Search

REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
DECEMBER 15, 2021

A meeting of the Finance Committee was held on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. in the
Aldermanic Chamber and via Zoom. The meeting link information can be found on the agenda.

Mayor Jim Donchess, Chairman, presided.

Members of the Committee present: Mayor Jim Donchess
Alderman Patricia Klee, Vice Chair
Alderman-at-Large Michael B. O’Brien, Sr.
Alderman-at-Large Brandon Michael Laws (via Zoom)
Alderman Linda Harriott-Gathright

Members not in Attendance: Alderwoman-at-Large Shoshanna Kelly
Alderwoman Elizabeth Lu

Also in Attendance: John Griffin, CFO/Comptroller
Kim Kleiner, Administrative Services Director
Kelly Parkinson, Purchasing Manager
Jon Ibarra, Superintendent of Streets
Camille Correa, Transit Administrator

PUBLIC COMMENT

Laurie Ortolano

Laurie Ortolano, 41 Berkeley Street. | wanted to address this Committee regarding the performance of your
legal office. | really feel that Corporation Counsel Attorney Bolton is a pretty compromised individual and Mr.
Mayor you've left the situation over there to become very out of control.

Mayor Donchess

Ms. Ortolano wait. Can | just interrupt you for a second? First of all, you're in litigation with | realize but this
Committee — | mean you’re supposed to be talking about things that are on the agenda and certainly the legal
office is not.

Laurie Ortolano

With all due respect, it’s open public comment and you don’t have that. I’m addressing a situation with your

legal office and share my opinion on how they’re performing, which quite frankly involves a lot of money that
comes through this office. | can go to any meeting | want and share these comments. If you want to change
your regulations to shut that down, you can do that but you have no business shutting me off. | would like to
gain some time and just...

Mayor Donchess

The normal way to proceed is we take comments regarding the agenda items at the beginning and there is
public comment at the end which is more general. So would you mind complying with that normal procedure?

Laurie Ortolano

| would. Thank you for asking.

Finance Committee — 12/15/2021 Page 2

Mayor Donchess

You would mind?

Laurie Ortolano

So | believe that you have a very compromised legal office and that Attorney Bolton is seriously
underperforming for this city. He clearly does not recognize his limitations and last night’s meeting was a great
indication. | really think that he needs to understand that his role isn’t to take control of a meeting, interrupt,
and speak out of turn, taunt citizens to pushing them into legal action. Basically, bringing the “bring it on”
mentality. At the end, I’ll continue my thoughts on that. Thank you.

Mayor Donchess

All right. You have made that statement many times in the past. So it’s nothing new.

COMMUNICATIONS

From: Kelly Parkinson, Purchasing Manager
Re: Television Studio Production Switcher in the amount not to exceed $34,000 funded from 81100 Capital
Improvements/PEG Access Channels Special Revenue Fund (CTV Nashua Community Television)

MOTION BY ALDERMAN HARRIOTT-GATHRIGHT TO ACCEPT, PLACE ON FILE AND APPROVE THE
REPLACEMENT OF A PRODUCTION SWITCHER WITH A NEWTEK TRICASTER 2 ELITE WITH 2 STRIPE
CONTROL SURFACE AND ASSOCIATED ACCESSORIES AT A PRICE NOT TO EXCEED $34,000 FROM
DEPARTMENT: 81100 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS/PEG ACCESS CHANNELS SPECIAL REVENUE FUND,
BY ROLL CALL

ON THE QUESTION

Kim Kleiner, Administrative Services Director

Good evening. So this request is actually for the PEG and the Access AV. This request did get favorable
recommendation from the Cable Television Advisory Board last Friday. What’s happening is there is a
switcher that was put into production back in 2013 at the TV studio over on Riverside Drive. That switcher now
has been operating poorly, and causing great issue, and there’s a problem because the switcher works with
Windows and there’s no updates, and the manufacturer is no longer providing any backup or support for this
model. Generally, it’s about five years for the life and this has gone way past that.

