City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH DECEMBER 21, 2015 A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held December 21, 2015 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Hinchey, Aldermen Philbrick, Gould, Braddock, Martin. Acting City Manager Bilda and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll were also in attendance. Ald. Nystrom arrived at 7:04 pm and Ald. Nash arrived at 7:15 pm. Mayor Hinchey presided. Ald. Gould read the opening prayer and Ald. Braddock led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Hinchey called for citizen comment. Marjorie Blizzard 119 Cedar St, read a commentary on behalf of Elanah Sherman, 65 Cedar St, she asked for an open space commission. She also asked to establish a task force to increase cultural, racial, gender, age and socio-economic diversity on City boards and committees. She thought it would be a good idea to have a department open house to express concern and see what the various departments do and to become aware of the challenges they face. Charles Evans, 49 Butternut Dr., talked about the disturbing comments made at the informational on December 7, 2015 regarding Chelsea Gardens, he believes the lease should be rewritten as the speaker suggested. He felt the lease should be rescinded or even terminated all together. He also stated that Chelsea Garden walk was not open to the public. Hazel Brown, 55 Butternut Dr., spoke about the presentation given by Chelsea Gardens and felt it was a ‘dog and pony show” and no facts were given. She asked what happened to the over $600,000 they received and now they want to go again to the Sachem fund to ask for more funds. She stated she is an abutting land owner and didn’t get invited to the public show. She stated she was disappointed. Jeanne Long, 26 Elmwood Ave, talked about being asked to join the Chelsea Garden board which she accepted and looks forward to working with this group and the community to bring this project to realization. She stated she is a fund raiser by trade and hopes that all can work together on this project united. John Blackburn, 15 Alice St, reminded the Council it is budget time soon and asked them to cut what can be cut and noted the Board of Education budget can’t go below the State funding or bottom line. He also talked about the position of the podium camera so television patrons can see the speakers. Greg Grippo, 209 Boswell Ave, said he reviewed the recorded tape regarding the presentation by Chelsea Gardens and expressed concern about the various permits and there was a question about one expired permit and wished that question was answered. He questioned many of the items they stated asking them to be more transparent. He asked where the numerous studies were and how and where the public can view them. He also stated it was clear that the public wasn’t invited to the viewing. Rodney Bowie, 62 Roosevelt Ave, asked the Council to think about replacing the older people on committees and get a newer group. He thanked the Ice Rink committee and previous Council for all their hard work. David Crabb, 47 Prospect St, stated July 1st marked the 40th anniversary of the financial crisis in New York City. He talked about Connecticut having more foreclosures this year than last while Norwich 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH DECEMBER 21, 2015 real estate transactions are the lowest in New London County. He stated no one raised a risk factor question over a 7 million dollar resolution made last year. Brian Kobylarz, 16 Hobart Ave, encouraged people to come tomorrow to the Commission on the City Plan special meeting which will have a profound impact on the City. He felt it could set a negative baseline for the City. He talked about the impact on his neighborhood and how it is now littered with registered sex offenders. Mayor Hinchey declared citizen comment closed Presentation from Regan Miner and Bill Champagne regarding Heritage Tourism. Motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Gould, it was unanimously voted to accept the resignation of Mark M. Bettencourt from the School Facilities Review Committee thanking him for his service. Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Nystrom, seconded by Ald. Martin, it was unanimously voted to accept the letters of resignation from Angela Duhaime from the Norwich Ice Arena Authority, Community Development Advisory Committee, Recreation Advisory Board, Youth and Family Services Advisory Board and the Community Center Exploration Committee thanking her for her service. Upon a motion of Ald. Philbrick, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to accept the letter of resignation of John Paul Mereen from the Norwich Harbor Management Commission thanking him for his service. Upon a motion of Ald. President Pro Tem Nystrom, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to accept the 2015 Year End Summary report from the Commission for Persons with Disabilities. Acting City Manager Report: Acting City Manager Bilda talked about the letter received from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development congratulating the City on its many accomplishments during the past year in achieving Departmental Objectives regarding the Community Development Block Grant funds and asked Gary Evans, Community Development Supervisor to elaborate on some of the accomplishments. He stated that the program allowed the City to work with Habitat for Humanity, install high resolution police cameras in the city, and continue the Norwich property rehab program and install a pavilion on 7th Street in Taftville, these are just a few of the programs funded by CDBG monies. Mayor Hinchey called for citizen comment on resolutions. Susan Goldman, 35 Sherwood Ln, spoke in favor of resolution #3 and stated it is critical to participate in this program to make us stronger as a whole. She stated Norwich is progressive and a welcoming community to all. 