Common Council

COMMON COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 2024 7:00 PM Fully Remote Meeting via WebEx WebEx.com Join a Meeting Event # 2334 328 8766 Password: Middletown or Dial 408-418-9388 Access Code: Event # 2334 328 8766 NOTE: if calling from a phone, please press *3 to activate hand raise function AGENDA 1. Call to Order A. Pledge of Allegiance B. Council Clerk Reads the Call of the Meeting and Mayor declares call a legal call and meeting a legal meeting 2. Accept/Amend the Agenda 3. Public Hearing on Agenda Items a. Public Hearing -- Opens b. Public Hearing – Closes 4. Approval of Minutes A. Common Council – Regular Meeting on Monday, June 3, 2024, at 7:00 PM B. Common Council Special Meeting (Tour of McDonough School) on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 6:00 PM C. Common Council – Special Meeting (Questions to Directors) on Monday, July 1, 2024, at 6:00 PM D. Common Council – Regular Meeting on Monday, July 1, 2024, at 7:00 PM August 5, 2024 COMMON COUNCIL -- REGULAR MEETING Page 2 5. Old Business A. ORDINANCE: Amending Article II (“Noise Ordinance”), Section 206-3 (“Exemptions”) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Middletown:  Amending Paragraph I to increase window of time to use of engine-powered lawn care and maintenance equipment from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM;  Amending Paragraph L to increase the window of time for construction from Monday through Saturday until one hour after sundown to until 8:00 PM;  Adding Paragraph T, listing exemptions; namely, an exemption for noise generated on properties known as 245 deKoven Drive, 80 Harbor Drive, River Road (Map/Lot 33-0009), 22 River Road (Map/Lot 33-0007), and 44 River Road (Map/Lot 33-0006) until 11:00 PM on Monday through Thursday, and until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights; and  Adding Paragraph S to exempt noise created by refuse, recycling, and other solid waste collection between 4:00 AM and 8:00 PM. TABLED and Remanded to General Counsel Commission on May 6, 2024; REMAINS ON THE TABLE on June 3, 2024; TABLED and Remanded to General Counsel Commission on July 1, 2024; RECONSIDERATION Motion to Reconsider approved, also remanding ordinance to Public Safety Commission on July 1, 2024 B. REVISED SUBSTITUTION: ORDINANCE: Amending Article II (“Noise Ordinance”), Section 206- 3 (“Exemptions”) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Middletown:  Amending Paragraph I to increase window of time to use of engine-powered lawn care and maintenance equipment from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM;  Amending Paragraph L to increase the window of time for construction from Monday through Saturday until one hour after sundown to until 8:00 PM;  Adding Paragraph T, listing exemptions; namely, an exemption for noise generated on properties known as 245 deKoven Drive, 80 Harbor Drive, River Road (Map/Lot 33-0009), 22 River Road (Map/Lot 33-0007), and 44 River Road (Map/Lot 33-0006) until 11:00 PM on Sunday through Thursday, and until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights; and  Adding Paragraph S to exempt noise created by refuse, recycling, and other solid waste collection between 4:00 AM and 8:00 PM. 6. Mayor requests Council Clerk to read appropriation requests and the Certificate of Director of Finance A. Central Communications: $77,792.95 -- Acct No. 1000-18700-51355-0000-00000-0000-000; replacement overtime for FY 23-24 due to staffing shortage B. Human Resources: $61,692.80 – Acct. No.: 1000-35500-51220; salary reserve for FY 2024 -- 466 Labor Management C. Human Resources: $24,835.20; Acct. No. 1000-35500-51120; salary reserve for FY 2024 -- UPSEU Labor Management D. Sanitation: $50,000; Acct. No. 2020-40000-55410-0000-00000-0000-000; additional funds needed to cover increased costs for the sorting and disposal of City solid waste 7. Department, Committee, Commission Reports and Grant Confirmation Approval A. City Clerk’s Certificate B. Monthly Reports -- Finance Department: Transfer Report to July 22, 2024 August 5, 2024 COMMON COUNCIL -- REGULAR MEETING Page 3 C. Appropriation