City Council
Regular MeetingNorwich, CT · April 4, 2011
Minutes
JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 4, 2011
A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held April 4, 2011 at 7:30 PM in Council
Chambers. Present: Aldermen Desaulniers, Braddock, Nash, Hinchey, Popovich and Mayor
Nystrom. City Manager Bergren and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll were also in attendance.
Absent: Alderwoman Caron. Mayor Nystrom presided.
Ald. Desaulniers Read the opening prayer and Ald. Braddock led the members in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Upon motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Popovich, it was unanimously voted to adopt the
minutes from March 7 & 21, 2011.
Upon motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Desaulniers, it was unanimously voted to suspend
the rules to introduce a resolution changing the date of the second Council meeting in April.
City Manager Bergren gave his budget message and report as follows:
BUDGET PRESENTATION
APRIL 4, 2011
Good evening Mayor Nystrom and Members of the City Council. Pursuant to the requirements of the
duties and responsibilities of the City Manager, I hereby formally present the City Manager’s
Proposed Budget for fiscal year 2011-2012.
The recommended budget I am submitting to you this evening takes into account the economic
challenges we face as a City. This budget also strives to recognize that we need to move our City
forward with innovation, creativity and economy. Our voters have recognized and supported the
recent bond issue to revitalize our downtown. This budget adds support to that endeavor and reflects
the goals you as our elected leaders have communicated to me over the past several months.
The City Manager’s proposed budget is a work product of many people who all contributed toward
maximizing the resources of the city for the common good. Let me begin by recognizing the invaluable
contributions of our Comptroller, Deputy Comptroller, and Human Resources Director for their
outstanding guidance, dedicated assistance and hours of hard work. It continues be an honor to work
with such highly skilled and talented professionals. I also am indebted to our Department and Agency
Heads for their significant professional contributions and their steadfast perseverance in the delivery
of quality services in this most challenging environment.
Over the last few years, we have pursued several initiatives to lower the cost of services to taxpayers.
These efforts include single stream recycling, elimination of refuse bills, consolidation of positions,
departments and divisions, implementation of new software, refinancing debt, streamlining
processes, introducing new user fees, and energy efficiency investments that have saved the City
hundreds of thousands of dollars.
I thank all of our employees, City and Board of Education who gave concessions for the 2010-2011
budget. The Board of Education custodians, secretaries, nurses, maintainers and non-union
employees did wage freezes. The para-educators, administrators and teachers gave furloughs. On the
City side, the supervisors, public works employees, non-union employees, police and dispatchers gave
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JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 4, 2011
furloughs. The public works supervisors gave up a portion of their raise and the firefighters gave up
stipends and allowances. In particular, I take this opportunity to recognize two groups who made
significant contributions over the last two years. The City Hall employee’s union who, with a 2-year
wage freeze, gave up approximately $360,000 in scheduled wages from 2009-2011. In addition the
non-union supervisors whose wages were frozen for two years and two non union supervisory
positions that were unfunded allowed for a savings of $200,000. All bargaining units made
contributions last year and in this budget I am anticipating further contributions due to attrition and
future negotiations. I am proud of our employees and I am grateful for their commitment in working
hard each day for the betterment of our City.
The principles used in guiding this budget preparation include: maintaining a competitive tax policy
relative to other Connecticut municipalities, preserving fund balance, and funding essential services.
The City Budget is the single most important policy-making tool that you, our City Council members,
utilize in setting the course of the City for the next fiscal year and establishing the blueprint for future
years during your tenure. The budget document, when adopted, reflects the annual fiscal work plan
for our community.
As staff began the process of assembling the proposed budget last fall, the uncertainty of the economic
recovery, coupled with the looming deficits at the state level complicated our job. We are grateful that
Governor Malloy, as a former Mayor, has recognized that it is unfair to balance the fiscal problems of
the State on the backs of the municipalities. While the State has lacked the fiscal discipline to reign in
spending, honor funding commitments to its municipalities and provide real mandate relief,
municipal governments have balanced their budgets and made the tough choices to ensure fiscal
responsibility every day. We have included the municipal revenue estimates from Gov. Malloy’s
proposed budget. His budget includes filling the gap left by the loss of stimulus funding that
supplanted 14% of the State’s contribution to the Educational Cost Sharing Grant grant. (Refer to ECS
funding graph on display)
There are other constraints that may manifest themselves as we go through this budget process. The
State General Assembly could adopt a State budget lower than the projected grant revenues
anticipated from the Governor’s figures. We need to keep the lines of communications open with our
legislators, and we need to support the Governor’s efforts to hold harmless municipalities. With the
continuing budget problems at the State level, the finance staff and I will closely monitor the changing
fiscal landscape as we proceed through this budget review and approval process. As circumstances
change, staff and I will be prepared, if warranted, to suggest modifications prior to the final adoption
of the mill rate.