So the ask was for $34,000 to replace that switcher, and a couple of monitors, and accessories which the CTV
Board approved on Friday. Luckily we are in the middle right now of negotiating with the Comcast for the
franchise renewal and as part of that process, we'll be looking at all of this equipment and getting an aging of
all it so that we can look but this is by far the most expensive piece of equipment.

Mayor Donchess

All right. Questions or comments?

Alderman Jette

I’m the liaison to the CTAB and | just wanted to support Ms. Kleiner’s statements. Evidently this is an essential
piece of equipment they have for the production of TV shows there. They explained to us it’s reached the end
of its useful life. They’ve negotiated a buy back from the vendor and a substantial discount. We’re told that

prices will go up after the first of the year. So! support and encourage you to please approve this. Thank you.

Finance Committee — 12/15/2021 Page 3

Mayor Donchess

Anyone else?
A viva voce roll call was taken which resulted as follows:

Yea: Alderman Klee, Alderman Harriott-Gathright, Alderman Laws,
Alderman O’Brien, Mayor Donchess 5

Nay: 0

MOTION CARRIED

From: Kelly Parkinson, Purchasing Manager

Re: 2021 Bobcat E60 R2 Compact Excavator in the amount not to exceed $68,971.80 funded from accounts 81500
Vehicles/Trust/CERF (Streets)

MOTION BY ALDERMAN HARRIOTT-GATHRIGHT TO ACCEPT, PLACE ON FILE AND APPROVE THE
PURCHASE OF A 2021 E60 R2-SERIES BOBCAT COMPACT EXCAVATOR FOR A PRICE OF $68,971.80
PURSUANT TO THE SOURCEWELL CONTRACT #040319-CEC. FUNDING WILL BE THROUGH
DEPARMENT: 161 STREETS; FUND: TRUST; ACTIVITY: CERF, BY ROLL CALL

ON THE QUESTION

Jon Ibarra, Superintendent of Streets

Thank you Mr. Mayor. So this particular piece of equipment is essential to our daily operations at the Street
Department. This unit is used daily whether we’re doing sidewalk repair or replacement, sewer digs,
residential sewer replacement, any number of reasons but it’s a critical piece to our department. We will be
holding on to our mini excavator that has a little better than 3,000 hours until it’s no longer feasible. It is a key
piece of equipment for the Street Department. I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Mayor Donchess

Any questions or comments?
A viva voce roll call was taken which resulted as follows:

Yea: Alderman Klee, Alderman Harriott-Gathright, Alderman Laws,
Alderman O’Brien, Mayor Donchess 5

Nay: 0
MOTION CARRIED

From: Kelly Parkinson, Purchasing Manager
Re: Software Hosting & Maintenance in the amount not to exceed $40,381.39 funded from 54407 Software
Maintenance/FTA Grant Funds (Transit)

MOTION BY ALDERMAN HARRIOTT-GATHRIGHT TO ACCEPT, PLACE ON FILE AND APPROVE THE
ANNUAL SOFTWARE SUPPORT AND LICENSING FEE FOR THE DEMAND RESPONSE AND FIXED
ROUTE SERVICE SCHEDULING SOFTWARE CALLED “ROUTEMATCH” USING FEDERAL GRANT AND
LOCAL MATCH FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $40,381.39. FUNDING WILL BE THROUGH
DEPARTMENT: 186 TRANSPORTATION; FUND: 54407 SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE/FTA GRANT
FUNDS, BY ROLL CALL

Finance Committee — 12/15/2021 Page 4

ON THE QUESTION

Camille Correa, Transit Administrator

Good evening. I’m Camille Correa. I’m the Transit Administrator for Nashua Transit System. Thank you very
much for considering the routematch software annual fee of $40,381.39. It does pay for both our fixed route
and our demand response scheduling. What it does is it allows the driver to see where their schedule is
utilizing a tablet on board. Its log in the morning and it also allows for the drivers to process fares electronically
as well so that we have great reporting at the end of the day. We know about our no shows, our cancellations,
the amount of people that rode, and also our fare reconciliation. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to
entertain them.

