City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 15, 2014 A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held September 15, 2014 at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Aldermen Desaulniers, Noblick, Wilson, Eyberse, Bettencourt, Nash and Mayor Hinchey. Acting City Manager Brigid Marks and Corporation Counsel Aimee Wickless were also in attendance. City Manager Bergren was at a conference. Mayor Hinchey presided. President Pro Tem Desaulniers read the opening prayer and Ald. Eyberse led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Bettencourt, it was unanimously voted to suspend the rules to allow Senator Osten to update the Council on legislative issues. Mayor Hinchey called for citizen comment. Brian Curtin, 48 Broad St, voiced his opinion about four violent sex offenders living in his residential neighborhood with children and bus stops on the street, he stated this is a public disgrace and a danger. David Crabb, 47 Prospect St spoke on various issues as they related to Norwich and the National debt. Abby Dolliver, 6 Deepwood Dr, thanked the delegates for the update and presentation on the sex offender legislation. She talked about some of the achievement that the school system accomplished. Mayor Hinchey declared citizen comment closed. Mayor Hinchey Read the following Proclamation: PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, September is Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma Awareness Month, and WHEREAS, blood cancers currently afflict more than 1,129,813 people in the United States, with an estimated 149,990 new cases diagnosed each year and an estimated 1,940 new cases diagnosed in Connecticut each year, and WHEREAS, leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma will kill an estimated 54,630 people in the United States and an estimated 640 people in Connecticut this year, and WHEREAS, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), through voluntary contributions, is dedicated to finding cures for these diseases through research efforts and the support for those that suffer from them, and WHEREAS, LLS maintains offices in Connecticut to support patients with these diseases and their family members in the State of Connecticut, and WHEREAS, the State of Connecticut is similarly committed to the eradication of these diseases and supports the treatment of its citizens that suffer from them, and 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 15, 2014 WHEREAS, the State of Connecticut encourages private efforts to enhance research funding and education programs that address these diseases. NOW THEREFORE, I, MAYOR DEBEREY HINCHEY 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 the month of September 2014 as Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma Awareness month to enhance the understanding of blood related cancers and to encourage participation in voluntary activities to support education programs and the funding of research programs to find a cure for them. Dated this Fifteenth Day of September, 2014 Deberey Hinchey Pete Desaulniers Mayor President Pro Tem An oral report given by Regan Minor regarding the Salem Massachusetts trip with the Mayor and President Pro Tem Desaulniers. City Manager Alan Bergren report is as follows: DATE: September 15, 2014 TO: Mayor Deberey Hinchey & Council Members FROM: Alan H. Bergren, City Manager SUBJECT: City Manager’s Report 1. The City Manager is away at training and could not attend the Council meeting this evening. Director of Human Resources, Brigid Marks is attending the meeting in his stead. 2. Human Services Norwich Human Services assisted tenants by providing funding for temporary lodging and first month’s rent for most tenants from the four units of housing to relocate after the fire that destroyed 218 Washington Street. Donations from Dime Bank and other community members were collected by the department and distributed to assist the families. Human Services reminds tenants to consider purchasing renter’s insurance. Although the department is able to somewhat assist families, they can never replace everything that may be lost in a fire. The deadline to apply for the Renter Rebate program is September 30th. Renter's Rebate is a State of CT program to assist elderly and disabled residents who have paid a disproportionate amount of rent and utilities compared to their income. Over 900 applications have already been completed. Interested residents should call the Human Services Department at (860) 823-3778 for more details. 3. Volunteers Needed! Volunteers are always needed to fill vacancies on City Boards/Committees/Commissions. 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 15, 2014 For more information and to see a list of current vacancies, minutes from past meetings, specific qualifications (if any) and to fill out an application, please visit the City’s website, 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. 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. Mayor Hinchey called for citizen comment. David Crabb, 47 Prospect St argued on resolution #7 that the annual budget page for the Council should be used in union settlement. Matching the vision, mission and goals of the City. Mayor Hinchey declared citizen comment closed. Upon motion of Ald. Noblick, second by Ald. Eyberse, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by President Pro Tem Desaulniers, Ald. Noblick and Eyberse. BE IT RESOLVED that the following be re-appointed as regular members to the Community Development Advisory Committee for a term to expire on December 31, 2015 or until a successor is appointed; Democles Angelopoulos (D) Edward Derr (D) Les B. King (R) BE IT RESOLVED that the following be appointed as regular member to the Community Development Advisory Committee for a term to expire on December 31, 2015 or until a successor is appointed; Angela Duhaime (D) Kylene Thompson (D) Upon a motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by Ald. Wilson, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by President Pro Tem Desaulniers, Ald. Noblick and Eyberse. BE IT RESOLVED that the following be appointed as a member to the Norwich Ice Arena Authority for a term to expire on April 1, 2015 or until a Successor is appointed; Angela Duhaime (D) Upon a motion of Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by President Pro Tem Desaulniers, Ald. Noblick and Eyberse. 