City of New Bedford Meetings
Search and subscribe to city meeting topics that impact you
Newsletters
Subscribe
← Back to video
Finance Committee — August 17, 2026
−
Fit
+
IN
0:00
OUT
0:00
Length
0:00
▶ Play selection
Export clip
Keyboard:
I
set in,
O
set out,
←
/
→
nudge playhead 5s.
0:21
It is 7:02 PM on Monday, August 17th.
In
Out
0:26
Calling the Committee of Finance to order.
In
Out
0:29
Note this meeting is being live streamed and recorded.
In
Out
0:32
City Council committee meetings can be viewed on the city government homepage under Quick Links, then Meetings.
In
Out
0:39
In attendance, we have Council Derek Baptiste, Council Shane Burgo, Council Sean Oliver, Council Naomi Carney.
In
Out
0:47
Sorry, I will start this over again.
In
Out
0:48
In attendance, we have Council Derek Baptiste, Council Shane Burgo, Council Sean Oliver, Council Naomi R.A. Carney, Councilor James Roy, City Council President Ryan Pereira, and Councilor Scott Pemberton, and myself, Councilor of Ward 5 Joseph P. Lopes, Chairman of Finance.
In
Out
1:03
We do have 2 letters to be read into the record.
In
Out
1:05
I have a letter from Councilor Abreu.
In
Out
1:07
I'm writing this letter to inform you that I'm unable to attend the Committee on Finance meeting on Monday, August 17th, 2026, 7 PM, due to attending an out-of-town work commitment.
In
Out
1:17
I ask that you read this letter into the record to make my colleagues and those in attendance and the public aware of the reason for my absence.
In
Out
1:24
And I also received a communication from— actually, a call from Councillor Gomes.
In
Out
1:28
He's ill and will not be here this evening as well.
In
Out
1:29
Motion to receive and place on file the communication from Councillor Abreu, made by Councillor Burgos, seconded by Councillor Pemberton.
In
Out
1:35
All those in favor?
In
Out
1:36
Opposed?
In
Out
1:36
The ayes have it.
In
Out
1:36
We're going to get a motion to take item number 7 out of order.
In
Out
1:39
Motion to take item number 7 out by Councillor Pereira, seeing no objection, seconded by Councillor Burgos.
In
Out
1:44
All those in favor?
In
Out
1:45
Opposed?
In
Out
1:45
The ayes have it.
In
Out
1:46
Item number 7 is a communication Ryan A. Paveo, First Assistant City Solicitor, submitting orders for the layout and taking of the Hillman Street variable width from STA 72 plus 32.80 at the terminus of Pleasant Street, 41.74 feet easterly to terminus at STA 72 plus 74.52 at Purchase Street for the purpose of realigning Hillman Street to the west so that a new signalized intersection can be built The matter was referred here on July 16th, 2026.
In
Out
2:18
7A is registration of land and 7B is the requited land.
In
Out
2:23
Motion to receive and place on file made by Councilor, um, Pereira.
In
Out
2:27
Second by Councilor Burgal.
In
Out
2:28
All those in favor?
In
Out
2:28
Opposed?
In
Out
2:29
The ayes have it.
In
Out
2:30
Councilor— uh, Mr. Chairman, uh, just to inform the public and, and my colleagues, uh, in the— in our mayor's papers this week for, uh, our August 20th City Council agenda.
In
Out
2:43
We have received the appropriation order pursuing, uh, in conjunction with this taking of the land.
In
Out
2:51
Uh, I— that is what was requested of this council, of this council in sending it to committee.
In
Out
2:57
I don't know if my colleagues have any questions regarding this, but it all is in order.
In
Out
3:01
In discussions with Attorney Garatowski, he agrees the order appropriation order is in pursuant to this item.
In
Out
3:11
So this council would make a motion to refer if none of my colleagues have any questions.
In
Out
3:17
Council, before we get— anybody have any questions for anyone in attendance tonight on 7, 7A, or 7B?
In
Out
3:25
Seeing none, Councilor Pereira.
In
Out
3:26
Motion to refer out to the full city council on August 20th.
In
Out
3:31
Motion to refer out to the full city council on Thursday, August 20th, 2027.
In
Out
3:36
Made by Councilor Pereira, seconded by Councilor Baptiste.
In
Out
3:40
Anyone on the question?
In
Out
3:41
Seeing none, all those in favor?
In
Out
3:42
Oh, Councilor Baptiste on the question.
In
Out
3:44
Well, I'm not really on the question.
In
Out
3:45
I just wanted to speak.
In
Out
3:47
I spoke to Jamie today about the changes that they had to make and make sure that they made the proper changes.
In
Out
3:52
And I think it's a good— I think this is a good project, making Hillman Street go all the way down.
In
Out
3:59
I think it's a safer— you know, it should have been done years and years and years ago.
In
Out
4:04
I don't even know why we get to the bottom of Hillman and have to take a right and then and then hook a U-turn just to get back on the street.
In
Out
4:10
I think it's super dangerous for pedestrians and for drivers in the— and, um, for guys that's driving and people that's walking up over in that area.
In
Out
4:18
I think this, um, they got all their paperwork in order and everything is the way it should be, and I think that this is, you know, this is a good thing to go forward.
In
Out
4:25
So thank you, and I yield the floor.
In
Out
4:27
Thank you, Councilor Baptiste.
In
Out
4:28
Anyone else?
In
Out
4:29
Seeing none, all those in favor?
In
Out
4:32
Opposed?
In
Out
4:33
The ayes have it.
In
Out
4:35
Back to our normal agenda.
In
Out
4:37
Item number 1, written motion, Councilor Morad, Gomes, Gieser, and Lopes requesting that Chief Financial Officer Robert Ekstrom, City Solicitor Eric Jakes, and a representative of the administration appear before the Committee on Finance to discuss options regarding the $3.5 million settlement to be received from the MBTA.