I take this opportunity to thank you, our Council members for your individual support and guidance
as you communicated with me during the beginning of the budget development process. I have
considered your individual priorities and long-term goals and incorporated these into the proposed
budget. In addition I have also recognized the concerns of our taxpayers as they were communicated
to us all. After many tough decisions, I am submitting a budget plan, which provides aligning citywide
programs and resources with the goals identified in the budget document.
With respect to these long term goals, our budget priorities for 2010-2011are:
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1. Provide for adequate public safety services.
2. Provide an effective teaching and learning environment in our Public Schools.
3. Find efficiencies and consolidate services in order to maintain essential services while
keeping tax increases at a minimum.
4. Develop a plan for long-term economic sustainability.
5. Maintain vital links with State representatives, Council of Governments, and public.
6. Prioritize the citywide long-term capital improvement needs and identify funding sources
for them.
During the current budget year we maintained a hiring freeze except in areas of public safety. This
allowed at least 4 full time positions to remain vacant. However it still necessitates the laying off of 3
individuals, which will result in the elimination of 7 full time equivalent positions, as well as the
reduction in hours in 4 positions, and delay in restoring one support staff position. From 2001-2002
to the 2011-2012 proposed budget we have eliminated 58 City employee positions (FTE’s) from a total
of 335 in 2002 to 277 for 2012. This is a 17.3% reduction. (Refer to graph) In this same period Board
of Education employee positions (FTE’s) have been reduced by 14%. (Refer to graph)
Last year we successfully consolidated the Police Department’s traffic maintenance division into
Public Works, (traffic signs and line painting) and traffic light maintenance into Norwich Public
Utilities. We are exploring other long-term consolidation ideas that may generate incremental savings
with various departments and agencies including the Board of Education, Public Utilities and Public
Works. Looking into the future, we are looking at a new normal that necessitates our continuing
efforts to achieve greater economy and efficiency in operations. The City, the Utilities and the School
Department have been participating in efforts for shared technology improvements and cooperative
consolidation of operating systems and processes that will make us more uniform and cost effective as
we move forward. These initiatives will continue in earnest. This process is continuing and will be
ongoing throughout this next budget year. We have been diligently working with all departments to
eliminate operating in silos. With all departments and agencies the leadership and collaboration of
our department heads has been instrumental in focusing on common goals and greater operating
efficiency in many areas including technology, information sharing, and service delivery.
We have recognized the Mayor and Council’s initiative to restore some funding to targeted areas to
coincide with the downtown revitalization initiative and to assist external agencies in providing health
related programs. These initiatives include:
• Funding $50,000 for increased Police Patrols for the downtown.
• Restoration of $50,000 to the Otis Library to eliminate the 2-week August summer closing.
• Restoring $50,000 to United Community & Family Services. (This is a partial restoration of
funding from our original contribution of $150,000 2 years ago)
• Restoring $4,000 to TVCCA (This is a partial restoration from 2 years ago of $11,500)
• Added $54,000 in funding to the Ice Rink to rebuild working capital to assist them to realize
self-sustainability.
The proposed education Budget is increased by $600,000 from the current 2010-2011 level. I have
met with our School Superintendent to discuss some cost saving opportunities and to explore areas of
consolidation that may make sense in long term operating efficiencies. We will continue this dialog as
we move forward, and will implement measures as opportunities present themselves.
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JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 4, 2011
The ability to use surplus from the undesignated fund balance does exist this year without affecting
our 8% reserves. We are able to apply $700,000 to support expenditures, However that is offset by a
loss of $784,000 in revenue from the 10% gross receipts we receive from utilities due to declining
electricity and gas rates.
In addition to all the adjustments to the budget we begin to take on the voter approved debt for the
Kelly School renovations and the roads improvements bonds. The additional debt added $396,000 to
this year’s budget.
The Capital budget is funded at the minimum as required by Charter, to reflect value of 1 mill. Capital
funding will include paving projects, firefighter equipment, and replacement of some police vehicles.
