City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH OCTOBER 21, 2013 A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held October 21, 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. Desaulniers read the opening prayer and Ald. Hinchey led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ald. Braddock read the following Proclamation: PROCLAMATION #1 WHEREAS, communities across America have been plagued by the numerous problems associated with illicit drug use and those that traffic in them; and WHEREAS, there is hope in winning the war on drugs, and that hope lies in education and drug demand reduction, coupled with the hard work and determination of organizations such as the Three Rivers Young Marines of the Marine Corps League to foster a healthy, drug-free lifestyle; and WHEREAS, governments and community leaders know that citizen support is one of the most effective tools in the effort to reduce the use of illicit drugs in our communities; and WHEREAS, the red ribbon has been chosen as a symbol commemorating the work of Enriqué “Kiki” Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent who was murdered in the line of duty, and represents the belief that one person can make a difference; and WHEREAS, the Red Ribbon Campaign was established by Congress in 1988 to encourage a drug-free lifestyle and involvement in drug prevention and reduction efforts by all; and WHEREAS, October 23 to October 31, 2013 has been designated National Red Ribbon Week, which encourages Americans to wear a red ribbon to show their support for a drug-free environment creating a better world for our youth. 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 proclaim October 23 to October 31, 2013 as RED RIBBON WEEK on behalf of the City of Norwich and urge all citizens to join me in this special observance. Dated this Twenty-first Day of October, 2013 Peter Albert Nystrom Pete Desaulniers Mayor President Pro Tem 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH OCTOBER 21, 2013 Mayor Nystrom read the following Proclamation: PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, it is the mission of the Italian Heritage and Cultural Committee of Norwich to promote and preserve Italian ancestry and traditions; and WHEREAS, Monsignor Anthony (Tony) Salvador Rosaforte embodies all the qualities needed to promote and preserve, traditions, heritage, culture and pride in being Italian, learning the traditions of his heritage from his grandparents who immigrated from Naples and Calabra, Italy; and WHEREAS, Monsignor Anthony Rosaforte was born and educated in Mount Kisco, NY entering Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell Connecticut in 1960 going on to Niagara University (Our Lady of Angels Seminary) in Selkirk, New York; and WHEREAS, Monsignor Anthony Rosaforte was ordained June 6, 1970 becoming Fr. Tony, serving the parishes of St. Michaels Church in Pawcatuck as Parochial Vicar with Pastor Monsignor Bronislaw Gadarowki, Cathedral of St. Patrick as Parochial Vicar with Rector Monsignor James O’Brien, St. Joseph Church in Occum as Pastor and in 1989 returned as Rector to the Cathedral; and WHEREAS, Fr. Tony Rosaforte was appointed Monsignor Anthony Rosaforte on March 24, 1992 and his devotion to prayer and community service continues to create an uplifting, uniting community environment and we extend to him sincere and heartfelt appreciation as he continues to be an inspiration to many. 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 recognize and congratulate Monsignor Anthony Rosaforte as he is bestowed the honor of Italian of the Year 2013 by the Italian Heritage and Cultural Committee of Norwich. Dated this Thirteenth Day of October, 2013 Peter Albert Nystrom Pete Desaulniers Mayor President Pro Tem Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to accept the letter of resignation from Sarah A. Kannas from the Personnel & Pension Board. An oral presentation by Debra Monahan and Tim Grills, representing the TVCCA Meals on Wheels program. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to take a brief recess to draft an Ordinance to present for first reading tonight. The council was recessed from 8:05 PM to 8:30 PM. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Hinchey, it was unanimously voted to reconvene. 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH OCTOBER 21, 2013 Upon a motion of Ald. Jaskiewicz, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to receive a letter from Marge Blizzard, Chair of the Redevelopment Agency. City Manager Alan Bergren gave his report as followed: DATE: October 22, 2013 TO: Mayor Peter A. Nystrom & Council Members FROM: Alan H. Bergren, City Manager SUBJECT: City Manager’s Report 1. Walktober Tour of City Hall The City Manager conducted the first in a series of two tours of the City Hall building today. There were over 40 participants in the tour that went from the exterior, to the basement police holding cells, through the Council Chambers and Room 335 and wrapped up with a brief tour of the attic. City Engineer, Pat McLaughlin joined the tour to discuss the renovation of the exterior stairways and the historical analysis of the building that is being conducted by Public Works and WASA Architects. The second and final tour in the series will take place at 11:00AM on Monday, October 28, 2013. Many thanks to Jason Vincent of NCDC for coordinating this tour with the Last Green Valley. 2. 23 Washington Street Bids were received and opened on October 15, 2013 and a low bidder has been identified. Final cost and a proposed demolition schedule will be communicated as soon as the paperwork is finalized. 3. TVCCA Meals on Wheels In an effort to help with the funding shortfall for the TVCCA Meals on Wheels program, we are beginning an employee giving campaign to raise funds towards restoring deliveries for the 2013-14 fiscal year. Employees from all City departments, including Utilities and Board of Ed employees will be receiving information in their paychecks this week on how to donate to this worthy cause. 4. Citizen Charter Input Citizens can go to the City’s website at www.norwichct.org to submit suggestions or ask questions on charter revision. 5. Mayor Nystrom attended a meeting this evening in New London to discuss the Department of Correction’s placement of released sex offenders in Southeastern Connecticut. The meeting was organized by the Public Welfare Committee, City of New London. Mayor Nystrom called for citizen comment. 