So she's gonna be the first thing.

I'd like to call this special city council meeting to order on this night, May the fifteenth, two thousand and twenty-six.

I call the meeting to order and ask the clerk to please call a roll.

Present.

Councilman Ander.

Present.

Councilman Rets present.

Councilman Trafficancy.

Councilwoman Mazari.

Present.

Present.

Councilman Banana.

Present.

Vice President Heroyan.

Present.

Council President Wall.

Here.

Thank you.

She is clerking from home, and I truly appreciate Director Renzouli stepping in to call the rule roll and take care of the stuff here in Chambers tonight.

All right.

And then I'm going to be seeking a motion to take the agenda out of order because I think it's going to be important that we address the resolution first, and then we're going to look at amendments and the capital budget just for a programming note.

So if there's anyone in chambers, and I see uh Mr.

Fryas has is signed up to speak.

Um, please state he knows the drill, stage your name and address for the record, and you'll be given four minutes, Mr.

Fryes.

Uh thank you, Council President.

Stephen Fryas, 107 Garden Hills Drive.

Thank you for allowing me to make public comment tonight.

I missed yesterday.

I was at church for a confirmation for my daughter.

So uh I'd like to start just by thanking the administration and the council for a couple of things.

First, um, as a fiscal conservative, I'd like to thank you, the administration for putting forward a four percent budget.

The four percent budget I know has been trashed by various people.

However, when you're trying to do a four percent budget, the you have to reduce or eliminate what I would refer to as non-essential services.

And to me, the senior center was not an essential service.

Um, many cities and towns don't have a senior center, and I will elaborate on that further.

On the schools were level funded, as you saw in the newspaper for the last couple weeks, the school department is now looking at millions of dollars of savings.

They are not pursuing a currulo action, I believe.

And the reason they're probably not is because what I saw of the cuts, none of them are mandated by federal or state law.

That's why they probably wouldn't succeed.

So I believe that the cuts, although dramatic, um, and that's probably the problem with a lot of people for them.

Um, it was one of the most fiscally conservative budgets I have seen in history with Cranston.

Just in general, to compliment the mayor, his administration.

Under his tenure, when we started out, there was 197 full-time jobs in general government, not public safety in our library.

Last year was 178.

Under these budgets, whether the first one or the second one, he's reducing it by to 157 to 139.

Either version, first version of one percent.

That's significant.

You've never seen this in history.

Mayor traffic anti in 1996 reduced it by 20.

Alan Fung and 20 oh 2009-2010 reduced it by 38.

So this was significant.

I understand why people are upset, but I give them credit for having the courage to do it.

City council, thank you for eliminating the funding of the economic development position.

This is very difficult to do when you eliminate a position of somebody you know.

But if it's not the taxpayers are not getting the bang for their buck, you can't justify it and go over the decap four percent.

Not in this time period.

And I'll just add this.

You know, if there are other positions in City Hall that become open, and he applies for civil service and he qualifies well enough, totally understand it.

Do not create positions for people in a time like this.

Okay, that's just my two cents as a taxpayer.

Nothing about, and I'd say this by the way, about a D or an R.

Schools, getting back to choices you have.

Tonight you've got to make choices, right?

Please don't go over the four percent by preference.

Number one.

Number two, you're gonna choose between schools and seniors.

With the changes at State House, Lazuski as speaker from Providence, the 200 million dollars that's been founded, new revenue.

I have a feeling the schools are gonna get more money.

So that's what I'll say from the state.

It's called trickle down to the providence comes to rest of us.

Senior Center.

You're gonna restore some of the senior center stuff.

I get that.

The senior center in 1981, 1980 had like 11 people.

It provided adequate services, and then it ballooned to like 32 people.

Mayor Fung reduced it by seven, Hopkins reduced it by four more to 21.

I believe the senior center can provide adequate services, as they have at smaller numbers.

And the only one that's really, I think more important for transition purposes, the adult daycare, because it's a transition issue.

And that program, by the way, it's almost self-funded by outside money.

It's like 500,000 of expense, 350,000 of revenue.

So that one I would kind of look at, and the rest I would reduce.

In regards to the rest of the thing very quickly, I wish that the fire department had actually done more.

I know there's some controversy about this.

Mayor Fung in 2009, 2010, got 16 vacancies, and it was 3% to a 1% cut.

Okay.

I'm not hearing anything like that.

That's called real savings.

Not kick the can down the road kind of savings.

Lastly, checks and balances, the audit committee.

This could be avoided if you just have people who are very proactive on it.

And if you don't, or I don't know, the state's talking about inspector general.

You're an inspector general.

I'll do it for free.

I'll say thank you, Mr.

Fryce.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else in chambers this evening who would like to make public comment on document matters only?

I'm seeing none.

Tom, is there anyone online who would like to make public comment on docketed matters?

There is no public comment online.

Okay.

So at this time I'm going to close public comment.

Okay.

This is at this time.

If there are no objections, I'd like to take the agenda out of order.

I see none.

The first uh item we're going to address is on page two.

It would be item seven under committee reports.

Um I will turn the floor over to Councilman Ander.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Just to let everybody know the uh finance committee did meet yesterday on May 14th.

Um we did take votes.

Um, so I urge passage on resolution in support of the Rhode Island General Assembly legislation authorizing the city of Cranston a one-year levy cap exemption for the fiscal year 2027 not to exceed 4.9% under RIGL, Rhode Island General Legislation Um Section 445-2, sponsored by Council President Wall and myself.

Um that was basically considered by the finance committee yesterday, May 14, 2026.

I urge passage.

Yeah.

Second.

Okay.

So it was moved and seconded.

You got that, Director Rinsley, right?

Okay.

Um can I just speak speak to that?

So I just want to make sure that we we're clear on the agenda.

It mentions not going above 5.5, but as rightfully uh spoken by uh Chairman uh um Andehar, we amended it yesterday, so we cannot go any higher than 4.99 if the General Assembly does approve of it.

You might also add there is a scribner's error, so I'd ask someone to amend it on line 34.

It reads right now uh increasing the maximum allowable levy from four uh four percent to an amount not to exceed five point one and a half percent.

It should read to an amount not to exceed four point nine nine percent.

Could I have so moved?

Second.

Any discussion on that?

All right, clerk.

Would you please call it roll?

Councilwoman Graziano, yes.

Councilman Anduhar, yes, councilman Retz.

Yes, Councilman Trappicanti.

Yes, Councilwoman Vaziri, yes.

Councilman Capapiano?

Yes, Councilman Bernano?

Yes.

Council Vice President Heroyan, yes.

Council President Wall.

Yes.

Now we're gonna take uh uh any discussion on the resolution as amended.

I see councilman Bernano.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I said this last night.

Uh I just want to reassure the public and anybody who's listening that this is a backstop.

It's a backstop.

We don't want to go this high.

All right.

Um I think everybody here is content to stay at 4.65 or lower if we can.

But this is a backstop.

It's responsible to have a backstop.

Um and we need every option on the table because this is still a developing situation, even though here we are.

It's literally the 11th hour for our budget, but the situation is still developing.

So to the taxpayers out there, you know, this council has been given a tall task, and we are tackling it, all nine of us.

I'm proud to be a part of that.

Proud to be a part of of what Mayor Traffic Candy called last night, the council that's worked the best in his career together.

Um, and the reason why we work so well is because we understand that you know sometimes things might not be popular, but we need this backstop.

We don't want to get there.

If you play baseball, you don't want the ball to get to the backstop.

You want to catch it.

Um, so I just want to reiterate that.

This does not mean we're gonna raise it to 4.99.

It just means that if Armageddon keeps keeps bearing down on us, we have that option.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Bonano.

Any other members of the council who would like to make public comment?

I'm gonna recognize Councilman Ritz.

Thank you.

Um, I I just want to echo some of the similar thoughts here.

Four nine is is really hard for me to pass.

I'm doing it only as a as a really last resort that this really fixes the problem going forward.

So although I'm in favor of it now, uh, you know, I I really struggle with that one too.

I have some other other thoughts.

I wasn't sure when to incorporate them into the meeting.

Um, I did write them down so I could read them to sound less like an asshole that I'm gonna sound like now.

But uh, you know, I I do have some thoughts here.

I, you know, I've I spent a lot of time over the last several weeks listening to the residents, reviewing numbers and thinking about the real impact these decisions are going to have across our city.

Where my head is at right now is that I believe every department needs to cut back a little.

I don't think the burden should fall entirely on one group, one service, one population.

Everyone has to share in the responsibility of getting us through this budget.

My hope was we would receive a revised budget with an overall reduction of 5% in operation expenses with hundreds of cuts by people that are running these departments.

I'm open to counter proposals by the administration with equal amounts to what I've proposed with cuts and the other folks here.

When I look at everything currently on the table and weigh that against the impact on the residents, I'll be honest with you.

I'm personally more comfortable somewhere at 4% at the max is where I'm struggling with.

I think at even 4.5 that gives us room to protect key services while still respecting taxpayers.

I absolutely believe we can find the money to restore the senior center and provide additional support to our schools.

But I also think we need to be realistic that the senior center may have to operate a little leaner than it does today.

We'll find the money for the schools, but it'll still be doing more with less.

What I've liked to see from the administration, whether that comes through the mayor's office or through the senior center leadership directly to me, is a breakdown of what a 10% reduction across operations would actually look like while still preserving the core functions and services our seniors rely on.

I think the residents deserve to see this analysis before the final decisions are made.

And over the course of this week through the administration, I appreciate help setting up a one-on-one tour of the senior center.

During that tour, I'd like the opportunity to meet with each department and better understand how they function, what services are truly essential, what efficiencies may exist, and what truly needs to remain in place to continue to service our seniors appropriately.

Maybe it's a bag meal once a week.

Maybe we can have a discussion about changing some of the routes with the transportation.

I'm able to make myself available any time this week to do that.

I'd also like to say my MBA is in lean operations, and in my professional life, managing budgets and operational efficiencies is what I do every day.

I currently oversee a budget, that's large.

Uh with roughly thousand employees spread over five five different operate on a leaner budget than I've seen over the last over here.

Um at triple A.

Closer.

Thanks.

I would just say, you know, as a member of leadership at AAA, there was times I would take road service calls when it when we were in tough times.

And we're in tough times here.

And I think if that means that the administration has to help call people that are delinquent on tax bills to get a $5,000 reduction in postage, that that's what needs to be done.

I'm willing to make myself available, not just as a council member, but also professionally to help departments think through efficiencies, restructuring and operational adjustments while preserving the services residents depend on.

If the senior center or any other department wants my collaboration, I'm happy to participate.

At the same time, I want to do as much as responsibly can be done for the schools.

I've heard different numbers discussed publicly by the school department.

I think it would help this body tremendously if the school administration could provide us with a tiered scenario.

What is a $1 million increase look like?

What is a one and a half million dollar increase look like?

What is $2 million look like?

From what I understand, there's already a plan in place for level funding.

So I'd like to clearly understand what additional investments actually mean in terms of staffing programs and student impact.

That information would help us make smarter decisions.

I also do not want to neglect the CCAP in this conversation.

I would appreciate a more detailed bare bones breakdown from the administration on exactly how those funds are being utilized and what the direct impact is on residents who depend on those services.

And similarly, I would I would appreciate assistance connecting with the leadership at CPAC.

I know representatives have come before us recently.

I'd like the opportunity to meet with them directly so I can better understand what a streamlined or bare bone operation would look like while still protecting the residents who rely on those services.