In addition, funding, although modest, for the continued implementation of the economic
development strategy developed by the Mayor and Council is contained in this budget. Funding for
NCDC (Norwich Community Development Corporation, $150,000, SECTER (Southeastern CT
Economic Region), $12,641 and $50,000 for the Sachem fund, to leverage a matching $50,000 from
our partners the Mohegan Tribal Nation are included in this budget. It is anticipated that by
thoughtfully analyzing and charting strategic actions to improve our local economy we can create an
environment to stimulate economic opportunities for our residents that will pay dividends in the near
future.
Management will continue to meet with union leadership and employees throughout this budget
process in order to find additional ways to reduce the City’s costs and minimize job loss.
We will be looking to our citizens to understand, support, and recognize that, in an effort to reduce
costs; services must be reduced or limited. In order to minimize the impact any tax increase would
have on struggling taxpayers, reductions in some services had to be a part of the solution.
To balance all the changes previously discussed, I am proposing a 2.12% increase in the general fund
mill rate, or 0.51 mills from 24.04 to 24.55. Within the budget document you will find a table on page
7 of my budget message detailing the change.
The Town Consolidated Fire District (TCD) mill rate remains unchanged at 0.36 mills. The combined
General Fund & TCD mill rate will increase by 2.09% or 0.51 mills, from 24.40 to 24.91.
The City Consolidated Fire District (CCD) mill rate will increase by 2.51%, or 0.10 mills, from 3.98 to
4.08. The combined General Fund & CCD mill rate will increase by 2.18%, or 0.61 mills, from 28.02 to
28.63.
If you set aside the increases in voter approved debt service mentioned previously, the mill rate
increase would be only 1.79%
We will look to our legislature to support, at the minimum, the Governor’s projected aid to
municipalities, and not push the burden down to local taxpayers particularly when we are subjected to
numerous state mandates.
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We will look to our departments and agencies to work within the proposed framework of reduced
funding. This is again a year when controlling spending is the norm, and doing more with less is
required.
This proposed budget before you presents a continuing challenge for our City. It is a budget proposed
to deal with the new normal and the reality of the serious state, national and global economic
conditions. It also reflects the need to provide the services that our City needs to survive and move
forward as we emerge from this economic downturn.
Many difficult and painful decisions had to be made as we prepared this proposed budget. We in City
Hall know we must balance fiscal responsibility with strategic investments.
I am confident that under the stewardship of this City Council, committed to the public good and with
the collective wisdom of all parties working together towards that end, we will continue the great
Norwich tradition of innovation and adaptation.
Connecticut needs to be competitive in attracting new business and private sector jobs that can grow
the economy. As our Mayor and City Council, through your leadership, you have recognized the
importance to become more self-reliant. The voters have embraced your bond initiatives to develop a
strategy to position our great City for economic renewal by creating new opportunities for private
investment in our City. Healthy, vibrant communities will raise the fortune of all in the State of
Connecticut.
We have much to celebrate in our heritage and cultural diversity that makes Norwich the story of the
promise of America. We will, with the support of our Mayor and City Council, our Governor and most
importantly our state legislators, working together, emerge stronger and more competitive for the
future.
As you, our City Leaders go through the proposed budget in our upcoming workshops; our staff and I
stand ready to support you in this challenging task.
Therefore, I hereby formally transmit to you the City Manager’s proposed budget for the 2011-2012
fiscal year.
(Final version delivered to the City Council sitting in regular session, in Council Chambers, April 4th
2011, at 7:30 PM)
DATE: April 4, 2011
TO: Mayor Peter A. Nystrom & Council Members
FROM: Alan H. Bergren, City Manager
SUBJECT: City Manager’s Report
1. Budget Hearings Scheduled for This Week:
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Thursday, April 7, 2011 - Departmental Hearings - Rm. 335 City Hall
7:30 PM Planning & Neighborhood Services
7:50 PM Human Services
8:10 PM Corporation Counsel
8:30 PM Registrar
8:50 PM Mayor-Economic Development
9:10 PM Finance/Treasurer
2. Mayor’s Public Meetings
The Mayor’s next meeting with the public will be held this Saturday, April 9th from 9 A.M. to 12 P.M.
at the Taftville Volunteer Fire Station. For a listing of all scheduled meetings, please call the Mayor’s
office at 823-3742. A number of City Council members join the Mayor at these public outreach
meetings.
Mayor Nystrom called for citizen comment on resolutions.
