Video index
1. Call Meeting to Order
7
2. Prayer: TBD
Delnicki
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Roll Call
Roll call (9 Present, 0 Absent, 0 Excused)
5. Public Input [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Town Council.]
Kathy Daugherty - Chairman Republican - passing of Cary Prague - individual who did so much for others. Cary did more for others than he did for himself. Cary's license plate was I <3 SW. He was member of the chamber of commerce, past member of BOE and member of rotary. He was awarded the rotary's highest honor. he loved serving the public but not for the accollades. Whatever Cary did he did with the best interests of South Windsor in mind. As a community we could learn much from Cary from the example he set. South Windsor will miss Cary's enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment to the Town. Cary would ask that his seat not be vacated for long. Filling his shoes will be impossible. Mayor asked if Council wanted to share thoughts.
5. Public Input [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Town Council.]
Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail - 2 items on agenda asking for nine years, pension & healthcare. Asked the Council not to discuss healthcare until they read pages that are incorrect in the audit. There is a false statement in the audit report. Prefer the health discussion held after pages 41 & 45 read in the audit report. Kevin McCann - 170 Drive - Council opposes 3 minutes comment from the public. Asked for it to be extended another 2 or 3 minutes. Comments of Kathy Daughtery, God Bless Cary Prague. Thank you to Delnicki for prayer. Thank Council for wonderful presentation in honor of Cary Prague a few weeks ago. Want to address rule changes on agenda. Many changes make a lot of sense. In past, staff members would deliver agendas to homes. Much more reasonable to send by electronic means. All councilors should have the ability to do that. There are changes that should be rethought. One is limit public speaking to 3 minutes. That is a change from the existing rules which ask the electors to limit their comments to three minutes. Also provide for electors to conintue to speak if public partiicipation has not been used up. Limits comments of the public. Council let him continue. Meetings should be changed to 7pm. Council did away with work sessions and should go back to work sessions in order to hold discussions. If concern is meeting to go on too long, meetings should be cut in the conduct for the rest of the meeting. Unnecessary for Councilors to summarize and put own spin on others comments. When councilors speak, they speak for themselves. There should be some control of the Council discussion itself. Understand the impulse to go on. Should not limit public. Public input and public participation have been melded togehter and confused. Council let McCann continue. Item 5 said that public would have 20 minutes to talk about things not on the agenda. 30 inutes to talk to items not on the agenda. At some point, the agenda was changed so public partcipation came after agenda items which did not make sense. Hope take comments into consideration and improve conduct and orderly fashion of meetings.
6. Environmental Health & Safety Message
7. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meetings
Mirek, Snyder - Unanimous
8. Public Petitions
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council
10. Reports from Standing Committees
Wagner - Energy Committee - Energize South Windsor program is very successful. Homeowners have been saving up to $7500 throughout the community. Did not have all the data, will receive it next month. Of those people, 38 already applied for insulation rebates. Producing some of the cleanest energy in town. Solarize South Windsor is getting underway. Workshop in november. People already signing up for solar power under the program. Workshops scheduled in January and February. Solar ambassadors will host tours of their houses. Press release coming out soon. Deadline March 17th for partcipation and contract signed. Rebates from the state that come with buying solar . Rebates are going down on January 1st. Working on issuing RFP to obtain pricing for LED streetlights. hoping to send RFP out in January. Paterna - Report on Priest Farm Projects. Submitted grant to State for 10k. Should know in about 3 weeks. $4000 from SW Community Foundation. Could total $14k to research feasibility for building. Wagner - Sidewalk & Bikeways Subcommitttee - Public Information Session tomorrow 12/16. Connecting sidewalks from Town Hall to Town Center. Two options on table. One is to have sidewalk run in front of church. One is to have sidewalk run behind church and connect to Oakland. 7:30pm 12/16 in Council Chambers.
11. Reports of Temporary Committees
12. Consent Agenda [All items listed with an asterisk (*) are considered to be routine by the Town Council and will be enacted by one Motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council member so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the General Order of Business and be considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.]
13. Unfinished Business
A. Resolution Removing from the Table Item 14. A. of the Town Council's Regular Meeting of December 1, 2014 - Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Sign and Execute a Participation Agreement for Municipal Textile Recycling Services Between the Town of South Windsor and Bay State Textiles, inc.
13. Unfinished Business (Continued)
Pendleton, Delnicki - Unanimous
B. Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Sign and Execute a Participation Agreement for Municipal Textile Recycling Services Between the Town of South Windsor and Bay State Textiles, Inc.
Delnicki, Havens - Delnicki said many issues that had not been resolved . Should council vote? Galligan said Council should table. Town Attorney has not given a written opinion, only verbal discussion on RFP issue. Delnicki, Snyder - unaminous table
C. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article I, Section 2
Wagner, Havens - 5-3 Not pass
D. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article I, Section 3 (a)
Snyder, Delnicki - Unanimous
E. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article I, Section 3 (c)
Havens, Delnicki - Uanimous
F. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article I, Section 3 (e)
Paterna, Pendleton - 5-3 not pass
G. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article IV, Section 2 (d)
Mirek, Anwar - 5-3 not pass
H. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article IV, Section 2 (e)
Pendleton, Paterna - 5-3 not pass
I. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article V, Section 1 (c)
Delnicki, Paterna - 7-1 pass
J. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article V, Section 1 (f) (g) and (h)
Wagner, Delnicki - unanimous Wagner previous items with 3 minutes voted down, need change?
K. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article VII, Section 1 (a)
Snyder, Delnicki - Unanimous
L. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article VII, Section 1 (c)
Havens, Pendleton - Unanimous
M. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article VIII, Section 4
Paterna, Delnicki - Unanimous
N. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article IX, Section 7 (a)
13. Unfinished Business (Continued)
Mirek, Delnicki - Unanimous
O. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article IX, Section 7 (a) - Audit Committee
Pendleton, Wagner - tabled. Motion to vote postpone, wagner, delnicki, unanimous. Wagner suggested tabling consideration. Delnicki suggested discussion. Wagner said that he has been on the Audit Committee and looking for a statement of their scope. Wording should be considered. Is this what we want the Audit Committee to be doing? Delnicki said it summarizes the Audit Committee but a clause should be added. Requirement to submit in writing at one meeting and act on it at next meeting. Yagaloff said that Debbie Reid realized there was no committee description and pulled together the description. One was also done for the Energy Committee. Correct in tabling resolution.
P. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article IX, Section 7 (a) - Energy Committee
R. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article XI
13.Q Havens, Delnicki - unanimous Mirek, pointed out typo Wagner - Ambualnce should not be capitalized 13.R Snyder, Delnicki - unanimous Wagner says 13.C, should meeting start at 8pm? Meeting should start at 7pm according to rest of Council. Anwar said it was not a time issue. The motion did not pass for other reasons. Delnicki said that he was under the impression that the 12/2013 amendment was 7pm and should not be affected. Snyder asked about page 15 in rules & procedures. Article 10, 11, 12 need to be changed. Anwar thanked Debbie Reid for keeping track of changes.
Delnicki, Wagner - table Delnicki, Wagner - Unanimous Delnicki suggested adding BOE in the Energy Committee charge with BOE buildings. Dividing line between Town and BOE, share opportunities. Wagner said Energy Committee required either Dr. Carter or designee to be on Committee. Pat Hankard is on Committee. Two more Councilors should be on Committee if included as Standing Committee. Mirek asked if it would include other buildings such as Fire Stations. Galligan said all Fire Stations are considered. We could all realize energy savings. Next year's budget could see a proposal to include maintaining firehouses. All buildings will be included. Paterna asked if BOE could be invited to sit or require them to sit. Anwar said it is not required, but many BOE members sit on committees. Galligan said BOE cannot be required to serve on committees. They are invited to participate. Invite BOE to partcipate in Energy Committee if wanted. Wagner suggested changing buildings to public facilities. Delnicki said naming BOE and invitinig them would encourage partnership. One Town One Future. Taxpayer has to pay bills, and could save money with both Town and BOE.
14. New Business
A. Resolution Appointing the Current WPCA Members to Transition Terms and Postponing Consideration of this Motion until the Town Council's Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting
Wagner, Pendleton - unanimous Wagner said that appointments were discussed with the WPCA. Dickinson volunteered to have term shortened. Vees also has term changed because of error in original appointment.
B. Resolution Reappointment Marion Burke (U) to the Housing Authority and Postponing Consideration of this Motion until the Town Council's Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting
Paterna, Delnicki - unanimous Pendleton asked about the (U). Mirek said document is provided. Paterna said that resident must be part of the Housing Authority and has been doing a great job. Anwar said that the largest segment of voters are unaffiliated. Many do not get to serve on committees and commissions. They should have more opportunities to serve on the boards. Question for each of the parties to research. Support the resolution. Delnicki read Marion Burke's letter into the record. Supports resolution. Havens said Housing Authority is one of the quietest commissions yet the waiting time to get into housing is long. Council has talked about more senior housing many times. Senior citizens want to live in town as they age. Council should look at this item in one form or another. Towns have been getting grants for housing and that should be researched.
C. Resolution Approving a Refund of Taxes to Twenty-One (21) South Windsor Taxpayers
Mirek, Pendleton - unanimous
D. Discussion Item: Business Incubator, (requested by Councilor Mirek)
Mirek said that there is a copy of her email for the Council. Galligan said STEAP Grant is Small Economic Assistance Programs. The project must promote economic development in some way. 79 other towns applied during the last round. Program only had $10-12 million. Many communities were upset that SW got grant for an EOC/business incubator. Technology used in EOC would be same for incubator. Many years ago, state developed incubator program and rejected business incubator STEAP grant. Now, this is a technology incubator. Town is trying to use household businesses to use the facility to grow their business if they do not have the technology at their home. As business grows, the business would be funneled into the community. It would not be a permanent space for the business. It is technically not an incubator, but it is the closest term and that term has been used as a place to grow your business. SBA could come in and hold a class in the incubator. Many small businesses do not know how to run their business. LeBeau had two key people talk about the incubator. When incubator is up and running, a Rocky Hill business would be happy to come in and help businesses promote themselves. Main focus is EOC but there will not be emergencies all of the time. Training will be held in the EOC, but the space should be utilized 24/7. IT will be in the building. An area that is totally open could be used for business education. There are many mom & pop businesses who could use the push from the business incubator. Anwar congratulated the Town for acquiring a STEAP grant for $.5 million. State has been investing in business incubators/exorators. Various chamber members have been excited for the incubator. Smartest kids in entire region. Knowledge corridor needs businesses in this area because young adults are moving to other areas of the country. Investment in community and young minds. Lifeline for community. Invest in young minds and people reevaluating careers. Tax base from business is 18% and improving. More tax revenue from new businesses will make town depend less on residential taxes. Community wants economic development. State has rewarded the town with STEAP grant. Win/win strategy for community and town. Galligan said there is a very strong commitment for business in town. Buildings with 100k square feet but not getting clients for that space. Getting back into business and working with young entrepreneurs. Mirek asked if there would be a fee for the businesses, how many businesses would be mentored and vetted by the Chamber. Galligan said that Chamber spoke to many businesses about future expansion, etc. Those reports could be taken into that facility for education. Fee has not been thought about. Do not want to overburden mom & pop store, but Council could discuss item at a later date. Is not going to be moneymaker for town, more of a promotion. Mirek said that the town will get a return out of the investment. Galligan said if company wanted to use the space as a function, there could be a fee. Education should be free. Mirek asked about staff numbers in the EOC/incubator and program length. Galligan said that there will be lulls and periods of high activity. Most taxes come from expanding existing businesses, not new business. This would be a continuing program. Early stages now. He and shari have talked. Ongoing program for years if done correctly. Mirek said it would distinguish south windsor as business friendly town.