I think those conversations are important before we make any final decisions.

The reality is we now have additional time with this delayed till June 1st, and I think we should use that time productively.

I'd like the opportunity to recaucus with my colleagues and continue identifying additional efficiencies and cuts that help us balance some of these restorations without putting everything back on the taxpayers.

So to recap what I'm where I'm standing right now.

I'm comfortable around a four and a half percent tax increase or less.

I want to restore the senior center, but likely in a leaner form.

I want to provide additional funding to the schools, but with a clear breakdown of where that money's being used.

I want transparency around CCAP funding and impact.

You can ask anyone I work with when they come to me during these times where we're in a budget problem.

We're on a cash diet.

If we can't pay cash for something, we don't get it.

And that's where this administration needs to look at it.

If we don't have cash to do something, you have to really justify why we need to buy it.

I I appreciate everyone continuing to work through these difficult processes.

And these are not easy decisions, but they're important ones for the future.

Thank you.

I know that's a lot right there, but I figure I'd put it out there right now so you can understand where I'm going with the rest of my votes.

Thank you.

No, no, thank you.

Thank you so much, uh, Councilman Rentz.

Um, I just want to focus that we will have also time after to discuss the budget as a whole.

We're just kind of talking right now about the resolution, but thank you.

Those were good remarks.

Um, anybody else on the council?

I see Councilman Trafficanti.

Council President, I totally agree with both you and uh Councilman Andaha regarding the uh the limitation.

Uh but let's keep in mind that what we don't want to do is allow this budget to be balanced on the backs of our school children and our seniors.

That'll be totally unfair.

Every department has to feel the pain of these cuts.

Every department.

And they should realize that they have a responsibility to the citizens of Grants and to participate and assist.

Other members of the council would like to make public comment.

I mean, not public comment, comment on this.

I see none at this time.

All right.

Even after we do take the vote on this, just to be clear, the the line line in the sand that we can't go beyond this evening is a 4.65% tax increase.

If we get this resolution passed, and if we do send it to the General Assembly, um, then when we come back in on June 1st, we will have that area to use, or as uh, you know, as uh Councilman Banano stated, it's a backstop or not use.

Um if we get into trouble down the line and we needed more money for because our current budget doesn't look all that good in my mind.

Um, we'd have that available if we need additional appropriations.

All right.

So with that in mind, um, I'd like to ask the clerk to take a roll on the resolution as amended.

Councilwoman Graziano?

Yes.

Councilman Anduhar?

Yes.

Councilman Rentz?

Yes.

Councilman Trafficanti?

Yes.

Councilwoman Vizieri, yes.

Councilman Campiano?

Yes.

Councilman Banano?

Yes.

Council Vice President Heroyan?

Yes.

Council President Wall.

Yes.

All right.

That motion carries.

Thank you.

We will move back to page number one.

I can find it.

So now we'll go to item uh item four amendments to the revised fiscal year 2026-27 proposed budget.

Um, before I take amendments and what we're going to do, very similar to the way we did last night, we're going to take a look at some of the amendments been proposed.

So everybody has an opportunity.

We will recess at that point for a few minutes, but not as long as last night, I'm sure.

Um, and then we'll reconvene.

So we'll go into a short recess, not very long, just to see some of the amendments that are proposed, and then we'll bring it before before the council.

All right, so we'll recess for about five minutes.

We're going to reconvene, and if you recall, we're on the amendments to the revised rise two twenty two thousand twenty-six, two thousand twenty-seven uh proposed budget.

We are now considering amendments to revise it, proposed budget including, but not limited to all expenditures, revenues in any in all departments and line items thereof.

We do have a few amount a few amendments, and then I'm going to ask the auditor to come up.

He's going to have some figures to discuss.

Thank you, Council President.

Um, the first one we have is section one zero seven, municipal court four two one five one building code fines.

It was at one hundred dollars.

We're looking to increase it to ten thousand dollars, which is an increase of nine thousand nine hundred.

Are we doing one by one?

Are you doing them individually as a block?

I could do them all.

I don't know if anyone's needed to mark it on this.

Sure.

The next one is one two zero three animal control four three three zero zero, animal shelter impound fees.

It's reported at one thousand five hundred.

The new amount is three thousand, which is an increase of fifteen hundred.

It's reported at a hundred and twenty thousand.

The new amount would be a hundred and fifty thousand, which is an increase of thirty thousand dollars.

Next one is fourteen hundred public libraries.

Line five six zero zero eight, operation of libraries.

The reported amount is two hundred and sixty thousand seven hundred and twenty-one.

The new amount is two hundred and thirty-two thousand six hundred and thirty-seven.

The next one is same 11400 public libraries, 5602, care of books, as reported, 111,916.

The new amount is 140,000, which is a change of 28,084.

And both of those are just uh reclassifying them.

I make a motion that we approve them as a block.

So second.

Okay.

Hold on one second.

Hold on.

I'm just gonna ask ordered the mayor to speak on this matter.

Uh just for um some different clarification.

The library adjustment was just a request for housekeeping.

It was just moving a total from one expense line item to another based on the request of uh director Gosha.

Uh again, it the library category is not $1,400, it's $1,500.

So we can just correct that.

All right.

So the both the last uh items in the block were library library fees, uh library operation and care of books.

That is $1,500 and not $1,400 in the budget.

Okay.

Any comments on the block that uh councilman Ritz spoke of I see none.

So at this time, I'll ask the clerk to take a vote on the block, the council uh of amendments that councilman Rich proposed.

Just one other just so they're aware.

I'm gonna hold that.

All right.

My uh just for clarification too.

This is a net effect that has additional $41,500 that could be used or reallocated to wherever the council sees fit.

This will be added to last night's amendments, and once we're complete, you know that we'll have to distribute what we've built up to the categories you'd like so the budget will balance.

So we'll put that in the fund or the the bowl, what are we gonna call it?

Okay.

So if there are no further comments and thank you for that explanation, I ask the clerk to please call it all.

Councilwoman Graziano, yes.

Councilman Andah, yes, Councilman Retz.

Yes, Councilman Trafficanti, yes, councilwoman Vazeri, yes, councilman Campa Piano, yes, councilman Banano, yes, council vice president Havroyan, yes, council president Wall.

Yes.

All right.

The next block of amendments are gonna come from Councilman Bonano.

Councilman Bunano, the floor is yours, and these will be regarding the police line, if I'm not mistaken.

Yes, Mr.

President, thank you.

Thank you.

Last night I uh presented um on behalf of my entire caucus, um, our entire caucus, uh a bunch of uh proposals that were passed.

One of them was a reduction in police vehicles by 200,000.

Um as I thought about it, it was it was a there was a tough decision for all of us.

So today um I contacted the chief of police because I had heard um or I had imagined that there was some angst and anxiety and uh displeasure with that, and we had about an hour-long conversation.

Um things came out in that conversation.

Uh, one of the things was that the uh department of police had come to the table uh to the administration with about 1.7 million dollars in uh in savings in their department.

Um, and I hope that as an aside, I hope that uh that will be acted upon by the administration before the June 1st meeting.

Um, and having heard that information, uh, I rethought about the police cars.

The chief was very adamant that cars are an essential tool, uh, such as ballistic equipment, bullets, ammunition, weapons, tasers, things of that nature to do their job.

And he also said something that resonated with me.

The new cars improve morale, they keep the morale high for our police department.

And um, for this reason, we developed a plan.

The chief and I and I hope this council approves it, to put the money back into the motor vehicle line item and adjust some fees that will generate an equal amount of revenue, so it's a net zero from last evening, and I'm gonna present that now.

So um, well, I didn't write down the uh the line item for the cars.

I would like to put uh 200,000 back into the police car line item, uh bringing it back up to 400,000, and then group in the revenue side in group one two zero two.

Police detail cars from 500,000 to 625,000, which is uh uh gain in revenue of 125,000.

Also in revenue group 1202, line item 43204, administrative fee for outside details.

I'd like to increase that from 150,000 to 225,000.

I also want to give a brief explanation as to how we came up with these numbers because they're not willy-nilly.

In the conversation with Chief Winquist, who is very gracious to take my call and discuss this.

Um he mentioned that our police detail car fee is among the lowest in the state.

And he indicated that an increase in the fee from 20 to 25 dollars, I believe it's per hour, um, is well within reach and will keep us smack in the middle as opposed to being on the low end.

And that will generate based on the 25,000 hours out there that the cars are in in use for details, that will generate an additional 125,000 that increase in fee.

So these changes that we're making are not assuming any increase in hours that the police cars are used.

So it's the same same stuff as last year and the year before and the year before that.

We're just increasing that fee.

Okay, the same usage.

Um and the administrative fee, same thing.

We're gonna raise that fee from five dollars to eight dollars, and that will create an extra 75,000 dollars in revenue.

So I want to say that last evening was very difficult.

This process has been very difficult.

And I also want to reiterate that the brunt of making these difficult decisions has landed upon the nine of us.

And the fact that I'm gonna be very frank, the fact that 1.7 million was offered, and nobody really knew about it.

Um, is also a little bit problematic.

Um, whether that number is accurate or not, even if it was 12 cents, which we should have known about it.

Um, with that being said, uh I hope that there's consideration for that 1.7 million before June 1st, in addition to the 1.2 million from the fire department, so we can further ease the burden on taxpayers and take care of our young people and old folks.

Um, but with that being said, that's the motion.

I make that motion all right, Mr.

Chair.

All right, uh Councilman Bonano's made the motion, and we're also gonna need a second.

Second.

Okay.

I'm gonna ask auditor de mayo to just kind of go through through everything and also give the number of the car line.

That's uh clarification.

The car line is uh uh department one two oh two account line item four three.

Sorry, five two one, excuse me, five three two oh one cars, and that would that was the uh reimbursement of the two hundred thousand to that line item.

Other discussion by the members of the council.

I see councilman camp of Bianca.

Thank you, Council President.

Uh I first and foremost want to thank Councilman Bonano for uh uh taking this on heads-on and uh getting this done as uh as most of you remember last night.

I I did have a little concern with with doing this, and I was glad that it was clarified that we had a little time to take and uh rectify this the right way.

And thank you, Councilman Bonano for uh doing that.

I also had a conversation with uh Major Padalano today, and he also expressed the uh the importance of these cars.

Um actually uh we uh it's uh I think it's 400, but they originally asked for 650, so it was even more.

So they they did concede some of it.

So uh and I also was made aware these cars uh are revenue generators.

So um the uh the actually investment in our police and uh help fortify the safety of our city.

So uh thank you, uh councilman, and uh thank you to the police chief for uh uh doing what he did to get this done.

So I am full support of this.

And uh thank you so much, Councilman Campabiano.

And I don't I think that probably reflects everybody who voted uh to to remove this uh from the budget last night.

I think at that time I said this is a hard decision that none of us wanted to make, and it echoes uh both your remarks.

Uh council vice president Heroyan.

I just want to make sure I just heard you right.

Over a million dollars has been offered.

I'm gonna hold on a second.

I believe right now we're we're not gonna discuss okay.

I just want to say I'll be honest.

That was in comment.

Let me just finish there.

We're discussing the block of amendments and what was offered beyond this is not on, we're not discussing it now.

It is not on the agenda.

It'd better I don't say what I was going to thank you.

We would be violating open meetings for us.

Um so I'm gonna take uh councilman and thank you, Mr.

President.

I really want to thank uh Councilman Bonano and uh the block for um coming to their senses and re putting this back in the budget.

