City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH MARCH 5, 2012 A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held March 5, 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. Desaulniers read the opening prayer and Ald. Braddock 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 February 6 & 21, 2012. Presentation from Mike Wolak on Senior Services and Center updates. City Manager Alan Bergren gave his report as followed: DATE: March 5, 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, March 10, 2012 at 9 A.M. at the Yantic Fire Station. 2. Board/Commission/Committee Vacancies We continue to have 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. For questions, please call either the Mayor’s office at 823-3742 or the City Manager’s office at 823-3750. 3. Police The Police Department has obtained a new Drug Detection dog now Police K-9 “Tony” has been retired. The new dog, a Yellow Lab named “Luther”, is currently in training and Officer Avery Marsh has been assigned as his partner. The new Drug Detection Team will be fully trained and hit the streets sometime in May 2012. The Police Department’s previous Drug Dog “Tony” was highly successful in getting drugs off our streets for the past 8 years and the Department is looking forward the similar successes with “Luther” and his new partner Officer Marsh. 4. Human Services Report to Council Lee Ann Gomes will present a verbal report to the Council on the Human Service department. 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH MARCH 5, 2012 NORWICH HUMAN SERVICES ADULT AND FAMILY SERVICES • NHS is the City’s human service agency. We look at and address social issues with the best interest of the City of Norwich in mind. We do work collaboratively regionally but think of local impact. • Increase economic stability of residents….access EITC/Income Tax refunds ($496,000 to date today), employment programs, childcare assistance, transportation assistance, housing security (stabilize landlords, reduce transiency…) • Conduit for grant money, state and federal dollars. Most of the money that we use to assist residents comes from grants or programs that we administer…not from the City Budget. However, you need staff (6) to administer those dollars. Examples are: Op Fuel ($12,000), Project Warm Up ($5000), EFSP ($18,000) rental and mortgage assistance, Kinship Funds ($25,000), Renters Rebate ($464,000). Impact of losing those dollars alone would be a $523,000 loss in revenue to taxpayers. Those dollars are put directly into the local economy. • Our staff is accessible to its residents. We do not have an answering machine. Someone in crisis will speak to a person every time. We know our residents needs and the local resources. Staff available 24-7 to handle city emergencies…fires, hurricanes, disasters, floods, homelessness, etc • Innovative…create committees and opportunities…Norwich Community Care Team (first in the state), Homeless Employment Program, convened and hosted Haitian Committee, Norwich Newcomers Committee, the Supportive Housing Team, etc • We convene emergency response teams to local and statewide issues. Took the lead on the Peachtree Fire, assist all families of fire with rebuilding, the crisis in Haiti, elderly care review, homeless care review team… Act as a resource and a partner for other agencies/departments…Emergency Management, Fire Dept, building code officials, tax office, BOE, police, health department Mayor Nystrom called for citizen comment on resolutions Keith Ripley, Meadow Lane, questioned Resolution #1 on when evening begins. Frank Jacaruso, 192 Wightman Ave, president of the Italian Heritage and Cultural Committee, spoke in favor of Resolution #1 stating it demonstrates the continued cooperation between the City and making Festivals a huge success. Norwich is the City of Festivals. Andy Depta, 105 Vergason, echoed Mr. Ripley comments on Resolution # 1 suggesting time should be posted. Norwich should use Westerly as a benchmark having no meters and a 2 hour limit. 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH MARCH 5, 2012 There being no further speakers, Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment on resolutions closed. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom. WHEREAS, the Public Parking Commission has been designated the Parking Division of the City of Norwich to exercise certain powers authorized by Connecticut General Statute §7‐202a as more specifically set forth in Sec. 20‐15 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances; and WHEREAS, the Public Parking Commission, subject to the approval of the Council, shall establish a schedule of parking fees and other charges; and WHEREAS, the Public Parking Commission has imposed no charge for parking in downtown Norwich in time restricted public on‐street parking zones and public parking lots, on weekends, holidays, and evenings; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich finds that this policy encourages the patronage of festivals, events and special occasions held in downtown Norwich. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that it endorses the policy of the Public Parking Commission not to charge for parking in public on‐street parking zones and public parking lots on weekends, holidays, and evenings. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Hinchey, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom. BE IT RESOLVED, that the individuals named below be appointed as members of the Personnel and Pension Board for the terms listed or until a successor is appointed: 1. Joanne Philbrick for a term to expire on 03/01/2013 2. Sarah Kannas for a term to expire on 03/01/2014 BE IT RESOLVED that the individuals named below be appointed as alternate members of the Personnel and Pension Board for the terms listed or until a successor is appointed: 3. Richard Benoit for a term to expire on 03/01/2014 4. John A. John for a term to expire on 03/01/2013 Upon a motion by Ald. Hinchey, second by Ald. Bettencourt, 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 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH MARCH 5, 2012 Davis, Police Chief Louis Fusaro, Jr., Deputy Chief Warren Mocek, Captain Patrick Daley 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 8:20 PM to 8:57 PM, at which time Mayor Nystrom, stated no votes were taken. Upon a motion of Ald. Bettencourt, second by Ald. Braddock to return to regular session. Upon motion to Ald. Jaskiewicz, seconded by Ald. Bettencourt, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:58 pm. CITY CLERK 4