City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 17, 2015 A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held August 17, 2015 at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Aldermen Desaulniers, Eyberse, Bettencourt and Mayor Hinchey. Acting City Manager Bilda and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll were also in attendance. Ald. Noblick had an excused absence, Ald. Nash was on vacation and Ald. Wilson was absent, Mayor Hinchey presided. President Pro Tem Desaulniers read the opening prayer and Ald. Bettencourt led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Hinchey called for citizen comment. Theodore Richard, 284 Boswell Ave spoke in opposition of the Chelsea Garden project and stated that trees have been removed as of last week. He stated the City made a mistake giving these acres to Chelsea Garden and asked the City Council to step up and enforce the codes. Charles Evans, 49 Butternut Dr. stated that Chelsea Garden is operating without permits and it was a mistake and costly to the City to give this property to them. He asked for the finances of this project to be disclosed. Kim Suminski, 16 Third St, talked about the park and how there were wild herbs, medicines and animal trails which have disappeared due to the cutting down of the trees. She stated this property was set aside to be protected. Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm Ave, commented about the flags on the Norwichtown Green. She also stated the Council appoints members for Boards and Commissions and gives them power to do what is right for the majority of the people. She asked the Council to stop Chelsea Gardens and do what is right for the majority of people. Dennis Slopak, 8 N 2nd Ave, talked about the polling places concerning the use of school buildings for voting. He talked about the meaning of the word “shall” regarding this matter in the Connecticut General Statutes. Dave Caruso, 22 Ox Hill Rd, talked about Chelsea Gardens and asked that the Council stop making this a deeper wound. He talked about personal connections and asked why there is nothing that can be done. He stated the lease can be broken and not sure why the Council doesn’t want to do this. Samuel Browning, 671 Scotland Rd, spoke on the proposed Zoning map amendments. Jon Oldfield, 185 Lawler Lane, stated the Chelsea Garden project is a disgrace. He talked about people leaving Norwich due to the high taxes in town due to the budget and stated the Board of Education budget is too high he asked the Council to cut the budgets. William Johnson, 7 Mechanic St, stated he is a voter and this Council won’t get his vote. Michael Richardson, 27 Pleasant St, stated he was banned by the police from the Chelsea Garden property. He asked for checks and balances. 1  JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 17, 2015 David Crabb, 47 Prospect St, spoke on taxes and how they keep increasing. Mayor Hinchey declared citizen comment closed. Acting City Managers report: City Manager’s Report Date: August 17, 2015 Major Pending Items Blue=On-going Grey=Verbal report Green=Completed City-wide/City Manager: Tasks/Topics Staff Responsible Comments/Update Targeted Attention Team CM/Police/Building/ Pilot walk scheduled for 8/22/15 at 10am- Blight/PW/Fire Central Avenue Marshall/Sofee City Leadership Team Meetings CM On-going-Meetings scheduled for 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month First one held 3/10/15 Meetings continue to be held 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 Go live testing date September 2015 Eagle Scout Project-Taylor Stevens Jill/Rec/PW 7/1/2015 Zoning & Building permits issued Scout coordinating site work with PW- tentatively scheduled to begin 8-24-15 Staff safety training planning Chief Fusaro/ 8/13/15-training conducted Chief Scand/ Make-up session to be scheduled CM/Jill Phone System Replacement Leon/Josh Atrion awarded contract-start date 6/7/15 Community Center Exploration CM/Jill Council Res. 2014-10-06 CM office to Committee provide support Final report due to Council by July, 2015 2015-07-06 Res. to extend report due date to 10/5/15 Completed: Tasks/Topics Staff Responsible Comments/Update Fountain Street Developer CM/Committee 2015-02-17 Res. directs committee to monitor Agreement progress and report to Council in August 2015 Extension requested to report in September 2  JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 17, 2015 105-122 Chestnut Street CM/Committee 2015-03-02 Res auth Committee to oversee and Developer Agreement report to Council by first mtg of August 2015 Extension requested to report in September EPA-Shipping St/Chestnut Petroleum & 12/2014 Application submitted St/Ponemah Mills- $400,000 hazardous Application unsuccessful substance Debrief requested-date TBD assessment Grants: Department/Grant Entity-Purpose- Tasks/Topics Comments/Update Amount 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 6/11/15 reviewing assessment Project Manager-Peter Davis/Gary Evans results with consultant 8/17/15 Status mtg DECD Historic Restoration Fund-City Hall- Flooring Going out for re-bid $90,000 repair/replacement Previous bid submissions did not Project Manager-Pat McLaughlin meet State requirements DECD-26 Shipping St-$200,000 Assessment/remediation 4/14/15 Application submitted 5/20/15 DECD interview Grant successful-grant agreement under review to be signed DECD-Howard Brown Park-$1,200,000 Replace fishing docks 3/2015 Application submitted 8/ 13/15 Senator Osten confirmed with Barry that this is still in the works Department Initiatives: Department/Grant Entity-Purpose- Tasks/Topics Comments/Update Amount Recreation On-line program Working on plan for both registration software Rec/Senior center Software selected, negotiating final costs, anticipated implementation October 2015 Finance Develop interim Will begin working on this in financial reporting August 2015 format 3  JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 17, 2015 Human Resources Civic Plus HR-Enable on- 50% complete, plan to go live on line HR functions August 26th. 