City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH September 4, 2012 A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held September 4, 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. Bettencourt read the opening prayer and Ald. Noblick led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Nystrom called for a moment of silence in honor of David Special. Upon motion of Ald. Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Braddock, was unanimously voted to adopt the August 6 and August 20, 2012 minutes. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Bettencourt, it was unanimously voted to accept the following Norwich Housing Authority letter regarding the John F. Kennedy Heights I. 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH September 4, 2012 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH September 4, 2012 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH September 4, 2012 Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Hinchey, it was unanimously voted to accept the following proposal to name land Reverend Samson Occum Park by Robert “Red” McKeon. 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH September 4, 2012 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH September 4, 2012 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH September 4, 2012 City Manager Alan Bergren gave his report as followed: DATE: September 4, 2012 TO: Mayor Peter A. Nystrom & Council Members FROM: Alan H. Bergren, City Manager 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH September 4, 2012 SUBJECT: City Manager’s Report 1. Upcoming Events/Meetings The next Mayor’s One City Forum is scheduled for this Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 9A.M. at the Laurel Hill Volunteer Fire Department. 2. Public Works The City Hall Stairway restoration project is scheduled to begin today. The first phase of the project will address the Union Street stairway and landing. This will occur between now and winter, with the Union Square stairway work scheduled for Spring 2013. We don’t expect the Union Street access to be completely blocked right away, but eventually it will be completely closed off; we’ll keep everyone posted of when this occurs. 3. Fire Fire Origin and Cause Investigation Reports August 19, 2012: 6-D Church St. Based on the information developed through the investigation, the origin of this fire was located in a pot on the stove and the cause was accidental, specifically the abandonment of the hot oil which reached its’ ignition temperature and the fire ensued. August 19, 2012: 249 Broadway Based upon the information developed through the investigation, the origin of this fire was located on the second floor platform of the exterior exit stairs just outside apartment #4 and the cause was accidental, specifically the improper discarding of smoking materials. 4. Police Lieutenant Christopher Ferace of the Norwich Police Department recently completed and graduated from the University of New Haven’s prestigious “Innovations in Police Management” command college training course. The Command College is a demanding and intensive course in the newest management and research available. LT Ferace took part in the rigorous, intensive course in the latest innovations in police management. The curriculum covered such areas as: • Latest innovations in Police Management • Police change interventions • Funding for change • Doing more with less • Media and Public Relations • Compstat for small and medium agencies • Grant strategies • Putting police research into practice The course was taught by the premier law enforcement instructors and practitioners from across the nation. LT Ferace is assigned as the Department’s Administrative Lieutenant. 8 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH September 4, 2012 5. Board of Education Our public schools opened last week. The Mayor, Alderman Jaskiewicz, Alderman Braddock and I attended an assembly last Monday welcoming back the faculty and staff to the new school year. The function was held in the Jacqueline Owens auditorium at the Kelly School. State Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor was a guest at this function and spoke and addressed the assembly. Mayor Nystrom called for citizen comment. Christine Kaiser, 89 St. Regis Ave, spoke in support of resolution #3 as it is her property. She also made herself available for questions or comments concerning that resolution. David Crabb, 47 Prospect St., spoke about resolution #2 stating it does not recognize the world situation that has the bankers around the US in this economic drought. He feels raising the utility rates makes more sense then borrowing this free money at the high interest rates. Andy Depta, 105 Vergason Ave., questioned resolution #2. He wanted to know if the vehicles listed were being retro fitted or buying new? He also was looking for some clarification as to whether these are new vehicles or are three existing vehicles being removed/replaced? He also expressed concern that the Toyota Highlander Hybrid has had several recalls and suggested some further research of this vehicle. Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. Upon a motion of Ald. Noblick, 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 has recommended the following appointment to the Redevelopment Agency; Appointed as a regular member of the Redevelopment Agency for a term to expire on 02/28/17 or until a successor is appointed: Mark Kulos (D) Appointed as a regular member of the Redevelopment Agency to fill the remaining portion of a term to expire on 2/28/13, or until a successor is appointed: Bret Grant (D) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Norwich hereby approves the appointments of the above named to the Redevelopment Agency. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Hinchey it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom. 9 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH September 4, 2012 WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, by resolution adopted March 21, 2011 went on record as supporting a purchasing policy giving preference to suitable alternative fuel vehicles when available when purchasing or leasing light and heavy duty on‐road vehicles; and WHEREAS, the State of Connecticut through the Department of Transportation has proposed an agreement between it and the City of Norwich providing a cash grant towards the purchase of alternative/clean fuel vehicles and/or diesel retrofit technologies, said cash grant to be used exclusively by the City of Norwich for the reimbursement of incremental costs of the following alternative/clean fuel vehicles and/or Full Material Cost of the diesel retrofit technologies as follows: One (1) Ford, F­350 Cab and Chassis 40 GGE w/I­Box Compressed Natural Gas Vehicle @ Twenty­four Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($24,500) per vehicle, One (1) Toyota Highlander Hybrid Electric Vehicle @ Eight Thousand Five Hundred Thirty Dollars ($8,530) per vehicle, and One (1) International 7400 SFA 4X2 Compressed Natural Gas Truck @ Forty­four Thousand Three Hundred Fourteen Dollars ($44,314) per vehicle; and WHEREAS, the Council finds it in the best interest of the City of Norwich to enter into said Agreement with the State of Connecticut under FHWA Project No. CM‐000R(699) and State Project No. 170‐3070. 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 to enter into an Agreement with the State of Connecticut through its Department of Transportation accepting the award amounts for the reimbursement described herein and to arrange for, execute and/or deliver, such other documents as are necessary to accept the award including, but not limited to, proof of insurance forms, a non‐ discrimination certificate, an authorizing resolution and an incumbency certificate. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Jaskiewicz it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom. WHEREAS, the Geographic Names Information System was developed by the United States Geological Survey in cooperation with the United States Board of Geographic Names and contains information about the official names for places, features and areas in the 50 states and is the geographic names component of the National Map; and WHEREAS, the United States Board of Geographic Names cooperates with state name authorities in achieving the standardization of geographic names; and WHEREAS, an owner of property located on St. Regis Avenue has applied to the United States Board of Geographic Names proposing a name for a small body of water located entirely on the owner’s property, described in Quarterly Review List No. 408 of the United States Board of Geographic Names as: Lake; 0.1 acre; located in Norwich township 1.6 miles east southeast of Norwich, 1.6 miles southwest of Taftville; New London County, Connecticut; 41° 31’ 51” N, 72° 03’ 28” W; USGS map‐Norwich 1:24,000; and 10 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH September 4, 2012 WHEREAS, the case summary prepared by the United States Board of Geographic Names indicates that this 0.1 acre ‐ lake, which is located on private property owned by the proponent, was constructed or restored by the property owners in 2004; and WHEREAS, Margaret A. Thomas, Connecticut State Geologist, and Chairman of the Connecticut Geographic Names Authority, has advised the City of Norwich that the proposed name was “The Rose of Our Lady,” subsequently amended at the suggestion of the names authorities to “Pond of our Lady” and that the Norwich City Historian, Dale Plummer, has advised her that there is no historic name for the feature and recommends honoring the owner’s request. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Norwich, Connecticut that it does not object to the proponent proposing a name for this body of water to names authorities and that it approves the proposed amended name, Pond of Our Lady, subject to approval by the Connecticut Geographic Names Authority and the United States Board on Geographic Names. Upon a motion by Ald. Hinchey, second by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to go into Executive Session per CGS 1-200,C- 6 for the purpose of discussing Strategies and Negotiations with respect to Pending Claims and Litigation, City Manager, Alan H. Bergren, and Corporation Counsel, Michael Driscoll, Deputy Comptroller, Josh Pothier, Public Works Director Barry Ellison, Attorney Mark Block, and NCDC Executive, Bob Mills, 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 7:50 PM to 8:40 PM, at which time Mayor Nystrom stated no votes were taken. Upon a motion by Ald. Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Noblick it was unanimously voted to reconvene. Upon motion to Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Hinchey, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:41 pm. ASSISTANT CITY CLERK 11