Alderman Klee

Thank you Mr. Mayor. | just want to clarify for the public that on the agenda the original letter as Alderwoman
Harriott-Gathright had mentioned had the number of $23,575.23 and that was just a typo. All the ancillary
subsequent paperwork below that had the additional $16,806.16 for the demand response annual fee. It just
had not been totaled on the cover sheet. That’s why we read as amended. Thank you.

Mayor Donchess

All right. Any other questions or comments?
A viva voce roll call was taken which resulted as follows:

Yea: Alderman Klee, Alderman Harriott-Gathright, Alderman Laws,
Alderman O’Brien, Mayor Donchess 5

Nay: 0
MOTION CARRIED

From: Kelly Parkinson, Purchasing Manager

Re: Change Order to Transit Center Renovation in the amount not to exceed $55,766.40 funded from 54300 Sewer
Maintenance/Wastewater Fund ($5,611.84) 81200 Buildings & Improvements/ FTA Grant Funds ($50,154.56)
(Transit)

MOTION BY ALDERMAN HARRIOTT-GATHRIGHT TO ACCEPT, PLACE ON FILE AND APPROVE
CHANGE ORDERS 1, 2, AND A NEW CHANGE ORDER #3 TO THE TRANSIT CENTER RETROFIT
PROJECT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $55,766.40. FUNDING WILL BE THROUGH 54300 SEWER
MAINTENANCE/WASTEWATER FUND ($5,611.84) 81200 BUILDINGS & IMPROVEMENTS/ FTA GRANT
FUNDS ($50,154.56), BY ROLL CALL

ON THE QUESTION

Camille Correa, Transit Administrator

Thank you. Camille Correa, Transit Administrator. Change order #1 and #2 were brought before the Finance
Committee and approved. This is change order #3 and because it did exceed $25,000, we are requesting for
change order #1, #2, and #3 to be approved in the amount of $55,766.40 as stated. The work that was
completed was roadwork repair. There was an underground sewer line that was found in the south side of the
transit center and it was repaired by DPW. There were some changes to the internal structure of the building
as well as some external elevation and drainage pipe grades.

We are also requesting that the date of the contract is extended from December 15, 2021 for the substantial
and final completion date to February 15, 2022 for the internal final date and the external final date from

The City of Nashua has brought together architects, performing arts center experts, community leaders, aris and
performance organizations, private performance oriented businesses, elected officials, and the broader
community to the conversation. The City and its consultants have produced a report and plan that indicate that
the 201 Main Street Building (formerly Alec's Shoes) would be the best site, and that an audience size of 500-700

is the right fit for the region.

At this time, the City is working through the process of approval for a bond measure for this project. The total
amount of the bond is $15.5 million. This bond will support both purchasing the building, and the construction
and fit up for this modern venue. in addition, project organizers will also have to raise $4 million from private
donations to make the project possible and most importantly - truly feasible. These private funds will ensure an

endowment that will produce substantial revenue, and offset the cost of ongoing operations of the project.

We, the undersigned, petition the Nashua, NH Board of Aldermen to unanimously vote yes on the passage of
legislation relative to bonding the proposed Performing Arts Center at a meeting of the full Board of Aldermen

at 7 pm on Tuesday, September 12th.

Name: Alma (A ey DS es al hitmen
Re Pon eel S oe
Home address: oo C syegrel Ot N os ome Ward Number. some

RSA 456-B:1, Ill, B:2, II
State of New Hampshire L
County of_lis is buverse, a

Signed and Sworn to (or affirmed) before me on the (2a gay of Se ce a ok

ry ; yo a
[Af once _—_ TT “ (name (s) of persons making statement).

(signature of notarial officer)

(Seal, if any)

Justice of the Peace, State of New Hampshire
Or
Notary Public, State of New Hampshire

My commission expires

Finance Committee — 12/15/2021 Page 5

December 15, 2021 to May 15, 2022 to complete the work. If you have any questions, I’d be happy to answer
them.

