City Council Minutes 06-09-2020Finance & Property /Committee of the Whole FY21 Budget Meeting
MINUTES — Tuesday June 9, 2020 @ 7:00 PM
Remote Meeting on Google Meet/Hangout
Called to Order @ 7:00 PM
Confirming Member Access:
Council President: As a preliminary matter, this is Paul Guanci, President of the Beverly
City Council. Before beginning the meeting, I would like to announce that this meeting is
being recorded by the City of Beverly and livestreamed by BevCam on both Channel 99
and via BevCam's YouTube channel. I am confirming that all members and persons
anticipated on the agenda are present and can hear me.
• Members, when I call your name, please respond "Here"
• Staff, when I call your name, please respond "Here"
• Anticipated speakers on the agenda, please respond "Here"
Introduction to Remote Meeting:
Guanci: Good evening. This Open Meeting of the Beverly City Council is being
conducted remotely, consistent with Governor Baker's Executive order of March 12,
2020, due to the current State of Emergency in the Commonwealth due to the outbreak
of COVID -19.
In order to mitigate the transmission of the virus, we have been advised and directed by
the Commonwealth to suspend public gatherings, and as such, the Governor's Order
suspended the requirement of Open Meeting Law to have all meetings in a publicly
accessible physical location. Further, all members of public bodies are allowed and
encouraged to participate remotely.
The Order allows public bodies to meet entirely remotely so long as adequate
alternative public access is afforded so that the public can follow along with the
deliberations of the meeting.
Ensuring public access does not ensure public participation unless such participation is
required by law. This meeting may feature public comment.
For this meeting, the City Council is convening by telephone and video conference via
Google Hangouts as posted on the City's website identifying how the public may join.
Please note that this meeting is being recorded and televised live, and that some
attendees are participating by video conference.
Accordingly, please be aware that other participants or viewers may be able to see and
hear you, and anything that you broadcast may be captured by the recording. You have
the option to turn off your video if you are participating via computer. All participants
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should keep their microphones or phones muted unless recognized me to reduce
background noise and feedback. Please wait until the person speaking has finished
before speaking so we can clearly hear all participants.
• Finally, each vote taken in this meeting will be conducted by a roll call vote.
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: Councilor Houseman
Roll Call: Stacy M. Ames, Kathleen M. Feldman, Timothy P. Flaherty, Julie R. Flowers, John
P. Frates Jr., Scott D. Houseman, Todd C. Rotondo, Estelle M. Rand, Paul M. Guanci
Also Present, Mayor Michael Cahill, Finance Director Bryant Ayles, Budget Analyst Gerry Perry,
Gloria Bouillon, Superintendent Dr. Charochak and Commissioner Collins
Guanci- Committee of the whole called to order at 7:OOPM
Chair Flaherty: I would like to call Finance and Property to order 7:OOPM Councilor
Rand and Councilor Guanci are on this Committee and here tonight.
Also present: Councilor Rotondo, Councilor Ames, Councilor Frates, Councilor
Feldman, Councilor Houseman (Absent Councilor Flowers) Budget Analyst Perry,
Financial Director Ayles, Mayor Cahill, Harbormaster McPherson, Library Director
Babin, Council on Aging Director Holak, Chief LeLacheur, Chief Cotter, Planning
Director Wynne, Emergency MGMT Mark Foster, Health Director Burke and Parks and
Recreation Director Bruce Doig.
McPherson: Everything is a straight forward. I can answer any questions you would
like.
Rand: Take an opportunity to say thank you for keeping everyone safe fishing and on the
docks.
Babin: The mission is to provide material to enrich people's lives and over a love of
reading. We have still offered lots of program during Covis -19. The building is closed
but we are still here for the committee.
Feldman: We had decreased city clerk on the same item line. Are we looking at a
consolidation.
Ayyes: Yes it does typically get funded at 1000 every year. No funds were used in
2019 but it is still budgeted at 1000 dollars. All of department have down preservation
Houseman: Regarding the Clerk's office we can look at the CPC for funding. Maybe a
way to get a funding for the departments that need it.
Flowers: I was wondering about the Teen room update? I was also wondering about
curb side pickup?
Babin: We had made progress, new carpeting, and repainted, and a few knew pieces, we
were just going to order furniture then the Virus hit, so it is on pause right now. The
curbside pickup and book mobile, the bookmobile is a very confined space so we are
talking about that. The bookmobile driver still delivers to homes.
Rand: Future budget for the library, what are your thoughts that you may need during
this time. You serve so many of the population.
Babin: I have had many ideas put with the new situation things have changed, but I do
have some ideas about technology, and social distancing.
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