Video index
1. Call Meeting to Order
7:01
2. Roll Call
Roll call (10 Present, 0 Absent, 0 Excused)
Mayor Delnicki called Roseanne Sapula forward to explain the program of the penguin plunge. Roseanne - explained that the plunge helps to earn funds for the special olympics. We have had three Mayors plunge, Mayor Delnicki, Prague and Pelkey. Very lucky to get award two years in a row for the team that earned the most funds. 4,500 to Special Olympics Connecticut and 4,500 goes to our kids. (9,000 total). Mayor Delnicki presented certificates to the team.
3. Public Participation [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of the majority of the Town Council.]
Andrew Hildebrandt - Business owner, resident and voluntee Tuesday, May1, 2012 - CPR expanded our business, 800 foot expansion - will be teaching more CPR courses. 3pm to public - proceed will be donated to disabled veterans. 4pm to 7pm - ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m.
4. Communications
5. Town Manager's Report [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed ten (10) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of the majority of the Council.]
Matt - received email from CL & P - they are doing project in Manchester. equipment can be heard 5 miles away and expect South Windsor residents to hear this. WE have already put on website, facebook, twitter and channel 16. Early May to June will be happening. if any questions can call Town Manager's Office.
6. Items for Discussion
A. Town Clerk's Budget Presentation
Lori Trahan, Town Clerk - also with me tonight are Teri Samsel and James Kupienski Page 2 what has been collected for Town and STate Page 3 projects in process Page 4 - increases to the budget Rest of the booklet is copies of budget increase of 2.5%
B. Capital Projects Budget Presentation
Galligan - for a while we did not have Capital Projects Committee - only had first meeting recently. need to address immeidate needs and need to build up funds. also need immediate needs build up funds bundle of funds need to look at interior roads. we have needs at intersections, drainage. what we are tring to do is come up with broad support of issues that need to get done. we are a community and should try to help everyone. will prioritize needs and go to the public. referendum would be necessary to go forward with Capital Project Committees vision Snyder - thre has not been capital project since last May or June. Capital Projects Committee discussed how to move things forward and change things. one of the key components was the three stage process. have a little over 600,000 right now. there are items that need to get done which will take all of those funds. Moving forward immediate needs, looking forward a viable funding source to move capital projects forward. each year to have an amount going to capital projects. The next thing is community based referendum. we would like to hear from the Council. technology, life safety code, recreation, space needs (seniors) - putting out community based referendum - would like to make sure the Town Council would be backing this idea before things go forward. We don't know dollar amount (10-12 million) - 10-15 year bonding. people that are using the services now are paying for the services. Will be presenting draft plan to Capital Porjects and Town Counicl.
McCann - this is an idea that we need to address and look forward to having discussions. one of the things that Council needs to focus on is the policy of what is and what is not a captial project. There are a few items that I do not see as capital projects and should be in our genral government budget. in serving on the Capital Project Committee - council needs to focus on this issue. Town Counjcil needs to come up with a policy . Do feel buildings, bridges, etc should be par tof capital projects plan. Need to make sure capital projects are capital in nature. Senior needs, I talked to manager about addressing this need immeidately. lease space and Manager reacted very postively and should be explored. need to have preschool programs at different spaces. Daria Plummer took me to a fitness center class when there was a function going on. Fitness program was put into another meeting room. it made it very tight. leasing area for preschool would give the seniors more space. There are additional building sin the future that can be looked at for more space. suggest looking at leases in this years budget until those additional buildings come available.
Delnicki - not too long ago leased space at Geisslers Plaza so that is not that new of approach and has worked in the past. This could be a short term plan.
Anwar - I agree with you that our infrastructure needs some help. we looked at the challenge that we had of reducing capital projects over the yars. infrastructure is gong to get worse and will cost more if it keep deteriorating. Roads are a concern for SouthWindsor. in current environment that we are in there may be a need to bond for projects. Will add to the value of the town.