Mayor Donchess

Anyone?
A viva voce roll call was taken which resulted as follows:

Yea: Alderman Klee, Alderman Harriott-Gathright, Alderman Laws,
Alderman O’Brien, Mayor Donchess 5

Nay: 0
MOTION CARRIED

From: Kelly Parkinson, Purchasing Manager
Re: Staffing Services in the amount not to exceed $44,000 funded from 53452 Staffing Services/GOFERR Grant
Funds (Financial Services)

MOTION BY ALDERMAN HARRIOTT-GATHRIGHT TO ACCEPT, PLACE ON FILE AND APPROVE THE
CONTINUATION OF THE ONLINE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION
WITH THE LEDDY GROUP IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $44,000 THROUGH MID-APRIL 2022.
FUNDING WILL BE FROM DEPARTMENT: 126 FINANCIAL SERVICES; FUND: 53452 STAFFING
SERVICES/GOFERR GRANT FUNDS, BY ROLL CALL

ON THE QUESTION

John Griffin, CFO

Good evening Mr. Mayor and members of the Committee. John Griffin, CFO. As you may recall when we
partially opened over a year ago, we recognized that we needed to have an appointment system. Several of
our motor vehicle customers have enjoyed that service. They come in and they’re efficiently seen. When we
put that in place and also offered the walk in service, we needed someone that we refer to as the “motor
vehicle coordinator” to manage the traffic. VWe’re fortunate that we have this individual working with us that has
really grasped that challenge and not only assists the motor vehicle customers that come in but also assists
other residents and business people that are asking questions about where to go throughout the building.

So what we ask for here is we’re continuing to monitor the pandemic and try to do the best we can to keep
people safe. We'd like to continue this service through mid-April. We do have some funding left in what we
refer to as the “GOFFR Fund”. Not the CARES Act Fund but as you may recall, we put some funds in there in
case we needed them. So that’s where the funding source is. The motor vehicle group sees between 150 and
200 customers a day but the lines seem to be managed quite effectively in service not only the 60 to 80
appointment customers but also the walk ins. So | respectfully ask that you approve this tonight. Thank you.

Alderman Klee

Thank you. Today | had the pleasure of witnessing her work. She had a number of people that came in both
for appointments and walk ins. The people that came in and she asked walk ins or appointment and those that
would say that they didn’t have an appointment, you could hear panic in their voices. She’s like don’t worry,
don’t worry. Just go to that line, stand on the green dot. She was so laid back and so —| think she put them at
ease. They’re used to walking in and so on so they didn’t realize we even had appointments. They took note
of it. The next time | have a feeling they will be making appointments to come in. Luckily there were no lines
today. It went very smoothly. | saw people coming in and out right away. | think it’s a worthwhile venture.

Finance Committee — 12/15/2021 Page 6

John Griffin, CFO

Thank you very much for the comments. Much appreciated.

Mayor Donchess

Anyone else?
A viva voce roll call was taken which resulted as follows:

Yea: Alderman Klee, Alderman Harriott-Gathright, Alderman Laws,
Alderman O’Brien, Mayor Donchess 5

Nay: 0
MOTION CARRIED

From: Kelly Parkinson, Purchasing Manager

Re: Software Subscription for Workday Adaptive Planning in the amount not to exceed $323,780 funded from 71228
Computer Software/Escrow Funds from Information Technology ($299,140) & Escrow Funds from School
($24,640) (Financial Services)

MOTION BY ALDERMAN HARRIOTT-GATHRIGHT TO ACCEPT, PLACE ON FILE AND APPROVE A NEW
THREE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION WITH WORKDAY ADAPTIVE PLANNING FOR 20 LICENSE SEATS AND
THE APPROVAL OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT DURING THE FIRST YEAR TO ASSIST
WITH TRAINING AND IMPLEMENTATION IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $323,780. FUNDING WILL
BE THROUGH DEPARTMENT 126 FINANCIAL SERVICES; FUND: 71228 COMPUTER
SOFTWARE/ESCROW FUNDS FROM INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ($299,140) AND ESCROW FUNDS
FROM SCHOOL ($24,640), BY ROLL CALL

ON THE QUESTION

John Griffin, CFO

Mr. Mayor — John Griffin, CFO. As you may recall last year, we contracted with Workday Adaptive Planning
which is a subsidiary of Workday to really assist the School Department in some of their challenges with regard
to crafting a budget. So we worked with Dan Donovan and Derek Danielson with Workday and found that they
were able to use the tools associated with Workday Adaptive Planning and create a budget and come out with
the exact numbers that their old traditional way produced.

