City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 27, 2014 The adjourned meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held January 27, 2014 at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Aldermen Desaulniers, Noblick, Wilson, Eyberse, Bettencourt and Mayor Hinchey. City Manager Bergren and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll were also in attendance. Ald. Nash was absent due to the adjourned meeting date. Mayor Hinchey presided. President Pro Tem Desaulniers read the opening prayer and Ald. Noblick led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Hinchey called for citizen comment general: Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm Ave, suggested that better communication be given regarding adjourned meetings. She appreciated the City Clerk staff and the Otis Library staff for the exceptional job they do every day. She was perplexed on the Mayor’s comment about a certain part of the City. She asked that the City work with the Post Office to clean up the area, make it handicap accessible and suggested a kiosk inside. John Blackburn, 15 Alice St, asked that the Veterans exception be re-visited and increased. He appreciated the time taken for Veteran memorial events. Shiela Hayes, 288 Central Ave, expressed appreciation to the Mayor and Council for this opportunity to speak. Thanked the City Comptroller and Council for the improved bond rating. She stated at the last school board meeting that there is a proposal to create two new intra-district magnet schools. She asked for integration and support for this in the budget cycle. David Crabb, 47 Prospect St, spoke about NCDC comparing building projects to tax and NDPU rate hikes. He would like to see tax cuts for this year’s budget. Mayor Hinchey declared citizen comment closed. Mayor Hinchey called for a Public Hearing on AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE COLLECTION OF A FEE FOR REQUIRED DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLE REPORTING Speaking in favor: no one spoke Speaking in opposition: David Crabb, 47 Prospect St, spoke in opposition asking if it will impact the details in resolution # 6. He also stated caution is needed. There being no further speakers Mayor Hinchey declared the public hearing closed. Mayor Hinchey called for called for the second reading on AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE COLLECTION OF A FEE FOR REQUIRED DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLE REPORTING 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 27, 2014 Upon a motion Ald. Bettencourt, seconded Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to waive the reading of the full text and incorporate it into the minutes. Upon a motion Ald. Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Wilson, to adopt the following ordinance introduced by Mayor Hinchey. The above ordinance passed on a roll call vote of 6-0. City Manger stated that the audit presentation from Blum Shapiro PC will be brought back February 3, 2014. Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Eyberse, it was unanimously voted to accept the letter of resignation of Lauren N. Miner from The Harbor Management Commission with regret. 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 27, 2014 Upon a motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by Ald. Wilson, it was unanimously voted to accept the letter of resignation of Robert Champagne from the Norwich Historic District Commission with regret. Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Eyberse, it was unanimously voted to accept the letter of resignation of Kevin Lin from the Rehabilitation Review Committee with regret. Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by President Pro Tem Desaulniers, it was unanimously voted to accept the letter of resignation of Wayne D. Rosenfield from the Ethics Commission with regret. Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to accept the letter of resignation from Emmett Riley from the Norwich Baseball Stadium Authority with regret. City Manager Alan Bergren gave his report as followed: DATE: January 27, 2014 TO: Mayor Deberey Hinchey & Council Members FROM: Alan H. Bergren, City Manager SUBJECT: City Manager’s Report 1. Bond Rating Upgrade Our bond rating results confirmed our AA2 rating Moody’s and we received an upgrade from Standard & Poor’s from AA- to AA. These ratings will assist us in getting the best interest rates possible in the bond market for our refinancing of existing debt and adding authorized debt. 2. Fire Chief Scandariato has recently closed the investigation of a fire this month located at 502 East Main Street. Through collaborative efforts with the Asian community and in particular Mr. John Wong, acting as an interpreter, the Norwich Fire Marshal’s office was able to classify the fire as accidental. We are continuing to explore all opportunities in community outreach and involvement for the benefit of greater public safety and fire prevention. 3. Diversity Committee The Diversity Committee that I formed last December held its first regular meeting on December 4, 2013 (minutes attached). The second meeting was held on January 14th. They will be holding regular monthly meetings going forward. The Committee’s objectives will be to strategize ideas for training, education and outreach to help the City achieve its goals regarding diversity in employment. 