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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
 Posted - 01/02/2009 : 08:02:53 AM
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MIDTERM MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL, MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2009, 8:15PM, CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, EVERETT, MA
1. C0001-09 Order/s/Councilor Eloy Lou Sierra, as Senior Member
To elect a President of the Common Council for the calendar year 2009.
2. C0002-09 Order/s/Newly Elected President
To adopt the Common Council Rules of 2008 as the Rules of the Common Council for the calendar year 2009.
3. C0003-09 Order/s/Newly Elected President
To adopt the Joint Rules of 2008 as the Joint Rules for the calendar year 2009.
4. C0004-09 Order/s/Newly Elected President
That the newly elected president of the Common Council appoint three members to serve as messengers to notify the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of their organization.
5. Adjournment.
Respectfully submitted:
Caroline McCorry
Adm. Assist. / Ofc. Mgr.
Everett City Council Office
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Edited by - massdee on 01/02/2009 08:04:30 AM |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2009 : 7:55:25 PM
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January 06, 2009
City of Everett, Massachusetts
CITY COUNCIL
Offered By: _______________________________________
Bill Number: A0010-09
Bill Type: December 19, 2008
The Honorable City Council
Everett City Hall
484 Broadway
Everett, Massachusetts 02149
Dear Honorable Members:
In accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of the Everett City Charter, I hereby call a Joint Convention/Public Hearing of the City Council to be held as follows:
Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Peter J. McCarren Memorial Chambers, Everett City Hall, 3rd Floor, Everett, Massachusetts 02149
Subject: In accordance with Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 40A, Section 5, a Joint Convention/Public Hearing of the Everett City Council shall be held. The purpose of the public hearing is to provide an opportunity to be heard to all parties interested in the Proposed Zoning Ordinance offered by Alderman Robert J. Van Campen, with a favorable Planning Board recommendation, to restrict the operation of open air dumps and landfills within the City of Everett. All persons interested or wishing to be heard on the proposal ordinance should appear at the time and place designated.
Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
Carlo DeMaria, Jr.
Mayor
cc: Mr. Michael Matarazzo, City Clerk
Ms. Caroline McCorry, City Council Office
Posted in accordance with the provisions of M.G.Laws, Chapter 39, Sections 23A,B, C on 12-19-08 at 10:42 a.m. Attest: Michael Matarazzo, City Clerk.
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Edited by - Tails on 01/15/2009 12:53:42 PM |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2009 : 8:45:02 PM
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I knew the year would get off to an interesting start with Councilor Hicks was sitting the president's seat. It usually doesn't bother me when Coucilor Sierra doesn't show up; but, he was missed tonight. Thank goodness the new president takes over after the first item.
Microphone problems? Already? What was going on with audio for a while too? Let's hope those problems don't continue. |
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Fran
Senior Member
250 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2009 : 10:34:17 AM
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| Sierra hardly ever shows up when it's time to vote for a new president unless they are voting for him. |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2009 : 10:46:22 AM
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How does he keep getting voted in? Unless, no one runs against him....I don't know. If he cant find the time to commit himself to these meetings, then he should gracefully step down. In all honesty, I haven't seen/heard enough from him to say that he has brought anything to the common council. I know attendance has been a huge issue, especially after ward four had someone that just fell off the face of the earth.
Perfect example if someone runs unopposed, that is not deserving, to leave the ballot blank.
"blatantly, gone are the days" |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2009 : 10:51:46 AM
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I forgot to mention...is ECTV still upgrading? They seem to still be having problems with programing not on time. The replay was supposed to be on at 11:00pm last night. 11:10, it cut in, and everyone seemed to be having microphone problems. Shouldn't all this be tested before the meetings?
"blatantly, gone are the days" |
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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2009 : 5:08:13 PM
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| Sierra has had an attendance problem for the last 18 years that I'm aware of BUT he keeps getting re-elected. Maybe he's got a large family........... |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2009 : 12:48:19 PM
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AGENDA AGENDA AGENDA AGENDA AGENDA AGENDA
________________________________________
REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL, TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2009, 7:00 PM, CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3RD FL., EVERETT
COMMUNICATIONS FROM HIS HONOR THE MAYOR
1. A0359-08 Order/s/Alderman Robert J. Van Campen, as President
Taken from the table for discussion was an Order from the Mayor relative to draft consent order between the City of Everett and Wood Waste of Boston, Inc. Laid on table until final draft is submitted by the Mayor. Sent down for discussion and comments from the Common Council for the Mayor's final draft back to the Board of Aldermen.
