WORK SESSION

 

JANUARY 13, 2021

 

At a WORK SESSION of the Town Council of the Town of South Kingstown, County of Washington, in the State of Rhode Island, held via video- and tele-conference, in and for said Town on the 13^th day of January 2021 at 6:35 PM.

 

PRESENT:    Abel G. Collins, President

Rory H. McEntee, Vice President

Deborah D. Bergner

Deborah J. Kelso

Jessica L. Rose

 

 

Also present: Robert C. Zarnetske, Town Manager; Zachary Saul, Finance Director; Aimee Reiner, Director of Administrative Services; Colleen Camp, Executive Assistant; Theresa Murphy, Director of Leisure Services; Lance Whaley, Communications Superintendent; Lori Ann Fox, IT Director; Joel Ewing-Chow, Police Chief; Craig Stanley, EMS Director; Laurel Clark, Director of Library Services; Rex Eberly, Park Superintendent; Jamie Rabbitt, Director of Planning; Mark Russo, Facilities Superintendent; Susan DiMasi, Director of Senior Services; Jean Paul Bouchard, Tax Assessor; Jon Schock, Public Services Director; Richard Bourbonnaise, Town Engineer; Paul Ferrandi, Highway Superintendent; and Kathy Perez, Wastewater Superintendent.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance is given.

 

Robert Zarnetske, Town Manager presents the Budget Message and discusses the Town Manager Proposed Capital Improvement Program Fiscal Period 2021-2022 to 2026-2027.  To develop this six-year plan, department directors and staff prepare their annual capital project requests and identify new projects. The criteria for project ranking are based on addressing health and safety concerns; meeting federal or state mandates and/or legal obligations; securing any outside funding to reduce the tax burden; affordability; preservation of existing tax base while assuring infrastructure and assets; and identification of available resources.

 

Zachary Saul, Finance Director discusses the Annual Funding element of the CIP. The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) includes the capital projects for FY 2021-2022 and these capital projects become part of the FY 2021-2022 operating budget. This first year of the CIP is referred to as the Capital Budget or the “Pay As You Go” portion of the Capital Plan. The Capital Budget for FY 2021-2022 is proposed at $1.81 million, which is $21,290 less than FY 2020-2021.

 

Mr. Saul reviews a summary of the changes in the six-year CIP program. The total projected cost of the program is now estimated at $114,496,647, an increase of $3,983,661 over the prior year’s adopted estimate. There is a decrease of $4,005,000 over last year’s estimate for proposed School Facilities Improvements. Mr. Saul reviews the debt per capita, outstanding debt level, future debt service cost schedule, property tax related to debt service and the future bond schedule.

 

Fair Share Development Fees for educational facilities have been suspended since 2017.  The Recreational and Open Space Fair Share Fees for FY 2021-2022 are proposed at $3,763 for single households and $2,940 for households with two bedrooms or less.

 

The Town Manager notes major projects of interest including the Radio Program, Matunuck Beach Road Protection Program, Old Mountain Field improvements, and the Marina Park boat launch repairs.

 

Theresa Murphy, Director of Leisure Services is present and discussion ensues relative to the Parks and Recreation Rehabilitation/Improvement Pay As You Go Summary for FY 2021-2022.  The following projects are proposed for funding: Broad Rock Play Fields Dog Park fence replacement in the amount of $10,000; Old Mountain Field basketball court resurfacing in the amount of $10,000 and baseball infield renovation in the amount of $30,000; Town Beach improvement program in the amount of $10,000 for sand replenishment and shoreline erosion mitigation; Tuckertown Park play structure replacement in the amount of $30,000; and West Kingston Park basketball court resurfacing in the amount of $10,000. 

 

Discussion ensues relative to the Parks and Recreation Equipment Acquisition and Replacement Program for FY 2021-2022. Funding in the amount of $178,000 is requested including $50,000 for a pick-up truck/tool body with lift and plow; $15,000 for a multi-use vehicle; $50,000 for a tractor/Bobcat; $28,000 for a front-mount mower; and $35,000 for a GPS line painting machine.

 

Susan DiMasi, Director of Senior Services is present and discussion ensues relative to the Senior Services Program.  Funding in the amount of $30,000 is requested for FY 2021-2022 for replacement of the concrete walkway at the Senior Center, and $10,000 to install electronic door access controls for increased security at 2 buildings.    

 

Theresa Murphy, Director of Leisure Services discusses the Neighborhood Guild Improvements Program which is proposed at $1,125,000 for FY 2021-2022. Major infrastructure improvements include exterior main entrance alcove rehabilitation in the amount of $75,000; replacement of windows and installation of a new HVAC system in the amount of $945,000; roof replacement, cupola restoration and chimney re-pointing in the amount of $50,000; interior restoration and improvements to activity room gymnasium and attic in the amount of $30,000; security/surveillance system in the amount of $15,000; and a floor cleaning machine in the amount of $10,000.