In
Out
4:53
Said discussion shall include but not be limited to appropriating the monies to the stabilization fund or to a newly created revolving fund account with the intentions of restricting the funds to create a revenue stream dedicated to paying for ongoing maintenance of the pedestrian bridge currently being constructed across Route 18, and that the city of New Bedford will be required to maintain after construction is completed.
In
Out
5:21
Oh, sorry.
In
Out
5:21
The item was referred on August 13th and has remained on the table on October 21st and February 19th, 2025.
In
Out
5:28
Motion to remove from the table made by Councilor Burgo.
In
Out
5:31
Second by Councilor Brewer.
In
Out
5:32
Anyone on the question?
In
Out
5:32
Seeing none, all in favor of the items in front of us?
In
Out
5:37
Attorney Jakes.
In
Out
5:45
Attorney Jakes, you want to give it— my apologies, your counsel had questions for me.
In
Out
5:49
It's okay, it's okay.
In
Out
5:53
Would you like to give an overview of the, of the possibility of creating the stabilization and having the funds set aside for the maintenance of the bridge?
In
Out
6:03
Well, forgive me, I was a little surprised to see this on the agenda this evening, so I went back to the February 19th minutes when it was considered and we addressed the issue.
In
Out
6:13
I explained where the various monies went, the percentage, and the fact that the ones that went to the Housing Authority, to the Redevelopment Authority, into Housing 70 all went there and couldn't be touched, which left a little over, I think, $460,000 that came to the city.
In
Out
6:33
But forgive me, I've got an eye problem from surgery.
In
Out
6:39
Bob Ekstrom spoke on Chapter 44, Section 63 at that meeting back in February of 2025 and indicated that the funds could only be used to retire debt from the asset being sold.
In
Out
6:56
And so the monies were placed into the general fund.
In
Out
7:01
Ultimately would have been free cash if there were free cash back in fiscal '25.
In
Out
7:07
So the monies are long gone at this point.
In
Out
7:10
They couldn't be placed in a revolving fund.
In
Out
7:15
And that was explained back in February 19th, 2025, by both myself as to the allocations and by CFO Ekstrom as to limitations of the use of the funds after chap— under Chapter 44.
In
Out
7:29
So based on that, the answer is no.
In
Out
7:32
The answer is no.
In
Out
7:33
There's only $460,000 that's— that was there, and it's long since gone.
In
Out
7:37
It's 2 fiscal years ago.
In
Out
7:40
Okay, thank you, Attorney Jakes.
In
Out
7:42
Does anybody have any questions for anyone in attendance tonight in regards to item number 1?
In
Out
7:48
Councilor Pereira.
In
Out
7:50
When appropriate, if I could speak with Auditor Lowney, please.
In
Out
7:54
Okay.
In
Out
7:55
Any have any questions for Attorney Jakes?
In
Out
7:57
Seeing none, we'll refer over to City Auditor.
In
Out
8:07
That's Bob's minutes.
In
Out
8:09
That's the minutes of what Bob said.
In
Out
8:14
Council Forever, the floor is yours.
In
Out
8:15
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
In
Out
8:16
Quillen, good evening.
In
Out
8:17
Good evening.
In
Out
8:18
Um, if we could get a breakdown of where the $460,000 that City Solicitor Jakes was, uh, referencing that came to the city general fund— if we could get a breakdown of where that was expended to.
In
Out
8:33
Okay.
In
Out
8:33
Okay, sure.
In
Out
8:35
Thank you.
In
Out
8:36
Uh, no further questions, Mr. Chairman.
In
Out
9:00
Mr. Chairman, oh, sorry.
In
Out
9:03
What would your preference be?
In
Out
9:04
It doesn't matter to me if you'd rather just table it and wait to get these documents, or when we get them, we can resubmit them for investigation in the committee.
In
Out
9:11
What would— okay, then at this time I make a motion to table.
In
Out
9:17
Thank you.
In
Out
9:31
Item 2, communication.
In
Out
9:32
Mimitsa City Council submitting an order for the transfer of $37,154 from mayor's purchase of services to mayor other charges and expense.
In
Out
9:40
The matter was referred on July 16th, 2026, and 2A is the order made by Councilor Burgos.
In
Out
9:48
Second by Councilor Pereira.
In
Out
9:49
All those in favor?
In
Out
9:49
Opposed?
In
Out
9:50
The ayes have it.
In
Out
9:50
On the question, anyone have any questions?
In
Out
9:55
Councilor Burgos, you're first.
In
Out
9:57
Um, so just, I guess, for the public's view, um, who didn't get the chance to read the letter, essentially what we're supposed to understand from this is that the budget that was hastily put together and thrown together and given to us last minute essentially had certain items in the wrong category.
In
Out
10:18
And then after the fact, when our cuts went through, the departments discovered their constant mistakes and said, oh crap, these cuts that were initially from this line item, I guess, and for this case, purchase of services, uh, was really from other charges and expenses.
In
Out
10:40
Um, that's why now the negative balance, in this case of $37,154, is being requested to transfer to other charges and expenses because of the error of this administration.
In
Out
10:53
Is that correct?
In
Out
10:55
Uh, yeah, my understanding is that there were roll-up codes used for the proposed budget book which were different than the ones that are in our Munis system.
In
Out
11:02
So 2 different softwares.
In
Out
11:04
Some of the GL accounts were just given wrong roll-up codes.
In
Out
11:07
So the amounts in total were correct.
In
Out
11:09
It was just what was presented in the budget book didn't have the same roll-up as what was in the budget order.
In
Out
11:15
And that's a new system we got for this budget book.
In
Out
11:18
I think we used it last year for the first time.