I also want to ask Councilman Bonano on the record to make sure he reaches back out to the chief and looks at line item 44500, which is a VIN verification because as Cranston grows, you could see in the years how it's bringing in is generating more money.

So on behalf of the residents of Ward 3, who I represent, Councilman, I want to thank you.

I'm pretty sure they thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Enduhar.

Any other comments they see, Councilman Ritz?

Similar settlement.

Thank you for for reaching out and having that that conversation.

I think you know, with all these things that we put through.

We're not the expert, but I think we're open, you know, if the departments have suggestions of ways to replace the amount um that we're looking to reduce with other line items that they have there too.

I think we're very open to that.

I I plan on digging in a little more and bringing back some other things, but I mean they are the experts, so so definitely I I think everyone here is open to doing that.

Um, and just to make sure I heard it.

So we're basing on historical transaction volume, and the increase is just the increase of the fate.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Ritz.

That answer is yes.

I just want to verbally state that that's what the chief uh elucidated to me.

Thank you, sir.

Yes, thank you.

Um councilman Trafficanti.

Councilman Bernano, you did a great job.

You had me up until you said it'll make them feel better, their morale will feel better.

Let me tell you something.

No one in this city should feel better about anything because we are in a serious situation, and I don't care if the chief is going to feel better because we're doing this.

We're going to do it for the right reason.

And I'm glad he came back and basically gave us additional monies to offset the two 200,000 dollars.

Because if you didn't do that, I would not vote for it.

Okay.

And thank you, Councilman Traffic Handy.

And just Director Maretti, this is on the res uh the uh the block of amendments, correct.

Okay, I just want we're not whatever be is beyond that, that's not on the table right now.

I just want to make sure.

Thank you so much, Director.

Your floor is yours, sir.

Just uh what I'd like to do is have the administration um at this point cannot support this.

Um I think we need to hear it directly from the police chief.

I I'm not aware of deals that the police chief has been making uh behind closed doors.

And I think the administration should be brought up to speed directly by the police chief.

So I want to make sure that that information is verified.

I think it's terrific if the chief has some adjustments that are favorable to the budget, but I also think he's a pretty straightforward guy, and it seems out of character for him not to advise the administration of the deal that was made with the councilman.

And uh behind closed doors doesn't seem like the right way of doing this.

Uh, and I think it should go through proper channels that the uh administration should also be advised.

So I do not advise restoring any uh adding any money uh in terms of revenues until it's been vetted by our finance director and the administration.

Um and we'll I'll be speaking with the colonel uh about that.

So I urge you not to pass it out this time.

You still have another bite at the apple coming up, but to try to provide some ample time uh so we can have some discussions with the colonel.

And thank you, Director Maretti.

I um I probably gonna contradict you on this manner with respect.

Um, I'd say we have till June 1st.

If you have an objection at that point, you find that he's been misled in any way.

Certainly bring that objection up at that time.

I'm gonna urge the members of the council not to be be uh confrontational.

Um, I'm gonna urge passage.

Um, I think everyone's had an opportunity to speak, and at this time I'm gonna ask the clerk to please call a roll.

Councilwoman Graziano.

Yes, Councilman Anduhar.

Yes, Councilman Ritz?

Yes, Councilman Trafficanti.

Councilwoman Vazieri, yes, councilman Campion?

Yes, Councilman Bonano.

Yes, Council Vice President Heroyan, yes, Council President Wall.

Yes.

Okay, that motion carries.

Um I'm sure we do.

All right.

Um, the next group, the next group of amendments.

I'm gonna ask auditor de mayo to present.

And if it's it pleases the members of the council, we'll take those as a block.

Uh over today, Director Strom, Director of Finance, and I were trying to review items to see where there'd be some additional expenditure cuts or some additional revenue in reviewing some of the allocations we discovered with uh Director Strom's help and guidance that uh the consultant for the fire rescue third party um charges could go up 16%.

So the suggested amendment would be moving the revenue line item 1010041522, third party rescue, which is currently 3.5 million to increase it to 3.6 million, which would have an increase of 100,000 of additional revenue.

I turn my microphone on again so people can hear me.

Um is there a motion to approve that block?

Motion to approve, second.

Okay, is the discussion in the block that order de mayo presented?

I see councilman Ritz.

I'll just make a comment.

Thank you.

I appreciate you still looking digging in there.

I know we talked about closed doors.

We just need revolving doors where everything's shared with us and those pieces of it, and I I appreciate that.

Thank you, Councilman.

Any other comments?

Councilman Bernano.

Um I appreciate everybody voting this way.

I would not stand here and mislead anybody, just so you know.

Um, and I know that my colleagues in the council don't believe that.

Um please keep in mind that the charter of our city states that a council member cannot direct the chief or department head to do anything.

I did not.

I asked questions, hold on, and I received answers.

Thank you.

It's not off topic, it's about the amendment.

I asked questions and I received answers.

That's not good for the administration.

That's kind of too bad.

Thank you, Councilman.

Any other members of the council who would like to speak on the block that uh order de mayo spoke of I'm seeing none.

Um, I want to also thank Order Domeo because last night he kept going on going in trying to find more savings, and uh I do appreciate it.

He has been a great help through this whole process.

So if there is nothing further, I'm gonna ask the clerk to please call a roll.

Councilwoman Graziano, yes, Councilman Anduhar, yes, councilman Ritz?

Yes, Councilman Trafficanti?

Yes, Councilwoman Vizier, yes, Councilman Campa Piano?

Yes, Councilman Banano?

Yes, Council Vice President Heroyan, yes, Council President Wall.

Yes, and that motion carries.

And I don't believe we have, I'll ask the members of the council any of the amendments this evening.

Let me just check.

Is there something else?

Or the mail.

Okay.

I was just gonna ask if you could tell us what the total is of the amendments uh and allocation uh allocation changes have been made.

Thank you, council president.

At this point, the amendments from last night and tonight, um, we currently have available to use as the council sees fit, 2 million forty-one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine dollars.

Say again, please.

Two million dollars.

2,004, 789.

89.

That's total of savings and the increases that that's the net of both.

That's the net effect of uh increased revenues and reduction in expense expenditures.

Everything that was amended and changed last night and tonight.

That is correct.

Okay.

Um so that's what's in the fund.

Now I'm gonna ask the council attorney.

It at this time, do you someone?

Is this something more?

Uh uh at this time.

I'm just gonna ask if we were of the inclination to separate that that amount and send them to the schools, we'd do that now, correct?

Could if you wanted to, or you can wait till June 1st.

But the budget is now balanced, correct?

So revenues equal to expenditures, correct?

Once you allocate the two million, 41,789, it will balance.

Okay, so I think we should actually take an allocation of that two million dollars now, subject to the uh June 1st uh meeting that we're gonna have uh after this it's public publication.

So, yes.

So that way you'll in other words, if you don't allocate it, you're gonna just have a pot of money sitting out there.

So I think it should be allocated, subject to change, obviously.

Do we have that?

And in I tell you this, it would be my my suggestion for the members, uh, members of the council to out split the allocation in the fund right now or the part and split it between the school department and the senior center.

Um, I'm gonna take uh take some comments before I ask that.

If you have that figure split in half, that'd be great.

Um he's gonna come up with the numbers.

Council, I'm gonna recognize councilman Anderhar.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I just want some clarification on the sale of a school.

Uh Chester Barrows, I believe there was an agreement for 750,000, just so the public knows where is that money going?

How is it being spent?

Is it going into capital?

Is it coming into this side of the budget?

So if somebody from the administration could just clarify that for us so that way we're on the same page and to make sure that those 750 are not in these two million dollars.

So it I don't think the um finance director straight, he was in the middle of something.

Did you you heard the question, correct?

It has to do with you.

Could you just reset the Chester Barrows school?

If you could just explain that.

The sale of Chester Barrows that we should say.

Is that money coming into this or is it going into capital?

That money, my understanding, Rector Moretti can clarify it if I say something wrong.

There's an agreement between the school and the administration that at the time of sale of that property, whatever that sum of money is, say it's a million dollars, just to throw a crazy figure.

Uh 750,000 would be directed to the school department for capital expenditures.

I believe it has to do with their uh certain programs that they're having that they were going to use the building for, and the balance of that will go to the school uh city for uh uh monies that are gonna be allocated and put back into the uh unfunded uh reserve, uh not unfunded, uh the the reserve account and the rainy day fund.

So that's the split and allocation between whatever the sale prices of that particular you still have the floor, you still have the floor, councilman.

Thank you, director.

Is that something that's in writing currently, or is that something being worked on?

Um is that still being worked on?

We have an email.

I know that's not one time.

Right.

To clarify, it's it's not maintenance of effort, it's a one-time deal.

Yeah.

Okay.

So you're gonna give if I heard correctly, but I just I want to address is it in writing anywhere?

I think that was the the councilman's.

Is it is there a document that says this is what they're going to do?

Come on up.

Come on.

Yeah, just so we know.

Yeah, there's there's an email, but uh the solicitor Malay has been asked to re reduce that to writing.

The council would have to approve that, right?

It's an allocation of city funds.

Right, those that's a school building, but that's it's in it's in owned by the top city, or is it owned by the school?

So it's so to the extent that we should have a resolution allocating those funds as stated as as recommended by the administration.

But so that way there's no question that where those funds are going to be.

That's why we wanted an agreement in right.

It's in process.

You have the agreement, but it's gonna be subject to ratification by the city council.

That makes sense.

Okay, thank you.

You don't know what the sale price is.

We get that, but we do know that the the school committee or the school department is going to get $750,000 for um capital improvements on their buildings.

There's a there's a an agreement, it's an email exchange uh with uh with the superintendent and uh others um to say that's with agreements the the uh uh business terms that to be reduced to writing, uh and certainly run by the so we should the council should expect to see that, not at this council meeting or follow up with direct with uh solicitor mole.

Okay, very good.

Hopefully soon.

Um did you have anything further?

I'll take other comments.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

What's up?

Okay, other comments.

I see uh councilman traffic hand.

Uh Mr.

Moretti, uh I I understand what you just said, but you you have a second school.

Do tell I'm I'm sorry, one of them.

Is that money gonna go to the ready day fund for the city?

Yes, okay.

That again, that's the intention, correct.

So all right, now you're gonna touch your you put your communications director hat on uh Ms.

Vinzillion.

I just want to say that the the email is it ties both of them together.

So I don't know.

I don't think that's a 750, 750,000 is necessarily tied just to barrows.

I think it's as upon selling both.

I just that will have to be in the agreement with Mr.

Malay.

How it's I wasn't I was in the I was in the room and it was agreed.

I think the superintendent would that's why we've reduced things to writing, but I was in the room where it was a uh verbally agreed between the mayor and the superintendent um for the sale of uh regarding the sale of barrow, the proceeds from the sale of barrows, uh of which 750 would be directed to the school capital fund on a one-time basis for their improvements.

Okay, director Strom, you have something to add to that.

That's that's exactly why things have to be.

That's why we're writing.

Yes, thank you.

Direct and and ratified, by the way.

Thank you so much.

I just want to say that I was there also.

It was verbally, but then it was sent by email by the superintendent.

Okay.

We have this kind of the the substance, some the broad stroke when the council receives it.

I'm sure we'll get the recommendation on all the details that direct um solicitor Malay is going to give us and we will ratify it or put it before us for ratification at that time.

Sounds good.

All right, thank you so much, Director Strom.

Do you have something else?

I just wanted to mention one thing.

Do you want to say it in the microphone?