E. Discussion Item: Cost Containment Strategy, (requested by Councilor Wagner)
Wagner said that in previous years, a spending freeze has been imposed around this time by the Council. Personal belief is that freeze should only be done in an emergency. Even in emergency, management could give proper response. Review staff performance and spending in last fiscal year. No need to have another spending freeze. If sudden drop in revenue, management team should respond and inform Council. Compliment management team for bringing every single department under budget. Maybe problem with underspending as well. Not a year with spending freeze. Galligan said as current president of CCM, watched very carefully. Municipal spending is not going to be cut. Worried about MERS payments. Wrote letter to Barnes saying cannot cut $10 million. Suggested where to cut other funds. By end of this year, staff will be looking at some areas of revenue with concerns. Cut back a little bit. No freeze yet. Travel is miniscule. Projects & heavy duty items. Changing from ADP to paycheck was huge savings, $50k less. Pushing staff to look at expense side. What can we do better, cheaper, with same level of service. Revenue side, taxes are coming in. Blight ordinance was not budgeted for as revenue but there are some items. Delnicki said that there is a tremendous energy cost windfall and be mindful of tough economic times for residents. Remiss if Council does not consider that. Review monies coming in on January taxes. Could find a freeze is needed. Council has responsibility to taxpayer. Anwar said he brought about spending freeze last year based upon previous years. There are tough times. Recognizes both Wagner and Delnicki views. Saving as much as we can and finding lean mechanisms. Hiring freeze & traveling freeze are a statement that the Council makes in order to show community their concern. Provide services without causing strain on community. Galligan said that while he has been manager, he has never over-expended a budget. His job to watch the budget and take it seriously. Monitor everything as close as possible. Council has a fiduciary responsibility, and he will let Council know if he needs help. Havens said that in his business, if it is tough, he will say to watch those dollars and pennies. Council not being involved in times of stress would not be looked upon favorably. Express interest in how budget is doing in winter months. Freeze always seems to come with a surplus at the end of the year. Council wants to make sure that the public knows they are on top of the budget. Half freeze.
F. Discussion Item: Health Care Costs for Town Employees, (requested by Mayor Anwar)
Anwar asked Galligan about handout and a broad discussion. Audit report says town provides retired benefits for life. Page 43 talks about the funding policy. 100% of the premium is paid by the retiree. Group rate is given as an option. BOE are entitled to certain items but 100% of premium is paid by retirees. Police Dept, town contributes 75% of premium for officers hired before 7/1/06. Anyone hired after must pay 100% premium at own expense. Out of all PD retirees, only one is at 75% premium. All other unions must have employee retire to get benefit and must pay 100% of premium. Analysis done 8 years ago that what was being charged by Anthem was costing town money premium based. Dr. Wood & Galligan created self-insured ordinance. Municipalities have premium tax that must be paid at 2% if not self-insured. Healthcare costs are not sustainable if not self-insured. Researched high deductible plans. Managing costs and health. Wellness programs can be featured on an HSA. Paying full amount in HSA reduced town's claims. HDHP of $2000/$4000. Employees contributing $750 and $1500 out of pocket on this plan. Saving $768 per month per family when going from PPO to HSA. Figure out claims, deduct that, and come up with premium. People are managing health more when they are paying for it. Wyman, treasurer, said town's plan was less than state plan a few years ago. Partnership between state and municipality healthcare. State dental plan is more expensive with less benefits than town's. Why would town pay more to get less? Medical plan will be more expensive because it is richer. Vanessa Perry spent a lot of time researching this with state employees. Do we want to change? Copay $15 for state. Not wiht town. Employee has checking account. When that is depleted, only then does it go against the town. Town does not have vision plan, state does. Current balance - BOE $3.1 million fund balance, Town $1.6 million fund balance. Overall, balance represents 28% of reserved money for claims. Town and BOE in good position. After next negotiations, need to sit down with Council and ask what to offer in future. May be the time to discuss plans with regard to affordable care act. HSA iis mandatory. HMO & PPO are used until HSA open enrollment for new employees. Ideas moving forward regarding healthcare costs. Should be discussed in negotations and executive session. HSA has made employees a lot more aware of their healthcare. HSA stays with employee until they are 65. Anwar asked Galligan if there are opportunities for regional or statewide collaboration. Galligan said 17 years ago, CIRMA, Galligan asked president of CCM at the time about regional healthcare. Pushing through CCM for town collaboration. New York had empire plan, 68% increase, municipalities opted out and self-insured. Healthcare is done by counties in NY and self-insured. NY state legislation allows collaborative healthcare. Needs to be balanced between various municipalities. CIRMA is the largest insurer in state of CT for municipalities for LAP insurance. Mirek asked about mandatory physicals for fire department and insurance companies that provide credits for physicals and other wellness objectives. CCM prescription plan only for residents and has saved over $50k. If employee signs up for assessment, $50 deposited for account. Galligan said he hopes the prescription plan could expand into healthcare. Anwar asked Galligan to inform the Council in the future about the ACA. Galligan is more concerned about the BOE with their PPO plans. Construction union will be hit hardest. Anwar suggested collaberation with peer group towns. Galligan said Anthem will compare trends between towns.