Prague - I appreciate your time and approach. Are you proposing that htis be one referendum? Snyder - that was our discussion one referendum to the whole community. Prague - I will support any referendum that goes to the public. think should break the referendum up in pieces. As you divide items they are very good items with very specific targets. Need to discuss further with the Council. Would like separate referendums
Havens - helping local businesses in this community to grow and to draw customers. Couple of years ago TM suggested that we might consider leasing space at Evergreen. Would recommend we go there first. would draw people to the area. we have an unused building (old post office) - we have to find a use for that building. It is in a high traffic area.
Bazzano - like your idea for using that building for something (old post office). Like the idea conceptually (capital Projects) who is going to decide what gets into the referendum. Snyder - end result would be reviewed by Capital Projects Committee. Capital Projects questions staff on all items. Bazzano - pretty large referendum that we are talking about, not dollar wise but item wise. How detailed would it be. having a referendum takes the politics out of things. having items for each group is a good idea. Interested to hear what else you hav eto say.
Beaulieu - in terms of timing, do we have time in mind? Galligan - think you would like to do in November when Presidential election occurs. In May can discuss with the community the list and then have to August to discuss the items that will be put on the referendu8m. Beaulieu - think that is a good idea. The only thought timing wise, we want to get low rate on the bonds as possible. suggest that we are prepared to go forward quickly. Galligan - key issue -
Anwar - add that I think in the past we have seen - because of needs of our schools. - if we have reasonable numbers (which would be responsibility of Council) need to keep projects together. This is one community and have to work together and have to keep numbers reasonable.
Delnicki - rental issue - have to be mindful - need to look to see who can give the Town the best deal. need to separate referendum out. items needs to last longer than the bonding. criteria needs to be looked at closely. would like to have work session with committee
Bazzano - meet monthly? Galligan - yes Bazzano are you going to meet more Snyder - once get information probably every two weeks.
Havens - don't forget about what we have here now for capital projects and please do not cut in this budget.
Snyder - thanked everyone to get discussions going.
C. Park & Recreation Department's Budget Presentation
Ray Favreau reviewed budget would like to increase enrollment, provide better customer service, -
Prague - why are we disappointing skate board folks? Ray - part of Master plan. We have to design, then phase I and phase II - we have not done any large projects in the last few years. Prague - if we put something in capital projects and we freeze the budget, do we freeze capital project Galligan - everything gets frozen, stays in capital. Prague - how much money in capital projects now for recreation 451,000 and that does not include 113,000 allocation. Prague - we have money available? Ray - correct Prague - so why are we taking three years to do the skate park. can't we spend less? ray - there are some designs that are less. it is location and site specific and user specific. kids will be critical piece of program. without pulling th ekids in it will not be successful. Other items have risen above the skate park because of priorities. Prague - we allocate money to capital project and those funds have not been used yet. few years ago we pulled money out of your fund balance. Ray - yes that was from specail revenue fund and given back to general fund. that is not being done in this current fiscal year.
Anwar - share alittle about website, how much bookings get on website? Ray - facilities - you can't reserve on line, can review but can't reserve on line. Reservations are done by phone through the office. Anwar - the hope last year was to be able to reserve on line for facilities Ray would love to do that, but the problem is we can't accommodate everyone. like to handl einternally. Anwar - we must say no to a lot of people. How many times are we saying no Ray - every day. Anwar - supply is not enough Ray - do not have exact number but can track over the year Anwar - would be helpful to get information ahead of time. your presentation last year was more in depth. Ray - in monthly reports there are details that can be seen each month. Anwar - number of families using - how is growing day camp double in the last five years. 4th R has 200 and started with 90 Anwar - would have been nice to see costs to families to compare to last four or five years. Ray - we can do that - we have 280 programs so it would be hard. Anwar - 3 year and 5 year plan for increased needs? Ray - depends i f you are looking at programs or facilities. we need to add features to pass holder to attrack more customers. we need to be competitive for what we offer. Anwar - indoor pool? Ray - that would be very hard to do. that is a big ticket item. Anwar - indoor pool is something that keeps coming up. we have talked about regionalization with other towns? Ray - that has not been looked at to a large extent. we have worked with other towns with different programs. we have shared other equipment with other towns. Anwar - private/public partnership? Ray - would love to look at large partnership. did look at recreation center but that fell through.
