City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 3, 2020 The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held August 3, 2020, at 7:32 PM in Council Chambers. Present by a roll call vote: Mayor Nystrom, Ald. Bettencourt, Gould, Nash, Wilson, and DeLucia. City Manager Salomone and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll were also in attendance. Ald. Myles had an excused absence. Mayor Nystrom presided. Please be advised that meetings of the Norwich City Council can be viewed in their entirety on the City of Norwich website “norwichct.org”. President Pro Tem Bettencourt read the opening prayer and Ald. DeLucia, led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Wilson, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the minutes of July 6 and 20, 2020. Mayor Nystrom read the following proclamation: PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, the R.E. Hourigan V.F.W. Post #594 and Ladies Auxiliary have paid tribute to America with the Silver Cornet Band honoring the Veterans of all Wars in Norwich, living and deceased, and in remembrance of VJ Day; and WHEREAS, this public display of Patriotism was instituted by Mary Born when she served as Americanism Chairman thus the “Tribute to America” program was started over 40 years ago and it is now a recommended project of the Americanism Program of the State Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxiliary and other allied Veterans Groups; and WHEREAS, each year the R.E. Hourigan V.F.W. Post #594 and Ladies Auxiliary award citizens who show their love of Country and their love of our Veterans and their families by Public Acts of Patriotism; and WHEREAS, the R.E. Hourigan V.F.W. Post #594 and Ladies Auxiliary continue to support the ideals and principles of The National Veterans of Foreign Wars Organization by honoring God, Family and Country through their efforts in the Rose City and in the nation. NOW THEREFORE, I, MAYOR PETER ALBERT NYSTROM AND NORWICH CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM, MARK BETTENCOURT, ON BEHALF OF THE NORWICH CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, do hereby commend and recognize the R.E. Hourigan V.F.W. Post #594 and Ladies Auxiliary for their 40 years of dedication to the Veterans of the Rose City and their families. Presented this Seventh Day of August, 2020 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 3, 2020 Peter Albert Nystrom Mark Bettencourt Mayor President Pro Tem Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the letter of resignation of Gary Schnip from the Dangerous Review and various Committees of Sale thanking him for his 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: August 3, 2020 I attended meetings via conference call or video which included Governor Lamont updates, State representatives and legislators, Region 4 Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security, State Covid update, NCDC Board meeting, and Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) regarding the Police Accountability proposal which I will continue to monitor closely. Staff and I met to discuss the eight proposals that were received for the Councils proposed Fire Study to determine the first round finalists. Comptroller, Josh Pothier, Purchaser, Bob Castronova. Acting- Fire-Chief Keith Wucik and Yantic Fire Chief Frank Blanchard and I will be conducting interviews with 4 consultants via Zoom on August 5th & 6th to further narrow down the field. The Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency (CIRMA) has presented the City with its annual Member’s Equity Distribution check for $21,195. The City of Norwich and Norwich Board of Education has received a total of $119,305.00 in distributed Members Equity since CIRMA began the program in 2011. Tax payments received as of July 31st are as follows: Lock Box – 5,282 payments totaling $6,339,762 and 2,106 Peoples United Bank in branch payments totaling $2,592,858.03. Collection rates have been approximately the same as last July with Peoples branch payments increasing by over $800,000. In person payments during evening hours have been steady and we would like to thank everyone for their patience. For your convenience there is now a drop box for absentee ballots at the Broadway entrance of City Hall. Please contact the City Clerk at 860-823-3732 if you have any questions. Rockin the Dodd concerts have begun. Thank you to the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsors and volunteers that make the concerts and events possible during the Covid-19 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 3, 2020 epidemic. The Chamber along with Global Cities will also be hosting their 3rd Annual Car Show in conjunction with First Friday events on August 7th starting at 6 pm. The 40th Annual Tribute to America Program will also be held on Friday, August 7th starting at 6:30 pm on Chelsea Parade. Please bring a lawn chair or blanket and practice social distancing while you enjoy an evening of music and tribute to the USA and its Heroes. Mayor Nystrom called for citizen comment on resolutions. Emails received: There were none. Speakers via telephone: There were none. Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Wilson, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, President Pro Tem Bettencourt and Ald. Gould. BE IT RESOLVED that the below named be appointed as a regular member to the Norwich Golf Course Authority with a term to expire on January 23, 2021 or until a successor is appointed: Raymond Lathrop (I) Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by President Pro Tem Bettencourt, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to put the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, President Pro Tem Bettencourt and Ald. Gould on the floor. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Wilson, it was unanimously voted to amend the following resolution to add in paragraph #4 to add “$30,000.00” and paragraph #5 “$30,000.00 to TAG Enterprises LLC of 14 Pepperbox Rd, Waterford CT” WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, by a resolution adopted November 4th, 2019, authorized City Manager John Salomone to enter into an individual Real Estate Listing Agreement with Allyn and Associates Realtors offering to sell the property at 212 Prospect Street at a price to be recommended by Allyn and Associates Realtors; and WHEREAS, the Council further resolved that upon receipt of a Purchase and Sales Agreement containing an offer to purchase at a price recommended by Allyn and Associates Realtors and containing such terms and conditions as were satisfactory to the City Manager, he was to notify the Council of the proposed Purchase and Sales Agreement for its consideration and possible approval; and 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 3, 2020 WHEREAS, Allyn and Associates Realtors has received offers to purchase the property, the highest offer being the sum of $30,000.00 the property to be conveyed in “as is” condition. 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 to enter into a Purchase and Sales Agreement on behalf of the City of Norwich to sell said property at a price of $30,000.00 to TAG Enterprises LLC of 14 Pepperbox Rd, Waterford CT pursuant to the terms of said Purchase and Sales Agreement and, upon timely tender of the purchase price subject to standard adjustments, to execute and deliver a deed of conveyance to TAG Enterprises LLC of 14 Pepperbox Rd, Waterford CT or his designee for the property known as 212 Prospect Street, and to execute, deliver, and receive 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. On a roll call vote motion passes. Upon motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Nash, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:05 pm. Betsy M. Barrett City Clerk 4