City Council

AGENDA – MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH February 19, 2019 7:30 PM PRAYER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CITIZEN COMMENT GENERAL (30 Minutes) PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 1. Communication from Chairman to dissolve the 347 Central Avenue Committee of Sale. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT CITIZENS COMMENT ON RESOLUTIONS NEW BUSINESS-RESOLUTIONS 1. Relative to dissolving the 347 Central Ave Committee of Sale. 2. Relative to a City’s Fire Service apparatus needs study. 3. Relative to a reappointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals. 4. Relative to the aggregate sums representing motor vehicle and personal property taxes on the Grand List October 1, 2016 being transferred to the suspense account. 5. Relative to placing in the suspense account certain real estate taxes. 6. Relative to expressing opposition to any state support for a proposed casino in Bridgeport. City Clerk  RESOLUTION #1 WHEREAS, the City of Norwich acquired the property at 347 Central Avenue by a Committee of Sale deed recorded September 29, 2016 at volume 2981, page 290 of the Norwich Land Records; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, by a resolution adopted November 20, 2107 established the “347 Central Avenue Committee of Sale” (hereinafter “Committee”) to make recommendations to it concerning the disposition of this property and, upon recommendation of this Committee, adopted a resolution on June 18, 2018 authorizing and directing the city manager to execute a Development Agreement on behalf of the city with Lauren Kang Properties, LLC, and also requested the Committee to continue to act for the city by periodically reviewing the renovations and reporting to the Council as necessary; and WHEREAS, following a report of the Committee that the work had been satisfactorily finished, and of its opinion that the property could be conveyed to Lauren Kang Properties, LLC the Council, by resolution adopted January 22, 2019 authorized and directed the city manager to execute a deed of conveyance satisfactory to him from the City of Norwich to Lauren Kang Properties, LLC conveying to it the renovated property at 347 Central Avenue; and WHEREAS, on February 5, 2019 a deed from the City of Norwich to Lauren Kang Properties, LLC was delivered to it and recorded in the Norwich Land Records at volume 3107, page 9; and WHEREAS, following this conveyance and the recommendation of the Committee Chair that the Committee be dissolved, the Council of the City of Norwich finds that 347 Central Avenue Committee of Sale has completed its work and should be dissolved and discharged from further responsibility with respect to monitoring this property. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that, the 347 Central Avenue Committee of Sale be and hereby is dissolved and discharged of further responsibilities with respect to the property at 347 Central Avenue; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that, the Council of the City of Norwich extends its appreciation to the 347 Central Avenue Committee of Sale for its efforts and dedication in seeing the renovation of the property at 347 Central Avenue through to completion. Alderwoman Stacy Gould  RESOLUTION #2 WHEREAS, ​it is in the public interest to provide responsible fire protection for City residents and businesses; and WHEREAS, ​the number, type, and assignments of fire apparatus is an essential element to the City’s fire suppression capabilities; and WHEREAS, ​a comprehensive fire suppression capability analysis to determine the City’s fire risk and the ability of the Fire Service to suppress a fire was last undertaken in 1989; and WHEREAS, ​the 1989 Survey of Norwich Fire Service calls for a more efficient personnel and apparatus distribution and a fire apparatus response plan that will more closely comply with the National Fire Protection Association Standards, using strategies such as centralized purchasing of apparatus and equipment, and coordinated response plans citywide; and WHEREAS, ​the 1989 Survey of Norwich Fire Service identifies both the imperative nature of an efficient and well-managed fire service, as well as a lack of coordination between the six fire departments, particularly in terms of apparatus purchases and response assignments; and WHEREAS, ​the Council of the City of Norwich on July 7, 2017 adopted a bond ordinance appropriating $3,200,000 for Public Safety equipment, including the replacement of five fire apparatus, and authorizing the issue of bonds of the City to meet said appropriation; and WHEREAS, ​it has been 30 years since a study of the number, type, and assignments of fire apparatus was done, and after the recent purchases of replacement apparatus, it is both reasonable and prudent to do another study. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, ​that, the City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to solicit a request for proposal from qualified consultants to begin a needs analysis of City’s Fire Service, including the number, deployment, and the replacement schedule of existing fire apparatus; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, ​that, no contract or bid award for fire apparatus be authorized until the needs analysis of City’s Fire Service has been received and the recommendations reviewed by the Norwich City Council. President Pro-Tem William Nash Alderman Joseph A. DeLucia Alderwoman Joanne Philbrick  RESOLUTION #3 WHEREAS, the City Manager John L. Salomone has re-appointed as a regular member to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term to expire on 2/28/21 or until a successor is appointed; Marc Benjamin (D) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Norwich hereby acknowledges the appointment of the above named to the Zoning Board of Appeals. City Manager John L. Salomone  RESOLUTION #4 Relative to the aggregate sums representing motor vehicle and personal property taxes on the Grand List October 1, 2016 being transferred to the suspense account. WHEREAS, there is on file in the Tax Collector’s Office the names and addresses of the persons against whom motor vehicle taxes and personal property taxes on the Grand Lists up to and including 2016, were levied and the reasons why the Tax Collector believes such taxes are uncollectible; and, WHEREAS, in accordance with the Tax Collector’s recommendation the aggregate sum of $387,057.27 is the total outstanding motor vehicle tax on the Grand Lists up to and including 2016, to be transferred to the suspense tax book and $71,940.50 is the total outstanding personal property tax on the Grand Lists up to and including 2016, to be transferred to the suspense tax book; and, WHEREAS, nothing herein contained shall be construed as an abatement of any tax transferred to the suspense tax account, but any such taxes, as it shall have been increased by interest, penalty fees and charges may be collected; and WHEREAS, in June 2018, through RFP 18-12, the City selected TaxServ Capital Services LLC to pursue the collection of such accounts. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the following aggregate sums representing motor vehicle taxes of $387,057.27 and personal property taxes of $71,940.50 on the Grand Lists up to and including 2016, be and the same hereby are transferred to the suspense account. City Manager John Salomone  Supportive Information for Resolution #4 JOSHUA A. POTHIER, C.P.A. 100 Broadway Room 105 COMPTROLLER Norwich, CT 06360-4431 Phone: (860) 823-3720 www.norwichct.org/finance Fax: (860) 823-3812 jpothier@cityofnorwich.org February 11, 2019 To: Mayor Peter A. Nystrom and Members of the Norwich City Council through City Manager John Salomone Explanation of resolutions regarding the transfer of certain real estate, motor vehicle, and personal property taxes into the suspense account There are two proposed resolutions for your consideration for the next City Council meeting agenda regarding the transfer of certain property taxes into the “suspense account.” I’ve prepared a brief explanation of these two resolutions below. Real Estate Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §12-165, the Tax Collector must research each real estate tax account which she deems as not being collectable prior to presenting them to the City Council. There are different reasons for her to request that the tax account be transferred to the suspense tax book, including: mobile home abandoned and owner deceased or cannot be located, mobile home was removed without consent, property is contaminated, title issues, etc. The properties presented in the resolution for your consideration at the February 19, 2019 meeting are ones that the City of Norwich does NOT wish to acquire, either by tax sale or foreclosure and to date all attempts to collect the taxes have been unsuccessful. Motor Vehicle and Personal Property CGS § 12-165 states the Tax Collector at least once each fiscal year shall transfer into the suspense account any personal property and motor vehicle taxes which are deemed uncollectible. The resolution on the February 19, 2019 agenda is to transfer the uncollected motor vehicle and personal property taxes from the October 2016 grand list into suspense. In Summary To consider these accounts as assets when it is believed that they will never be recouped does not help the City get an accurate picture of its finances. However, it is important to remember that while these property taxes are not deemed collectable, they are collectable and payment of the taxes would be accepted until the end of the 15 year collection period is over. Schedule of Planned Annual Collection Efforts Month Real Estate Motor Vehicle Personal Property July Collect current levy * Mail delinquent notices * Mail delinquent notices Notify DMV of delinquent Research and re-mail Research and re-mail returned mail. August accounts. Research and re-mail returned mail. Check bankruptcy accts & send letters as returned mail. Check bankruptcy accts & needed send letters as needed Send demand notices to Send delinquent notices. Send demand notices to delinquent delinquent taxpayers. September Research and re-mail returned taxpayers Research and re-mail mail. returned mail. Identify properties for foreclosure (FC) or tax