[0:00] This government meeting is brought to you by Eastworks and our local cable [0:04] subscribers. [0:20] Good evening and welcome to the East Hampton City Council meeting for August [0:24] 12th, 2026. The meeting tonight is being recorded and broadcast by E Media on [0:28] Charter channel 193 and live streaming on their web page eastampton media.org. [0:33] Councilors and participants in this meeting are gathering hybrid on the [0:36] order extended until June 30th, 2027, allowing us to do so. I remind both the [0:43] members of city council and the public participating remotely to remain muted [0:47] until recognized by the city council vice president. Also for the members of [0:52] the public, please remove your camera for the duration of the meeting unless [0:55] you are participating in public speak time or the public hearing. Thank you. [0:59] This meeting is now called to order. Maryanne [1:01] » JP Quisinski >> here. [1:03] » Connie Denim. >> Tamara Smith [1:07] » here. >> Felicia Jazzik [1:09] » here. >> Tom Peak [1:11] » here. >> Jonathan Schmidt [1:12] » here. >> Amanda Newton [1:13] » here. >> Kaam Jamrock McQuade [1:15] » here. >> Nathan Marque [1:16] » here. >> All right. Um, I'm going to take a [1:21] motion to go ahead and open the public hearing. [1:24] » Second. >> All right. Any further discussion? [1:27] Seeing none, all those or actually we have to do a roll call vote. Marian. [1:30] » Yeah. Felicia Jazzic. >> Hi. [1:32] » JP Guinski. >> Hi. [1:33] » Tom Peak. >> Hi. [1:34] » Tamara Smith. >> I. [1:36] » Jonathan Schmidt. >> Hi. [1:38] » Amanda Newton. >> Hi. [1:39] » Nathan Marquee. >> Hi. [1:41] » Cam Jamrock McUade. >> Hi. [1:42] » Connie Denham. Say that. [1:45] » All right. Motion passes. So, this public hearing is for an interdep [1:48] departmental transfer for an annual stipen for the licensing clerk. Um, and [1:52] as such, I'm going to turn it over to Chair Peak to introduce this. [1:55] » Thank you, Madam Vice President. Um, yes. So, this is an item to transfer [2:00] $1,200 from the reserve fund to the licensing board stipen. It's part of a [2:05] broader uh conversation that we've been having about that topic for a while, but [2:10] I'm kind of do my best to just stick with the matter at hand. Um so we met uh [2:18] and uh briefly discussed this uh at 5:15 uh that by we I mean the finance [2:25] committee or those of us who were who were present. So we voted two to zero uh [2:30] to recommend this to the full council. Um I think uh you know our our general [2:36] view is that whatever one's general feelings are about the [2:44] sort of the the broader discussion around stipens and uh salaries and when [2:50] what you know one is appropriate or the other that right now we're at a [2:54] situation where uh we need a licensing clerk and this is the fastest way to get [3:00] somebody into that position. And if we don't act, we're going to lose [3:05] a lot more money than what we're talking about here as a city. So, I felt I think [3:10] that I don't want to speak for my colleague, but my feeling that it was [3:14] it's a good idea for us to move forward on this tonight. Um, that's all that I [3:18] have to say on the subject. I do uh Mayor Derby is could not be present, but [3:23] did ask uh that somebody uh read a statement that he sent to us into the [3:28] record. Uh, and given that I'm chairing, I volunteered to do it. So, these are [3:34] uh, Mayor Derby's words. Um, members of the city council, I am submitting this [3:39] testimony in writing. I am unable to attend in person. I respectfully ask [3:43] that this be entered into the record. The licensing work is real. It has grown [3:47] and it deserves fair compensation. The licensing board's workload has increased [3:51] substantially with the growth in liquor licenses and the city anticipates eight [3:57] new alcohol licenses in the near future. The clerk prepares uh and processes [4:03] applications, coordinates with the ABCC, conducts site visits uh and manages [4:08] renewal season for dozens of licenses. Uh this is substantial ongoing work and [4:14] I agree with those who have said that it should be fairly compensated. Please see [4:18] the attached job description prepared uh by the former clerk, which I'm not going [4:23] to read the job description or the memo. I'm just going to read the cover page, [4:26] but you all got this. And if anyone wants to see it, I guess email us. Um [4:32] the stipend is the fiscally conservative structure of this function for this [4:37] function particularly in this budget year. A stipend of $2,400 [4:42] compensates a discrete set of responsibilities that allows the board [4:46] to function at a cost far below a new salaried position or a permanent base [4:52] pay adjustment uh in a year when the city is asking departments to find [4:57] reductions. This is the responsible interim tool. uh it matches the cost uh [5:03] to the discrete scope of the work and preserves flexibility should the [5:08] workload change. Uh it is consistent with how the city compensates other [5:12] distinct functions and/or responsibilities that fall outside of a [5:16] position's base responsibilities. A stipend also preserves flexibility and [5:22] avoids unnecessary costs going forward. Structured as a stipen, this function [5:26] can be assigned to any qualified employee through a simple side letter. [5:31] By contrast, writing these duties into the base job description of an ASME [5:36] covered position would make the change a mandatory subject of collective [5:41] bargaining requiring formal negotiation and associated legal costs. The stipend [5:47] accomplishes the goal uh fairly compensating this discrete work and [5:53] keeping the function assignable uh by the more efficient and more fiscally [5:58] responsible route. Uh for the committee's convenience, I have attached [6:03] a short memo reviewing how the city's 2019 compensation and classification [6:08] study performed by the Collins Center addresses stipens for distinct board [6:13] functions of this kind. I respectfully request that the committee and full [6:18] council approve this appropriation so that the licensing board's uh function [6:24] continues without interruption and the work is fairly compensated. I am glad to [6:29] provide any further uh information the committee requires and to work with the [6:35] council on the longer term question of how this function is best structured [6:39] going forward. Respectfully submitted Salem Derby mayor city of East Hampton. [6:44] » Great. Thank you. Uh, Chair Peak, and I just want to make a quick note for [6:47] council here tonight. Um, just to be clear about what we are discussing [6:51] tonight, the mayor's memo does reference a higher stipen amount, but just noting [6:55] for the record and for us that the item before council tonight is the posted [7:00] $1,200 transfer, and that is what any of our vote will be limited to. Um, if the [7:05] administration wishes to pursue a larger amount, then that will need to come back [7:08] to us as a separate properly noticed appropriation at a later date. So, we [7:12] can approve this $1,200 amount tonight. We can reject it, we can approve less, [7:16] but we cannot vote on a higher number tonight. So, I want to be really clear [7:19] about that. And so, while the memo does advocate for more and for um additional [7:24] uh discussion as chair peak mentioned, the higher figure is not before us [7:28] tonight. Um councilors, are there any clarifying questions before we hear from [7:32] public? So, I see a number of hands up. I did see um I did see Thank you, uh [7:37] councelor Marque's hand first and I'll come back to this slide over after that. [7:42] » Two questions. Um, I don't really care who answers it. Um, but when it mentions [7:49] former clerk, are we is that um Evan Leau? [7:54] » No. >> Um, so in the memo that was emailed to [7:57] us earlier today, it appears to be a slightly different memo than the one [8:01] Cher Peak read into the record. Okay. >> That language was not in the memo that [8:05] was emailed to council. So I do not know the answer to that, but I know that Evan [8:10] is here tonight. if you would like to um speak to that if he's able to [8:19] » um >> and please just state your name and [8:20] title. >> Yeah. Evan Leau, assistant to the mayor, [8:23] in licensing clerk. Um as far as the discrepancies between the two, my [8:30] apologies if this may be an earlier version from what um was sent to you, [8:34] but this is the version that I had uh that I wanted to make sure printed [8:38] copies were provided of. Um so of that that would be the former clerk [8:44] prior to myself. >> Yeah. [8:48] » Thank you. Um I saw hands over here. So I'll go to Sorry. Did you have another [8:53] question? >> I I did have another question. Okay. So [8:56] when it says former clerk, it it is you when in this memo [9:01] » when it is uh talking about the job responsibilities that was compiled by [9:07] the former clerk that was not me. >> Okay. [9:10] » Yeah. >> Okay. [9:12] » Apologies. I know there has been a little confusion on that. [9:15] » Um I have one more question. I know that the matter before us is the 1200 inter [9:21] departmental transfer. I know there's been a lengthy discussion around the [9:26] clerk. I know that Mayor Derby mentioned in this thing of $2,400. I [9:33] know that we cannot go above that. My question is [9:39] before we had the budget vote was the clerk stipen