David Crabb, 47 Prospect St., opposes resolution 7 & 5. resolution 7 sets the stage for investing by
beginners. This is not a level playing field and we have enough Economic Development already.
John Andriote, Sandy Lane, repeated some points from before. We need to focus primarily first on
retail development of downtown. The draft plan is focused on the upper floors and we need to focus
on the ground levels first.
Keith Ripley, Meadow Lane, spoke in favor of resolution 7. He encouraged the Council to include
what they learned from the hearings on the draft that helped them make their decision.
Rodney Bowie, 62 Roosevelt Ave., believes Norwich should get rid of the Soup Kitchen from
downtown as some of these people can be intimidating. It brings only people that are down and out.
We have become the Social Service Center of Eastern CT.
Marvin Serruto, 100 Starr St., came to the defense of St. Vincent De Paul Place and stated that we
need a way to bring manufacturing to Norwich.
There being no further speakers, Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment period closed.
Upon motion of Ald. Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to adopt the
following resolution introduced by City Manager Bergren:
RESOLVED, that the first public hearing on the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 will be held
on Monday, April 11, 2011, 7:30 PM in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the second public hearing on the proposed budget for Fiscal Year
2011-2012 will be held on Monday, May 9, 2011 at 7:30 PM in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Upon motion of Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Hinchey, it was unanimously voted to adopt the
following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom:
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BE IT RESOLVED that the following be reappointed to the Rehabilitation Review Committee for a
term to expire on December 31, 2012 or until a successor is appointed.
Gary Evans, Community Development Supervisor
James Troeger, Building Official
James Roberts, Fire Marshall
Rodney Bowie
Kevin Lin
Joe East
Upon motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Nash, it was unanimously voted to adopt the
following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the following persons be appointed to the Mohegan Park Committee for a
term to expire on April 4, 2013 or until a successor is appointed.
Brian Eckenrode
Upon motion of Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to adopt the
following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom and City Manager Bergren:
WHEREAS, the City Manager, Alan H. Bergren, will appoint a regular member to the
Harbor Management Commission to fill the remaining portion of a term to expire on 12/6/11, or until
a successor is appointed, and;
WHEREAS, City Manager, Alan H. Bergren, proposes to appoint, subject to the approval of
the Council, Joanne Philbrick (U), to fill out the remainder of said term.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Norwich hereby
approves the appointment of Joanne Philbrick to the Harbor Management Commission to fill out the
remainder of said term.
Upon motion of Ald. Hinchey, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to adopt the
following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom:
WHEREAS, the City of Norwich, as Landlord, on or about December 1, 1994 entered into a lease with the
Chelsea Gardens Foundation, Inc., as Tenant, whereby the City leased to the Foundation
approximately 50 acres of land within Mohegan Park for the creation of a Formal Garden; and
WHEREAS, said lease provides at paragraph 4.01:
“Rent. It is agreed by and between the Landlord and the Tenant that the Tenant in its
development of the Formal Gardens in a portion of Mohegan Park will benefit the
Landlord, and therefore in consideration of same, the Tenant shall not be obliged to pay
any rent to the Landlord under the terms of this Lease.”; and
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WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich by resolution adopted January 3, 2011 authorized
City Manager Alan H. Bergren to sign on behalf of the City of Norwich a Special Permit Application,
an Inland Wetland Buffer Permit Application and a Site Development Plan Application in connection
with the development of the Chelsea Garden’s project and return the applications to the Chelsea
Garden Foundation, Inc. for submission; and
WHEREAS, an applicant for such permits would ordinarily be required to pay application fees to the
City of Norwich; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich finds that waiving such fees, estimated to total
$1,100, in connection with the development by the Chelsea Garden Foundation, Inc. in Mohegan Park
will benefit the City of Norwich as the Chelsea Gardens will enhance Mohegan Park, promote
economic development in the City of Norwich through the encouragement and increase of tourism,
and provide the opportunity to enjoy the Gardens to residents of the City of Norwich;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Norwich that the fees
otherwise due from the Chelsea Garden Foundation, Inc. to the City of Norwich upon filing its Inland
Wetlands Permit Application, its Site Development Plan Application and its Special Permit
Application be and hereby are waived.
