again, I tell you, when you see what's going on with other, no disrespect to other communities, what's going on with other communities right around us or in the state, layoffs, service cuts, massive tax increases Proposition two and a half overrides going on so we're not perfect I'm not perfect at all, but I think we've done a damn good job with this budget moving forward So again, I would urge the council you've done your due diligence Let's get this budget moving forward so we can continue to provide for our residents and our business community and vote vote your conscience you want to vote no vote no and if you want to do cuts That's your prerogative, you can do that. But when those cuts occur and the residents and business community ask where are these things, where's my services? We say we can't do them anymore. Well, how do I get it done? It's private now, privatized, which means you're going to pay more. So we're trying to be as lean as possible. And you look at some of the things here. OTPS decreased 2%. Some departments came in under 2%. I heard in your, Kathy Bunnell reported to me, in many of your public hearings, you were asking departments, what more do you need? Do you need more money? Do you need more bodies? Now all of a sudden it's a flip-flop? So we're going to, as I've done before, when it comes time, I already have ponied up $3 million, targeted tax relief $1 million, $2 million, working with Councilor Fenton on our investments in the year T-bills, treasury bonds, and we're going to continue to do what we can, but you just can't empty out the reserves. It is not good fiscal management. I feel like you do too. I want to try to help taxpayers out as much as we can, but then they also want the services that be rendered, and we want our children to be educated. They expect to have the core services going, so I thank you for your thoughts, but I would urge the council to take a vote on this tonight. You want to vote yes, I thank you. You want to vote no, vote no. Thank you. I don't know if you want to say anything.

Councilor Govan, any other comments?

Yes, please. Yes, thank you. So thank you for that, Mayor Sano. And I absolutely agree with what you've said. And where I'm coming from, and I know you're running a city, you're running an entire city, and I appreciate that. I'm thinking about the residents who are clamoring for relief. You know, I had someone come up to me just the other day, say my taxes increased, I think it was like $300 a quarter, which is a lot for them, right? It might not sound like a lot, but they're not getting grant money from anywhere. They're not getting you know, an added income to their budgets. So I would just urge us to just be cautious. I understand that we've had the budget for 27 days, and my first instinct was to say, okay, You know, then let's cut something, because if that's what we need to do, but I don't want us to have to do that. I want us to figure out a way to render services the way we've been rendering them. And if we need to cut some services, we need to let the taxpayers know that's the reason that we're cutting services. So to have a really thoughtful conversation about what can we do going forward, I think that's the only reason that I would like for us to work together as a council body And with you, Mayor Sarno, to come to some sort of, I guess, compromise. So thank you. And those are my comments. Thank you, Madam President.

27 days. Again, you know where my office is. My CAFO, Kathy Bunnell, has reached out to everyone. Separate meetings if you want. Any questions that you have. that you have, you had your public hearings where I know residents showed up there to speak at that point in time. You know, you wanna cut and go back to other tax rates, we shaved 20 over $23 million off. If you wanted to do that again, we'd have to shave $20 million off. You tell me what libraries you wanna close, what police officers and firefighters you want to lay off, what parks do you want to stop, what DPW services that you want to go. And then next year, when we're really going to be facing some challenges, and maybe we don't have the money, we've been very sustainable and accountable with our budgeting, then all of a sudden somebody's going to say to you, Councilor Gavine, oh my God, I got a massive balloon bill here. So we're trying, and again, we've added more tax relief programs than any other municipality in the state, except for one that did it in the state. So there are avenues, and there's statutory abatement avenues that people can apply for, whether it's property, whether it's veterans, whether it's blind, whether it's a widower's, God rest their soul whether he or she passed. So you can avail yourself to many opportunities here. But I'm gonna stand up for the budget. I'm gonna stand up for my cabinet heads, department heads, and rank and file who worked very, very hard. They came in very lean. 27 days you've had.

27 days. If I may, if I may, through the president. So we did ask for a free cash number, I think, a few weeks ago, and I know that Kathy hadn't had it yet. And I don't know if she still has it. So I'm wondering.