About the um senior services and senior center.

And there was some discussion that you wanted to share it so much for the uh senior center and so much for the school.

I suggested I suggested uh to the members of the council that we split whatever allocations uh uh amendments that we made, the revenue from those that are in the pot right now that we split it between the senior center and the school department.

That would be my recommendation for my colleagues.

So because the senior center has different divisions.

How are we going to split the money into the various divisions of the senior center?

I don't believe so I my recommendation was we'll just put it in one line item uh for now.

Okay, and then we'll give the administration time to reallocate or the council can reallocate once we once we get to the June 1st thief.

Okay.

So that but I think just so we have expenditures matching revenues, right?

We know where they're going because otherwise we're gonna have a pot of money that's not allocated, right?

And it's not going to be distributed properly within the center.

That's right.

So I mean that's my recommendation.

You're the finance director, so uh but that's that's what I think I would.

It's not an issue with the school, right?

No, it won't be an issue with the schools.

I would assume because the you know the administration does have uh control over the senior center that they would have some input with the the director.

I know he hadn't been here the last couple of nights we we met, but I'm sure the director would have some input.

I'd be curious to hear anything you had to say.

Um so any other discussion on that that block of amendments.

Oh no, wait, we all did that.

We already did the block amendments, my bad.

Any other discussion regarding the barrows uh this item?

I let me take you and then I'll take risks just because you're gonna mess me up if I don't go around.

All right, um thank you, councilman.

So I'm a little confused.

Has barrows been sold, or is just an agreement to be sold?

It's an agreement that when it's sold, the school department will get 750,000.

They're gonna give us all the the information that's been verbally agreed upon by the the administration and the school department.

They'll come before us, we will ratify it, or I guess not ratify it at that time.

Um, and then we'll have all the legal lines.

Is that about the substance of it, Director?

That that is, I should probably add because we want to surprise the council.

Part of that agreement also was that uh the superintendent uh wanted to retain Arlington, uh, not decommission the school and use it for uh some of her early learning programs, pre-K program.

So the attendance to Arlington to continue, but in the form of the consolidate pre-K in Cranston, uh for this uh with under the superintendent's control.

So, Director, I just want to make sure though, that because these are city assets and the money's being allocated.

You may have an agreement with the administration and the school department, but I just want to make it clear that's all subject to these the city properties, all subject to ratification by the city council, much like we ratified the sale of that property that was for sale where the money was going through to the fire department, right?

The 250.

Like that.

I just want to make sure that we have a clear record because the all you have an agreement with the school, these gentlemen and ladies may not agree with that, so it's subject to the ratification.

I with all due respect, I heard you the first time.

Thank you.

I just want to make but I want to make sure that's how it's important to have a record of where this money is going.

Sure.

I don't give a friend right there.

Arlington, you don't need an agreement because it still stays within the school department.

Okay, very good.

Thank you.

Hold on.

Um, so I want to thank you for clarifying that.

You still have the floods.

Okay.

I want to thank you for clearing for that.

And and we don't actually know a sale price yet.

So I mean, it could be so no matter what that sale price is, only 750.

We hope we get 750, then above that.

The school is still being used, it's still got kids in it.

We can worry about that when we when it comes up.

Councilman, we're gonna I'm gonna go in the order.

We do we we're gonna maintain order.

All right, are you I am done?

Thank you.

All right, councilman Ritz.

So I was just doing some some math over.

I I guess I just had uh a couple questions.

So we had the the two million, and then we have from fire potentially 1.2 million back that that they'd offer.

I know we don't have it yet.

So we have 3.2 million, 750 from the school, so we have 4 million.

So potentially we could give the senior center one point if all this adds up over here.

It's four million dollars is where we're coming on with.

So where I'm at, we're at 2 million 41,000.

Fire off it potentially one.

Hold on, hold on, councilman Ritz.

I think we're just talking about right now the sale.

The sale is is that what you're talking about?

I guess before we voted on on where we were allocating the money, I was just trying to we haven't voted on that yet.

So we kind of went off topic topic.

I I was gonna make a suggestion at that point.

I'll I'll but I'm I'm only gonna have one topic at a time, but thank you.

So we're talking about the sale agreement just with the school department regarding the 750 that's going to the schools.

So I'm going to recognize council vice president Heroyan.

Um I'm a little confused here.

It was my understanding that Cranston Public School Department plan to use Chester Barrows for special ed students that would be embust out of the city.

But since the city would like to sell the school, they made a one-time agreement to pay $750.

Is that what I just heard or no?

$750,000.

I hold on.

I'm gonna just ask for the people who are actually we don't have anything in writing for the people in the room.

I may need you again, director.

Sorry to make you I need you again just to answer this question because right now there is no legitimate agreement until it's ratified, stated more than once by attorney Marcella.

Hold on, let you can ask your question.

I just want to say so.

There's no agreement because we have ratified it.

There's like a gentleman's agreement.

That's what director Muretti said.

When they put it in writing, it will come before us.

All right.

So director, do you want to add anything to it?

Yeah, um correct.

I'll just uh I'll emphasize it has been agreed that uh the superintendent is looking for Arlington for her needs, and she can uh relinquish or decommission both Barrows and uh Waterman School um when it when it's time at that point uh they would go go for uh competitive sale through the proper process and channels.

Um and uh upon receiving the proceeds proceeds, 750,000 would be designated, earmarked or in reserved or provided to the schools on a one-time basis for their capital funds for their capital needs.

Did that answer it?

What if it didn't sell for over 750,000?

Just say um we could put that in the agreement.

I think it's it'd be extraordinary if it doesn't, but we could provide for that.

Thank you.

You know, I was it was just brought to my attention by attorney my so we're kind of getting far off the budget process because this money isn't in any of the documents, so we haven't even agreed upon it.

It's not in the capital budget, it's not in the operating budget, so it's a good topic for a council meeting, but not this council.

So I'm sorry if I'm sorry that I I would have to um an advice of council.

All right.

So now I would like to propose, and that then we can open that discussion.

I know councilman Ritz, I believe you had some comments on that matter.

I would propose that this part of money or fund of money that we found through our amendments, the two million forty-one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine dollars, are split down the middle between the senior center and the school department.

That is my proposal.

I'm certainly before I even ask for a motion.

I certainly will listen to any comments.

This is kind of a little out of the ordinary.

All right.

Um, and I'll stop with not correct.

I'll go right around.

I'm gonna go around this way and then I'll go around back.

Okay, councilman camper be on.

Thank you, Council President.

Um, so we're talking about splitting the the what we did in amendments.

Are we basing what we have on the four percent levy or the four point six four levy?

This is based on a four point six five levy.

Because that was in one of the amendments, the approved.

Yeah, okay.

So I just wanted to clarify that.

Yes, thank you.

Good question, though.

So this is based on the levy at 4.65 and the additional uh amendments that were made, which comes up the total of the figure I gave you.

So that 2 million 41 is the 6.4, which is above the above the four, plus the amendments.

Yep.

Correct.

No, good excellent question.

Excellent question.

Any yep, councilman.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I just really want to thank every single one of you.

We came together, we found this.

It's not over yet.

I especially want to thank Councilman Bernano for finding extra savings and coming to the table.

So with that, I will be in agreement with the president and his motion.

Thank you, Councilman.

Councilman Bonona.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I uh will support what the president has suggested.

Um basically it's a million bucks for the schools at this point and a million bucks for uh the senior center.

Um I don't think our work is done.

Uh, and I don't frankly, I don't think anybody who has an office in this building's work is done.

Um, we still have to get within within before June 1st.

I I am hopeful that there can be more collaboration.

Um, and there could be you know some additional funds that are that are coming this way for us to be able to figure out where to where to put things back.

Um but we had a Herculean task, and um well, you know, while this has been very difficult, we've all put the work in, and I'm very proud to be a part of the body that is that is really trying um to do the best for the taxpayers on one side and city services on the other, and all our public employees.

We're we're trying to meld all that together into this pot to get everybody to be uh where they need to be.

It's hard, and uh we're I I feel like this this is a good starting point, but I do want to echo um what councilman Anderhar has said privately.

We we still got work to do, it's not over yet.

Thank you, Councilman.

Uh Councilman Ritz.

Thank you.

Yeah, I I'm you know, kind of the same same sediment here.

I'm really happy with it.

I I don't think I'm in favor of allocating the money right now.

Where I would like to be is stay at the 4.65.

Um 1.5 to the senior center.

And I'd like to wait and see what we get from fire, because if they were to give us the 1.2 million, we could 80% fund the senior center, give the schools almost $2 million, plus potentially settle that building, which gives them over two and a half million dollars.

So I think the numbers are really coming in the right way.

And like others have said, I think we have some more work to do, and we can get some more money there.

But I I I would maybe wait on allocating the money to we can wait to see uh what fire has for us.

I just want to make sure I'm saying correctly tonight.

We do have to we do have to pass a budget and make allocations this evening.

Um we can make we still gonna have, as I said before, another bite at the Apple on June 1, but we have to leave here on the 15th with a budget as a council.

So we do have to make allocations this evening.

But I get what you're saying.

Um logically, you're thinking there may be something else, and we're all hoping for it, but and I'm hoping for it as well.

But we have to make allocations this evening.

Thank you, Councilman Ritz.

Councilwoman Graziano.

Thank you, President Wall.

Um, yeah, I'm pleased this evening, and I will be supporting um the split on the um $2,041,000.

Um, but I I do hope that we can find some extra money um in working with the unions and see where we can get for the June 1st meeting.

So I'm really hoping that is a possibility.

Um, because I do think the senior center needs more money, and obviously the schools need more money.

Um, and I'd also like to revisit the CCAP underfunding.

It was 135,000.

So I'd like to understand that a little more in the next few days to find out if we should be also allocating some of that money back towards CCAP.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Graziano.

I'm just gonna ask the order just up there.

I'm gonna then take council vice president Haroy.

As a whole, just to go over what we've done, as of tonight, we have to pass a balanced budget.

I know there's been a lot of speculation that there's additional funding, additional give backs, additional revenue that we can disperse.

Currently, we have to work with what we have.

Currently, we have to allocate right now 2,041,789.

That's the focus.

I mean, our goal as a whole, as we discussed, is to find other funding to fund these positions or these departments, but right now we have to focus on what we have at hand, not being guaranteed what's coming forward.

Thank you, Auditor DeMoe.

Um, Council Vice President Heroin.

I would like to echo what's been said.

We all came together as a council and work together.

Um, some of the things we did were very uncomfortable, but we put a lot of thought and effort into this.

This was not an easy task.

Um, I think it's been eye-opening to find out that two different departments have been trying to meet with administration and actually make some concessions and give back some money, and it hasn't been done.

I think we all need to open our eyes to that also.

Um, it shouldn't have gotten this far.

It's very disappointing.

Um, I know that we still have time to make more cuts, and that might be something we all need to consider if jobs are not being done properly.

Um I will be supporting this in full.

I will be happy to fund both of the two departments mentioned.

I would also like to look at CCAP also more in debt, and hopefully we can find more money before June 1st.

Um, if we can all come up with this, I don't know why administration couldn't.

It's very sad.

Thank you, Council Vice President.

Uh Council, Councilman Traffican.

Uh Mr.

President, uh I'm I'm pleased.

I'm I'm not happy, of course, because we still have a lot of work to do, and hopefully uh the with the senior setup, we're short about 700,000.

And I'm hopeful that we could uh through negotiations provide that kind of money back to the senior center.

I have a question though.

