City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 16, 2019 The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held September 16, 2019, at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Nystrom, Ald. Nash, Gould, DeLucia, and Browning. City Manager Salomone and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll were also in attendance. Ald. Burnham was absent. Mayor Nystrom presided. Ald. Gould read the opening prayer and President Pro Tem Nash led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Nystrom called for citizen comment. Marvin Serruto, 100 Starr St, talked about previous citizen comments not being substantiated. He also spoke on not raising the education budget. He reminded citizens of historic anniversaries. Rodney Bowie, 62 Roosevelt Ave, talked about the vacated Council seat and respect is needed. He also stated that the City departments should live within their budgets. David Crabb, 47 Prospect St, talked about Mayor Nystrom’s interview on WICH. Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. Please be advised that meetings of the Norwich City Council can be viewed in their entirety on the City of Norwich website “norwichct.org”. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by President Pro Tem Nash, it was unanimously voted to accept the following letter of resignation of Barbara Stiger from the Commission for Persons with Disabilities. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by President Pro Tem Nash, it was unanimously voted to accept the letter of resignation of William Warzecha from the Uncas Health District. City Manager Salomone report: To: Mayor Nystrom and members of the City Council From: John Salomone, City Manager Subject: City Manager’s Report Date: September 16, 2019 Staff and I met with Superintendent Dr. Stringfellow to discuss the comprehensive Energy Assessment that was performed by Norwich Public Utilities for all Board of Education facilities. Future discussions will continue on the proposed cost saving measures and capital improvements suggested. I attended the Southeastern Area Transit (SEAT) meeting of the Boards’ Selection Committee to review RFP’s for transit management services. The SEAT Board Responses/Consultant Selection Committee is coordinated by the Southeastern CT Council of Governments and includes representatives from Norwich and other local towns. 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 16, 2019 I attended the monthly Public Safety Meeting where I discussed the Fire Apparatus Study needs analysis and replacement schedule that was given to the City Council on September 3rd. I presented a handout with the highlights of the report for the committee and public. After extensive discussion, the committee recommended a phase 2 of the study to address the reduction in apparatus and emergency response time that would be altered. The projects next phase is to be completed for the February 2020 Public Safety meeting. I have been notified that the fieldwork by CME Engineering for City owned property on 18 Falls Avenue has been scheduled and the survey map should be ready by the end of the week. Registration for fall programs through the Recreation Department is in process and the majority of programs start this week. There are over 24 programs for youth being offered and over 18 for adults which are on the City’s website under the Recreation Department. The Norwich Rotary celebrates Cultural Diversity this week. Events include the Peace Pole Rededication Ceremony at Howard T. Brown Park on Tuesday September 17th starting at 4:30 pm. The City of Norwich Planning Department will be having a Public Input Session regarding Central Avenue Pedestrian Safety Improvements on September 18th at 6:00 pm at the Greeneville Fire Department Community Room. Details of the event have been posted on the City’s Facebook page. My assistant, Jacquie Barbarossa has registered the City of Norwich for the 2019 Eastern Connecticut Heart Walk that will take place on Sunday, September 26, 2019 at the Mohegan Reservation in Uncasville. She has been a participant for numerous years on behalf of the City. Mayor Nystrom called for citizen comment. There were no speakers. Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Nash, seconded by Ald. Gould, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Salomone. WHEREAS, on July 1, 2019 the City Council approved the Community Development budget as presented but it has been determined that budget contained an incorrect allocation and this resolution is intended to correct the allocation of and the Community Development budget for PY 19; 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 of (corrected amount) $828,043, rather than $836,068 and NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the resolution adopted July 1, 2019 be amended to state a corrected amount of $828,043 and the Council shall and hereby does allocate the funds for (PY) 19 Community Development; Recapture and anticipated Return of Loan for administration as follows: 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 16, 2019 CDBG Requests - PY 45 (2019-2020) NEW Anticipated PY 2019 Allocation $ 836,068.00 $ 828,043.00 ROL Anticipated $ 70,000.00 PY 44 Recapture $ 8,722.35 $ 8,722.35 $ 844,790.35 $ 906,765.35 CDAC PY 2019 Request Recommendation Council Recommendation CD Office - Administration $ 167,213.60 $ 167,213.60 $ 165,608.60 20% of Grant Funds and ROL $ 11,356.40 $ 11,356.40 $ 11,356.40 Public Services NHS Norwich Works $ 50,000.00 $ 50,000.00 $ 50,000.00 NHS Rapid Rehousing & Shelter Diversion $ 15,000.00 $ 15,000.00 $ 15,000.00 Children in Placement $ 10,000.00 $ - $ - Safe Futures $ 15,000.00 $ 15,000.00 $ 15,000.00 TVCCA Home Again $ 20,000.00 $ 20,000.00 $ 20,000.00 OIC of NL County $ 25,000.00 $ - $ - NPD Community Policing $ 316,461.00 $ - $ - Total Public Services $ 451,461.00 $ 100,000.00 $ 100,000.00 Non-Public Services NHA Rosewood Manor Phase III $ 100,000.00 $ 100,000.00 $ 100,000.00 Norwich Rec. Taftville Basketball Courts $ 96,000.00 $ 90,000.00 $ 45,000.00 Norwich CD Demolition $ 100,000.00 $ - $ - Norwich CD Property Rehabilitation $ 200,000.00 $ 200,000.00 $ 252,223.60 DPW Taftville Park Gazebo $ 41,800.00 $ 40,000.00 $ 40,000.00 DPW Greeneville Playground $ 135,057.00 $ 76,400.00 $ 121,400.00 DPW ADA Ramps $ 82,300.00 $ 71,176.75 $ 71,176.75 Total Non-Public Services $ 755,157.00 $ 577,576.75 $ 629,800.35 Public Service $ 451,461.00 $ 100,000.00 $ 100,000.00 Non-Public Service $ 755,157.00 $ 577,576.75 $ 629,800.35 CD Administration / ROL $ 178,570.00 $ 178,570.00 $ 176,965.00 Total All Requests $ 1,385,188.00 $ 856,146.75 $ 906,765.35 Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Nash, seconded by Ald. Gould, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Salomone. WHEREAS, the City Manager John L. Salomone has reappointed with Councils approval as a regular member to the Youth Service Advisory Board for a term to expire on 2/01/21 or until a successor is appointed; Judith W. Post (U) Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Nash, seconded by Ald. Gould, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Ald. Gould and DeLucia. 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 16, 2019 BE IT RESOLVED that the below named be appointed as a regular member to the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners (Sewer Authority) with a term to expire on March 1, 2021 or until a successor is appointed: William Warzecha (D) Upon a motion by Ald. Gould, second by President Pro Tem Nash, it was unanimously voted to go into Executive Session pursuant to Connecticut General Statute Section 1-200(6) for the purpose of discussing strategy and negotiations with respect to pending claims and litigation. City Manager John Salomone and Corporation, Finance Director Joshua Pothier, Director of Community Development Kathy Crees and Counsel Michael E. Driscoll shall be asked to attend during all or portions of this Executive Session at the request of the City Council. The council was in Executive Session from 7:52 pm to 8:45 pm, at which time Mayor Nystrom, stated no votes were taken. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by President Pro Tem Nash, it was unanimously voted to return to regular session. Upon motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by President Pro Tem Nash, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:46 pm. City Clerk 4