City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 4, 2019 The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held November 4, 2019, at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Nystrom, Ald. Nash, Gould, DeLucia, Browning and Burnham. City Manager Salomone and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll was also in attendance. Mayor Nystrom presided. Ald. Gould read the opening prayer and President Pro Tem Nash, led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Nash, seconded by Ald. Gould, it was unanimously voted to adopt the minutes of October 7 and 21, 2019. President Pro Tem Nash asked for a moment of personal privilege to read the following proclamation: PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, Cheryl Hancin-Preston was born and raised in Norwich, attended Uncas School, Teachers Memorial Middle School and Norwich Free Academy (NFA) where she played soccer, basketball and ran track, graduating in 1992; and WHEREAS, Cheryl Hancin-Preston earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at the University of Connecticut (UCONN) and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Sports and Recreational Management at Florida International University, then returning to Connecticut she attended the University of Hartford and earned her Master’s in Business Administration; and WHEREAS, Cheryl Hancin-Preston is a certified recreation and parks professional, an aquatic facility operator, American Red Cross lifeguard, Health and Nutrition coach and a Master Gardener; and WHEREAS, Cheryl Hancin-Preston on November 21, 2017 walked the sports fields of Norwich looking at their potential and needs on her first day as the new Recreation Director; and WHEREAS, Cheryl Hancin-Preston has worked diligently to enhance the Recreation Department, increasing the number of programs by over 40, infrastructure improvements, irrigation systems that are now being fixed and upgrading tennis courts and baseball fields; and WHEREAS, Cheryl Hancin-Preston will be honored on November 26, 2019 as the Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association Outstanding Recreation Professional an honor that she deserves because of her hard work and dedication to the Norwich Recreation Department and the new programs she has helped to create. NOW THEREFORE, I, MAYOR PETER ALBERT NYSTROM AND NORWICH CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM, BILL NASH, ON BEHALF OF THE NORWICH CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, do hereby congratulate Cheryl Hancin-Preston on being named 2019 Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association Outstanding Recreation Professional an award that brings honor to her and the Rose City. Dated this Fourth Day of November, 2019 Peter Albert Nystrom Bill Nash Mayor President Pro Tem Please be advised that meetings of the Norwich City Council can be viewed in their entirety on the City of Norwich website “norwichct.org”. 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 4, 2019 Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by President Pro Tem Nash, it was unanimously voted to accept the letter of resignation of Fred Phelps from the Norwich Baseball Stadium Authority thanking him for his service. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by President Pro Tem Nash, it was unanimously voted to accept the letter of resignation of Kathryn Lord from the Ethics Commission thanking her for her service. City Manager Salomone report: To: Mayor Nystrom and members of the City Council From: John Salomone, City Manager Subject: City Manager’s Report Date: November 4, 2019 I attended the monthly Norwich Community Development Corporation (NCDC) meeting and Comptroller, Josh Pothier and I met with Superintendent, Dr. Stringfellow and staff to discuss a schedule of meetings for issues that may occur for the upcoming budget year. Norwich Recreation Department held their 2nd annual “Trunk or Treat” event at Brown Park on Friday, October 25th. Hundreds of families attended this fun, safe, family event with 20 Halloween decorated trunks including Public Works, Recreation, Human Services, Fire & Police Departments and the Community Development Office. The event included a DJ and balloon artist for the crowd of approximately 1,200. Thank you to all the sponsors, volunteers and the Recreation Department for making this event a great success. The City has been notified that it has achieved a Bronze certification as a Sustainable CT community and will be recognized at the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities at the Annual convention on December 3rd. This certification is designed to boost local economies, help municipal operations become more efficient, reduce operating cost and provide grants and additional support to municipalities. The Youth and Family Service division of Norwich Human Services was awarded the Drug Free Communities grant on October 30th. This is a five year grant which will help our community through the United States Department of Health and Human Services through its Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) in the amount of $125,000 per year for a term of five years. This grant