2003 Minutes  

 

Windsor Town Council - Budget Session Special Meeting

Council Chambers - Town Hall

April 23, 2003

Approved Minutes

Mayor Trinks called the Budget Session Special Meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.

  1. Present: Mayor Trinks, Deputy Mayor Curtis, Councilor Broxterman, Councilor Jepsen, Councilor Mulligan, Councilor Pacino, Councilor Simon and Councilor Walker.

    Absent: Councilor Albano
     

  2. Communication from Council Members

Councilor Broxterman – stated it is our responsibility, not our privilege to vote.

Councilor Jepsen – thanked the staff for their work in preparing the budget.

Councilor Mulligan – None.

Councilor Pacino – encouraged voters to take an interest in the budget and make their decision wisely when the referendum is set.

Councilor Simon – said it has been a challenging budget season this year. He thanked the town staff for their hard work in preparing the budget. He believes that this year’s budget will be favorable, considering the economy.

Councilor Walker – None.

Deputy Mayor Curtis – thanked the town staff and the Board of Education and staff for putting together the budgets.

Mayor Trinks – thanked the department heads that presented their budgets to the Council. He also thanked Town Manager Churchill and Assistant Town Manager Souza, the town staff, Board of Education and staff for their work. Mayor Trinks also thanked the public who came out to speak on the budget and he thanked his colleagues.
 

  1. FY 2004 Budget Deliberations
Board of Education
FY 2004 Proposed Budget Town Council Action Adjusted Amount
$48,904,600 None $48,904,600

 

Town Support for Education
FY2004 Proposed Budget Town Council Action Adjusted Amount
$4,762,390 Moved by Councilor Simon, seconded by Councilor Walker to amend the proposed budget of Town Support for Education from $4,762,390 to $4,842,390.

Increase elementary school Partnership position by $80,000

Motion passed 8-0-0

$4,842,390

 

Safety Services
FY2004 Proposed Budget Town Council Action Adjusted Amount
$6,340,140 Moved by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Deputy Mayor Curtis to amend the proposed budget of Safety Services from $6,340,140 to $6,318,140.

Decrease $22,000 for one police cruiser (three originally budgeted will be reduced to two vehicles) under Uniformed Patrol

Motion Passed 8-0-0

$6,318,140

 

Family & Leisure Services
FY2004 Proposed Budget Town Council Action Adjusted Amount
$1,428,440 Increase funding by $25,000 to keep open Veteran’s Pool under Recreation.

Councilor Pacino supports Veteran’s Pool, but will oppose this motion with deep regret because of some staff layoffs.

Councilor Jepsen applauds this action.

Motion by Councilor Walker, seconded by Councilor Broxterman to amend the proposed budget of Family & Leisure Services from $1,428,440 to $1,453,440.

Motion Passed 7-1-0 Councilor Pacino Opposing

$1,453,440
 

Health & Social Services

FY2004 Proposed Budget Town Council Action Adjusted Amount
$823,730 Moved by Deputy Mayor Curtis, seconded by Councilor Broxterman to amend the proposed budget of Health & Social Services from $823,730 to $830,730.

Restore funding to VNA for $7,000 under Social Services.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

$830,730

 

Library Services
FY2004 Proposed Budget Town Council Action Adjusted Amount
$1,066,320 Moved by Deputy Mayor Curtis, seconded by Councilor Pacino to amend the proposed budget of Library Services from $1,066,320 to $1,111,320.

Increase funding to restore library hours to current schedule $45,000.

Councilor Broxterman said that the library is the most heavily used asset of the Town and he supports this motion.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

$1,111,320

 

Development Services
FY2004 Proposed Budget Town Council Action Adjusted Amount
$1,275,190 Moved by Councilor Simon, seconded by Councilor Broxterman to amend the proposed budget of Development Services from $1,275,190 to $1,290,190.

Increase funding to restore 0.25 FTE’s in part-time clerical support under Building Safety $15,000.

Councilor Simon noted that he has heard from several Zoning Board of Appeal members who rely on support of this position.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

$1,290,190
 

Community Development

FY2004 Proposed Budget Town Council Action Adjusted Amount
$25,000 None. $25,000

 

Public Works
FY2004 Proposed Budget Town Council Action Adjusted Amount
$4,059,720 None. $4,059,720

 

Information Services
FY2004 Proposed Budget Town Council Action Adjusted Amount
$388,700 None. $388,700

 

Administrative Services
FY2004 Proposed Budget Town Council Action Adjusted Amount
$1,472,680 None. $1,472,680

 

General Government
FY2004 Proposed Budget Town Council Action Adjusted Amount
$852,720 Moved by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Councilor Simon to amend the proposed budget of General Government from $852,720 to $838,220.

Decrease funding under Community Services by $10,000 for First Town Downtown ($50,000 contribution to $40,000 contribution).