Uh I'm gonna assume the best case scenario.

Let's assume everything works out with negotiations with with the unions.

All right, we get that, but I'll use the money.

I'll use the number 1.2 million.

Does that mean it goes over the 4.65?

Say that again.

If we get the additional monies from the unions, no, that would be savings.

That's that's a revenue.

So we wouldn't have so it doesn't impact that 4.65 at all.

Yeah, that's savings.

Yeah.

No, that would be yeah.

So yes, so you've cut your expenditures, yeah.

So that'd be perfect.

Yeah.

Thank you very much.

So that doesn't go into the yeah.

I I want to thank my fellow council members.

I think it would that could be done a great job tonight.

Uh we're on our way to solve the major problems.

Yeah.

And and thank you, Councilman Traffic.

I I missed you the first time, but I won't miss you this time.

Councilwoman uh Roseri.

Thank you, President Wall.

Um, I'm definitely in support of splitting the money between the schools and the senior center.

Um, I don't think it's enough, but I think we're in a in the right direction.

Um, I also want to echo Bridget on the CCAP.

I'd like to learn more about that and try to get them some more funds.

And um, I think we wrote ahead, but uh just for clarity, we can still make amendments until June 1st.

We can make, yeah, when we meet again and before June 1st, they can we can make additional amendments if we find savings, if there's revenues that they come in.

Yes, thank you.

Um councilman Anderha.

Mr.

President, just for clarification, if we do, and this is hypothetically speaking, if we do receive concessions, we do not need General Assembly approval, correct?

That would be correct.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Uh Councilman Campabiano.

Thank you, Council President.

Uh, I just want to ask, we made a lot of amendments, we made a lot of changes.

I like to ask uh either the administration, the order, or are we in danger in any way of a structural deficit?

Do we make any changes here where we could have an issue going forward?

I would say the probably the person I'd probably want to hear from Director Strom and perhaps auditor the mail, if that's okay.

Either one, probably I trust their uh financial acumen.

At this point, I would say no.

We have no no uh no issues with that been made.

Uh I I thank you for that because uh we we vote on contracts, we vote on different things throughout the year, and then we find out later on down the line that we made a mistake.

But you're telling me at this point we're safe.

At this point, yes.

Thank you.

And uh when the Director Strom says something, I don't always like the answer he he gave gave me when I was on the school committee, but I knew he was accurate in his calculations.

So I appreciate that.

Thank you.

Um I see councilman, um, not campaign, councilman.

I I do want to say one thing.

Um, and now that Director Strom is here, I I have a lot more confidence that this will happen.

We've made some cuts that might be problematic or not problematic because he just said they probably weren't problematic, but we made some cuts that are uncomfortable for some departments.

And basically what I feel is though we're we're telling the departments is here's your money.

This is what you have to live with.

So I really really encourage number one the departments and number two, the specifically the finance department and the administration to go to the department heads and say, hey, listen, this is the budget, live within it.

We cannot have overages in these line items.

We just can't we can't have overages in these line items.

So um, if it's getting close, there's gotta be, you know, there's gotta be uh system in place to ensure that the budget we passed tonight doesn't go over because that's how we've gotten in trouble.

And if it's in danger of going over, you know, they've got to reallocate within their department.

It's not a free-for-all here.

Um we we've got to put some of those clamps on.

And um, I don't know whose responsibility it is.

I don't know, you know who who would be doing it.

Um, and it's not our function to say, but this is the budget, live within it.

We cannot go above it and have another deficit next year because you know, look at how difficult this was.

If we do it again next year, well, there's no excuses anymore.

And thank you, thank you, councilman.

I see Councilman Ritz, and then I'm gonna acknowledge Councilman's request.

4.65 and we're going in the right direction.

When would we go to the General Assembly for approval?

Because we might not need that at this point.

Um, we passed the the resolution we passed tonight.

We'll I know there's already been a resolution that the mayor, when he initially proposed this uh 7.45 um tax increase, he did inquire to, I guess, Representative Chippendale.

I guess we can all ask our our members of our General Assembly to perhaps consider this, and it would go go before them.

Um we'd have to do it between now and June 1.

We'd have to have that authority.

Right now we only have the authority to go to 4.65, and we only have that authority to go over the the four percent cap because the Department of Revenue uh we outlined areas that allowed us to go uh protocols that allowed us to go beyond that.

That's that's all we have right now.

So we it and the truth is as we said in the beginning of our budget deliberations, one, this council may never get to that figure.

And two, there's no guarantee that the General Assembly passes it.

Councilwoman Graziano.

Thank you.

Um I'd like to ask a question to piggyback, Councilman Bonano's um statement.

So I I this is just for clarity and maybe maybe Director Strom can answer this.

So um I'm used to when a department is about to go over line item, because say you have to uh like this is just an example, ask for extra help because somebody's going on paternity or maternity leave, they do what's called a a transfer funds request because they're gonna go over.

So that would balance that line item.

Is there a system in place when a department knows that they're going to go over to notify the administration, subsequently notifying the council to approve the extra funds that are necessary to balance that account.

So do yeah, so I I guess basically it's a question we talked about before.

When they're gonna go over, I know you you you run weekly reports and you you get on on the phone and you and give it to them, but please, and and how we how we can get on.

Yeah.

As as the council president stated, I run weekly reports and I review every line item.

I contact that department head, tell them that they are over budget on X.

You need to do a transfer.

And if it's a purchase order, if they said, well, we don't have any money to do a transfer, then my reaction would be then you need to, unless it's an emergency, you need to uh liquidate that purchase order.

So through the chair, can I okay?

Thank you.

Um the department head should be also, I mean, I don't want to put the burden completely on you.

I appreciate that, and thank you.

But also, I mean, I manage my own budget, so I believe that the department heads should have some accountability on their end as well, where the administration can hold you guys can hold them accountable to manage their own budget and bring these items to light.

Um, and then of course you can report to the finance chair at the next meeting if there's an issue.

Um, but I think we need like uh what is it to two-factor authentication kind of thing where like a department head should be held accountable to know what their budget is, and if they're going over budget, notify you just as much as you should be checking their budget.

That's my opinion.

Well, the personnel in that particular department will be in uh speaking about uh the line item or the purchase that they would like to make with the division head or department head.

At that point, that person usually contacts me and we discuss whether we're gonna process it or take it from another line item or cancel the request.

Okay, and is that something through the chair?

Is that something that you can report back to the finance chair at next meeting if the these start to come up and they're starting to creep, so we can keep track of this.

I understand we get the financial, but we don't have 40 hours to look at them a week.

So what I'm saying is is this something that can be brought um monthly to the finance chair if any of these come up?

Yes.

Now we're starting to go away from the budget, but if answer the question, and I I think you want to answer the question.

Well, I was just fearing away from where we were to make it short and sweet.

I run these reports weekly, and I can provide that to the finance chair at any time requested.

It doesn't have to be monthly.

Okay.

Uh period.

All right.

Thank you, councilwoman.

Coming right around.

I see no other hands.

Yeah.

I do see a hand.

Councilman Trafficanti.

Uh I I just hope we keep in mind.

And keep in mind, uh initially the budget was 1.5 million given to the Scratchville School Department, and that was erased with the second revision.

So hopefully we can return that money as well to the Crancil School Department.

Thank you, Councilman Trafficante.

Um, before I ask for a motion, and I I'll state it if you'd like, I am gonna say and echo what what many of my colleagues have said.

I'll tell you what, and and council council vice president said to me the other evening how proud she was of the work we did um as a council.

And and I say that when we made amendments and we talked about it, it wasn't a partisan divide.

We worked together.

In fact, you'll hear me say, I don't care who amends.

We're not looking for credit here.

These people work together, they they they worked on their off hours, they did research on their own.

So I'm proud to be a part of you.

We're in a difficult situation, members of the council, and you stepped up and you found some allocations for two departments that serve our most need needy people in the city, our young people and our seniors.

So I'm proud of you.

I'm proud to lead the this council.

Um and with that, I I would ask for a motion um to divide um the uh the amendments that we made, the revenue from those amendments, which between the school department and the senior center, and unfortunately it's not an even number.

So I I'm looking for a motion to divide give one point uh one million twenty thousand eight hundred and ninety-four dollars to the school to the school department, and one million twenty dollars eight hundred and ninety-five dollars to the senior center.

I guess we'll have to owe the school system a penny as we go further forward.

That's a a dollar rather, pardon me.

Is there a motion to make those allocations?

So move a second.

Motion made, motion seconded.

Is there I know we had exhaustive comment on this matter?

Is there any further comment?

Sure.

Uh if within reason, because I know it was it was part of the prior discussion.

I think a very important point, I guess perhaps I abbreviated my the first introduction uh uh the last evening in deference to time, and I didn't spend a lot of time, but I think I may have missed one important point because I think something very much needs to be articulated if it hasn't been understood, or maybe something is misunderstood.

The administration um did meet uh with all the four uh bargaining units.

Um police they we don't have a contract going forward, we're in the process of negotiations.

Is it all right?

And not to interrupt, believe it or not, but at the end of the amendments, I did have some questions regarding after this.

I actually have other things as well.

But this is a response clarifying a statement that was made to say the administration didn't speak to the unions.

The administration included any uh uh uh concessions, if you want to say concessions or or uh adjustments in the butt, this last budget that came forward as a result of those uh discussions with uh all four uh bargaining agencies.

Um some things might not be in there that maybe you've heard uh stated that might be true or not true.

Um but whatever they were they settled upon, if they're not in there, it was the mayor believes is not in the best interest of the citizens or the taxpayers in the city, and that any uh concessions perceived concessions were not necessarily concessions and would have been more costly to the taxpayers, and that's why they were not included in the budget.

But I wanted to everyone to know that we did set down immediately after request of the council um to uh go look for concessions as we were uh directed or asked to do it, and we did that.

So I just want to make that clear though though uh um I uh perhaps executive session uh would be more appropriate to discuss any of those details.

Thank you for the opportunity.

Thank you.

Thank you for that.

I probably will have after after we take this vote just for this week, just because I want to keep in line because I did have a couple of other things I want about amendment.

No, not at all, not at all.

So now we're gonna take a vote on how the the uh allocations, the amendments of the allocations are going to be divided.

I see no further comment.

Clerk, please call the roll.

Councilwoman Graziano, yes, councilman Anduhar, yes, councilman Ritz, yes, councilman Trafficanti, yes, councilwoman Vaziri, yes, councilman Campo Piano, yes, councilman Banano, yes, council vice president Heroyan, yes, council president Wall.

Yes, so I'm pleased to say that that motion carries very favorably.

Before I close out amendments, and this is a way kind of segue in because we're going to meet again at least one more time regarding this budget.

And as I I said last night, this having this length of time props gives us a chance to find certain revenue sources.

And these are certainly things that I've spoken to members of the administration, even at times with Director Moretti, and maybe a couple of suggestions that I had on my list.

And when we did meet, I brought these these up.

But I want to be on record.

And I also do have a question.

And I as a former union uh leader, I certainly will not go beyond anything that's confidential in your in your any negotiations that you did have.

But some of the things I think we and to some extent, we considered a great deal about fees increasing them.

But I also would like to see, and it's it's really hard for me to tell.

I know there are fees that we can increase additionally, and some that are just regulated by state law.

And I don't have the capacity to do that on my own, because I'm going to need a little assistance perhaps from the solicitor's office to find some of those so I can see which ones we can increase.

And I don't like to raise fees on anyone, but we need more revenue, and I think the school department and the senior center and probably other departments would like some more revenue.

