City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held September 21, 2015 at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Aldermen Desaulniers, Noblick, Eyberse, Bettencourt, and Mayor Hinchey. Acting City Manager Bilda and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll were also in attendance. Ald. Nash arrived at 6:50 pm and Ald. Wilson was absent. Mayor Hinchey presided. President Ald. Eyberse read the opening prayer and Ald. Noblick led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Hinchey called for citizen comment. Chuck Evans, 49 Butternut Dr. talked about the Charter and how it relates to NCDC to bring prosperity to the City. He also asked the Council to answer any questions that are asked after this public comment. He also talked about the sale of property within the City for a loss. David Caruso, 22 Ox Hill Rd. commented on the possible lease of space in Chelsea Gardens to an international gardening school. He asked the Council to break the Chelsea Garden lease and to rethink the project. David Crabb, 47 Prospect St talked about how financial policies increase rates in accordance with the every budget and stated that all should submit balance sheets for compliance. Shiela Hayes, 288 Central Ave, thanked the Acting City Manager and Public Works staff for their help with the clean-up Greeneville Project to help revitalize Norwich. She explained that they are a volunteer organization. Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm Ave, she asked where Ald. Wilson was. She also talked about Chelsea Gardens and felt it was time for the taxpayers to be involved. Rodney Bowie, 62 Roosevelt Ave, thanked the volunteers in Greeneville. He also talked about a contractor asking the city for or a 2 % wage increase. John Blackburn, 15 Alice St, commented on a man who cleans up the street of Norwich and should get recognition. He asked to hold the line on the budgets. Mayor Hinchey declared citizen comment closed. Mayor Hinchey read the following proclamation: 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, Mental Health is part of overall health and wellness, and WHEREAS, one in five adults experiences a Mental Health problem in any given year and one in 17 adults lives with mental illness such as major depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, and WHEREAS, approximately one-half of chronic mental illness begins by the age of 14 and three-quarters by age 24, and WHEREAS, long delays – sometime decades – often occur between the time symptoms first appear and when individuals get help, and WHEREAS, early identification and treatment can make a difference in successful management of mental illness and recovery, and WHEREAS, it is important to maintain Mental Health and learn the symptoms of mental illness in order to get help when it is needed, and WHEREAS, every citizen and community can make a difference in helping end the fear, ignorance and shame that for too long have surrounded mental illness and discouraged people from getting help, and WHEREAS, public education and civic activities can demystify Mental Health issues, promote early intervention and help to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness, and WHEREAS, be it resolved that all citizens, businesses, schools and community organizations are encouraged to recognize Mental Illness Awareness Week by promoting Mental Health awareness activities and by participating in the grassroots activities of the Eastern Regional Mental Health Board, to make their communities’ Mental Health needs known to the decision-makers of the State of CT. 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 October 4 through October 10, 2015 as Mental Health Awareness Week in Norwich, CT to increase public understanding of the importance of Mental Health and to promote identification and treatment of mental illnesses. Dated this Twenty-First Day of September, 2015 Deberey Hinchey Pete Desaulniers Mayor President Pro Tem Mayor Hinchey explained the availability of informational material for the Charter questions that will be on the November 3, 2015 municipal ballot. Motion of President Pro Tem Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to accept the following report from the Norwich Community Center Exploration Committee. Report is at the following link: http://norwichct.org/Archive.aspx?ADID=466 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 Motion of Ald. Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to accept the resignation from Barry Ellison from the Southeastern CT regional Resource Recovery thanking him for his service. Acting City Manager Bilda introduced Ryan Thompson as the new Public Works Director. Acting City Managers report: City Manager’s Report Date: September 21, 2015 Major Pending Items Blue=On-going Grey=Verbal report Green=Completed City-wide/City Manager: Tasks/Topics Staff Responsible Comments/Update FY 2014-15 Annual Report CM Completed-available on-line and emailed to Council 9-3-15. Printed copies ready by 9/15/15 Targeted Attention Team CM/Police/Building/ Report from 8-22-15 Pilot walk attached Blight/PW/Fire 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 PW (Pat)/Rec 7/1/2015 Zoning & Building permits issued Scout coordinating site work with PW-site work began 8-24-15 Staff safety training planning Chief Fusaro/ 8/13/15-training conducted Chief Scand/ Make-up session to be scheduled CM Phone System Replacement Leon/Josh Atrion awarded contract-start date 6/7/15 3  JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 Community Center Exploration CM 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 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 & Debrief held 8/21/15 St/Ponemah Mills- $400,000 hazardous substance 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 4  JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 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 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. 