In
Out
11:20
So there— I think there are new accounts that maybe happened during the year that had been misassigned as far as roll-up codes.
In
Out
11:26
So it only happened this year but not last year?
In
Out
11:28
As far as I'm aware, yes.
In
Out
11:30
Interesting.
In
Out
11:30
Okay, um, so my other question I have, which I'll ask for this one and for number 3 and number 4 and number 6, um, so you'll get tired of me asking it, but I'm going to ask every time, is if we don't approve this transfer right now, will any bills not be able to be paid because of it?
In
Out
11:53
Is it— especially since you're the auditor, I know purchases and payments of bills come through you as a second look.
In
Out
12:00
Are people going to be denied or will there be delays because of these errors if we don't correct them currently at the beginning of this fiscal year?
In
Out
12:11
Yeah, as of right now I don't see that just because we are so new into the fiscal year, so there should be available budget otherwise.
In
Out
12:17
In the case of number 2 for the assessors, right now they have a negative budget So that would be something we have to correct at some point because typically we just can't have a negative budget amount.
In
Out
12:28
So, okay, because like in the mayor's budget, I know obviously we're talking to the mayor's office right now, their 100 account I know for a fact is going to be negative soon.
In
Out
12:37
So we'll come back and have you talk about that later on.
In
Out
12:40
Um, but all right, I just wanted to clarify that no city government or business is going to be delayed, denied, or hindered by us if we decide to wait to approve these transfers.
In
Out
12:53
That is what you're telling us right now?
In
Out
12:54
Yes.
In
Out
12:55
Okay, thank you.
In
Out
12:56
Thank you, Councilor Burgo.
In
Out
12:58
Anyone else have any questions?
In
Out
13:01
Seeing none, what's your pleasure?
In
Out
13:04
Motion to table at this time.
In
Out
13:06
Make a motion to table item number 2.
In
Out
13:07
Made by Councilor Burgo, seconded by Councilor Pemberton.
In
Out
13:10
All those in favor?
In
Out
13:12
Opposed?
In
Out
13:13
The ayes have it.
In
Out
13:15
Item number 3 is a communication, amendment to city council submitting an order for the transfer of $2,000 from assessor's purchase of service to assessor's other charges and expenses.
In
Out
13:24
The item was referred on July 16th, 2026, and 3A is the order.
In
Out
13:30
Motion received and placed on file.
In
Out
13:31
Made by Councilor Burgo.
In
Out
13:32
Second by Councilor, uh, Pereira.
In
Out
13:34
All those in favor?
In
Out
13:35
Opposed?
In
Out
13:35
The ayes have it.
In
Out
13:36
Anyone on the question?
In
Out
13:37
Oh, Councillor Burgo, on the question.
In
Out
13:43
Um, so with this account, you made a reference to it being negative, correct?
In
Out
13:49
So it's my understanding— so other charges and expenses, your other charges and expenses account— or not yours, sorry, the assessor's other charges and expenses account is currently negative $2,000, is what you're saying?
In
Out
14:01
Yes.
In
Out
14:02
Yeah, because the budget order was for $24,000 and change in the Proposed budget showed $26,000, so you would cut $26,000, which resulted in the negative $2,000.
In
Out
14:15
Okay, so I'll ask the same question though.
In
Out
14:19
With that account being negative $2,000 on paper right now, whatever is typically paid out of that account or supposed to be paid out of that account, will it not be paid currently or be delayed because we don't— if we table this tonight?
In
Out
14:38
Yes.
In
Out
14:38
Yeah, so in this case, had the budget order and the proposed budget been the same amount, the account would be at $0, so we wouldn't allow any payments to go out of it in the first place.
In
Out
14:47
So the assessor's department has told me they aren't planning on having any sort of charges to that account for this whole fiscal year.
In
Out
14:52
Okay, so basically it won't matter, it's just about cleaning it up afterwards, right?
In
Out
14:58
Yeah, so it's the the, um, purchase of services would be overstated by $2,000 currently.
In
Out
15:04
That's if this administration doesn't overspend like they typically do by the end of the year.
In
Out
15:08
Okay, thank you.
In
Out
15:10
That's all.
In
Out
15:11
Thank you, Councilor Burgo.
In
Out
15:12
Anyone else on the question?
In
Out
15:15
Seeing none, what's your pleasure?
In
Out
15:17
Motion to table made by Councilor Burgo, seconded by Councilor Pereira.
In
Out
15:24
Roll call vote.
In
Out
15:25
Roll call vote has been requested by Councilor Roy.
In
Out
15:29
Roll call on item number 3 and 3A, which is the order.
In
Out
15:33
The motion is to table the item.
In
Out
15:40
Yes, Councilor Baptiste.
In
Out
15:41
Councilor Burgo?
In
Out
15:42
Yes.
In
Out
15:42
Yes, Councilor Burgo.
In
Out
15:43
Councilor Carney?
In
Out
15:44
Yes.
In
Out
15:44
Yes, Councilor Carney.
In
Out
15:46
Councilor Lopes?
In
Out
15:48
Yes.
In
Out
15:48
Yes, Councilor Lopes.
In
Out
15:49
Councilor Oliver?
In
Out
15:50
Yes.
In
Out
15:51
Yes, Councilor Oliver.
In
Out
15:51
Councilor Pemberton?
In
Out
15:52
Yes.
In
Out
15:53
Yes, Councilor Pemberton.
In
Out
15:54
Councilor Pereira?
In
Out
15:56
Yes.
In
Out
15:56
Councilor Pereira.
In
Out
15:57
Councilor Roy?
In
Out
15:58
No.
In
Out
15:58
No.
In
Out
16:00
7 to 1.
In
Out
16:01
The item passes 7 to 1.
In
Out
16:02
Item 3 will be tabled.