2. C0011-09 Order/s/Councilor Millie Cardello, as President
To transfer $69,751.00 from the Mayor's Reserve Account to the following Accounts to fund the settlement of the Local 25 Contract for Fiscal Year 2009. Salaries/Fac Maint $7,585.00, Overtime/Fac Maint $540.00, Salaries/Police $1,120.00, Salaries/Parking Clerk $1,083.00, Salaries/City Services $49,407.00, Overtime/City Services $6,750.00, Salaries/Recreation $3,266.00.
3. C0007-09 Order/s/Councilor Millie J. Cardello, as President
To accept the donation of $21,000.00 from the Everett Foundation for Aged Persons, Inc. to the Mayor's Office of Human Services to support Elder Services Program for Everett residents.
4. C0008-09 Order/s/Councilor Millie J. Cardello, as President
To accept the donation of $2,500.00 from the Everett Co-Operative Bank to the Mayor's Office of Human Services to support the Emergency Program for Everett residents.
5. C0009-09 Order/s/Councilor Millie J. Cardello, as President
To accept the donation of $2,424.00 from the attached list of people to the Mayor's Office of Human Services. This donation will be used to support the Christmas Program for Everett residents.
PAPERS FROM THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN
6. A0356-08 Order/s/Alderman Robert J. Van Campen, as President
Subject to confirmation by the Honorable City Council, I hereby appoint Mr. Michael Bono to an unexpired term on the Planning Board ending in March 2009. (Confirmed, sent down for concurrence.)
7. A0320-08 Order/s/Aldermen Jason Marcus and L. Charles DiPerri
Favorable recommendation from Director of Veterans Services on Order to Dedicate and name 52 Heath Street the "Cosimo Ragucci Square". (Communication accepted, order passed sent down for concurrence.)
8. A0336-08 Order/s/Aldermen Robert J. Van Campen, Frank Nuzzo, Michael Marchese, L. Charles DiPerri, Sal Sachetta, Wayne Matewsky and Jason Marcus
In the interest of public health, and due to the frequent and ongoing complaints of odors and noxious fumes emanating from the site, that the City of Everett, acting through its Board of Health, immediately issue a cease and desist order in connection with the operation of Wood Waste of Boston in the City of Everett. (Passed, reconsideration failed, sent down for concurrence.)
9. A0337-08 Resolution/s/Alderman Jason Marcus
That the City Council of the City of Everett are hereby opposed to the toll hikes of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. (Passed sent down for concurrence to send to Senator Galluccio and Representative Smith.)
10. A0341-08 Ordinance/s/Alderman Robert J. Van Campen
To amend Chapter 18-149(e) of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Everett by inserting a new subsection as follows: "(7) Recreational Vehicles and Campers." (Enrolled sent down for enrollment.)
11. A0031-09 Order/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President
To transfer $11,660.00 from the Mayor's Reserve Account to the Library Salary ($11,460.00) and Library Longevity ($200.00) Accounts to fund the settlement of the ELSA Library Contract for Fiscal year 2009. (Passed sent down for concurrence)
12. A0032-09 Order/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President
To transfer $36,083.62 from the Mayor's Reserve Fund to the following accounts to fund the settlement of the Local 25 Clerical contract for FY '09: Auditor's Office Salary Account $2,070.03, Assessor's $3,482.84, City Clerk's Office $2,837.80, City Clerk/Registrar $1,045.27, Facilities Maint. $1,045.27, Police $7,179.33, Fire $2,179.33, Fire $2,155.88, Building $2,560.33, Parking Clerk $3,026.24, City Services $5,434.60, Health $994.55, Veteran's Services $1,045.27, Human Services $2,090.54 and Library $1,115.67. (Passed sent down for concurrence)
13. A0033-09 Order/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President
To accept donation of $50.00 from Frederick Cafasso & Sons, Inc. to the Everett Police Department for general expenses. (Passed sent down for concurrence)
14. A0034-09 Order/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President
To accept the donation of $3,000.00 from Exxon Mobil Corporation to the Everett Police Department for K-9 expenses. (Passed sent down for concurrence)
15. A0035-09 Order/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President
To transfer $279,090.45 from the Parking Clerk's Coin Account to the various named accounts in the Parking Clerk's Department to purchase new meters/parts to replace all the parking meters within the City, and also for purchasing 3 Smart Cars for the Parking Enforcement Officers; and finally for the settlement of union issues within the department, as follows: Meter Repairs/Maintenance Account $230,940.45, Other Personal Services $3,000.00, Longevity $150.00 and Vehicles $45,000.00. (Passed sent down for concurrence)
16. A0270-08 Ordinance/s/Alderman Robert J. Van Campen
That the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Everett be amended to restrict the operation of open air dumps and landfills within the City. (Ordained sent down for ordainment.)
