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City Council

Regular Meeting

Norwich, CT · April 4, 2011

AgendaMinutes

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 1 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: 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 4, 2011 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. 3 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. 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 4, 2011 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: 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 4, 2011 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: 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 4, 2011 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 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 4, 2011 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. 8 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 4, 2011 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 9 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. 10 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 4, 2011 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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