So this year, we’re looking forward to having this particular solution — the subscription and the license seats
cloud base solution to create the Fiscal 2023 budget and beyond. That’s why we went with the three year
contract. In the first year as was noted, the escrow process we put aside some dollars to pay for the first year
license - $91,500 and as well as the statement of work for the training and other things that are very helpful for
$49,280. Itis a three year contract and the reason for that is so we can enjoy stability in pricing and the
funding will be determined for Fiscals 2024 and 2025 at another date. I’d be happy to answer any questions
that you may have.

Mayor Donchess

Does anybody have any questions, comments?
A viva voce roll call was taken which resulted as follows:

Yea: Alderman Klee, Alderman Harriott-Gathright, Alderman Laws,

Finance Committee — 12/15/2021 Page 7
Alderman O’Brien, Mayor Donchess 5

Nay: 0

MOTION CARRIED

UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None

NEW BUSINESS — RESOLUTIONS - None

NEW BUSINESS — ORDINANCES - None

RECORD OF EXPENDITURES

MOTION BY ALDERMAN HARRIOTT-GATHRIGHT THAT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS COMPLIED
WITH THE CITY CHARTER AND ORDINANCES PERTAINING TO THE RECORD OF EXPENDITURES
FOR THE PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 24, 2021 TO DECEMBER 9, 2021, BY ROLL CALL

A viva voce roll call was taken which resulted as follows:

Yea: Alderman Klee, Alderman Harriott-Gathright, Alderman Laws,
Alderman O’Brien, Mayor Donchess 5

Nay: 0
MOTION CARRIED

GENERAL DISCUSSION - None

PUBLIC COMMENT

Laurie Ortolano

Laurie Ortolano.

Mayor Donchess

Any you understand you're limited to...| Know you’re upset but you're limited to 3 minutes.

Laurie Ortolano

I’m not upset. I’m more than happy to speak. Thank you. I’d like to address the conduct of Attorney Bolton
and | really think Mr. Mayor you’ve let the situation get very out of hand and very expensive for the taxpayers.
This man is clearly compromised and unable to perform his duties. He had a stroke a year ago and it has
substantially slowed him down mentally. He should not be a trial lawyer anymore. He should not be
representing the city in a courtroom. He really isn’t suitable. It’s all personal for him and | know a lot of it is
personal for you as well. The level that he takes an issue to on a personal level is absolutely ridiculous. He
cannot serve as a municipal lawyer and function in any reasonable capacity to serve this city any longer. It’s
just absurd.

My Right to Know suits were totally out of hand with this city. | had a great hearing on December 6" pro se.
I’m learning a lot in this one about the city’s records and what’s going on in there. I’ve got to tell you, you’ve
got some serious information problems. There’s no ownership. Attorney Bolton just is not able to perform his
job anymore and he just doesn’t have the awareness to continue. So | hope you’re able to make a decision

Finance Committee — 12/15/2021 Page 8

soon to bring in somebody who’s able to perform that task within the level of work that has to be done. We just
shouldn’t be paying what we’re paying for the services we’re getting out of that office.

I’m going to be putting a Right to Know for the bills and expenses that were incurred for this piece that I’m
dealing with right now but it wasn’t cheap for the city. It was entirely unnecessary. I’ve got three more suits in
the cue. I’m lining them up. I’m coming in and we’re going to keep going on this Right to Know stuff until we
start to get some compliance here. I'll tell you as long as Attorney Bolton is in that legal office, there will be no
compliance. He really is not capable of performing this job. Please don’t leave us in a situation here where
we’re paying for a Legal Department that just can’t perform...