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 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 Disposition by Resolution: Tasks/Topics Staff Responsible Comments/Update 221-223 Laurel Hill CM/Corp Counsel/Agent 7/18/15 List agreement signed 7/24/15 P&S signed-$5000 Awaiting close date-within 30 days All resolutions complete 13 ½-15 Town Street CM/Corp Counsel/Agent Council Res. 2015-07-06 List 6/28/15 List agreement signed 5 Belval St, 20 Hunters CM/Corp Counsel/Agent Council res. 2015-05-04 List w/agent Rd Ext, 82 Old Division 6/19/15 List agreements signed 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/Corp Counsel/Agent 8/4/15 Demo complete PWCIC asked agent to reach out to abutters 4/9/15- List agreement signed, need Res. to list 34 Lake Street CM/Corp Counsel/Agent Council Res. 2015-02-02 Enter into listing agreement to sell 4/9/15 List agreement signed 8/16/15-Agent reports possible offer pending 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 17, 2015 100 Broad Street #103 CM/Corp Counsel/Agent Council Res. 2015-02-02 Enter into listing agreement to sell 4/9/15 List Agreement signed Price reduced 8/13/15-offer received, need Res. for Council approval 13 Baltic Street CM/Corp. Counsel Council Res. 2015-02-02 Enter into listing agreement to sell Bank foreclosing-not listing at this time 59-61 School Street Committee/CM/Corp 2015-08-03 Council Res. developer chosen, Auth Counsel CM to sign developer agreement, Committee to draft developer agreement Mayor Hinchey called for citizen comment on resolutions. Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm Ave, asked where Ald. Wilson was. She asked to postpone resolution #2 and also talked about having term limits stating committees are very important. She also talked about resolution #4 and 5. Charles Evans, 49 Butternut Dr., spoke on resolution #2 an asked to postpone the appointments on this resolution. He stated he would like to see an ordinance to prevent collusion for members on boards and commissions. David Caruso, 22 Ox Hill Rd. spoke on resolution #2 stating that some members on this and other boards create a conflict of interest. Gregg Grippo, 209 Boswell Ave, talked about the appointment with regard to resolution #2 David Crabb, 47 Prospect St questioned resolution #3 regarding the concise explanatory text. Michael Richardson, 27 Pleasant St spoke in opposition of resolution #2 and felt some members are a conflict of interest. Beryl Fishbone, 19 Bliss Pl. asked the Council to make decisions regarding resolution #2. Caroleen Fry, 9 Indian Hill Rd spoke on resolution #2 and asked the Council to postpone to avoid a conflict of interest. John Blackburn, Alice St, agreed with the previous speakers on resolution #2. Theodore Richard, 284 Boswell Ave spoke in opposition of resolution #2 and stated he would volunteer his time. Roberta Clapper, 49 Butternut Dr. spoke in opposition of resolution #2. 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 17, 2015 Mayor Hinchey declared citizen comment on resolutions was closed. Upon a motion of Ald. Eyberse, seconded by Ald. Bettencourt, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Hinchey. WHEREAS, the City of Norwich will undertake and may financially participate in alternative/clean fuel vehicles and/or diesel retrofit technologies emission control device projects that are eligible for governmental financial assistance from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation, the federal government, or both, as a means of improving air quality within the State; and WHEREAS, the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation is the authorized entity responsible for distributing the state and federal governmental financial assistance with respect to these municipal projects; and WHEREAS, the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation has introduced a Master Municipal Agreement for the Connecticut Clean Fuel Program (MMA CCF) to streamline the agreement process when the Department of Transportation conducts business with its municipal partners including the City of Norwich; and WHEREAS, the Connecticut Department of Transportation requires the City to deliver to it two signed copies of the Master Municipal Agreement for the Connecticut Clean Fuel Program Project to allow the Department of Transportation to process them for state signatures. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that, Acting City Manager John F. Bilda be and hereby is authorized and directed to enter into said Master Municipal Agreement for the Connecticut Clean Fuel Program on behalf of the City of Norwich immediately as requested by the Connecticut Department of Transportation, to sign two copies of the Master Municipal Agreement for the Connecticut Clean Fuel Program between the State of Connecticut and the City of Norwich, and to deliver the same in a timely manner to the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Upon a motion of Ald. Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Eyberse, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced Acting City Manager Bilda. WHEREAS, the Acting City Manager John Bilda has recommended for re-appointment and appointment as appropriate, as regular members to the Inland, Wetlands, Water Courses and Conservation Commission for a term to expire on 6/15/17 or until a successor is appointed, the following; Richard Morell (D) Ralph Page (D) Barbara Rothstein (D) Douglas Lee (U) David Poore (U) Philip Kiley (U) Brandon Hyde (R) 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 17, 2015 WHEREAS, the Acting City Manager John Bilda has recommended for re-appointment as alternate members to the Inland, Wetlands, Water Courses and Conservation Commission for a term to expire on 6/15/17 or until a successor is appointed, the following; Arthur Sharron (D) Robert McCoy (U) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Norwich hereby approves the appointment of the above named to the Inland, Wetlands, Water Courses and Conservation Commission. 