City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH MAY 15, 2017 A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held May 15, 2017 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Aldermen Nystrom, Philbrick, Braddock, Gould, Martin and Nash. City Manager Salomone and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll were also in attendance. Mayor Hinchey was absent due to illness and Ald. Nash arrived at 7:20 pm. President Pro Tem Nystrom presided. Ald. Gould read the opening prayer and Ald. Philbrick led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. President Pro Tem Nystrom called for citizen comment. Joe DeLong, Executive Director from Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, thanked Norwich for participating in CCM since 1971 and has being on the Board of Directors. He stated some of the programs Norwich belongs to and is grateful that Norwich is a member. Marvin Serruto, 100 Starr St, encouraged the Council to stay with the 5% budget reduction. Rodney Bowie, 62 Roosevelt Ave, thanked the Council for doing business and commended them for the 5% cut in the budget. He asked not to have a $800,000 expenditure. Bill Champagne, President of the Norwich Historical Society, asked the council to consider funding the Sachem Fund again but not from this year’s budget but perhaps in future years. He asked to consider the money from the 350th Anniversary account go into this account to promote history and culture of Norwich. He asked people to visit the historical school house, the Uncas Leap walk and other historical events. Sheila Hayes, 288 Central Ave, requested the council to deposit in this year’s budget the 350th dollars into the Sachem Fund for historical and educational projects. She stated it is disturbing that there will be so many layoff and the impact on school children with the tentative budget. John Levangie, 85 Lawler Ln, talked to the council about the budget stating when programs are gone it is very unlikely for the funds to be reinstated. He gave examples like the school funding, swimming at Mohegan Park, the senior van and CCM. Beryl Fishbone, 19 Bliss Place, encouraged the Council to look at how well departments are using their budgets and found the school budget impressive on saving money and the NPU budget not so much. She asked to look how it will affect the people in the city. She also asked to fund swimming at Mohegan Park. Kim Jacobs, 9 Scotland Rd, urged the Council to vote against the recommendations of the School Facilities Board to renovate four school to go to referendum in November. She stated the committee fell short on their goals and left many questions. She asked what the plan will achieve and how. Greg Grippo, 209 Boswell Ave, handed the Council five pages of material relating to blight in Norwich and felt something is wrong with the dangerous building committee/ blight department. Asked why property stays on the blight list for so long without resolve and stated he had a 43% drop in his property value. 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH MAY 15, 2017 Swaranjit Singh, 14 Debbie Ct, thanked the Council for recognizing him which makes him feel very proud and serves on a city committee. He is proud the Council supports and participations in diversity. John Blackburn, 15 Alice St, stated the governor just came out with his budget and the city is going to get less money and agrees with the 5% reduction. He also encouraged people to remember Memorial Day and the veterans’ ceremonies. President Pro Tem Nystrom citizen comment closed President Pro Tem Nystrom read the following proclamation: City Of Norwich Mayors Office Deberey Hinchey, Mayor PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, Swaranjit Singh Khalsa grew up in the State of Punjab in South Asia; he completed his Master’s Degree in Computer Science from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and has lived in Norwich Since 2010; and WHEREAS, Swaranjit Singh Khalsa owns the Norwichtown Shell Gas Station; he owns a real estate company and is contributing economically to City of Norwich; and WHEREAS, Swaranjit Singh Khalsa is an Ambassador for Department of Justice in the AMS program and he provides presentations to First Responders about Sikhism and religious tolerance; and WHEREAS, Swaranjit Singh Khalsa was among 56 people of United States who recently received the "F.B.I Director of Community Leadership Award" in Washington D.C by F.B.I Director Jim Comey; and WHEREAS, Swaranjit Singh Khalsa is currently serving as a Member in Commission of City Plan of Norwich, he is a member in Norwich Area Clergy Association and Sikh Sewak Society International USA; Swaranjit has raised issues related to Religious Tolerance, Social Justice and Human Rights. NOW THEREFORE, I, MAYOR DEBEREY HINCHEY AND NORWICH CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM, PETER ALBERT NYSTROM, ON BEHALF OF THE NORWICH CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, do hereby recognize and congratulate Swaranjit Singh Khalsa for his outstanding accomplishments and extend to him our deepest appreciation for all of his dedicated work and wish him the best in his future endeavors. Dated this Fifteenth Day of May, 2017 Deberey Hinchey Peter Albert Nystrom Mayor President Pro Tem 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH MAY 15, 2017 Upon motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Gould, it was unanimously voted to accept the resignation of Brian Eckenrode from the Community Development Advisory Commission thanking him for his service. Upon motion of Ald. Philbrick, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to receive the communication from the 59 and 61 School Street Committee. City Manager’s Report: To: Mayor Hinchey and members of the City Council From: John Salomone, City Manager Subject: City Manager’s Report Date: May 15, 2017 The Mayor and I continue our weekly meetings and budget discussions are ongoing per council’s request. I invited all Unions to a meeting to discuss “Ground Rules for Negotiations” on May 3rd, 2017. All unions had representation with the exception of UPSEU which represents the 911 Dispatchers and Public Works. The City was represented by Human Resource Director - Brigid Marks, Comptroller - Josh Pothier, Norwich Public Schools Business Manager – Athena Nagel, General Manager of Norwich Public Utilities – John Bilda and I. I attended the Department Head City Coordination Meeting at the NPU Training Room on May 4th. I spoke on the upcoming budget on WICH on Friday May, 5th and answered the call-in questions. Chief Scandariato, has informed me that his department has completed Defensive Driver training for the entire department at no cost through CIRMA. The department has also received a grant from the CT Fire Academy for Hazardous Materials Operations training for the entire department. I would also like to commend his staff for the recent fire rescue at McKinley Avenue. I attended a meeting at South Eastern Council of Governments regarding a Shared Services Study on May 9th. SCOG has received a grant from the Regional Performance Incentive Program to collect baseline data from its member municipalities. Data collection included how towns provide key services and what has worked and not worked for shared service arrangements and the potential of new ideas for shared services. President Pro Tem Nystrom called for citizen comment on resolutions. There were no speakers. President Pro Tem Nystrom 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. 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH MAY 15, 2017 WHEREAS, the City of Norwich is an entitlement community receiving U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (Public Act 93-383), as amended in 1977; and WHEREAS, HUD requires CDBG funding be used to meet the primary objective of benefitting low-to-moderate income residents which must be allocated within timeframes to meet annual spending threshold guidelines; and WHEREAS, when funding cannot meet the spending guidelines it shall be recaptured and reallocated in order to meet said guidelines. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE NORWICH CITY COUNCIL that the allocated sum of $85,000 in CDBG entitlement grant funds from Program Year 42 shall be recaptured, and that the City Manager is hereby directed to include the recaptured amount as available funds in the 2017 allocation process as established through the City of Norwich’s Citizen Participation Plan and in following HUD guidelines. Upon motion of Ald. Martin, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Salomone. WHEREAS, the City of Norwich is an entitlement community receiving U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars; and WHEREAS, HUD does not have a final budget, the city anticipates receiving approximately $685,000.00 for program year (PY) 2017 and has recaptured $85,000.00 from previous program years; and WHEREAS, the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) has held public meetings and voted in the month of March on their recommendations for CDBG allocations; and WHEREAS, the allocation process is subject to a 30-day comment period prior to being placed into effect and the Council of the City of Norwich must hold a public hearing regarding the recommendations prior to the final vote on the allocation. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the Council shall and hereby does schedule a public hearing to be held at 7:30 p.m. during the June 5, 2017 Council meeting on the subject of Community Development Block Grant allocation recommendations for PY 2017. 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH MAY 15, 2017 CDBG Requests - PY 2017 Anticipated PY 2017 Allocation $ 685,000.00 Recapture $ 85,000.00 $ 770,000.00 CDAC Council PY 2017 Request Recommendation Recommendation 1 CD Office - Administration $ 137,000.00 $ 137,000.00 PUBLIC/SOCIAL SERVICES 2 TVCCA - Home Again Project $ 20,000.00 $ 10,000.00 3 Norwich Human Services - Norwich Works $ 48,884.49 $ 38,000.00 4 NHS - Norwich Community Care Team $ 15,000.00 $ 10,000.00 5 Safe Futures - Domestic Violence Response Team $ 15,000.00 $ 15,000.00 6 United Congregational Church $ 8,000.00 Total Public/Social Service $ 106,884.49 $ 73,000.00 $ - OTHER 7 Norwich Public Works - Playground Phase III $ 95,000.00 $ 55,000.00 8 Norwich Public Works - Taftville Sidewalks Phase II $ 86,000.00 $ 86,000.00 9 Norwich Public Works - ADA Sidewalk Ramps $ 66,600.00 $ 66,000.00 10 ARC of New London $ 30,424.00 $ - 11 East Great Plain Volunteer FD $ 74,000.00 $ - 12 Norwich Police Dept-Taftville Public Safety Camera System Expansion $ 99,930.00 $ 99,000.00 13 Norwich Housing Authority - Rosewood Manner $ 75,000.00 $ - 14 CD Office Neighborhood Preservation/ Property Rehab Program $ 350,000.00 $ 254,000.00 Total Other $ 876,954.00 $ 560,000.00 $ - Total Public Service $ 106,884.49 $ 73,000.00 $ - Total Other $ 876,954.00 $ 560,000.00 $ - CD Administration $ 137,000.00 $ 137,000.00 $ - Total Requests $ 1,120,838.49 $ 770,000.00 $ - Upon motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Martin, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Ald. Gould. WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich by resolution adopted November 18, 2013 appointed the 59 & 61 School Street Committee to assist the Council of the City of Norwich in the development of 59 & 61 School Street, both of which property had been obtained by the City of Norwich through foreclosure of tax liens; and WHEREAS, said Committee has overseen the development of 59 & 61 School; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, by resolution adopted October 5, 2015 authorized and directed Acting City Manager John Bilda to execute and deliver development agreements between the City of Norwich and Gil and Barbara Jordan dba B&G Jordan Rentals pertaining to the development of the properties at 59 & 61 School Street; and WHEREAS, said agreements provided that upon the completion of the work on each of the properties, which completion is determined by the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy by the building inspector the property would be conveyed; and 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH MAY 15, 2017 WHEREAS, by resolution adopted August 1, 2016 the Council of the City of Norwich authorized and directed City Manager John Salomone to execute and deliver a quitclaim deed for 61 School Street upon completion of the work; and for 59 School Street upon completion of work; and WHEREAS, the work on 61 School Street has been completed and the property conveyed; and WHEREAS, a Certificate of Occupancy was issued for 59 School Street and the property has been or shortly will be conveyed; and WHEREAS, with these conveyances the 59 & 61 School Street Committee will have completed the work it was requested to perform by the Council of the City of Norwich. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that, the 59 & 61 School Street Committee be and hereby is discharged and dis-established as a committee, the Council of the City of Norwich being most appreciative of its efforts on behalf of the city. Upon motion of Ald. Braddock, seconded by Ald. Gould, it was voted to put the following resolution introduced by Mayor Hinchey on the floor for adoption. WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, in accordance with section 4 of Chapter V of the Charter of the City of Norwich meets regularly on the first Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. and may, by resolution, establish additional regular meeting dates; and WHEREAS, the first Monday in the month of July 2017 will be July 3, 2017, which date immediately preceding the July 4th Independence Day legal holiday causing possible conflicts with holiday arrangement. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that, Wednesday, July 5, 2017 be and hereby is established as an additional regular meeting date of the Council of the City of Norwich in 2017; that the regular monthly meeting for July 2017 initially scheduled to have been held on July 3, 2017 be and hereby is adjourned and continued to July 5, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. at city council chambers; and the city clerk is directed to file a corrected original meeting notice and post an amended schedule on the city website on or before June 1, 2017 listing the July 5, 2017 regular meeting. On a vote of 5-1 with Ald. Martin voting in opposition. Motion carries. Upon motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Braddock, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Salomone. WHEREAS, the City Manager John L. Salomone has appointed with Councils approval as a regular member to the Redevelopment Agency for a term to expire on 2/28/19 or until a successor is appointed; James Heist (R) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Norwich hereby acknowledges the appointments of the above named to the Redevelopment Agency. 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH MAY 15, 2017 Upon motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Philbrick, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by President Pro Tem Nystrom, Ald. Gould and Braddock. BE IT RESOLVED that the below named be appointed as a regular member to the Ethics Commission for a term to expire on October 18, 2017 or until a successor is appointed: Anthony Black (D) Upon motion of Ald. Martin, seconded by Ald. Gould, it was voted to remove the following resolution from the table and bring it back. On a vote of 4-2 with President Pro Tem Nystrom and Ald. Nash voting in opposition. Motion passes. 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH MAY 15, 2017 Ald. Philbrick motioned seconded by Ald. Braddock to put the above resolution on the floor for adoption. On a vote of 2-4 with Ald. Nash, Martin, Philbrick and President Pro Tem Nystrom voting in opposition the above resolution fails. Upon motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Nash, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:50 pm. CITY CLERK 8