In
Out
16:05
Excuse me.
In
Out
16:07
Item number 4 is a communication.
In
Out
16:08
Mayor Mitchell, City Council, submitting an order for the transfer of $650 from Labor Relations Purchase of Services to Labor Relations Other Charges and Expenses.
In
Out
16:17
The matter was referred out on July 16th, and 4A is the order.
In
Out
16:22
Motion received and placed on— made by Councilor Burgos, seconded by Councilor Pereira.
In
Out
16:26
All those in favor?
In
Out
16:27
Opposed?
In
Out
16:27
The ayes have it.
In
Out
16:29
Anyone on the question?
In
Out
16:30
Councilor Burgos on the question.
In
Out
16:32
Oh, I wasn't sure if anyone else had any questions.
In
Out
16:35
Um, same question, $650, uh, but I guess other charges and expenses again is But this one isn't negative, correct?
In
Out
16:46
And again, anything of the value of $650, labor relations, purchase of services, or other charges, expenses will continue.
In
Out
16:56
Yes.
In
Out
16:57
Whether or not we proceed to— yes, at the current time, yes.
In
Out
17:01
Okay, so we can wait and take a review at this towards, uh, closer to the end of the fiscal year.
In
Out
17:06
Okay, thank you.
In
Out
17:09
Anyone else on the question?
In
Out
17:12
Seeing none, what's your pleasure?
In
Out
17:15
Motion to table made by Councilor Burgos.
In
Out
17:20
Second by Councilor Pereira.
In
Out
17:21
Roll call vote.
In
Out
17:22
Roll call on item number 4 and 4A, which is the order.
In
Out
17:27
The roll call is on tabling item 4 and 4A.
In
Out
17:37
Councillor Baptiste?
In
Out
17:38
Yeah.
In
Out
17:39
Yes, Councillor Baptiste.
In
Out
17:40
Councillor Burgo?
In
Out
17:41
Yes.
In
Out
17:41
Yes, Councillor Burgo.
In
Out
17:42
Councillor Carney?
In
Out
17:43
No.
In
Out
17:45
No, Councillor Carney.
In
Out
17:46
Councillor Lopes?
In
Out
17:48
Yes.
In
Out
17:49
Yes, Councillor Lopes.
In
Out
17:50
Councillor Oliver?
In
Out
17:51
Yes.
In
Out
17:51
Yes, Councillor Oliver.
In
Out
17:52
Councillor Pemberton?
In
Out
17:53
Yes.
In
Out
17:54
Yes, Councillor Pemberton.
In
Out
17:55
Councillor Pereira?
In
Out
17:57
Yes.
In
Out
17:57
Councillor Roy?
In
Out
17:58
No.
In
Out
18:00
Item passes 6 to 2.
In
Out
18:01
The item is tabled.
In
Out
18:04
Item number 5 is a communication.
In
Out
18:06
Minn Mitchell to the City Council submitting an order for the transfer of $157,791 from school general expense to school transportation.
In
Out
18:16
The item was referred on July 16th.
In
Out
18:19
5A is the order made by Councilor Pereira.
In
Out
18:24
Second.
In
Out
18:25
Second by Councilor Burgo.
In
Out
18:26
Anyone on the question?
In
Out
18:28
Seeing none, the item is in front of us.
In
Out
18:31
I'm assuming Mr. Flynn— yes, would you like to come to the podium please, as it's a school-related matter?
In
Out
18:42
Does anyone have any questions?
In
Out
18:43
Councilor Bergo.
In
Out
18:44
Thank you.
In
Out
18:45
How are you, Assistant Superintendent Flynn?
In
Out
18:47
Good, thank you.
In
Out
18:48
Um, I have some concerns, um, a lot of concerns actually.
In
Out
18:54
Um, but in regards to the school budget, we already know that in regards to the net school spending side of things, SURE, the formula worked out to however it worked out, and they're telling us that $157,791 is no longer needed for the net school spend.
In
Out
19:14
NSS, SURE is the acronym.
In
Out
19:16
Um, my concern though is the budget that the school committee and technically the superintendent and yourself worked out for FY27 included not only this $157,791 but an additional $2 million plus on the net school spending side of things.
In
Out
19:38
Not just the net school spending side of things but also an additional $2 million on the non-net school side eligible which we just say transportation.
In
Out
19:45
But we know it's so much more than transportation.
In
Out
19:47
It's custodial and other sides of that.
In
Out
19:51
So I say all that to say there's about $4.5 million or so.
In
Out
19:56
If I'm getting— if I'm rounding that number up too much or rounding down too much, you can clarify.
In
Out
20:01
But there's a huge gap, and I'm just curious as to how this $157,000 fits into that.
In
Out
20:10
So I want to address one thing you said about $157,000, quote, not needed.
In
Out
20:14
That's, that's, that certainly would not be my term.
In
Out
20:17
Oh, I agree, I agree.
In
Out
20:19
I'm saying that's what the letter is saying to us.
In
Out
20:21
The letter that's on file here says to us that it's no longer needed because the state's final, uh, calculations— if you're being completely honest, we take CFO Ekstrom's calculation of like the net, net amount that should come to the school department, and he applies his formula, and the actual end result of state aid compared to when the budget was passed.
In
Out
20:41
Correct, there was a net difference of $157,000 in state aid to the city, which then trickles down through the calculations of the net amount to the schools of net school spending.
In
Out
20:52
If you wanted to keep us at the exact minimum set by the state, would be lowered by the $157,000.
In
Out
20:57
It's not to say that we don't need it, couldn't use it, but to meet being at exactly zero above and zero below using CFO Ekstrom's calculations, that's the amount that you would reduce net school spending by, but then transfer it into the non-net, which is 99% transportation, keeping the total school department budget the same.