 

Jon Schock, Director of Public Services is present and discussion ensues relative to the Public Works Road Improvement Program. Road reconstruction and pavement overlay projects are proposed including Old North Road and Moonstone Beach Road in the amount of $856,100 for FY 2021-2022.  New drainage, erosion control and TMDL projects for Green Hill Pond are proposed. The Town, in cooperation with the Friends of Green Hill Pond received a grant from the Southeast New England Program (SNEP) for $100,000 with a 50% match. Funding in the amount of $75,000 is requested for the TMDL Implementation Reserve Fund. Funding is proposed in the amount of $3,000,000 for Phase 2 of the Matunuck Beach Road Protection Project that will include installation of an additional 350’ of sheet pile wall. Funding in the amount of $20,000 is proposed in FY2021-2022 for the Matunuck Beach Road Protection Reserve Fund. Funding in the amount of $35,000 is requested for Bridge and Dam improvements, as well as $20,000 for the reserve fund for a total of $55,000. 

 

Discussion ensues relative to the Public Works Equipment Acquisition /Replacement Program. Funding in the amount of $335,000 is proposed for FY 2021-2022 including $190,000 for a medium dump truck, $80,000 towards a large dump truck, and $65,000 towards a payloader.

 

Discussion ensues relative to the Utilities Funds, which are enterprise funds that require no tax dollars. Funding for the Water Program is proposed for FY 2021-2022 in the amount of $157,000, including $40,000 for Victoria Lane and Mautucket Tank repairs, $60,000 for water treatment reserve, $25,000 for leak detection reserve, $10,000 for the water main replacement reserve, $15,000 for a valve exercising machine, and $7,000 for a zero turn mower.     

 

Discussion ensues relative to the Wastewater Fund.  The Town of South Kingstown acts as the Manager of the Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) for its Regional Partners, the Town of Narragansett and the University of Rhode Island. Costs are apportioned by percentage of use at each pump station.  Funding in the amount of $362,000 is proposed for FY 2021-2022 including $20,000 for WWTF telemetry and control upgrade; $30,000 for SCADA integration upgrades at the pump stations; $40,000 for influent headworks; $40,000 for tanks at the chemical storage building; $50,000 for aeration equipment replacement; $150,000 for collection system interceptor repair and cleaning; $20,000 for the office building reserve fund; and $12,000 for GIS information upgrade.     

 

Joel Ewing-Chow, Police Chief is present and discussion ensues relative to the Public Safety Communications System Maintenance Program. Funding is proposed for FY 2021-2022 in the amount of $30,000 for a contribution towards the public safety communication equipment reserve for the telephone system and CCTV/video surveillance system; and $20,000 for computer system equipment reserve fund towards server virtualization hardware replacement and cybersecurity updates. Funding is also proposed in the amount of $15,000 for the Public Safety Building maintenance reserve fund to replace the flat roof in FY 2025 at an estimated cost of $150,000.

 

Craig Stanley, EMS Director is present and discussion ensues relative to the Emergency Medical Services Program.  Funding in the amount of $89,000 is proposed for FY 2021-2022 for transport vehicle and administrative vehicle reserve funding; and $49,000 for medical diagnostic/equipment replacement including cardiac monitor/defibrillators, Lucas chest compression devices, and power stretcher replacement. 

 

Lori Fox, Director of Information Technology is present and discussion ensues relative to the Information Technology Equipment Replacement Program. Funding for FY 2021-2022 is proposed in the amount of $50,000 for the fiber ring equipment and firewall replacement reserve fund, and $33,200 is proposed for the Vision Government Solutions tax administration, collection and utility billing software upgrade. The total amount requested for this program is $83,200.

 

Lance Whaley, Communications Superintendent is present and discussion ensues relative to the Fire Alarm Equipment and Vehicle Replacement program proposed for FY 2021-2022 in the total amount of $29,500. The radio system project is on hold, the Request for Proposals has been sent out with a bid opening in February and bid award anticipated in April.  Funding in the amount of $10,000 is proposed for prism digitizer equipment (panic and burglar alarms), $12,500 is requested for handheld radio replacement, and $7,000 for the vehicle replacement reserve fund. 

 

Laurel Clark, Director of Library Services is present and discussion ensues relative to the Library Programs – Facilities Improvements. Funding in the amount of $35,000 is requested for FY 2021-2022 to replace the water service line at the Robert Beverly Hale Library branch.

 

Jean Paul Bouchard, Tax Assessor is present and discussion ensues relative to the Property Appraisal Program.  Funding in the amount of $30,000 is proposed for FY 2021-2022 to be reserved for the 2024 statistical revaluation. 

 

Mark Russo, Facilities Superintendent is present and discussion ensues relative to the Town Hall Facility Improvements and Pool Vehicle Replacement Program. Funding in the amount of $87,000 is requested for FY 2021-2022. Town Hall improvements are proposed in the amount of $47,000 which includes $12,000 for aluminum window replacement on the second floor, $5,000 reserve funding for HVAC in the Council Chambers, $17,500 reserve funding for exterior painting and roof cresting repair, and $12,500 reserve funding for repairs to the High Street entrance roof and doors and installation of a railing. Reserve funding in the amount of $40,000 is requested for replacement of a Facilities Superintendent vehicle and boom lift.

 

Councilwoman Bergner comments on whether Planning Department projects could be included in the Capital Improvement Program.   

 

Jamie Rabbitt, Director of Planning responds that items to be considered might be updates to the Comprehensive Community Plan, zoning regulations and design standards.

 

Adjourn at 8:55 PM.

 

ADJOURNED,

 

Susan M. Flynn, CMC

Town Clerk