sale (TS) Research and re-mail returned Research and re-mail October Meet with Attorney for update on FC mail. returned mail. Update new owners Add new accts to FC list and send work- Research and re-mail returned Research and re-mail November ups to Attorney mail. returned mail. Mail supplemental motor vehicle December Continue to send work-ups to Attorney tax bills Collect supplemental motor Collect second installment of January Collect second installment of RE taxes vehicle tax bills PP taxes, if applicable Mail delinquent notices. Mail Demand notices. Transfer current levy uncollectable Mail delinquent notices. Notify Suspend previous tax year accounts to suspense. Update new DMV of delinquent accounts. February accounts. Check bankruptcy owners. Check bankruptcy accts & send Suspend accts – previous tax accts & send letters as letters as needed year needed. Turn over all delinquent accts Turn over accts from previous Mail demands. Research and re-mail to TaxServ. Research and re- March year to TaxServ. Research and returned mail. mail returned mail. re-mail returned mail. Meet with Attorney for update on FC. Add new accts to FC list and send work- Research and re-mail returned Research and re-mail April ups to Attorney. Conduct Yearly or mail. returned mail. Biennial Tax Sale (Depending on need). Continue to send workups to Attorney. Get List of businesses from May File liens on all open accounts. Update Health District new owners June Generate next year’s tax levy. Notify Uncas Health District of delinquent accounts.  RESOLUTION #5 Relative to placing in the suspense account certain real estate taxes. WHEREAS, Section 12-165 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended by Section 35 of Public Act 13-276 provides for the administrative procedure for transferring real estate taxes deemed uncollectible to the “suspense” tax book; and, WHEREAS, taxes transferred to the suspense tax book are no longer listed as an asset of the city in its annual financial report; and, WHEREAS, listed below are the names and addresses of the persons against whom certain real estate taxes on the Grand Lists up to and including 2017 were levied and which the Tax Collector believes such taxes are uncollectible because of lack of payment for several years; and, WHEREAS, in accordance with the Tax Collector’s recommendation the aggregate sum of $158,589.89 in real estate tax on the Grand Lists up to and including 2017, to be transferred to the suspense tax book; and, WHEREAS, nothing herein contained shall be construed as an abatement of any tax transferred to the suspense tax account, but any such taxes, as it shall have been increased by interest, penalty fees and charges may be collected; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the aggregate sum of $158,589.89 representing uncollectible real estate taxes on the Grand Lists up to and including 2017, be and the same hereby are transferred to the suspense account. Unique ID Address List Years Due Taxes Due 1000020562 56 ALICE ST 2017 1,040.40 0112180001 HOLLAND AVE 2017 2,032.38 0112190001 20 CROWN ST 2017 1,122.66 0112220001 68 THERMOS AVE 2017 17,246.20 0112230001 116 THERMOS AVE 2017 1,553.32 0112250001 85 HILLSIDE AVE 2017 6,048.76 0108790001 751 NORTH MAIN ST 2017 638.76 0026450001 663-665 NORTH MAIN ST 2014 3,988.63 0360010023 53 PRENTICE ST 23 2017 787.76 0081360001 5TH CANAL END OF STREET 2017 517.80 1200020001 BEEBE RD 2017 248.76 0049540001 117 RIVER AVE 2017 38.71 0630017237 44 NORWICH AVE LOT 37 2004-2008 2,750.60 0094660001 SEVENTH ST 2017 391.96 0057480001 35 LAMBERT DR REAR 2017 24.89 0088630001 303 MOHEGAN PARK RD 12 2014-2016 834.78 0006060001 77 PACEMAKER AVE 2003-2015 1,657.40 0061710001 303 MOHEGAN PARK RD #42 2003-2008 2,124.54 0086680001 303 MOHEGAN PARK RD LT 6 2004-2005 362.17 7125620001 LAUREL HILL RD 2017 58.05 0900010061 303 MOHGAN PARK RD LOT 61 2003-2008 3,431.98 0100340001 97 FOREST ST 2017 333.90 0055800001 5 CONNECTICUT AVE 2004-2007 31,605.82 0112080001 7 HILLSIDE AVE 2017 1,321.06 0023810001 OAKRIDGE ST 2017 842.00 7131530001 337-341 MAIN ST 2017 77,586.60 Total 158,589.89 City Manager John Salomone  Supportive Information for Resolution #5 JOSHUA A. POTHIER, C.P.A. 100 Broadway Room 105 COMPTROLLER Norwich, CT 06360-4431 Phone: (860) 823-3720 www.norwichct.org/finance Fax: (860) 823-3812 jpothier@cityofnorwich.org February 11, 2019 To: Mayor Peter A. Nystrom and Members of the Norwich City Council through City Manager John Salomone Explanation of resolutions regarding the transfer of certain real estate, motor vehicle, and personal property taxes into the suspense account There are two proposed resolutions for your consideration for the next City Council meeting agenda regarding the transfer of certain property taxes into the “suspense account.” I’ve prepared a brief explanation of these two resolutions below. Real Estate Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §12-165, the Tax Collector must research each real estate tax account which she deems as not being collectable prior to presenting them to the City Council. There are different reasons for her to request that the tax account be transferred