City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 21, 2017 A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held February 21, 2017 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Hinchey, Aldermen Nystrom, Philbrick, Braddock, Gould and Martin. City Manager Salomone and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll were also in attendance. Ald. Nash was absent due to a work commitment. Mayor Hinchey presided. Ald. Martin read the opening prayer and Ald. Braddock led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Hinchey called for citizen comment. Susan Masse, 1 Sachem Terrace, talked about how the Council advocated for a lower tax rate when running for election and asked why add debt service of $800,000 to demolish the Reid & Hughes, why not rehab it at a low cost, saving taxpayers money. James Quarto, 25 Elmwood Ave, spoke in favor of saving the Reid & Hughes and feels The Women’s Institute will save the building which is a better way to go. He asked the Council to save this building. Virginia Valace, 15 Taylor Dr, gave an emotional plea connecting history with our school children. She is concerned that items in pictures are not like a “real” or “touchable” piece of history. She wants this City with such grand history to grow and be inspiring. Nina Barclay, 3 Lathrop Ln, works for Slater Museum and advocated for the Wauregan Hotel when it was in disrepair. She stated that foot traffic makes a city safe and that the Women’s Institute has a good plan for helping house Veterans in the Reid & Hughes building. Irene Schienberg, 12 Jones Ct, stated foot traffic is what brings people into a City. She is in favor of maintaining the Reid & Hughes with the offer. Brain Kobylarz, 16 Hobart Ave, talked about 6 years ago Downtown Revitalization bonds were issued to look at the best place downtown to use this money. He cautioned that there are specific requirements to follow and to tread carefully that it fits the Downtown Revitalization plan. Marvin Serruto, 100 Starr St, donated to the fireworks fund, gave a picture to be put into the “good deed jar” and talked about the first Friday event in March. He also asked the Council to listen to all in favor of saving the Reid & Hughes. Dale Plummer, 25 Broadway, urged the Council to take back the demolition project for $800,000 and go with a positive plan to provide housing to veterans and have retail space in the Reid & Hughes building. Bill Block, 1 Sachem Terrace, questioned why the Council would give up an investors $200,000 to rehab the Reid & Hughes building and spend $800,000 to demolish. He also stated that precedent was set years previous not going out for an RFP. 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 21, 2017 Sandy Quarto, 25 Elmwood Ave, compared the Wauregan to the Reid & Hughes and asked for support to save this building. Paul Ethier, 5 Sachem Terrace, stated he fully supports saving the Reid & Hughes and asked the Council to reverse their decision. Rodney Bowie, 62 Roosevelt Ave, echoed previous speakers to rehab the Reid & Hughes building. He questioned why it would cost $400,000 to do a consolidation of schools and thought it is not feasible. He asked to take baby steps to save money. David Bishop, 28 Cherry Hill Rd, stated he moved back to Norwich for the history and architectural beauty. He read a partial article by Attorney Kevin Wickless in “Norwich Magazine” that praises Norwich. Dee Keaney, 12 Ledgewood Court, asked the Council to reconsider and save the Reid & Hughes while there is a viable option. Tom Keaney, 12 Ledgewood Court, asked to support the redevelopment of the Reid & Hughes building. James Clark, 4 Taylor Dr, asked the Council to reconsider and support the Reid & Hughes building. Caroleen Frey, 9 Indian Hill Rd, spoke in support of renovating the Reid & Hughes building. Gary Young, 88 Palmer St, stated he was originally in favor of tearing down the Reid & Hughes but now is a supporter of keeping the building. William Allen, 25 Broadway, asked to save the Reid & Hughes building. Mayor Hinchey declared citizen comment closed Upon motion of Ald. Martin, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to receive the annual report from the Greeneville Neighborhood Revitalization Committee. City Manager’s Report: ESTABLISHED 1659 CITY OF NORWICH CONNECTICUT 100 Broadway Norwich, CT 06360 JOHN SALOMONE 100 Broadway CITY MANAGER Norwich, CT 06360 (860) 823-3747 Fax (860) 885-2131 To: Mayor Hinchey and members of the City Council From: John Salomone, City Manager 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 21, 2017 Subject: City Manager’s Report Date: February 21, 2017 I would like to acknowledge the Public Works Department for their hard work removing the snow over the past 2 weeks. I realize it was hard to get ahead of the due to the continuous cold and snow fall. As many of you know, City Hall remained open but non-essential employees were given the opportunity to use vacation or personnel time to remain safe at home. The Mayor and I continue our weekly meetings. I attended the Labor & Public Employees Committee meeting in Hartford with her on February 14th, and the Norwich Board of Education Legislative Breakfast on the 16th. We also met with Senator Cathy Osten immediately after the breakfast regarding school construction grants. I met with Jeff Blinderman and Julie Cagle from the Recreation Advisory Board. The monthly Fire Chiefs meeting was held on February 8th to discuss GIS response, mutual aid, and equipment reduction and replacement. It was agreed