DRAFT

Quincy Citywide Parents Council

February 9, 2009

Broadmeadows Middle School

Meeting called to order at7:12 pm

January’s minutes were distributed and approved..

There was no Treasurer’s report.

An observation was made that some schools aren’t represented at Citywide and that we need to go to the Principals and PTO’s to introduce ourselves and discuss what we do.  Kathy Bose volunteered to contact the schools representatives who were not regular attendees of Citywide.  Another observation was made that we need to communicate to a broader audience and more in advance.

Linda re-affirmed that Citywide is a meeting open to everyone.  Erin Bradley suggested setting up a Citywide Yahoo group.  Linda indicated she would distribute agenda a few days in advance and people should email her questions for guest speakers.  Next month’s guest speaker is going to be Ron Mariano.

Mayor Koch was welcomed at 7:25

The Mayor commented that Quincy is facing difficult waters financially, but he is doing everything  he can to keep the ship straight, I.e. raising revenue (property taxes) and increasing local receipts (e.g. auto excise taxes)  He observed that last fall’s increase in property taxes was a difficult decision, but it had to be done.  The only budget deficit remaining is snow and ice.

In September 2008, Quincy had a rating review from Moody’s, and remained stable, even though reserves are lower.  S&P gave Quincy a slight upgrade.

Facing July 1, 2009 budget, however, Quincy is expecting a $4.5 million cut from the state combined with a $2.3 million increase in the retirement line.  He suggested that Quincy may need to raise taxes again by 2.5% to offset this pending deficit.  Auto excise tax revenue is expected to be lower as people aren’t buying new cars.

Quincy has already increased fees on liquor licenses, cemetery, etc., and has tightened up some departments.  Looking ahead to 2011, 2012, and 2013, payments for the mortgage for QHS will increase.

The Mayor  is looking for as much dialogue as possible between his office and the fire department, police department, city hall, and teachers about how to close the budget gap.  He is proposing that the unions defer their salary increases by one year.  If all of the unions cooperate, he suggested that it will still be challenging to avoid layoffs, but believes it achievable.  If they do not agree, he cautioned, there will be layoffs.

Mayor Koch added that Quincy is not losing any teachers this fiscal year. 

The Mayor continues to work with developers to encourage new growth, and advised us to look for new developments in Quincy Center to be announced March 4^th.  He mentioned that Crown Colony will open up three parcels, two of which are in the planning process.

Mayor Koch also mentioned that currently the state requires pensions to be funded by 2024, but given the current markets, the state is reviewing whether to change the funding schedule.

The Mayor then shifted to address plans for Central.  He indicated that the project manager reviewed RFP’s last week and narrowed the field to 3 or 4 proposals.  He thought that Quincy could receive between 63% and 68% reimbursement.  That figure does not include the cost for the site acquisition.  Central is cramped, there is not a great deal of vacant space, so the city is looking to acquire an existing site, demolish it, and rebuild.  Central needs to be kept in the Central district.  The City is currently having appraisals done on several possible sites.

A question was asked about gym.  If high school kids were bumped to Atlantic for basketball, where do the middle schools go.  The Mayor said he didn’t know but would check into it.  There is an athletic advisory committee at each high school.  If anyone doesn’t know his/her representative, he/she can contact the principal and request the rep’s names and meeting minutes.

The Mayor addressed the current status of the Track.  As it was written in the paper, the track was approved by the Conservation Committee.  If that decision is appealed, it will be heard by the state DEP.  If the appeal is successful, it will have to go back to the city council for budget approval all over again, as the budget approval that was granted is site specific.  Given the current economy . . . Who knows?

The Mayor observed that the Stimulus bill could have a major impact on our funding.  The House version had significant money earmarked for Title 1, school construction, etc.; however, the Senate version stripped out that funding.  Both versions, however, propose to send the funding through the state, then to the city.  The Mayor confirms that no matter what Stimulus bill is passed, they are ready.

A Question was asked about the traffic in North Quincy, specifically the intersection of East Squantum and Hancock Street.  Senator Morrissey obtained $3 million in a transportation bond.   Whether or not we are able to access it will depend, most likely on Walgreen’s, who currently looks like the next occupant of the Foley Chrysler site.  Walgreen’s has scaled back their proposed building to under 10,000 square feet.  Quincy would like to take several feet on each side to improve traffic flow.

There were no more questions for the Mayor.

On behalf of Senior Stay Out, NQH lost everything and needs contributions.  We were urged to go back to our PTO’s and ask for donations.  On March 13, at 7:00 pm at Furnace Brook Golf Course, there will be a Parents Night Out fundraiser.

Tracey then gave the School Committee meeting report.  Lt. Greenwood, Director of Homeland Security for Quincy will be putting cameras around Quincy only to be used to address real threats.

Atlantic  Middle School will celebrate 50 years on February 10^th from 7:00 - 9:00 in the auditorium.

Quincy symphony is performing at NQH.

Meeting adjourned at 8:51 pm.