Upon motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Hinchey, it was unanimously voted to refer to the
Commission on the City Plan, the following resolution introduced by City Manager Bergren:
WHEREAS, a subdivision known as the Laurel Park subdivision has been developed pursuant to
plans prepared in 1949, revised in 1958, and resubdivided in 1993; and
WHEREAS, the streets known as Ridgewood Drive and Woodland Drive were constructed and are
located within the subdivision and have been continuously used by the public as public streets since
their construction; and
WHEREAS, said streets created in said subdivision were to have been conveyed to the City of
Norwich but the conveyance of all portions of the same has not yet taken place; and
WHEREAS, the Laurel Realty Company, has delivered to the city a quitclaim deed conveying title to
the land underlying Ridgewood Drive and the southerly portion of Woodland Drive, the legal
descriptions of which are attached hereto as Exhibits A and B; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works has examined said streets and found them to have
been adequately constructed in accordance with the requirements of the city,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Norwich that City Manager
Alan H. Bergren be and hereby is authorized and directed, subject to the approval of Corporation
Counsel, to receive and record said quitclaim deed from the Laurel Realty Company conveying to the
City of Norwich the fee title to Ridgewood Drive and that portion of Woodland Drive described herein
and to cause such documents to be recorded on the land records of the City of Norwich and to
execute, deliver, receive and/or record such other documents on behalf of the City of Norwich as may
be necessary to effectuate said transfers.
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Upon motion of Ald. Hinchey, seconded by Ald. Nash, it was unanimously voted to adopt the
following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom:
WHEREAS, the City of Norwich, through the Council of the City of Norwich and the Norwich
Community Development Corporation, acting as the development agency of the City of Norwich, have
prepared a Plan for downtown development pursuant to Chapters 130, 132, and 588l of the
Connecticut General Statutes; and
WHEREAS, the Norwich Community Development Corporation and the Council of the City of
Norwich have held public hearings pertaining to such Plan, culminating in a public hearing held
before the Council of the City of Norwich on Monday, March 28, 2011; and
WHEREAS, a bonding ordinance appropriating $3,380,000 for the City of Norwich Downtown
Revitalization Initiative to spur economic development in the downtown was approved by the electors
of the City of Norwich on November 2, 2010 providing funding for such Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich by resolution adopted August 2, 2010 appointed the
Norwich Community Development Corporation the development agency to plan and implement the
Downtown Revitalization Initiative; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich recognizes that experience in the actual
implementation of a Plan may require adjustments or modifications to address specific problems or
issues which arise as to the implementation to the plan and the disbursements of funds;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH
that the DOWNTOWN NORWICH REVITALIZATION PROGRAM: PROJECT PLAN, (“the Plan”),
draft of February 10, 2011, as presented before the Council of the City of Norwich at a public hearing
held March 28, 2011, be and hereby is approved as the Plan for development under the Downtown
Revitalization Initiative for downtown Norwich; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the
Norwich Community Development Corporation, as development agency of the City of Norwich, be
and hereby is authorized to prepare and periodically modify procedures and guidelines for the
implementation of the Plan and the disbursement of funds there under as it finds in its experience
necessary to best implement the Plan under the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and spur
economic development in downtown Norwich.
Upon motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Nash, it was unanimously voted to adopt the
following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom under suspension of the rules earlier:
WHEREAS, the next regular meeting of the Norwich City Council is scheduled to be held on
Monday, April 18, 2011, at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers; and
WHEREAS, Monday, April 18, 2011 is the first night of Passover, the observance of which will
conflict with the scheduled council meeting, potentially affecting a number of Norwich residents; and
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JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 4, 2011
WHEREAS, the Council has scheduled its meetings to be held on the first Monday of each month
and “unless voted otherwise,” on the third Monday of each month; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich by resolution adopted December 7, 2009 has
provided that should the third Monday of any month fall on a legal holiday, the meeting date will be
changed to the Tuesday immediately following the third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m., said
meeting to be a regular meeting of the Council; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich intends to follow this procedure for April 2011 in
recognition of the first night of Passover.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Norwich that the time and
date of the meeting of the City Council scheduled to be held on the third Monday of April 2011 be
changed from Monday April 18, 2011 to Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in Council chambers, the
Tuesday April 19, 2011 meeting to be a regular meeting of the Council.
Upon motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Hinchey, it was unanimously voted to go into
Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy or negotiations with respect to collective
bargaining. City Manager Alan H. Bergren, Acting Director of Human Resources Brigid Marks,
Comptroller Joseph Ruffo, and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll, shall be asked to participate
during all or portions of this Executive Session at the request of the City Council.
