City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held February 6, 2012 at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Aldermen Desaulniers, Noblick, Braddock, Hinchey, Bettencourt, Jaskiewicz and Mayor Nystrom. City Manager Bergren and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll were also in attendance. Mayor Nystrom presided. Ald. Hinchey read the opening prayer and Ald. Desaulniers led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Upon motion of Ald. Jaskiewicz, seconded by Ald. Hinchey, it was unanimously voted to adopt the minutes of January 3 and 17th, 2012. Presentation from auditor Gerry Paradis for Blum Shapiro on 6-30-2100 audit. Upon a motion of Ald. Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Bettencourt it was unanimously voted to suspend the rules to present the following Proclamation read by Mayor Nystrom. PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, each year during the month of February, we celebrate Black History Month to broaden our knowledge and deepen our appreciation of the countless contributions African-Americans have made to our nation; and WHEREAS, while the celebration of our multi-ethnic heritage should be a year-round commitment, the designation of the month of February as Black History Month affords us the opportunity to highlight past and present African-American culture; and WHEREAS, since its inception in 1976, Black History Month has grown to become a celebration of culture and diversity that fosters appreciation of the struggles and achievements of our African-American population through the decades; and WHEREAS, the theme of Black History Month 2012 is “Black Women in American Culture and History” African-American women have faced overwhelming odds in making their names and stories known, in spite of all barriers, the deeds of numerous leaders from Harriet Tubman to Rosa Parks grace the pages of our history books; and WHEREAS, this month we remember those leaders, as well as the singers and poets and artists who left their mark on our culture, and the countless African-American women from all walks of life who helped make our country great. NOW THEREFORE, I, MAYOR PETER ALBERT NYSTROM AND NORWICH CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM, PETER DESAULNIERS, ON BEHALF OF THE NORWICH CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, do hereby proclaim the month of February, 2012 as BLACK HISTORY MONTH in the City of Norwich and call upon the citizens of the Rose City and the surrounding area to observe the occasion with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities. Dated this First Day of February, 2012 Peter Albert Nystrom Pete Desaulniers Mayor President Pro Tem 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 City Manager Bergren gave his report as follows: 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 8 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 9 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 10 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 11 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 12 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 13 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 14 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 15 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 16 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 17 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 18 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 19 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 20 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 21 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 22 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 23 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 24 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 25 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 26 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 27 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 28 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 29 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 30 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 31 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 32 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 33 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 Mayor Nystrom called for citizen comment on resolutions Norwich Registrar of Voters Joanne Merolla-Martin and Dianne Slopak gave a presentation about approving voting districts. The 47th house district in the northern section of the city and will be voting at Moriarty School. The 139th house district in the central section of the city will voting at Kelly and Huntington Schools. The 46th house district in the southern section of the city will voting at Stanton and Thames River Academy at Bishop School. Dale Plummer, 25 Broadway, City Historian, endorsed and supports Resolution # 12, complimenting the Reid & Hughes Committee. He also believes that the RFP going to the developer will give tax credits for being a historical building. John Way, 25 Hunters Rd., opposed Resolution # 12, stating the Reid & Hughes building has seen better days. The city should put its money into redesigning the City as a whole. David Crabb, 47 Prospect St., opposed Resolution # 3 believes that the software is too expensive. He also voiced his opinion on Resolution # 11. Opposed Resolution # 12 stating that no one would be able to afford to live there. Katherine Murphy, 27 Bushnell Ave., supports Resolution # 12 and doesn’t want to see the wrecking ball destroy the building, quality RFP’s would help with upgrades. Rodney Bowie, 62 Roosevelt Ave, spoke about Resolution # 12 Stating it would be a shame to tear the building down, the city would be a bad landlord. Private ownership would be better. Michael Fox, 155 Spruce St, agreed with Resolution # 12 stating it would regenerate commerce downtown. Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm Ave., questioned Resolution # 3 on $11,000 for bleacher software. Agreed with Resolution # 12 and would like to see saving the Reid & Hughes , but spending no tax dollars, she supports 100% private developer. Keith Ripley, Meadow Lane, spoke in favor of Resolution # 12 and would like to see it go to the next step. In regards to Resolution # 6 he wished the Registrar of Voters would reconsider the effects of where the polling places are located. He also supports Resolution # 11 if it will bring more fishing into Norwich. 34 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 Andy Depta, 105 Vergason, believed Resolution # 12 would work if no tax dollars are spent. The RFP needs legal approval before it is issued. Denise Williams, 55 Spruce St., spoke in favor of Resolution # 11 stating that mixed use of commerce and living space would be good for future generations. The City should keep this a historical building. There being no further speakers, Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment on resolutions closed. Upon a motion of Ald. Hinchey, seconded by Ald. Jaskiewicz, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager, Alan H. Bergren. 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 fiscal year 2011-2012. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Hinchey, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager, Alan H. Bergren. WHEREAS, there is on file in the Tax Collector’s Office the names and addresses of the persons against whom motor vehicle taxes and personal property taxes on the Grand List of 2007 inclusive, were levied and the reasons why the Tax Collector believes such taxes are uncollectible; and, WHEREAS, in accordance with the Tax Collector’s recommendation the aggregate sum of $321,575.92 is the total outstanding motor vehicle tax on the Grand List of 2007 inclusive, to be transferred to the suspense tax book and $166,293.40 is the total outstanding personal property tax on the Grand List of 2007 to be transferred to the suspense tax book; and, WHEREAS, nothing herein contained shall be construed as an abatement of any tax transferred to the suspense tax account, but any such taxes, as it shall have been increased by interest, penalty fees and charges may be collected; and WHEREAS, the City has contracted with Rossi Law Offices to pursue collection of the aforesaid accounts; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that: the following aggregate sums representing personal property taxes of $166,293.40 and motor vehicle taxes of $321,575.92 on the Grand List of October 1, 2007 inclusive, be and the same hereby is transferred to the suspense account. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Jaskiewicz, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager, Alan H. Bergren. 35 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich approved a 2011-12 Capital Budget for the Recreation Department in the amount of $16,000 for the purpose of replacing 16 bleachers; and WHEREAS, the Recreation Department deems the replacement of the recreation program software to be more of an immediate need than the bleacher replacement; and WHEREAS, the replacement of the recreation program software is expected to cost $11,000; and WHEREAS, the Recreation Department would like to apply $11,000 of its $16,000 Capital Budget which had been allocated for bleacher replacement towards the replacement of the recreation program software. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the 2011-12 Capital Budget for the Recreation Department be and hereby is amended to reduce $11,000 funding for bleacher replacement and add $11,000 funding for the replacement of the recreation program software. Upon a motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by Ald. Jaskiewicz, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Peter A. Nystrom and City Manager Alan H. Bergren. WHEREAS, the City Manager Alan H. Bergren has recommended the following appointment to the Redevelopment Agency; Re-appointed as a regular member of the Redevelopment Agency for a term to expire on 02/28/17 or until a successor is appointed: Marjorie Blizard (U) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Norwich hereby approves the appointment of the above named to the Redevelopment Agency. Upon a motion of Ald. Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Alan H. Bergren. 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 2/28/14 or until a successor is appointed; Henry R. Olender Jr. (U) Paul Kramarewicz (R) Dorothy Travers (D) 36 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 WHEREAS, the City Manager Alan H. Bergren has re-appointed as an alternate member to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term to expire on 2/28/14 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. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Jaskiewicz, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Peter A. Nystrom. WHEREAS, the Connecticut General Assembly ‘Re-apportionment Commission’ has approved and submitted to the Office of the Secretary of State a plan for re-districting the Senate and the House of Representatives of the State of Connecticut; and WHEREAS, as a result of said re-districting all or portions of the 46th, 47th and 139th assembly district will be within the City of Norwich; and WHEREAS, the Registrars of Voters are required to provide a separate polling place for each House of Representative District within the City of Norwich; and WHEREAS, the timeline for the implementation of these changes require that they be in place on or before April 3, 2012 for endorsement of town committee delegates, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the makeup of the voting precincts in Norwich be amended in order to comply with the new