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH OCTOBER 21, 2013 John Bilda, General Manager NPU, asked the Council to support resolution #2. Dianne Slopak, Republican Registrar of Voters and Dianne Daniels, Democratic Registrar of Voters, spoke in support of resolution # 3 dividing voting precinct five into two precincts-five and six. David Crabb, 47 Prospect St, stated he is opposed to resolution # 2 stating the contract period (15 years) is too long. 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, Ald. Noblick and Braddock. WHEREAS, the City of Norwich is the owner of certain real property located on Jail Hill near the intersection of Fountain Street and School Street, identified as 3‐5 Fountain Street, 9 Fountain Street, 9 ½ Fountain Street, 92 School Street, 106 School Street, and 85 School Street; and WHEREAS, the Council finds that the existing structure on 9 ½ Fountain Street is in significant disrepair and should be demolished; and that the property on 9 Fountain Street is in disrepair but is or may be capable of being renovated; and WHEREAS, 9 ½ Fountain Street is landlocked and accessible by a right of way approximately 4 feet wide running over 9 Fountain Street; and WHEREAS, both 9 and 9 ½ Fountain Street are on sloping land making off street parking on them difficult and impractical; and WHEREAS, 3‐5 Fountain Street may be able to be used in support of redevelopment of 9 and 9 ½ Fountain Street as off street parking or for other uses; and WHEREAS, the three city owned properties on School Street identified herein may be useable in support of the listed city owned properties on Fountain Street or in connection with other properties on School Street; and WHEREAS, it is the opinion of the Council of the City of Norwich that any rehabilitation and redevelopment of the property at 9 Fountain Street will require the demolition of the property at 9 ½ Fountain Street and may require the use of the property at 3‐5 Fountain Street in support of the project, and that the timely rehabilitation and redevelopment of the property at 9 Fountain Street is in the best interest of the City of Norwich as it will eliminate one blighted structure and rehabilitate another, potentially restoring said properties in improved condition to the tax rolls; and WHEREAS, it is in the opinion of the Council of the City of Norwich that other parcels of property located in the immediate area on School Street may be of use in support of such a project or to support other properties in the neighborhood. 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH OCTOBER 21, 2013 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that a Committee to be known as the Fountain Street Committee of Sale (“Committee”) be and hereby is appointed to prepare guidelines for the redevelopment, or other reuse, of the properties described herein; to solicit requests for proposal for the rehabilitation, redevelopment or other reuse of all the properties described identified herein, but specifically 9 and 9 ½ Fountain Street; to review and consider all duly made proposals according to such criteria as the Committee shall develop; to set a minimum bid price for any of said properties in consultation with the city comptroller, city assessor and city tax collector, recognizing that the price offered for any such properties is to be only factor in the review; to select and recommend a proposed developer for the properties at 9, 9 ½, and 3‐5 Fountain Street, or if the Committee chooses, one or more proposed developer, to the Council of the City of Norwich for its consideration; and to recommend whether 92, 106, and 85 School Street, or any portions thereof, should be used in conjunction with such a project, conveyed by the City of Norwich by tax collector’s auction, or otherwise utilized or disposed of; and to make its recommendations to the Council of the City of Norwich for its consideration by a report to be submitted on or before the first meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich in the month of February 2014; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the Committee shall consist of the following: H. Tucker Braddock Richard Caron, Sr. James Heist Sofee Noblick James Quarto Gary Schnip Andrew Zeeman Upon a motion of Ald. Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom. WHEREAS, the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners of the City of Norwich, by Resolution approved August 19, 2013, has authorized John Bilda for the Norwich Department of Public Utilities, to enter into an Agreement with Spectra Energy through Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC (“Algonquin”) which owns and operates an interstate gas transmission system in the northeastern United States; and WHEREAS, a copy of the Resolution of the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners of the City of Norwich is attached hereto and marked Exhibit A; and WHEREAS, Algonquin is proposing to expand its interstate natural gas transmission system in order to offer additional firm natural gas transportation gas capacity to its customers and to install new compressor units and upgrade its existing compressor units as part of the Algonquin Incremental Market Project (“Project”); and 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH OCTOBER 21, 2013 WHEREAS, the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners of the City of Norwich desire to obtain firm natural gas transportation service as part of the Project subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement and are agreeable to paying for an agreed upon portion of the cost to construct the Project facilities; and WHEREAS, Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC is willing to construct the Project and provide the firm transportation services that the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners of the City of Norwich desires subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement; and WHEREAS, certain terms called for in said Agreement shall extend for at least (15) fifteen years; and WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the Department of Public Utilities of the City of Norwich wishes to obtain the approval of the Council of the City of Norwich before entering into said Agreement. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that it approves of the Resolution adopted by the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners of the City of Norwich, dated August 19, 2013 attached hereto, and authorizes it, through John Bilda, General Manager of the Norwich Department of Public Utilities, to enter into, execute, and receive and deliver the Agreement and other documents necessary to perfect and effectuate the same. 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH OCTOBER 21, 2013 Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Hinchey, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Ald. Noblick and Braddock. WHEREAS, Section 9‐169 of the Connecticut General Statutes provides that the legislative body of any municipality may divide and, from time to time, redivide the municipality into voting districts; and WHEREAS, the Charter of the City of Norwich, at section 12 of chapter IV, states that the General Statutes shall provide the method for the establishment of voting districts and voting places within the City of Norwich; and WHEREAS, the City of Norwich is presently divided into five (5) voting precincts the largest of which, precinct 5, can be naturally and physically separated into two precincts by using the Shetucket and Thames Rivers as boundaries; and WHEREAS, the Registrars of Voters of the City of Norwich have recommended that, for the convenience of the electors, the present precinct 5 be separated into two precincts; a new precinct 5 to follow the boundaries of existing precinct 5 but to encompass only that land located within it that is bounded to the east by the Shetucket and Thames Rivers and a new precinct 6 to be made up of the remaining lands 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH OCTOBER 21, 2013 located within the boundaries of the current precinct 5, but bounded on the west by Shetucket and Thames Rivers; and WHEREAS, the Registrars of Voters will identify one or more suitable polling places within precinct 5 and precinct 6 and seek the approval of the Council to utilize the same for elections to be conducted pursuant under this new division of precinct NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the make‐up of the voting precincts in Norwich be amended to establish (6) six voting precincts, the boundaries of voting precincts 1, 2, 3, and 4 to be and remain as they are presently described and the boundaries of voting precincts 5 and 6 to be as follows: • The boundaries of the 5th voting precinct shall follow the boundaries of the current precinct 5 to the west bank of the Shetucket and Thames Rivers, but exclude all the land located to the east of the Shetucket and Thames Rivers. • The boundaries of the 6th voting precinct shall encompass the remaining land currently located within the 5th voting precinct, being bounded on the north, east, and south by the Town of Preston and on the west by the Thames and Shetucket Rivers; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that this redivision of the City of Norwich into six (6) voting precinct shall become effective on January 1, 2014. There was no motion on the following resolution therefore no action was taken: NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the regular scheduled meeting of the Norwich City Council held on November 4, 2013 is hereby canceled. Upon motion of Ald. Jaskiewicz, seconded by Ald. Bettencourt, it was unanimously voted, to set a public hearing on November 18, 2013 , for referral to Commission on the City Plan requesting a special meeting, second reading and action for the following ordinance introduced by Ald. Braddock. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF NORWICH BY AMENDING SECTION 8.1 PERTAINING TO PERMITTED USES WITHIN THE R-80 AND R-40 RESIDENCE DISTRICTS BY ADDING THE FOLLOWING SUBSECTION (1) SPECIAL PERMIT ADDITIONAL USES NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH: That section 8.1.2 be amended by adding thereto the following subsection to be identified as subsection (l) (l)Wineries. 8 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH OCTOBER 21, 2013 Upon motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Bettencourt, it was unanimously voted, to set a public hearing on November 18, 2013 , for referral to Commission on the City Plan requesting a special meeting, second reading and action for the following ordinance introduced by Ald. Braddock. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF NORWICH BY AMENDING SECTION 1.O PERTAINING TO DEFINITIONS BY ADDING THE FOLLOWING DEFINITION: NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH: That section 1.0 be amended by adding thereto the following subsection to be indentified as subsection (1.57.04) “Winery” shall mean agricultural operations and their accessory uses that may include activities such as: retail sales of wine and related items, a tasting room, wine sales by glass or bottle, art gallery, meetings, wine tasting, tours, private weddings/banquets, wine/ food events, wine festivals, and catered events, and cafes. The percent of locally-grown plants and fruits shall comply with the Connecticut Department of Agriculture standards and the requirements of the Connecticut Liquor Control Commission Upon motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it passed on a 6-0 vote with Ald. Bettencourt abstaining, to set a public hearing on November 4, 2013, second reading and action for the following ordinance introduced by Mayor Nystrom, President Pro Tem Desaulniers, Ald. Hinchey, Noblick, Braddock and Jaskiewicz. AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING A SUM OF UP TO $15,500 FROM THE UNDESIGNATED FUND BALANCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THE OPERATION OF THE MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM THROUGH JUNE 30, 2014 NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the sum of up to $15,500 be and hereby is appropriated from the undesignated fund balance to be used by TVCCA to operate the Meals on Wheels program in the City of Norwich through June 30, 2014, said appropriated amount to be reduced by any grants, resources or contributions other wise received by TVCCA for this purpose. Mayor Nystrom read a thank you note into the record from Linda Nystrom. Upon motion to Ald. Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:05 pm. 9 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH OCTOBER 21, 2013 CITY CLERK 10