Delnicki - break out of top ten programs and bottom ten programs to see how effective programs are.
McCann - number of senior programs we have and how addressing needs ot seniors? Ray - senior programs other than one senior exercise and other program - Senior center runs those programs. Can give you typical moneday through friday schedule. McCan - helpful to see impact of expanding youth and other programs - future projects t Ray - would like to enhance VMP to make it more attractive. McCann - if special revenue fund growing it may need to be subsidized. Ray - customer base is nmot growing so have been running thorugh fund balance. McCann - Galligan - features reviewed Yagaloff - why does it tkae so long as something like a skae park
Yagaloff - talk about VMP and want something appropriate for South Windsor. - important wha tis the cost of improvements and what is the benefit. iCounicl wants to know what are the plans and what are the costs. in fugure need more information. do subsize wages - Town run nursery facilitiy - Ray - we run pre-school classes Yagaloff - do we have full time empployees running preschool? Ray - we have 7 part time position 161,000 budgeted amount for 2010/2011 - what portion from preschool and other social cultural programs? Ray - probabaly close to 50% Yagaloff - what is net loss from preschool? Ray - nothing - 99% of that is for free complimentary programs that the town runs for nothing. Yagaloff - if you mention program ther are a lot of residents attached to the preschool program. have had discussion - are we going to continue preschool or should that space be used for seniors. elementary schools have a lot of space and Recreation can utilize that space for preschool program. Galligan - leasing space for five or size years wsould be a good idea. we need to do temporary space used for recration and then some day that center just has to be a senior center. Yagaloff - the times is now to do some policy changes. Galligan - couple years ago there was a recration plan that was voted down by the public. reason why you don't have these items is because of economics. Yagaloff - Wapping School - do not believe this Town will be closing this school in the near future. Should not be investing in that area. there may be space for something like preschool in the elementary schools. need different plan for Recreation. we need to have our own plan that doe snot have preconceived ideas. Need to start doing somehting for the senior center. Policy decisions need to be made. loss of 15,600 how much coming
Snyder - master plan was a 20 year plan? Ray - originally correct Snyder - when was the last time on the capital side that you recdeived funds to do anything? Ray - about 3 years Snyder - so nothing has been funded on Park & Recreation for three years? Ray - correct Snyder - lack of Council funding which has been taken over the years has effected capital projects. Pre school programs puts emphasis on South Windsor. have to offer these programs. Look at programs. need to be mindful of what people want.
McCann - asked earlier about senior programs and he told us Human Services Takes care of that. Are there any senior activiities that Recration has taken on. Waht does Recration do to take care of active seniors? Ray - again Human Services takes care of that type of items. McCann - yes but Huamn Services has different function than Recreation. Active recreation programs for seniors are necessary. Ray - do not want to duplicate services. have to balance what we can add. McCann - relining of courts for pickle ball, has any progress been made? Ray meeting with them on Friday to review.
Bazzano - capital projects, when Rye Street concession was built was that funded that year in Capital Projects? Ray - yes Bazzano - so now have 451,000 in =- where do we stand on master plan? Ray - next step would be skate park design. Bazzano - so skate park is next? Ray - we have differen tlocations and different ideas or do we build - there are things that need to be determined. you want it visible. Bazzano - would like us eto move forward with that. come back with dollar amount in order to release some funds.
Delnicki - talke about skate spot - strikes me we are always looking at biggest possible solution. a small skate spot sounds like what should be done. in the TE area makes sense to me. Anytnhing from Park Superintendent? rolled in to Ray's.
Comments: Ground breaking for FedEx May 15th - time will be given to TC later Generla Governm,ent budget Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Town Hall. During all of the discussions during BOE of budget - I would like to propose that to do that budget.
Adjournment - Prague, Snyder, unanimous 9:16 p.m.
