September 11, 2020 Council Meeting

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Greetings!

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Our last Governor and Council Meeting was September 11. Meeting Notes are below.

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You'll see that our Governor continues to approve spending without advice and consent of the Council, and I continue to object to what I consider to be an unconstitutional power grab.

The next Governor and Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. We are now meeting in person at the Edward Cross Training Center Auditorium at the National Guard Property in Pembroke. Our meetings are open to the public and you are most welcome to attend. Please bring and wear a mask.

I hope you are all remaining safe and healthy. As always, please feel free to contact me with your thoughts, questions, and suggestions.

Debora
Executive Councilor, New Hampshire District 5
www.debpignatelli.com

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September 11, 2020 Meeting

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The full agenda for this meeting is available on the Governor & Executive Council section of the New Hampshire Secretary of State website.

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#11 Authorized to amend existing sole source agreements with the vendors in bold as detailed in letter dated August 25, 2020, to provide home visiting services to expectant women and newly parenting individuals, by increasing the total price by $5,088,194 from $4,657,387 to $9,745,581, and by extending the completion dates from September 30, 2020 to September 30, 2022. 81% Federal, 19% General Funds. VOTE: 5-0

 

#12 Authorized to amend an existing contract with CQuest America, Springfield, IL (originally approved by G&C on 9-3-14, item

 

#23), for enhancements to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children’s eligibility reporting system, by increasing the price by $51,775.20 from $3,630,289.97 to $3,682,065.17. Effective upon G&C approval through the original completion date of June 30, 2022. 100% Federal Funds. VOTE: 5-0

 

#14 Authorized to retroactively amend an existing sole source agreement with the City of Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services (originally approved by G&C on 8-22-18, item #7), for infectious disease and lead poisoning testing, public health investigation, case management as well as outreach and education services, by exercising a contract renewal option, by increasing the total price by $456,000 from $1,545,455 to $2,001,455 and by extending the completion date from June 30, 2020 to December 31, 2021. 58% Federal, 32% General, 10% Other Funds. VOTE: 5-0

 

#20 Authorized to enter into a contract agreement with Alliance Group Inc., Essex Junction, VT, for replacement of the boiler located at the Hillsboro Readiness Center, in the amount not to exceed $159,963. (2 ) Further Authorized a contingency in the amount of $20,000 for unforeseen conditions and/or owner initiated changes, bringing the total to $179,963. Effective upon G&C approval through May 30, 2021. 100% Federal Funds. VOTE: 5-0

 

#38 Authorized to execute an amendment to the contract with Weston Solutions Inc., Concord, NH (originally approved by G&C on 6-5-19, item #97), to perform per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance investigations, by increasing the amount by $310,000 from $7,340,000 to $7,650,000. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2023. 100% Emerging Contaminants Funds. VOTE: 5-0

 

#39 Authorized to enter into a sole source contract with RWS Technology LLC, Gilford, NH, to execute the expansion, development and implementation of a web-based financial reporting system, and augmentation of the Grants Management System, in an amount not to exceed $119,000. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2021. 96% Federal, 4 % General Funds. VOTE: 4-1, Pignatelli No This was a Sole Source contract and I objected with my vote.

 

#40 Authorized the Division of Learner Support to enter into a sole source contract with WestEd, San Francisco, CA, to design/provide tools and effectively implement diagnostic reviews of all 20 Comprehensive Support and Improvement schools in order to improve student performance, in the amount of $266,603. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2021, with the option to renew for one additional fiscal year. 100% Federal Funds. VOTE: 4-1, Pignatelli No - This was a Sole Source contract and I objected with my vote.

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Informational Items

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I continue to object to these expenditures.

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Department of Health and Human Services

 

#A. Pursuant to RSA 4:45, RSA 21-P:43, and Section 4 of Executive Order 2020-04, as extended by Executive Orders 2020-05, 2020-08, 2020-09, 2020-10, 2020-14, 2020-15, and 2020-16, Governor Sununu has Authorized the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health Services, to enter into a retroactive memorandum of understanding with the Department of Safety, Concord, NH, for the provision of laboratory staff from the Department of Safety’s NH State Police Forensic Laboratory to assist the Division of Public Health Services’ Public Health Laboratory with COVID-19 functions, in the amount of $33,826. Effective June 18, 2020 through December 31, 2020, with the option to renew for up to one additional year. 100% Federal Funds.

