City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 21, 2012 A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held February 21, 2012 at 7:40 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. Bettencourt read the opening prayer and Ald. Noblick led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Presentation/report from Abby Dolliver, Superintendent Norwich Public Schools: Chairperson of Board of Education, Yvette Jacaruso, presented a very preliminary budget and report as follows: 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 21, 2012 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 21, 2012 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 21, 2012 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 21, 2012 City Manager Bergren gave his report as follows: DATE: February 21, 2012 TO: Mayor Peter A. Nystrom & Council Members FROM: Alan H. Bergren, City Manager SUBJECT: City Manager’s Report 1. Upcoming Meetings • The next Mayor’s One City Forum will be held this Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 9 A.M. at the East Great Plains Fire Station. 2. Docent Reception A reception was held this morning in Room 335 to thank the volunteers that participated in the first year of the docent volunteer program. The docent volunteers were honored with certificates and a thank you cake and several department heads joined Alderman H. Tucker Braddock and me in recognizing the volunteers’ contribution to our City. 3. Board/Commission/Committee Vacancies We still have a number of vacancies on City boards, commissions and committees. A complete list of all vacancies is available on the City’s website at www.norwichct.org. Interested citizens should fill out an application which is also available on-line and submit it to either the Mayor’s or City Manager’s office. 4. Tax Collections for FY 2012 Attached, please find a report form the City Comptroller regarding tax collections for the current fiscal year. Overall our collection rates have risen in spite of the tough economic climate that the City and the State are facing. 5. Fire Department The Norwich Fire Department has finished installing a solar hot water heating system. The entire system was grant funded. 5. Special Events • Podunk Bluegrass Festival We received news recently that the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival will be coming to Dodd Stadium this August. With up to 10,000 people expected to attend, this is a tremendous opportunity to showcase our City. Our new Recreation Director C. Roger Moss was instrumental in bringing the Podunk Bluegrass Festival to East Hartford and has now facilitated the Festival coming to Norwich. This festival compliments the other events that are occurring in the City this year on a regular or special basis such as the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation Commemorative Bell Casting planned for June 2012, Riverfest 2012, Rock the Docks, A Taste of Italy, the Fireworks Extravaganza and the Greek Festival and a host of other exciting cultural events that will truly showcase our City. 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 21, 2012 MEMO TO: Alan Bergren FROM: Joseph Ruffo DATE: 2/21/2012 SUBJECT: Report on Tax Collections for Fiscal Year 2012 A review of General Fund Tax Collections indicates that overall collections increased from the prior year. Current Tax Collections from July 1, 2011 through January 31, 2012 are 89.22% of the total taxes billed. $56,397,168 has been collected from tax bills to date. Last year Tax Collections from July 1, 2010 through January 31, 2011 were 88.80% of the total taxes billed. This reflects a percentage increase in collections of .42%, from 88.80% to the current 89.22%, or an increase in Revenue of $265,000 over the prior year. Our collection rates have risen despite the bitter economic climate which has affected rates in other municipalities. Higher collection rates benefit everyone by reducing reminder notices and bringing down the cost of seeking non-payers. Taxpayers also realize Norwich is taking initiatives to better itself. Upon a motion of Ald. Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to suspend the rules to add the following Resolution #2 Regarding removal of a structure at 26 Hinckley St. WHEREAS, the structure located on property known a 26 Hinckley Street was substantially damaged or destroyed by a fire which occurred on July 20, 2010; and 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 21, 2012 WHEREAS, debris remains on the site which has never been cleaned up despite orders to do so from the building inspection division of the City of Norwich; and WHEREAS, on February 10, 2012 the Uncas Health District inspected the site and reported that the property is strewn with garbage and debris and the building is in violation of Connecticut Public Health Code Sec. 19‐13‐B11 and the site should be cleaned of all debris and offensive material. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that it authorizes the expenditure of such funds, not to exceed $8,000, as are needed to pay for the demolition of any remaining structure, the removal of debris and offensive materials and the restoration of the site to a secure, safe and sanitary condition and that the expenditures so authorized be taken from the demolition account, line item number 15232‐88110, for this purpose; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that it directs that a lien be placed on said property pursuant to Connecticut General Statute §49‐73b as a lien securing costs incurred by the City of Norwich in rectifying this unsafe and unsanitary condition and rendering the site secure, safe and sanitary. City Manager Alan H. Bergren Mayor Nystrom called for citizen comment on resolutions. Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm St., commented on Resolution #1 questioned why we have to serve alcohol at events, it sends the wrong message. Events should be more family oriented. There being no further speakers, Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment on resolutions closed. Upon a motion of Ald. Jaskiewicz, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Ald. H. Tucker Braddock, Pete Desaulniers, President Pro-Tem. WHEREAS, the River Fest Committee of the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring “River Fest 2012” at the Howard T. Brown Park on Saturday, June 2, 2012; and WHEREAS, “River Fest 2012” allows the entire community to experience many cultural heritages and permits festival goers to enjoy the variety of food, music, competitions and entertainment; and WHEREAS, The River Fest Committee of the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce has requested permission to sell beer and wine during the festival. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that pursuant to section 13.142 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances, the City Manager is authorized to grant the River Fest Committee of the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce in Norwich permission to serve and sell beer and wine at the River Fest 2012 celebration to be held on June 2, 2012 at the Howard T. Brown Park subject to satisfactory proof that the River Fest Committee of the Greater Norwich area Chamber of Commerce in Norwich has complied with applicable regulations of the State Liquor Commission. 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 21, 2012 Upon a motion of Ald. Jaskiewicz, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Alan H. Bergren WHEREAS, the structure located on property known a 26 Hinckley Street was substantially damaged or destroyed by a fire which occurred on July 20, 2010; and WHEREAS, debris remains on the site which has never been cleaned up despite orders to do so from the building inspection division of the City of Norwich; and WHEREAS, on February 10, 2012 the Uncas Health District inspected the site and reported that the property is strewn with garbage and debris and the building is in violation of Connecticut Public Health Code Sec. 19‐13‐B11 and the site should be cleaned of all debris and offensive material. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that it authorizes the expenditure of such funds, not to exceed $8,000, as are needed to pay for the demolition of any remaining structure, the removal of debris and offensive materials and the restoration of the site to a secure, safe and sanitary condition and that the expenditures so authorized be taken from the demolition account, line item number 15232‐88110, for this purpose; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that it directs that a lien be placed on said property pursuant to Connecticut General Statute §49‐73b as a lien securing costs incurred by the City of Norwich in rectifying this unsafe and unsanitary condition and rendering the site secure, safe and sanitary. Upon a motion of Ald. Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was adjourned at 8:35 pm. CITY CLERK 8