7. Executive Session
Apr 23, 2012 Town Council Special Budget Work Session
Full agenda
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Video Index
Full agenda
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1. Call Meeting to Order
7:01
2. Roll Call
Roll call (10 Present, 0 Absent, 0 Excused)
Mayor Delnicki called Roseanne Sapula forward to explain the program of the penguin plunge. Roseanne - explained that the plunge helps to earn funds for the special olympics. We have had three Mayors plunge, Mayor Delnicki, Prague and Pelkey. Very lucky to get award two years in a row for the team that earned the most funds. 4,500 to Special Olympics Connecticut and 4,500 goes to our kids. (9,000 total). Mayor Delnicki presented certificates to the team.
3. Public Participation [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of the majority of the Town Council.]
Andrew Hildebrandt - Business owner, resident and voluntee Tuesday, May1, 2012 - CPR expanded our business, 800 foot expansion - will be teaching more CPR courses. 3pm to public - proceed will be donated to disabled veterans. 4pm to 7pm - ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m.
4. Communications
5. Town Manager's Report [Per Town Council Rules, this segment of the meeting shall not exceed ten (10) minutes unless extended by the Mayor, with the consent of the majority of the Council.]
Matt - received email from CL & P - they are doing project in Manchester. equipment can be heard 5 miles away and expect South Windsor residents to hear this. WE have already put on website, facebook, twitter and channel 16. Early May to June will be happening. if any questions can call Town Manager's Office.
6. Items for Discussion
A. Town Clerk's Budget Presentation
Lori Trahan, Town Clerk - also with me tonight are Teri Samsel and James Kupienski Page 2 what has been collected for Town and STate Page 3 projects in process Page 4 - increases to the budget Rest of the booklet is copies of budget increase of 2.5%
B. Capital Projects Budget Presentation
Galligan - for a while we did not have Capital Projects Committee - only had first meeting recently. need to address immeidate needs and need to build up funds. also need immediate needs build up funds bundle of funds need to look at interior roads. we have needs at intersections, drainage. what we are tring to do is come up with broad support of issues that need to get done. we are a community and should try to help everyone. will prioritize needs and go to the public. referendum would be necessary to go forward with Capital Project Committees vision Snyder - thre has not been capital project since last May or June. Capital Projects Committee discussed how to move things forward and change things. one of the key components was the three stage process. have a little over 600,000 right now. there are items that need to get done which will take all of those funds. Moving forward immediate needs, looking forward a viable funding source to move capital projects forward. each year to have an amount going to capital projects. The next thing is community based referendum. we would like to hear from the Council. technology, life safety code, recreation, space needs (seniors) - putting out community based referendum - would like to make sure the Town Council would be backing this idea before things go forward. We don't know dollar amount (10-12 million) - 10-15 year bonding. people that are using the services now are paying for the services. Will be presenting draft plan to Capital Porjects and Town Counicl.
McCann - this is an idea that we need to address and look forward to having discussions. one of the things that Council needs to focus on is the policy of what is and what is not a captial project. There are a few items that I do not see as capital projects and should be in our genral government budget. in serving on the Capital Project Committee - council needs to focus on this issue. Town Counjcil needs to come up with a policy . Do feel buildings, bridges, etc should be par tof capital projects plan. Need to make sure capital projects are capital in nature. Senior needs, I talked to manager about addressing this need immeidately. lease space and Manager reacted very postively and should be explored. need to have preschool programs at different spaces. Daria Plummer took me to a fitness center class when there was a function going on. Fitness program was put into another meeting room. it made it very tight. leasing area for preschool would give the seniors more space. There are additional building sin the future that can be looked at for more space. suggest looking at leases in this years budget until those additional buildings come available.
Delnicki - not too long ago leased space at Geisslers Plaza so that is not that new of approach and has worked in the past. This could be a short term plan.
Anwar - I agree with you that our infrastructure needs some help. we looked at the challenge that we had of reducing capital projects over the yars. infrastructure is gong to get worse and will cost more if it keep deteriorating. Roads are a concern for SouthWindsor. in current environment that we are in there may be a need to bond for projects. Will add to the value of the town.