 

#B. Pursuant to RSA 4:45, RSA 21-P:43, and Executive Order 2020-04, as extended by Executive Orders 2020-05, 2020-08, 2020-09, 2020-10, 2020-14, and 2020-15, Governor Sununu has Authorized the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health Services, to amend an existing sole source contract with Susan Fischer Davis M.D., Concord, NH (originally approved by G&C 4-17-19, item #20), for clinical consulting services, by increasing the price by $30,881 from $282,357 to $313,238. Effective upon G&C approval through the original completion date of June 29, 2021. 100% Federal Funds.

 

#C. Pursuant to RSA 4:45, RSA 21-P:43, and Section 4 of Executive Order 2020-04, as extended by Executive Orders 2020-05, 2020-08, 2020-09, 2020-10, 2020-14, 2020-15, and 2020-16, Governor Sununu has Authorized the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health Services, to enter into a sole source amendment to an existing contract with Green Mountain Messenger Inc., Williston, VT (originally approved by G&C on 4-8-20, item #9), for continued emergent courier services, by increasing the price by $150,000 from $150,000 to $300,000 with no change to the completion date of March 31, 2021. 100% Federal Funds.

 

#D. Pursuant to RSA 4:45, RSA 21-P:43, and Executive Order 2020-04, as extended by Executive Orders 2020-05, 2020-08, 2020-09, 2020-10, 2020-14, and 2020-15, Governor Sununu has Authorized the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health Services, to enter into a sole source amendment to an existing contract with Quest Diagnostics LLC, Marlborough, MA, to continue COVID-19 specimen testing, by increasing the price by $4,000,000 from $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 with no change to the completion date of December 31, 2020. 100% Federal Funds.

 

#E. Pursuant to RSA 4:45, RSA 21-P:43, and Section 4 of Executive Order 2020-04, as extended by Executive Orders 2020-05, 2020-08, 2020-09, 2020-10, 2020-14, and 2020-15, Governor Sununu has Authorized the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health Services, to enter into a retroactive sole source amendment to an existing contract with Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, Lebanon, NH (originally approved by G&C on 6-7-17, item #22), for senior-level infectious disease medical epidemiology support, by increasing the price by $227,837 from $898,842 to $1,126,679 with no change to the completion date of June 30, 2021. 100% Federal Funds.

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Department of Transportation

 

#F. Pursuant to RSA 4:45, RSA 21-P:43, and Section 4 of Executive Order 2020-04, as extended by Executive Orders 2020-05, 2020-08, 2020-09, 2020-14, 2020-15, and 2020-16, and suspend the Manual of Procedures 150, V., A., 5., requirement, Governor Sununu has Authorized the Department of Transportation to award a grant to the Town of Haverhill, for Coronavirus Aid, and Economic Security Act funding to offset a decline in revenues arising from diminished airport operations and activities as a result of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency for the Dean Memorial Airport, in the amount of $20,000, through May 25, 2024. 100% Federal Funds.

 

#G. Pursuant to RSA 4:45, RSA 21-P:43, and Section 4 of Executive Order 2020-04, as extended by Executive Orders 2020-05, 2020-08, 2020-09, 2020-14, 2020-15, and 2020-16, and suspend the Manual of Procedures 150, V., A., 5., requirement, Governor Sununu has Authorized the Department of Transportation to award a grant to the City of Concord, for Coronavirus Aid, and Economic Security Act funding to offset a decline in revenues arising from diminished airport operations and activities as a result of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency for the Concord Municipal Airport, in the amount of $30,000, through May 25, 2024. 100% Federal Funds.