will assist Norwich Human Services and the Local Prevention Council in strengthening collaborations among communities, public and private nonprofit agencies, as well as federal, state, local, and tribal governments, to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth and adults. City employees did a stellar job in supporting the United Way Campaign this year. We increased the number of people contributing by 69% which will help the many agencies that help Norwich families including the Gemma Moran food Center and United Community & Family Services Health Center. City employees will receive their first bi-weekly pay deposit on November 14th. Thank you to Stacie Ballaro, Accounting Generalist and a special thank you to Pat Osten, Assistant Human Resources Director, for her expertise to get this up and running. My assistant, Jacquie Barbarossa has informed me that the Cat’s Meow Christmas ornaments have arrived and are available in the City Clerk’s office for $10. Proceeds benefit the “Light Up City Hall” event. I have also been advised that the Hallmark movie “Holiday for Heroes” has a scheduled a release date of Friday, November 8th so be sure to set your DVR player if you want to catch a glimpse of Norwich City Hall and other local towns. Several days of round the clock filming took place at City Hall, in the City Manager’s Office and outside in the plaza where a winter setting was created for the holiday festivities in the film. 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 4, 2019 Mayor Nystrom called for citizen comment. Marvin Serruto, 100 Starr St, spoke on Resolution #2. 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, the City Manager John L. Salomone, has reappointed with Council approval as a regular member of the Inland Wetlands, Water Courses and Conservation Commission for a term to expire on June 15, 2021 or until a successor is appointed: David Poore (U) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Norwich hereby acknowledges the reappointment of the above named to the Inland Wetlands, Water Courses and Conservation Commission. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by President Pro Tem Nash, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Ald. Gould and DeLucia. BE IT RESOLVED that the below named be appointed as a regular member to the Norwich Baseball Stadium Authority with a term to expire on October 31, 2021 or until a successor is appointed: Joseph Fratoni (R) 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. WHEREAS, the City of Norwich, Department of Public Utilities has acquired the property located at 212 Prospect Street, Map 86, Block 2, Lot 21 by a Committee of Deed recorded at volume 3084 page 181 of the Norwich Land Records following a foreclosure of water/sewer liens; and WHEREAS, said property is improved by a structure; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich has determined it to be in the best interest of the City of Norwich to attempt to dispose of this property by a negotiated sale using the services of Allyn & Associates Realtors, listing the property at a price recommended to it by Allyn & Associates Realtors. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that City Manager John Salomone be and hereby is authorized and directed on behalf of the City of Norwich to enter into an individual real estate listing agreement satisfactory to him with Allyn & Associates Realtors offering to sell the property at 212 Prospect Street at a proposed sale price recommended by Allyn & Associates Realtors; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that, upon receipt of a Purchase and Sales Agreement from a prospective purchaser containing the proposed sales price recommended by Allyn & Associates Realtors and containing such terms and conditions as are satisfactory to City Manager John Salomone, then, City Manager John Salomone shall be and hereby is authorized and 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 4, 2019 directed to notify the Council of the City of Norwich of the proposed Purchase and Sales Agreement, which the Council may then approve by a resolution authorizing City Manager John Salomone to enter into a Purchase and Sales Agreement as presented for the subject property on behalf of the City of Norwich and, upon timely tender of the purchase price subject to standard adjustments, to execute and deliver a deed of conveyance for said property and to execute, receive and deliver such other documents as are necessary to complete the transfer of title in keeping with the terms and conditions of the Purchase and Sales Agreement. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by President Pro Tem Nash, the following resolution is withdrawn by the sponsor Ald. Gould. WHEREAS, the City of Norwich became the owner of the property located at 36 Huntington Avenue by a Certificate of Foreclosure recorded November 3, 2017 at Volume 3042, Page 259; and WHEREAS, the condition of the structure on the property was such that it is recommended by the Public Works Committee that it be demolished as it will otherwise likely remain a nuisance and become a hazard; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that City Manager John Salomone be and hereby is authorized and directed, with such assistance as he may require, to issue a Request for Proposals or a Request for Qualifications seeking interested contractors to demolish the structure on 36 Huntington Avenue and clear the site of debris, and to recommend the lowest qualified bidder to the Council by subsequent resolution, said resolution including information as to the anticipated cost of the work, funds available for the work through the demolition bond, and the funds that are anticipated to remain available via the bond issue after payment for this work. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by President Pro Tem Nash, it was unanimously voted to waive the full reading and set a public hearing on November 18, 2019 for the second reading and action for the following ordinance introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Ald Gould and Browning. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 9-21(a)(3) OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES BY REPEALING AND RESTATING THE SAME, AND SECTION 9-35 OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ADDING A NEW PARAGRAPH TO BE DESIGNATED “(f)” AND CHANGING THE DESIGNATION OF THE EXISTING PARAGRAPH “(f)” IN SUCH SECTION TO “(g)” WHEREAS, the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resources Recovery Authority (SCRRRA) has proposed and approved Amendment No. 5 to the current Waste Disposal Agreement between SCRRRA and the City of Norwich; and WHEREAS, Amendment No. 5 will require the City of Norwich to amend Sections 9-21(a)(3) and 9-35 of the existing Norwich Code of Ordinances pertaining to its Solid Waste Management Plan NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that Section 9-21(a)(3) of the Norwich Code of Ordinances be repealed and restated as set out as follows: 9-21(a)(3) The city has executed or may execute one or more solid waste management service contracts as determined by the city council, requiring it to cause all or a portion of the solid waste generated within its boundaries to be delivered to various locations as required by the contract; and 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH NOVEMBER 4, 2019 9-21(a)(3) The city has executed a Municipal Solid Waste Management Services Contract with Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resources Recovery Authority (SCRRRA) including an Amendment No. 5 to such Municipal Solid Waste Management Services Contract (collectively with such Amendment No. 5, the MSA). The MSA defines the System (the SCRRRA system) to include the Solid Waste Disposal and Resources Recovery Facility located in Lisbon, Connecticut and operated by Wheelabrator Lisbon Inc. or its successors or assigns (the SCRRRA Facility) pursuant to a Solid Waste Disposal Agreement between SCRRRA and Wheelabrator Lisbon Inc. (the Wheelabrator Agreement), and designates the SCRRRA Facility as the “Facility” within the SCRRRA System. Pursuant to the MSA, the city has agreed to deliver or caused to be delivered all solid waste (as defined in the MSA) generated within the corporate boundaries of the city to the SCRRRA System as directed by SCRRRA for ultimate delivery to the SCRRRA Facility for disposal, subject to and in accordance with the Wheelabrator Agreement. AND BE IF FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that Section 9-35 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances be amended by adding a new paragraph “(f)” to provide as follows: 9-35(f) All solid waste generated in the city shall be delivered or caused to be delivered to the SCRRRA System for so long as the MSA remains in effect, as directed by SCRRRA and for ultimate delivery to the SCRRRA Facility. To the extent any such solid waste is not acceptable for disposal at the SCRRRA Facility, such unacceptable solid waste shall be delivered or caused to be delivered to such other facility designated by SCRRRA, including the city landfill or other waste disposal area. After the MSA is no longer in effect, the city council or the director of public works shall designate the facility for the delivery of solid waste generated in the city. Any person delivering solid waste to the SCRRRA Facility or other designated place shall be responsible to pay any applicable disposal charge. All regulations of the city council or the director of public works and any direction or designation by the city council or the director of public works about the disposal of solid waste generated in the city shall be consistent with this paragraph (f) of Section 9-35; and by re-identifying the existing paragraph (f) of Section 9-35 as paragraph (g) as follows: (f) (g) Violators of this section and any regulation or order pursuant hereto shall be subject to the penalties provided by Section 1-8 of the Code of Ordinances. AND BE IF FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that this ordinance shall take effect on the 10th day following its passage and publication as provided in Chapter V of the Charter of the City of Norwich. Upon motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by President Pro Tem Nash, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:03 pm. City Clerk 5