We don't have a free cash number until about October. And right now, we have no. We're only after Monday night's meeting. Do you have an estimate, Kathy? I think we could. We did a quick estimate after Councilor Hurst asked. And we're only estimating it to be around $8 million. But there's so many factors that go into that. That's what our estimate is right now because we did take a look at it because of Councillor Hurst. The free cash number this year was $18 million. In 2024, it was $21 million. It is going down. A big part of the free cash was interest, and you've seen interest rates go down. It is going to go down substantially, but for the mayor to commit free cash at this point for the tax rate in November— He doesn't have any to commit right now, and we haven't certified any. DOR has to certify it. So the estimate right now, and it's a quick estimate, and please don't hold me to it, is about $8 million, what we can do right now. It's just we still have another month. We still have expenses to pay, et cetera.

Understood. And I do want to hear from other councils, and I'm sorry, Madam President, I'm taking so long on this. And I know that the budget is what the budget is. So submitting a budget like this, You know, admirable. It's something to be proud of. It's balanced. Our residents are clamoring for relief. You know, they've had property tax increases for the last, I would say, 10 years straight. It's been an increase, an increase, an increase, and their income hasn't increased. So that's the only reason I'm bringing this up. This is not about cutting the budget, or if that's what we need to do, maybe we need to take another 20 days to figure out how we can do that. But my request is that we get some sort of conversation going get a commitment to make sure that our residents are put first. It's hard for me to get a meeting with you, Mayor Sarno, as you know. Maybe we can have some of the council representatives meet with you. But that's my motion. That's what I'm putting out there.

Thank you, Madam Chair. One moment, Mayor Sarno. One moment. Let me just close. One moment, Mayor. We had scheduled meetings. Mayor Sarno, one moment, please. Go ahead, yes.

You're making a motion, Councillor Govan? Yeah, that's the motion I made. Is there a second to the motion?

What is the motion?

The motion, if I may, please. I move that we postpone action on the budget until the council has the opportunity to meet with the mayor to discuss the administration's commitment to using certified free cash to minimize the property tax burden on the Springfield residents. And the purpose is to ensure that all available taxpayer resources are considered. and that the council and the administration can collaboratively determine the level of free cash that will be applied to reduce the projected property tax increase. We can send that in writing. I'll send it to you.

It's a motion to committee for all of those reasons. Is there a second?

I was just going to say Just for clarification, is it a motion to continue or a motion to committee, Councilor Govan?

I guess it's a motion to continue. I want to postpone the vote for now.

Okay.

Okay, a motion to continue. Thank you. Thank you. Is there a second? Second. Motion made by Councilor Govan, and we will send the reasons. to continue seconded by Councilor Hearst. Is there any discussion on the continuance? Councilor Davila, followed by Councilor Walsh.

Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I will be VOTING AGAINST THE MOTION, EVEN THOUGH I CAN APPRECIATE THE GOOD SPIRIT AND THE GOOD INTENTION OF SAID MOTION. MADAME PRESIDENT, I HELD QUITE A FEW OFFICE HOURS THIS YEAR TO TALK TO RESIDENTS ABOUT THE BUDGET. AND I WAS VERY CLEAR WITH THEM. AND I TOLD THEM, IT'S VERY LIKELY THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE. And they got upset. Understandably so. Keep in mind that most of us are also homeowners, so our property tax is also going to go up. But I also did ask them a specific question. I asked them, do you still want your city services? And they say, of course we do. We want... A rose plow. We want the cops. We want the fighter. I do too. I do too. So I was very straightforward with them, and they understood it. And from my perspective, when I spoke to my constituents, even not only in Forest Park, some people would shout to me from throughout the city. They don't like it, but they understand it. I don't want to pay more money. Trust me, I cry every month when I pay more mortgage. So, like the mayor was saying, Madame President, we had this budget for what, 21, 27 days now? I met with the CAFO. I asked my questions. I asked some of you, my beloved colleagues, your thoughts, your opinions. I'm ready to move this forward. We've been talking about this for six years now, the same subject every year. And to me, this is an opportunity, of course, to keep drumming the drum about finding ways to increase revenues to the city And Madam President, we'll be voting against the motion. If I may, if I got 30 seconds, I think I may have left or a minute. If you find that I would like to see that time for the mayor to respond, I believe he wanted to make a comment at your discretion. Thank you, Madam President.