4. Volunteers Needed! There are currently alternate and regular member vacancies on the following Council appointed Boards/Committees/Commissions: Baseball Stadium Authority, Building Code Board of Appeals, Commission on the City Plan, Ethics Commission, Personnel & Pension Board, Volunteer Fire Fighter Relief Fund, Rehab Review Committee, Senior Affairs Commission & Uncas Health. For more information, minutes from past meetings, specific qualifications (if any) and to fill out an application, please visit the City’s website, 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 27, 2014 www.norwichct.org or call the Mayor’s office at (860) 823-3742. In addition to any Board specific qualifications, volunteers must be current on taxes and resident electors of the City. 5. Citizen Charter Input Citizens can go to the City’s website at www.norwichct.org to submit suggestions or ask questions on charter revision. The organizational meeting of the Charter Revision Commission was held on January 22, 2014. The public hearing is scheduled for Thursday February 13, 2014 at 6:30PM in Room 335 at City Hall. Tuesday, January 14, 2014, 9:30 a.m. Meeting Agenda Call to Order / Attendance Review Minutes from December 4 Meeting Old Business New Business Other Items Adjourn Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, December 4, 2013 1. Introductions Present: Bob Farwell, Brigid Marks, Joseph Cooper, Jim Veiga, Kerri Kemp, Patrick Chao, Dianne Daniels, Larry Kendall, Alan Bergren Members of the committee introduced themselves. 2. Review of Committee Objectives City Manager Alan Bergren discussed the Committee’s objectives and structure. The committee will be involved in training, education and outreach to help the city achieve its goals regarding diversification of the workforce. 3. Nominations for Secretary 4. Chair / Selection of Secretary and Chair Jim Veiga was nominated as Chair of the committee, and Dianne Daniels was nominated as Secretary. Both nominations were seconded and accepted. 5. Overview of City Outreach Efforts to Date Human Resources Director Brigid Marks reviewed the city’s efforts to increase diversity within the City’s employment of applicants for open positions. Current population breakdown as of the 2010 Census was: Women 51% Hispanic 12.6% 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 27, 2014 African-American 10.4% Asian 7.7% The Police and Fire departments have participated in trying to increase department recruiting efforts aimed at minorities. The Police department has a continual hiring program, and along with the Fire department, established teams to assist with outreach efforts. The Fire department has also updated their hiring panels to increase diversity on the panels. The Norwich Bulletin also has a group concentrating on Diversity, and Jim Veiga attends their meetings. Other city organizations like Norwich’s Rotary clubs have been invited for presentations. Leo Butler, Diversity Director at Norwich Free Academy, worked with city employers on increasing diversity in summer employment. The first year was a success and will continue. Participants were placed at the Recreation department and within offices at Norwich City Hall. Direct coaching was provided for Department heads participating in the program. Training was also provided for all elected officials and other local organizations. Bilingual positions were filled in the Tax office, and with the Customer Service office at Norwich Public Utilities. It is recognized that City committees need additional diversity. Norwich currently has 7.64% minority population, and the percentage of minorities among the employee population is 9.37%. There are changes upcoming in the Outreach program, including starting an internship program that could run up to 1 year from start to finish. The Norwich Police Department expresses frustration at the struggle to diversify the applicant pool – bilingual and trilingual applicants are particularly sought-after. Past experience includes attendance at job fairs, with a major question being whether we should attend if there are no open positions for the general public. Certain populations seem to fare better than others at job fairs. One aspect that the City might be able to assist with is preparing applicants to “show” better at the job fairs by providing information what attire would be preferable for a desired job. Talking to community organizations regarding assistance for job applicants might be another way to reach out. The group also discussed the challenges applicants are having with the multi-step process to apply to the Police department. Oral exams can be made less intimidating by using Google to look up potential questions and answers. Creating a group of speakers that could visit high schools and encourage the students to stay out of trouble in advance could help their chances of being selected for the Police department. There was a question regarding how ethnicity is handled with applicants to City jobs – after the application is submitted, that information is removed (physically) from the submitted application so that each applicant’s information is “blind” with regard to ethnicity. There was a suggestion made that Leo Butler might be of assistance regarding video interviews with students to help prepare them for the process. This might also be useful for preparing an instructional video on how to become a City employee. Information could be provided via an autoresponder (submission of email addresses from interested persons could be accomplished via the City website. Another suggestion was to prepare a thumb drive with a copy of the City employment application and links to helpful websites for serious applicants. 