boundaries for the House of Representatives Districts to be delineated as follows: The 1st voting precinct shall with the boundaries of the 47th House of Representatives District as established by the Connecticut General Assembly ‘Re-apportionment Commission’. • The boundaries of the 1st precinct shall be as follows: Being bounded on the north by the Town of Sprague, on the west by the Town of Franklin, on the east by the Shetucket River and on the south by the boundary of the 139th House of Representative District. The 2nd and 3rd voting precinct shall be within the boundaries of the 139th State House of Representative District. • The boundaries of the 2nd precinct shall be as follows: Being bounded on the east by the Shetucket River, on the south by the boundary of the 46th State House of Representative District, on the west by the center of Town Street and on the north by the boundary of the 47th State House of Representative District. • The boundaries of the 3rd voting precinct shall be as follows: On the west by the towns of Bozrah and Franklin, on the north by the 47th State House of Representatives District, on the east by the center of Town Street and on the south by 46th State House of Representatives District. 37 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 The 4th and 5th voting precincts shall be within the boundaries of the 46th house district. • The boundaries of the 4th precinct shall be as follows: On the west by the town of Bozrah, on the north by the 139th State House of Representatives District, on the east by the center of the New England Central Railroad tracks and on the south by the town of Montville. • The boundary of the 5th voting precinct shall be as follows: On the east by the town of Preston, on the south by the town of Preston, on the west by the center of the New England Central Railroad tracks and on the north by the boundary of the 139th State House of Representatives District. Upon a motion of Ald. Jaskiewicz, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Peter A. Nystrom. BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Norwich that the following are appointed members of the Board of Review (Dangerous Buildings) to serve until June 1,2013 or until their successors are appointed Richard A. Caron, Sr. James M. Quarto Gary Schnip Andrew Zeeman AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Alderman Sofee Noblick be appointed as a member of the Norwich City Council to serve as an ex officio member of the Board until her term of office is completed. Upon a motion of Ald. Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Peter A. Nystrom. BE IT RESOLVED that the following be appointed as members to the Youth Service Advisory Board for the terms listed or until a successor is appointed. Sorna Sarker-2/1/14 Deb Kievitz-6/30/13 Angela Duhaime-2/16/14 Upon a motion of Ald. Jaskiewicz, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Peter A. Nystrom. 38 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich has appointed Michael E. Driscoll of the firm of Brown Jacobson PC as Corporation Counsel for the City of Norwich; and WHEREAS, the Council has appointed Attorney Aimee L. Wickless of Brown Jacobson PC as Assistant Corporation Counsel; and WHEREAS, the Council has considered the needs of the City for legal advice, the nature and complexity of litigation and administrative matters currently underway and likely to occur in the future, the need for representation in the multiple areas of legal and administrative matters, and the cost and quality of legal services now being provided, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the following attorneys from Brown Jacobson PC may assist Attorney Driscoll and Attorney Wickless in carrying out their duties: Karl-Eric Sternlof Christopher C. Frayer Michael D. Colonese Jeffrey R. Godley Jeffrey F. Buebendorf John C. Wirzbicki Kevin B.F. Emerson John F. Duggan Cassie N. Jameson David S. Williams AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Corporation Counsel may utilize the services of other attorneys to perform specialized matters or to assist the Corporation Counsel and the City of Norwich including; Attorneys selected by the insurance carriers providing coverage to the City of Norwich, Attorneys of the Rossi Law Firm of Providence, Rhode Island, Attorneys Lloyd Langhammer and Donna Skaats, Tax conflicts, Attorney Joseph D. Fasi, Bond Counsel, Attorneys Eileen Duggan, Hinda Kimmel, and David Ryan, Special Labor Counsel, Attorney Saranne Murray, for Board of Education matters, and Such other attorneys as may be retained if the Corporation Counsel has a conflict or requires special assistance. Upon a motion of Ald. Hinchey, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Peter A. Nystrom. WHEREAS, on October 17, 2011 the Council to the City of Norwich authorized City Manager Alan H. Bergren to execute and deliver an application and all documents, reports, plans and other materials necessary to make an application to the Historic Restoration Fund administered by the State of 39 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 Connecticut Historic Preservation Office for a $200,000 grant to make repairs and structural improvements to the entrances to City Hall from Union Street and Sanquedolce Plaza; and WHEREAS, by letter dated January 12, 2012 the City of Norwich has been notified that it has been awarded an Historic Restoration Fund Grant in the sum of $200,000 for the restoration of the cast iron entrances to the Norwich City Hall from the Historic Restoration Fund Grant Program; and WHEREAS, the City has been requested to enter into a grant contract and provide three executed copies of the same to the State Historic Preservation Office together with other materials required to obtain the grant. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that City Manager Alan H. Bergren, be and hereby is authorized, empowered and directed to execute and deliver in the name of the City of Norwich all required copies of the grant contract and necessary supplemental materials required in connection with the $200,000 Historic Restoration Fund Grant. Upon a motion of Ald. Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Jaskiewicz, it was unanimously voted to following resolution introduced by Alderman Mark Bettencourt and Alderman Charles Jaskiewicz. WHEREAS, the Taftville Reservoir was discontinued as a water supply in the early 1990’s, and is not presently available as an active or emergency water supply; and WHEREAS, the Norwich Public Utilities, as a result, does not have any water quality restrictions as to the use of the Taftville Reservoir; and WHEREAS, the Taftville Reservoir and the City of Norwich Raymond “Cit” Ouellet Recreational Facility are in close proximity to each other and assessable off Old Canterbury Turnpike; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich would like to explore the possibility of adding to and expanding the recreational activities on these proximate properties. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that City Manager Alan H. Bergren, be requested to coordinate a review of these sites to identify possible additions to and expansions of the recreational activities available there, assisted by the Recreation Director, the Corporation Council and such other individuals or resources as he may find helpful and necessary. This review should consider opportunities for public fishing at the site, including fly fishing only areas and ice fishing areas; the inclusion of the Taftville Reservoir within stocking programs established by the State of Connecticut DEEP and the listing of the Taftville Reservoir in state fishing guides; the use of the Taftville Reservoir by manually powered vessels, including canoes, kayaks, rowing shells and hand launched boats; the prohibition of vessels powered by internal combustion engines, including personal water craft, and the possible allowance of vessels powered by electric motors limited by size or by a speed limit. 40 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the City Manager prepare a preliminary report and recommendations to be presented to the Council by the second meeting of the Council in March 2012. Upon a motion of Ald. Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Ald. Noblick and Braddock WHEREAS, on January 17, 2012, the Reid and Hughes Committee submitted a report to the Council of the City of Norwich summarizing its findings and making recommendations with respect to the property known as the Reid and Hughes Building, including a recommendation the City issue a Request for Proposals; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich finds it to be in the interest of the City of Norwich to prepare and issue a Request for Proposals with respect to the Reid and Hughes property; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich further finds it to be in the interest of the City of Norwich to appoint a committee to develop and issue a Request for Proposals for the Reid and Hughes property and to receive the responses and evaluate the same and report its recommendations to the Council of the City of Norwich. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that it hereby establishes a Reid and Hughes Planning and Development Committee to consist of the following individuals as voting members: James Quarto H. Tucker Braddock Sofee Noblick Gary Schnip Andrew Zeeman James Troeger Richard Caron Leeland Loose Dale Plummer and that the City Manager or his designee serve as a non-voting ex-officio member of said committee, AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that such committee within the next sixty (60) days develop and issue a Request for Proposals seeking proposals from qualified developers to develop the Reid and Hughes property, on its own or in conjunction with other property, in accordance with a time schedule to be established by the committee; that the committee by letter report such time schedule to the Council at the time it issues the Request for Proposals; that the 41 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 6, 2012 committee evaluate all proposals received and submit all proposals together with its recommendations thereto to the Council within one month of the date upon which proposals are due to be received by it, AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that it reserves to itself all decisions to be made as to selecting any developer or any proposal, or none of the same, with respect to the development of the Reid and Hughes property. Upon a motion of Ald. Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Peter A. Nystrom. BE IT RESOLVED, that the following person be appointed to the Mohegan Park Improvement & Development Advisory Committee for a term to expire on December 31, 2012 or until a successor is appointed. William (Bill) Nash Upon a motion by Ald. Hinchey, second by Ald. Jaskiewicz, it was unanimously voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing commercial and financial information given to them in confidence and not requested to be disclosed by statute, City Manager, Alan H. Bergren, and Corporation Counsel, Michael Driscoll, and Comptroller, Joseph Ruffo, Planning Director Peter Davis, Police Chief Louis Fusaro, Jr., Deputy Chief Warren Mocek, Captain Patrick Daley and Brian Humes of Jacunski Humes Architects LLC were 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 9:20 PM to 10:34 PM, at which time Mayor Nystrom, stated no votes were taken. Upon a motion of Ald. Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Braddock to return to regular session. Upon motion to Ald. Jaskiewicz, seconded by Ald. Desaulniers, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 10:35 pm. CITY CLERK 42