G. Discussion Item: Pension Costs for Town Employees, (requested by Mayor Anwar)
Galligan said that when Sartor was manager, he used the ICMA plan. Only 4 people were allowed on in that time because it was a management plan. Town created plan with 4.5% contributions. Government said cannot discriminate pension with employees. Galligan said all management people hired should be offered ICMA 401 and not defined benefit. If Galligan was in defined benefit, he would be retired as well as about 15 other employees. Plan needs to be matched. For young employees, it is a great plan. Older employees need to play catch-up. Negotiations with police dept, cannot sustain costs in the future. Any new employee hired after 7/1/06 would be defined contribution, not defined benefit. Every union negotiation after that now has the same requirements. The plan is not 12%. Employee contributes 6% and Town contributes 6%. Future substantial savings with these negotiations. Town salaries are slightly lower and need the better benefits in order to stay competitive. Not many towns in the region have this option. Marketability issue. Overtime is not paid in pensions. Base salary issue. Analysis of workers comp claims come from older employees who overextend themselves. If they are in good shape, they can stay, but it is their money if they want to take another less risky job. Defined benefit, public works have to be 60 before they retire. If they get hurt, they could be paid for life if they incur a disability. It is a fact of life and not a statement about the workers. Next step is any new management people coming in the future will get the 6/6%. Anwar asked for clarification on BOE. Galligan said BOE does not have defined contribution. They have defined benefit. Union rejected it in the most recent negotations. Teachers are covered under state pension. Custodians, etc. have defined benefit. Anwar said if BOE goes to defined contribution, it would save money in the future. Galligan said the town has been having a good pension year. Galligan said the Council was provided a copy of retirement plan.
H. Discussion Item: Status of the Dashboard, (requested by Mayor Anwar)
Galligan said not going with origianl company, too much money. Under GIS program, ability to do dashboard in-house cheaper. No cost to the Town. Easy for Council and more difficult for town employees. IT has created the app through GIS under their license. Ashley, Debbie, Matt able to control the dashboard system. Anwar said he understood it would keep track of questions, issue, etc. that council members are seeking input on. Galligan said it is correct and it will be trackable. Anwar said that a excel document could also do this. Galligan said that is the basic premise and it would also include email updates. Wagner said he is looking forward to it. Asked if it would be visible to the public. Galligan said it not a public record. FOI request must be put in if the public wants to see it.
I. Discussion Item: Health Department Reorganization (requested by Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan)
Galligan said Sherry McGann is leaving the Town and the Town needs to look at reorganizing. State will be pushing the Town to have a full-time employee. Could also do regional effort, but fees would need to be charged. Department needs to be self-sustaining. Financial [portio will be discussed in executive session.
15. Passage of Ordinance
16. Communications and Reports from Town Manager [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed ten (10) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Council.]
Galligan, Town Atty, staff met with Dzen to come up with solution regarding Dzen Tree Farm. Suggestions with entrance to blueberry farm. Solid solution to help the farm and not hurt the taxpayers.
17. Public Input [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Town Council.]
Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail - Disagrees totally with Matt on health and pension. Throwing out things that do not exist for the average person in the average industry. Disagree with the health costs and pension. Auditors may be at fault. Page 45 is incorrect regarding retiree benefits. Galligan said the $700,000 is an actuarial report, not an audit report. If that money is not in there, the town will be penalized. Some of that benefit is for BOE custodians. Gonsalves said page 64 OPEB contribution is made. Galligan said it is an actuarial cost. Gonsalves said the Council should read the audit reports. Not satisfied with health & pension costs.
18. Communications and Petitions from Council [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed twenty (20) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Council.]
Anwar said that last meeting he interrupted Councilor Mirek and apologized. Mirek accepted. Anwar said Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year, etc. on behalf of the Council.
19. Executive Session
A. Discussion of documents containing financial information provided in confidence and exempt from disclosure pursuant to C.G.S. §1-200(6) and §1-210(b)(5)(B) regarding the Health Department Reorganization.