set at 1,500. [9:47] » Yes, that is I believe that's correct. But chair P if you'd like to answer [9:50] that. >> Okay. Uh yes. So, prior to the budget [9:55] vote, there was no clerk statement. >> Gotcha. [9:58] » Prior to the budget vote, there was no statement. And before that, um the the [10:03] previous mayor's assistant had the licensing jobs as part of her job [10:10] description and part of her total compensation. So there was no when when [10:15] Mayor Derby won the election like the the way that that came into be is that [10:20] at the time there was a question about how best to do that and and basically [10:27] that Evan when he assumed that role was assuming that role in essentially a [10:31] volunteer capacity for the first five months until we uh the the $1,500 [10:38] proposed stipend was included in the budget. [10:42] Um, and also I think when we're talking about 2400 versus 1,200, I think that [10:46] the distinction there is that there is currently a budgeted amount in the [10:49] budget authorized to be spent of 1,200. This 1,200 would increase that to 2400 [10:56] total. >> Understood. Thank you. [10:58] » Thank you for that clarification. Um, councelor, [11:00] » this is a clarification that I wanted to make too, just that it this would equal [11:04] the 2400. >> Uh, councelor Schmid, [11:08] » same thing. All right. Um, any other questions from counselors? [11:13] » All right. >> I'll just say councelor [11:15] » I would like to have further comments, but I'll do that after. [11:18] » Yeah, let's save the deliberation until after we go to the public, but thank you [11:21] for that. Um, all right. So, if there are no other questions at the moment, I [11:24] see none online. Um, I would like to open the floor to public comment on this [11:29] matter. If there's any members of the public in the room or online who would [11:34] like to um to speak, please go ahead and raise your hand if you are online or [11:39] approach the podium if you are in the room. [11:45] All right, I am seeing no public comment. So, going once, going twice. [11:51] I'm going to go ahead and close public comment on this item. So, back to us [11:54] counselors. Um any further discussion or deliberation? Uh, councelor Schmidt, [11:59] would you like to go ahead at this point? [12:01] » Uh, sure. Thank you, Madam Vice President. Um, as uh the uh individual [12:07] who had reason uh originally brought forward this motion in finance, I [12:11] thought it would make sense for me to to speak a little bit um especially because [12:15] there were some uh questions and confusions from uh individuals who had [12:20] watched those meetings as to how um our thinking had sort of played out. And um [12:26] if I'm being entirely honest, a lot of my thinking has played out outside of [12:29] meetings. And so um makes sense that it it would not have been totally clear. Uh [12:34] and so I just wanted to offer some of that. Um [12:38] uh to bring us back to um kind of the for me anyways, I'm only going to speak [12:43] for myself. Um my original concerns around this particular budget line item [12:48] um I brought up um at a previous council meeting and and first at the the finance [12:53] uh budget hearing where this had um been discussed. Uh and at that time um my [12:59] concern that I had brought forth uh was largely related to um how the the item [13:06] was included within the budget. not so much the the number itself um but the [13:12] fact that the the licensing board had sort of been singled out um within the [13:16] the budget. Uh and so um I was already feeling a little um uncertain about this [13:22] particular item. And so, uh, when it came time to, uh, have the finance [13:27] committee discuss potential amendments to the budget, uh, and, um, [13:33] a conversation, you know, began around this particular item and, um, a desire, [13:39] uh, from, uh, councelor Denim had had been brought forth to to cons, you know, [13:45] reconsider the amount. Um, I was interested in having that conversation [13:49] because of some of that uncertainty that I was feeling. Um, as I've looked back [13:54] on that, I think that this is an instance of, you know, uh, being a new [13:58] counselor and and sort of learning the ropes. Um, and I just want to take [14:03] responsibility for that because I think I can and should have approached that [14:06] particular situation better. Uh, and I think if I were to do it all over again, [14:11] um, rather than discussing, you know, small amounts, um, that ultimately, um, [14:18] I felt weren't the right path forward. Um, [14:22] I if I were to do it again, I would have uh, recommended that we zero out this [14:28] line altogether and ask the mayor to come back for an