17. A0004-09 Ordinance/s/Aldermen L. Charles DiPerri, Alderman Robert J. Van Campen, Alderman Sal Sachetta, Councilor Millie Cardello, Councilor Lorrie Bruno, Councilor Sal DiDomenico
That the Revised Ordinances of the City of Everett Chapter 13 Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions is hereby amended by adding Section 13-1.1 Public consumption or use of marihuana or tetrahydrocannabinol. (Amended by adding Co-Sponsors Alderman Sal Sachetta, Councilors Millie Cardello, Lorrie Bruno and Sal DiDomenico, enrolled as amended, sent down for enrollment.)
COMMITTEE REPORTS
18. C0243-08 Committee Report
Finance Committee Report and Order offered by Councilor Lorrie Bruno, as President: That $14,600.00 be transferred from the Budget Office Salaries Account to the City Solicitor's Salaries Account to fund salary levels for that office; with a recommendation for favorable action.
19. C0214-08 Committee Report/s/Rules & Ordinances Committee Report
Ordinance/s/Councilor Joseph R. King
To abolish fees for the removal of white goods, that is, refrigerators, stoves, et cetera; with a recommendation to refer to the Committee on Public Service and to invite the City Solicitor, City Auditor, Director of City Services, Purchasing Agent and a representative of Capital Waste to attend the next meeting to discuss contract issues related to rubbish and white good removal.
20. C0225-08 Ordinance/s/Councilor Peter A. Napolitano
Committee on Rules and Ordinances Report on Resolution offered by Councilor Peter Napolitano-That the City of Everett amend the signage ordinance to include political graffiti, with a recommendation to request further time.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
21. C0227-08 Resolution/s/Councilor Peter A. Napolitano
That the DCR erect a "School Zone" sign within the appropriate distance on Route 16 for both eastbound and westbound traffic in the vicinity of the Whittier School in the interest of public safety.
22. C0246-08 Resolution/s/Councilor Peter A. Napolitano
To respectfully request that Representative Smith appear before the Common Council in January 2009 to provide an update for the citizens of Everett on the status of House Bill #4762 and his efforts to ensure that the Charter Review question is on the Ballot in November 2009.
NEW BUSINESS
23. C0006-09 Resolution/s/Councilors Lou Sierra and Sal DiDomenico
Request to invite Verizon Fios with regards to having City of Everett wired for cable in the future.
24. C0010-09 Common Council Worksheet
Pursuant to Rule 17 of the Common Council, all resolutions requesting the repair, replacement or maintenance of pavement, sidewalks, traffic signals, signage, playground equipment, or other similar requests, shall be placed on a separate worksheet and voted on collectively at the next formal session, and, if passed, referred to the respective departments for their response back to sponsors.
1.Sponsor: Councilor Sergio Cornelio-That the Sign Division places “No parking on Rubbish Days” sign on the corner of Hadley Court and Orient Street, as rubbish is not getting picked up because the truck cannot make the corner.
Referred to: City Services Director and Sign Division.
2. Sponsor: Councilor Lou Sierra-City places a blinking slow timing light at the lights at the intersection of Nichols and Malden Street.
Referred to: City Services Director, Wire Department and Sign Department.
3. Sponsor: Councilor Lou Sierra-Request from Keverian School to have a flashing light that reads “School Zone 20 MPH” outside on Nichols Street sidewalk.
Referred to: City Services Director, Wire Department and Sign Department.
Adjournment
Respectfully submitted:
Caroline McCorry
Everett City Council Office
council@ci.everett.ma.us
SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
01/22/09 6:00 P.M. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
01-26-09 6:00 P.M. LICENSE COMMITTEE MEETING
01/26/09 7:00 P.M. BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING
2/2/09 7:00 P.M. COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
02/09/09 7:00 P.M. BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING
www.You must be logged in to see this link.
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Edited by - Tails on 01/15/2009 12:55:36 PM |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2009 : 1:34:23 PM
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I thought the city was overspent but I didn't realize by how much. It appears we overspent on accounts more than a a half of million dollars.
Why has the mayor not asked for transfers and allowed this to happen? Check out line 9 and 10 on page two of the document for fiscal year 2009.