Yes, but I had to respect my colleague on the council. So he can't just jump in. We still have to follow procedures of the city council. And that's why I wanted her to continue her thought. The mayor is welcome to speak.

Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Council Davila. As I have done the last number of years, I have worked with the council in a sustainable way to continue to bring tax relief. And as our award-winning CAFO and finance team, Kathy Bono, indicated to me, it is estimate and premature. We don't know what other situations or emergencies might crop up. The council was able to pass some free cash when we had to deal with other situations. But I think it was DOR once again indicating over South Hadley about the use of free cash. But I've done it before. I've committed free right now. And I'm more than willing to work with the council on what is sustainable to continue to bring tax relief to residents and business community. But Council DeVille hit it right in the head. People want services. And if you're going to cut those services, they're gonna say, why aren't you doing it for me anymore? Council wanted to make cuts. We had to cut and lay off people. How do I get the service done? You're gonna have to go private now. It's privatized, which means the price is gonna be actually higher. So you end up being penny wise and pound foolish. But listen, the proof's in my track record. I have worked with the council a number of years on the budget. And then when it comes time when we know for certain what free cash is and we don't have to deal with any emergency situations, I look to build upon that to continue to bring tax relief. So, I give you my word I'll continue to do that, but I cannot, I'm not gonna give you, I can give you concretely right now, three million. Targeted tax relief, and those going for residents that fall through the cracks. Our statutes here with the committee that we have, Councilor Fenton serves on that committee. Ethel Griffin serves on that committee. She's helped many people with revitalized Springfield stay in their homes. Jessica Guerra, Treasurer Steve Lonergan on investments serves on that. And retired police officer, veteran and veteran of the year, Jose Feliciano serves on that too. They're making the rules and regulations. We're already looking at proposed $15,000 more than the 41C circuit breaker on the state, which makes many more residents eligible for relief on top of what they might be possibly eligible if it's a statutory thing, if it's blind or veteran. And working with the council, we redoubled everything for the council, with the council, money-wise. We dropped ages from 70 to 65. So many times when I talk to residents and they say, if I say you have this avenue, you do this, did you do that? It's too much paperwork for me. So if you don't put it in, we can't do it. Or if it's a 41C, they need to see your finances. Oh, I can't do that. Well, they want to make sure you really need it and not take away from someone else. And the assessors, the department with Jessica Guerrero, the chairman and Melanie, have really followed through, personalized services that Patrick did when he was here. Literally one-on-ones. We've gone out, council's requested. They've gone out to neighborhood meetings. They've gone out to community centers. They've gone out to the Ray Jordan centers to tell people what to do. But the point is here, it's your prerogative. You want to cut the budget? Cut the budget. I would advise you not, but I mean, when services and layoffs occur and they call me, it's gonna be, you gotta talk to your city councilors at this point in time. Again, I'm painting a picture for you when you see many other surrounding communities, layoffs, service cuts, and on top of that, Proposition 2 1⁄2 overrides. Springfield is doing no such thing. I mean, this is something that we should be proud of. You know, we worked hard to knock down that $23 million gap. Superintendent Denault's gonna work hard with Pat Roach the following year, knocking down that gap. And we always front forward our funding to the classroom with the kids. So I'm just saying, if you wanted to, one counselor said, can you go back to, he supported back to me from the committee meetings, can you go back to last year's tax rate? $20 million cut on top of what we've done. Services will have to go. Bodies who render those services have to go. So when you start doing that, the residents and business community are going, what the hell am I paying taxes for? But as I've done before, I give you my word. I have $3 million in the kitty now. And what we see what happens when we have a finalized certified number from DOR, we will look at that free cash thing and see what is sustainable and able to do that is fiscally prudent. Don't forget, 20 years ago or more, I sat on the other side there as council president and sat on the control board. And I remember being here with the city council prior to the control board coming in. And we had a $20 million gap. And many councilors said, we're going to do it ourselves. We'll cut that. We were here until 1.30 in the morning. We cut $168,000. Because nobody, oh, no, no, no. That's going to affect my neighborhood. Oh, no, no. We can't touch that. $168,000. Now, if you have the intestinal fortitude to do that, Fine, that's your prerogative. But this is a good budget that provides for each and every one of your neighborhoods, cities, and businesses. And that's, I'm sure when you get calls, we need this done, we need that done, those calls would have to go unanswered now. So I give you my word as done before. Once I get free cash certified, if there's free cash that is certified, I will look into trying to build on that number of three million right now. But there is a myriad of tax relief programs that residents can avail themselves to in working with the city council. So, you know, we want to keep our city moving forward. We don't want to be draconian at all. So I'm going to stop at that point in time.

