Meriden council approves consent calendar and a series of budget transfers, all by unanimous vote

Meriden — At its Jan. 20 meeting the Meriden City Council approved its consent calendar and passed a series of budget transfers and routine items by unanimous roll call vote.

Items approved included the repeal of City Code section 187‑1 (taxation apportionment), approval of minutes from Jan. 5, and these finance items: a $34,000 transfer to cover grant administration (item 15), a $64,615.38 transfer correcting salary line items for a grants manager (item 16), a $36,000 transfer to construct a new bus shelter and repave/realign the senior center parking lot (item 17), and a $34,000 transfer to shift economic development admin salary funds to city manager purchase services to pay outside grants‑writing firm Sonic (item 19).

Councilor LaRue Graham summarized finance committee recommendations on multiple items; Councilor Grant described transfers intended to cover the loss of in‑house grants staff and explained the city’s plan to rely on outside services for complex competitive grants. City Manager Ryan Daniels said he does not intend to fill an in‑house grants originator position and that using Sonic’s team is likely more cost effective and gives the city access to a broader set of skills.

All recorded roll call votes on these items were 12‑0. The council also amended the consent calendar to refer item 14 to personnel and noted that the candidate for the constituent caseworker recommended at the prior meeting withdrew his name after job‑description changes.

The council voiced no further objections and moved to announcements and adjournment.