The City Council Monday night set the mil rate for the budget year starting July 1 at 41.11, a tax increase that represents about $230 more for the average homeowner. The legislative body had previously approved a few million dollars in cuts to Mayor Bill Finch’s spending proposal that includes $5 million more for city schools so the vote was a formality of setting the tax rate.
The council also referred to the Economic and Community Development Committee a proposal to transfer downtown properties to Phil Kuchma who has led redevelopment of Bijou Square on Fairfield Avenue downtown. Kuchma is looking to redevelop properties across from City Hall including buildings that house the Downtown Cabaret Theatre and city senior center. Kuchma’s proposal includes a fitness center, renovations for a new senior center, residential units and possibly a cafe. The Downtown Cabaret would remain in place. Council agenda:
City Council Citation: In Recognition of Edward DeSousa and Michael Rodriguez for their Contributions to Excellence in Education at Bullard Havens Technical High School.
MINUTES FOR APPROVAL:
Approval of City Council Minutes: (Special Meeting) May 1, 2012;
May 7, 2012.
COMMUNICATIONS TO BE REFERRED TO COMMITTEES:
91-11 Communication from OPM re: Budget Transfer to the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 for Civil Service From: Salary Account 01070000-51000 ($21,000) To: Management Services Account 01070000-56165 ($21,000), referred to Budget and Appropriations Committee.
92-11 Communication from Central Grants and Community Development re: Grant Submission: 2012-2013 Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant for Bridgeport Health and Nutrition Education Program, referred to Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee.
93-11 Communication from Public Facilities re: Proposed Professional Services Agreement with Milone & Macbroom, Inc. for Architectural and Engineering Services related to South Avenue and Iranistan Avenue Streetscape Gateway Development, referred to Contracts Committee.
94-11 Communication from City Attorney re: Proposal to Exchange Certain Properties with Kuchma Corporation located at; 263 Golden Hill Street, 285 Golden Hill Street, 307 Golden Hill Street and 1208 Broad Street, referred to Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee.
95-11 Communication from Central Grants and Community Development re: Grant Submission: State of CT DECD – City Canvas Grant Program, referred to Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee.
96-11 Communication from Central Grants and Community Development re: Grant Submission: State Department of Social Services for 2012-2013 Retired Senior Volunteer Program, referred to Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee.
City Council Meeting
June 4, 2012
COMMUNICATIONS TO BE REFERRED TO COMMITTEES CONTINUED:
97-11 Communication from Charter Revision Commission re: Proposed Charter Revision Report, referred to Ordinance Committee.
ITEMS FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION:
90-11 Communication from Mayor re: Setting of the Mill Rate for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION.
MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON (CONSENT CALENDAR):
*22-11 Ordinance Committee Report re: Amendments to the Municipal Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2.06 Common Council, amend Section 2.06.040 Reimbursement of Council Member’s Expenses.
*51-11 Ordinance Committee Report re: Amendment to the Municipal Code of Ordinances, Chapter 12.32 Historic Districts, amend to add new Section 12.32.070 Civkin Historic District.
*68-11 Ordinance Committee Report re: Amendments to the Municipal Code of Ordinances, amend Chapter 5.12 Massage Establishments and Massage Therapists.
*89-11 Ordinance Committee Report re: Amendments to the Municipal Code of Ordinances, Chapter 13.04 Utilities, amend Section 13.04.040 Board of Directors.
*80-11 Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee Report re: Grant Submission: 2012-2014 Ryan White Program Services.
*81-11 Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee Report re: Grant Submission: 2012 Neighborhood Assistance Act.
*85-11(PHO) Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee Report re: Resolution regarding the Fixing of the Assessment on Personal Property 400 Megawatt UTC Fuel Cell Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard. (Request for Public Hearing)
*** The city needs more developers like Phil Kuchma! ***
Bridgeport needs at least a dozen others like Phil Kuchma, this man truly puts his heart into the city 100%!
Can anyone be sure the city council raised taxes enough to cover the budget sleights-of-hand from the past several years?
No; there is no possible way to determine if there will now be enough revenue in the coffers to cover up past sleights of hand. I’m sure the chickens will come home to roost one day.
