City Council

AGENDA – MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH MARCH 15, 2010 7:30 PM PRAYER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS – Bird Count Acknowledgments to be given by Beryl Fishbone. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT CITIZEN COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS NEW BUSINESS – RESOLUTIONS 1. Relative to the appointment of the accounting firm of Blum Shapiro PC to perform the regular general audit for the City of Norwich. 2. Relative to appointments to the Mohegan Park Committee. 3. Relative to the appointment of James Quarto to the Board of Review, Dangerous Building. 4. Relative to the appointment of Olive Buddington to the Thames Valley Council for Community Action. 5. Relative to re-appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals. 6. Relative to the City Manager being authorized to solicit bids to demolish structure known as 21 West Thames St. 7. Relative to City Manager Bergren being authorized to apply to the EPA for grant funding regarding Norwich Harbor water and waterfront trails. NEW BUSINESS – ORDINANCE 1. AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $9,000,000 FOR THE REHABILITATION OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT DIGESTER NO. 1 IN CONNECTION WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT CLEAN WATER FUND PROGRAM, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $9,000,000 REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY SECURED SOLELY BY SEWER REVENUE TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY AND SEWER AUTHORITY OFFICIALS TO ENTER INTO GRANT AND LOAN AGREEMENTS AND A JOINT RESOLUTION WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WITH RESPECT THERETO. 2. AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $4,400,000 FOR DESIGN OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT CLEANWATER FUND PROGRAM, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $4,400,000 REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY SECURED SOLELY BY SEWER REVENUE TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY AND SEWER AUTHORITY OFFICIALS TO ENTER INTO GRANT AND LOAN AGREEMENTS AND A JOINT RESOLUTION WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WITH RESPECT THERETO. 3. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER SEVEN OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ADDING SECTION 28 TO ARTICLE 1 TO PROVIDE A TAX EXEMPTION FOR REAL PROPERTY BELONGING TO, OR HELD IN TRUST FOR, A REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS. CITY CLERK  Page 1 of2 Jill Brennan PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS II 1 From: Beryl Fishbone [berylfishbone@yahoo.com] Sent: Monday, March 01, 2010 1:34 PM To: Jill Brennan Subject: RE: Room for a presentation at tonights meeting? Absolutely. Hope he feels better soon. I'm often wrong, but NEVER IN DOUBT, Beryl Fishbone Volunteer Program Coordinator Leffingwell House Museum Society of the Founders of Norwich, CT PO Box 13, Norwich, CT 06360 www.leffingwellhousemuseum.org The Leffingwell House Museum is open Noon - 4 PM on Saturdays, May through October and by appointment at 348 Washington Street, Norwich, CT Norwich - Where our history is the future! --- On Mon, 3/1/10, Jill Brennan <cmofficeiicityofnorwich.org> wrote: From: Jill Brennan <cmoffice@cityofnorwich.org> Subject: RE: Room for a presentation at tonights meeting? To: "'Beryl Fishbone'" <berylfishbone@yahoo.com> Date: Monday, March 1,2010,1:38 PM Beryl- Could we put it on for the next council meeting? The Mayor is ill and will not be at tonight's meeting and we are trying to keep it as short as possible. Jill Brennan Executive Secretary City Manager's Office City of Norwich, CT (860) 823-3751 From: Beryl Fishbone [mailto:berylfishbone@yahoo.com] 3/1/2010  tfiAJ-if. 4 af;JN\S ~ pa ge2of2 .. I J~vr",,",,'UYlt Sent: Monday, March 01, 2010 1:17 PM To: Jill Brennan rnJJ[\JSf-/V"!.. ~ 13- <" (11 t., OW -e a . Subject: Room for a presentation at tonights meeting? 0 HiJiJI, n J (2/- V VI YO l . 1L1\ I saw the agenda was for tonights meeting and was wondering if there was time to present a thank you placque to "the residents of the City of Norwich" for participating in the Great Back Yard Bird Count. There is no rush other than I would like to do it before I lose it in the great wasteland of my back seat or trunk. Thanks! I'm often wrong, but NEVER IN DOUBT, Beryl Fishbone Volunteer Program Coordinator Leffingwell House Museum Society of the Founders of Norwich, CT PO Box 13 , Norwich, CT 06360 www.leffingwellhousemuseum.org The Leffingwell House Museum is open Noon - 4 PM on Saturdays, May through October and by appointment at 348 Washington Street, Norwich, CT Norwich - Where our history is the future! 3/1/2010  RESOLUTION #1 RESOLVED, that the accounting firm of Blum Shapiro PC be and hereby is, appointed to perform the regular general audit for the City of Norwich (including the Board of Education, Department of Public Utilities, and Community Development) for the fiscal year 2009-2010. City Manager Alan H. Bergren  RESOLUTION #2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the following persons be appointed to the Mohegan Park Committee for a term to expire on December 31, 2010 or until a successor is appointed. 