The Council shall thereafter continue in Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a lease
of property owned by the City of Norwich, the lease or leases of property utilized or to be utilized by
the City of Norwich, a purchase of property by the City of Norwich and a possible sale of assets owned
by the City of Norwich when publicity regarding the same would cause a likelihood of an increased
price to the City of Norwich or result in a lower sale price to the City of Norwich. This discussion is
likely to involve the review of commercial and financial information to be provided to the Council in
confidence and not required to be publically disclosed pursuant to the provisions of Connecticut
General Statute § 1-210(b)(5)(B) with respect to said properties. City Manager Alan H. Bergren,
Comptroller Joseph Ruffo, Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll, Planning Director Peter Davis,
NCDC Executive Director Robert Mills and Mr. Andre Messier shall be asked to participate during all
or portions of this Executive Session at the request of the City Council.
The City Council shall continue in Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the
performance and evaluation of City Manager Alan H. Bergren, provided that City Manager Alan H.
Bergren does not require that discussion be held in an open meeting. City Manager Alan H. Bergren
shall be asked to participate during all or portions of this Executive Session at the request of the City
Council.
The Council was in Executive Session from 8:25 PM until 10:25 PM at which time Mayor Nystrom
stated that no votes were taken.
Upon motion of Ald. Popovich, seconded by Ald. Hinchey, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at
10:26 PM.
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CITY CLERK
11
Agenda
AGENDA – MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH
APRIL 4, 2011
7:30 PM
PRAYER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ADOPTION OF MINUTES: Meetings of March 7 & 21, 2011
REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE
1. City Managers Proposed budget, Fiscal Year 2011-2012 (To be distributed)
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT AND BUDGET MESSAGE: Alan H. Bergren
CITIZEN COMMENT ON RESOLUTIONS
NEW BUSINESS – RESOLUTIONS
1. Relative to setting two public hearings on the proposed budget for the
Fiscal Year 2011-2012.
2. Relative to re-appointments to the Rehab Review Committee.
3. Relative to appointing Brian Eckenrode to the Mohegan Park Committee.
4. Relative to appointing Joanne Philbrick to the Harbor Management
Commission.
5. Relative to the fees due from the Chelsea Garden Foundation Inc to the
City of Norwich be and hereby are waived.
6. Relative to City Manager Bergren being authorized and directed to receive
and record a quit claim deed from Laurel Realty Company conveying to
the City of Norwich the fee title to Ridgewood Drive and a portion of
Woodland Drive.
7. Relative to the adoption of the Downtown Revitalization Program.
NEW BUSINESS – ORDINANCES
1. AN ORDINANCE RELATIVE TO THE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE
CITY OF NORWICH AND THE CITY CONSOLIDATED DISTRICT OF
SAID CITY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2011-12
2. AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING THE TAX LEVY ON THE LIST OF
OCTOBER 1, 2010
EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. Strategy with respect to negotiations on collective bargaining – Planned
Executive Session.
2. Land acquisition/lease modification – Planned Executive Session.
3. Personnel items – Planned Executive Session.
CITY CLERK
RESOLUTION #1
RESOLVED, that the first public hearing on the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2011-
2012 will be held on Monday, April 11, 2011, 7:30 PM in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the second public hearing on the proposed budget
for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 will be held on Monday, May 9, 2011 at 7:30 PM in the Council
Chambers of City Hall.
City Manager Alan H. Bergren
RESOLUTION #2
BE IT RESOLVED that the following be reappointed to the Rehabilitation Review
Committee for a term to expire on December 31, 2012or until a successor is appointed.
Gary Evans, Community Development Supervisor
James Troeger, Building Official
James Roberts, Fire Marshall
Rodney Bowie
Kevin Lin
Joe East
_______________________
Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom
RESOLUTION #3
BE IT RESOLVED, that the following persons be appointed to the Mohegan Park
Committee for a term to expire on April 4, 2013 or until a successor is appointed.
Brian Eckenrode
____________________
Mayor Peter A. Nystrom
RESOLUTION #4
WHEREAS, the City Manager, Alan H. Bergren, will appoint a regular member
to the Harbor Management Commission to fill the remaining portion of a term to expire
on 12/6/11, or until a successor is appointed, and;
WHEREAS, City Manager, Alan H. Bergren, proposes to appoint, subject to the
approval of the Council, Joanne Philbrick (U), to fill out the remainder of said term.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of
Norwich hereby approves the appointment of Joanne Philbrick to the Harbor
Management Commission to fill out the remainder of said term.
