Common Council

COMMON COUNCIL MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT SPECIAL MEETING QUESTIONS TO DIRECTORS MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2025 6:00 PM MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Common Council of the City of Middletown, Questions to Directors Workshop, was held on Monday, October 2, 2025, beginning at 6:00 PM. This meeting was a hybrid meeting with in- person participation in the Common Council Chamber and remote access via WebEx. The meeting was also live streamed on Facebook and the City webpage and was broadcast on local cable access television. Present: Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell Councilman Vincent Loffredo Councilman Grady Faulkner, Jr. Councilman Jonathan Pulino Councilman Darnell Ford Councilwoman Linda Salafia Councilman Anthony Gennaro, Sr. Councilwoman Leslie Spatola Councilman Steven Kovach Councilwoman Kelly Sweeney Absent: Councilman Anthony Mangiafico Also Present: Hon. Eugene Nocera, Interim Mayor Sergeant-at-Arms: Middletown Police Officer Passacantando Linda Reed, Clerk of the Common Council City Staff: Arts & Culture: Kisha Michael, Coordinator City & Town Clerk – Ashley Flynn-Natale, CCTC Central Communication – Robert Grauer, Acting Director Economic & Community Development – Christine Marques, Director Education, Board of – Natalie Forbes, Finance Director Equal Opportunity & Diversity Management – Faith Jackson, Director Finance & Revenue Services – Carl Erlacher, CPA, Director; Fire – David Albert, Chief General Counsel, Office of – Brig Smith, Esq., Gen. Counsel Justin Richardson, Human Resources Division Health – Kevin Elak, Director Library – Ramona Burkey, Director Brandi Doyle, Finance Police -- Erik Costa, Chief Public Works – Barbara Knoll Peterson, Acting Director Recreation & Senior Services – Cathy Lechowicz, Director Water & Sewer – Joseph Fazzino, Director  October 6, 2025 COMMON COUNCIL – SPECIAL MEETING Page 2 QUESTIONS TO DIRECTORS Absent: Assessor -- Damon Braasch, CCMA II Emergency Management – Robert Kronenberger Land Use -- Marek Kozikowski, AICP, Director Technology Services – Brianna Skowera, Director Youth Services – Justin Carbonella, Manager Public: Chamber: 0 WebEx: 0 Facebook: 15 1. Call to Order Interim Mayor Eugene Nocera calls the meeting to order at 6:01 PM and welcomes everyone to the Common Council’s Special Meeting, the Questions to Directors Workshop A. Pledge of Allegiance The Chair invites everyone to join in the Pledge of Allegiance. B. Council Clerk Reads the Call of the Meeting and Mayor declares call a legal call and meeting a legal meeting The Clerk of the Common Council reads the Call of the Meeting and the Chair declares the call a legal call and the meeting a legal meeting. 2. Questions to Directors Workshop Opens Interim Mayor Eugene Nocera, Chair, opens the public hearing at 6:04 PM. He invites Councilmembers looking to question any Directors to use their signal lights, please. The Chair recognizes Councilman Loffredo. Councilman Vincent Loffredo: Is Police Chief Costa available, please. Good evening, Chief. So I'm going to talk to you a little bit about, or ask questions, regarding the status of the red light: if we have money received or accounted for on the agenda this evening. Police Chief Costa: The speed cameras? Councilman Loffredo: Yes. Chief Costa: So we're part of the agenda tonight we're asking to increase from $100,000 grant confirmation to $500,000 grant confirmation. We have only been involved in the program for four (4) months, where we have received two (2) payments installations -- actually three (3) payment installations. One was $140,000. The seconds was $320,000 and this month we are expecting this month’s installment to be in the same range as last month, which is in that $300,000 figure. That just comes out by the 15th of every month. Councilman Loffredo: So you haven't received $500,000 at this point. Chief Costa: Correct, we have not, but we haven't activated the cameras on Country Club Road or on Westfield Avenue. The two (2) cameras have not been activated. Councilman Loffredo: What is reported here is that you have received $500,000. So that's not accurate?  