to the suspense tax book, including: mobile home abandoned and owner deceased or cannot be located, mobile home was removed without consent, property is contaminated, title issues, etc. The properties presented in the resolution for your consideration at the February 19, 2019 meeting are ones that the City of Norwich does NOT wish to acquire, either by tax sale or foreclosure and to date all attempts to collect the taxes have been unsuccessful. Motor Vehicle and Personal Property CGS § 12-165 states the Tax Collector at least once each fiscal year shall transfer into the suspense account any personal property and motor vehicle taxes which are deemed uncollectible. The resolution on the February 19, 2019 agenda is to transfer the uncollected motor vehicle and personal property taxes from the October 2016 grand list into suspense. In Summary To consider these accounts as assets when it is believed that they will never be recouped does not help the City get an accurate picture of its finances. However, it is important to remember that while these property taxes are not deemed collectable, they are collectable and payment of the taxes would be accepted until the end of the 15 year collection period is over. Schedule of Planned Annual Collection Efforts Month Real Estate Motor Vehicle Personal Property July Collect current levy * Mail delinquent notices * Mail delinquent notices Notify DMV of delinquent Research and re-mail Research and re-mail returned mail. August accounts. Research and re-mail returned mail. Check bankruptcy accts & send letters as returned mail. Check bankruptcy accts & needed send letters as needed Send demand notices to Send delinquent notices. Send demand notices to delinquent delinquent taxpayers. September Research and re-mail returned taxpayers Research and re-mail mail. returned mail. Identify properties for foreclosure (FC) or tax sale (TS) Research and re-mail returned Research and re-mail October Meet with Attorney for update on FC mail. returned mail. Update new owners Add new accts to FC list and send work- Research and re-mail returned Research and re-mail November ups to Attorney mail. returned mail. Mail supplemental motor vehicle December Continue to send work-ups to Attorney tax bills Collect supplemental motor Collect second installment of January Collect second installment of RE taxes vehicle tax bills PP taxes, if applicable Mail delinquent notices. Mail Demand notices. Transfer current levy uncollectable Mail delinquent notices. Notify Suspend previous tax year accounts to suspense. Update new DMV of delinquent accounts. February accounts. Check bankruptcy owners. Check bankruptcy accts & send Suspend accts – previous tax accts & send letters as letters as needed year needed. Turn over all delinquent accts Turn over accts from previous Mail demands. Research and re-mail to TaxServ. Research and re- March year to TaxServ. Research and returned mail. mail returned mail. re-mail returned mail. Meet with Attorney for update on FC. Add new accts to FC list and send work- Research and re-mail returned Research and re-mail April ups to Attorney. Conduct Yearly or mail. returned mail. Biennial Tax Sale (Depending on need). Continue to send workups to Attorney. Get List of businesses from May File liens on all open accounts. Update Health District new owners June Generate next year’s tax levy. Notify Uncas Health District of delinquent accounts.  RESOLUTION #6 WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich is aware of various communications which have been sent to Governor Ned Lamont expressing opposition to an MGM run casino in Bridgeport and the potential breach of the Compact existing between the state of Connecticut and the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribal Nations; communications recognizing the direct and indirect damage risked to the economy of eastern Connecticut by such a casino; and WHEREAS, these include letters from John Beauregard, President and CEO of the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board and Christopher Jewell, Chair of the Eastern Workforce Investment Board; and WHEREAS, State Senator Catherine Osten has encouraged the Council of the City of Norwich, if like-minded, to adopt a resolution encouraging Governor Lamont to support the Compact and protect the interest of Eastern Connecticut and its many residents employed by enterprises of the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribal Nations; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich joins with Senator Osten, John Beauregard, Christopher Jewell and others in their opposition to the proposed casino in Bridgeport. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that it, by this resolution, expresses its opposition to any state support for a proposed MGM run casino in Bridgeport, Connecticut and for any negotiation by the state with MGM or any other commercial entity which may jeopardize the local effect of the Compact with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribal Nations or risk a breach of the same. Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom Alderwoman Stacy Gould Alderman Samuel Browning IV