appropriation um, from [14:32] his office to properly fund this amount uh, or this uh, position. Um I think one [14:37] of the things that we heard that we've heard um previously around this uh is [14:43] that we had an individual who was um doing this work uh on a volunteer basis [14:51] uh who and who was willing to do it for uh an extremely reduced rate um that [14:56] everybody seems to agree was not enough money to adequately pay that position. [15:01] Um, and when I heard um when I heard that being presented as um an argument [15:09] for for moving forward as it was, um that didn't sit well with me either. Um [15:14] that felt like we were taking advantage of um a person in who was in the city's [15:19] employment. Um and so I'm actually very much pleased to [15:25] consider the the higher amount here. Um and uh the information that's been [15:30] provided um around why you know having this as a stipen um [15:38] makes sense to me. Um and you know I appreciated that uh the the information [15:43] that the auditor was also in favor of that approach. Um I think what continues [15:49] to not sit quite right with me is again the way that this is built into the [15:54] budget. Um every other stipend is uh under the responsibility of one [15:59] department or another um under the responsibility of paid employees of the [16:03] city. Uh and if we actually look at the job description that the mayor sent to [16:08] us uh along with the memo um it states that this position is under the general [16:14] supervision of the mayor or the mayor's designate. Uh and so it continues to be [16:19] my opinion that this belongs in the mayor's office budget. Uh and it is my [16:27] desire and intention to next year um revisit this and um I appreciate in the [16:34] mayor's memo uh his stated desire to um work with us to to figure out the best [16:40] path forward. Um and so I want to make that that known. I think um it it it [16:50] wasn't a good look to I think you know take it out of of that particular [16:54] section of the budget and to then claim savings from the cuts that were made to [17:00] the position that was doing it. It didn't feel honest to me. Um, and [17:07] as we look at this, um, again, I think it's important that that a department is [17:14] responsible for this, uh, and given the amount of money that they bring in that [17:18] we've heard about. Um, I and the the interactions that this individual has [17:24] with the state and all of the forward- facing work that they do, um, I think it [17:29] really makes sense that it's coming out of the mayor's office. And so, um, all [17:32] that to say, um, I'm not looking to hold up this vote by any means, um, or, you [17:37] know, the the ability for us to move forward with this position. And so, I'm [17:41] in favor of voting in favor of this tonight. Um, but I want to provide some [17:45] of that context and to provide some information about my future intentions [17:49] about how I think we should be approaching this particular position. [17:53] And that's kind of all I got. >> Thank you, Councelor Schmidt. Um, [17:56] Councelor Smith, online, I see your hand raised. [18:00] Um thank you. I also wanted to give my perspective as a sociologist uh [18:07] particularly a sociologist that has looked at uh gender and work patterns. [18:13] And one of the things that was really notable to me when we were talking about [18:19] this was that it was being reduced from a salary rather to a stipend. And in [18:28] many jobs which are assistant jobs, traditionally women have been shortch [18:33] changed with an increase in the salary which would also benefit the retirement [18:39] benefits and other you know um domino effects type of issues. And so 1,200 [18:48] and500 both felt too much of a low a low ball number to feel comfortable doing [18:56] that. And I hope the clerk can understand that my position is as a [19:02] woman who has studied a lot of these issues and I felt that it was an [19:06] injustice in the way that it was moving forward at that level. I'm grateful that [19:12] it's moved up to 2400. Um hopefully in the future if it deserves more [19:17] compensation than that. Um I'm very open and hopeful to have that conversation. [19:22] So, I just wanted to say that that my reservations really were from the [19:28] context of um what has traditionally been um deemed as women's work in many [19:34] assistant roles and making sure that we were not creating bias in how we were [19:40] looking at how to compensate that. So, I will be voting yes for this with the [19:45] hopes that in the future we will have more discussions on how to properly um [19:50] and fairly compensate this position since it's a very um heavily um [19:56] warranted position