that the chiefs would review vehicle replacement and potential new vehicle need together. The Mayor and I meet with staff regarding downtown traffic patterns. Greg Schlough, who is helping to coordinate the Fireman’s convention and parade that will be held in September stopped by my office to give me an update. I meet with JP Mereen, and representatives from Norwich Golf Course Authority regarding the next step for the process of approval for an irrigation pond at the site. City staff and I, Todd Levine from SHPO and representatives from the Women’s Institute met on February 15, for an information update on the Reid & Hughes. The meeting was rescheduled from February 10. On February 17th, Josh Pothier & I participated in a due diligence conference call with the underwriter, Piper Jaffray; the underwriter’s counsel, Shipman & Goodwin; our financial advisors, William Blair; and our bond counsel, Pullman & Comely. The City will be issuing $8.45 million of bonds in March, including $3 million for a partial refunding of the 2009 Series A issue. This refunding should yield roughly $50,000 in net present value savings, depending on how interest rates change between now and March 10th. The City sought an update on its bond rating from Standard & Poor’s (S&P) for this bond issue on February 7th with a conference call which included John Salomone, Bob Mills, John Bilda, Steve Sinko, and Josh Pothier S&P affirmed Norwich’s AA rating with a stable outlook on February 13th. In summary, it will be difficult for Norwich to increase its rating above AA until the local economy improves. The following measures will help the City maintain its AA rating and position itself for a ratings increase when the economy does improve: • Continue to build the General Fund unrestricted fund balance to the 12%-17% range 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 21, 2017 • Continue to fund the OPEB and pension plans responsibly • Negotiate lower OPEB and pension benefits prospectively • Formalize and monitor more financial policies • Keep bonded debt at a manageable level Staff and I meet with Bonnie Hong from Norwich Rotary and carnival representatives regarding their upcoming event. Ethics training has been continued to boards and commissions. My assistant, Jacquie Barbarossa has emailed the chair, board member, or recording secretary for more than 30 boards, commissions, or committees to register for the on-line training course through CIRMA. She will be tracking the progress on-line. I would also like to thank Norwich Public School art teacher, Gabe Lipman, and the students for the displays of artwork throughout City Hall. Jacquie will be working with Gabe throughout the year for new displays. Please take a look at their work, it is very impressive. Mayor Hinchey stated the following resolution introduced by Mayor Hinchey is being withdrawn by the sponsor: 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, council of the city of Norwich and city administration to facilitate the exchange of information necessary to fulfill the city’s responsibilities with respect to school facilities; said committee to be known as the School Facilities Review Committee; and WHEREAS, by this resolution ten (10) members were appointed to the Committee by name or by position and the Committee requested to hold an organizational meeting on or before April 1, 2015; and WHEREAS, the Committee was subsequently expanded to have 13 members; and WHEREAS, the Committee, held a number of meetings and, with assistance from consultants, prepared a school re-structuring plan for the Norwich Public School system which the Committee approved and passed on with its recommendation to the Norwich Board of Education for its consideration and subsequent submission to the Council of the City of Norwich; and WHEREAS, at its meeting of January 10, 2017 the Norwich Board of Education by a 4-4 vote failed to adopt a motion approving said plan, which approval is a requisite for further action on the plan. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that, the School Facilities Review Committee, having completed the work with which it was charged by the Council of the City of Norwich be discharged and disbanded with the appreciation of the Council of the City of Norwich for its efforts. 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 21, 2017 Upon a motion of President Pro Tem, seconded by Ald. Philbrick, it was unanimously voted to suspend the rules to add the following petition and communication below: Motion of President Pro Tem Nystrom, seconded by Ald. Gould, it was unanimously voted to accept the above communication. Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Nystrom, seconded by Ald. Philbrick, it was unanimously voted to suspend the rules to add Resolution # 2 as below: BE IT RESOLVED, that Rashid Haynes be and hereby is appointed to the Norwich Board of Education, effective February 22, 2017, to fill the vacancy on the Board of Education created by the resignation of Susan Thomas, to serve as a member of the Board of Education for the remainder of her term. Upon a motion of Ald. President Pro Tem Nystrom, seconded by Ald. Martin, it was unanimously voted to suspend the rules to add Resolution # 3 as below: 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 21, 2017 WHEREAS, the Norwich Noontime Rotary has held a carnival in Norwich for the past several years to raise funds for its projects; and WHEREAS, the 2017 carnival hosted by the Norwich Noontime Rotary will be held from Thursday, May 25, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. to Monday, May 29, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. at Chelsea Parade (setup of the carnival will be Wednesday May 24); and WHEREAS, the Rotary carnival is a popular event enjoyed by residents and visitors to Norwich taking the opportunity to enjoy the rides, entertainments, and refreshments available at the carnival. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that it invites and welcomes those patronizing the Norwich Noontime Rotary Carnival and that it offers it’s thanks to the Norwich Noontime Rotary for its efforts. Mayor Hinchey called for citizen comment on resolutions. There were no speakers. Mayor Hinchey declared citizen comment on resolutions was closed. Upon a motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Gould, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Hinchey. RESOLVED, that the City Manager, John Salomone, is empowered to enter into and amend contractual instruments in the name and on behalf of the City of Norwich (the “Contractor”) with the Department of Social Services of the State of Connecticut for a Neighborhood Facilities program, and to affix the corporate seal. Upon motion of President Pro Tem Nystrom, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by President Pro Tem Nystrom. BE IT RESOLVED, that Rashid Haynes be and hereby is appointed to the Norwich Board of Education, effective February 22, 2017, to fill the vacancy on the Board of Education created by the resignation of Susan Thomas, to serve as a member of the Board of Education for the remainder of her term. Upon motion of Ald. Martin, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to bring the following resolution introduced by President Pro Tem Nystrom and Ald. Gould forward. WHEREAS, the Norwich Noontime Rotary has held a carnival in Norwich for the past several years to raise funds for its projects; and WHEREAS, the 2017 carnival hosted by the Norwich Noontime Rotary will be held from Thursday, May 25, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. to Monday, May 29, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. at Chelsea Parade (setup of the carnival will be Wednesday May 24); and 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 21, 2017 WHEREAS, the Rotary carnival is a popular event enjoyed by residents and visitors to Norwich taking the opportunity to enjoy the rides, entertainments, and refreshments available at the carnival. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that it invites and welcomes those patronizing the Norwich Noontime Rotary Carnival and that it offers it’s thanks to the Norwich Noontime Rotary for its efforts. President Pro Tem Nystrom motioned seconded by Ald. Braddock to withdraw the above resolution by the sponsors and bring it back March 6, 2017. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to schedule a Public Hearing, second reading and action on March 6, 2017 at 7:30 pm for the following ordinance introduced by Mayor Hinchey. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SEC. 13-14 OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES TO PERMIT THE SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES FOR CONSUMPTION ON THE PREMISES ON SUNDAYS COMMENCING AT 11:00 AM WHEREAS, ordinance 13-14 was amended in 1982 to permit any establishment in the city operating under a liquor permit allowing the consumption of liquor on the premises to open for the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sunday at the hour of 12:00 noon pursuant to C.G.S. §30-91 as it had been amended; and WHEREAS, Connecticut General Stature §30-91 has been amended to permit such establishments to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises on Sundays commencing at 11:00 a.m. NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that section 13-14 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances be and hereby is amended as follows to permit the sale of alcoholic beverages in Norwich on Sunday between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. on Monday: Sec. 13-14. Sale of alcoholic beverages on Sunday. Pursuant to G.S. §30-91, as it has been amended, any establishment in the city operating under a liquor permit issued by the State of Connecticut which allows consumption of liquor on the premises, may be opened for the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sunday between the hours of 12:00 noon 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. on Monday. Upon a motion by Ald. Braddock, second by Ald. Gould it was unanimously voted to go into Executive Session pursuant to Connecticut General Statute Section 1-200(6), for the purpose of discussing acquisition or disposition of real estate or an interest in real estate when the publicity regarding the proposed acquisition or disposition would cause a likelihood of an increased price to acquire and a diminished price to dispose of for the property and to review feasibility evaluations made for the City of Norwich regarding such 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 21, 2017 property. City Manager John Salomone, Public Works Director Ryan Thompson 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 8:02 PM to 8:50 PM, at which time Mayor Hinchey stated no votes were taken. Upon a motion by Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Gould it was unanimously voted to reconvene. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Martin, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:51 pm. CITY CLERK 8