City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 15, 2015 A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held June 15, 2015 at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Aldermen Desaulniers, Noblick, Eyberse, Nash. Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll was also in attendance. Mayor Hinchey, Acting City Manager Bilda and Ald. Bettencourt were absent at NFA graduation. Ald. Wilson arrived at 6:35 pm. President Pro Tem Desaulniers presided. Ald. Nash read the opening prayer and Ald. Noblick led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. President Pro Tem Desaulniers called for citizen comment. Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm Ave, stated she is also annoyed about the budget and there are a lot of unhappy people, she thanked Ald. Nash and Noblick for taking a stand and voting against the increase showing great strength and courage. She asked what the plan for the garbage/recycling containers is going to be. She talked about the well-attended Historic ribbon cutting ceremony. Rodney Bowie, 62 Roosevelt Ave, talked about how the Mayor was drowned out by the loud motorcycles during her speech. He stated he was not impressed by the students speaking at the budget presentations. Andrew Roggins, 123 Maple St, state he is new to town and felt he was unjustly ticketed for a garbage fine. He also was concerned about the homeless population. Robert McKeon, 73 N Village asked why the Occum field project he presented hasn’t been addressed. John Blackburn, 15 Alice St talked about next year’s budget and asked the Council to start planning now. He felt the taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay higher taxes and thanked Ald. Nash and Noblick for looking after the taxpayers. Brain Kobylarz, 16 Hobart Ave updated the Council on the St Vincent soup kitchen on Cliff Street and the issue with the clientele. He stated that Norwich has more sex offenders than surrounding towns combined. He asked that the citizens of Norwich be protected. President Pro Tem Desaulniers declared citizen comment closed. President Pro Tem Desaulniers called for a Public Hearing on reviewing applications and receive comments relative to the Neighborhood Assistance Act. Speaking in favor: No one spoke. Speaking in opposition: No one spoke. There being no further speakers President Pro Tem Desaulniers declared the public hearing closed. 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 15, 2015 Upon a motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by Ald. Nash, it was unanimously voted to accept the following report from the Commission on the City Plan. The City Clerk read the following: Acting City Manager Bilda provided his report as followed: City Manager’s Report Date: June 15, 2015 Major Pending Items: Blue=On-going Grey=Verbal report Green=Completed 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 15, 2015 Tasks/Topics Staff Responsible Comments/Update City Leadership Team Meetings CM On-going-Meetings scheduled for 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month First one held 3/10/15 CM/Fire Chief Meetings CM/Kerri Kemp On-going. Bi-weekly meetings scheduled Quarterly City Hall Union Employee- CM/ HR Director On-going Management review team Grant Proposal Task Force CM/Gary/Peter To develop a strategy that ensures that D./Barry/Mayor/ grant proposals focus on achieving Jason V. outcomes associated with the strategic plan 4/13/15 Initial meeting held Wagsys Implementation Sandra Kutcha/Gary On schedule to be implemented mid-June Eagle Scout Project-Taylor Stevens Jill/PW/Building 2015-05-04 Res approved proposal Next steps: Scout to submit plan Staff safety training planning CM/ Chief Planning for safety /evacuation training of Fusaro/Chief Scand/ employees at all sites Barry/ Bob S./Jill Training to be scheduled Phone System Replacement Leon/Josh Atrion awarded contract-start date TBD Departme Community Center Exploration CM/Jill Council Res. 2014-10-06 CM office to nt Committee provide support Initiatives Final report due to Council by July, 2015 /Grants: 2015 Neighborhood Assistance Act CM/Jill PH held 6/15/15 Department/Grant Entity-Purpose- Tasks/Topics Comments/Update Amount Public Works Automated garbage -Garbage and recycling cart pick-up deliveries in progress -Information sheets pertaining to collection schedules, what to recycle, cart placement, Q&A’s, and other relevant information will be included. - Cart delivery will take 2-3 weeks to complete -Residents are NOT to use their carts prior to the June 29th program kickoff. 