City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 7, 2013 A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held January 7, 2013 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. Mayor Nystrom opened with a moment of pray for an officer involved shooting and all the men and women on our force. Ald. Jaskiewicz read the opening prayer and Ald. Bettencourt led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Upon motion of Ald. Jaskiewicz, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to adopt the minutes of December 3, 2012. Mayor Nystrom read the following Proclamations: PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, Brett Bernardini is the Founding Artistic Director of The Spirit Of Broadway Theater, The Best Production Company Inc.; and WHEREAS, Since 1998, The Spirit of Broadway Theater’s growing national reputation for excellence in the production of new works for the American stage has not only brought more than 33,000 visitors to our downtown, but has also worked to improve the quality of life for the Norwich community; and WHEREAS, under the guidance and leadership of Brett Bernardini the theater ; and WHEREAS, The Spirit of Broadway Theater acts as an advocate for the power of the arts to transform lives and the empowerment of people of all ages and has in the past and continues to this day to offer educational, social and cultural programs to the Greater Norwich Area; and WHEREAS, Brett Bernardini through the theater has brought considerable talent to Norwich, has directed more than 250 productions and has served as Musical Director for The New York Musical Theatre Festival, Thomaston Opera House, The York Theatre, The Hartford Children's Theater, Three Rivers Community College and Preston Community Chorus; and WHEREAS, under Brett Bernardini, the Spirit of Broadway has given to the Rose City and surrounding towns and cities 15 years of enjoyment through tears, laughter and joy. NOW THEREFORE, I, MAYOR PETER ALBERT NYSTROM AND NORWICH CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM, PETE DESAULNIERS, ON BEHALF OF THE NORWICH CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, do hereby congratulate applauds and celebrates the achievements of Brett Bernardini whose founding of The Spirit of Broadway Theater 15 years ago helps to improve the quality of life for the Rose City. Dated this First Day of December 2012 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 7, 2013 Peter Albert Nystrom Pete Desaulniers Mayor President Pro Tem PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, in 1938 the judges of Christmas decorations in Norwich said, ”Never have we seen such brilliant and effective city and home decorations in any city. That this should prevail so soon after Norwich was devastated by flood and hurricane is an amazing example of the courage of the people”; and WHEREAS, This is spirit that gave Norwich the title of Christmas City in 1937, a title Norwich captured many times leading up to World War II in a competition that included up to eight other towns and a title Norwich holds to this day, 75 years later; and WHEREAS, in 1987 after years of working towards lighting up the City of Norwich Kathleen Relyea successfully lit up City Hall and the streets of Norwich were again festive and adorned with decorations; and WHEREAS, Kathleen Relyea always goes above and beyond, looking for the means to accomplish goals, to improve the lives of families, especially children and generally will not take “no” for an answer, but rather find the resources to achieve her mission; and WHEREAS, under the guidance and leadership of Kathleen Relyea, Norwich, as Christmas City has grown in it’s joy and beauty because of the hard work and dedication of the Christmas Lady of Norwich. NOW THEREFORE, I, MAYOR PETER ALBERT NYSTROM AND NORWICH CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM, PETE DESAULNIERS, ON BEHALF OF THE NORWICH CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, do hereby appreciate and applaud the accomplishments of Kathleen Relyea and thank her for her demonstrated commitment and many years of dedication working to ensure a better tomorrow for our Christmas City. Dated this Third Day of December 2012 Peter Albert Nystrom Pete Desaulniers Mayor President Pro Tem 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 7, 2013 Mayor Nystrom gave his “State of the City” address as follows: January 7, 2013 State of the City Address – Mayor Peter A. Nystrom Good evening……..I am here to report on the state of our City which, in spite of the problems at the State and National levels, we as a municipality are doing well. In spite of the challenges we face, the state of the City is sound. We have much unfinished work to do in moving our City forward, but together, I am confident that we can overcome obstacles to our progress through perseverance. The City’s finances continue to be stable. The audit reports a fund balance of $10.635 million which falls within the 8 to 10% target range recommended by Moody’s rating service. Moody’s rating service recognizes the City’s positive indicators of a strong financial position, such as maintaining the fund balance, the City’s stable tax base, a stable financial position, a commitment to fund the actuarially recommended amounts for both post-employment benefits and the pension plan and well-managed operations and considers it worthy of an Aa2 rating. After many years of planning and construction, the Norwich Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC) was completed and dedicated in June of 2012. It represents a fitting architectural addition to our downtown that looks to the future of what this community is striving to become again; a vibrant regional center of commerce where many people, across various modes of transportation, converge. To that end, I sponsored several resolutions to direct the City to be a leading partner in a coalition of communities across State lines that have come together to bring attention to an effort to upgrade freight lines and restore passenger rail service. The New England Central Rail Coalition