COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT
July 6, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Chairman Burkush called the meeting to order.
The Clerk called the roll.
Present: Aldermen Burkush, Vincent, Barry, Goonan
Absent: Alderman Terrio
Messrs.: R. Robinson, Alderman O'Neil
- Communication from Robert Robinson, Environmental Protection Division Chief Engineer, requesting approval for the following:
- Amending Resolution and Budget Authorization providing for the acceptance and expenditure of funds in the amount of $9,700,000 for CIP 710225 WWTP Emergency Power Upgrade;
- Amending Resolution and Budget Authorizations providing for the transfer and expenditure of funds in the amount of $198,660.86 for CIP 710824 Secondary Clarifier Design and Construction;
- Amending Resolution and Budget Authorization providing for the acceptance and expenditure of funds in the amount of $300,000 for CIP C270070227 DCMOM FY27 Study & Design;
- Amending Resolution and Budget Authorization providing for the acceptance and expenditure of funds in the amount of $500,000 for CIP C270070327 MS4 FY27 Permit Compliance;
- Amending Resolution and Budget Authorization providing for the acceptance and expenditure of funds in the amount of $1,000,000 for CIP C270070427 WWTP Effluent Study;
- Amending Resolution and Budget Authorization providing for the acceptance and expenditure of funds in the amount of $5,300,000 for CIP C270070127 MS4.DCMOM Construction;
- Amending Resolution and Budget Authorization providing for the acceptance and expenditure of funds in the amount of $6,500,000 for CIP C270070527 CMOM C-6 Construction;
- Amending Resolution and Budget Authorization providing for the acceptance and expenditure of funds in the amount of $30,000,000 for CIP C270070627 WWTP Pump Station Upgrade Construction;
- Amending Resolution and Budget Authorization providing for the acceptance and expenditure of funds in the amount of $2,000,000 for CIP C270070727 Queen City Ave Separation C-8 Design.
Robert Robinson, EPD Chief Engineer: We have various CIPs. The first one is basically to amend the CIP for the emergency power generator project that's currently at $20.3 million to bring it up to an even $30 million. The next one is we're closing out our CIP, and we're transferring the remaining funds to the secondary clarifier project.
Chairman Burkush: Rob, you don't have to explain all these, just an overview. These are all within your enterprise bonds?
R. Robinson: Yes, and it's all within the current rate increases as well. So, there's no changes to that.
On motion of Alderman Vincent, duly seconded by Alderman Goonan, it was voted to approve.
On motion of Alderman Vincent, duly seconded by Alderman Barry, it was voted to expedite the committee's report to the full Board.
- Amending Resolution and Budget Authorization providing for the acceptance and expenditure of funds in the amount of $33,000 for CIP C300040327 Hazardous Materials Grant.
On motion of Alderman Goonan, duly seconded by Alderman Vincent, it was voted to approve.
- Amending Resolution and Budget Authorization providing for the acceptance and expenditure of funds in the amount of $81,000 for CIP C300040427 Weston Tower Site Radio System Upgrade/Repairs.
Alderman Vincent: I just wondered where our portion of the money is coming from. I believe this is a match.
Chairman Burkush: That's correct.
Alderman Vincent: It's a match. I'm just looking for where the $40,000 is coming from.
Chairman Burkush: Last year's budget.
Alderman Vincent: So, they had an overflow?
Chairman Burkush: They had a surplus in the fire budget to the cover this. I spoke to Sharon and that's my understanding.
Alderman Vincent: Nobody's here from Fire? If that's your understanding, I'll go with that.
Alderman O'Neil: This is also to take care of an incident that they had where all the radios went out.
Chairman Burkush: Recently, the police and fire radios, the citywide radio system went down for over four hours. And the backup system had failed. So, in the interim, Chief Cashin applied for a grant, which would cover 50% of the cost. I spoke to Director Wickens and she assured me that we could fund this. It's an emergency repair. We have to have it. It will be done with last year's surplus.
On motion of Alderman Vincent, duly seconded by Alderman Goonan, it was voted to approve.
On motion of Alderman Barry, duly seconded by Alderman Goonan, it was voted to expedite the committee's report to the full Board.
- Amending Resolution and Budget Authorization providing for the acceptance and expenditure of funds in the amount of $23,605.99 for CIP C410021726 Oral Health Program.
On motion of Alderman Vincent, duly seconded by Alderman Barry, it was voted to approve.
- Amending Resolution and Budget Authorization providing for the transfer and expenditure of funds in the amount of $1,100,000 for CIP C500070427 Canal St Multi-Modal Trail (TAP 4).
On motion of Alderman Barry, duly seconded by Alderman Goonan, it was voted to approve.
- Communication from Ryan Cashin, Fire Chief, requesting permission to apply for the FY25 Assistance to Firefighters Grant in the amount of $337,399.
Alderman Vincent: The $30,000, we got a match on that. Is that coming out of his funds that he's going to put this towards? So, this would cover some of what we're giving him? And he can use what we gave him to cover this?
Chairman Burkush: This is just for permission to apply. It would come back to us and he'd have to identify a funding source before it would move forward.
Alderman Vincent: I just want it on the record that he has to tell us that.
On motion of Alderman Vincent, duly seconded by Alderman Barry, it was voted to approve.
- Communication from the Fire Chief requesting permission to apply for GO-NORTH funding to initiate a Mobile Integrated Health Care model in the City.
On motion of Alderman Vincent, duly seconded by Alderman Barry, it was voted to approve.
On motion of Alderman Vincent, duly seconded by Alderman Goonan, it was voted to expedite the committee's report to the full Board.
- Communication from Emily Rice, City Solicitor, requesting an extension of CIP 811025 Independent City Auditor to September 1, 2026.
On motion of Alderman Vincent, duly seconded by Alderman Barry, it was voted to approve.
- Communication from Jeff Belanger, Planning and Community Development Director, requesting an extension of CIP C200060326 Dilapidated Building Demolition to June 30, 2027.
On motion of Alderman Vincent, duly seconded by Alderman Barry, it was voted to approve.
- Communication from the Planning and Community Development Director regarding a request from the Safari Youth Club for reimbursement of $5,000 for a community event.
Alderman Vincent: I don't think we can move forward with this.
Chairman Burkush: We would encourage the group to apply next year with the mayor's community CIP program.
Alderman Barry: That's coming up this year that they can apply, I think in November or December.
On motion of Alderman Vincent, duly seconded by Alderman Barry, it was voted to receive and file.
- Communication from Richard Martinez, Information Systems Director, requesting an extension of CIP 810625 Munis ERP Financial System to June 30, 2034.
On motion of Alderman Vincent, duly seconded by Alderman Goonan, it was voted to approve.
There being no further business, on motion of Alderman Vincent, duly seconded by Alderman Barry, it was voted to adjourn.
A True Record. Attest.
Clerk of Committee
Meeting Start Time: 5:45PM
Meeting End Time: 5:54PM
Minutes Prepared By: Michael Intranuovo