with a lot of work. Thank you. [20:00] » Thank you, Councelor Smith. Um, councelor Krinski, [20:04] » I uh would like to thank uh councelor Smith for the sociological perspective [20:09] uh and councelor Schmidt for his in-depth [20:14] analysis of and thinking and reviewing and careful thought on the subject. [20:21] I have given much reflection to the matter myself and I frankly am sorry [20:26] that we've spent this much time over what was originally a $300 cut and I [20:33] think that's uh insulting to anyone who works for this city and I would like to [20:40] extend my apologies to that individual whoever that may be regardless. Uh I [20:47] think we all we all understand that whenever we have issues we try to deal [20:53] with it as a position and not a person. It is a position. It is a that and [20:58] that's what we're working with. Insults are not what we want to do here [21:04] in this council. Uh with regard to how we move forward, [21:11] I think our path was cleared before when we voted with a split vote. four of us [21:16] voted in favor and four against uh the cut. Uh so at this point it seems quite [21:24] clear with what the mayor's lit laid out that this position is deserving. And if [21:29] you haven't been listening and tuned in, I don't think you understand what's been [21:34] going on with the city and with the licenses that have been in question and [21:38] held up. Uh I and I I know that many of you do. It's important work for the [21:45] city. I again will vote yes and extend my apologies to the individual and I [21:50] would hope that my fellow colleagues are doing. [21:54] » Councelor Januk. >> Thank you, Madam Vice President. Um, so [21:57] I just have a couple things to say. Uh, I wasn't there for this original full [22:01] council vote. Um, and if I was, we might not have been here um, doing this again. [22:07] Um, but I do I will say that I appreciated the extra time to really [22:11] think about this issue more deeply and see how it's all played out. Um, I think [22:16] my main thoughts are um I definitely agree with the other members of the [22:20] council in feeling like this is work that needs to be compensated fairly. um [22:25] and that given the importance in in um the litany of things that this uh [22:32] position needs to to handle um it makes sense uh both to to compensate them [22:36] fairly through a siphon um at least in this structure and then also raise that [22:40] site. I was happy to see that as well. Um, I I do think that there are fair [22:46] questions about how this position is structured and I think that that's a [22:49] separate conversation and um I think us as council as we know we have very [22:54] limited tools in terms of numbers in the budget and we can only um [23:00] we can only cut um and I think that that was I personally feel like that was the [23:04] wrong tool to use in this situation um to exercise our oversight over this [23:08] position if we have concerns. I I think that council has a lot of authority to [23:12] to potentially weigh into this using ordinance. Um and we should pursue that [23:17] in the future, but I I think that we're talk if we're talking about this budget, [23:20] the question is does this person deserve to be paid for the work that they're [23:24] doing? And and I fully agree um that they do. So I will be voting yes to [23:28] this. Um and yeah, I think that's all I have. [23:33] » Councelor Marque, >> thank you madame vice president. Um, [23:38] I originally made the motion to reinstate the 300 back to the budget. I [23:43] disagreed with the finances committee's recommendation at the time of cutting [23:48] 300 from the position. Um, I [23:54] agree with councelor Schmidt with there maybe and councelor J. McQuade that [24:00] there maybe should be a fresh look of how the licensing clerk is structured [24:05] under the mayor's budget. I also want to echo um councelor Kisinski's [24:12] concerns. I I believe the optics are not great for council and I believe we [24:17] dropped the ball on this. Um and I also want to extend um an apology. Excuse me. [24:23] Point of order, council marquee. veering away from the [24:27] » I I I I appreciate what you what you're saying, but we're what's at hand right [24:30] here is a $1,200 appropriation. >> I want to extend my apologies to Mr. [24:36] Leau as well. I don't believe that he was spoken about fairly at our [24:41] » that again, Council Mar um I appreciate that and I share those feelings, but [24:47] let's keep the matter to the agenda item at hand, which is should we transfer [24:51] this money from the reserve fund to the stipen? I will be voting yes. [24:55] » Thank you. >> Councelor Newton, [24:59] » um I just want to confirm what uh Councelor