City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 21, 2016 A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held November 21, 2016 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Hinchey, Aldermen Nystrom, Philbrick, Braddock, Gould, Martin. City Manager Salomone and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll were also in attendance. Ald. Nash arrived at 7:23 pm. Mayor Hinchey presided. Ald. Martin read the opening prayer and Ald. Gould led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Hinchey called for citizen comment. Gregg Grippo, 209 Boswell Ave, talked about Norwich being called “Christmas City” and with all the city committees felt the downtown fails to meet expectations and gives a sense of depression. He hopes to work with NPU and Public Works to make next year’s downtown Christmas tree better. Chuck Evans, 49 Butternut Dr, talked about Ethics and the conflict of interests. He asked for a full disclosure on CMEEC and the retreat. He also talked about Chelsea Gardens activity in Mohegan Park. Rodney Bowie, 62 Roosevelt Ave, thanked Angelo Yeitz for his service and asked citizens to join committees. He also talked about giving away property for $1.00 and get them on the tax rolls. David Crabb, 47 Prospect St, talked about the water/sewer and gas rate increases and the electric rates being lower and he asked to cut the relationship with CMEEC. He also stated to change the ethics code to reflect that we are all created equal. Mayor Hinchey declared citizen comment closed Upon motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Martin, it was unanimously voted to accept the letter of resignation by Angelo Yeitz from the School Facilities Review Committee with regret and thanking him for his service. Upon motion of Ald. Martin, seconded by Ald. Gould, it was unanimously voted to accept the request from the Eastern Regional Mental Health Board. Upon motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to congratulate the East Great Plain Volunteer Fire Company for receiving a 2015 Life Safety Achievement Award and praising them on this accomplishment. City Managers Report: To: Mayor Hinchey and members of the City Council From: John Salomone, City Manager Subject: City Manager’s Report Date: November 21, 2016 I continue to negotiate with 3 Unions and meet with the Mayor on a weekly basis. 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 21, 2016 I attended the monthly School Facilities Review Committee on November 7th and met with Chief Scandariato regarding volunteer fire department radio operations the following day. I attended the CCM State and Local Panel discussion in Cromwell CT on November 10th. There were several Veterans Day Ceremonies in the area on Friday November 11th. I attended the ceremony in Taftville organized by members of Frederick J. Sullivan VFW Post 2212 and Peter Gallan American Legion Post 104 to honor local veterans with a ceremony remembering the signing of the armistice that ended World War 1. My assistant and I attended the CCM annual meeting that was held on November 14th and 15th at Foxwoods. There were several interesting workshops including “Pivotal Labor Cases That will Affect the Public Sector Workplace in 2016/17 and Beyond” which was extremely informative. The special meeting with the Board of Education and Decision Point for November 17th was cancelled due to illness and will be rescheduled at a later date. I met with Ryan Thompson regarding the Transfer Station. On Thursday, November 17th the Mayor and I and city staff meet with SHPO regarding update on the Reid & Hughes. The Mayor and I met with Leanne Gomes regarding letter from Operation Fuel, Inc. that was sent to all council members in September. Later in the day, I had the pleasure of meeting Reverend Jean Enock Joseph, City Manager from Haiti. We had a great conversation and he requested to become a “Sister City” since we have a growing Haitian population. On Friday, November 18, I attended Badge Pinning Ceremony for Lieutenant Christopher Zaugg, Captain Michael Dziavit and Battalion Chief Keith Wucik at the fire headquarters. Congratulations and thank you for all you do for the community. Mayor Hinchey called for citizen comment on resolutions. David Crabb, 47 Prospect St, spoke in opposition of resolution #1 and stated we should examine this property. Rodney Bowie, 62 Roosevelt Ave, asked what property does resolution #1 effect. He also stated on resolution #4 that the City doesn’t need this committee. Mayor Hinchey declared citizen comment on resolutions was closed. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Martin, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Hinchey and Ald. Gould. WHEREAS, The Sword of the Spirit Ministries has offered to convey to the City of Norwich by a deed in lieu of foreclosure a parcel of land carried on the land records of the City’s Tax Assessor’s office as Map 93, Block 6, Lot 59 (11 Grove Street) more particularly described in Schedule A attached hereto; and 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 21, 2016 WHEREAS, The Sword of the Spirit Ministries has offered said deed in lieu of foreclosure in full and final satisfaction of all real estate taxes due the City of Norwich assessed with respect to 11 Grove Street; and WHEREAS, the taxes due as of October 31, 2016 are $2,949.15 and said property is assessed at a value of $16,000.00. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Norwich hereby accepts the tender of the deed in lieu of foreclosure by The Sword of the Spirit Ministries, conveying to the City of Norwich title to 11 Grove Street in full and final satisfaction of said taxes assessed with respect to said property; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that City Manager John Salomone be and hereby is authorized to accept said deed on behalf of the City of Norwich, subject to the approval of the Corporation Counsel, and to cause it and any other necessary documents to be filed or recorded. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Ald. Gould. WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, by resolution adopted October 17, 2016 extended the duration of the Community Center Exploration Committee as an active committee of the City of Norwich to November 21, 2016; and WHEREAS, the Committee has requested a further extension. 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 21, 2016 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the Community Center Exploration Committee remain an active committee of the City of Norwich through May 15, 2017 at which time it shall be terminated as an active committee unless the termination date for the committee is again extended. Upon motion of Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Hinchey. WHEREAS, Chapter 319i of the Connecticut General Statutes at §17a-482 defines “Catchment area” to mean “any geographical area within the state established as such by the Commissioner of the Mental Health and Addiction Services; and WHEREAS, Connecticut General Statutes §17a-483(a) calls for the establishment of a Catchment Area Council consisting of one representative from each town or portion thereof located within a catchment area; and WHEREAS, each Catchment Area Council elects members from its council to serve on the Regional Mental Health Board; and WHEREAS, the Eastern Regional Mental Health Board has advised Norwich that its representative seat on its Catchment Area Council is currently vacant and recommends the appointment of Mr. Samuel Bliven; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that Mr. Samuel Bliven be and hereby is appointed as Norwich’s representative to the Catchment Area Council within which Norwich is located to serve at the pleasure of the City Council. Upon motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Gould, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Ald. Gould. WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, by resolution adopted February 2, 2015, established a committee made up of representatives of the Board of Education, the Council of the City of Norwich and the city administration to facilitate the exchange of information necessary to fulfill the city’s responsibilities with respect to its school facilities, a committee to be known as the School Facilities Review Committee; and WHEREAS, by said resolution the council appointed members to said Committee, including Angelo Yeitz as a representative of the Board of Education; and WHEREAS, Angelo Yeitz has resigned from said Committee and the Norwich Board of Education has recommended that, Aaron Daniels, be appointed in his stead. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that member of the Board of Education, Aaron Daniels be and hereby is appointed to the School Facilities Review Committee. 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 21, 2016 Upon motion of Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Gould, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Ald. Gould. WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, by resolution adopted October 17, 2016, voted to expand the School Facilities Review Committee by adding additional members, all of whom were to be teachers currently employed by the Norwich Public Schools; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the following be added as additional members to the School Facilities Review Committee and that they be and hereby are made members thereof: 1) Lisa Cormier 2) Susan Blinderman Upon a motion of Ald. Martin, seconded by Ald. Nash, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:35 pm. CITY CLERK 5