3  JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 15, 2015 Community Development 5 Year Priority Plan The City of Norwich Office of Community Development is required to complete a five year plan to outline the most pressing Community Development priorities facing Norwich and its residents for the upcoming period 2015 – 2019. Draft plan was available for viewing 5/25/2015. Public hearing held 6/1/15 To be completed and approved by Council by the first meeting in July Recreation On-line program Software testing in progress registration software State Library-City Clerk’s Office-$4000 Convert paper land 2/27/15 agreement signed records to electronic Work to begin after 7/1/15 DSS-Senior Center-$690,000 Renovations-roofing, 9/2014-awarded. Project is 60% Project Manager-Patrick McLaughlin HVAC, flooring, painting, complete-est. Fall 2015 parking lot completion DECD-Uncas Leap-$270,000 Environmental 1/23/15 Grant awarded Project Manager-Jeanne Kurasz assessment & testing Contract negotiations for work underway DECD-Shipping St/Terminal Way- Environmental 4/17/14 Grant Awarded $200,000 assessments Assessments are on track Project Manager-Peter Davis/Gary Evans DECD Historic Restoration Fund-City Hall- Flooring 3/3/15 Agreement signed $90,000 repair/replacement Work scheduled to begin mid- Project Manager-Pat McLaughlin summer 2015, completion Fall 2015 DECD-26 Shipping St-$200,000 Assessment/remediation 4/14/15 Application submitted DECD-Howard Brown Park-$1,200,000 Replace fishing docks 3/2015 Application submitted Public Works Streets/Bridges Projects: Grant Entity-Purpose-Amount Tasks/Topics Comments/Update DOT-Sherman St Bridge-$5,400,000 Replace both Awarded in 2012 Project manager-Ellison/McLaughlin bridges at In engineering phase with intersection of construction anticipated to begin Sherman & 2017-18 Asylum Streets 4  JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 15, 2015 DOT-Sunnyside Bridge Historic Awarded in 2014 Project manager-Ellison/McLaughlin restoration of Construction anticipated to begin stone 2016-17 masonry bridge DOT – Pleasant Street Bridge -$1,134,400 Bridge deck Awarded in 2014 Project manager-Ellison/McLaughlin replacement Construction anticipated to begin 2016-17 DOT – Connecticut Avenue-$685,200 Repave CT Awarded in 2014 Project manager-McLaughlin Ave from W. Construction anticipated to begin this Town St. to summer Wisconsin Ave. Property by Resolution: Tasks/Topics Staff Responsible Comments/Update 5 Belval St, 20 Hunters CM/Corp. Counsel Council res. 2015-05-04 List w/agent Rd Ext, 82 Old Division CM awaiting list agreements for execution St 20R Julian St CM/Corp Counsel Council Res. 2015-05-04 List w/agent On hold pending Corp. Counsel review 130 Prospect Street CM/Bill H./Barry E./Jim T. Demo contract awarded 6/4/15 4/9/15- List agreement signed, need Res. to list 34 Lake Street CM/Corp. Counsel Council Res. 2015-02-02 Enter into listing agreement to sell 4/9/15 List agreement signed 100 Broad Street #103 CM/Corp. Counsel Council Res. 2015-02-02 Enter into listing agreement to sell 4/9/15 List Agreement signed Price reduced 221-223 Laurel Hill Ave CM/Corp Counsel Need resolution to list 13 Baltic Street CM/Corp. Counsel Council Res. 2015-02-02 Enter into listing agreement to sell Bank foreclosing-not listing at this time 59 School Street Committee Council Res. 2015-02-02 Issue developer RFP 3 responses rec’d on 5/21/15. Developers will be interviewed at 6/11/15 Committee special meeting 61 School Street Committee Council Res. 2015-02-02 Issue developer RFP. 3 responses rec’d on 5/21/15. Developers will be interviewed at 6/11/15 Committee special meeting 5  JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 15, 2015 Completed: Tasks/Topics Staff Responsible Comments/Update Fountain Street Developer CM/Committee 2015-02-15 Res. directs committee to monitor Agreement progress and report to Council in August 2015 105-122 Chestnut Street CM/Committee 03/02/15 Res auth Committee to oversee and Developer Agreement report to Council by first mtg of August 2015 EPA-Shipping St/Chestnut Petroleum & 12/2014 Application submitted St/Ponemah Mills- $400,000 hazardous Application unsuccessful substance Debrief requested-date TBD assessment President Pro Tem Desaulniers called for citizen comment on resolutions. Frank Manfredi, 94 Plain Hill Rd, spoke on old business Resolution #1 and stated there will be a documentary on Ellis Ruley on PBS. He asked the Council for support on this resolution. President Pro Tem Desaulniers declared citizen comment on resolutions was closed. 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. 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 15, 2015 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 15, 2015 Upon a motion of Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Wilson, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Hinchey. WHEREAS, the R.E. Van Norstrand Neighborhood Assistance Act, Chapter 228a of the Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S. 12-630aa-12-638) offers certain benefits to municipalities desiring to obtain the same and is administered by the State Department of Revenue Services (Commission of Revenue Services); and WHEREAS, the Neighborhood Assistance Act provides a tax credit for business firms which sponsor local programs; and WHEREAS, such programs must be proposed and conducted by private non-profit agencies or municipalities and be approved by the local legislative body; WHEREAS, a public hearing has been duly noticed and held on applications submitted to the City Manager’s office. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that it approves the following program proposals under the Neighborhood Assistance Act: 8 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 15, 2015 1. Montessori Discovery School, Inc.