5  JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 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 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 Upon a motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by Ald. Bettencourt, it was unanimously voted to suspend the rules to add the following resolution introduced by Mayor Hinchey. WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, by resolution adopted August 18, 2014, acknowledged that the city of Norwich was to receive grant monies in the amount of $690,000 awarded by the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services for a Neighborhood Facilities Program that would fund building improvements to the Rose City Senior Center located on Mahan Drive in Norwich, Connecticut; and 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 WHEREAS, said resolution authorized and directed City Manager Alan H. Bergren to execute and amend as necessary such contractual instruments as were required by the Department of Social Services for the program to comply with all state requirements so as to obtain the funding, and further authorized and directed City Manager Alan H. Bergren to execute a certificate of resolution to certify that the policies of the city of Norwich comply with the nondiscrimination agreements and warranties required under Connecticut General Statute § 4a-60(a)(1) and § 4-60a(a)(1), as amended in Public Act 07-245, and sections 9(a)(1) and 10(a)(1) of Public Act 07-142; and WHEREAS, the end date of the contract entered into by Norwich, as Contractor, and the Department of Social Services and approved by the office of the attorney general is September 30, 2015; and WHEREAS, the Department of Social Services and the city of Norwich have agreed to a Contract Amendment to extend the contract term to December 31, 2015 to allow the Contractor additional time to complete the project as originally contracted; 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 execute the Contract Amendment described herein and such other contractual instruments as may be required by the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services for the Neighborhood Facilities Program described herein to comply with all state requirements and to obtain an extension of time to complete the work; NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that Acting City Manager John Bilda be and hereby is authorized and directed to execute a Nondiscrimination Certification – Affidavit by Entity (Form C) – certifying that Norwich complies with the nondiscrimination agreement and warranties under Connecticut General Statute §§4a-60(a)(1) and 4a-60a(a)(1) as amended Mayor Hinchey called for citizen comment on resolutions. Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm Ave, spoke on resolutions # 1, 2 and 3 and asked if taxes are paid and the residency are checked. She also spoke on resolution #5 and asked where the process stands. Gregg Grippo, 209 Boswell Ave, felt a certain person shouldn’t be appointed on resolution #2. Mayor Hinchey declared citizen comment on resolutions was closed. Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by President Pro Tem Desaulniers, Ald. Noblick and Eyberse. 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 BE IT RESOLVED that the below named be re-appointed as regular members of the Senior Affairs Commission with a term to expire on September 01, 2017 or until a successor is appointed: Margaret M. Aldrich (R) Genevieve S. Bergendahl (D) Olive J. Buddington (D) P. Michael Lahan (D) Jacquelyn W. Randall (D) BE IT RESOLVED that the below named be re-appointed as alternate members of the Senior Affairs Commission with a term to expire on September 01, 2017 or until a successor is appointed: Frank Jacaruso, Jr. (D) Janice Steward (D) Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Bettencourt, it was unanimously voted to postpone the following resolution until October 5, 2015 introduced President Pro Tem Desaulniers, Ald. Noblick and Eyberse. BE IT RESOLVED that the following be re-appointed as a member to the Ethics Commission for a term to expire on October 18, 2017 or until a successor is appointed; Tamara Lanier (D) Kathryn Lord (U) Patrick McMahon (U) Ira W. Misenheimer, IV (R) Joseph Sastre (U) BE IT RESOLVED that the following be re-appointed as an alternate member to the Ethics Commission for a term to expire on October 18, 2017 or until a successor is appointed; Christopher Dixon (D) Carol Menard (U) Upon a motion of Ald. Noblick, seconded by President Pro Tem Desaulniers, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Hinchey. BE IT RESOLVED that the below named be appointed as a regular member of the Southeastern CT Regional Resourses Recovery Authority with a term to expire on December 31, 2016 or until a successor is appointed: Ryan Thompson Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by President Pro Tem Desaulniers. 