Thank you. We do want to get through the deliberation. And so we're just going to ask that we, you don't comment on every point unless a specific question. Is actually mayor so that we can make sure we hear from all of the counselors and you will be given the opportunity to answer all those questions. Counselor Walsh.

I don't know if I want to go next. You know, mayor seems to me 27 days. It could be a movie. I'm prepared to vote tonight and support the mayor's budget. As the mayor outlined, I think it's a good message that we can give to our constituents, even though a billion dollars is going to raise eyebrows. I mean, all court services are protected. It's budget. There's no layoffs. And I'm always very happy when, Mayor, and you remember this too, when the parks are open and the pools are open. It hasn't always been the case. There was had there's been cases in other budgets where we had pastors in the city making sermons to keep our pools open in the city. So whenever they're protected in here, I'm all for it. And I am very happy that we continue to support our veterans and their families. So I am going to support this and vote against the motion.

Thank you. Thank you. Any other counselors on the motion to continue? No, not on the motion to continue. All right. Seeing none, Madam Clerk. Counselor Govan, your hand is still up. Is it for?

Just one more comment. I'm sorry. So I'm not proposing that we make any cuts to the budget. What I'm requesting is that we have time to talk about the commitment that can be made to make sure that our residents are being thought about at least. Right now, I get complaints that they're paying taxes and what is being done with their tax dollars. They're still saying that, I know that. So this is a motion to be able to talk with the mayor. $3 million sounds like a lot of money, but that doesn't really do anything to relief property taxpayers. And this is for taxpayers who are working, who don't qualify for any programs, no matter how low the bar is going to be. And I get calls like that from everybody all over the city. So that's the only reason that I did propose this. And I'm hoping that we can at least have a conversation. And if this doesn't pass, I will continue to have this conversation because I think that we as a body need to be responding to our constituents. When our constituents, you know, come to us and say, hey, this is what we need. This is what I'm going to bring up. It's not me saying it. It's my constituents saying it. So thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Counselor Govan. Any other comments or questions from counselors? On the motion. Seeing none, Madam Clerk, please call the roll on the motion to continue.

On the motion to continue, Councillor Santinello.

No.

No. Councillor Martin.

No.

No. Councillor Perez. No. No. Councillor Brown.

No.

No. Councillor Govan.

Yes.

Yes. Councillor Walsh. No. No. Councillor Hurst?

Yes.

Yes. Councillor Davila?

Yes. My apologies, Madam President. I meant to say no.

No. Councillor Fenton?

No.

No. Councillor Delgado?

No.

No. Councillor Click-Bruce?

No.

No. Councillor Edwards?

No.

No. Councillor Whitfield? Yes. Yes. Motion fails.

Are there any other comments that want to be made on the budget? Councillor Fenton? No, I think Councilor Click-Bruce was first, followed by Councilor Vincent, followed by Councilor Delgado.

Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Mayor Sano, for your overview on the budget. I just wanted to publicly ask this question to you. I think I asked it to Kathy during our budget hearings, but I just wanted to get on the record, too. Make sure that we try to get some resolution with the dispensaries that are in the areas. I know that's some money that should be coming to our city. I know there, well, I think there was something on a state level where it's holding that money up, but I think that would be some helpful to our city if we could try to, you know, push that forward as best as we can. So those are my comments on the budget.

Thank you, Councillor Click-Bruce. Councillor Fenton?

COUNCILOR GELGADO. THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. THANK YOU, MAYOR SERNO, FOR THE BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE BUDGET. I KNOW IT'S REALLY TOUGH TO GO IN HERE, AND YOU GUYS HAVE GONE IN WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB AND LOOKED THROUGH EVERYTHING. I DO APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE, PARTICULARLY IN THE PARKS. I'VE SEEN A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON THERE. I DO HAVE A SET OF QUESTIONS. THE FIRST SET ARE KIND OF HR RELATED. I think it was last week I asked Bill on some stats around the two-year residency in terms of how many folks we have hired within the time that we've changed the two-year residency and how many folks have left. And the rationale for my questioning on that is because it costs us money every time we have to hire new people.

Counselor, the residency compliance unit met this week. We discussed your question. We're going to gather the statistics as best we can, and we'll get them to you. But we don't have them right now for you.

All right. Second question I have, which is based off of the skills-based hiring that I sponsored last year and my colleagues here supported me. I think one of the folks three-on-one on the meeting on Tuesday said that They're still having challenges hiring people, and they still have the bachelor's degree requirement on the 301. So I guess I'm wondering, that's kind of what the ordinance was designed to do, is to break down those type of challenges and see what we can do. So why is that still there?

So that's actually a product of collective bargaining. We've discussed that with you in the past. We have not made any changes to the 311 position. That position is graded at the level that it's graded as, which is a higher level, because we did require the bachelor's degree. And if we were going to do something other than that, we would probably be reducing the value of that position and the salaries for the people that go into that job. And we don't think that would be a great result. And it would also be a subject for collective bargaining with the upseat bargaining unit if we were going to do anything along that lines. I would add, though, I did go back and look after our conversation. We had, I think, seven positions posted. And just to address at least the one in my department that's out there right now, we amended that job description in January. We did skill-based hiring on that. So instead of just having a bachelor's in five, we just took a straight nine of related experience so that people could get that. We did have two positions that are posted that do require A MASTER'S DEGREE, AND THOSE ARE BOTH IN THE LIBRARY DEPARTMENT. THEY'RE THE PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS, AND I THINK ALL THOSE POSITIONS REQUIRE AN MLS.

I WILL ADD ON THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PIECE. I KNOW WE DID DISCUSS THAT. I believe the bargaining unit was in support of that, so I'll leave it with that. Next question I have, I think the challenge that we're seeing here is we obviously need new revenue to come in, and I was just hoping to see, you know, another thing that, you know, we worked on was the school bus camera resolution, and I'm trying to understand where are we at on that. My prime goal for that was the safety of the students, but I know that there is a financial component involved to that, and so I just want to know if there was any update on progress on that.

I believe we were going out to bid on that. That's my understanding. I also understand, I know Chicopee's implemented, and I guess they've had some issues, and then there was a question of the budget also, and what the city would ... Our first priority, Jose, and I agree with you, is about the safety of our children, but there was some question And when those things were given out, a lot of them had to be brought back because it didn't happen. I'm all for the safety of the kids, so we want to go out. Billy, am I correct? I know Billy, you've been dealing directly on that. That's going to go out to Ben. Yeah, bid is currently being drafted. And then also, you know, it's the auspices of the police department, too. So the input of Police Superintendent Larry Akers has been very important on if this program's a move forward, how it's going to properly operate, what will the courts recognize or not recognize. And again, I know people told me that with Chicopee, they've been working out some kinks there where ticket things were issued And they were not valid at that point in time with new programs. But the bid's going out. And why the bid is going out, again, is we want to dictate the process, which is to benefit not only keeping our students safe, which I know Dr. Null appreciates, but what is beneficial for the city, not the company telling us, you know, every company should be able to make a dollar if you're doing a good job. Don't get me wrong. But a bid is going out, so we dictate the process of what is going to be a positive, not only protecting children, but what's going to be positive for the city of Springfield, too. Because there's a cost to this also, too.