was formed in 2010 and continues in its efforts to secure funding for this important initiative for regional and interstate transit. The Southeast Area Transportation Center busses are fully utilizing the transportation center at any given hour of the day. Shortly, the retail space will be occupied by a local vendor to service the patrons of the transit system. The Norwich City Council also recently joined with our fellow transit member municipalities in Southeastern Connecticut to enhance mass transit by requesting the State Department of Transportation get directly involved in the future management of this critical service. Once again our city departments have successfully responded to yet another hurricane/tropical storm. Norwich should be proud of the emergency response capabilities from our Public Works, Norwich Public Utilities, all of our Fire Departments, our Police Department and all other city departments that work so hard to keep us safe. Norwich was fully restored and open for business before most 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 7, 2013 surrounding communities even finished damage assessment. This is the result of precise advance planning and a fully coordinated response to the storm. The Council took steps to strengthen public safety throughout our City. Our community policing program continues to roll-out to engage all our citizens in providing for a safe community. Last fall the City Manager and I along with several council members and a number of citizens from across the city joined with residents of the Laurel Hill area to help them re-establish a Neighborhood Watch Group following a tragic shooting that took place. Under the direction of our Chief of Police, Sergeant Peter Camp continues to implement the City Council’s Community Policing Programs. The Police Department and the Board of Education partnered this year to return school resource officers (or SRO’s) to our middle schools. One only has to look within this state to see the value of SRO’s and Dare officers in preventing tragedies. The men and women of the Norwich Police Department have done an outstanding job during this past year, and I want to recognize them for their day to day efforts. The Police Department was successful in its application request for a highly competitive federal COPs grant that is providing federal funding for four (4) police officers to augment our locally funded staffing for the City's community policing program. The City of Norwich Fire department spearheaded the creation of a diversity program which resulted in positive results in recent hiring’s. The City has also been successful in securing grants such as the Homeless Prevention Grant to aid the Human Service Department in providing services to the City’s residents and the Department’s Norwich Safety Net and Community Care Teams recently received a $10,000 Backus Hospital President’s award for their efforts to improve the quality of life of the City’s most vulnerable residents. The City also took steps to further preserve its historic housing by being one of only 43 communities in the country to receive a 2.1 million lead based paint hazard control program. These funds will go far in leveraging private dollars to assist in bringing properties up to code, reducing owner’s housing cost burden, improving the health of children and increasing the value of housing in the City. Under the guidance of our superintendent Mrs. Abby Dolliver and the strong support of our Norwich Board of Education the Stanton Elementary School was selected by the State of Connecticut’s Department of Education as a Commissioner’s Network School. Their leadership led to our school system gaining Alliance District Funding as well as a new grant for Coordinated School Health, to work with community partners on improving student’s health. Our Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools continue to work purposefully to improve our education system. As Mayor of the City of Norwich I am strongly encouraged by their willingness to 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 7, 2013 accept these difficult challenges and I will tell them that they are not alone in this responsibility. I have and will continue to emphasize that we here in city hall, must view this effort as a partnership, one that will continue throughout the next budget cycle and beyond. This joint effort continues this coming Saturday with the first of a number of workshops between our Norwich Board of Education and our City Council. As Mayor, I have introduced a number of initiatives to go after grants to help the City position itself to move forward as a green community. I introduced and received the City Council’s support to alter the City’s purchasing policies to promote the expansion of Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFV) across all city departments. The Brownfield City-wide Assessment Document that was recently finished gives us the ability to apply for Federal EPA grants for our Brownfield sites. In the coming year we will look to our Redevelopment Agency to help begin the implementation of this effort. Several months ago Governor Malloy’s office announced that the City of Norwich had won over $2 million state grant funds to further position our city for the future. My office requested that Peter Polubiatko of the Norwich Community Development Corporation and our Clean Cities Coordinator apply for the grant. His efforts combined with the wonderful staff of our own Norwich Department of Public Utilities, led by John Bilda, clearly hit the grand slam by expanding the application to include building a second Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) filling station in Norwichtown and by partnering with three private companies here in Norwich: the Backus Hospital, Levine Distributors and Prime Electric. Together they are going to reap the benefits of this by reducing their transportation expenditures and their participation helps promote our city as a national leader in promoting green initiatives. The Norwich Fire Department received grant funding to modernize both facilities