In
Out
21:18
But I guess that's for his reporting purposes, wanting to show that we're at the minimum net school amount on the net amount side.
In
Out
21:25
And then addressing the shortfalls, well, that's You know, that's ongoing.
In
Out
21:31
You know, Superintendent O'Leary and I speak about that every week.
In
Out
21:34
We're watching all of our hires, all of our turnover in staff.
In
Out
21:38
We're trying to ensure that, you know, the figure is what it is.
In
Out
21:43
We have to live with it.
In
Out
21:44
What can we do?
In
Out
21:45
What can we defer to manage our budget within the amount that was appropriated to us?
In
Out
21:50
The transportation side, quite honestly, is a little more difficult because there's not much leeway.
In
Out
21:55
We, we transport who we must transport.
In
Out
21:58
You know, the students in district, in the city, and outside of the district, largely run by IEPs or special education students, they, they need those services.
In
Out
22:07
They're required.
In
Out
22:08
We're going to supply those services.
In
Out
22:11
If we come to March, April, May and this $2 million less than what we requested is really coming to a reality, I mean, if I'm being completely honest, I can't tell you today that we're going to make it through March, April, May, and June.
In
Out
22:24
We're doing everything we can to consolidate routes, ensure that we're only transporting who we have to transport to make sure we're doing the minimum number of routes.
In
Out
22:32
But we are going to service all the students who need servicing with their routes.
In
Out
22:36
I will make that commitment.
In
Out
22:38
So essentially, this $157,000 is barely a dent in the— it's— and I'm getting that number right, the $2 million?
In
Out
22:45
It's less than one— it's less than one-half of 1% of the budget being transferred from one line to another.
In
Out
22:50
It's I mean, I don't mean to diminish $157,000 at all, but it's not going to affect us one way or another.
In
Out
22:57
You're new to my sarcasm, so I know that you're not catching any of the things that I'm saying.
In
Out
23:02
Everyone else in the room— I'm catching it.
In
Out
23:03
Okay, good, because I just want to make sure some of your responses, you were like, I wouldn't clap.
In
Out
23:07
But anyway, um, again, I just want to highlight the, the concern that I have, especially around the net school spending side.
In
Out
23:17
I agree with you, and I'm one of the people that I would want us to exceed net school spending, but my concern here too, and I will say that sometimes I don't necessarily have a lot of faith in you and the school administration, is when it comes time for the tough decisions around, okay, we're not going to get that $2 million, which I'm— we all know the reality of the situation is we don't have the money to fund the school department this year, which is why the mayor cut the school department by almost $5 million.
In
Out
23:48
Um, I rounded up, um, but essentially at 4.5, whatever the number— but he cut that amount because there's not enough in the tax levy to fund it.
In
Out
23:56
My concern though is what drastic decisions will the school be making?
In
Out
24:02
Is it going to affect our teachers in the classrooms?
In
Out
24:05
Uh, will it affect Prab more?
In
Out
24:06
Those kind of things.
In
Out
24:07
And since we have you in front of us, that's why I'm looking for those kind of questions, especially when you're saying we don't know what's going to happen in March or April.
In
Out
24:15
In that time frame, right?
In
Out
24:16
So to address it right now, the last thing we want to have happen is to affect student-facing, direct in the classroom, direct to teachers.
In
Out
24:23
That would be the last decision we would ever try to make.
In
Out
24:27
Quite honestly, with the number of employees we have exceeding 2,400, there's a lot of turnover every year.
In
Out
24:32
We're trying to squeeze every penny we can out of turnover.
In
Out
24:34
We're being extra insistent this year with the principals that, okay, you have an opening, we do need to fill that opening.
In
Out
24:41
But let's, you know, could somebody with 1, 2, 3 years experience fit the criteria of what you're looking for as opposed to someone with 9, 10, 11 who's going to be placed higher on a union scale?
In
Out
24:52
And, you know, if you save $50,000, $20,000 here or there, it will start to add up pretty quickly.
In
Out
24:59
So that's our very first attempt at closing this gap is being very vigilant this summer on all of our turnover positions is You know, hiring the best candidate, yes, but at the lowest experience level, lowest point on the scale that we can get them.
In
Out
25:14
Second to that, you know, with anything, there's maintenance items we would like to do, there's things we have to do.
In
Out
25:19
So right now we're just doing the things we have to do.
In
Out
25:22
If there are maintenance items we would like to do but can defer them, we're making the decision to not do it right now because again, if it's $50,000 here, $20,000 there, it's going to add up.
In
Out
25:31
So we're not doing those, and that's the And to clarify, the maintenance side of it is the, as you keep coining, transportation, but non-net school spending side falls under maintenance, is that correct?
In
Out
25:43
Um, technically no.
In
Out
25:45
Well, it depends on the size of the project.
In
Out
25:46
To get— not to get too into the weeds, a maintenance project that exceeds $150,000 is non-net school spending.
In
Out
25:54
A maintenance, say a $20,000 repair to a boiler, that does count towards net school spending.
In
Out
25:59
So regular everyday maintenance of any one job under $150,000 counts towards the minimum net school spending side of the budget.
In
Out
26:10
But the custodial staff— net school spending— they're on net school spending?
In
Out
26:14
Yes, they are.
In
Out
26:19
All right, that's all I had for clarifying questions.
In
Out
26:22
Thank you.
In
Out
26:25
Hi.
In
Out
26:25
Hi.
In
Out
26:25
So just one question, I think.
In
Out
26:27
Do you— does, does your office support this transfer?
In
Out
26:32
Support?
In
Out
26:33
I mean, the net, the net amount of the total school budget staying the same.
In
Out
26:37
So quite honestly, I don't have an opinion either way.
In
Out
26:40
I think it's more a bookkeeping thing.