For sure. And then the last question I have is, and Kathy's been great. I did ask for a budget line item, and... I GOT THE BREAKDOWN BASED OFF OF HIGH LEVEL CATEGORIES HERE. I GUESS THE QUESTION THAT I HAVE, AND I STILL THINK THIS IS REALLY GOOD TO LOOK AT, BUT I STILL DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING IN AND OUT. SO ONE OF THE REQUESTS I HAVE IS I'D LOVE TO SEE A BREAKDOWN OF SALARIES FOR THE CITY DETAILED BY POSITION, AND THEN ANY LINE ITEM HERE THAT IS OVER $100,000, I'D LOVE TO SEE A BREAKDOWN OF THAT SO WE CAN ACTUALLY SEE WHAT'S COMING IN AND OUT. BECAUSE I SAID THIS LAST YEAR AND YEARS BEFORE, OR AT LEAST THE OTHER YEAR BEFORE, IT'S GREAT TO LOOK AT, BUT IT'S LIKE LOOKING AT A CAR, YOU DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT'S UNDER THE HOOD. SO I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE. BECAUSE IF WE'RE ASKING THE COUNCIL TO DO THEIR JOB AND TO MAKE CUTS, and you're just looking at a high-level number, I mean, we're not really able to do that really well with that. And while I think 21 days, you know, to some folks is a lot, I mean, you know, that can go by really fast. So I think that's one of the requests I have is a breakdown of line items over $100,000 broken down, and I know that's – A LOT OF STUFF THERE, BUT I THINK THAT WOULD HELP PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF WHO REALLY WANT TO SEE HOW CAN WE WORK TO CUT. AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE TO WORK WITH US, BECAUSE I REMEMBER LAST YEAR WE WORKED ON THE POSITION STUFF. SO YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH US, BUT I STILL WOULD LOVE TO SEE WHAT'S COMING IN AND OUT. SO THANK YOU.

NEW SPEAKER THANK YOU, COUNCILOR. COUNCILOR FINCHER. BEFORE THAT, I JUST HAVE TO ASK COUNCILOR DELGADO TO STEP UP FOR A MINUTE. This keeps happening to me. I have to take a quick break.

Thank you.

Thank you. Sorry. Thank you. All right.

All right.

Councilor Fenton.

Thank you, Mr. President. Motion to call the question. Second.

So we have a motion to call the question seconded by Councilor Edwards. Do we have any more discussion on that?

Nope. I don't have any discussion. I just think it would only be fair if we do call the questions to at least wait for Madam President to come back for our vote.

That's fine with me. And I just have my hand raised. Well, Mr. Vice President.

Point of order, Mr. President. There is no discussion on a motion to call a question, but I'd be happy to have a two-minute recess to wait for Madam President to come back to dispose of it.

Any objections from my colleagues on a two-minute recess? All right, two minute recess.

Thank you for your patience and that brief recess. I just wanted to let Councillors know that a yes vote on calling the questions means there's no deliberation and we go right into the vote for the budget. A no vote means we can still deliberate on the budget. So I just wanted to make sure folks are aware of what calling the question does. Motion made to call the question by Councillor Fenton, seconded by Councillor Edwards. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

On the motion to move the question, Councillor Santanello.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Martin.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Perez. Yes. Yes, Councillor Brown.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Govan. Yes. Councillor Govan, can you please repeat your vote? Yes. Yes, Councillor Walsh.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Hurst.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Davila.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Fenton.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Delgado.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Klick-Bruce.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Edwards.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Whitfield. Yes.

Motion approves. Madam Clerk, please call the roll on the approval of the budget.