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 Council of the City of Norwich created the Charter Revision Commission on November 18, 2013, appointed seven members to serve on the body on December 16, 2013, and pursuant to Council resolution gave it authority to review the City Charter; and WHEREAS, after conducting numerous public hearings and meetings to carry out its purpose, the Charter Revision Commission submitted a Draft Report to the Norwich City Clerk on March 16, 2015; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich conducted public hearings on the Charter Revision Commission Draft Report on March 30, 2015 and April 13, 2015, voted to recommend changes to the Draft Report on April 20, 2015, and thereafter submitted the recommendations to the Charter Revision Commission for consideration; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich and the Charter Revision Commission conducted a joint special meeting to confer concerning the recommended changes to the Draft Report on May 5, 2015; and WHEREAS, the Charter Revision Commission submitted its Final Report to the Council of the City of Norwich for consideration, and on June 1, 2015 the Council specifically approved or rejected every recommendation that was submitted; and WHEREAS, the Norwich City Clerk is statutorily charged with putting changes to the City Charter approved by a majority of the Council of the City of Norwich to referendum on November 3, 2015, and in furtherance of carrying out that duty, Connecticut General Statutes §9-369b authorizes the preparation, printing, and dissemination of concise explanatory texts by the City Clerk with respect to questions to be submitted to the electors of a municipality at a referendum if the Council of the City of Norwich approves the dissemination. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the Norwich City Clerk Betsy Barrett be and hereby is authorized to prepare, print, and disseminate concise explanatory text that specifies the intent and purpose of each such proposal in order to assist Norwich electors in voting on the referendum questions relative to changes in the Charter of the City of Norwich. Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Eyberse, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Ald. Noblick. 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 17, 2015 WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, by resolution adopted November 3, 2014, accepted the recommendation of the Fountain Street Committee of Sale and designated Gil and Barbara Jordan as the preferred developers at 3-5, 9, and 9 ½ Fountain Street; and WHEREAS, Gil and Barbara Jordan and John Bilda, the Acting City Manager duly authorized to sign on behalf of the City of Norwich, executed a development agreement on March 24, 2015; and WHEREAS, the development agreement provides that the preferred developers Gil and Barbara Jordan will carry out the terms of the agreement and perform work on the subject parcels over the next eighteen months; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich authorized the Fountain Street Committee of Sale to monitor the ongoing work on the parcels and serve as a liaison between the Council and the preferred developers Gil and Barbara Jordan, and provide a report on the progress of work on or before the first Council meeting in August, 2015. WHEREAS, the Fountain Street Committee of Sale plans to review several aspects of the on-going work on the parcels at a meeting during August, 2015 such that extending the deadline to report back would be advantageous to gathering additional assessment information for Council consideration. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the Fountain Street Committee of Sale is authorized to continue to monitor the ongoing work on the parcels and serve as a liaison between the Council and the preferred developer, and shall provide a report on the progress of work at the Council meeting slated for September 21, 2015. Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Eyberse, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Ald. Noblick. WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, by resolution adopted November 3, 2014, accepted the recommendation of the 105 and 122 Chestnut Street Committee of Sale and designated Wiese Construction, Inc. as the preferred developer for 105 and 122 Chestnut Street; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, by resolution adopted March 2, 2015, authorized John Bilda, Acting City Manager, to execute a development agreement on behalf of the City of Norwich with Wiese Construction, Inc.; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, by resolution adopted March 2, 2015, authorized the 105 and 122 Chestnut Street Committee of Sale to monitor the ongoing work on the parcels; to serve as a liaison between the Council and Wiese Construction, Inc., and to provide a report on the progress of the project at or before the first Council meeting in August, 2015. WHEREAS, the 105 and 122 Chestnut Street Committee of Sale plans to review several aspects of the ongoing work on the parcels at a meeting during August, 2015 such that extending the deadline to report back would be advantageous to gathering additional assessment information for Council consideration. 8 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 17, 2015 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the 105 and 122 Chestnut Street Committee of Sale is authorized to continue to monitor the ongoing work on the parcels and serve as a liaison between the Council and Wiese Construction, Inc., and shall provide a report on the progress of work at the Council meeting slated for September 21, 2015. Upon a motion by President Pro Tem Desaulniers, second by Ald. Bettencourt it was unanimously voted to go into Executive Session pursuant to Connecticut General Statute Section 1-200(6), for the purpose of discussing strategies and negotiation with respect to pending claims and litigation. Acting City Manager John Bilda, Comptroller Joshua Pothier, Captain Daley, and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll shall be 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 7:35 PM to 7:50 PM, at which time Mayor Hinchey, stated no votes were taken. Upon a motion by Ald. Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Eyberse it was unanimously voted to reconvene. Upon a motion of Ald. Bettencourt, seconded by President Pro Tem Desaulniers, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:51 pm. CITY CLERK 9