The Ordinance Committee indicated they would likely table (and they did so) the revised Ordinance that covers the compensation to City Council members. As the only speaker on hand to discuss the issue with the Ordinance group, I was asked whether I was there to speak for or against. There was some surprise when I indicated that I would like to support it, but … I had not been able to find a copy of it with the Ordinance Committee minutes. Asked if he had a copy, Chairman Rich Paoletto said no.
Under the circumstances we did the next best thing, something unusual at City hearings, and that was to have a brief conversation. Asking a few questions and getting some reasonable answers I found the Ordinance Committee had some new research on what the IRS expects today. The old system had some faults apparently. (I asked for a copy of the new legal guidance since I have read the opinion from ten years ago.) The intent is to move to a Debit Card system that will automatically provide a reason for the expense, date, person, etc. and cut the time and expense of separate recordkeeping. It seems obvious such a system can provide public reports to the community. I suggested the City Council can go a long way towards showing they support OATs by agreeing to report to the public (without use of Freedom of Information letters that are not well responded to by City offices in my experience).
They did table at CC. We will see what happens when it is reported out again. It will be interesting to see where a new legal opinion was solicited and what it says about formerly accountable and non-taxable type expenses relative to non-accountable and taxable type expenses. Lots of Ordinance being crafted today by this group. Keep your eyes open. Time will tell.
Jim and Rob,
I approached Angel dePara, Budget and Appropriations co-chair, with one question. Has the Council received a March 2012 financial report? He answered NO. (Is this important? I think so. If we expect any members of the Council to be fiscally responsible in a timely fashion, they have to have current info promised to them by the current Charter, through the Mayor and into their hands by the fourth Friday of the following month!)
So I decided to address the Council as well on finances since the stipend issue, receipt of the revised Charter to go to the Ordinance Committee, and setting of the official Mil Rate were all on the Agenda last night.
I approached it from the viewpoint of Charter directives on City financial matters. We are not getting 12 monthly reports each year as the Mayor is directed to deliver! We do get the minimum of one City Council meeting to let the public speak on the General Budget! We have not been provided by the City Council a meeting to review the Capital Budget in years where the Council ‘solicits’ input from the public! And the new document adds quarterly financial reviews?
So, I have asked the Council to read closely the new Charter. I hope they do.
But they only cut a few “ghosts” and over 30 remain with benefits and couple that with “phantom” expense categories and the Sherwood Forest hideout continues and the Mil rate goes over 41 and we wonder why the Net Grand List is flat? The Council is overtasked, under supported, ill trained and in a comfort zone relative to the WATCHDOG work they must perform. It is an uphill fight. Time will tell.
Repeat after me …
Paul Vallas is our savior
Paul Vallas is our savior
Paul Vallas is our savior
Paul Vallas is our savior
Paul Vallas is our savior
Proposed charter is irrelevant to this discussion. The city, evidently, cannot meet the requirements of the existing charter. These requirements are not obsolete. They were only installed 20 years ago to make sure the city was doing something it should have been doing anyway to run the municipal corporation. I guess the modern word is “transparent.” The opposite of that is opaque. What is the city hiding?
Jim,
I suggest the ‘proposed Charter’ is not irrelevant. It was manufactured for a specific purpose to give the Mayor more power over education. He claims he is accountable. I continue to question that self-description, starting with where he fails to meet the Charter currently.
So, it is important for readers of OIB and voters in general to understand the current Charter and where the City arguably is in default to its citizens, on the Council and in the general public currently.
The requirements are ‘obsolete’ when ‘higher powers’ currently in office choose to ignore clear language denying citizen rights AND when people do not show up regularly and dependably to state that case.
Perhaps you can communicate the depressing downhill road that Bridgeport elected leadership has pursued in depleting City fund balance, failure to provide access to the auditor Management Report and City response, use of many “ghost positions” and “phantom expense accounts,” lack of materials provided to CC members in advance of committee meetings or delayed at budget time, and actively supporting a Council culture that fails to understand the full effect of ignoring recusal on financial and personnel affecting votes, among other issues. Time will tell.