Smith and Councelor Smith each [25:05] said. Um I think both of those are two of the points that I was really thinking [25:10] about. I will be voting yes, but I I agree that this is something we should [25:14] consider going forward, the way that it's structured and how it does affect [25:17] retirement um and all of that kind of stuff. [25:23] any other questions, comments. All right. So, I think um just to add in [25:29] my own uh thoughts as well, um I echo a lot of what has been shared here tonight [25:35] with regards to this particular transfer. Um it's unfortunate the mayor [25:39] is not here tonight. Um and we don't, I believe, have our um any other finance [25:43] folks online, but I am curious for future discussion around funding this [25:47] out of the reserve fund as opposed to another option. So, that's a curiosity I [25:51] have. I don't know if um you have any insights to that, Chairp. [25:54] » Sure, I can weigh in. Normally, this sort of thing would happen out of free [25:57] cash. Free cash has not been certified yet for this year. So, you usually these [26:01] sorts of one-time transfers that are done. We usually don't do any of those [26:05] between the start of the fiscal year and the certification of free cash. We do [26:09] have reserves for when things like this do come up. We did move some money into [26:13] reserves during this last cycle, you know, for when stuff like this comes up. [26:19] So, like I don't think that it's something that we would generally [26:21] consider best practice, but um we don't have any free cash. All the free cash [26:27] rolled over, right? Or we we we either spent it or we put it into reserves and [26:32] we won't get any more free cash until it's certified, which I'm being told [26:36] should be hopefully in the fall. Um but in the meantime, it's uh I I don't have [26:41] any um objection to the funding source. I don't I'm not aware of a better [26:46] funding source that we could use at this moment without waiting into the fall [26:52] which would have serious fiscal consequences. [26:55] » Thank you very much. Appreciate that clarification. Um all right. So if there [26:59] is no further discussion or deliberation then um I will take a motion to make [27:07] this transfer. Chair Peak. >> All right. I'll make the following [27:10] request in the form of a motion. Request is hereby made for the approval of the [27:14] following appropriation. Amount requested, $1,200 to be transferred from [27:19] reserve fund, $1,200 to be transferred to licensing board stipen, $1,200. [27:26] The amount requested will be used for the following purpose. Annual stipend [27:29] for licensing clerk LLA. >> Second. [27:34] » Great. I have a motion and a second to transfer $1,200 from the reserve fund to [27:38] the licensing board siphon for annual siphon for licensing clerk LLA. Any [27:43] further discussion? >> Seeing none. So Miriam [27:46] » JP Quisinski. Hi >> Tom P. [27:48] » Hi >> Tamara Smith. [27:51] » Hi. >> Jonathan Schmidt. [27:52] » Hi. >> Amanda Newton. [27:54] » Hi. >> Nathan Marquee. [27:55] » Hi. >> Cam Jamrock McUade. [27:57] » Hi. >> Felicia Jazzic. [27:59] » I All right. Motion passes. Um. All right. [28:03] All right. So, I will take a motion to close the public hearing at this time. [28:07] » Second. >> All right. I have a motion in the second [28:08] to close the public hearing. Any further discussion? Seeing none. Miam. [28:12] » Tom Peak. >> Hi. [28:13] » Tamara Smith. >> Hi. [28:15] » Jonathan Schmidt. >> Hi. [28:17] » Amanda Newton. >> Hi. [28:18] » Nathan Marquee. >> Hi. [28:19] » Caam Jam McQuade. >> Hi. [28:21] » Felicia Jazzic. >> Hi. [28:23] » JP Guazinski. >> Hi. [28:24] » All right. Motion passes. Um, we next have on our agenda public speak. So, for [28:30] any members of the public in the room or online, this is your opportunity to [28:33] speak to us about any items not related to this public hearing that we just [28:36] concluded. Um, anyone who wishes to speak about the public hearing, um, [28:41] unfortunately that is closed at this time. So, if folks would like to speak, [28:46] please feel free to approach the podium or raise your hand online. [28:51] All right. I am seeing no one looking to speak. So, [28:56] » move to close. >> Uh, yes. Yes, I will take a motion to [28:59] adjurnn. >> Move to adjurnn. [29:00] » Yes. >> Second. [29:01] » I have a motion and a second to adjurnn the meeting. Miam. [29:04] » Uh Tamara Smith. >> I. [29:06] » Jonathan Schmidt. >> Hi. [29:08] » Amanda Newton. >> Hi. [29:09] » Nathan Marquee. >> Hi. [29:10] » Cam Jamrock McUade. >> Hi. [29:12] » Felicia Jazz. >> Hi. [29:14] » JPinski. Hi. >> Tom Peak. [29:16] » Hi. >> All right. Meeting is adjourned. Thank [29:19] you everyone.