Report -- FY 2024-2025, (July 2024) D. Recreation & Community Services: Acct. No. 2210-32000-59022-0321-03205-x-x; local grant to support department activities, supplies, and wages: $50,000 E. Health: Acct. No. 3250-31000-59200-0000-00000-2025-000; State grant for immunization: $62,489 F. Health: Acct. No. 3072-31000-59200-0000-03384-2025-000; Federal grant – national opioid funding: $9,067.63 G. Public Works: Acct. No. 3040-22000-59200-x-x-2022; Federal grant; FBI funding for Dingwalll Horan Joint Firing Range Target Turning System for design, construction, noise remediation, lead mitigation, and replacement of turning target system; $120,000 H. Police: Acct. No. 3496-18000-59200—0180-x-2024; Federal grant; for overtime for speed and aggressive driving enforcement: $69,434,68 I. Board of Education: Acct. No. 2450-33000-59405-x-03025; miscellaneous grants: $1,207,218.56 J. Board of Education: Acct. No. 2450-33000-52183-x-x; cafeteria/ food services: $33,632 K. Recreation & Community Services; Acct. No. 3075-32000-53177-03021-00000-2025-000; local grant for youth recreation programs during out of school hours: $15,000 L. Recreation & Community Services: Acct. No. 2470-32000-59200-0321-23342-2025-000; local grant to support summer youth camp activities: $2,000 M. Finance: Acct. No. 3560-00000-57030-0000-00000-0000-000; State grant to be used for Middletown Local Capital Improvement Projects (LoCIP): $485,395.71 8. Reports to the Common Council A. Referendum Questions – November 2024 ballot B. Riverfront Master Plan and Arcade C. Route 9 D. Russell Library/City Hall Feasibility Study Committee E. Baker Tilly Compensation Study 9. Payment of all City bills when properly approved 10. Resolutions, Ordinances, etc. A. Approving that the St. Francis of Assisi Parish annual festival, Building Unity in Diversity, will be held on Sunday, October 6, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, providing the community with the opportunity to embrace, welcome, integrate, and value the parishioners’ many cultural roots, which are kept alive by traditions of folklore, gastronomies, religion for each country and which nurtures values of fraternity, respect, diversity, humility, inclusion, openness, and solidarity; that the Showmobile shall be made available for this event and any and all fees, including personnel fees for the Showmobile, shall be waived; and that the City of Middletown shall expend no more than $1,000 for personnel fees for said event without further Councilmanic approval. August 5, 2024 COMMON COUNCIL -- REGULAR MEETING Page 4 B. Approving that Resolution No. 71-24, as approved on July 1, 2024, is hereby rescinded and the following is approved: Agencies Amount New Horizons Battered Women’s Shelter $ 22,500 Warming Center $ 25,500 Communicable Disease Surveillance $ 18,000 St. Vincent DePaul $ 4,000 Northern Middlesex YMCA – Schwartz Men’s Residence $ 2,000 Oddfellows Playhouse – After school circus program $ 2,000 Middletown PAL $ 2,000 ARTFARM $ 1,000 Free Center $ 1,000 Gilead $ 1,000 The Society of the Church of the Holy Trinity $ 1,000 Women and Families Center $ 1,000 TOTAL $ 81,000 And be it further resolved that any agency receiving an award must comply with the matching fund Code of Ordinances, Chapter 44, Section 44-11, section B, Municipal Grant Awards. C. Approving that the unexpended balance of the 2023-2024 Board of Education budget be placed in a non-lapsing account, provided such amount not exceed two percent (2.0%) of the total budgeted appropriation for execution for such prior fiscal year, pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 10-248a. D. Approving that the Recreation and Community Services Department Youth Grant (FY24/25) in the amount of $40,000 is allocated as follows. Agencies Amount Ahern Whalen $ 4,750 Middletown Youth Soccer, Inc. $ 4,000 Middletown Youth Lacrosse $ 9,500 Middletown Youth Football and Cheer $14,250 Middletown Youth Baseball and Softball $ 7,500 TOTAL $40,000 And be it further resolved that any agency receiving a grant award must comply with the matching fund Code of Ordinances, Chapter 44, Section 44-11, section