So I'd need help on that, maybe in the next 10 days.

I know it's a short time frame, but if there are any other fees that we can increase to increase the revenue, I would certainly appreciate that hump.

And and I'll say I'll make a list.

You don't have to write everything down.

I'll make a list where I have.

In Providence, they have four tiers.

They have their residential, which is a factor of one.

They have small um rental properties, which is a factor of 1.75, roughly.

And they have their larger rental properties at two at 2%, and also their commercial properties at 2%.

I can't tell you what the revenue is, but it's going to generate revenue if we can get legislation like that.

And our residential taxpayers are not going to see those increases.

People who are using more of our city services are.

If we could avail ourselves of someone with that skill, as we're going into our negotiations and save some money because healthcare is a big on all of our departments and save some money.

I think at least looking down this avenue could maybe not benefit us this year.

But going forward, and listen, I know Councilman Bonano said I'm concerned about the budget going into next year.

We all should be because we saw the large amount of deficit we currently have.

So going forward, I think we need to go look into that.

Which one would the health care?

Yeah, certainly address that because I have something else as well.

Certainly.

We're in the process right now of going uh uh out to bid for a health care consultant.

So if that particular individual, if you want me to if you give her my name or give her name to me, we can make sure she gets uh a shot at the uh and and she's not doing it to profit.

So if you're doing it, I certainly will send her in.

I know at the time you were very busy with the budget, and that was not an avenue you wanted to pursue, but I appreciate you going into it now and looking at it.

And we have to get a consultant in case and yeah, and certainly that that would be great.

Right, all right, and I'll give you her her name as well, uh Director Strong.

Thank you.

Um, and the last thing I'm gonna go into is is something um I think there were a lot of concerns, Director, as to how can I say what was the sub not the substance of the meeting, but the council didn't really receive any details on just what if meetings were taking place and how it was going.

Sometimes we get updates on negotiations.

I guess this is similar.

So I'll tell you what, myself and the rest of the members, many of the members of the public didn't think anything happened.

And also, I know as a former union member and union officer that if I make concessions, I have to take a vote.

And I I didn't hear it, hear anybody taking a vote in favor of any concessions.

And if there were other, and certainly I don't I don't know if anything in that contract, and maybe I'm not reading them all correctly, everything in that contract has to be voted on by the members.

So if I'm not mistaken, what can did we get concessions from any union?

Did any union vote to give us concessions?

And I want the substance of what the concessions was, because I think you're right.

We should go into executive session for that.

Give you these straightforward answers.

I asked the solicitors to stop me when they think I'm going to go.

Thank you.

I I need people to do that for me.

Yeah.

Uh I'll go, I'll go through each of the unions.

Um, the Teamsters did take a vote, um, and they did not uh uh wish to uh uh give any concessions.

Okay.

Uh that was that was that was a uh body of vote of the members.

But there was was because I heard on the radio that that the mayor said he did get concessions from them.

Were there non-contractual concessions that he got?

No, uh no, not to my not I can I can't speak if I don't know what he said on the radio.

I can only speak to what I know.

Okay, so you're not aware of it.

I did think I read in paper and and and her on the radio that every union except for the fire department gave concessions.

That's what I can tell you to my knowledge is the best I can do for you.

Your knowledge, uh you have a good memory.

I know you do.

Okay.

So do I have to mention I do have to off fairness say that uh that you know there were people affected in the Teamsters in terms of that accepted the voluntary.

Uh I I use the word voluntary terminations.

I don't know if it's an eloquent as people like hearing, but there were a number of people in that uh bargaining unit that did take those packages, if you will.

Uh so in that respect, they contributed, if you'd like to say that.

Okay, and they were reflected in the budget.

But in terms of beyond that, which was just an opportunity for employees, it wasn't uh it wasn't it wasn't any layoffs.

Uh so in that respect that they were considerate.

Um, or the individual members were one of the so yeah, so you met with them because not for contractual matters, more for staffing.

I'm gonna lay you off, or have what you said voluntary.

But we did meet with them and they went to the bonuses.

Well, right?

That was part of the discussion.

Yeah, and but and then we did uh go to the then they did go to their body and they they voted down uh any any give give backs.

So the team says any and do we have any other so the other collective bargaining that's the laborers were were uh very much affected, if you will, by the number of people that uh accepted those similar uh uh buyouts, if you will.

And um, and the feeling was that if if you know they didn't want to be the only ones, and I can understand that, but other if everyone participated, they certainly we would go back to them if everyone participated, and uh that'll lead us to the other unions.

Um so that didn't happen in that regard.

As we said, uh the police they're dynamite people to work with.

Um there's no contract in place, so there's no benchmark, so we can't judge it, and those negotiations are going on.

Um, currently, if I may interrupt, so I want to be very pleased.

Yeah, you want to we want to proceed to this one because the police are currently negotiating their contract, and you don't want to say anything right now that would jeopardize the negotiation.

I understand that.

And I wouldn't expect them to have concessions because they're negotiating their contract.

Sure.

Fully understand.

Yeah, um and in fire, uh there were there was uh uh a meeting, they they proposed uh uh deferments.

Um so they were no overall outright concessions, uh, but they were deferring uh anything uh in in year one to out years and uh and to increase um uh the uh the uh raises by way of example uh to take a deferment uh to uh on on uh a couple of holidays to the end of their uh service, and uh they wish to have an extended year to their contract, but frankly, to uh to offer near six percent uh to agree to near six percent increases over the next two or three years, didn't feel is the best interest of the taxpayers, especially under these circumstances, and that's why we're not reflecting savings uh of a million two or nine hundred thousand or whatever in the budget because the mayor could not in all goodwill uh present uh you know uh uh 2.9 uh every six months giving 2.9 percent increases, and thought that would just be uh causing a pro another problem in the future years.

Uh and we would rather address the problems this year, put it behind us versus face some some tough challenges in the future.

And that was that was the judgment on that.

But uh so but it would respectfully they came the forward in good faith and it was negotiated, and uh it just asked if they could chip away.

Uh uh, I my words was it was could shave those numbers, and they said no, their membership would not accept it.

And we said, okay, thank you, but no, thank you in that regard.

Okay.

You which I was telling okay.

All right.

So which I and I don't want you to tell me the substance of it, but I think it and and I'll say this, and it's not this is not to be um disrespectful in any manner.

It sounds like to me like there was never a deal to use the words of the president, it was never a deal made between the administration and any of the collective bargaining units that was contractual.

I think I'm safe to say that correctly, because if so, um either was voted down by by one right one collective bargaining unit, the other collective bargaining units never got to a motion where there was a deal on the table to take a vote.

No agreed upon deal to take a vote.

So you never get to that point, which I would urge you, and this is without saying substance, keep keep grinding.

We have traffic and I both hold on, let me finish.

Traff and I both sat on many many negotiating committees, and the option of not not just saying no way was not an option.

So I'm not disrespecting, but I think that the taxpayers do deserve that.

And I'm just I'm just gonna say that.

And we in the administration agreed to that as discussed before, but something else to notice.

Time ran out.

I know it wasn't a long period of time between going back and redeveloping a budget because there's a lot of work that's advanced.

We all and I agree with that.

It was very brief.

That we got 10 more, we got about 10 more days.

The in it, you know.

So maybe let's let's give it a go.

You know, I'd say I I would appreciate that, and I know it's a lot of work.

We did a lot of work in a short amount of time.

They did taxpayers deserve that.

I appreciate you, Candor.

Um, so those are the only comments I have about the process.

These are things I think we should look at.

I'll take a round.

I'm gonna go backwards this time, not backwards counterclockwise.

I see councilman traffic and I'm gonna go right around so everybody.

Mr.

Roddy, I understand there's been no concessions with the laborers and the teamsters, but I have to ask you a question about the police.

I didn't say you're in negotiations now with the police department.

I correct my correct.

Yes, yes, correct me if I'm wrong.

So I have to assume that there's money in this budget for your negotiations, yes.

Okay, but I I don't I don't want to say something that's uh you can't disclose how much, but it's a question we may have.

Uh since we're in a situation where we're a crisis so to speak in terms of finance, uh are you talking to them about getting a zero in the first year?

So I that because they have open questions.

So you can't really ask that question.

You can't we could get a briefing on it in closed session.

Yeah, but it would obviously as a former mayor, you know how counterproductive it is to the stand totally.

Yeah, mayor.

I think it's and I think that's a good idea.

Perhaps that does the substance of what those negotiations like we do many other occasions, we can discuss that in an executive session.

I think I think in generic terms, I could say I believe we have clearly expressed the financial condition of the city and the circumstances, and they've expressed that they're understanding and appreciation of our situation.

Yeah, and I and which I think I mentioned mentioned, I know we listen, we all speak to many members of the people who work work for the city.

And I've yet to come from one person.

I said it on the radio myself, but you're in the supermarket, restaurant, uh anywhere I find them.

Anybody who works to city says, listen, I know Cranson's in a tough place right now.

And I and you know what?

They all maybe reluctantly say, you know, I'd I'd give it give in something.

Now that number I can't tell you because no, I don't have that ability, but I know I know these are good people.

Yes, they are, and I know you agree.

And they and they all were, and I have to say, all four bargaining units totally came forward in good faith.

Then that's and that's an awesome ceremony.

That's absolutely thank you.

Um, any other questions for the director?

I see uh council vice president Haroy.

I know when I was on school committee along with other people here, when the school department was in contract negotiations, we had a committee of people, and somebody from school committee would be at those meetings.

Would it be possible for somebody from city council to be in that room and in it?

I I can't I can answer that question.

I uh that's up to the mayor's administration under the under the charter, the mayor has the sole authority to negotiate uh collective bargaining agreements.

You have the obligation to ratify them.

I will say that other cities and towns that I have worked for to make things smoother at ratification time, sometimes at least include the council uh or council members in those negotiations, either as observers or to get a feedback, but that's totally up to the mayor under the charter.

And I we can't, you know, that's that's their choice, not ours.

Thank you.

Thank you, council vice president, councilwoman Graziano.

Um, in that same vein, because that was sort of my question.

Um possible to have if the mayor agrees, um director de mayo or no, or he's already in on that or no, like in the negotiation, like in these now again.

Same same principle.

Yeah, Mr.

DeMayo works for the city council.

That's what I'm asking.

So same thing.

Yeah, there's nothing that stops the mayor or the administration on a as they want to keep the council informed to get a sense of the council where they may be going.

In other words, if the council, again, I don't want to get too far into this, but if the council say, hey, look, we really need a zero and we want to prove anything above you know a zero, that's that if that's that's where you get to play.

You have to ratify the contract.

So I'm I'm assuming that the uh you know administration at some point would like to know where the council feels where they can go or what you know what they're willing to accept as a as a new contract, not only for the police but for any other union.

So um it's good to keep them informed.

And again, I haven't been here that long.

Um I'm sure I'm assuming that that given the crisis that we're in, it would certainly be my recommendation uh from the from the council that he's he's hearing it now from individual council members.

But again, the ultimate decision is up to the mayor, not and that has been exactly as been past practice.

And would that apply to um any concessions that are being discussed now?

That same thing, the same thing.

Well, we haven't asked asked yet.

Actually, we did speak about a a little while ago, certain contract negotiations, but we didn't speak about the at least we didn't request um anything, maybe time parameters.

But I think I I I won't speak for the director, but I'm sure I'm sure if he's discussing it and where we have a meeting, we want to go into executive session, he certainly would give us the details at that point in executive session.

