City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held September 3, 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. Ald. Bettencourt read the opening prayer and Ald. Braddock 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 August 5 and 19, 2013. Mayor Nystrom called for a Public Hearing on AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $150,000 TO THE 2013-14 NON DEPARTMENTAL EXPENSES CONTINGENCY BUDGET FOR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS Speaking in favor: Dennis Slopak, 8 N second Ave, stated he lobbied hard for this ordinance. He trusts that the Council will do the right thing and vote in favor. Abby Dolliver, 6 Deepwood Dr, Superintendent, stated the Resource Officer has a positive impact with the staff, children and parents within the school system. Keith Ripley, Meadow Lane, stated he is a strong supporter of education and felt this money is being used effectively. He trusts the Council will make the right decision for the future. Gerry Martin, Gillette Rd, felt this is a win-win situation for the security of our children, giving peace of mind to the parents. He stated they can give guidance to the students. Kathleen Murphy, Boswell Ave, spoke in favor and asked this to be a budget item in the future. Louis Fusaro, Police Chief, stated this is an outstanding program for it benefits both the police officers and school system. Brian Kobylarz, 16 Hobart Ave, spoke about his personal experience with school violence incident. He supports getting School Resource Officers into the schools at an efficient and cost effective way. Speaking in opposition: Rodney Bowie, 62 Roosevelt Ave, stated this money for SRO will not stop an incident from happening or solve the problem. He stated people should be aware of their surroundings. David Crabb, 47 Prospect St, stated he is confused as to why we are spending this amount of money when we have more than 100 police officers. There being no further speakers Mayor Nystrom declared the public hearing closed. 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 Mayor Nystrom called for the second reading and action on AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $150,000 TO THE 2013-14 NON DEPARTMENTAL EXPENSES CONTINGENCY BUDGET FOR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to waive the reading of the full text. Upon a motion of Ald. Jaskiewicz, seconded by Ald. Braddock, to adopt the following ordinance introduced by Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom. WHEREAS, the cost of providing School Resource Officers in each of Norwich’s two middle schools, Kelly Middle School and Teachers Memorial Middle School, is $191,149 for fiscal year 2013-14; and WHEREAS, the Norwich Police Department can absorb $41,149 of this cost in its 2013-14 operating budget; and WHEREAS, the Board of Education expects to have a 2012-2013 General Fund operating surplus of $150,000 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that, provided that Norwich Public Schools closes out its fiscal year 2012-13 General Fund budget with not less than a $150,000 of operating surplus, $150,000 will be appropriated from the unrestricted fund balance of the General Fund to the 2013-14 Non Departmental Expenses Contingency budget line item 01090-80086 for the purpose of funding School Resource Officers at Kelly Middle School and Teachers Memorial Middle School. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that, if Norwich Public Schools closes out its fiscal year 2012-13 General Fund budget with less than $150,000 surplus, the City will not provide School Resource Officers at Kelly Middle School and Teachers Memorial Middle School for fiscal year 2013-14. The above ordinance passed on a roll call vote of 7-0. Upon a motion of Ald. Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to receive the report regarding the Police Station Project Review Committee by David Eggleston. City Manager Alan Bergren gave his report as followed: DATE: September 3, 2013 TO: Mayor Peter A. Nystrom & Council Members FROM: Alan H. Bergren, City Manager SUBJECT: City Manager’s Report 1. Upcoming Events • The next Mayor’s One City Forum will be held this Saturday, September 7th, 2013 at 9AM at the Laurel Hill Volunteer Fire Department. • On October 19th, 2013, the Emancipation Proclamation Commemoration Committee is planning a ceremony to dedicate the David Ruggles Freedom Courtyard which is being built to house the Norwich Freedom Bell forged in the City last year to mark the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. The courtyard will be paved with engraved bricks purchased by citizens to support the project. Bricks are still available for purchase by 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 contacting the City Historian, Dale Plummer, at 860-859-5349. The Public Works Department is coordinating construction of the Courtyard. Work is scheduled to begin tomorrow and is expected to take about 7 weeks. 2. Police An update on the condition of Police Officer Jonathon Ley who was shot four times on January 7th, 2013: He has been recovering from the several surgeries he needed as a result of the gunshot wounds and is progressing at an amazingly quick pace toward his goal to return to work. His doctors indicate that he may be able to return as soon as next week, if all continues to go well. 3. Lazizah’s Bakery Yantic’s Lazizah's Bakery was listed in the September issue of Connecticut magazine as one of the Best of Connecticut for 2013 and our City offers its own congratulations. Located in the heart of the village of Yantic off of Route 32 the magazine said, “….the locals rave, justifiably, about everything made here….” 4. 2013 Property Rehab & Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Program Applications The Office of Community Development is currently accepting applications for the 2013 Property Rehabilitation and Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Programs. As you can see from the large poster placed in front of Council Chambers, these programs do well to protecting our Norwich residents and preserving our housing stock. The contact information is on the poster. Anyone interested in applying or finding out more information, may call the number provided. Upon a motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by Ald. Braddock, to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Bergren. Upon a motion of Ald. Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Desaulniers, it was unanimously voted to table the following resolution. 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 Mayor Nystrom called for citizen comment. Dale Plummer, 25 Broadway, President of Norwich Heritage Trust, spoke in favor of resolution # 1 asked to put out an RFP and give enough time to attract qualified investors. He asked not to demolish is building for the tax credits would be lost. David Crabb, 47 Prospect St, spoke in opposition to resolution #1 asked that this resolution be either tabled or wait until after the election. Gil Skillman, 101 Broad St, spoke in favor of resolution # 1 and echoed the value of options for tax credits. He added that if the RFP addressed the whole project it could attract more potential developers. He thought we should have the building evaluated for a lesser cost. David Bishop, Cherry Hill Rd, he urged the Council to put a temporary fix on the roof of the Reid & Hughes Building. Kathleen Murphy, Boswell Ave, asked that resolution #1 be put out an RFP with a solid time line. She feels the building should be torn down to open-up the space. Jason Vincent, NCDC, stated that on page nine of the handout (8/19/2013) the timeline chart advances the process one month. Kevin Harkens, 37 Lincoln Ave, spoke in favor of resolution # 1 asking for a RFP with a longer timeline and amount of money, so that Norwich can obtain reasonable proposals. 