and in collaboration with NPU and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), achieved greater savings in energy use through the addition of solar systems to capture electrical and hot water energy. The City’s vehicle fleet, following the cities newer purchasing policy, has taken advantage of grant funding to upgrade to energy efficient vehicles wherever possible such as the Compressed Natural Gas Senior Center bus, CNG large dump truck (expected soon), CNG Mason dump truck, and an electric hybrid SUV, used by city departments. Further efforts that have taken place include our efforts to secure Brownfield Remediation Grants to stabilize the Franklin and Chestnut neighborhood by removing an abandoned and collapsed mill, completing remediation of 26 Shipping Street and assisting in clarifying remediation issues at other 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 7, 2013 Shipping Street properties as we recognize the economic opportunities awaiting at Shipping Street. Pending notification is due in the spring. The future of our City relies in the ability of leaders, citizens and the community to work together to represent Norwich in a positive light and to carry the message of the Norwich community to those in a position to influence others. Therefore tonight I respectively ask our City Manager to develop a program requiring City Council approval which when followed will become the normal day to day way in how we treat our citizens and in particular our guests. This responsibility must extend to every city employee. The City is always looking for creative ways to take full advantage of the lucrative tourism market. A great example of this is the meeting between the Council, the Emancipation Committee and Gail Adams from the Department of the Interior at a reception for Ms. Adams. We were able to spotlight ideas about the Marina and she was able to see our vision and the possibilities that were outlined to her. My office, working with members of the Harbor Management Commission have since successfully established a relationship with the Department of the Interior. In continuing to promote our Harbor, we are pursuing grant funding for various projects to build on successful projects such as the Waterfront Signage project. Recently, I embraced the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce effort, led by former Mayor Benjamin Lathrop, to promote tourism through a traveling tourism kiosk. Together we are working with a number of Norwich’s finest citizens to restore the Norwich Tourism Bureau to promote, lead and guide this effort. We continue to celebrate our heritage with history making programs. The City celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation over the past year culminating with re-creating the bell ringing and cannon firing which happened throughout the City 150 years ago. Later in the year we will see the Freedom Bell permanently placed in the tower on City Hall property. This landmark event will unite the people of Norwich across centuries, both past, present and future as we share our common goal of equality and opportunity for all. We will also celebrate with our Norwich Chapter of the NAACP 50th Anniversary this year. The Amistad’s historic visit to the Norwich Harbor, the Farmer’s Market, Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival and Rock the Docks are only a few examples of events over the past year that drew people to our City and provided residents with quality events right in their own town. People continue to invest in the City even in this sluggish economy. The fact that we have lower electric rates and reliable services allows us to have a competitive edge as we move forward. The Council continues to prioritize infrastructure improvements to keep the City attractive to investors 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 7, 2013 and residents. Grant funding has been secured for the rehabilitation of City bridges and paving projects. The City paved and sealed almost 9 miles of road and in the past year. The first Gas Bond to expand natural gas services has added hundreds of new residential and commercial customers. Voters approved a second gas bond this past November. Their support will expand our gas infrastructure to numerous neighborhoods and businesses. The repositioning of the Norwichtown Mall into the Norwichtown Commons and improvements at the marina under new ownership are perfect examples of the faith that investors continue to have in our City. Programs such as the Downtown Revitalization programs and Vibrant Community Initiative will continue to attract businesses and people here. As we move forward, the update of our Plan of Conservation and Development will provide the guidance for future progress and drive thoughtful updates to our zoning regulations. As in the past, future public sessions will soon be scheduled over the next several months. We invite all interested Norwich citizens to participate. We continue to work with our legislative leaders on the State and national level to advance the City’s agenda. In December the council and I hosted the newly elected leaders at a working breakfast. It served as a chance to tell them of Norwich’s needs and to reinforce our willingness to work with them for the betterment of our entire region. This year we saw the retirement of Senator Edith Prague, a friend to Norwich for many years. No matter the subject we approached Senator Prague with; she was there to support us with her help. Senator Prague has helped the City through many projects. We will miss her friendship, compassion and leadership. I have faith that our newly elected legislators will pick up where she has left off. As we begin this New Year we are healthier than we have been in the recent past. We have positioned ourselves to move forward with a strong bond rating, infrastructure improvements, green initiatives and a Brownfields Area-Wide Plan to guide us in our revitalization efforts. Additionally the long awaited upgrade of the city’s web site has been completed. In closing I will ask that tonight we add to this list two new initiatives. The first requires that we direct the Norwich Community Development Corporation to guide us in creating a City-Wide Manufacturing Investment Program. This program is intended to work with and compliment the states Manufacturing Assistance program remembering that said program requires a local match, such as a loan. This opportunity will provide for an existing business to bring their commerce and jobs to the Rose City and will create an economic tool to open the pathway for others to follow. Particular emphasis on marketing the remaining unoccupied buildings in the Norwich Business Park is planned. 