Delnicki, Wagner - unanimous Yagaloff amended resolution CGS 1-2-b, so noted by Delnicki
20. Adjournment
Dec 15, 2014 Town Council Meeting
Full agenda
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1. Call Meeting to Order
7
2. Prayer: TBD
Delnicki
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Roll Call
Roll call (9 Present, 0 Absent, 0 Excused)
5. Public Input [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Town Council.]
Kathy Daugherty - Chairman Republican - passing of Cary Prague - individual who did so much for others. Cary did more for others than he did for himself. Cary's license plate was I <3 SW. He was member of the chamber of commerce, past member of BOE and member of rotary. He was awarded the rotary's highest honor. he loved serving the public but not for the accollades. Whatever Cary did he did with the best interests of South Windsor in mind. As a community we could learn much from Cary from the example he set. South Windsor will miss Cary's enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment to the Town. Cary would ask that his seat not be vacated for long. Filling his shoes will be impossible. Mayor asked if Council wanted to share thoughts.
5. Public Input [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Town Council.]
Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail - 2 items on agenda asking for nine years, pension & healthcare. Asked the Council not to discuss healthcare until they read pages that are incorrect in the audit. There is a false statement in the audit report. Prefer the health discussion held after pages 41 & 45 read in the audit report. Kevin McCann - 170 Drive - Council opposes 3 minutes comment from the public. Asked for it to be extended another 2 or 3 minutes. Comments of Kathy Daughtery, God Bless Cary Prague. Thank you to Delnicki for prayer. Thank Council for wonderful presentation in honor of Cary Prague a few weeks ago. Want to address rule changes on agenda. Many changes make a lot of sense. In past, staff members would deliver agendas to homes. Much more reasonable to send by electronic means. All councilors should have the ability to do that. There are changes that should be rethought. One is limit public speaking to 3 minutes. That is a change from the existing rules which ask the electors to limit their comments to three minutes. Also provide for electors to conintue to speak if public partiicipation has not been used up. Limits comments of the public. Council let him continue. Meetings should be changed to 7pm. Council did away with work sessions and should go back to work sessions in order to hold discussions. If concern is meeting to go on too long, meetings should be cut in the conduct for the rest of the meeting. Unnecessary for Councilors to summarize and put own spin on others comments. When councilors speak, they speak for themselves. There should be some control of the Council discussion itself. Understand the impulse to go on. Should not limit public. Public input and public participation have been melded togehter and confused. Council let McCann continue. Item 5 said that public would have 20 minutes to talk about things not on the agenda. 30 inutes to talk to items not on the agenda. At some point, the agenda was changed so public partcipation came after agenda items which did not make sense. Hope take comments into consideration and improve conduct and orderly fashion of meetings.
6. Environmental Health & Safety Message
7. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meetings
Mirek, Snyder - Unanimous
8. Public Petitions
9. Communications from Officers and Boards Directly Responsible to Council
10. Reports from Standing Committees
Wagner - Energy Committee - Energize South Windsor program is very successful. Homeowners have been saving up to $7500 throughout the community. Did not have all the data, will receive it next month. Of those people, 38 already applied for insulation rebates. Producing some of the cleanest energy in town. Solarize South Windsor is getting underway. Workshop in november. People already signing up for solar power under the program. Workshops scheduled in January and February. Solar ambassadors will host tours of their houses. Press release coming out soon. Deadline March 17th for partcipation and contract signed. Rebates from the state that come with buying solar . Rebates are going down on January 1st. Working on issuing RFP to obtain pricing for LED streetlights. hoping to send RFP out in January. Paterna - Report on Priest Farm Projects. Submitted grant to State for 10k. Should know in about 3 weeks. $4000 from SW Community Foundation. Could total $14k to research feasibility for building. Wagner - Sidewalk & Bikeways Subcommitttee - Public Information Session tomorrow 12/16. Connecting sidewalks from Town Hall to Town Center. Two options on table. One is to have sidewalk run in front of church. One is to have sidewalk run behind church and connect to Oakland. 7:30pm 12/16 in Council Chambers.
11. Reports of Temporary Committees
12. Consent Agenda [All items listed with an asterisk (*) are considered to be routine by the Town Council and will be enacted by one Motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council member so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the General Order of Business and be considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.]
13. Unfinished Business
A. Resolution Removing from the Table Item 14. A. of the Town Council's Regular Meeting of December 1, 2014 - Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Sign and Execute a Participation Agreement for Municipal Textile Recycling Services Between the Town of South Windsor and Bay State Textiles, inc.
13. Unfinished Business (Continued)
Pendleton, Delnicki - Unanimous
B. Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Sign and Execute a Participation Agreement for Municipal Textile Recycling Services Between the Town of South Windsor and Bay State Textiles, Inc.
Delnicki, Havens - Delnicki said many issues that had not been resolved . Should council vote? Galligan said Council should table. Town Attorney has not given a written opinion, only verbal discussion on RFP issue. Delnicki, Snyder - unaminous table
C. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article I, Section 2
Wagner, Havens - 5-3 Not pass
D. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article I, Section 3 (a)
Snyder, Delnicki - Unanimous
E. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article I, Section 3 (c)
Havens, Delnicki - Uanimous
F. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article I, Section 3 (e)
Paterna, Pendleton - 5-3 not pass
G. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article IV, Section 2 (d)
Mirek, Anwar - 5-3 not pass
H. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article IV, Section 2 (e)
Pendleton, Paterna - 5-3 not pass
I. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article V, Section 1 (c)
Delnicki, Paterna - 7-1 pass
J. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article V, Section 1 (f) (g) and (h)
Wagner, Delnicki - unanimous Wagner previous items with 3 minutes voted down, need change?
K. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article VII, Section 1 (a)
Snyder, Delnicki - Unanimous
L. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article VII, Section 1 (c)
Havens, Pendleton - Unanimous
M. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article VIII, Section 4
Paterna, Delnicki - Unanimous
N. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article IX, Section 7 (a)
13. Unfinished Business (Continued)
Mirek, Delnicki - Unanimous
O. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article IX, Section 7 (a) - Audit Committee
Pendleton, Wagner - tabled. Motion to vote postpone, wagner, delnicki, unanimous. Wagner suggested tabling consideration. Delnicki suggested discussion. Wagner said that he has been on the Audit Committee and looking for a statement of their scope. Wording should be considered. Is this what we want the Audit Committee to be doing? Delnicki said it summarizes the Audit Committee but a clause should be added. Requirement to submit in writing at one meeting and act on it at next meeting. Yagaloff said that Debbie Reid realized there was no committee description and pulled together the description. One was also done for the Energy Committee. Correct in tabling resolution.
P. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article IX, Section 7 (a) - Energy Committee
R. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the South Windsor Town Council Rules and Procedures, Article XI
13.Q Havens, Delnicki - unanimous Mirek, pointed out typo Wagner - Ambualnce should not be capitalized 13.R Snyder, Delnicki - unanimous Wagner says 13.C, should meeting start at 8pm? Meeting should start at 7pm according to rest of Council. Anwar said it was not a time issue. The motion did not pass for other reasons. Delnicki said that he was under the impression that the 12/2013 amendment was 7pm and should not be affected. Snyder asked about page 15 in rules & procedures. Article 10, 11, 12 need to be changed. Anwar thanked Debbie Reid for keeping track of changes.
Delnicki, Wagner - table Delnicki, Wagner - Unanimous Delnicki suggested adding BOE in the Energy Committee charge with BOE buildings. Dividing line between Town and BOE, share opportunities. Wagner said Energy Committee required either Dr. Carter or designee to be on Committee. Pat Hankard is on Committee. Two more Councilors should be on Committee if included as Standing Committee. Mirek asked if it would include other buildings such as Fire Stations. Galligan said all Fire Stations are considered. We could all realize energy savings. Next year's budget could see a proposal to include maintaining firehouses. All buildings will be included. Paterna asked if BOE could be invited to sit or require them to sit. Anwar said it is not required, but many BOE members sit on committees. Galligan said BOE cannot be required to serve on committees. They are invited to participate. Invite BOE to partcipate in Energy Committee if wanted. Wagner suggested changing buildings to public facilities. Delnicki said naming BOE and invitinig them would encourage partnership. One Town One Future. Taxpayer has to pay bills, and could save money with both Town and BOE.
14. New Business
A. Resolution Appointing the Current WPCA Members to Transition Terms and Postponing Consideration of this Motion until the Town Council's Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting
Wagner, Pendleton - unanimous Wagner said that appointments were discussed with the WPCA. Dickinson volunteered to have term shortened. Vees also has term changed because of error in original appointment.
B. Resolution Reappointment Marion Burke (U) to the Housing Authority and Postponing Consideration of this Motion until the Town Council's Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting
Paterna, Delnicki - unanimous Pendleton asked about the (U). Mirek said document is provided. Paterna said that resident must be part of the Housing Authority and has been doing a great job. Anwar said that the largest segment of voters are unaffiliated. Many do not get to serve on committees and commissions. They should have more opportunities to serve on the boards. Question for each of the parties to research. Support the resolution. Delnicki read Marion Burke's letter into the record. Supports resolution. Havens said Housing Authority is one of the quietest commissions yet the waiting time to get into housing is long. Council has talked about more senior housing many times. Senior citizens want to live in town as they age. Council should look at this item in one form or another. Towns have been getting grants for housing and that should be researched.
C. Resolution Approving a Refund of Taxes to Twenty-One (21) South Windsor Taxpayers
Mirek, Pendleton - unanimous
D. Discussion Item: Business Incubator, (requested by Councilor Mirek)
Mirek said that there is a copy of her email for the Council. Galligan said STEAP Grant is Small Economic Assistance Programs. The project must promote economic development in some way. 79 other towns applied during the last round. Program only had $10-12 million. Many communities were upset that SW got grant for an EOC/business incubator. Technology used in EOC would be same for incubator. Many years ago, state developed incubator program and rejected business incubator STEAP grant. Now, this is a technology incubator. Town is trying to use household businesses to use the facility to grow their business if they do not have the technology at their home. As business grows, the business would be funneled into the community. It would not be a permanent space for the business. It is technically not an incubator, but it is the closest term and that term has been used as a place to grow your business. SBA could come in and hold a class in the incubator. Many small businesses do not know how to run their business. LeBeau had two key people talk about the incubator. When incubator is up and running, a Rocky Hill business would be happy to come in and help businesses promote themselves. Main focus is EOC but there will not be emergencies all of the time. Training will be held in the EOC, but the space should be utilized 24/7. IT will be in the building. An area that is totally open could be used for business education. There are many mom & pop businesses who could use the push from the business incubator. Anwar congratulated the Town for acquiring a STEAP grant for $.5 million. State has been investing in business incubators/exorators. Various chamber members have been excited for the incubator. Smartest kids in entire region. Knowledge corridor needs businesses in this area because young adults are moving to other areas of the country. Investment in community and young minds. Lifeline for community. Invest in young minds and people reevaluating careers. Tax base from business is 18% and improving. More tax revenue from new businesses will make town depend less on residential taxes. Community wants economic development. State has rewarded the town with STEAP grant. Win/win strategy for community and town. Galligan said there is a very strong commitment for business in town. Buildings with 100k square feet but not getting clients for that space. Getting back into business and working with young entrepreneurs. Mirek asked if there would be a fee for the businesses, how many businesses would be mentored and vetted by the Chamber. Galligan said that Chamber spoke to many businesses about future expansion, etc. Those reports could be taken into that facility for education. Fee has not been thought about. Do not want to overburden mom & pop store, but Council could discuss item at a later date. Is not going to be moneymaker for town, more of a promotion. Mirek said that the town will get a return out of the investment. Galligan said if company wanted to use the space as a function, there could be a fee. Education should be free. Mirek asked about staff numbers in the EOC/incubator and program length. Galligan said that there will be lulls and periods of high activity. Most taxes come from expanding existing businesses, not new business. This would be a continuing program. Early stages now. He and shari have talked. Ongoing program for years if done correctly. Mirek said it would distinguish south windsor as business friendly town.