 

#H. Pursuant to RSA 4:45, RSA 21-P:43, and Section 4 of Executive Order 2020-04, as extended by Executive Orders 2020-05, 2020-08, 2020-09, 2020-14, 2020-15, and 2020-16, and suspend the Manual of Procedures 150, V., A., 5., requirement, Governor Sununu has Authorized the Department of Transportation to award a grant to the Dillant-Hopkins Airport, for Coronavirus Aid, and Economic Security Act funding to offset a decline in revenues arising from diminished airport operations and activities as a result of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency for the Dillant-Hopkins Airport, in the amount of $69,000, through May 25, 2024. 100% Federal Funds.

 

Office of Strategic Initiatives

 

#I. Pursuant to RSA 21-P:43, RSA 4:45, RSA 4:47, and Executive Order 2020-04, as extended by Executive Orders 2020-05, 2020-08, 2020-09, 2020-10, 2020-14, 2020-15, and 2020-16, Governor Sununu has Authorized the Office of Strategic Initiatives to accept and expend $13,907,239 in Federal Funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, for the purpose of administering the Governor’s Emergency Relief Funds to improve broadband infrastructure. (2)Further Authorized to enter into grant agreement with the vendors as detailed in letter dated August 26, 2020, for a total amount not to exceed $13,907,239 to complete their scope of services required for improvements to NH’s broadband and internet infrastructure. Effective through December 31, 2020. 100% Federal Funds.

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New Hampshire Employment Security

 

#J. Pursuant to RSA 21-P:43, RSA 4:45, RSA 4:47, and Executive Order 2020-04, as extended by Executive Orders 2020-05, 2020-08, 2020-09, 2020-10, 2020-14, and 2020-15, Governor Sununu has Authorized New Hampshire Employment Security to accept and expend $2,993,289 in federal funds from the US Department of Labor – Employment and Training Administration resulting from the significant increase in unemployment claims due to COVID-19 through September 30, 2021. 100% Federal Funds.

 

#K. Pursuant to RSA 4:45, RSA 21-P:43, and Executive Order 2020-04, as extended by Executive Orders 2020-05, 2020-08, 2020-09, 2020-10, 2020-14, 2020-15, and 2020-16, and suspension of Manual of Procedures 150, V., A., 3., requirement, Governor Sununu has Authorized New Hampshire Employment Security to enter into a retroactive contract amendment with SymbioSys Solutions Inc., Concord, NH (originally approved by G&C on 2-7-18, item #24), increasing the amount by $3,560,300 from $7,049,800 to $10,610,100 to develop and implement necessary system modifications to enable the payment of three new federal benefit programs Authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020. 100% Federal Funds.

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Department of Administrative Services

 

#L. Pursuant to RSA 21-P:43, RSA 4:45, RSA 4:47, and Executive Order 2020-04, as extended by Executive Orders 2020-05, 2020-08, 2020-09, 2020-10, and 2020-14, Governor Sununu has approved the Department of Administrative Services to enter into a retroactive sole source equipment lease agreement with Granite State Heating and Plumbing, Weare, NH, for an amount not to exceed $113,604, which shall provide a 200-ton temporary Trane Chiller for the period of April 1, 2020 through August 31, 2020 at the Rockingham County Courthouse. 100% Transfer Funds (transfer from AOC, Rent from Other Agencies).

 

The Governor nominated the following Individuals to serve on State Boards and Commissions:

• Jeffrey M. Taylor, Richmond, NH, Anne D. Krantz, Amherst, NH, Pesticides Control Board

• The Executive Council confirmed the following Individuals to serve on State Boards and Commissions

• Roy Baldwin, Jaffrey, NH, Volunteer New Hampshire Board of Directors

These communities are in District 5:

Amherst, Antrim, Bennington, Brookline, Deering, Dunbarton, Fitzwilliam, Francestown, Greenfield, Greenville, Hillsborough, Hollis, Hudson, Jaffrey, Litchfield, Lyndeborough, Mason, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, New Boston, New Ipswich, Peterborough, Richmond, Rindge, Sharon, Swanzey, Temple, Troy, Weare, Wilton, Windsor and the City of Nashua