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 Rodney Bowie, 62 Roosevelt Ave, spoke in favor of resolution #1 going out for an RFP. Greg Grippo, 209 Boswell Ave, questioned why it cost $70,000 to save the roof. He felt it could be done for less money. He hoped the building could be saved. Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom and Ald. Noblick. WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich has reviewed and considered the Assessment and Option Reports presented to it by the Norwich Community Development Corporation with respect to the Reid & Hughes Building, 193-201 Main Street, together with other information about the property provided to it through the Norwich Community Development Corporation and City Manager Alan H. Bergren and his designees and by others; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich has reviewed the draft of the Request for Proposals prepared for it by the Norwich Community Development Corporation; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich finds that further delay in issuing a Request for Proposals may be detrimental to development of the Reid & Hughes Building NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the Norwich Community Development Corporation as the city’s development agency be and hereby is directed to issue a Request for Proposals for the Reid & Hughes Building substantially consistent with the draft Request for Proposal it presented to the Council; to establish a timeline for responses; to report said timeline to the Council of the City of Norwich no later than its first meeting of October 2013; and to make such recommendations to the Council with respect to any proposals received as it deems appropriate and necessary; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that it reserves to itself all decisions to be made as to selecting any developer or any proposal, or none of the same, with respect to the development of the Reid & Hughes Building property. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Hinchey, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Bergren. WHEREAS, on January 22, 2013, the Council of the City of Norwich approved an expenditure of $25,000 from account 10213-88110 to pay for the demolition of the structure on the city-owned property located at 631West Main Street; and WHEREAS, the project was completed at a cost of $9,500 which was under an estimated cost allocation of $25,000, leaving $15,500 of funds available for reallocation; and 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 WHEREAS, on April 1, 2013, the Council of the City of Norwich approved an expenditure of $3,275 from the available funds in account 10213-88110 to secure the facilities at the Capehart Mill; and WHEREAS, on May 6, 2013, the Council of the City of Norwich approved an expenditure of $1,770 from the available funds in account 10213-88110 for the pre-renovation/demolition survey for 53 Washington Street; and WHEREAS, we received an estimate of $4,700 to provide consultation on the demolition of the existing brick masonry warehouse at 77 Chestnut Street. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the sum of $4,700 be and hereby is appropriated from the Capital Improvement Account 10213- 88110 for the purpose of providing consultation on the demolition of the existing brick masonry warehouse at 77 Chestnut Street. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Hinchey, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom. WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich including funding in its 2013-14 Capital Budget of $18,000 for the Occum Volunteer Fire Department for the purposes of upgrading the lighting of the fire station and resealing the parking lot; and WHEREAS, the Occum Volunteer Fire Department will be able to make these two improvements for $11,325, for a savings of $6,675; and WHEREAS, the Occum Volunteer Fire Department has requested to apply $4,400 of the savings in the Capital Budget which had been allocated for the purposes of upgrading the lighting of the fire station and resealing the parking lot towards the repainting of the exterior doors, trim, and rear fire escape of the Occum Fire Station. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the 2013-14 Capital Budget for the Occum Volunteer Fire Department be and hereby is amended to reduce $6,675 funding for the purposes of upgrading the lighting of the fire station and resealing the parking lot and add $4,400 funding for repainting of the exterior doors, trim, and rear fire escape of the Occum Fire Station. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the remaining $2,275 from the original appropriation for the purposes of replacing upgrading the lighting of the fire station and resealing the parking lot be and hereby is reallocated to Capital Budget line item 10214-88000 – Capital Contingency. Upon a motion of Ald. Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Braddock, to schedule a Public Hearing on the following ordinance introduced by City Manager Bergren. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to schedule a Public Hearing on September 16, 2013 and second reading and action on October 7, 2013 on the following ordinance introduced by Ald. Desaulniers and Bettencourt. AN ORDINANCE INCREASING THE FUNDING FOR EMPLOYEE SALARIES AND FRINGE BENEFITS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES DURING FISCAL YEAR 2013-2014 BY APPROPRIATING FUNDS FROM THE CONTINGENCY ACCOUNT 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 WHEREAS, two existing positions at Norwich Department of Human Services, a caseworker position and an accounting clerk position, are funded for only part of fiscal year 2013-2014 in anticipation the positions would be eliminated; and WHEREAS, funding both positions for the full fiscal year would require an increase to line item 01033- 80012 Salaries of $42,566, and an increase to line item 01033-89999 Fringe Benefits of $20,618, a total of $63,184; and WHEREAS, there are funds in the Contingency Account, line item 01090-80086 which can be appropriated for this purpose; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich finds that community needs require a staffing level at the Department of Human Services retaining both positions for the full fiscal year. NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the appropriation for salaries for employees for the Department of Human Services, adopted at line item 01033-80012, be increased by $42,566 for fiscal year 2013-2014, and that the appropriation for fringe benefits for employees of the Department of Human Services, line item 01033-89999 be increased by $20,618 for fiscal year 2013-2014. Funds for this increase during fiscal year 2013-2014 in the sum of $63,184 shall be taken from the Contingency Account No. 01090-80086. Upon motion to Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:55 pm. CITY CLERK 7