Decrease funding under Community Services by $12,500 for Celebrate Windsor ($25,000 contribution to $12,500 contribution).

Increase funding under Community Services by $8,000 to include grants to four social service agencies: Windsor Recovery Club $2,000; HERC (Housing Education Resource Center) $2,000; Network Against Domestic Abuse $2,000; and Hartford Interval House $2,000.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

$838,220
 

General Services

FY2004 Proposed Budget Town Council Action Adjusted Amount
$6,108,840 Moved by Councilor Simon, seconded by Councilor Broxterman to amend the proposed budget of General Services from $6,108,840 to $5,788,840.

Councilor Pacino asked how many organizations applied to the Volunteer Support Program last year. Town Manager Churchill said that there were seven pending and two who showed interest. All applications have been suspended for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Decrease Debt Service by $170,000.

Decrease Capital Projects by $135,000.

Decrease Volunteer Support Program under Unclassified by $15,000.

Motion Passed 7-1-0 Councilor Pacino Opposing

$5,788,840

Moved by Councilor Walker, seconded by Councilor Broxterman to take a three-minute recess at 7:14 p.m.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

Revenues
FY2004 Proposed Budget Town Council Action Adjusted Amount
$77,508,470 Moved by Councilor Walker, seconded by Councilor Simon to amend the proposed budget for Revenues from $77,508,470 to $77,323,970

Increase revenue line 290-199 "Opening Cash" by $51,200 (from $350,000 to $401,200.

Decrease revenue line 100-002 "Current Levy" by $235,700 (from $61,062,260 to $60,826,560).

Motion Passed 8-0-0

$77,323,970

 

Tax Collection Rate
FY2004 Proposed Budget Town Council Action Adjusted Amount
98.75% Moved by Councilor Walker, seconded by Councilor Simon to accept the proposed tax collection rate of 98.75%.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

98.75%

Motioned by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Deputy Mayor Curtis to take a five-minute break at 7:25 p.m.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

 

  1. Final Motions

     

    Board of Education
    Motion by: Deputy Mayor Curtis Seconded: Councilor Simon
    Amount: $48,904,600 For: 8 Against: 0

     

    Town Support for Education
    Motion by: Councilor Simon Seconded: Councilor Broxterman
    Amount: $4,842,390 For: 8 Against: 0

     

    Safety Services
    Motion by: Councilor Mulligan Seconded: Councilor Broxterman
    Amount: $6,318,140 For: 8 Against: 0

     

    Family Services
    Motion by: Councilor Jepsen Seconded: Deputy Mayor Curtis
    Amount: $1,453,440 For: 7 Against: 1 Councilor Pacino Opposing

     

    Health and Social Services
    Motion by: Deputy Mayor Curtis Seconded: Councilor Broxterman
    Amount: $830,730 For: 8 Against: 0
     

    Library Services

    Motion by: Councilor Broxterman Seconded: Councilor Jepsen
    Amount: $1,111,320 For: 8 Against: 0

     

    Development Services
    Motion by: Councilor Simon Seconded: Councilor Jepsen
    Amount: $1,290,190 For: 8 Against: 0

     

    Community Development
    Motion by: Councilor Walker Seconded: Councilor Jepsen
    Amount: $25,000 For: 8 Against: 0

     

    Public Works
    Motion by: Councilor Pacino Seconded: Councilor Broxterman
    Amount: $4,059,720 For: 8 Against: 0

     

    Information Services
    Motion by: Councilor Mulligan Seconded: Deputy Mayor Curtis
    Amount: $388,700 For: 8 Against: 0

     

    Administrative Services
    Motion by: Councilor Jepsen Seconded: Deputy Mayor Curtis
    Amount: $1,472,680 For: 8 Against: 0

     

    General Government
    Motion by: Deputy Mayor Curtis Seconded: Councilor Jepsen
    Amount: $838,220 For: 8 Against: 0

     

     

     

    General Services
    Motion by: Councilor Broxterman Seconded: Councilor Jepsen
    Amount: $5,788,840 For: 7 Against: 1 Councilor Pacino

    General Fund Expenditures

    Moved by Councilor Simon, seconded by Councilor Walker to accept the total General Fund expenditures for the 2003-04 budget in the amount of $77,323,970.

    Councilor Simon said that these expenditures are a decrease from the Town Manager’s Proposed Budget. It requires a tax increase of less than 3%, affecting the median homeowner $94.00 per year.

    Motion Passed 7-1-0 with Councilor Pacino Opposing

  2. Set Date for Annual Vote on Budget (Referendum)

    Moved by Councilor Walker, seconded by Councilor Broxterman that the annual vote on the budget be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. at all seven polling places.