B, Municipal grant awards. E. Approving that, effective upon passage by the Common Council, the following changes to the City/Town Clerk job description are approved to reflect the revised duties with a recommended salary increase from UPSEU Local # 6457 Salary Grade 16, 40 hours ($39.83 - $58.97) to Salary Grade 18 ($45.57-$67.48). These changes shall take effect retroactive from July 1, 2024 upon adoption; and that the salary grade for the employees who hold this position are hereby approved to UPSEU Local #6457 Salary Grade 18, Step 6 ($67.48) 40 hours per week. These changes shall take effect July 1, 2024 upon adoption. August 5, 2024 COMMON COUNCIL -- REGULAR MEETING Page 5 F. Approving that, effective upon passage by the Common Council, the following changes to the Tax Assessor job description are approved to reflect the revised duties with a recommended salary increase from UPSEU Local # 6457 Salary Grade 16, 40 hours ($39.83 - $58.97) to Salary Grade 18 ($45.57-$67.48) and a reclassified title to Assessor. These changes shall take effect retroactive from July 1, 2024 upon adoption; and that the salary grade for the employees who hold this position are hereby approved to UPSEU Local #6457 Salary Grade 8, Step 6 ($67.48) 40 hours per week. These changes shall take effect July 1, 2024 upon adoption. G. Approving that, effective upon passage by the Common Council, the following changes to the Supervisor of Purchasing job description is approved to reflect the revised duties with a recommended salary increase from UPSEU Local # 6457 Salary Grade 16, 40 hours ($39.83 - $58.97) to Salary Grade 17 ($43.58-$64.49. These changes shall take effect retroactive from July 1, 2024 upon adoption; and that the salary grade for the employees who hold this position are hereby approved to UPSEU Local #6457 Salary Grade 17, Step 6 ($64.49) 40 hours per week. These changes shall take effect July 1, 2024 upon adoption. H. Approving that, effective upon passage by the Common Council, the following changes to the Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management Office’s Administrative Secretary III job description is approved to reflect the revised duties with no change in salary and a reclassified title Equal Opportunity & Diversity Specialist. These changes shall take effect upon adoption. I. Approving that, effective upon passage by the Common Council, the following changes to the Program Aide/Coordinator job description is approved to reflect the revised duties with a recommended salary increase from AFSCME Local # 466 Salary Grade 7, 40 hours ($22.98 - $33.98) to Salary Grade 8 ($24.92 – $ 36.92). These changes shall take effect retroactive from July 1, 2024 upon adoption; and that the salary grade for the employees, who hold this position, are hereby approved to AFSCME Local #466 Salary Grade 8, Step 6 ($36.92) 40 hours per week. These changes shall take effect July 1, 2024 upon adoption. J. Approving that, effective upon passage by the Common Council, the following changes to the Building Superintendent II – Pool/Driver job description is approved to reflect the revised duties with a recommended salary increase from AFSCME Local # 466 Salary Grade 8, 40 hours ($24.92- $36.92) to Salary Grade 9 ($26.94-$39.84) and a reclassified title Building Superintendent III – Pool/Driver. These changes shall take effect retroactive from July 1, 2024 upon adoption; and that the salary grade for the employee who holds this position is hereby approved to AFSMCE Local #466 Salary Grade, Step 6 ($39.84) 40 hours per week. These changes shall take effect July 1, 2024 upon adoption. K. Approving that, effective upon passage by the Common Council, the following changes to the Sweeper Operator – Early Shift job description is approved to reflect the revised duties with a recommended salary increase from AFSCME Local # 466 Salary Grade 8, 40 hours ($24.92 - $36.92) to Salary Grade 9 ($26.94 - $39.84) and a reclassified title to Light Equipment Operator – Early Shift. These changes shall take effect retroactive from July 1, 2024 upon adoption; and that the salary grade for the employee who holds this position