Mayor Peter A. Nystrom
City Manager Alan H. Bergren
RESOLUTION #5
WHEREAS, the City of Norwich, as Landlord, on or about December 1, 1994 entered into a
lease with the Chelsea Gardens Foundation, Inc., as Tenant, whereby the City leased to the
Foundation approximately 50 acres of land within Mohegan Park for the creation of a
Formal Garden; and
WHEREAS, said lease provides at paragraph 4.01:
“Rent. It is agreed by and between the Landlord and the Tenant that the
Tenant in its development of the Formal Gardens in a portion of Mohegan
Park will benefit the Landlord, and therefore in consideration of same, the
Tenant shall not be obliged to pay any rent to the Landlord under the terms
of this Lease.”; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich by resolution adopted January 3, 2011
authorized City Manager Alan H. Bergren to sign on behalf of the City of Norwich a Special
Permit Application, an Inland Wetland Buffer Permit Application and a Site Development
Plan Application in connection with the development of the Chelsea Garden’s project and
return the applications to the Chelsea Garden Foundation, Inc. for submission; and
WHEREAS, an applicant for such permits would ordinarily be required to pay application
fees to the City of Norwich; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich finds that waiving such fees, estimated to
total $1,100, in connection with the development by the Chelsea Garden Foundation, Inc. in
Mohegan Park will benefit the City of Norwich as the Chelsea Gardens will enhance
Mohegan Park, promote economic development in the City of Norwich through the
encouragement and increase of tourism, and provide the opportunity to enjoy the Gardens
to residents of the City of Norwich;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Norwich that the fees
otherwise due from the Chelsea Garden Foundation, Inc. to the City of Norwich upon filing
its Inland Wetlands Permit Application, its Site Development Plan Application and its
Special Permit Application be and hereby are waived.
Mayor Peter A. Nystrom
RESOLUTION #6
WHEREAS, a subdivision known as the Laurel Park subdivision has been developed
pursuant to plans prepared in 1949, revised in 1958, and resubdivided in 1993; and
WHEREAS, the streets known as Ridgewood Drive and Woodland Drive were constructed
and are located within the subdivision and have been continuously used by the public as
public streets since their construction; and
WHEREAS, said streets created in said subdivision were to have been conveyed to the City
of Norwich but the conveyance of all portions of the same has not yet taken place; and
WHEREAS, the Laurel Realty Company, has delivered to the city a quitclaim deed
conveying title to the land underlying Ridgewood Drive and the southerly portion of
Woodland Drive, the legal descriptions of which are attached hereto as Exhibits A and B;
and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works has examined said streets and found them to
have been adequately constructed in accordance with the requirements of the city,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Norwich that City
Manager Alan H. Bergren be and hereby is authorized and directed, subject to the approval
of Corporation Counsel, to receive and record said quitclaim deed from the Laurel Realty
Company conveying to the City of Norwich the fee title to Ridgewood Drive and that
portion of Woodland Drive described herein and to cause such documents to be recorded
on the land records of the City of Norwich and to execute, deliver, receive and/or record
such other documents on behalf of the City of Norwich as may be necessary to effectuate
said transfers.
City Manager Alan H. Bergren
RESOLUTION #7
WHEREAS, the City of Norwich, through the Council of the City of Norwich
and the Norwich Community Development Corporation, acting as the
development agency of the City of Norwich, have prepared a Plan for
downtown development pursuant to Chapters 130, 132, and 588l of the
Connecticut General Statutes; and
WHEREAS, the Norwich Community Development Corporation and the
Council of the City of Norwich have held public hearings pertaining to such
Plan, culminating in a public hearing held before the Council of the City of
Norwich on Monday, March 28, 2011; and
WHEREAS, a bonding ordinance appropriating $3,380,000 for the City of
Norwich Downtown Revitalization Initiative to spur economic development
in the downtown was approved by the electors of the City of Norwich on
November 2, 2010 providing funding for such Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich by resolution adopted August
2, 2010 appointed the Norwich Community Development Corporation the
development agency to plan and implement the Downtown Revitalization
Initiative; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich recognizes that experience in
the actual implementation of a Plan may require adjustments or
modifications to address specific problems or issues which arise as to the
implementation to the plan and the disbursements of funds;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NORWICH that the DOWNTOWN NORWICH REVITALIZATION PROGRAM:
PROJECT PLAN, (“the Plan”), draft of February 10, 2011, as presented before
the Council of the City of Norwich at a public hearing held March 28, 2011, be
and hereby is approved as the Plan for development under the Downtown
Revitalization Initiative for downtown Norwich; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH
that the Norwich Community Development Corporation, as development
agency of the City of Norwich, be and hereby is authorized to prepare and
periodically modify procedures and guidelines for the implementation of the
Plan and the disbursement of funds thereunder as it finds in its experience
necessary to best implement the Plan under the Downtown Revitalization
Initiative and spur economic development in downtown Norwich.
Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom
ORDINANCE #1
AN ORDINANCE RELATIVE TO THE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE CITY OF NORWICH AND
THE CITY CONSOLIDATED DISTRICT OF SAID CITY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2011-12.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, the following appropriations
hereby are made to meet the expense of the City of Norwich and City Consolidated District of the City of
Norwich for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011 and ending June 30, 2012 to wit:
COMPARATIVE BUDGET SUMMARY AS REQUIRED BY CITY
CHARTER
GENERAL FUND AND SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS
2011-12
MANAGER'S
2009-10 REVISED 2010-11 REVISED PROPOSED
BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET
City Manager 316,275 258,446
Finance 1,249,469 1,234,042
City Treasurer 195,497 203,777
Assessment 356,981 358,342
Human Resources 357,549 386,779
Law 420,000 420,000
City Clerk 375,451 380,322
City Council 136,887 111,276
Police 10,030,593 10,432,927
Fire - Central 1,600,206 1,704,377
Fire - East Great Plain 123,721 111,349
Fire - Laurel Hill 55,786 50,207
Fire - Occum 75,702 68,132
Fire - Taftville 125,537 112,983
Fire - Yantic 126,744 114,070
Recreation 700,581 557,215
Human Services 1,242,133 1,228,338
Public Works 9,169,596 9,147,985
Election 113,529 116,740
Planning & Development 1,047,670 1,020,464
Economic Development 272,641 243,000
Debt Service - Principal 3,530,000 3,475,000
Debt Service - Interest 1,007,782 1,100,240
Miscellaneous 7,106,122 6,805,347
Emergency Management 57,678 52,499
Education 62,580,561 62,952,966
Fire - Special Service 5,641,586 5,817,401
Volunteer Fire Relief Fund 503,833 519,498
TOTALS 108,520,110 108,983,722
General Operations 32,928,468 32,760,551
Debt Service 4,537,782 4,575,240
Capital Improvements 2,327,880 2,358,066
Education 62,580,561 62,952,966
Fire - Special Service 5,641,586 5,817,401
Volunteer Fire Relief Fund 503,833 519,498
TOTALS 108,520,110 108,983,722
City Manager Alan H. Bergren
ORDINANCE #2
AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING THE TAX LEVY ON THE
LIST OF OCTOBER 1, 2010
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH:
Section 1. On the City Assessment list of 2010 a tax of ________________________________
(____) mills on the dollar is hereby granted to be levied upon the ratable estate within the City of
Norwich of the inhabitants of said City and all others liable to pay taxes therein.
Section 2. On the City Assessment list of 2010, a tax of ___________________(____) mills on
the dollar, is hereby granted to be levied for fire services upon the ratable estate within the Town
Consolidated District of the inhabitants of said District and of all others in said district liable to
pay taxes therein.
Section 3. On the City Assessment list of 2010, a tax of ___________________(____) mills on
the dollar, is hereby granted to be levied for fire services upon the ratable estate within the City
Consolidated District of the inhabitants of said District and of all others in said district liable to
pay taxes therein.
Section 4. Real Estate and Personal Property, shall become due on July 1, 2011, and payable on
said date in whole or in equal installments from that date, namely on July 1, 2011 and January 1,
2012 except that any tax of less than one hundred dollars shall be due and payable on July 1,
2011. If the first installment is not paid on or before August 1, 2011 or if the second installment
is not paid on or before February 1, 2012, interest will be charged on any such delinquent
payment at the rate of one and one-half (1½%) per cent per month from the due date or $2.00
whichever is greater, as provided for in the general statutes. Any person may pay the total
amount of such tax for which he is liable at the time when the first installment shall be payable.
Section 5. Motor Vehicle taxes shall become due and payable in whole on July 1, 2011. If the
payment is not paid on or before August 1, 2011 interest will be charged on the delinquent
payment at the rate of one and one-half (1½%) per cent per month from due date or $2.00
whichever is greater, as provided for in the general statutes.
City Manager Alan H. Bergren
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