I don't want to speak for you, but I always do in the past practice when we do negotiate contracts, there are updates that we do have in executive session, um, where generally uh the solicitors in there and sometimes director Maretti and um I don't know, Mike uh uh Vivicio usually comes up.

Okay, going right around, Councilman Rips, real quick.

I I you know I I kind of agree with what was said.

If we could just have some some updates on that too.

And then what one other thing, which is just a thought, and it's not a sole thought because councilman Banano I have to talk about, just love it or hate it with the big beautiful bill.

There is um changes in how you're taxed on over time, too.

So I just hope then we have the negotiations, we could bring that into it too.

That there is some changes with that.

That couldn't be things.

Thank you.

That has been brought up, and actually the city will do what we can to cooperate in order to have our employees uh uh take advantage of that tax law in the way that things are classified in our payroll system.

Thank you, councilman Councilman Benano.

Thank you.

Uh I just have a couple questions.

Um if this is off the reservation, please stop me, attorney Marcelo, but who um negotiates the contract?

I know it's the mayor's office, but who are the people sitting at the table who are the people sitting at the table?

Tip typically typically it would it would be uh uh the personnel director, either entirely or at times the finance director, most often the director of administration or yeah, myself.

Uh occasionally the mayor may sit in.

Um a lot depends on the ebb and flow of the negotiations to see what personality is.

It's a it's an art as much as it is a science.

And then that kind of leads into my next question.

There are a lot of people who do it on behalf of citizen towns professionally.

Have we ever uh contracted any of those folks to act on behalf of the city on behalf of the administration?

I think like it's say I can say this we believe we know our limitations, and when we need to call in, I'll say the people of us uh what are better equipped in those circumstances and more skilled in in the in those areas, they are called upon time to time.

Good.

I mean, I and I'm I know sometimes you and I go back and forth.

I'm not trying, I'm not trying to insult anybody here.

I mean, those people do that for a living, absolutely, and and um that might be wise.

But we we we we do councilman um I I also just want to say that you know, I think from my perspective, if the if it's a if it's a deferment is a one for one or you know, a one for a one point one or one point two, uh that is a concession in my eyes.

It's kind of like when we had COVID and people couldn't pay their mortgages, so they took the few months of the mortgage and they put it on the end of the mortgage.

Um, you know, who who doesn't want that?

You don't have to pay it right now because you don't have any money right now.

So you got you know, in the terms of a mortgage, you got 15, 20 years to worry about it.

In the terms of this contract, we get three years to creep up instead of going from here to here in a year.

So I I do want to offer my opinion, and I think certain concessions, um, especially if it's as close to one to one as possible.

Um I should say it's certain deferments if it's as close to one to one as possible.

I would view as a concession.

And um, and I hope that um understood.

It's it's striking that balance is the is the answer.

Right.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Councilman Anderhai.

Thank you, uh director.

Um, I really don't have anything to say about the concessions.

I mean, um, I'm pretty sure you're working on it, and I thank you.

My whole thing is a communication.

This whole situation, if we would have known about this sooner than later, would have been we would we probably wouldn't be in the situation we're in.

And I just feel that although the communication is getting better, it can get better because we're finding out about extra money, this and that through social media or on the radio, and it shouldn't be that way.

So I just want to I just want hopefully that your administration can improve the communication to us so that way we're not in situations like this going on.

Did he did he believe we put everything forward we couldn't?

If there was anything we were hiding or anything, I think he should comment on that.

Well, like I said, I don't want to get in a back and forth.

No, no, but Mr.

Strom, before you got here, everything we got this thrown on to us in March.

The reports that we were getting were not any way predicting what we're in now.

So I want to thank you for coming.

I I we went from quarterly to monthly.

The communication is getting better.

But I was in a meeting talking about this budget, hearing Dan York, where the mayor said, Oh, we found extra money.

We did not get that phone call.

So that was a disrespect to us that we have to hear it on the radio.

But like I said, your reports are coming in weekly now, monthly.

Whenever we ask them, you're there, I'm glad you're here.

But before we did not get these reports on time, and the numbers were not the right numbers.

So I don't really need a response.

I just want the administration to improve their communication to where we don't have to find hear things on social media or the radio.

We should hear it from the horses mouth.

That's all I have to say.

I thank you.

You could respond if you want, but I just want to give you an update.

I don't think he asked your question though.

You you're not asking him, you don't have to respond on that matter.

We're talking about especially something that just happened.

I I believe if I'm totally clear, he's talking about this week when we found out through the department of revenue that we could go to uh 4.65 that morning.

I won't tell you what's what what outlet already had sent me a question about it.

I didn't even know about it.

I knew about it about three hours later when I actually called in to the um communication director, and I was on a three-way call, right?

We're right, we'll be all there.

There was a question about the revenue that they found to spound to save the senior center.

So now it's not something to respond to, but that in itself, we should be notified because the truth is that was misinformation.

That was they didn't find there was no money found.

We're taking that money from the taxpayers.

And when we called you, in fact, I think it was Councilman Ender.

I was sitting next to him.

And I thought um ordered the mail me.

Or the mayor called it called called you right when he was on the radio.

Is that correct?

When he called you, you said we didn't find anything.

The the budget says four uh uh four percent.

So there was no money found.

We we had the ability to allocate funds as a council, but there was no money found.

That money's gonna be found by the find by the people out there.

Yeah.

And in our pocket.

Well, first of all, we I contacted last Friday, Department of Revenue, and I didn't hear back till Monday of this week.

And at that time, we went back and forth with uh Steve Coleman of Department of Revenue.

Bob, hold on, let me stop you just one second.

I'm not saying that you did anything wrong.

I'm gonna say it was messaged and the information was found out, but many members of the council and members of the public who texted me that the mayor found some money, and they didn't get this just out of their brain.

They received this on several media outlets before the council members had it.

That's what I believe, if I'm paraphrasing it correctly.

It's not it, it is not an insult, but I think we gotta do a better job to respect the council, especially we're in this trying time, because that was not the case.

No money was found.

Tonight we're allocating those funds.

These people are allocating those funds.

They'd be getting emails and phone calls and texts and questions, right?

Nobody found anything, ladies and gentlemen.

We had to allocate it this evening.

And you had it, you had to make that money.

Right?

We didn't go under the cushions.

So I can hear, I knew when you found it, because we had that discussion later when we met.

But the truth is it was told to the public in a manner that it was not accurate, and before the council had that knowledge.

So going forward, because this is not gonna do us a whole heck of a lot of good.

Going forward, we would appreciate if something does happen, and I don't foresee it.

We'd like to know before the, you know, give us a heads up.

Because when when you get a call about money found, and I say, I don't know what you're talking about, and rightfully so, because it didn't exist.

Well, I can tell you I had no communication with the media at all.

Nope, it wasn't you.

It was so I uh you know, so I can't even uh comment on that.

And that's why I say you don't know what to do.

But I can I can tell you though that Dave DeMayo and I speak recently almost daily.

So we have communication going on constantly, and I assumed that he had conversation with you and other members of the council based on our discussion.

At that time, you didn't have the information.

It was said on the radio that I found the money, it's solved by the mayor on Dan York.

We were sitting there when we were working, and he called you immediately after.

It's not need it.

We don't have to document it.

It happened.

Yeah, and then he asked you, he actually asked you on the phone.

I asked Strom, there's no there's no extra money.

It was the way it was stated.

Yeah.

So listen, when people are enthusiastic, I get it.

Perhaps the mayor was overzealous at that moment, and he spoke in a manner that made it sound like he had found some money.

But the truth is we didn't find any money.

We found the ability to tax people more.

So I don't wish to grind down on it.

It's not a point that can be argued.

The facts are the facts, and that's all there is.

So I don't need an answer.

I'm about done with it.

If any of any members have any other questions, I see councilman Ritz, and if you do want.

I always look beyond you.

Director, you're you're gonna put that other hat on now, right?

Yes.

Um, I just want to say that on that day, the mayor had five interviews scheduled.

And while this information was being transmitted between people, I wasn't author authorized to make nine nine phone calls.

I was trying to get the mayor, I can only do one thing at a time, and I also cannot control another person and how they express their communication.

I can only control how I would write it.

So I just want to address that as your communications person.

I think I you can tell me if I don't do a very good job letting you guys know stuff, but when you're in an atmosphere where people are going from room to room, I'm on the phone with I'm on the phone with the council president.

He can hear me talking to people from different departments, trying to figure out what's happening.

That it was very chaotic in trying to get something done very quickly.

So I apologize if any of you are offended by that.

Um, but only so many things are with within my control.

Thank you.

Before I call on councilman Ritz, I don't be honest, you don't need to apologize.

You you didn't you gave me the accurate information?

You gave me the information about about the order, um, not the order to the uh department of revenue giving us the ability to go to 4.65.

You didn't say that we have money, we have money.

So you gave us the accurate information, and maybe that's at some a way of some explanation, but the mayor was perhaps tired and overzealous, and he spoke and misspoke, but we had to hear at that point.

So I think that messaging would be important.

So we knew, all right.

And councilman Ritz, I'll take you, but I really don't want to belabor this point.

Dead horse, and I I know we keep using horse references, but yeah, I I think you know, communication is the key.

I do want a fantastic job, director, but I think you can't communicate enough to us, and if you communicate to one of us, we have a great relationship with where we spread that out.

So I think just transparency and that piece too.

I mean, you know, we're in politics.

We get we get beat up uh, you know, every day.

We could we could share cancer, and then tomorrow they'll post, oh look, you put all these doctors out of work.

You know, we we can't win.

So just the more information we have is great.

But you're doing a fantastic job.

So I just want to add that.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And very good analogy, by the way.

Uh I'll tell you, I couldn't do it.

I definitely couldn't do better myself.

Um, so if there is nothing further, I I think I'm ready to move on in the agenda to the budget budget adoption.

So at this time, uh, we're gonna look to for the adoption of the revised budget uh for the fiscal year, July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027, as amended by the city council.

It should actually say on May 14th, and tonight on May the 15th.

So there is a scriptness area should conclude both dates because we had to.

All right.

And it would be subject to and um contingent to the requirements on the property tax uh and fiscal disclosure act.

So sorry, subject to say it's because he's got the law in front of me.

I want to make sure I say it correctly.

So I'm gonna ask, right?

So everything that the council president just said, subject to and contingent of meeting the requirements, uh the advertising and posting requirements and the public hearing requirements of the property tax and fiscal disclosure act as set forth the Ronaldo State Law.

And that again, just so you know, that's the June 1st hearing that we have to have.

Thanks.

So moved.

Is there a section?

Is there any further discussion?

Although we've discussed a great deal on these amendments.

I see none.

Clerk, please call a roll.

Excuse me.

Eight votes, uh eight votes are required because you're above the cap.

Yes, just for the record, we need eight at least.

I'd like all.

Councilwoman Graziano.

Yes.

Councilman Anduhar?

Yes.

Councilman Ritz?

Yes.

Councilman Trappicanti.

Yes.

Councilwoman Viziri.

Yes.

Councilman Campapiano?

Yes.

Councilman Banano?

Yes.

Council Vice President Heroyan?

Yes.

Council President Wall.

Yes.

So that motion carries.

Next, we're going to look at a rev uh resolution by the city council adopting the revised operating budget and the revised salary schedule for the general fund, the sewer fund, the ice ring fund, the claims committee issuance, insurance fund, and the revised capital budget for fiscal year commencing July 1st, 2026 and ending June 30th, 2027, and adopting the revised capital improvement program for the four succeeding years.