are hereby approved to AFSCME Local #466 Salary Grade 9, Step 6 ($39.84) 40 hours per week. These changes shall take effect July 1, 2024 upon adoption. L. Approving that, effective upon passage by the Common Council, the following changes to the Sweeper Operator job description is approved to reflect the revised duties with a recommended salary increase from AFSCME Local # 466 Salary Grade 7, 40 hours ($26.94 - $39.84) to Salary Grade 8 ($24.92-$36.92) and a reclassified title to Light Equipment Operator. These changes shall take effect retroactive from July 1, 2024 upon adoption; and that the salary grade for the employees who hold this position are hereby approved to AFSCME Local #466 Salary Grade 8, Step 6 ($36.92) 40 hours per week. These changes shall take effect July 1, 2024 upon adoption. August 5, 2024 COMMON COUNCIL -- REGULAR MEETING Page 6 M. Approving that, effective upon passage by the Common Council, the following changes to the Public Works Department, Heavy Equipment Operator, job description is approved to reflect the revised duties with a recommended salary increase from AFSCME Local # 466 Salary Grade 9, 40 hours ($26.94 - $39.84) to Salary Grade 10 ($28.95-$42.85). These changes shall take effect retroactive from July 1, 2024 upon adoption; and that the salary grade for the employees who hold this position are hereby approved to AFSCME Local #466 Salary Grade 10, Step 6 ($42.85) 40 hours per week. These changes shall take effect July 1, 2024 upon adoption. N. Approving that, effective upon passage by the Common Council, the following changes to the Recylcing Coordinator job description is approved to reflect the revised duties with a recommended salary increase from AFSCME Local # 466 Salary Grade 10, 40 hours ($28.98 - $39.84) to Salary Grade 11 $30.95-45.81) and a reclassified title Recycling & Sustainability Coordinator. These changes shall take effect retroactive from July 1, 2024 upon adoption; and that the salary grade for the employees who hold this position are hereby approved to AFSCME Local #466 Salary Grade11, Step 6 ($45.81) 40 hours per week. These changes shall take effect July 1, 2024 upon adoption. O. Approving that the City of Middletown take the following actions in the Sanitation District: (1) reduce the cost of the bags for trash-cart users in conjunction with billing fee adjustments; (2) Adjust the residential billing fee, in accordance with section 253-21 of the Middletown Code of Ordinances, to balance the reduction associated with the residential tipping fees; (3) Implement a missed pick-up fee for repeated noncompliance; (4) Adjust the assistance program to consist of lower-cost bags instead of free bags; and (5) Request additional financial assistance from CT DEEP for continued education, outreach, and enforcement until the program has achieved the acceptance necessary to fiscal stability. P. ORDINANCE – Amending Part II (“General Legislation”) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Middletown, adding new Chapter 99 (“Automated Traffic Safety Devices”). Q. Approving that the Cross Street AME Zion Church annual event, Back 2 School Community Day, will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, providing the community with school supplies, healthy and nutritious foods and access to community resources; that the Showmobile shall be made available for this event and any and all fees, including personnel fees for the Showmobile, shall be waived; and; that the City of Middletown shall expend no more than $1,000 for personnel fees for said event without further Councilmanic approval. R. Approving that the CNR appropriation for the Middletown High School boiler project ($189,919 in line number 2080-33000-55474-xxx-2024), as approved on October 2, 2023, be reallocated as follows: (a) Farm Hill Flooring Project -- $46,200; and (b) Moody School Courtyard Project -- $86,518.66; and that new, separate line items be created for each project. 11. Mayor’s Appointments 12. Adjournment HEARING DEVICES AVAILABLE FOR USE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER K: review/ agenda – 2024 Aug 05 -- regular meeting – 5 Aug 2024