Common Council

SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL MEETING MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT COMMUNITY DEVELEOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ALLOCATIONS – COVID 19 GRANTS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2020 5:15 PM MINUTES The Special Meeting of the Common Council of the City of Middletown was held remotely via WebEx and livestreamed on the City of Middletown’s Facebook page on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at 5:15 PM. Present: Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell Councilman Vincent Loffredo. Councilwoman Meghan Carta Councilman Anthony Mangiafico Councilman Grady Faulkner, Jr. Councilman Edward McKeon Councilman Darnell Ford Councilman Eugene Nocera Councilman Anthony Gennaro, Sr. Councilman Philip Pessina Councilwoman Linda Salafia Also Present: Mayor Benjamin D. Florsheim, Chair Linda Reed, Council Clerk Corporation Counsel, Daniel Ryan, Esq. General Counsel, Brig Smith, Esq. Joseph Samolis, Director – Planning Conservation & Development Members of the Public: WebEx (none) and Facebook livestream (unknown number of viewers) 1. Call to Order Mayor Benjamin Florsheim calls the meeting to order at 5:15 PM. 2. Pledge of Allegiance The Chair asks Councilman Philip Pessina to display the American flag. He invites the Councilmembers to join in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Call of the Meeting The Clerk reads the Call of the Meeting and the Chair declares the call a legal call and the meeting a legal meeting. 3. Public Hearing Opens The Chair declares the public hearing open at 5:18 PM. He explains that the sole purpose of this meeting is to discuss allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding through the newly established Middletown Bridge Loan Program. These will be the first recipients of these loans. Any member of the public wishing to speak may indicate by raising their hand using the WebEx function. When called on, they are asked to state their name and address for the record and their comments are limited to a five (5) minutes. The Council Clerk verifies that there are no members of the public looking to speak. 4. Public Hearing Closes The Chair closes the public hearing 5:19 PM. 5. Resolutions, Ordinances, etc. A. The Mayor is hereby authorized to execute all contractual paperwork necessary to facilitate the allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) COVID-19 Economic Development Grants, subject to review and approval by the Office of General Counsel as to form and content, as follows: Middlesex Music Academy, LLC $5,000.00 Tina’s Fine Lingerie, LLC $5,000.00 Discount Beauty Plus Supply Salon $5,000.00 EG Salon LLC $5,000.00 Perk on Main LLC $5,000.00  June 24, 2020 COMMON COUNCIL – SPECIAL MEETING P a g e |2 APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 44-20; K: review/resolution/ PCD CDBG Covid19 grants RES 44-20 – 24 June 2020 Councilman Philip Pessina reads the proposed resolution and moves to approve. Councilman Darnel Ford seconds the motion. The Chair calls on Councilman Grady Faulkner, Jr. Councilman Faulkner states that, looking at Granicus, there are (inaudible) there are two (2) documents posted. He asks if the Council is voting on document A and resolution 28-20. The Council Clerk interjects, explaining that the attached item (Resolution 28-20) is mentioned in the opening language of the resolution under consideration. That document is offered as a point of information in conjunction with the resolution under consideration. Resolution 28-20 has already been approved by the Council, so it is simply a point of reference. Resolution No. 28-20 Date: April 23, 2020 RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the City of Middletown receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the US Department of Housing & Urban Development as an entitlement community, and WHEREAS, the ongoing receipt of CDBG funds is conditioned upon the drafting and adoption of a Five Year Consolidated Plan of Housing and Community Development under federal regulations [24 CFR 91.1(a)(2)], and the drafting and adoption of an Annual Action Plan; and, WHEREAS, such a Consolidated Plan amendment and 2019 Annual Action Plan have been properly drafted and have been subject to due review by the public and by the Citizens’ Advisory Committee pursuant to the HUD final rule; and, WHEREAS, the Citizens’ Advisory Committee and the Economic Development Committee has seen fit to recommend the reallocation of prior year funds (reprogrammed in FY2019) in the amount of $108,134.84 in order to spend down HUD Funding, and, WHEREAS, the Citizens’ Advisory Committee and the Economic Development Committee has analyzed FY2019 activities, and has identified $47,849.45 