Alderman Harriott-Gathright

You have 30 seconds.

Laurie Ortolano

... that it should be able to. Thank you.

Mayor Donchess

We certainly agree that the lawsuits are unnecessary. That we do agree on.

REMARKS BY THE ALDERMEN

Alderman O’Brien

Mr. Mayor | don’t know how to phrase this. | wonder where some people do they have any compassion? |
think you know that some of us as we get older stumble upon some medical issues and we try to heal and
everything else and we get clearances for doctors to come back to our particular chosen field. The thing is like
whenever somebody or any one of us — citizen, public official, wny do we have HIPPA laws? HIPPA laws are
to protect one’s medical type of situation in the general field out there.

Now Ill have you know Mr. Mayor as a firefighter | would treat people but | could not go home and even tell my
wife on exactly what | did. The respect to HIPPA, and the law, and everything else. So therefore in an open
format to discuss somebody’s medical situation, I’m very uncomfortable with that. It seems to almost fly in the
face of HIPPA. Maybe I’m wrong but there is a way. If anybody felt anything, I’m sure they could probably
bring it up to Human Resources or something else but to have it in the public format where there’s no
rebuttable | think is shameful and it reflects the character. There’s a right way to do it. I’m not judging whether
the person that spoke is correct or not. The thing is have compassion and do it appropriately. That was one of
the most disappointing things | saw. Thank you Mr. Mayor.

Alderman Klee

Thank you Mr. Mayor. I'd like to echo the comments from my colleague Alderman O’Brien. | can tell you that
in the State House if someone contracts COVID, they don’t even let us know who it was unless that person
shares it publicly because of HIPPA laws. We don’t go around advertising it and putting it out on social media
and so on. You can say that you don’t like how someone is doing their work but to bring up their medical
issues, | think it’s a heinous act.

Putting that aside, last night | did not comment about something that one of my constituents brought to me. He
had Vision come and do his assessment. He wanted to let the public know that it went quite well. They came
in, they did their job. He said they were there probably 10 to 15 minutes because they just had the card and
just double checked each of the rooms. He said they came in masked. They showed him their vaccination
card. They had perfect ID — exactly what the city told him, and he was quite pleased and he recommends that
people not be so afraid and not listen to the scare tactics that they’re hearing on social media. | just wanted to

Finance Committee — 12/15/2021 Page 9

share that. | have yet to make our appointment. I’ve been waiting for myself to heal before | have someone
come into my house. Thank you.

Alderman Harriott-Gathright

| just want to say ditto from my colleague O’Brien. | think over the last couple of years to hear some of the
horrible things that people say about other people in service is just ridiculous and really, really bad.

Mayor Donchess

Yes well my observation is that Attorney Bolton has served the city for a long time and has done a good job for
the city on many, many matters. | mean I’ve observed that often when people are in litigation with the
opposing lawyer they get upset and don’t like the lawyer on the other side of the case. Of course | forget what
Ms. Ortolano said 4, 5, 6 lawsuits that she’s brought and Attorney Bolton is handling those. Maybe that has
something to do with this but anyway it’s not unusual | guess for people to get upset with lawyers that are on
the other side of litigation. My observation is that he handles the city’s legal work very well and often times
when a lawyer is skillful in a trial, the people on the other side don't like him and it’s the reality. Certainly | don’t
think Mr. Bolton’s health issues should be a matter of public discussion.

With that, anyone else?

NON-PUBLIC SESSION - None

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY ALDERMAN KLEE TO ADJOURN, BY ROLL CALL
A viva voce roll call was taken which resulted as follows:

Yea: Alderman Klee, Alderman Harriott-Gathright, Alderman Laws,
Alderman O’Brien, Mayor Donchess 5

Nay: 0
MOTION CARRIED
The Finance Committee meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m.

Alderman Linda Harriott-Gathright,
Committee Clerk