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 7, 2013 I am asking that our Community Development Director structure and create a Neighborhood Restoration program designed to encourage developers to revisit scattered housing stock across our city. Three years ago I called for such a program to refurbish and upgrade our existing neighborhoods to help improve the values of homes and businesses. Simply building new development abandons our existing neighborhoods, leading to depressed and blighted property values. This will require the coordinated effort of our building, zoning and planning departments. Thank you for your patience this evening. Together lets continue to lift our City, position her for future growth in the grand list and employment opportunities for our deserving citizens. Thank you. Upon a motion of Ald. Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Braddock, letter of resignation from Alan Remondi from the Norwich Public Utilities Board of Commission accepted with deep regret and thanked him for 20 years of his services. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Hinchey, letter of resignation from Antoinette Gwiazdowski from the Senior Affairs Commission accepted with regrets and thanked her for her services. Upon a motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by Ald. Hinchey, letter of resignation from Olive Buddington from the T.V.C.C.A. – Board of Trustees accepted with regrets and thanked her for her services. City Manager Alan Bergren gave his report as followed: DATE: January 7, 2013 TO: Mayor Peter A. Nystrom & Council Members FROM: Alan H. Bergren, City Manager SUBJECT: City Manager’s Report 1. Upcoming Events/Meetings • The City Council will be holding an informational meeting/workshop with the Board of Education to discuss the Board of Education 2013-14 budget on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 9AM at the City Fire House on 10 North Thames Street. • The next Mayor’s One City Forum will be held Saturday, February 2, 2013 from 9AM to 10:30AM at the East Great Plains Volunteer Fire Station. 2. CDBG Applications The application period for the Community Development Block Grant Program begins today. Applications are available on the City’s website at www.norwichct.org and are due in the Community Development office no later than February 20th, 2013 at 4:00PM. 8 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 7, 2013 3. Capital Improvements and Long-term Capital Planning I have recently established a staff capital planning group which includes the City Comptroller, Deputy Comptroller, the Director of Planning and Neighborhood Services, the General Manager of Norwich Public Utilities, the Director of Public Works and the Superintendent of Schools. This staff group will continue to meet to advise me and ultimately will shape management’s recommendations to the City Council for long-term capital improvements. This initiative is in keeping with the Council’s consensus that the administration review and make long term capital project recommendations to the City Council through the budget and planning process. I will be forwarding our recommendations to the City Council later this year as we finalize our long-term recommended strategy. 4. Reid & Hughes Update I have forwarded to members of the City Council confidential information regarding our negotiations with respect to a developer’s agreement for this project. I am recommending that the Council meet with me and staff in executive session for an update on our negotiations and further policy/strategy guidance from the Council. 5. Comment on Agenda items Resolution#1 - Our regional Council of Governments is applying for a regional performance incentive program to benefit Southeastern Connecticut. These opportunities allow us, working with our fellow member municipalities, to advance regional initiatives that can produce long-term cost savings and general benefits to our area. It is my recommendation that the Council support this initiative as it is in keeping with your goal to work with other municipalities in the region to benefit our City and our region. Resolution#6 – Emergency demolition: Previously the City Council received emails from me through the Deputy Comptroller regarding the reported potential structural failure of Building #2 at the Capehart Mill Complex. After a series of conversations with the Chief Building official and Fire Marshall it was deemed by both parties and ordered by the Chief Building Official that immediate steps be taken by the City to avert the catastrophic failure of the building which potentially would block the tracks of the Providence and Worchester Railway and/or collapse on a passing train, all of which would threaten the safety and security of the immediate area. On the day of Christmas Eve, I met at the demolition site, which was underway, per order of the Chief Building official, with representatives of the building department, NPU, and Alderwoman Sofee Noblick. Plans were developed on site for rendering the structure safe and liening the cost of demolition to the property owners. Mayor Nystrom called for citizen comment. David Crabb, 47 Prospect St, asked that voting on resolution #1, #2 and #7 be postponed, believes that substantial information is needed before proceeding and resolution #7 lacks important critical details. Rodney Bowie, 62 Roosevelt Ave, stated he thought resolution #1 was already being done. Asked what resolution #2 was trying to accomplish and questioned resolution #4 on the reason for deferring taxes on a real estate deal. Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. 9 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 7, 2013 Upon a motion of Ald. Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom and City Manager Bergren. WHEREAS, Connecticut General Statutes Section 4‐124s, as amended by Section 5 of Public Act 11‐61, provides that a regional council of government may establish a regional performance incentive program to be administered by the Secretary of the Office of Policy Management; and WHEREAS, said statute provides that on or before December 31, 2011, and annually thereafter, a regional council of government may submit a proposal to the Secretary for, among other things, a planning study regarding the joint provision of any service on a regional basis and the joint provision of any service that one or more participating municipalities provides but which is not provided on a regional basis; and WHEREAS, any such proposal requires a resolution endorsing such proposal approved by the legislative body of each participating municipality; and WHEREAS, the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments has prepared such a Regional Performance Incentive Program having the title “Fire and Other Emergency Services Equipment Analysis and Plan for the Southeastern Connecticut Region”, whereby it proposes to study and prepare a plan that analyzes how and where municipalities, fire companies, and other emergency service providers have located fire apparatus and emergency equipment, evaluate the current ability of fire companies in towns to respond to fires/emergencies, and to make recommendations for improved fire and emergency responses if warranted, including a determination if there is a more cost efficient process that could be employed regionally for the purchase of large and expensive fire apparatus/equipment potentially including the use of standardized operating procedures and uniform specifications for the purchase of this apparatus and equipment. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that it endorses the Regional Performance Incentive Program Proposal of the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments as described herein. Upon motion of Ald. Braddock, second by Ald. Hinchey, the following resolution was introduced by Mayor Nystrom. Upon motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by Ald. Hinchey, it was unanimously voted to postpone the following resolution until February 4, 2013, introduced by Mayor Nystrom. WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich has designated the Norwich Community Development Corporation as the development agency of the City of Norwich; and WHEREAS chapter 588l of the Connecticut General Statutes, originally incorporating sections 32- 220 to 32-234 of the Connecticut General Statues, and known as the “Economic Development and Manufacturing Assistance Act of 1990”, provides in its declaration of policy that: “…the maintenance and continued development of the state’s manufacturing and other economic base business sectors is 10 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 7, 2013 important to the economic welfare of the state and to the retention and creation of job opportunities within the state;” and WHEREAS Connecticut General Statues Section 32-222 defines a “development plan, to mean a plan for a municipal development project prepared in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of Connecticut General Statues Section 32-223; and WHEREAS Connecticut General Statues Section 32-224 provides the municipality may, by vote of its legislative body, designate an implementing agency to exercise the powers granted under sections 32-220 to 32-234, inclusive, of the Connecticut General Statutes, which implementing agency may initiate a municipal development project by preparing and submitting a development plan to the Commissioner of Economic and Development. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the Norwich Community Development Corporation be and hereby is designated an implementing agency for the City of Norwich to exercise the powers granted under Sections 32-220 to 32-234, inclusive, of the Connecticut General Statues to develop, prepare and submit to the commissioner of Economic and Community Development a development plan for the Norwich Manufacturing Investment Program consistent with Norwich’s Plan of Conservation and Development and with Norwich’s efforts to build a strong manufacturing base by bringing manufacturing investments and related employment opportunities to the area. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Jaskiewicz, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Bergren. WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, by resolution adopted December 3, 1984 voted to join with other regional municipalities in creating the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resources Recovery Authority (SCRRRA) to address, among other things, alternate disposal methods of solid waste other than by land filling; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, by resolution adopted October 30, 1985 authorized, directed and empowered the city manager on behalf of the City of Norwich to enter into and execute a long term municipal and solid waste management services contract with the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resources Recovery Authority and further authorized, directed and empowered the city manager and other proper officers of Norwich to enter into, execute and deliver such other agreements, certificates and other instruments as they may deem necessary or appropriate to consummate the transactions contemplated by said municipal solid waste management services contract; and WHEREAS, said contract, referred to as a municipal services agreement (MSA) between the City of Norwich and the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resources Recovery Authority is dated November 13, 1985 to remain in full force and effect for 30 years following its execution and the execution of