October 6, 2025 COMMON COUNCIL – SPECIAL MEETING Page 3 QUESTIONS TO DIRECTORS Chief Costa: Well, in our receivables, what we've put into the Finance Department is what I just told you, but when we received in monies that are currently been paid and in the process is over $1M. The system works is that you have people, who have opportunity to waive and go to a hearing. There are scenarios where it's every month, so the what you received in collectible money doesn't come out every month because you also have fees and dues that also goes into the payment for the system be run. So our collectibles are well over $1M, but with everything, as it filters down, our receivables every month changes. We felt that the $500,000 grant confirmation would be appropriate in case we get to that limit. Councilman Loffredo: Well, my concern is that just, procedurally, you know, normally when this is reported to the Council from any agency within the City, it's reported for money that's been actually received and is -- not anticipated. I'm aware of work with EDC (Economic Development Commission) and others were applying for grants, we have not yet received the grants for X, Y, or Z and this is other agencies as well. So when I saw that, I was wondering if we had reached that amount, and you just confirmed that we haven't. Chief Costa: We have a total of just under a $400,000 received. We're expecting that number to be over . . . Councilman Loffredo: Yes, I understand anticipation. I'm just wondering in terms of, if we monitor this particular revenue source on a monthly basis, this is not an accurate representation of what we have actually received at this point. Chief Costa: My understanding is that this was done by Finance to maintain the line -- to be open for that particular line -- to be taken in as revenue. Councilman Loffredo: And they assume the revenue that the Finance department reports to the City and the City Council is also money that we've actually received. I know there's the anticipation of X, Y, and Z. I just know that it has been an issue, a concern. I know you're going to set up more cameras around the City, and, potentially, people would be well aware of that and understand that there are consequences and so forth. But I've got a problem with that, Chief, in terms of, and I'm not aware that this is how we're accounting for things. I know how fastidious the Finance Department is. Maybe they've come up with a new methodology. I'm not aware of that. So you just confirmed that is not an accurate receipt of money at this point. Chief Costa: Correct. Councilman Loffredo: Correct. Okay, let me just follow up with another question. So, when someone receives a citation for the actual infraction, what is the cost of the infraction itself? Chief Costa: There are two (2). First is $59 for the first offence. Councilman Loffredo: $59? Chief Costa: Correct. Councilman Loffredo: And then we have, in terms of collecting that money, who's doing that: maintaining and collecting those dollars? Chief Costa: Our vendor, (inaudible). Councilman Loffredo: Okay, and what is the vendor charging? Chief Costa: The vendor is charging in the area of just about $200 a violation. I'm sorry - $200 to run the system. I thought I sent the breakdown of that number. That happened last month. It's $13 . . . just  October 6, 2025 COMMON COUNCIL – SPECIAL MEETING Page 4 QUESTIONS TO DIRECTORS off the top of my head. The $13 a violation is taken from each ticket that we pay for the online, paying online, and the $9 is the administrative fee that you see is the cost from the mailing house to send the violation via mail 1st class. So, in total, it is $21. So, the City, on each violation of $59, sees about $40 and change in regards to what they take in as the violation. Councilman Loffredo: So the City's receiving $40 and the vendors, and all those other costs, are subtracted, so you were looking at $29? Chief Costa: No, we take looking at $41 being brought in: $13 for the vendor and $9 for the servicing of the mailing. So it's about $21 to $22. The Chair: If I can just interject, I think the Chief sent out a report last month that had the breakdown. Councilman Loffredo: I have questions around it because I'm getting calls. People are looking at those folks that have been cited and the percentage on top of the infraction. So, let me back up. So an officer in the City of Middletown indicates to somebody -- pulls somebody over -- and says, “Listen, you are in violation. You are speeding,” what would they be cited for? How much? Chief Costa: What matters is what the speed is in the infraction schedule, but in that area for the speeds that we're talking about, somewhere in the range of $300. Councilman Loffredo: $300. Chief Costa: Correct. Councilman Loffredo: So if you're going down Washington Street, without the speed cameras . . . Chief Costa: Correct and being stopped by a police officer. Councilman Loffredo: And an officer pulls somebody over, the City would be collecting $300. Chief Costa: No, the City would collect the percentage of that $300. The rest of it goes to the State. The City collects 10% on each violation, on an infraction. So with a violation of $300, the City might see $15 and change. That's off the top of my head. That's how the State infraction system works. The rest of that funding goes to make . . . Councilman Loffredo: Let’s take Westfield Street. Chief Costa: It would all be the same. Councilman Loffredo: Every time an officer pulls somebody over. Chief Costa: Every time a police officer stops somebody and gives them a State infraction, there is a speed and a monetary value equation that goes with the speed of the violation. Those can range up to $300 to $113. Councilman Loffredo: So, if the speed limit is 40 mph and somebody was going 50 mph, that's 10 mph above the speed limit. You pulled over. Do you have any idea? Chief Costa: It would be north of $113, if not more. Councilman Loffredo: And that would be reported as income coming in and . . . Chief Costa: Not to the City of Middletown, It would be to the State of Connecticut.  October 6, 2025 COMMON COUNCIL – SPECIAL MEETING Page 5 QUESTIONS TO DIRECTORS Councilman Loffredo: All the money -- even for Westfield Street and all the rest – Chief Costa: If it is a State infraction, yes. This, that's what it's been before the traffic cameras -- the program -- came into fruition. Councilman Loffredo: Okay, thank you, your Honor. Chief Costa: I'll send you an email with the clear designation. The Chair: Alright, other questions for our directors? Councilwoman Blackwell. Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell: Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, Chief. I just want to say publicly, that I did reach out to Chief Costa, regarding any incidents or threats of violence that have taken place in City Hall, and he did provide some data that I did share with my colleagues earlier today. I did ask the Chief if he would step through that data really now for the public's consumption at this point because the Council has received your email. I just want to acknowledge that Chief Costa did provide data back to 2022. I asked for data from 2023 to date. Thank you, Chief, for your responsiveness. Chief Costa: Thank you. The request was the calls for service here at City Hall in regards to police interaction. I did do three (3) years. It's a data collection set that I normally do is three (3) years. Out of the three (3) years, there were 617 calls of service. Of the 617 calls of service, we had 15 police assists. Police assists could be anything from someone needing help that's come to the Mayor's Office and they'll direct them to the Police Department for assistance to investigations that go up beyond the scope of City Hall. A suspicious activity is when someone just feels uncomfortable with a car or a person, which is vetted with a patrol check or a suspicious incident that we find if it's viable or not. If it stays in suspicious activity that means it doesn't go to an assault. That category doesn't change in the reporting system to something else that was charged would be would be followed. You'll see the list. I'm assuming they have everyone here has the list. Fraud is obviously a financial crime. Vandalism is damaged to the property here. The caseworkers responded to support staff or customers that come to the City Hall. Property damage could be anything from a window being broken to a car accident that hit a railing or something damaged within the building that is City owned. Disturbance is what is most notable. Anytime someone -- a customer -- comes to City Hall and has a disagreement with staff or public officials, we've been called. It could be anything from being upside the taxes, making threats, those type of things. Larceny is obviously a financial crime. Unwanted person is someone that could be is struggling with homelessness or addiction to someone that's asking for us to have them removed from the property because of their emotional estate. EDPs is mental health. Loitering is someone that might be occupying a space inappropriately here at City Hall, Being in this room and a function's going on to being out front for any violation that would be disrupting public access to the building. And then obviously harassment would be a situation where someone, or a customer, has gone above and beyond appropriateness where they are targeting individuals for harassment. Councilwoman Blackwell: Thank you, Chief. Chief Costa was able to clarify for me because, when you add up all of those incidents, it tallies up to 61 incidents. So with the total being 