6. Future Activities of Committee We discussed our meeting schedule, tentatively set at the first Wednesday of each month at 10:00 am. We can move the meeting up one week if a holiday or conflict occurs (December to January). Future meeting dates for the remainder of 2014 are listed below: Wednesday, February 5 Wednesday, March 5 Wednesday, April 2 Wednesday, May 7 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 27, 2014 Wednesday, June 4 Wednesday, July 2 Wednesday, August 6 Wednesday, September 3 Wednesday, October 1 Wednesday, November 5 Wednesday, December 3 We also discussed setting up a Facebook page for the committee to help publicize our efforts. We could include Goals / Performance Measures, the Mission and Purpose, and timing of the meetings. Our next meeting will include a discussion of Diversity vs Minority, including Ancestry and Lifestyle. We discussed setting up a meeting with Adam Benson from the Norwich Bulletin to help discuss and publicize the committee’s activities – Dianne Daniels and Jim Veiga were suggested as attendees. We also discussed submitting Profile of a Newsmaker information to the Bulletin regarding the committee members to help publicize our activities and help counter some of the skepticism regarding our activities from the general public. The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 am by unanimous vote. Respectfully submitted, Dianne M. Daniels Dianne M. Daniels, Secretary Mayor Hinchey called for citizen comment. David Crabb, 47 Prospect St, spoke in opposition to resolution # 3 asking where the funds are coming from when the rink is in so much debt. He suggested making it a BYOB event. He expressed concern on resolution # 6 that it is lacking the financial details. He asked to set a template for NCDC to emulate. Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm Ave, stated on resolution #3 her family had a wonderful time at the rink but questioned the meaning of “sale of” and “other provision of”. Asked on resolution # 6 how much is the suspense amount. Mayor Hinchey declared citizen comment closed. Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Hinchey and President Pro Tem Desaulniers. BE IT RESOLVED that the following be appointed as a regular member to the Personnel & Pension Board to fill the remaining portion of a term expiring on 3/1/2014 or until a successor is appointed; Shiela Hayes (D) Upon a motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by Ald. Wilson, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Ald. Noblick. 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 27, 2014 WHEREAS, on October 21, 2013 the Council of the City of Norwich appointed a committee known as the Fountain Street Committee of Sale consisting of seven (7) members; and WHEREAS, the Council finds that the addition of an employee from the City Building Department would be of assistance to the Committee NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the Fountain Street Committee of Sale be increased to eight (8) members and that Joseph East be and hereby is appointed a member of the Fountain Street Committee of Sale. Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Eyberse, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Hinchey. WHEREAS, the Norwich Ice Arena Authority proposes to host a Business After Hours Event organized by the Greater Norwich Chamber of Commerce on February 20, 2014 at the Norwich Ice Arena; and WHEREAS, the Norwich Ice Arena Authority and the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce are requesting permission to allow the sale of or other provision of beer and wine during the event NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that pursuant to Section 13‐14.2 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances, City Manager Alan H. Bergren be and hereby is authorized to grant the Norwich Ice Arena Authority and the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce permission to sell or otherwise provide beer and wine on February 20, 2014 at the Norwich Ice Rink, subject to satisfactory proof that the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce has complied with any applicable regulations of the State Liquor Commission; that identification will be mandatory from each person acquiring and/or consuming an alcoholic beverage; that any sales of beer and wine will be made under a proper liquor license, and that proper insurances will be obtained and maintained by the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce and any vendor of beer and/or wine for the event. Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by President Pro Tem Desaulniers, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Bergren. WHEREAS, James Austin is the owner of approximately 40 acres of wooded property in Norwich and Preston most easily accessible from the Norwich side at a point located off Crouch Avenue; and WHEREAS, Hull Forest Products of Pomfret Center, Connecticut proposes to harvest timber from said property; and WHEREAS, this timbering can be most easily accomplished by accessing the property across land of the City of Norwich located off Crouch Avenue; and WHEREAS, Hull Forest Products, on its behalf and on the behalf of James Austin, has requested the City grant it a license or temporary easement for its employees and equipment to pass and repass across the City land to land of James Austin for the purpose of timbering the same, said license or temporary easement to be in effect from February 1, 2014 to July 1, 2014; and 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 27, 2014 WHEREAS, Hull Forest Products agrees that it will maintain insurance coverage satisfactory to the City pertaining to its exercise of its activities under its license or temporary easement and to repair and restore any disturbance of the city property at the conclusion of its operations, repair and restoration to be made to the satisfaction of Director of Planning and include the installation of secure, locked gate at the entrance. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that City Manager Alan H. Bergren be and hereby is authorized and directed to enter into a license agreement or temporary easement on behalf of the City of Norwich with Hull Forest Products and/or James Austin satisfactory to him, said license or temporary easement to be and remain in effect from February 1, 2014 to July 1, 2014 to permit Hull Forest Products access across city land to the land of James Austin for purpose of harvesting or timbering the same in return for the receipt of Ten and 00/100 ($10.00) Dollars and the other considerations proposed by Hull Forest Products Inc. Mayor Hinchey stated the following resolution introduced by City Manager Bergren is being withdrawn until February 3, 2014 by the sponsor: RESOLVED, that the accounting firm of Blum Shapiro PC be and hereby is, appointed to perform the regular general audit for the City of Norwich (including the Board of Education, Department of Public Utilities, and Community Development) for fiscal year 2013-2014. Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Bettencourt, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Bergren. WHEREAS, there is on file in the Tax Collector’s Office the names and addresses of the persons against whom motor vehicle taxes and personal property taxes on the Grand Lists up to and including 2010, were levied and the reasons why the Tax Collector believes such taxes are uncollectible; and, WHEREAS, in accordance with the Tax Collector’s recommendation the aggregate sum of $429,522 is the total outstanding motor vehicle tax on the Grand Lists up to and including 2010, to be transferred to the suspense tax book and $201,991 is the total outstanding personal property tax on the Grand Lists up to and including 2010, to be transferred to the suspense tax book; and, WHEREAS, nothing herein contained shall be construed as an abatement of any tax transferred to the suspense tax account, but any such taxes, as it shall have been increased by interest, penalty fees and charges may be collected; and WHEREAS, the City has contracted with Rossi Law Offices to pursue collection of the aforesaid accounts; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the following aggregate sums representing personal property taxes of $201,991 and motor vehicle taxes of $429,522 on the Grand Lists up to and including 2010, be and the same hereby are transferred to the suspense account. 8 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 27, 2014 Upon motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by Ald. Bettencourt, it was unanimously voted, to set a public hearing on February 3, 2014 , for the second reading and action for the following ordinance introduced by Ald. Nash, Bettencourt and Noblick: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 8-3 OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES TO FURTHER DEFINE THE INTENDED EVENTS TO BE COVERED WHEREAS, Section 8-3 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances presently makes it illegal to remove fire department equipment placed by the fire department in the course of performing its duties during a fire; NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF CITY OF NORWICH, that Section 8-3 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances be and hereby is amended as hereinafter set forth to further define the types of prohibited behaviors, and to expand on the definition of a fire event. Section 8-3. Illegally destroying or removing fire department equipment or hindering an officer in the event of a fire or emergency requiring fire department response during a fire. It shall be unlawful for any person to injure, deface or destroy any city fire apparatus or fire equipment, or to hinder or obstruct any fire department personnel or equipment passing along the streets of the city when any fire department or company is responding to or operating at a service call, a fire, or other emergency including any incident in which the fire department may be operating to protect life or property within the City of Norwich, or in any manner to hinder or prevent any officer or member of such department from operating when any fire department or company is responding to or operating at a service call, a fire, or other emergency including any incident in which the fire department may be operating to protect life or property within the City of Norwich. It shall be unlawful for any person to remove or assist in removing any property or obstruction placed by the fire department in the course of its duties in, upon, or across any street or portion thereof or upon any premises under the control of such department during a fire when any fire department or company is responding to or operating at a service call, a fire, or other emergency including any incident in which the fire department may be operating to protect life or property within the City of Norwich. Purpose: to clarify the types of behavior subject to sanction and expand the defined occurrence from a fire to include service calls or other emergencies. Upon motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by Ald. Wilson, it was unanimously voted, to set a public hearing on February 3, 2014 , for the second reading and action for the following ordinance introduced by Ald. Nash, Bettencourt, Noblick: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 8-4 OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES TO DEFINE UNLAWFUL CONDUCT IN CONNECTION WITH FIRE OFFICIALS WHEREAS, Section 8-4 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances presently makes it unlawful to refuse or obey any order or command of a fire officer at a “fire”; WHEREAS, this Council wishes to expand the definition of the term “fire” and make such violation an infraction. NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF CITY OF NORWICH, that Section 8-4 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances be amended as hereinafter set forth to expand the definition of the term “fire” and make such violation an infraction. Section 8-4. Failure to obey orders of officers at a fire emergency. 9 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 27, 2014 It shall be unlawful for any person to neglect or refuse to obey any order or command of any officer of the fire department in charge of a fire when any fire department or company is responding to or operating at a service call, or other emergency within such municipality including any incident in which the fire department may be operating to protect life or property. Purpose: To remove the term “fire” and make the applicable events more expansive in the ordinance. Upon motion of President Pro Tem Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:15 pm. CITY CLERK 10