Charter Revision Commission

MINUTES OF THE CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING Thursday, March 13, 2014, 6:30 pm, Norwich City Hall Room 335 Meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm, by Les King. Members present: Linda Becker, Debra Dickey, Michael Gualtieri, Les King, and Janis Sawicki. Also present: City Manager Alan H. Bergren and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll. Arrived late: Kent Baker, 6:39pm Absent: Leland Loose The Chairman, Les King, introduced all of the members present. Secretary, Bianca Muscarella, read the resolutions that established the Charter Revision Commission and Legal Notice. Resolution passed on November 18, 2013. WHEREAS, Chapter 99 of the Connecticut General Statutes allows a municipality to establish a Charter Revision Commission by a resolution adopted by a 2/3 vote of the entire membership of the appointing authority, in Norwich, the City Council. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Norwich, that a Charter Revision Commission consisting of 7 electors of the City of Norwich, to be appointed by the Council of the City of Norwich with each alderperson to nominate one individual, with the appointments to be made within 30 days of the adoption of this resolution, be, and the same hereby is, created for the purpose of revising and proposing amendments to the existing charter of the City of Norwich, to include examination of the charter for the purpose of considering amendments to provisions dealing with the following:  Correcting technical errors and/or omissions  Setting Council salaries by ordinance  Raising council bonding threshold to a percent of the adopted budget  Consider four year staggered terms for members of the Council with a limit of 2 terms  Tying the capital budget to a percent of the operating budget  Changing the title of the Council President Pro-tem to Deputy Mayor  Adopting a single mill rate for the entire City; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Norwich, that any amendment proposed by the Commission be presented in such a manner that the elector of the City of Norwich, in referendum, may vote separately on each amendment except where compatible groupings are possible, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Norwich that said Commission shall make its report, including the proposed draft of any amendments to the Charter no later than March 16, 2015. Resolution passed on December 16, 2013. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the following be and hereby are appointed members of the Norwich Charter Revision Commission, 1. Janis Sawicki (D) 2. Leland Loose (R) 3. Michael Gualtieri (R) 4. Debra Dickey (D) 5. Linda Becker (R) 6. Les King (R) 7. Kent Baker (D) Legal Notice Published February 12, 2014, Pursuant to Section 7-191 of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Charter Revision Commission of the City of Norwich will hold a public hearing on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 6:30 pm, in Room 335, located in the Norwich City Hall, 100 Broadway, Norwich, CT. This is the rescheduled date for the Charter Revision Commission, Public Hearing that was cancelled on February 13, 2014. Les King explained the course of action and the duration of time the Committee will meet and informed the public that they are invited to attend all meetings. The purpose of the public hearing was to hear testimony for Committee. Bob Reed, 36 Otis Street, expressed his feelings against City Consolidated District Tax. He expressed a strong feeling that a discussion needs to be had on this. Kent Kirkpatrick, 150 Vergason Ave, spoke about his opinion to keep the Uniform tax Rate. Nick Topalis, 9 Rose Garden Lane, does not agree with the 2 taxes in Norwich. David Crab, 47 Prospect Street, suggested the Commission review the budget. Mark Bettencourt, 129 Merchant Ave, explained a need for regionalization and that the argument of double taxation under CCD holds validity. Patricia Dean, 116 Baltic Road, asked that the Commission study costs and the exact boundaries involved with properties in CCD. Yvette Jacaruso, 192 Wightman Avenue, suggested the Board of Education is elected to serve for a term of 4 years. Diane Holtzworth, 34 Summers Street, does not believe that a double tax is fair to all Norwich residents but that extending the responsibility may not be the correct procedure to take either. Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm Ave, spoke of a number of concerns such as her disapproval of the CCD double tax and council members receiving salary increases. She also added the bonding limit needs to be lowered and to direct our attention to errors in City efficiency. John Levangie, 85 Lawler Lane, would like Charter issues to be observed, i.e. he strongly dislikes Public Parking Commission, and the terms of Board of Education should be altered. Pauline Topalis, 9 Rose Garden Lane, is strongly against the need of the Public Parking Commission. Kathleen Murphy, Boswell Ave, expressed how important the need in changing the CCD tax is. She also agrees in the City Council raises and zoning appeal process in Norwich. Peter Nystrom, 116 Broad Street, suggested the review of the costs of city fire department and to make the necessary changes to have city excel. John Blackburn, 15 Alice Street, felt the need for Charter Commission to review the CCD tax, to add more members on City Council, and does not support Public Parking Commission. William Rogers, 370 Asylum Street/Broad Street, does not agree with tax foreclosure process. Les King, invited the public to send in correspondence to the Commission and closed the Public hearing. A motion by Les King, seconded by Linda Becker, at 7:20 pm the meeting was adjourned. Bianca Muscarella Secretary