in current year funding to be reprogrammed. WHEREAS, the Citizens’ Advisory Committee and the Economic Development Committee have determined that a total of $155,984.29 be re-allocated to a Job Retention and Creation program to be administered by the City, and, WHEREAS, the COVID-19 Epidemic has devastated the small business community and low/moderate income individuals in the City, and, WHEREAS, the City of Middletown received an additional $283,911 to assist the City in dealing with the economic hardships incurred by COVID-19; and, WHEREAS, the City will utilize the funding prevent, prepare for or respond to coronavirus by allocating money to organizations impacted by COVID-19; and, WHEREAS, the Citizen’s Advisory Committee and the Economic Development Committee, have determined to allocated this additional allocation for costs associated with housing of the City’s homeless, feeding of the City’s low/moderate income and stabilizing the small business community by assisting with job retention and creation, and, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIDDLETOWN: That the following 2016, 2017 and 2018 Entitlement appropriations be approved and reallocated and the FY2019 be approved and reprogrammed by the following: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIDDLETOWN: That the CARES ACT CDBG Allocation be approved for the following: 2016 Entitlement DECREASE New Horizons Shelter Repairs 3213-14000-57030-0000-03739-2016-000 $20,000.00 INCREASE City of Middletown Job Creation/Job Retention 3213-14000-57030-0000-XXXXX-2106-000 $20,000.00 2017 Entitlement DECREASE Northern Middlesex YMCA Residence Floor & Room Rehab 3212-14000-57030-0000-03693-2017-000 $19,863.68 Gilead Community Services /Window Replacement 3212-14000-57030-0000-03724-2017-000 $ 2,250.05 Gilead Community Services/Roof Replacement 3212-14000-57030-0000-03734-2017-000 $13,572.71 INCREASE City of Middletown Job Creation/Job Retention 3212-14000-57030-0000-XXXXX-2017-000 $35,686.44 June 24, 2020 COMMON COUNCIL – SPECIAL MEETING P a g e |3 2018 Entitlement DECREASE Middlesex Community College Magic Food Bus 3211-14000-57030-0000-03449-2018-000 $ 366.92 Northern Middlesex YMCA-Boiler Replacement 3211-14000-57030-0000-03697-2018-000 $46,371.14 Gilead Community Services-Renovations 3211-14000-57030-0000-03725-2018-000 $ 2,760.43 Futures Energy Efficiency Project 3211-14000-57030-0000-03744-2018-000 $ 2,949.91 INCREASE City of Middletown Job Creation/Job Retention 3211-14000-57030-0000-XXXXX-2018-000 $52,448.40 2019 Entitlement DECREASE Shiloh Manor-Swing Door Operators 3209-14000-57030-000-03632-2019-000 $ 6,000.00 St Vincent-Green Street Renovations 3209-14000-57030-000-30217-2019-000 $41,849.45 INCREASE City of Middletown Job Creation/Job Retention 3209-14000-57030-000-XXXXX-2019-000 $47,849.45 2019-CARES ACT COVID Funding St. Vincent DePaul – COVID Related Costs $16,844 Columbus House –Warming Center Homeless Relocation Costs $67,067 City of Middletown Quarantine Center for Low to Moderate Clientele $50,000 City of Middletown Job Creation/Job Retention $150,000 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Mayor, as Chief Executive Officer of the City of Middletown, is hereby authorized to submit the amendments to the 2019 Annual Action Plan to access the $439,895.29.18 in CDBG entitlement funding to prevent, prepare for or respond to coronavirus impact on the community FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funding from HUD, do direct costs to the general fund. Councilman Faulkner (inaudible) Councilman Vincent Loffredo asks if the matter has been moved. The Chair explains that the motion has been made by Councilman Pessina. The Chair asks that Councilman Pessina read the resolution for the record. Councilman Pessina reads the proposed resolution and repeats the motion to approve. Councilman Darnell Ford reiterates the second. The Chair calls on Councilman Eugene Nocera. Councilman Nocera explains the need to move quickly and aggressively on this matter. He explains that they heard from the Mayor earlier during the day, during a 10:30AM call, that the State unemployment data may be worse than first thought. The community is clearly reeling from the pandemic the business community is working to get back on its feet. He commends the Councilmembers for attending this special meeting on such short notice to move this matter forward quickly. This will encourage other businesses and investors to access this bridge loan. It is very necessary to be aggressive on this matter. The Chair calls on Councilman Grady Faulkner, Jr. Councilman Faulkner states that he has a problem. The language read in the motion by Councilman Pessina was Item A. He believes that they are voting on Resolution No. 28-20. The Council Clerk explains that, if you review