617, the majority . . . what are the majority. Chief Costa: Property checks. This means that police officers come to the property, putting eyes on it, whether interior or exterior, and they logged in every time they do it. Officers will do that multiple times a shift. I'm assuming the officer here today might be on a case number saying they're here for a police assist or a property check or to document his time in the Chamber. That's the overwhelming majority of calls for service when we brought this address up in the City. Just noted: when it comes to violent crime that was asked to me. Violent calls of service and the police department is when actual physical  October 6, 2025 COMMON COUNCIL – SPECIAL MEETING Page 6 QUESTIONS TO DIRECTORS fighting occurs or an act of violent would be anything that's of a serious nature or life and limb and injury that may occur, and we haven't had those any of those calls here. Councilwoman Blackwell: Okay, thank you, sir. The Chair: Councilman Loffredo, please. Councilman Vincent Loffredo: This is a follow up to the questioning by my colleague. In terms of, have you received any complaints or indication that your department has been able to not be responsive to any calls or services that may originate from City Hall? Chief Costa: That we can’t respond? No, we always respond to City Hall. Councilman Loffredo: Has anyone complained that you don’t respond, that your respond late or not appropriately? Has anybody reported anything of that nature? Thank you. Chief Costa: No, no concerns at this point. I will tell you that we have -- the numbers here have been patrol check have, the majority of the time, I know the caseworkers have been used recently, too. So we have been in the building. The Chair: I’m going to check before I go on to the next question in the Chamber. Any hands on online? Clerk of the Common Council: No hands online. Oh, Councilwoman Sweeney’s hand is now raised. The Chair: Okay. Councilwoman Sweeney. Councilwoman Kelly Sweeney: Thank you Mr. Chair. Chief Costa, the Council received an email this week about a potential homeless encampment on Rapallo Avenue. Do you, do you have any information on that? Are you aware of that infraction? Chief Costa: Yes I am. The site location has been noticed with a 48 hour removal process. I believe that's been done. We are waiting for that process to fulfill by the law. We are then partnering with the Department of Health and will work on supporting them in getting resources and removing that (encampment) from Rapallo Avenue. Our caseworkers and officers are very involved in that as well as St. Vincent DePaul. It's a community holistic approach. Councilwoman Sweeney: Excellent, thank you. Is there a spot in the City where we might funnel these folks that might be safer, you know, a temporary encampment site where they might be able to pay a little bit of money and stay there for a night or two? Chief Costa: No, we don't have any locations like that in the City. I know right now there are those that we service that do want housing. Most of them are elderly. We are working with housing authorities and convalescent homes and others for Section 8 housing to get them housed. It's been very difficult because the apartments aren't there, but we are in continuous contact with those stakeholders to get them resources. When it comes to allowing a piece of the City to be used as an encampment, we don't do that here in the City of Middletown at this time. Councilwoman Sweeney: Thank you for that additional information, I appreciate it. The Chair: Thank you. Has any anyone else joined us online? Clerk of the Common Council: No more hands on line.  October 6, 2025 COMMON COUNCIL – SPECIAL MEETING Page 7 QUESTIONS TO DIRECTORS The Chair: Okay. Alright. Thank you. In the Chamber, are there any other questions for Directors at this time? There are none. 3. Questions to Directors Workshop Closes There being no further questions, the Chair closes the workshop at 6:23 PM and asks for a motion to adjourn. 4. Meeting adjourned Councilman Grady Faulkner moves to adjourn. Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell seconds the motion. There being no discussion, the Chair calls for a voice vote. The motion to adjourn is unanimously approved with ten (10) aye votes. (AYES: Councilmembers Blackwell, Faulkner, Ford, Gennaro, Kovach, Loffredo, Mangiafico, Salafia, Spatola, and Sweeney; ABSENT: Councilman Mangiafico.) The matter is approved. The meeting is adjourned at 6:24 PM. ATTEST: LINDA S.K. REED, COMMON COUNCIL CLERK K: review/ minutes/ 2025 Oct 06 – Ques to Directors – 6 Oct 2025