In
Out
26:41
We want to— we, the global— we as the city want to do this transfer so that the schools are at the exact minimum net school spending.
In
Out
26:50
I'd say I'm not really a fan of being exactly at zero.
In
Out
26:53
I would not be a fan of the budget being reduced, but if it's just transferring from one line to the other and it's what the city auditor CFO's office wants to do, it's really not going to affect us at the end of the year.
In
Out
27:04
I mean, it's the same bottom line that we have to spend, and we're going to spend on the expenses that we need to expend throughout the year anyway, if I'm being completely honest.
In
Out
27:13
Thank you for being honest.
In
Out
27:14
I'm all good.
In
Out
27:14
Thank you.
In
Out
27:15
Thank you, Councilor Roy.
In
Out
27:16
Councilor Baptiste, on your first.
In
Out
27:18
What's up, Dave?
In
Out
27:19
How you doing today?
In
Out
27:19
Good.
In
Out
27:19
Thank you.
In
Out
27:20
Good.
In
Out
27:21
I just had a couple of questions with the trans— with the money going in transportation.
In
Out
27:27
Did the sale of Tremblay Bus have anything to do with that?
In
Out
27:31
Did the prices change with how your bus routes are going to— and how you're going to have to pay for your bus routes and all that?
In
Out
27:37
And how do you put your net spending like with your routes, right?
In
Out
27:43
You know how like you have clustered routes and you have double runs at certain places.
In
Out
27:47
Have you ever thought about consolidating— not consolidating, but going back to old ways of transportation that maybe might handle the problem with timing, which probably wouldn't go towards so much of the— but like you need to transfer the transportation budget because kids need to get to school and kids need to get to where they're at.
In
Out
28:07
I was just wondering if the sale, you know, of a new company coming in, a bigger company coming And will the prices change knowing that, you know, when you have a mom-and-pop company, you can get them little— you know, you can, you can make them little side deals and you can do a little bit of that stuff where, whereas another company comes in, you don't have that same relationship with them, same bonds.
In
Out
28:27
So the good thing is that we were— right now we're entering year 4 of a 5-year contract that was with Tremblay's.
In
Out
28:33
Part of the deal with them being bought by School Transportation of America is they need to honor all the terms and conditions of that contract.
In
Out
28:40
So for year 4 and year 5, it's the exact same as if Tremblays had not sold out to them.
In
Out
28:46
And then to your second question about consolidating routes so we can tier them better, that's absolutely something that, you know, Darcy Youngs and Superintendent O'Leary and I have talked about.
In
Out
28:54
The one stumbling block to that potentially is that would require changing in times, potentially like start and end times of schools, to then tier them a little bit better.
In
Out
29:04
And then that requires a lot of negotiations with the unions to change changed times.
In
Out
29:07
Yeah, but it's certainly something that we could do.
In
Out
29:09
When the school times were staggered, I'm sure the bus routes were easier to get people, you know, with everything coming a little bit— with high school starting a little later or closer to the middle schools, you know, like their time being closer together.
In
Out
29:26
So the drop-offs being more clustered, whereas earlier drop-off after high school used to happen.
In
Out
29:31
You used to go like the high school, the middle school, elementary school, and it used to make it easier for runs.
In
Out
29:36
I didn't know if that would, you know, deal with anything with the budget.
In
Out
29:40
And also, like you say, they have to honor Tremblays from 4 and 5.
In
Out
29:44
So we're going to think about a drastic change after year 5, right, with the transportation budget.
In
Out
29:51
Yeah.
In
Out
29:51
And unfortunately, that could, that could be a reality of a bigger company taking over.
In
Out
29:56
But at least we have years 4 and 5 under our known pricing structure.
In
Out
30:00
So let's just make sure we maintain good relationships with every little company around here.
In
Out
30:06
So when these prices balloon, we can always have people that can back us up because we want to make sure with all the issues that people complain about with the times and like when I'm going to work, I'm seeing buses packed like I've never seen buses packed like they are like right now.
In
Out
30:22
And I know there's more people coming into the city.
In
Out
30:24
There's more kids going to school, thank God, um, and showing up, and the attendance is better, so the graduation rate goes up a little bit more.
In
Out
30:32
But, you know, making sure that these kids get there safely is, is the main thing, and making sure that we, you know, stay within the budget and can help out, you know, you guys in any way possible.
In
Out
30:41
But thank you.
In
Out
30:42
Um, I yield.
In
Out
30:43
Thank you.
In
Out
30:44
Thank you, Councilor Baptiste.
In
Out
30:45
Anyone else on the question?
In
Out
30:48
See no one else on the first.
In
Out
30:49
Anyone on their second?
In
Out
30:52
Seeing none, motion referral to the full City Council for adoption.
In
Out
30:57
Made by Councilor Burgos, second by Councilor Baptiste.
In
Out
31:01
Roll call vote.
In
Out
31:02
Roll call vote.
In
Out
31:09
Referring to the full City Council.
In
Out
31:11
Yes, sir.
In
Out
31:13
No, 5, 5, and 5A.
In
Out
31:20
Okay, uh, I'm referring out for approval.
In
Out
31:23
Councilor Baptiste?
In
Out
31:24
Yes.
In
Out
31:25
Yes, Councilor Baptiste.
In
Out
31:26
Councilor Virgo?
In
Out
31:27
Yes.
In
Out
31:27
Councilor Carney?
In
Out
31:28
Yes.
In
Out
31:28
Yes, Councilor Carney.
In
Out
31:29
Councilor Lopes?
In
Out
31:32
Yes.
In
Out
31:32
Yes, Councilor Lopes.
In
Out
31:33
Councilor Oliver?
In
Out
31:35
Yes.
In
Out
31:35
Yes, Councilor Oliver.
In
Out
31:36
Councilor Pemberton?