    Motion Passed 8-0-0

    Enterprise Funds

    Windsor Child Development Center
    Motion by: Councilor Pacino Seconded: Deputy Mayor Curtis
    Amount: $1,043,930 For: 8 Against: 0

     

    Caring Connection Adult Day Care Center
    Motion by: Councilor Mulligan Seconded: Councilor Broxterman
    Amount: $643,900 For: 8 Against: 0

     

    Sanitary Landfill
    Motion by: Councilor Jepsen Seconded: Councilor Broxterman
    Amount: $1,922,735 For: 8 Against: 0

    Moved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Walker to add agenda item 5.A. Accepting the Price Guide.

    Motion Passed 8-0-0

    5.A. Accepting the Price Guide

    Moved by Deputy Mayor Curtis, seconded by Councilor Walker to accept the price guide as presented.

    Councilor Jepson noted the absence of swimming lessons. Town Manager Churchill said that they would provide an updated and corrected price guide to the Council.

    Councilor Mulligan asked for a description of fees which have a price range.

    Councilor Pacino asked if fees are fixed or is there a sliding fee scale. Ms. Newman, Director of Family and Leisure Services, said that there is not a sliding fee scale, but we do have scholarships available.

    Councilor Broxterman asked for reasons why items were omitted. Town Manager Churchill said that they would explain reasons for any changes in the corrected price guide.

    Councilor Pacino asked about the rental charge for the Greater Hartford Dance Academy and is it an increase in their rent. He also asked if there is a flat rate negotiated and why we are going to a per hour fee. Town Manager Churchill said that we are trying to be more specific in costs of usage and space used. They are trying to get a greater cost recovery for space rentals. He also added that this is driving the revenue estimates in the proposed budget.

    Motion was Withdrawn and will be placed on the May 5, 2003 agenda.
     

  3. Resolutions Closing Capital Project Accounts and Creation of New Capital Project Accounts

    Moved by Deputy Mayor Curtis, seconded by Councilor Simon that the remaining balances in the following capital accounts totaling $541,945 be transferred to the General Fund Designated Unreserved Fund Balance for Future Capital Projects.

    Council members debated the appropriate account which the funds should be placed in. After further discussion, the motion was amended as follows:

    Motion amended by Deputy Mayor Curtis, seconded by Councilor Simon that the remaining balances in the following capital accounts totaling $541,945 be transferred to the Capital Outlay Fund Undesignated Unreserved Fund Balance.

    $614 from project number 9003, Rainbow Rd. Firehouse

    $39,197 from project number 9301, Clover Street School Asbestos

    $7,816 from project number 9302, Poquonock School Asbestos

    $483 from project number 9319, Sage Park Field House / Concession Stand

    $33,985 from project number 9312, Poquonock School Windows

    $2,152 from project number 9052, Mack Street

    $78,800 from project number 9051, Capen Street Repair

    $95,000 from project number 9005, Mack Street Improvements

    $30,500 from project number 9009, Kennedy Road Improvements

    $1,245 from project number 9010, Wilson Recreation Area

    $99,500 from project number 9011, Economic Development-JDS

    $22,000 from project number 9012, Economic Development-Marriott

    $37,430 from project number 9016, Huntington House Parking Lot

    $47,000 from project number 9020, Pioneer Drive Bridge Repairs

    $223 from project number 9045, Engineering Vehicle

    $46,000 from project number 9028, Laurel Avenue

    Motion Passed 8-0-0

    Moved by Councilor Simon, seconded by Councilor Pacino that $75,000 from the Capital Outlay Fund Undesignated Unreserved Fund Balance for Veterans’ Pool Repairs.

    Motion Passed 8-0-0

    Moved by Councilor Jepsen, seconded by Councilor Mulligan to fund the items listed below from the Capital Outlay Fund Undesignated Unreserved Fund Balance for Future Capital Projects.

    Account Title

    Appropriation

    Emergency Prep/Bio-HazMat Equipment

    5,000

    CAD Replacement in Engineering

    20,000

    Town Clerk Office – Software

    48,000

    Senior Center Concept Design

    15,000

    Senior Center Improvements

    20,000

    Replacement Vehicle for Building

    15,000

    Building Security

    30,000

    Community Center Improvements

    20,000

    Recrowning of O’Brien Field

    45,000

    Firefighter Packs

    12,500

    Skate Park

    8,000

    Sand and Salt Storage Facility

    25,000

    TOTAL

    $263,500

    Motion was Withdrawn after discussion.

     

  4. Approval of Minutes
  • April 9, 2003
  • April 14, 2003

Moved by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Councilor Jepsen to approve the Budget Session Special Meeting minutes of April 9, 2003. Corrections:

Motion Withdrawn.
 

  1. Adjournment

Moved by Councilor Broxterman, seconded by Deputy Mayor Curtis to adjourn the Special Meeting at 8:49 p.m.

Motion Passed 8-0-0

 

Respectfully submitted

 

 

Kristin Countryman

Clerk of the Windsor Town Council

cc: Town Clerk

Main Library

Wilson Branch