Mayor Mark D. Boughton, Mayor
Common Council Members
Mayor Mark D. Boughton called the Special Common Council Meeting to order at 9:29PM on February 17, 2009
Present were Council Members: Louise P. McMahon, Shay Nagarsheth, Michael Calandrino, Duane E. Perkins, Fred Visconti, Benjamin Chianese, John J. Esposito, Thomas J. Saadi, Joseph M. Cavo, Paul T. Rotello, Jane Diggs, Mary Teicholz, Robert F. Arconti, Philip Curran, Jack Knapp, Warren M. Levy, Gregg Seabury, Colleen A. Stanley
PRESENT 18 ABSENT 3__ Councilmen Halas and Riley were out of town and Councilman Trombetta had a family emergency.
Corporation Counsel Robert Yamin and Deputy Corporation Counsel Laszlo Pinter were also in attendance. City Clerk Natale was absent due to an injury.
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag & Prayer Andrew Wetmore led everyone in the room in the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilman Curran led everyone in the room in a prayer.
Councilman Cavo moved to accept the call to return to service for the Special Meeting, seconded by Councilman Perkins. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
NOTICE OF THE SPECIAL MEETING - There will be a Special Meeting of the Common Council on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 8:30PM in the Common Council Chambers in City Hall to act on the items listed.
Public Speaking Susan Podhajski, Board of Education Chair-14 South St. Unit #15 spoke on the Teachers Contract
Frank Anders- 9 Terre Glen spoke on the teachers contract
Barbara Baker- 22 Sleepy Hollow Dr. spoke on the teachers contract
Gary Falkenthal- 10 Terre Haute spoke on the teachers contract
Susan Mion- 4 Brighton St. spoke on the teachers contract
Joseph DaSilva- 17 Mountainville Ave. spoke on the teachers contract
Lynn Taborsak- 100 Hayestown Rd. spoke on the teachers contract
Joel Brooks- Cannondale Dr. spoke on Charter Revision Committee and the teachers contract
Susan Podhajski was recognized for a second time without objection. Ms. Podhajski spoke on the teachers contract.
Public speaking closed at 9:50PM.
1. REPORT - Board of Education, Teachers Contract Councilmen Seabury and Arconti recused themselves from discussion. Councilwoman Teicholz moved to adopt the recommendation of the Committee of the Whole, seconded by Councilwoman Stanley. Discussion followed concerning arbitration outcomes, last best offer and arbitration costs.
Atty. Gary Brochu of Shipman and Goodwin, LLP provided clarification of the arbitration process and advised that members of the Council may attend arbitration hearings and may, in fact, be called upon to testify.
Mayor Boughton pointed out that a series of factors are deliberated by the arbitration board, attorneys would file briefs and individuals may be called upon to testify.
Councilmen Chianese, Perkins, Curran and Saadi stressed voting one’s conscience, risk assessment, the need to make sacrifices in view of the current economic climate and the need to operate the City as a whole.
Council President Cavo expressed his hope that the Board of Education and the teachers union would be able to reach a settlement before going into arbitration. He called attention to the fact that 82% of the education budget is for salaries and benefits would not like to see a reduction in resources for students.
Mayor Boughton turned the gavel over to Councilman Cavo. Mayor Boughton emphasized that his concerns about the City’s ability to fund the contract increases. He will write a letter to the Board of Education and William Murray, president of the teachers union, and pledged to make one more attempt to mediate an agreement for a fair wage increase and to reduce lay-offs. Mayor Boughton took back the gavel.
As there was no discussion the vote was taken as follows: McMahon, Nagarsheth, Calandrino, Perkins, Visconti, Chianese, Esposito, Saadi, Cavo, Rotello, Diggs, Teicholz, Knapp, Curran and Stanley voted in the affirmative. Levy voted in the negative and Arconti and Seabury abstained. Motion passed 15/1.
2. REPORT- Charter Revision Commission Councilman Cavo moved to waive the reading of the minutes as all Council members have copies, seconded by Councilman Perkins. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Councilman Cavo moved to receive the report and adopt the recommendations as presented, seconded by Councilman Chianese. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Councilman Saadi made a point of inquiry regarding statutory regulations. After discussion with Atty. Pinter, Councilman Saadi moved that the Charter Revision Commission revisits the recommendation regarding the office of City Clerk and the Legislation Assistant position, seconded by Councilman Rotello. Discussion followed regarding Councilman Saadi’s recommendation to the Commission to take into consideration separation of powers protection and to eliminate political influence on the Legislative Assistant position.
A roll call vote was taken as follows: McMahon, Nagarsheth, Calandrino, Cavo, Teicholz, Curran, Knapp, Arconti, Seabury, Stanley voted in the negative. Perkins, Visconti, Esposito, Chianese, Saadi, Rotello, Diggs and Levy voted in the affirmative. Motion failed 10/8.
Discussion followed concerning consideration of discussion and debate comments contained the Public Hearing minutes, presenting the Charter to the public for a vote and division of questions after the final report is received.
Mayor Boughton offered comments regarding separation of the questions and the Conference Committee, which would be a meeting between the Council leadership and the Commission to review and confer on the final report before the Council receives it on the agenda. There is a 30 period for conferral and then a Special Meeting may need to be called in March.
Atty. Pinter advised that the Commission has a maximum of 30 days to confer with the Council leadership and would then report back to the Council. There would also be up to 15 days for the Council to take a vote on the final report.
A vote followed to accept the report was taken. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Boughton appointed Councilman Cavo, Councilman Seabury, Councilwoman Teicholz, Councilman Saadi and Councilman Esposito to the Conference Committee.
Mayor Boughton extended all committees and thanked the Council for their work on these difficult issues.
As there was no further business to come before the Council, Councilman Cavo moved to adjourn at 10:35PM, seconded by Councilman Nagarsheth. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Dorathea A. Gulya-Stasny
Attest:
Mark D. Boughton, Mayor