substantially similar contracts by the Authority and the other participating municipalities; and WHEREAS, said contract provides that it may be amended from time to time by written agreement, duly authorized and executed by the parties hereto; and 11 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 7, 2013 WHEREAS, said contract has been twice amended to date; and WHEREAS, SCRRRA has an agreement with Connecticut Light and Power obligating Connecticut Light and Power to purchase electricity produced at the Preston SCRRRA facility which agreement expires on February 17, 2017; and WHEREAS, SCRRRA’s Board of Directors has unanimously voted to seek an extension of the contract with its eleven member municipalities to extend the contract from November 15, 2015 to February 17, 2017; and WHEREAS, by extending said dates SCRRRA’s member municipalities, including Norwich, will realize a very significant financial benefit through the sale of electricity to CL&P under the present rate agreement. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that City Manager Alan H. Bergren, the Chief Executive Officer of this municipality, be, and hereby is, authorized, directed and empowered on behalf of Norwich to enter into and execute an amendment to said contract extending the same through February 17, 2017 upon the general terms and conditions as presented at this meeting, with such changes, revisions and amendments as he may agree to, and which terms, conditions, changes, revisions, and amendments are hereby approved and specifically agreed to, and to deliver the same to the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resources Recovery Authority under the corporate seal of the City of Norwich. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that City Manager Alan H. Bergren and other proper officers of the City of Norwich be, and they hereby are, authorized, directed and empowered on the behalf of the City of Norwich to enter into, execute and deliver such other agreements, certificates and other instruments as they may deed necessary or appropriate to consummate the transactions contemplated by said contract during such extended term. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Desaulniers, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Ald. Braddock, Hinchey and Noblick. WHEREAS, the owner of the property known as River View Lane and formerly known as 285 Taftville – Occum Road, Norwich, Connecticut, the legal description of which is attached hereto, is eligible to enter into an agreement to fix the assessment of the property pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §12‐65 c‐f; and WHEREAS, the owner of said property, the Hills at Riverview LLC, acquired the property after it was foreclosed and commenced to rehabilitate two dilapidated structures on the property to produce 19 mid range rental units, and proposes to build 11 more buildings on the site which will make available another 100 town house style mid range apartments; and WHEREAS, said owner has applied for an assessment deferral and proposes to enter into an agreement with the City of Norwich for the fixing of assessments during, and the deferral of increases following, the rehabilitation and constructions as described herein pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §12‐65c through12‐65f; and 12 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 7, 2013 WHEREAS, such application has been reviewed by the assessor’s office and the building and zoning departments, and been approved as required by Section 7‐22, subsection (b) (4), of the Norwich Code of Ordinances. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Norwich, that City Manager Alan H. Bergren be, and he hereby is, authorized and directed to enter into an agreement satisfactory to the Assessor and to him with the Hills at Riverview LLC, the owner of said property, to provide the following: 1) Pursuant to Connecticut General Statute §12‐65e, the present assessment of the property known as or formerly known as 285 Taftville – Occum Road is to be fixed for October 1, 2012, with an assessment deferral for the remainder of the project, constructed in phases, for a period of 7 years to follow the issuance of each phase building permit as follows: i) The first and second years, the assessment increase will be deferred at 100%; ii) In the third year at 50%; iii) In the fourth year at 40%; iv) In the fifth year at 30%; v) In the sixth year at 20%; vi) In the seventh year at 10%; and vii) The assessment is to represent 100% of the value on the grand list in the eighth year. Said agreement to be contingent upon the following provisions: a) The property be and continues to be used for the purposes specified in the agreement, as required pursuant to Connecticut General Statute §12‐65c; b) The property meets and continues to meet the criteria established by Norwich in accordance with §12‐65d of the Connecticut General Statutes; c) The fixed assessment period shall commence with the first assessment date of the City of Norwich immediately following the issuance of a building permits for any construction, the assessment of real property for the period prior to the fixed assessment to be determined in a normal course pursuant to state statutes and local laws and ordinances; d) In the event of a general reevaluation by a municipality in the year within which such rehabilitation or construction is completed resulting in any increase of in the assessment of such property, only that portion of the increase resulting from such rehabilitation or construction shall be deferred; and e) In the event of a general revaluation in a year after the year in which such rehabilitation or constructed is completed such deferred assessment shall be increased in proportion to the increase or decrease to the increase or decrease in the total assessment on such property as is the result of such general reevaluation; f) The rehabilitation or construction shall be completed by a dated fixed by the City of Norwich and that completed rehabilitation or construction shall be subject to inspection and certification by