So I'm going to ask for discussion on the capital budget.

Is there a motion to approve for the sake of discussion?

Motion to second.

All right.

Discussion in something I do want to say, and I want to make sure that all of this and certainly come up.

This is these are bonded.

This is bonded money, correct, director.

So this is bonded money.

It may or may not be released.

Just because you have the ability does not mean you you you release necessarily have to release it.

And if I'm not mistaken, and I want to make sure council uh councilman campamiano and I spoke before you release, and we're going to request if it's always the protocol before you release for any, and I want to make sure I say it correctly.

Before you release issue any bond bonded money, the issuance issuance of bond.

We ask that you bring that before the city council, all right, for their consideration.

In this time, especially increasing the debt service, we want to make sure, even though we have the ability that it's absolutely necessary.

And this council may not deem everything in that capital improvement is necessary at this time.

All right.

So that will be the protocol going forward.

All right.

Um, Councilman Campagniano.

Thank you, Council President.

Um, yes, so we heard many of the uh people in the gallery talk about a moratorium on capital expenses.

Uh put a hold on some of the things.

So just to clarify, we don't have to put a moratorium on.

We have a checks and balances here where we are going to approve anything going forward as far as capital projects.

So we can still go out with them for the money, but the money is not spent until it comes before this body and it's approved.

Hold on one second.

Okay.

So this okay.

I had a discussion today with uh councilwoman uh Graziano, and um when we go out to bonds, there's a list of the items that we want to bond for, and that's usually what we do is we come before the council to get the approval of those particular items that we're gonna bond for and what projects now we also go out for bonding for like just authority.

When we do that, does not mean that we have to go and bond, we could hold off that authority for bonding for two, three years.

It's not that because you get the authority, you have to bond for that amount of money.

The other thing, as far as debt service, when we go out and do an actual bond, we try to incorporate it so that it doesn't affect our debt services over maybe a two-year period, and the first year may only be just interest, it may not be principal and interest.

So we try to schedule it so it's advantageous to the city from a financial standpoint.

Thank you.

Thank you, Director.

Pretty much answers the question.

I like I like the simple answer.

The council is the check the check out of that balance.

All right, I'm gonna go to council uh councilman Bonano, and then I'll come around.

Thank you.

Um Director Strom, before you're right, before you go sit down, have to get back up again.

There's a lot of confusion um by the public.

I'm gonna say that reducing some of these items, these lines in this capital budget will decrease the tax levy.

And I know that that's not the case.

We're right.

I know that that's not the case.

I know kind of how to explain it, but I'd rather have you explain it to anybody that's watching and listening, because we heard as councilman campipiano said, get rid of this stuff in the bond, and we can reduce the budget by X amount of million doesn't work that way.

No, so can you explain why it doesn't work that way for well once capital, once uh the uh the operating, so it's two different things, right?

Yes, the only thing that affects the operating is the the uh debt service, and we control that debt service as much as we can because we don't bond for everything that's been approved in the capital budget.

Some of that gets deferred to the next year or even say a year after, depending on the urgency and need of that capital uh item.

So basically, um my question is or or you know, let's let's take the Cranston East construction of track and field at Cranston East, because we heard a lot about that in letters to the editor and all that for two million dollars in here.

If we decided we're gonna take that out and make it zero, that does not give us two million dollars more to expend into the budget.

No, and I I know that, and I think everybody on the council knows that.

Um I'm not sure the public knows that, and that's very, very important for the public to understand, because you know, when we pass this, eventually we're gonna pass what is almost 22 million dollars, I believe, 2170.

That's not coming out of the tax bills.

That's not something we can take and give to the senior center and the schools and CCAP and head start.

It doesn't work that way.

So um I want to make that point, and I want to see if you can further explain why it doesn't work that way.

It's because one's not related to the other.

One's capital and one's operating, just as I stated, and uh the only thing that affects the operation is debt service, and that service is based on uh what's already been bonded and what we've received in proceeds to do certain projects.

Right.

Thank you, Director.

Thank you, Councilman.

Um, I'm coming right over here.

Uh Councilman Ritz, and then coming right down the line to Councilman Traffic.

Two real quick things.

So when we borrow money for the projects, we borrow the full amount.

So if we're borrowing 10 million, we don't take it as we need it.

We are the debt service would fluctuate.

See what I'm saying?

There would be if you don't take the actual proceeds.

There's no debt service involved with that particular transaction.

I I mean, on the other one, you weren't doing it, but that budget line was so far off.

We should be able to accurate through that.

We don't take any floating variable rate, right?

Everything will operate.

So we should be able to accurate.

No, we usually have before we do that.

I mean, like I said, we should get the council's approval.

Go get our fiscal advisor involved, go off, meet with the rating agencies, because they usually like to, you know, SP, Fitch, um, and uh we go uh and have them review and they ask a number of questions and then they give us a rating, and that rating determines what our interest rate would be.

Thank you.

Yeah, like the councilman banano you explained it more eloquently that I could.

I appreciate that.

So when I repeat it, I'll I'll try and come.

Thank you.

Thank you, Council.

Yeah, yeah.

Uh Councilwoman Graziano.

Thank you.

Um, thank you, Director Strom.

Yeah, we took some time and went over today because you know, like Councilman Bonano says, like, I have a concern, you know, our constituents are asking us questions, they want to know you know why we're going to expend this money and we're not going to give it to the schools.

And I think it was, I think it's educational to show that this money cannot be um moved over to the omnibus budget.

So one of the items I did want to ask and get out is that um some of these line items have asterisks, and that says that they will need additional bonding authority, others do not, which means tell me what, so I can get it explained to the public with additional bonding authority, we would need to get um approval by the voters, and it would have to go on the ballot, get their approval, and then it becomes an authority that we could bond for, but the the council would know what we're going to put on the ballot, obviously.

Yeah.

But the other items would be just an item that there would be a check and balance with the city council whether or not we were going to start to draw from the funded money that's already existing, because those just need requires new issuance before project can begin, has an exclamation point.

Well, we would draw if the money's been received through the bonding authority, and we have the actual available cash, as projects are being uh completed, we need to draw to pay off the vendor for doing the work that's been done.

But the council that that would be at the last step.

Yeah, the council would know about what that was prior to that.

Okay, okay, thank you.

Thank you, councilwoman.

Yep.

Uh councilman Traffic Candy.

Well, uh just prior to the meeting tonight, I sat with them.

Yeah.

Right.

I mean, I sat with the finance director, but we have a quick meeting, and I asked him about debt service.

And he informed me that debt service did go up because he had a correct the numbers in the previous year.

So why don't you explain to the council exactly what took place and how the correction you had to make?

If you look at our if I ran a report just for municipal debt service, it would show for this year 26 that we're over budget from what was put into the budget in 26.

Uh, I don't know where those numbers came from, to be very frank with you.

Uh, but what was expended was what was required to be paid for our debt service, and that was over budget by a considerable amount of money.

This year, what we put in the budget, whether it was four percent or the 4.65, it's still the same.

That's based on a, and I think I showed you a schedule of our debt service, both principal and interest.

And it also shows on the sewer principle and interest as well.

But the main thing in the operating budget is the principal and interest.

Uh uh, that's a separate uh schedule for just the general fund.

On the council to know exactly what took place in the previous years, and how you want to correct it.

Yeah, well, we we're we're correcting that going forward.

I I can't go back and correct no over expenses.

Let's let's look, let's talk about projects.

When they want to when they want to address a particular project, they go before the boarding contract and purchase first.

Am I correct?

Yeah, they they submit a uh bid schedule, yes.

Come before the council.

No, but the council has uh representation at bow cap.

That's the point I think the council president was trying to make is that we like to be informed about the project.

Uh as it goes through the process, so we're aware of what's taking place.

Well, we we can certainly let you know what we plan on going to bond by notifying the council in advance, and then if we get um you say uh blessing, we go forward through the bid process.

Okay, thank you, councilman.

Any other comments on the capital budget?

I'm seeing none.

I believe I had a motion and a second already.

Um was that uh who made the motion?

Who is it?

Council Councilwoman okay, and that was a motion to approve for the record.

It was so long ago.

All right, and we took all the comments.

So at this time I'm going to ask the clerk to please call a roll.

Councilwoman Graziano, yes, councilman Andujar, yes, councilman Ritz, yes, councilman trafficante.

Yes, councilwoman Vazieri, yes, councilman Kimba Piano, yes, councilman banano, yes, council vice president Heroyan, yes, council president Wall.

Yes, uh motion carries.

We're gonna move on to uh the next resolution rather resolution authorizing um the adoption of the revised capital budget fiscal year 2027 and the revised capital improvement program for fiscal year 2027 through 2031, pursuant to section 612 of the home rule charter of the city of Cranston.

And once again, these should be subject.

Any bond issued should be subject to approval by the council uh um strike that approval by the city council just for the record.

I think we've already belabored that point once enough, but say it again.

Um, is there a motion to approve?

So moved, second, any discussion there being none, clerk please call a roll.

Councilwoman Graziano, yes, councilmanduhar, yes, councilman Ritz, yes, councilman trafficante, yes, councilwoman Vazieri, yes, councilman Kimba Piano, yes, council councilman banano, yes, council vice president Heroyan, yes, council president Wall, yes.

That motion carries moving right along, moving on to the revised ordinance for making annual appropriations for the city of Cranston for the fiscal year commence in July 1, 2026 and end in July 30 30, 2027.

Should I say as amended?

So moved, second as amended.

Motion has been made, seconded.

Any discussion there being none, clerk, please call the roll.

Councilwoman Graziano.

Yes, Councilman Anduhar, yes, councilman Ritz, yes, councilman trapacante, yes, councilwoman Vazieri, yes.

Councilman Campa Piano, yes, councilman banano, yes, council vice president Haroyan, yes.

Council President Wall.

Yes.

Now, because we are going to meet again on June 1st at advice of council to table these two just in case we do change and make some changes.

So at this time, I'm gonna entertain a motion.

Just the motion, no any discussion on the table?

No.

No discussion, just to make sure.

So I'm gonna entertain a motion to table the resolution authorizing the assessment of valuations and levy taxes and retainable real estate tax, intangible uh personal property tax for the city of Cranston.

It should uh that was already tabled on June uh April, rather, April 29, 2026.

Is there a motion to take?

So second.

Okay, uh clerk, please call the roll.

Council Woman Graziano, yes, councilman anduhar, yes, councilman Ritz, yes, councilman trafficante, yes, council run Vazieri, yes, councilman campiano, yes, councilman banano, yes, council vice president Heroyan, Council President Wall.

Yes, that motion carries, and I'd also look for a motion once I read it to table an ordinance fixing the date when taxes are assessed as of December 31st, 2025 will be due and payable in the date when unpaid taxes will carry a penalty.

This was tabled on April 20 uh 29, 2026.

Is there a motion to table?

So move to second.

Okay, clerk, please call a roll.

Councilwoman Graziano, yes, councilman Andujar, yes, councilman Ritz, yes, councilman trafficanti, yes, councilwoman Vazieri, yes, councilman camp of piano, yes, councilman banano, yes, council vice president Heroyan, yes, council president Wall.

Yes, that motion carries, and I'm proud to say there is no business before the city council any further this evening.

I look for a motion to adjourn.

So moved.

Second.

All in favor, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed, signify by saying nay.

The ayes have it.

The motion carries.

Good night, and thank you for all who came and participated.