the proposed resolution – noting that Planning Director Joseph Samolis may be able to speak to this – in one of the opening paragraphs of the proposed resolution it mentions the Council’s action approving a particular resolution (Resolution 28-20). The only reason that the document for Resolution 28-20 is attached here -- apologizing for any confusing – is to offer a frame of reference so that if someone reads that Resolution 28-20 was approved, they can see what that action was. The Council is now looking to allocate the funds as just read by Councilman Pessina Councilman Nocera concurs. Councilman Faulkner asks if that is the latest project, the most recent HUD funds. The chair calls on Planing Director joseph Samolis. Director Samolis explains that the allocations discussed last night at the Citizens’ Advisory Committee meeting, will be on a subsequent Council agenda. These funds are part of the CARES Act Covid19 funding that was developed through the Community Development Block Grant program as well as the loan program separate from CDBG. The resolution that was mentioned – Resolution 28-20 – was the creation of the CDBG Covid 19 grants. What is being considered and voted on tonight is the actual distribution of funds to grantees, who will receive these funds from the program as set up. The entitlement funds discussed earlier this week will be considered at a subsequent meeting, probably at the August Common Council meeting.  June 24, 2020 COMMON COUNCIL – SPECIAL MEETING P a g e |4 Councilman Faulkner thanks Director Samolis, noting that it now makes sense. The Chair calls on Councilman Philip Pessina. Councilman Pessina states that he stands corrected. He believes that two (2) or three (3) of the five (5) businesses in this resolution are minority owned businesses. It speaks well for the Council and of the dedication to the holistic approach to business in the community and helping them out. He finds it heartwarming that three (3) businesses are from the minority sector and working hard to keep their businesses afloat. The Council has a hand in helping this occur. The Chair asks if there is any further discussion. The Chair thanks the Councilmembers for being proactive and working to help make this happen. Absent any further discussion, they will take a roll call vote. The Chair calls on Councilman Edward McKeon. Councilman McKeon states, before voting, not all Councilmembers have signed the requested non- disclosure agreement. He asks if the City Attorey can briefly explain. The Chair calls on General Counsel Big Smith Attorney Smiths states, so everyone have the full context, it an internal verification that there is no conflict of interest on CDBG funding, There is no magic form; just something that we do internally. There is no federal requirement that a form be signed. As in all votes, if you think you have a conflict of interest, you can, and should, recuse yourself in advance of the vote. Io this case. Say someone has a parent or brother owning or working at one of the businesses. You can recuse yourself from voting on that portion of the funding advance. There is nothing in Robert’s Rules. Just legislate with caution regarding any conflict. That is the question and answer. There being no further discussion, the Chair calls for a roll call vote, asking the Council Clerk to read the roll: Councilwoman Blackwell aye Councilwoman Carta aye Councilman Faulkner aye Councilman Darnell Ford aye Councilman Edward Ford absent Councilman Gennaro aye Councilman Loffredo aye Councilman Mangiafico aye Councilman McKeon aye Councilman Nocera aye Councilman Pessina aye Councilwoman Salafia aye The Chair states that the motion to approve these grants introduce a substitute resolution in lieu of the tabled resolution is approved unanimously with 11 aye votes (Councilmembers Blackwell, Carta, Faulkner, D. Ford, Gennaro, Loffredo, Mangiafico, McKeon, Nocera, Pessina, and Salafia vote to approve. Councilman Edward Ford is absent.) The Chair states the matter is approved. He states that they are off to a good start and thanks the Council for their effort, attending this special meeting. 6. Meeting Adjournment There being no further business, Councilman Eugene Nocera moves to adjourn. Councilman Edward McKeon seconds the motion. There being no discussion, the Chair calls for a vote. The motion to adjourn is unanimously approved by voice vote with 11 aye votes (Councilmembers Blackwell, Carta, Faulkner, D. Ford, Gennaro, Loffredo, Mangiafico, McKeon, Nocera, Pessina, and Salafia vote to approve. Councilman Edward Ford is absent.) The motion to adjourn is approved. The Chair declares that the meeting is adjourned at 5:30 PM. ATTEST: LINDA S.K. REED, COMMON COUNCIL CLERK K: review/ minutes/ 20 June 24 special meeting - CDBG grants – 24 June 2020