the 13 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 7, 2013 local building official and shall be determined to be in conformance with the criteria established under Section 12‐65d. Legal Description: THE HILLS AT RIVER VIEW, LLC its successors and assigns forever, all the right, title, interest, claim and demand whatsoever as the said Releasor have or ought to have in or to a certain tract or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon, located in Taftville in the City of Norwich, County of New London and State of Connecticut, being bounded and described as follows: Beginning at a Connecticut Highway Department monument on the southwesterly line of Route #97 at the dividing line between the herein described tract and lane now or formerly of Arthur J. and Loretta A. Benoit and running thence southeasterly 303.75 feet to a monument; thence southwardly on the arc of a curve to the right having a radius of 270.10 feet a distance of 193.60 feet to a monument; thence southwestwardly on the arc of a curve to the right having a radius of 1151.30 feet a distance of 232.40 feet to a monument; thence southwestwardly 363.30 feet to a monument; thence southwestwardly on the arc of a curve to the right having a radius of 1395.60 feet a distance of 225.70 feet to a monument; thence southwestwardly 768.40 feet to a monument; thence southwesterly 248.95 feet to a monument; thence southwesterly 269.51 feet to a monument, these last eight lines run by and along the southwesterly, westerly and northwesterly lines of said highway; thence North 63° 28’ West 424.90 feet to a monument; thence North 6° 55’ East 286.50 feet to a monument; thence North 89° 30’ West 502.9 feet to a monument; thence South 0° 30’ West 343.18 feet, these last four lines abutting southwesterly, westerly, southerly and easterly on land now or formerly of Aberfoyle Corp.; thence Westerly 186.9 feet to a monument, abutting southerly on the northerly end of Third Avenue and land now or formerly of the Taftville Congregational Church; thence deflecting 8° 06’ to the right and running northwesterly 145.5 feet to a monument; thence deflecting 9° 01’ to the right and running northwesterly 128.9 feet to a monument, these two lines abutting southwesterly on land now or formerly of O’Brien; thence northeasterly about 1705 feet to the center of a stone wall, abutting northwesterly on land formerly of Aberfoye Corp.; thence easterly along the line of said stone wall and said wall line extended 375.6 feet to a monument; thence deflecting 13° 19’ to the right southeasterly 456.3 feet to an iron pipe; thence deflecting 57° 20’ to the left and running northeasterly 161.4 feet to an iron pipe; thence deflecting 3° 20’ to the left and running northeasterly 188.1 feet to a monument; thence deflecting 30° 32’ to the left and running northeasterly partly along a wall 463.4 feet to an angle in the wall, the last five lines abutting northerly, northeasterly and northwesterly on land now or formerly of John and Heien Jablonski; thence deflecting 4° 47’ to the right and running northeasterly 238.6 feet along the wall to a monument at the end of the wall; thence continuing northeasterly 18.4 feet to the Connecticut Highway Department monument at the point of beginning, the last two lines abutting northwesterly on said Benoit land. Upon a motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by Ald. Jaskiewicz, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Ald. Noblick. 14 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 7, 2013 Upon a motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Bergren. WHEREAS, the Building Official and Fire Marshal reviewed the condition of a partially collapsed structure known as Building No. 2 at the Capehart Mill complex located at Fifth Street, end of canal, in Greeneville and deemed that the remaining masonry wall in close proximity to the P & W Railroad was unstable and posed a hazard to rail traffic; and WHEREAS, the Building Official condemned the structure and ordered it to be demolished; and WHEREAS, the cost to demolish this structure was $25,000. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that $25,000 be and hereby is appropriated from demolition account # 15232-88110 to pay for the demolition of as Building No. 2 at the Capehart Mill complex, and that the City place a demolition lien on the property for such costs. Upon a motion of Ald. Hinchey, seconded by Ald. Braddock, the following resolution was introduced by Ald. Hinchey. 15 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 7, 2013 Upon a motion of Ald. Hinchey, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following amended resolution introduced by Ald. Hinchey. WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich has authorized the City Manager Alan H. Bergren to apply for a Vibrant Communities Grant in March of 2011; WHEREAS, The City of Norwich was awarded a non-matching $50,000 Vibrant Communities Initiative Grant from the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation; WHEREAS, the City of Norwich hired the Cecil Group, of Boston, Massachusetts to identify historic properties in the downtown and to develop a strategic plan to enhance the significance of these properties for economic growth and a tourism purposes; and WHEREAS, the report suggests that an implementation approach is needed to make sure that the recommendations are carried forward by the community. 16 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 7, 2013 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council has formally receive the Vibrant Community Initiative Report, dated June 6, 2012 and that an advisory Downtown Coordinating Committee to monitor the implementation of the Vibrant Communities report be established by the Council. Committee members will to serve until January 1, 2014 or until their successors are appointed. The Downtown Coordinating Committee shall report annually to the council regarding the implementation activities recommended in the Report. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Manager shall make existing professional staff resources available to assist this group, as the City Manager sees fit. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the following individuals are hereby appointed to said Downtown Coordinating Committee: Council Member (s): Deb Hinchey Redevelopment Agency Representative: Marjorie Blizard Parking Commission Representative: Jeffrey Lord Harbor Management Representative: J.P. Mereen Norwich Historical Society Representative: William Champagne Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce: Benjamin Lathrop NCDC Representative: Robert Mills Downtown Business Owner: Holly Salegna Ex-officio City Staff: Director of Planning & Neighborhood Services: Peter Davis Community Development Supervisor: Gary Evans Director of Public Works: Barry Ellison Chief of Police: Louis Fusaro Upon a motion of Ald. Jaskiewicz, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to schedule public hearing, second reading and action on January 22, 2013 on following ordinance introduced by Mayor Nystrom. AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $2,000,000 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STONY BROOK CONTACT CLARIFIER NON-BUOYANT MEDIA WITH BUOYANT MEDIA, UPGRADING THE PLC CONTROLS AND REPLACING THE EXISTING FILTER MULTI-MEDIA, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $2,000,000 REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY SECURED SOLELY BY WATER REVENUE TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TO ENTER INTO GRANT AND LOAN AGREEMENTS AND A JOINT RESOLUTION WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WITH RESPECT THERETO. 17 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 7, 2013 Upon a motion of Ald. Hinchey, seconded by Ald. Jaskiewicz, it was unanimously voted to schedule public hearing, second reading and action on January 22, 2013 on following ordinance introduced by Mayor Nystrom. AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $2,800,000 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW MOHEGAN PARK WATER STORAGE TANK, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $2,800,000 REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY SECURED SOLELY BY WATER REVENUE TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TO ENTER INTO GRANT AND LOAN AGREEMENTS AND A JOINT RESOLUTION WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WITH RESPECT THERETO. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to schedule public hearing, second reading and action on January 22, 2013 on following ordinance introduced by Mayor Nystrom. AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $2,600,000 FOR THE DECOMMISSIONING OF THE ROYAL OAKS PUMP STATION AND THE CONNECTION OF THE ROYAL OAK PRESSURE ZONE TO THE NORWICH PUBLIC UTILITIES INDUSTRIAL PARK TANK SERVICE ZONE, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $2,600,000 REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY SECURED SOLELY BY WATER REVENUE TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TO ENTER INTO GRANT AND LOAN AGREEMENTS AND A JOINT RESOLUTION WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WITH RESPECT THERETO. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Jaskiewicz, it was unanimously voted to schedule public hearing, second reading and action on January 22, 2013 on following ordinance introduced by Mayor Nystrom. AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $2,800,000 FOR THE REHABILITATION AND OR REPLACEMENT OF THE STONY BROOK NORTH TRANSMISSION MAIN, INCLUDING THE INSTALLATION OF A MICRO TURBINE, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $2,800,000 REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY SECURED SOLELY BY WATER REVENUE TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TO ENTER INTO GRANT AND LOAN AGREEMENTS AND A JOINT RESOLUTION WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WITH RESPECT THERETO. Upon a motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by Ald. Hinchey, it was unanimously voted to schedule public hearing, second reading and action on January 22, 2013 on following ordinance introduced by Mayor Nystrom. AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $2,600,000 FOR THE REHABILITATION OR REPLACEMENT OF THE STONY BROOK SOUTH TRANSMISSION MAIN, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $2,600,000 REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY SECURED SOLELY BY WATER REVENUE TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY AND 18 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 7, 2013 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TO ENTER INTO GRANT AND LOAN AGREEMENTS AND A JOINT RESOLUTION WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WITH RESPECT THERETO. Upon a motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to schedule public hearing, second reading and action on January 22, 2013 on following ordinance introduced by Mayor Nystrom. AN ORDINANCE REPEALING CERTAIN CODIFIED SEWER ORDINANCES THAT ARE UNENFORCEABLE AND OBSOLETE DUE TO SUPERSEDING ENACTMENTS OF STATE LAW AND OR COUNCIL ACTION CONSISTING OF ALL OR PART OF ORDINANCE NOS. 450, 547, 397 AND 205. Upon a motion by Ald. Hinchey, second by Ald. Jaskiewicz, it was unanimously voted to go into Executive Session per CGS 1-200 that the members of the Norwich City Council go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a sale or lease of city property when publicity regarding such would cause a likelihood of increased cost to the city, the Executive Session to include a review of negotiations relating to the transaction proposed regarding the property. City Manager Alan H. Bergren, Comptroller Joseph Ruffo or Deputy Comptroller Joshua Pothier, Gary Evans Supervisor Community Development, Corporation Counsel Michael E. Driscoll and Attorney Karl Sternlof 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 9:00 PM to 9:35 PM, at which time Mayor Nystrom, stated no votes were taken. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Noblick to return to regular session. Upon motion to Ald. Jaskiewicz, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:36 pm. CITY CLERK 19