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 15, 2014 BE IT RESOLVED that the below named be appointed as regular members of the Norwich Baseball Stadium Authority with a term to expire on October 31, 2015 or until a successor is appointed: Matthew Fortin (U) Robert Reed (R) Upon a motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by Ald. Eyberse, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by President Pro Tem Desaulniers, Ald. Noblick and Eyberse. BE IT RESOLVED that the following be appointed as a regular member to the Youth Services Advisory Board for a term to expire on February 01, 2015 or until a successor is appointed; Kevin Saythany (D) Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Nash, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Hinchey. WHEREAS, for many years the State of Connecticut through its Department of Transportation has leased to the City of Norwich certain land located off Wawecus Street between State Routes 2 and 32 and the Norwich Little League complex; and WHEREAS, the lease permits this land to be used for recreational purposes only; and WHEREAS, the current lease has expired and the State of Connecticut proposes to enter into a new lease agreement with the City of Norwich for recreational purpose to run for a term of five (5) years, December 1, 2014 to and including November 30, 2019, for no monetary consideration; and WHEREAS, the proposed lease will provide that the City of Norwich shall have the right to renew the agreement for two (2) additional five (5) year terms, subject to a review and update of the rental fee, said lease agreement and any renewal thereof also providing that the City of Norwich shall hold harmless and indemnify the state for and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities and other matters arising out of the lease or the use and occupancy of the premises; and WHEREAS, the Council finds it to be in the best interest of the City of Norwich to enter into said lease agreement on behalf of the City of Norwich NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that City Manager Alan H. Bergren, be and hereby is authorized to execute and deliver such lease agreement with the State of Connecticut in form satisfactory to him on behalf of the City of Norwich together with such other documents as may be necessary to effectuate the same, and to deliver said lease and any other required documents to the State of Connecticut. 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 15, 2014 Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Nash, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Hinchey. WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, by resolution adopted September 15, 2014 has authorized City Manager Alan H. Bergren to execute and deliver on behalf of the City of Norwich a Lease Agreement with the State of Connecticut pertaining to certain properties located off Wawecus Street between State Routes 2 and 32 and the Norwich Little League complex; and WHEREAS, such Lease Agreement will become effective December 1, 2014; and WHEREAS, the State of Connecticut is prepared to grant permission to the City of Norwich and its invitees to enter the state owned land which will be subject to the Lease Agreement for recreational purposes only while the formal Lease Agreement is being processed, the term of the right of entry to be month to month commencing September 1, 2014; and WHEREAS, the State of Connecticut will charge a one-time nonrefundable Administrative Fee in the amount of Five Hundred and 00/100 ($500) Dollars for the development and processing of the Lease Agreement which sum is due upon execution of the right of entry agreement NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that Acting City Manager Brigid Marks, be and hereby is authorized and directed to sign a letter agreement necessary to establish permission to the City of Norwich and its invitees to enter upon the above described state owned land while the formal Lease Agreement is being processed; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the sum of Five Hundred and 00/100 ($500) Dollars be and hereby is appropriated from City Manger’s Professional Services, line item (01011-80015), to be paid to the State of Connecticut as a one-time nonrefundable Administrative Fee for the development and the processing of the Lease Agreement; and to deliver the right of way agreement described herein and check to the Director of Rights of Way of the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation. Upon a motion of Ald. Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to suspend the rules to change the order of the agenda. Upon a motion by Ald. Noblick, second by Ald. Wilson, it was unanimously voted to go into Executive Session per CGS 1-200 for the purpose of discussing Strategies or Negotiations with respect to Collective Bargaining, Acting City Manager/Director of Human Resources Brigid Marks, Assistant Resources Director Pat Osten, Comptroller Josh Pothier and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll, were 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 7:25 PM to 7:45 PM, at which time Mayor Hinchey stated no votes were taken. Upon a motion by Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Bettencourt it was unanimously voted to reconvene. 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 15, 2014 Upon a motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by President Pro Tem Desaulniers, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Bergren. RESOLVED, that the proposed Agreement between the City of Norwich and United Public Service Employees Union/Cops (UPSEU/COPS), Local 104, covering the period between July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2016, be, and the same hereby is, approved in accordance with the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes, Section 4-474; and further, that the City Manager, Alan H. Bergren, be, and hereby is, authorized and directed to execute the same in the name of the City. Upon a motion by Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:49 pm. CITY CLERK 6