In
Out
31:37
Yes.
In
Out
31:37
Yes, Councilor Pemberton.
In
Out
31:38
Councilor Pereira?
In
Out
31:39
Yes.
In
Out
31:39
Yes, Councilor Pereira.
In
Out
31:40
Councilor Roy?
In
Out
31:41
No.
In
Out
31:41
No.
In
Out
31:42
Item passes 8 to 1.
In
Out
31:44
Yep, item passes 8 to 1.
In
Out
31:47
7 to 1, I'm sorry, sorry.
In
Out
31:48
Yeah, 7 to 1 on referral to the full City Council.
In
Out
31:52
Item number 6 is communication amendment to City Council submitting an order for the transfer of $395,000 from Zaitarian Theater Supplies to Zaitarian Theater Purchase of Services.
In
Out
32:02
The matter was referred here on July 16th, and 6A is the order.
In
Out
32:06
Motion.
In
Out
32:08
Made by Council Oliver.
In
Out
32:10
Second by Council Pereira.
In
Out
32:12
All those in favor?
In
Out
32:12
Opposed?
In
Out
32:13
The ayes have it.
In
Out
32:15
Who would you like to hear from?
In
Out
32:17
I'm assuming I know the answer, but Rosemary— oh, Mr. Lowry, please.
In
Out
32:30
Council Pereira on your first.
In
Out
32:32
Thank you, Mr.— thank you, Mr.
In
Out
32:33
Chair.
In
Out
32:34
Uh, Quillen, we, uh, I'm reading this, it just looks like again the order line was put in wrong as it's a contractual service that we have with the Citerion Theater which needs to go in the 200 account, which is the purchase of services, and it was incorrectly put in the 400 account.
In
Out
32:51
Yes.
In
Out
32:51
Okay, so this is just transferring from the 4 to the 200 and it's the entirety of it.
In
Out
32:56
So this one doesn't have like— for them to start getting their payments, it needs to be in the 200 account.
In
Out
33:02
Yeah, for proper UMass accounting, we need to have it being paid out of the 200 account.
In
Out
33:05
Okay.
In
Out
33:05
Have they received a payment yet?
In
Out
33:07
No.
In
Out
33:08
No.
In
Out
33:08
So if once we get it in the 200 account, they can start receiving the payment that we are obligated to give them based on the— our agreement with the Zeitarian?
In
Out
33:20
Yes.
In
Out
33:21
Okay.
In
Out
33:21
Contractually obligated to pay them?
In
Out
33:23
Yes.
In
Out
33:23
By law?
In
Out
33:25
Per the contract.
In
Out
33:26
Per the contract.
In
Out
33:26
Thank you.
In
Out
33:27
Thank you, Mr.
In
Out
33:28
Chair.
In
Out
33:28
Thank you, Councilor Pereira.
In
Out
33:30
Councilor Oliver, on your first.
In
Out
33:31
Thank you.
In
Out
33:31
Councilor Burgo, you're on deck.
In
Out
33:32
Thank you, Mr.
In
Out
33:33
Chair.
In
Out
33:33
Uh, thank you, Quellen.
In
Out
33:35
Uh, contractual— what's this contract?
In
Out
33:37
Uh, just a— it's a support agreement with the Zaitarian the city entered into with the Zaitarian, correct?
In
Out
33:45
Yes.
In
Out
33:46
Okay.
In
Out
33:47
Uh, how long do we have on that, the existing agreement?
In
Out
33:50
Do you know?
In
Out
33:51
Off the top of my head, I don't know.
In
Out
33:52
I'm sorry, I don't know.
In
Out
33:53
I can get back to you with that.
In
Out
33:55
I know, I know the answer.
In
Out
33:56
I'm just— oh, okay.
In
Out
33:58
Um, and this is— so this, this support agreement, it's sitting in supplies now.
In
Out
34:05
It can't be touched because it's in the wrong— in the wrong drawer, if you will, right?
In
Out
34:10
It's in the wrong account.
In
Out
34:12
Yeah, if we want to have it be correct, it would be paid out of the 200 account.
In
Out
34:15
And the whole idea of this support agreement, you— is for What, what does your office believe it's, it's for, or know that it's for?
In
Out
34:26
To support the Zaiterian in their operations.
In
Out
34:28
Support the Zaiterian.
In
Out
34:30
Okay.
In
Out
34:31
Um, it is— we give the building to the, to the Z at no cost, correct?
In
Out
34:38
Uh, I believe a $1.99 a year.
In
Out
34:40
Yeah, yeah, for $99.
In
Out
34:41
Yep.
In
Out
34:42
Okay.
In
Out
34:43
Um, all right, that's— I just wanted to clarify for the general public what the what this $400,000 is, um, and why it was— it needs to be changed, um, because it, like you said, it is sitting in one account, needs to be moved to the other account.
In
Out
35:00
Um, and, um, that's all.
In
Out
35:02
Thank you.
In
Out
35:03
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
In
Out
35:04
Councilor Oliver.
In
Out
35:05
Councilor Burgo, on your first.
In
Out
35:09
Yes, thank you.
In
Out
35:10
Um, I just want to clarify with this particular account, why we're not able to make payments to the Zaiterian Theater while we wait?
In
Out
35:21
Well, I was told that we can treat this as just a sub-functional department where the purpose of this department is to just provide support for the Z.
In
Out
35:28
So as for reporting to the state and for our audit, it really is just one line for it.
In
Out
35:35
But ultimately, we do need to charge a certain object code, and so right now we would have to charge it to the 400 account to have it match, even though ultimate roll-up to all the same point.
In
Out
35:45
But we do want to get it right, as we have with the other items as well.
In
Out
35:48
So even though you get it wrong any other time, you guys wouldn't be able to make the payment?