Line 9 snow and ice deficit of $90,265.78
Line 10 in a deficit of $460,692.00 under "other" with no explanation (perhaps a letter was attached, but was not on the PDF document)
Someone is NOT being fiscally responsible.
You must be logged in to see this link.
"blatantly, gone are the days" |
Edited by - Tails on 01/16/2009 1:02:33 PM |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2009 : 7:57:30 PM
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I have been trying to access this document for a couple of weeks now and have not been able to. Fortunately, Tails was able to access it and e-mailed me a copy of it. In case anyone else is interested in it and can't access it thru the state web site, I've loaded a copy of it on Rapidshare and it can be retrieved using the following link.
You must be logged in to see this link.
This document is the paperwork that needed to be completed by the city in order to get the FY09 tax rates certified. The section of the document that Tails is referencing contains the amounts of money that the city needed to raise in FY09; it has nothing to do with the with how the current budget is being expended. Line 9 of page 2 of the document is the amount that the snow removal budget was over-expended in FY08. This year, the city made use of the state law that allow any overage on the snow removal budget to be covered in the next fiscal year. To my knowledge, this is the first year that the city has chosen to take advantage of this law. While I personally don't agree with the city using this law if there are other monies available to cover snow removal costs (i.e., free cash), it is exactly what our "friend" Mr. Carlisle told us was going to happen and the amount ties out to the penny with the amount that the snow removal budget was overspent in the proposed FY09 budget document. As far as the amount on line 10 goes, I can offer little help as I don't know what it is for nor what's allowed to be included on this line. The only thing that I do know it is very large in comparison to other years. There are links below that contain the same documents for FY06 and FY07. In FY06, the amount on line 10 is $3,859.97; in FY07, the amount on line 10 is zero. This year's amount on line 10 seems large in comparison; maybe some explanation of it is in order.
You must be logged in to see this link.
You must be logged in to see this link.
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Edited by - tetris on 01/15/2009 7:58:49 PM |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2009 : 9:42:48 PM
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I’m sorry the budget I was referring to was FY/08. January 08 - June 08.
Yes, the overage of $90,265.78 in snow and ice is okay for public safety, but a transfer before June should have been required to cover that.
My biggest issue is the the Mayor is spending like a drunken sailor. He’s spending which ever way he wants.
He is also over spending. He got new rugs and furniture. We had MAJOR increases in the City Solicitors Office. Major salary for Chief of Staff. The Mayors office is over expended. He has a budget director and a budget assistant making $52,000.00. He never budgeted for GTA.
He increased the FY/09 budget by eight million dollars. He had 11.5 in free cash, there is no reason why those transfers were not done by June 30, 2008.
This 1/2 million dollars will come right off the top of free cash.
The pension system..........he paid the absolute minimum. You are supposed to increase it year after year to make up for the major deficit that it's in.
He paid very little into stabilization.
He HAD the free cash........he didn’t want the City Council to know what he was spending it on. What is he hiding??
This is our tax dollars that we have no idea where it went.
This is against the charter and when the annual audit comes, this will be a finding. A basic department in the city runs on an average of 70K. I cant understand what he could have overspent on.
This all could have been prevented with “Stable Fiscal Responsibility”
Another thing this is saying is the budget means nothing to the Mayor. He spends it any way he wants and does not go before the city council. Why bother having a city council?
"blatantly, gone are the days" |
Edited by - Tails on 01/16/2009 1:03:58 PM |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2009 : 10:47:58 PM
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Tails,
No transfer is needed to cover the excess FY08 Snow Removal expenditure per the following section of MGL:
Chapter 44: Section 31D. Snow and ice removal; emergency expenditures; reporting requirements
Section 31D. Any city or town may incur liability and make expenditures in any fiscal year in excess of available appropriations for snow and ice removal, provided that such expenditures are approved by the town manager and the finance or advisory committee in a town having a town manager, by the selectmen and the finance or advisory committee in any other town, by the city manager and the city council in a city having a city manager or by the mayor and city council in any other city; provided, however, that the appropriation for such purposes in said fiscal year equaled or exceeded the appropriation for said purposes in the prior fiscal year. Expenditures made under authority of this section shall be certified to the board of assessors and included in the next annual tax rate.
Every city or town shall annually, not later than September fifteenth, report to the division of local services of the department of revenue the total amounts appropriated and expended, including any funding or reimbursements received from the commonwealth, for snow and ice removal in the fiscal year ending on the preceding June thirtieth.