Prague - I appreciate your time and approach. Are you proposing that htis be one referendum? Snyder - that was our discussion one referendum to the whole community. Prague - I will support any referendum that goes to the public. think should break the referendum up in pieces. As you divide items they are very good items with very specific targets. Need to discuss further with the Council. Would like separate referendums
Havens - helping local businesses in this community to grow and to draw customers. Couple of years ago TM suggested that we might consider leasing space at Evergreen. Would recommend we go there first. would draw people to the area. we have an unused building (old post office) - we have to find a use for that building. It is in a high traffic area.
Bazzano - like your idea for using that building for something (old post office). Like the idea conceptually (capital Projects) who is going to decide what gets into the referendum. Snyder - end result would be reviewed by Capital Projects Committee. Capital Projects questions staff on all items. Bazzano - pretty large referendum that we are talking about, not dollar wise but item wise. How detailed would it be. having a referendum takes the politics out of things. having items for each group is a good idea. Interested to hear what else you hav eto say.
Beaulieu - in terms of timing, do we have time in mind? Galligan - think you would like to do in November when Presidential election occurs. In May can discuss with the community the list and then have to August to discuss the items that will be put on the referendu8m. Beaulieu - think that is a good idea. The only thought timing wise, we want to get low rate on the bonds as possible. suggest that we are prepared to go forward quickly. Galligan - key issue -
Anwar - add that I think in the past we have seen - because of needs of our schools. - if we have reasonable numbers (which would be responsibility of Council) need to keep projects together. This is one community and have to work together and have to keep numbers reasonable.
Delnicki - rental issue - have to be mindful - need to look to see who can give the Town the best deal. need to separate referendum out. items needs to last longer than the bonding. criteria needs to be looked at closely. would like to have work session with committee
Bazzano - meet monthly? Galligan - yes Bazzano are you going to meet more Snyder - once get information probably every two weeks.
Havens - don't forget about what we have here now for capital projects and please do not cut in this budget.
Snyder - thanked everyone to get discussions going.
C. Park & Recreation Department's Budget Presentation
Ray Favreau reviewed budget would like to increase enrollment, provide better customer service, -
Prague - why are we disappointing skate board folks? Ray - part of Master plan. We have to design, then phase I and phase II - we have not done any large projects in the last few years. Prague - if we put something in capital projects and we freeze the budget, do we freeze capital project Galligan - everything gets frozen, stays in capital. Prague - how much money in capital projects now for recreation 451,000 and that does not include 113,000 allocation. Prague - we have money available? Ray - correct Prague - so why are we taking three years to do the skate park. can't we spend less? ray - there are some designs that are less. it is location and site specific and user specific. kids will be critical piece of program. without pulling th ekids in it will not be successful. Other items have risen above the skate park because of priorities. Prague - we allocate money to capital project and those funds have not been used yet. few years ago we pulled money out of your fund balance. Ray - yes that was from specail revenue fund and given back to general fund. that is not being done in this current fiscal year.
Anwar - share alittle about website, how much bookings get on website? Ray - facilities - you can't reserve on line, can review but can't reserve on line. Reservations are done by phone through the office. Anwar - the hope last year was to be able to reserve on line for facilities Ray would love to do that, but the problem is we can't accommodate everyone. like to handl einternally. Anwar - we must say no to a lot of people. How many times are we saying no Ray - every day. Anwar - supply is not enough Ray - do not have exact number but can track over the year Anwar - would be helpful to get information ahead of time. your presentation last year was more in depth. Ray - in monthly reports there are details that can be seen each month. Anwar - number of families using - how is growing day camp double in the last five years. 4th R has 200 and started with 90 Anwar - would have been nice to see costs to families to compare to last four or five years. Ray - we can do that - we have 280 programs so it would be hard. Anwar - 3 year and 5 year plan for increased needs? Ray - depends i f you are looking at programs or facilities. we need to add features to pass holder to attrack more customers. we need to be competitive for what we offer. Anwar - indoor pool? Ray - that would be very hard to do. that is a big ticket item. Anwar - indoor pool is something that keeps coming up. we have talked about regionalization with other towns? Ray - that has not been looked at to a large extent. we have worked with other towns with different programs. we have shared other equipment with other towns. Anwar - private/public partnership? Ray - would love to look at large partnership. did look at recreation center but that fell through.