In
Out
35:55
That's my question, is that if, for example, it's table tonight and the Zaitarian needs their, their funding, you wouldn't be able to cut them a check with it being in— we would, because the way we report it is just on the Zaitarian line in total.
In
Out
36:08
So you would be able to?
In
Out
36:09
Correct.
In
Out
36:10
Even though you just told my colleague Councilmember that a payment would not be able to go out to them?
In
Out
36:14
Well, for me, I would like to have it go out of the correct account, but if we need to put in the wrong— and that's fine, and I understand that.
In
Out
36:19
I think that we should do things that way.
In
Out
36:22
I just want to, again, on the record, clarify that this administration picks and chooses, not you, and I want to make that clear.
In
Out
36:30
I think you're doing a great job, Quinlan.
In
Out
36:31
Thank you.
In
Out
36:32
You're excellent.
In
Out
36:33
I'm so proud of the work that you're doing as our auditor.
In
Out
36:35
So proud to have voted for you.
In
Out
36:37
Keep up the good work.
In
Out
36:39
This administration, though, picks and chooses when they want to do things right and by the book.
In
Out
36:44
And so right now, I think it's too early in the fiscal year to be doing transfers.
In
Out
36:49
And so I want to, again, just like these past transfers that we just tabled, to table this item.
In
Out
36:54
And I'm glad that you just clarified for us that the Zeitgeist Theater can still receive this access to the $395,000 because this administration tried to play with this money in a previous budget when it was under DFFM, when we knew that DFFM's line items budget— when it was under DFFM's budget, they had the money to pay.
In
Out
37:16
But the administration at that time played games and said, nope, we can't because it was cut from the budget, even though they could have funded it.
In
Out
37:23
But they did it as a tug of war.
In
Out
37:25
And so the same thing's happening again.
In
Out
37:26
I just wanted to clarify, I don't want to hear on the radio, I don't want to see in a press release from this administration that, oh, the Zaitarians are at jeopardy again, because a check— and it's on the record now— can be cut for them.
In
Out
37:40
Although the, the source code might be messed up, we can fix that later on, just like we fix every other mistake from this administration, just like we did on item 7 here from the registered land taking for this easement.
In
Out
37:52
Just like I can list a whole other— in my tenure here, just for 5 years, I'm sure my other colleagues who've been here longer can tell you all the other mistakes this administration has made.
In
Out
38:01
So again, I do not want to hear that this administration has not given a check to anybody when these funds have been appropriated.
In
Out
38:11
Understood?
In
Out
38:12
Yep.
In
Out
38:12
Thank you.
In
Out
38:13
That's all.
In
Out
38:15
Thank you, Councilor Burgo.
In
Out
38:16
Anyone else on the first Anyone on there second?
In
Out
38:22
Seeing none, what's your pleasure?
In
Out
38:25
Oh, really quick.
In
Out
38:25
Second.
In
Out
38:26
Oh, there was a motion on the table to refer the full city council.
In
Out
38:30
Is that for adoption?
In
Out
38:31
Councilor Pereira, motion to refer to the full city council and adoption of items 6 and 6A, made by Councilor Pereira, seconded by Councilor Roy.
In
Out
38:40
Motion to receive and place on file this report that we should have all received and know if Rosemary handed this to everyone.
In
Out
38:47
Rosemary, did I get one?
In
Out
38:49
Did you give this to everyone?
In
Out
38:54
Oh, you don't have that?
In
Out
38:57
Okay, never mind then.
In
Out
38:59
Okay, well, I just thought because everyone's always complaining they don't get this, but you'll get an electronic copy of it.
In
Out
39:05
Thank you.
In
Out
39:05
It's just the report to the city I thought was appropriate to receive.
In
Out
39:08
But motion to table.
In
Out
39:09
Second.
In
Out
39:10
Motion to refer takes precedent.
In
Out
39:13
No, it doesn't.
In
Out
39:14
The motion to table takes precedent.
In
Out
39:15
Sorry, I apologize, Councilor Burgo.
In
Out
39:17
There is a first made by Councilor Burgo.
In
Out
39:19
Is there a second?
In
Out
39:20
Second.
In
Out
39:21
Second made by Councilor Oliver.
In
Out
39:23
Roll call vote on tabling.
In
Out
39:26
On tabling.
In
Out
39:28
Roll call vote on tabling.
In
Out
39:30
Councilor Baptiste?
In
Out
39:32
Yes.
In
Out
39:32
Councilor Baptiste.
In
Out
39:33
Councilor Burgo?
In
Out
39:34
Yes.
In
Out
39:34
Councilor Burgo.
In
Out
39:35
Councilor Carney?
In
Out
39:36
Yes.
In
Out
39:36
Yes, Councilor Carney.
In
Out
39:37
Councilor Lopes?
In
Out
39:39
No.
In
Out
39:39
No, Councilor Lopes.
In
Out
39:40
Councilor Oliver?
In
Out
39:41
Yes.
In
Out
39:42
Yes, Councilor Oliver.
In
Out
39:43
Councilor Pemberton?
In
Out
39:44
Yes.
In
Out
39:44
Yes, Councilor Pemberton.
In
Out
39:45
Councilor Pereira?
In
Out
39:46
Yes.
In
Out
39:47
Yes, Councilor Pereira.
In
Out
39:49
Councilor Roy?
In
Out
39:49
No.
In
Out
39:50
No, it passes, um, 6-2.
In
Out
39:55
Item to table, passed 6-2.
In
Out
39:59
Motion to adjourn.
In
Out
40:01
Motion to adjourn is made by Councilor Burgos, seconded by Councilor Oliver.
In
Out
40:06
All those in favor?
In
Out
40:07
Opposed?
In
Out
40:09
We are adjourned at 7:42 PM.
In
Out