In my prior post, part of the reason why I didn't like the use of this law is that I didn't remember the city council having any say in it. Re-reading it now, I see that the council should have a say. I don't remember that explicitly happening this year though.
Besides the snow removal overages being added to the money that the city needs to raise, that mystery $460,000+ is also added to that pile. So these expenses won't be covered with free cash; they were added to our property tax bills. |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2009 : 10:54:28 PM
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Well......now I really want to know what those expenses were since they were added to our property tax. I'm sorry, that was not proper procedure, and transfers should have been done, and line item 10 should have read 0 or have been minimal. There was plenty in free cash in January 08 to do that. I still don't get where 11.5 million went. GTA was doing city work in the spring, I wonder if that's part of it. My issue is we don't know, and we should.
"blatantly, gone are the days" |
Edited by - Tails on 01/15/2009 10:55:19 PM |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 01/16/2009 : 12:00:00 AM
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This is a list of all the free cash transfers done in FY08. Remember, free cash lags a year. According to the Globe article that first announced it, there was actually $11.6 million certified in free cash at the time. By the dates of the approval, you can see which mayor did what.
Transfers from FY 2007 Free Cash
$4,000,000.00 Applied to FY 2008 Tax Levy
Approved by BOA 10/10/2007, Approved by CC 10/11/2007
$2,000,000.00 Applied to FY 2009 Tax Levy
Approved by BOA 02/11/2008, Approved by CC 02/06/2008
$1,500,000.00 Transferred to Stabilization Fund
Approved by BOA 11/26/2007, Approved by CC 12/03/2007
$319,000.00 Transferrred to School Department-Special Education Tuition Account (Returned FY2007 Unexpended Amount)
Approved by BOA 11/13/2007, Approved by CC 11/19/2007
$100,000.00 Transferred to FY08 After School Program
Approved by BOA 10/10/2007, Approved by CC 10/11/2007
$30,000.00 Transferred to Police Department Capital Outlay Account (New Carpeting)
Approved by BOA, 11/26/2007, Approved by CC 12/03/2007
$11,644.00 Transferred to School Athletics Misc. Expense Account to pay city's half of bleacher rentals
Approved by BOA 11/13/2007, Approved by CC 11/19/2007
$757,804.60 Transferred to School Department-Special Education Tuition Account (Advanced Payment of FY2008 Medicaid Reimbursement)
Approved by BOA 04/28/2008, approved by CC 05/05/2008
$100,000.00 Transferred to FY09 After School Program
Approved by BOA 06/30/2008, Approved by CC 06/26/2008
$85,375.80 Transferred to School Department-Special Education Tuition Account (Advanced Payment of FY2008 Medicaid Reimbursement)
Approved by BOA 06/30/2008, Approved by CC 06/26/2008
Total Transfers From FY 2007 Free Cash - $8,903,824.40
Anything left over in free cash at the end of the fiscal year would roll over to used in the next year's free cash calculation. Also, the advances of Medicaid reimbursement money to the school department are ultimately made up by the actual receipt of the money. When that money is received, it is deposited in the general fund. It won't get back into free cash until after the end of the fiscal year in which it is actually received.
Also, going back a couple of posts, while it is true that the FY09 budget went up $8.5 million (my number and I'm sticking to it), I believe that it is disingenuous not to note that almost $5.9 million of that increase was a state mandated increase in the school budget that was funded by a corresponding increase in Chapter 70 aid. Since I have been calling the politicians on the carpet for this claim, I feel that I have to do it here as well. |
Edited by - tetris on 01/16/2009 12:02:08 AM |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 01/16/2009 : 08:37:50 AM
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What's the way to find out what is overspent 460K+ on line 10? I ask this because we have closed departments down in the past (in the best interest of the taxpayers) that was over run and I hope this isn't an instance where that is being overlooked.
It seems to me that the best interest of the taxpayers has faded away over the past year with issues like this and of course, the silent majority on the city council concerning Wood Waste.
It's time for the city council to step up and do the job they asked for. If not, step down and let someone else do it that will be there for the best interest of the residents.
"blatantly, gone are the days" |
Edited by - Tails on 01/16/2009 09:57:12 AM |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 01/16/2009 : 10:17:25 AM
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Since the $460,000.00+ is added to our property tax bills and not by free cash, shouldn’t that have been part of the explanation to the Alderman last week, when they asked that the Mayor and the Board of Assessors appear to explain the valuation of property, and the FY/09 tax rates?
"blatantly, gone are the days" |
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Com Council/2009