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH DECEMBER 21, 2015 Marjorie Blizzard 119 Cedar St, spoke on behalf of Elanah Sherman, 65 Cedar St, encourage the Council to support on resolution #3 this resolution does not bring or sponsor new immigrants but offers supportive service which aid in assimilation to ones that are here. She stated this helps Americanize them. Pete Desaulniers, 26 Lucas Park Rd, addressed resolution #1 for consideration in being appointed. He talked about his experience and stated he missed meetings due to injuries/surgery. Virginia Valace, 15 Taylor Dr, spoke on resolution #3 and asked to hear more about the proposal. She also asked the Council to look at potential problems and solutions especially in the school system. Rodney Bowie, 62 Roosevelt Ave, spoke on resolution #3 and stated he wasn’t aware we were promoting other people coming to our community. He believes these new people won’t assimilate into our culture and asked to be careful on what we are asking for. David Crabb, 37 Prospect St, spoke on resolution #3 and talked about other cultures and what is acceptable and not. He suggested we all get to know other cultures better before we get wrapped up in this venture. Tony Sheridan, President of The Chamber of Southeastern Connecticut speaking in favor of resolution #3. Mayor Hinchey declared citizen comment on resolutions was closed. Upon a motion of Ald. Philbrick, seconded by Ald. Braddock, to bring the following resolution to the floor introduced by Acting City Manager Bilda. 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH DECEMBER 21, 2015 The above resolution fails by a vote of 1-6 with President Pro Tem Nystrom, Ald. Philbrick, Braddock, Gould, Martin and Nash voting in opposition. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Gould, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Hinchey. WHEREAS, on June 30, 2015 the Governor signed into law Special Act No. 2015-14, an Act Establishing a Pilot Program for Municipal Campaign Finance Filings; and WHEREAS, the Special Act establishes a pilot program for the State Elections Enforcement Commission to provide assistance to town clerks for up to 20 municipalities with the completion of some or all of their filing repository duties for the 2017 election cycle; and WHEREAS, the application to participate in the pilot program requires the approval of the municipality’s legislative body, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that Betsy Barrett, the Norwich City and Town Clerk, may apply to participate in the State Elections Enforcement Commission’s Municipal Filing Pilot Program for the 2017 election cycle; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that a copy of this signed resolution shall be forwarded to the State Elections Enforcement Commission as part of the City of Norwich’s application. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock seconded by Ald. Nash, to bring the following resolution to the floor introduced by Mayor Hinchey. WHEREAS, the White House Task Force on New Americans has launched the “Building Welcoming Communities Campaign”, an initiative to encourage local communities to engage in local immigrant and refugee integration efforts in partnership with Welcoming America; and WHEREAS, the Building Welcoming Communities initiative encourages local communities to act on a set of principles to build inclusive, welcoming communities to allow all residents to thrive and to advance integration efforts in three core areas; civic, economic and linguistic integration; and WHEREAS, the Otis Library has taken a first step in furtherance of this initiative by planning to enhance its own capacity to accommodate changing demographics and by advising the Council of the City of Norwich of the Building Welcoming Communities Campaign and its willingness to take a lead in cultivating support and implementing the steps necessary to achieve Welcoming Communities status; and WHEREAS, the Otis Library requests the Council of the City of Norwich recognize, approve of and join in its efforts in support of this endeavor; and WHEREAS, a list of the prerequisites and further information pertaining to this initiative is contained in Attachment A to this resolution; and 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH DECEMBER 21, 2015 WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, by this resolution, expresses its support and approval of the Otis Library for its efforts and assistance in the Building Welcoming Communities Campaign as well as its own support of the same. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that it supports the Otis Library in its initial commitment to the Building Welcoming Communities Campaign and approves the same; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that this resolution also expresses the approval and support of the City of Norwich for the Building Welcoming Communities Campaign. The above resolution fails by a vote of 3-4 with President Pro Tem Nystrom, Ald. Philbrick, Gould and Martin voting in opposition. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Nash, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:25 pm. CITY CLERK 5