1) Kerry Bilda 2) Brandon Hyde 3) Kevin Crowley 4) Jennifer Christopher 5) Mikel Middleton Mayor Peter A. Nystrom  RESOLUTION #3 BE IT RESOLVED that James Quarto be appointed to the Board of Review, Dangerous Building for a term to expire on June 1, 2011 or until a successor is appointed. Mayor Peter A. Nystrom  RESOLUTION #4 BE IT RESOLVED that Olive Buddington be appointed to the Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA) for a term to expire on December 3, 2011 or until a successor is appointed. Mayor Peter A. Nystrom  RESOLUTION #5 WHEREAS, the City Manager Alan H. Bergren has re-appointed as regular members to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term to expire on 2/28/12 or until a successor is appointed; Henry R. Olender Jr. (U) Paul Kramarewicz (R) Dorothy Travers (D) WHEREAS, the City Manager Alan H. Bergren has re-appointed an alternate members to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term to expire on 2/28/12 or until a successor is appointed; Raymond Dussault (R) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Norwich hereby acknowledges the re-appointment of the above named to the Zoning Board of Appeals. City Manager Alan H. Bergren  RESOLUTION #6 Relative to the demolition of a City owned house located at 21 West Thames Street. WHEREAS, the City acquired by foreclosure in 2008 property known as 21 West Thames Street; and WHEREAS, said property included a two story, wood framed structure in severe disrepair and uninhabitable condition; and WHEREAS, said property was reviewed by a special committee, the 21 West Thames Street Committee, appointed by the City Council; and WHEREAS, said committee indicated that very little interest was shown from the private sector in rehabbing the property without financial concessions from the City; and WHEREAS, the location, configuration and proximity to Route 32, West Thames Street, proves to be a safety hazard in attempting to remediate the property; and WHEREAS, the City Police Chief has written a report indicating that a safety hazard exists for any future inhabitants of said property due to the high volume of traffic in the area and the inability to safely access said property. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council that the City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to solicit bids to demolish said structure known as 21 West Thames Street and to access the demolition fund to carry out the removal of said structure expeditiously and with the least disruption to traffic. Alderman H. Tucker Braddock Jr. Alderman William Nash  RESOLUTION #7 WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich has encouraged the Norwich Harbor Management Commission, acting in concert with the Council, Mayor and other City agencies, to pursue implementation of the City’s goals for beneficial development and conservation of the Norwich Harbor and waterfront, including goals for enhancing public use and enjoyment of the Harbor and waterfront; and WHEREAS, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency administers a grant program called the Long Island Sound Futures Fund that makes grants to municipalities to increase public access and increase public awareness of the environment, history and other significant features of the State’s waterfront; and WHEREAS, the Council supports preparation and establishment of waterfront signage and other informative and educational materials for the public, including signage and materials regarding Norwich Harbor. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE NORWICH CITY COUNCIL. That the City Manager, Alan H. Bergren, is authorized to apply to the U.S. EPA for grant funding to support the establishment of waterfront signage and other informative and educational materials for the public, including signage and materials regarding Norwich Harbor water and waterfront trails. Alderman Pete DeSaulniers Alderman H. Tucker Braddock Jr.  ORDINANCE #1 1 2 3 4  CITY MANAGER ALAN H. BERGREN 5  ORDINANCE #2 1 2 3 4  CITY MANAGER ALAN H. BERGREN 5  ORDINANCE #3 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER SEVEN OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ADDING A SECTION 28 TO ARTICLE I, TO PROVIDE A TAX EXEMPTION FOR REAL PROPERTY BELONGING TO, OR HELD IN TRUST FOR, A REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH: that Chapter Seven of the Norwich Code of Ordinances is amended by adding to it the following provisions: CHAPTER 7 ARTICLE I Sec. 28 Pursuant to the authority set forth in Section 12-81(77) of the General Statutes of Connecticut, as amended, effective October 1, 2009, real property as described therein shall be exempt from property taxes provided all of the following requirements are met: (a) The real property is owned by or held in trust for, a regional council of governments established under 4-124i to 4-124p of the Connecticut general statutes; (b) The real property is used to advance the official duties of such council; and (c) The City of Norwich is and remains a member of such council. PURPOSE: To approve the exemption for such property as required by Connecticut general statute section 12-81(77). CITY MANAGER ALAN H. BERGREN