Delnicki - break out of top ten programs and bottom ten programs to see how effective programs are.
McCann - number of senior programs we have and how addressing needs ot seniors? Ray - senior programs other than one senior exercise and other program - Senior center runs those programs. Can give you typical moneday through friday schedule. McCan - helpful to see impact of expanding youth and other programs - future projects t Ray - would like to enhance VMP to make it more attractive. McCann - if special revenue fund growing it may need to be subsidized. Ray - customer base is nmot growing so have been running thorugh fund balance. McCann - Galligan - features reviewed Yagaloff - why does it tkae so long as something like a skae park
Yagaloff - talk about VMP and want something appropriate for South Windsor. - important wha tis the cost of improvements and what is the benefit. iCounicl wants to know what are the plans and what are the costs. in fugure need more information. do subsize wages - Town run nursery facilitiy - Ray - we run pre-school classes Yagaloff - do we have full time empployees running preschool? Ray - we have 7 part time position 161,000 budgeted amount for 2010/2011 - what portion from preschool and other social cultural programs? Ray - probabaly close to 50% Yagaloff - what is net loss from preschool? Ray - nothing - 99% of that is for free complimentary programs that the town runs for nothing. Yagaloff - if you mention program ther are a lot of residents attached to the preschool program. have had discussion - are we going to continue preschool or should that space be used for seniors. elementary schools have a lot of space and Recreation can utilize that space for preschool program. Galligan - leasing space for five or size years wsould be a good idea. we need to do temporary space used for recration and then some day that center just has to be a senior center. Yagaloff - the times is now to do some policy changes. Galligan - couple years ago there was a recration plan that was voted down by the public. reason why you don't have these items is because of economics. Yagaloff - Wapping School - do not believe this Town will be closing this school in the near future. Should not be investing in that area. there may be space for something like preschool in the elementary schools. need different plan for Recreation. we need to have our own plan that doe snot have preconceived ideas. Need to start doing somehting for the senior center. Policy decisions need to be made. loss of 15,600 how much coming
Snyder - master plan was a 20 year plan? Ray - originally correct Snyder - when was the last time on the capital side that you recdeived funds to do anything? Ray - about 3 years Snyder - so nothing has been funded on Park & Recreation for three years? Ray - correct Snyder - lack of Council funding which has been taken over the years has effected capital projects. Pre school programs puts emphasis on South Windsor. have to offer these programs. Look at programs. need to be mindful of what people want.
McCann - asked earlier about senior programs and he told us Human Services Takes care of that. Are there any senior activiities that Recration has taken on. Waht does Recration do to take care of active seniors? Ray - again Human Services takes care of that type of items. McCann - yes but Huamn Services has different function than Recreation. Active recreation programs for seniors are necessary. Ray - do not want to duplicate services. have to balance what we can add. McCann - relining of courts for pickle ball, has any progress been made? Ray meeting with them on Friday to review.
Bazzano - capital projects, when Rye Street concession was built was that funded that year in Capital Projects? Ray - yes Bazzano - so now have 451,000 in =- where do we stand on master plan? Ray - next step would be skate park design. Bazzano - so skate park is next? Ray - we have differen tlocations and different ideas or do we build - there are things that need to be determined. you want it visible. Bazzano - would like us eto move forward with that. come back with dollar amount in order to release some funds.
Delnicki - talke about skate spot - strikes me we are always looking at biggest possible solution. a small skate spot sounds like what should be done. in the TE area makes sense to me. Anytnhing from Park Superintendent? rolled in to Ray's.
Comments: Ground breaking for FedEx May 15th - time will be given to TC later Generla Governm,ent budget Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Town Hall. During all of the discussions during BOE of budget - I would like to propose that to do that budget.
Adjournment - Prague, Snyder, unanimous 9:16 p.m.
7. Executive Session
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