-Energy Improvements 2. ECHO-Elizabeth St. Apts. Heating System Replacement 3. CRIS-Audio Programming for People with Disabilities 4. ECHO-Hillside Apts. Window & Glass Door Replacement 5. Norwich Historical Society-Energy efficient upgrades to Dr. Daniel Lathrop Schoolhouse 6. Norwich Historical Society/City of Norwich-Energy efficient upgrades to the East District Schoolhouse 7. Society of the Founders of Norwich DBA: Leffingwell House Museum-Post & Beam Weatherization Upon a motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by Ald. Nash, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Hinchey. WHEREAS, the City of Norwich has a quantity of aging housing stock in which lead-based paint continues to be a hazard, especially to children residing in such housing; and WHEREAS, children, particular those under the age of six, can face multiple health risks and suffer permanent damage from elevated blood lead levels; and WHEREAS, Uncas Health District, the Norwich Property Rehab Program and official data compiled by government agencies confirm that there are children in Norwich who have been and/or currently are diagnosed as having elevated blood lead levels; and WHEREAS, the Norwich Office of Community Development is preparing a grant to be filed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) seeking funding in a sum not to exceed $3.33 million from the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program in order to assist in the remediation of lead-based paint and other sources of lead in such housing stock to reduce the occurrence of elevated blood lead levels in children. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that Acting City Manager John Bilda be and hereby is authorized to apply for a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program for the purposes described herein in the amount not to exceed $3.33 million. Upon a motion by Ald. Noblick, second by Ald. Wilson, it was unanimously voted to go into Executive Session pursuant to Connecticut General Statute Section 1-200(6), for the purpose of discussing the strategy and negotiations with respect to pending claims and litigation. Comptroller Joshua Pothier, Director of Human Recourses Brigid Marks, Police Chief Louis J Fusaro, Dr., Deputy Police Chief Patrick Daley, Corporation Counsel, Michael Driscoll, and Attorney Matt Auger shall be asked to participate during all or portions of this Executive Session at the request of the City Council. 9 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 15, 2015 The council was in Executive Session from 7:00 pm to 7:35 pm, at which time President Pro Tem Desaulniers, stated no votes were taken. Upon a motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by Ald. Wilson, it was unanimously voted to return to regular session. Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Eyberse, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Acting City Manager Bilda. WHEREAS, Douglas Morello and the City of Norwich, are parties to litigation pending in the superior court for the judicial district of New London assigned docket no. KNL-CV-11-6010871S in which Douglas Morello has alleged violations on the part of the City of Norwich of the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act, Connecticut General Statute §46a-51 et seq., which allegations the City of Norwich denies; and WHEREAS, the Charter Oak Fire Insurance Company, [hereinafter referred to as “Travelers”] has defended and will indemnify the City of Norwich with respect to this litigation and has reached a settlement on behalf of the City of Norwich with Douglas Morello; and WHEREAS, this settlement requires certain periodic payments to be arranged by the Travelers as more particularly detailed in documents entitled a Settlement Agreement and General Release and a Non- Qualified Assignment and Release of Periodic Payment Obligations; and WHEREAS, Douglas Morello and the City of Norwich are to enter into said Settlement Agreement and General Release describing the terms and conditions of the settlement, including a withdrawal of the action, a release and discharge of the City of Norwich and its past, present and future officers, officials, insurers, agents and employees, and a recognition that the obligations of the City of Norwich for any payments called for under the Settlement Agreement and General Release shall be deemed satisfied pursuant to the terms of a Non-Qualified Assignment and Release of Periodic Payment Obligation. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that Acting City Manager John Bilda be and hereby is authorized and directed to enter into, execute, deliver and receive such documents as are necessary to effectuate the settlement described herein including but not limited to the Settlement Agreement and General Release and Non-Qualified Assignment and Release of Periodic Payment Obligations, so long as such documents are satisfactory to him and the corporation counsel. Upon a motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by Ald. Nash, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:36 pm. CITY CLERK 10