City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held November 19, 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. Mayor Nystrom called for a Public Hearing on AN ORDINANCE RELATIVE TO PENSION PLAN ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE CITY TREASURER. Speaking in favor: No one Speaking in opposition: David Crabb, 47 Prospect St., stated that it lacks a planned balance sheet. Asked that the plan gets under local control and not lose the harvest. There being no further speakers Mayor Nystrom declared the public hearing closed. Mayor Nystrom called for a Public Hearing RELATIVE TO PARTICIPATION IN A COST SHARING PROGRAM IN THE CITY OF NORWICH TO CONSTRUCT CONCRETE SIDEWALKS. Speaking in favor: Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm St, stated she has participated in this sidewalk program, felt it’s a great program. It offers continuity, cohesiveness, and uniformity in neighborhoods and adds value to property. Asked why this isn’t part of a capital improvement program. Speaking in opposition: No one There being no further speakers Mayor Nystrom declared the public hearing closed. Mayor Nystrom called for the second reading on AN ORDINANCE RELATIVE TO PENSION PLAN ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE CITY TREASURER. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded Ald. Desaulniers, it was unanimously voted to waive the reading of the full text. 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 AN ORDINANCE RELATIVE TO PENSION PLAN ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE CITY TREASURER WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 1597 adopted by the Council on August 4, 2008 provided that, effective upon adoption of the ordinance, the Assistant City Manager, City Clerk, Comptroller, Deputy Comptroller, Human Resources Director, Assistant Human Resources Director, Retirement Plan Administrator, Human Resources Assistant, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Deputy Police Chief, Human Services Director, and Public Works Director should all be subject to the same pension plan changes applicable to the eight collective bargaining units covered in a resolution adopted by the Council of the City of Norwich on July 7, 2008; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich finds it appropriate that the position of City Treasurer be subject to the same pension plan changes as described in Ordinance No. 1597. NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF CITY OF NORWICH that, 1) The position of treasurer of the City of Norwich shall be subject to the same pension plan changes made applicable to the 8 collective bargaining units covered in the resolution adopted by the Council of the City of Norwich on July 7, 2008, as referenced as to certain non-union department personnel in Ordinance No. 1597 adopted by the Council of the City of Norwich on August 4, 2008. 2) This ordinance shall take effect on December 3, 2013, the first Tuesday in December following the 2013 general municipal elections. Upon a motion of Ald. Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Jaskiewicz, to adopt the above ordinance introduced by Mayor Nystrom and City Manager Bergren. Mayor Nystrom commented in support of this ordinance. “The City of Norwich funds its liabilities. We do not incur or run a massive debt like the State of Connecticut or the Federal Government. The pension obligations are met annually based on the actuarial recommendations; and while the rest of the world isn’t’ doing what they are supposed to be doing, the City is when it comes to the pension obligations.” The above ordinance passed on a roll call vote of 7-0. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Hinchey, letter of resignation from Marcia L. Marion from the Norwich Ethics Commission accepted with regrets and thanked her for her services. City Manager Alan Bergren gave his report as follows: 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 8 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 9 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 10 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 11 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 12 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 13 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 14 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 15 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 16 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 17 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 18 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 19 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 Page 3 of 3 20 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 21 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 22 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 Upon a motion of Ald. Jaskiewicz, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Bergren. WHEREAS, the property owners listed below want to participate in a cost sharing program with the City of Norwich to construct concrete sidewalks along their property; and WHEREAS, the City of Norwich wants to improve sidewalks throughout the City. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that: granite curbing and concrete sidewalks will be constructed at the following locations where the property owners will pay for an assessment for the cost of the sidewalks and the City of Norwich will pay for the cost of the curbing and miscellaneous items. Name Address Estimate Daniel T. Ruffo 44 Greene Avenue $ 1,680.00 Roy E. Bourque 19 Warren Street $ 2,500.00 Edgardo Rodriguez & Ileana Cuevas 61 Williams Street $ 3,780.00 Vera Kerr & Vivian Relliford 296 Laurel Hill Avenue $ 2,874.00 23 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 Vera Kerr & Vivian Relliford 302 Laurel Hill Avenue $ 3,360.00 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the cost of this project be funded from the existing capital budget line item for sidewalks, Construction Account #81000 and the Special Assessment Fund, Fund #40000, and that a public hearing be set at the second meeting of the City Council in November 2012. The estimated city’s cost for curbing and miscellaneous construction items are estimated to be $7,790.00. Mayor Nystrom called for citizen comment. David Crabb, 47 Prospect St, opposed resolution 3, stated keep the historic image of City Hall uncluttered, this monument should be at Chelsea Parade. Spoke against resolution 4 there should be performance reports with job titles. Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm St, spoke in opposition of resolution 3, was informed it wouldn’t cost the taxpayer any money. Asked how to find the members on the Emancipation Proclamation Commemorative Committee, and how much money is in this account. Dale Plummer, 25 Broadway, City Historian, chairman of the Emancipation Proclamation Commemorative Committee which has raised funds toward the goal and The City agreed to hold the funds. The Committee rose over $100,000. Stated a contract has been signed. Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. Upon a motion of Ald. Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Bergren. WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich approved a 2012-13 Capital Budget for the Finance Department in the amount of $85,375 for the purpose of upgrading computers and operating system and office suite software; and WHEREAS, the Finance Department deems the improvement of the City Hall phone system to be more of an immediate need than the computer and operating system and office suite software upgrades; and WHEREAS, Finance Department would like to have a pilot program of transitioning 10 to 15 lines to voice-over internet protocol (VOIP) by building off of Norwich Public Utilities’ existing VOIP system; and WHEREAS, this pilot project is expected to cost $30,000; and WHEREAS, the Finance Department would like to apply $30,000 of its $85,375 Capital Budget which had been allocated for computer and operating system and office suite software upgrades. 24 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the 2012-13 Capital Budget for the Finance Department be and hereby is amended to reduce $30,000 funding for computer and operating system and office suite software upgrades and add $30,000 funding for the pilot VOIP program. Upon a motion of Ald. Jaskiewicz, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Bergren. WHEREAS, the City of Norwich and the State of Connecticut, acting through its Department of Transportation, are parties to a “Master Agreement between the State of Connecticut and the City of Norwich regarding the Installation of Fire Suppression Standpipe Systems on Bridges at Various Locations”; and WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation has recently revised its policy concerning fire suppression standpipe systems on bridges located on the National Highway System; and WHEREAS, the State of Connecticut through its Department of Transportation, has notified the City of Norwich, under Section 4.08 of the current “Master Agreement” that it is terminating the current “Master Agreement” and is presenting the City with the new Master Agreement which incorporates the department’s revised standpipe policy. 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 on behalf of the City of Norwich said new Master Agreement regarding Fire Suppression Standpipe Systems on Bridges and to deliver the same to the State of Connecticut through its Department of Transportation. Upon a motion of Ald. Hinchey, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom. WHEREAS, the City of Norwich authorized The City Historian to convene an Emancipation Proclamation Committee; and WHEREAS, the functions of the Committee included raising of funds to cast a memorial bell and erect it on the grounds of City Hall; and WHEREAS, the City of Norwich expects to receive a $100,000 Grant from the Department of Economic Development in support of the Bell Tower project; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the City Manager be directed to expend said funds from contingency account #01090-80086, in advance of said grant for this purpose. Grant revenues received by the City of Norwich in support of Emancipation Proclamation Committee Bell Tower project will be credited to offset advance. Upon a motion of Ald. Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Bettencourt, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Bergren. 25 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 19, 2012 WHEREAS, the term of the City Historian expired on August 20, 2012 and the current City Historian, Dale Plummer wishes to be re-appointed to another three year term; and WHEREAS, City Manager Alan H. Bergren has re-appointed Dale Plummer (D) as City Historian for a term to expire August 20, 2015. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Norwich hereby approves the re-appointment of the above named as City Historian. Upon a motion by Ald. Hinchey, second by Ald. Jaskiewicz, it was unanimously voted to go into Executive Session per CGS 1-200 for the purpose of discussing strategies or negotiations with respect to Compensation and Collective Bargaining, City Manager, Alan H. Bergren, and Corporation Counsel, Michael Driscoll, Comptroller Joseph Ruffo or Deputy Comptroller, Joshua Pothier and Director of Human Resources, Brigid Marks were asked to participate during all or portions of this Executive Session at the request of the City Council. I further move the members of the Norwich City Council remain in Executive Session per CGS 1-200 (6) for the purpose of discussing strategies and negotiation with respect to any claims and litigation involving The City of Norwich, City Manager Alan H. Bergren, Comptroller Joseph Ruffo or Deputy Comptroller Joshua Pothier, Corporation Counsel Michael E. Driscoll 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 8:10 PM to 8:47 PM, at which time Mayor Nystrom, stated no votes were taken. Upon a motion of Ald. Jaskiewicz, seconded by Ald. Braddock to return to regular session. Upon a motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by Ald. Hinchey, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Bergren. RESOLVED, that the proposed Agreement between the City of Norwich, UPSEU/COPS – Public Works, covering the period between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2014, be, and the same hereby is, approved in accordance with the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes, Section 4-474; and further, that the City Manager, Alan H. Bergren, be, and hereby is, authorized and directed to execute the same in the name of the City. Upon a motion of Ald. Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:50 pm. CITY CLERK 26