E. Discussion Item: Cost Containment Strategy, (requested by Councilor Wagner)
Wagner said that in previous years, a spending freeze has been imposed around this time by the Council. Personal belief is that freeze should only be done in an emergency. Even in emergency, management could give proper response. Review staff performance and spending in last fiscal year. No need to have another spending freeze. If sudden drop in revenue, management team should respond and inform Council. Compliment management team for bringing every single department under budget. Maybe problem with underspending as well. Not a year with spending freeze. Galligan said as current president of CCM, watched very carefully. Municipal spending is not going to be cut. Worried about MERS payments. Wrote letter to Barnes saying cannot cut $10 million. Suggested where to cut other funds. By end of this year, staff will be looking at some areas of revenue with concerns. Cut back a little bit. No freeze yet. Travel is miniscule. Projects & heavy duty items. Changing from ADP to paycheck was huge savings, $50k less. Pushing staff to look at expense side. What can we do better, cheaper, with same level of service. Revenue side, taxes are coming in. Blight ordinance was not budgeted for as revenue but there are some items. Delnicki said that there is a tremendous energy cost windfall and be mindful of tough economic times for residents. Remiss if Council does not consider that. Review monies coming in on January taxes. Could find a freeze is needed. Council has responsibility to taxpayer. Anwar said he brought about spending freeze last year based upon previous years. There are tough times. Recognizes both Wagner and Delnicki views. Saving as much as we can and finding lean mechanisms. Hiring freeze & traveling freeze are a statement that the Council makes in order to show community their concern. Provide services without causing strain on community. Galligan said that while he has been manager, he has never over-expended a budget. His job to watch the budget and take it seriously. Monitor everything as close as possible. Council has a fiduciary responsibility, and he will let Council know if he needs help. Havens said that in his business, if it is tough, he will say to watch those dollars and pennies. Council not being involved in times of stress would not be looked upon favorably. Express interest in how budget is doing in winter months. Freeze always seems to come with a surplus at the end of the year. Council wants to make sure that the public knows they are on top of the budget. Half freeze.
F. Discussion Item: Health Care Costs for Town Employees, (requested by Mayor Anwar)
Anwar asked Galligan about handout and a broad discussion. Audit report says town provides retired benefits for life. Page 43 talks about the funding policy. 100% of the premium is paid by the retiree. Group rate is given as an option. BOE are entitled to certain items but 100% of premium is paid by retirees. Police Dept, town contributes 75% of premium for officers hired before 7/1/06. Anyone hired after must pay 100% premium at own expense. Out of all PD retirees, only one is at 75% premium. All other unions must have employee retire to get benefit and must pay 100% of premium. Analysis done 8 years ago that what was being charged by Anthem was costing town money premium based. Dr. Wood & Galligan created self-insured ordinance. Municipalities have premium tax that must be paid at 2% if not self-insured. Healthcare costs are not sustainable if not self-insured. Researched high deductible plans. Managing costs and health. Wellness programs can be featured on an HSA. Paying full amount in HSA reduced town's claims. HDHP of $2000/$4000. Employees contributing $750 and $1500 out of pocket on this plan. Saving $768 per month per family when going from PPO to HSA. Figure out claims, deduct that, and come up with premium. People are managing health more when they are paying for it. Wyman, treasurer, said town's plan was less than state plan a few years ago. Partnership between state and municipality healthcare. State dental plan is more expensive with less benefits than town's. Why would town pay more to get less? Medical plan will be more expensive because it is richer. Vanessa Perry spent a lot of time researching this with state employees. Do we want to change? Copay $15 for state. Not wiht town. Employee has checking account. When that is depleted, only then does it go against the town. Town does not have vision plan, state does. Current balance - BOE $3.1 million fund balance, Town $1.6 million fund balance. Overall, balance represents 28% of reserved money for claims. Town and BOE in good position. After next negotiations, need to sit down with Council and ask what to offer in future. May be the time to discuss plans with regard to affordable care act. HSA iis mandatory. HMO & PPO are used until HSA open enrollment for new employees. Ideas moving forward regarding healthcare costs. Should be discussed in negotations and executive session. HSA has made employees a lot more aware of their healthcare. HSA stays with employee until they are 65. Anwar asked Galligan if there are opportunities for regional or statewide collaboration. Galligan said 17 years ago, CIRMA, Galligan asked president of CCM at the time about regional healthcare. Pushing through CCM for town collaboration. New York had empire plan, 68% increase, municipalities opted out and self-insured. Healthcare is done by counties in NY and self-insured. NY state legislation allows collaborative healthcare. Needs to be balanced between various municipalities. CIRMA is the largest insurer in state of CT for municipalities for LAP insurance. Mirek asked about mandatory physicals for fire department and insurance companies that provide credits for physicals and other wellness objectives. CCM prescription plan only for residents and has saved over $50k. If employee signs up for assessment, $50 deposited for account. Galligan said he hopes the prescription plan could expand into healthcare. Anwar asked Galligan to inform the Council in the future about the ACA. Galligan is more concerned about the BOE with their PPO plans. Construction union will be hit hardest. Anwar suggested collaberation with peer group towns. Galligan said Anthem will compare trends between towns.