8 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, by resolution adopted June 15, 2015, identified the property known as 28 Hammond Avenue to be dedicated as a public park and sanctuary in honor of Ellis Walter Ruley, an extraordinary African-American artist and native son; and WHEREAS, the Council also recognized that a committee had been established then consisting of three persons, Ms. Sheila Hayes, Ms. Lottie Scott, and Mr. Frank Manfredi, known as the “Ellis Walter Ruley Committee,” which Committee had voluntarily taken on the responsibility of raising funds to be expended for the initial funding of the project, for ongoing project maintenance, and for developing informational narratives for onsite viewing for the express purpose of making 28 Hammond Avenue a place for tourists, residents, and aspiring artists to visit and learn about Ellis Walter Ruley; and WHEREAS, the Ellis Walter Ruley Committee proposes to erect a plaque dedicated to Ellis Walter Ruley on said property, to arrange for continuing clean-up and ongoing maintenance of the property, to develop informational narratives for onsite viewing and to develop such other programs and projects as may be appropriate to memorialize Ellis Ruley and his work, and requests the city of Norwich provide it with financial and treasury services and oversight to the management of such funds as may be collected and received in furtherance of the ends of said committee and as may be required in the normal course of city business. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that its resolution of June 15, 2015 be amended to add the following provision to its resolution of June 15, 2015: NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the Finance Department of the city of Norwich be and hereby is authorized to and shall provide such financial and treasury services and oversight to the management of such funds as may be donated to, raised by, collected by or received by the “Ellis Walter Ruley Committee” in the furtherance of the ends of said Committee and as may be required in the normal course of city business; and that said Committee may direct the expenditure of such funds for the purpose of erecting a plaque dedicated to Ellis Walter Ruley on said property of 28 Hammond Avenue, for cleanup and ongoing maintenance of said property, for developing informational narratives for onsite viewing on said property, and for developing such other programs and projects, whether directly related to the property or not, as may be appropriate to memorializing Ellis Walter Ruley and his work. Upon a motion of Ald. Nash, 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, as a personnel search committee, has interviewed certain firms qualified to assist the council in locating and evaluating qualified individuals to serve as the Norwich city manager; and WHEREAS, the Council wishes to retain the firm of Colin Baenziger & Associates for this purpose. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the firm of Colin Baenziger & Associates be retained to assist the Council of the Norwich acting as a personnel search committee in its process to select a city manager and that a sum of up to $30,000 be and hereby is appropriated from the General Fund Contingency Account 01090-80086 for these services. 9 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 Upon a motion of Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Hinchey. WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, by resolution adopted August 18, 2014, acknowledged that the city of Norwich was to receive grant monies in the amount of $690,000 awarded by the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services for a Neighborhood Facilities Program that would fund building improvements to the Rose City Senior Center located on Mahan Drive in Norwich, Connecticut; and WHEREAS, said resolution authorized and directed City Manager Alan H. Bergren to execute and amend as necessary such contractual instruments as were required by the Department of Social Services for the program to comply with all state requirements so as to obtain the funding, and further authorized and directed City Manager Alan H. Bergren to execute a certificate of resolution to certify that the policies of the city of Norwich comply with the nondiscrimination agreements and warranties required under Connecticut General Statute § 4a-60(a)(1) and § 4-60a(a)(1), as amended in Public Act 07-245, and sections 9(a)(1) and 10(a)(1) of Public Act 07-142; and WHEREAS, the end date of the contract entered into by Norwich, as Contractor, and the Department of Social Services and approved by the office of the attorney general is September 30, 2015; and WHEREAS, the Department of Social Services and the city of Norwich have agreed to a Contract Amendment to extend the contract term to December 31, 2015 to allow the Contractor additional time to complete the project as originally contracted; 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 execute the Contract Amendment described herein and such other contractual instruments as may be required by the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services for the Neighborhood Facilities Program described herein to comply with all state requirements and to obtain an extension of time to complete the work; NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that Acting City Manager John Bilda be and hereby is authorized and directed to execute a Nondiscrimination Certification – Affidavit by Entity (Form C) – certifying that Norwich complies with the nondiscrimination agreement and warranties under Connecticut General Statute §§4a-60(a)(1) and 4a-60a(a)(1) as amended Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Desaulniers, seconded by Ald. Noblick, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:20 pm. CITY CLERK 10