On approval of the FY27 budget, Councillor Santanello.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Martin.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Perez. Yes. Yes, Councillor Brown.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Govan. No. No, Councillor Walsh. Yes. Yes, Councillor Hurst.

No.

No, Councillor Davila.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Fenton.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Delgado.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Click-Bruce.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Edwards.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Whitfield. No. Motion approved.

FY27 budget is approved.

Thank you, councillors. Thank you.

Madame Clerk, please call the next item on the agenda. We're not done. We've got three more items. Did y'all have the agenda? Did y'all have the agenda? Thank you. They thought they were done. Madam Clerk, please call the next item on the agenda. The next item on the agenda.

Madam Clerk, please call the next item on the agenda. The next item on the agenda is the FY27 budget retained earnings.

Can you turn on the mic? Thank you.

Sorry about that. Thank you, Madam President. Good evening, councillors.

Name and address for the record.

Oh, yes. Chris Frazier, Emerson Street, Springfield, budget director.

Thank you.

I saw the colleagues get up. I thought I was going to get off the hook, but...

I know. It's all right. I'm like, what's happening?

That's all right. All right, so we have three orders in front of you still to discuss. The first one is enterprise fund retained earnings. That is a funding source that will be used for the FY27 enterprise fund budget in DPW, the solid waste, in the amount of $1,138,168. Thank you. Any questions or comments on item number two from counselors?

Seeing none, Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

On approval, Councillor Santanello. On approval, Councillor Santanello. Yes. Councillor Martin. Yes. Yes, Councillor Perez. Yes. Yes, Councillor Brown.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Govan. Yes. Away, Councillor Walsh.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Hurst. Away, Councillor Davila. Yes. Yes, Councillor Fenton.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Delgado.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Klick-Bruce.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Edwards.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Whitfield. Yes.

Item approved. Madam Clerk, please call the next item on the agenda.

The next item is the FY27 Budget Enterprise Fund. Yes, this budget will be...

Sorry, I keep doing that. The FY27 budget for the DPW Solid Waste Enterprise Fund is $13,962,617. Sorry, too many numbers floating around tonight. And that is their operating budget for the next fiscal year.

Thank you. Any questions or comments from councillors? Seeing none, Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

An approval, Councillor Santanello.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Martin.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Perez. Yes. Yes, Councillor Brown.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Govan. Away, Councillor Walsh. Yes. Yes, Councillor Hurst. Away, Councillor Davila.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Benton.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Delgado.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Click-Bruce.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Edwards.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Woodfield.

Yes. Item approved. Madam Clerk, please call the final item on the agenda.

The last item is FY27 budget order revolving funds.

Thank you. This order is just to approve the budgetary caps for each of the revolving funds that the city has.

Any questions or comments?

Councillor Fenty. Thank you, Madam President. Just one. I noticed, Chris, going back, that they're all the same except for the homelessness revolving fund for health and human services. That one's tripling from $1 million to $3 million. Do you know why?

I do not have that information from you at this moment, Counselor, but I'd be happy to speak with Commissioner Calton and follow up with you offline if that would be okay. That would be great.

Thank you. I can actually speak to that, Counselor. The revenue for that revolving fund is actually a grant. So we had to increase the amount because the grant that we get is a couple million dollars a year.

So the grant's gone up?

No, the grant was always that high, but we've just increased it to a lot for the grant funding that goes into that account.

Thank you.

It's a new revolving fund. I think it just started last year, so we just made that adjustment.

Thank you.

Any other questions or comments from councillors? Seeing none, Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

On approval, Councillor Santanello.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Martin.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Perez. Yes. Yes, Councillor Browne.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Govan, away. Councillor Walsh. Yes. Yes, Councillor Hurst, away. Councillor Davila. Yes. Yes, Councillor Fenton.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Delgado.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Click-Bruce.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Edwards.

Yes.

Yes, Councillor Whitfield.

Yes. Item approved. The next... City Council meeting will be Monday for a regular meeting, June 1st. See you all then. Meeting adjourned.