G. Discussion Item: Pension Costs for Town Employees, (requested by Mayor Anwar)
Galligan said that when Sartor was manager, he used the ICMA plan. Only 4 people were allowed on in that time because it was a management plan. Town created plan with 4.5% contributions. Government said cannot discriminate pension with employees. Galligan said all management people hired should be offered ICMA 401 and not defined benefit. If Galligan was in defined benefit, he would be retired as well as about 15 other employees. Plan needs to be matched. For young employees, it is a great plan. Older employees need to play catch-up. Negotiations with police dept, cannot sustain costs in the future. Any new employee hired after 7/1/06 would be defined contribution, not defined benefit. Every union negotiation after that now has the same requirements. The plan is not 12%. Employee contributes 6% and Town contributes 6%. Future substantial savings with these negotiations. Town salaries are slightly lower and need the better benefits in order to stay competitive. Not many towns in the region have this option. Marketability issue. Overtime is not paid in pensions. Base salary issue. Analysis of workers comp claims come from older employees who overextend themselves. If they are in good shape, they can stay, but it is their money if they want to take another less risky job. Defined benefit, public works have to be 60 before they retire. If they get hurt, they could be paid for life if they incur a disability. It is a fact of life and not a statement about the workers. Next step is any new management people coming in the future will get the 6/6%. Anwar asked for clarification on BOE. Galligan said BOE does not have defined contribution. They have defined benefit. Union rejected it in the most recent negotations. Teachers are covered under state pension. Custodians, etc. have defined benefit. Anwar said if BOE goes to defined contribution, it would save money in the future. Galligan said the town has been having a good pension year. Galligan said the Council was provided a copy of retirement plan.
H. Discussion Item: Status of the Dashboard, (requested by Mayor Anwar)
Galligan said not going with origianl company, too much money. Under GIS program, ability to do dashboard in-house cheaper. No cost to the Town. Easy for Council and more difficult for town employees. IT has created the app through GIS under their license. Ashley, Debbie, Matt able to control the dashboard system. Anwar said he understood it would keep track of questions, issue, etc. that council members are seeking input on. Galligan said it is correct and it will be trackable. Anwar said that a excel document could also do this. Galligan said that is the basic premise and it would also include email updates. Wagner said he is looking forward to it. Asked if it would be visible to the public. Galligan said it not a public record. FOI request must be put in if the public wants to see it.
I. Discussion Item: Health Department Reorganization (requested by Town Manager, Matthew B. Galligan)
Galligan said Sherry McGann is leaving the Town and the Town needs to look at reorganizing. State will be pushing the Town to have a full-time employee. Could also do regional effort, but fees would need to be charged. Department needs to be self-sustaining. Financial [portio will be discussed in executive session.
15. Passage of Ordinance
16. Communications and Reports from Town Manager [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed ten (10) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Council.]
Galligan, Town Atty, staff met with Dzen to come up with solution regarding Dzen Tree Farm. Suggestions with entrance to blueberry farm. Solid solution to help the farm and not hurt the taxpayers.
17. Public Input [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Town Council.]
Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail - Disagrees totally with Matt on health and pension. Throwing out things that do not exist for the average person in the average industry. Disagree with the health costs and pension. Auditors may be at fault. Page 45 is incorrect regarding retiree benefits. Galligan said the $700,000 is an actuarial report, not an audit report. If that money is not in there, the town will be penalized. Some of that benefit is for BOE custodians. Gonsalves said page 64 OPEB contribution is made. Galligan said it is an actuarial cost. Gonsalves said the Council should read the audit reports. Not satisfied with health & pension costs.
18. Communications and Petitions from Council [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed twenty (20) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the Council.]
Anwar said that last meeting he interrupted Councilor Mirek and apologized. Mirek accepted. Anwar said Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year, etc. on behalf of the Council.
19. Executive Session
A. Discussion of documents containing financial information provided in confidence and exempt from disclosure pursuant to C.G.S. §1-200(6) and §1-210(b)(5)(B) regarding the Health Department Reorganization.
Delnicki, Wagner - unanimous Yagaloff amended resolution CGS 1-2-b, so noted by Delnicki
20. Adjournment
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