City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held September 21, 2020 at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Ald. Bettencourt, Ald. Nash, Gould, Wilson, Myles and DeLucia. City Manager Salomone and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll were also in attendance. Mayor Nystrom presided. President Ald. Myles read the opening prayer and Ald. Wilson led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Please be advised that meetings of the Norwich City Council can be viewed in their entirety on the City of Norwich website “norwichct.org”. Mayor Nystrom called for citizen comment. Marvin Serruto, 100 Starr St, asked that the Council meetings be opened so that the public can attend in person. There were no emails. Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. Mayor Nystrom called for a Public Hearing on the AN ORDINANCE EXEMPTING THE NORWICH ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN CORPORATION FROM THE PAYMENT OF TAXES ON CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED AT 25 OTIS STREET Speaking in favor: Marvin Serruto, 100 Starr St, spoke in support of the ordinance. There were no emails. Speaking in opposition: There were no speakers. There were no emails. There being no further speakers Mayor Nystrom declared the public hearing closed. Mayor Nystrom called for a Public Hearing on the AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 7-25 OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES BY CHANGING THE TITLE, ADDING NEW PROVISIONS, TO BE IDENTIFIED AS (3) AND (4) TO SUBSECTION (a), AND BY ADDING A SUBSECTION (d) REGARDING THE TIMELY FILING OF A CLAIM FOR AN EXEMPTION AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION. 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 Speaking in favor: There were no speakers. There were no emails. Speaking in opposition: There were no speakers. There were no emails. There being no further speakers Mayor Nystrom declared the public hearing closed. Mayor Nystrom called for a Public Hearing on the AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 7-26 OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ADDING SUBSECTION (g) TO INCREASE THE PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT FOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS PURSUANT TO PUBLIC ACT NO. 19-36 Speaking in favor: There were no speakers. There were no emails. Speaking in opposition: There were no speakers. There were no emails. There being no further speakers Mayor Nystrom declared the public hearing closed. Upon a motion of Ald. Myles, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to waive the reading of the full text and incorporate it into the minutes this ordinance being given its second reading. Upon a motion of Ald. Myles, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was voted to adopt the following ordinance introduced by President Pro Tem Bettencourt and Ald. Gould. 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 AN ORDINANCE EXEMPTING THE NORWICH ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESAN CORPORATION FROM THE PAYMENT OF TAXES ON CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED AT 25 OTIS STREET WHEREAS, that certain property located at 25 Otis Street, Norwich, Connecticut was purchased by The Norwich Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation on May 1, 2019 to be used for educational and charitable purposes; and, WHEREAS, said property since May 1, 2019 has been used for educational and charitable purposes by The Norwich Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation; and, WHEREAS, said property would not be tax exempt on the Grand List of October 1, 2018; and, WHEREAS, Connecticut General Statute Section 12-81(b) provides that any municipality may, by ordinance, provide that the property tax exemption authorized by any of subdivisions (7-16), inclusive, of section 12-81 shall be effective as of the date of acquisition of the property to which the exemption applies and shall, in such ordinance, provide procedure for reimbursement of the tax-exempt organization for any tax paid by it for a period subsequent to said date; and, WHEREAS, Connecticut General Statute Section 12-81(7) provides that real property, owned by a corporation organized exclusively for educational purposes and used for educational purposes, shall be exempt from taxation; and, WHEREAS, The Norwich Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation has paid the July 1, 2019 real estate taxes for the property located at 25 Otis Street in the total amount of $2,409.10; and, WHEREAS, The Norwich Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation, owned the property located at 25 Otis Street for a period of 151 days on the October 1, 2018 grand list; and, WHEREAS, The Norwich Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation would be entitled to a reimbursement in the amount of $1,673.08; 151 days multiplied by $11.08. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that such property at 25 Otis Street be and hereby is exempted from the payment of any real estate taxes, interest or penalty due on the Grand List of October 1, 2018, or until said premises are no longer used by The Norwich Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation for educational and charitable purposes and the City of Norwich shall reimburse The Norwich Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation for any City of Norwich real estate taxes paid by it on the Grand List of October 1, 2018 for the period subsequent to May 1, 2019; which reimbursement shall be in the sum of $1,673.08 for real estate taxes paid to the City of Norwich. On a roll call vote of 7-0 motion passes. Upon a motion of Ald. Myles, seconded by Ald. Nash, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to waive the reading of the full text and incorporate it into the minutes this ordinance being given its second reading. 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 Upon a motion of Ald. Myles, seconded by Ald. Nash, on a roll call vote it was voted to adopt the following ordinance introduced by Mayor Nystrom and President Pro Tem Bettencourt and Ald. Gould. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 7-25 OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES BY CHANGING THE TITLE, ADDING NEW PROVISIONS, TO BE IDENTIFIED AS (3) AND (4) TO SUBSECTION (a), AND BY ADDING A SUBSECTION (d) REGARDING THE TIMELY FILING OF A CLAIM FOR AN EXEMPTION AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION. NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that Section 7-25 Personal property taxation exemption on ambulances including retrofitted handicapped vehicles of the Norwich Code of Ordinances be amended as follows: Sec. 7-25. Personal property taxation exemption on ambulances including retrofitted handicapped vehicles and motor vehicles equipped for persons with disabilities (a) An exemption from personal property taxation shall be granted to the following: (1) Any ambulance-type motor vehicle or retrofitted handicapped vehicle which is used exclusively for the purpose of transporting any medically incapacitated individual, except any such vehicle used to transport any such individual for profit. (2) Any property owned by a nonprofit ambulance company. (3) Any motor vehicle owned by a person with disabilities or owned by the parent or guardian of such person, which vehicle is equipped for the purpose of adapting its use to the disability of such person, provided the legislative body of the municipality adopts a definition of such vehicle. (4) As used in Section 7-25(a) (3) and (4) and Section 7-25 (d) the terms “motor vehicle” and “vehicle” shall be defined to mean a motor vehicle, as defined in section 14-1(58) of the Connecticut General Statutes, that has been altered, reconfigured, or has undergone mechanical or structural changes that permit a persons with disabilities to safely drive such vehicle or to ride as a passenger therein, including hand controls, hoists, lifts, and other adaptive control devices which enable an individual with mobility restrictions to control the accelerator, floor brake, turn signals, dimmer switch, steering wheel and/or parking brake. (b) This section is adopted pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 12-81c as may be amended from time to time. (c) This section shall take effect in assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 1988 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 (d) Applications for the exemption for motor vehicles owned by a person with disabilities or owned by the parents or guardian of such person shall be made on forms provided by the Assessor and must include all information and proofs required by the Assessor. A complete application for the exemption must be filed with the assessor, not later than the 31st day of December next following the date the property tax is due. The failure to submit a complete application for the exemption by the 31st day of December deadline shall be deemed to be a waiver of the exemption as to the taxes due under the relevant assessment date. On a roll call vote of 7-0 motion passes. Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Myles, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to waive the reading of the full text and incorporate it into the minutes this ordinance being given its second reading. Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Myles, on a roll call vote it was voted to adopt the following ordinance introduced by Mayor Nystrom and President Pro Tem Bettencourt. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 7-26 OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ADDING SUBSECTION (g) TO INCREASE THE PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT FOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS PURSUANT TO PUBLIC ACT NO. 19-36 WHEREAS, Public Act No 19-36 repealed section 12-81w of the General Statutes and substituted new provisions effective July 1, 2019; and WHEREAS, Public Act No 19-36 increased the amount of the property tax abatement for certain first responders including volunteer firefighters and volunteer fire police officers, as defined in subsection (a) of section 7-308 of the Connecticut General Statutes. Such tax relief to include an abatement of up to $1,500 in property taxes due in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, and an abatement of up to $2,000 in property taxes due thereafter commencing with the fiscal year running from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that, Ordinance No. 7-26 be and hereby is amended by adding a subsection (g) to provide as follows: Sec. 7-26. Tax abatement for volunteer firefighters. (a) Any member seeking an abatement must have met with emergency call and training requirements set forth in §§ 8-74 (a)(i) and (ii). (b) A member who cannot perform his/her duty as a result of a department-related injury, as defined in § 8- 72, shall have their percentage of attendance adjusted in the same manner as § 8-74(a)(iii). (c) The chief of each individual volunteer fire company shall submit a notarized list and an electronic list of all eligible members, as well as their respective level of tax abatement to the Norwich Tax Assessor, or the Tax Collector or Assessor of the municipality which has entered into an interlocal agreement with the City of 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 Norwich and in which said eligible member resides, no later than March 1st of each year, in order to be eligible for a tax abatement as to taxes due on the following July 1st on the grand list of October 1st of the preceding year. This tax abatement shall be applied only to residential property tax or personal property tax, whether such property is owned individually jointly or as tenant in common with one or more other persons. (d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to imply that if an eligible member has less tax liability than their permitted amount of tax abatement, that they are entitled to receive any additional funds from the city under this section. (e) The Tax Assessor for the City of Norwich shall maintain a record of all taxes abated in accordance with this section. (f) The city manager is authorized to enter into, create, receive and deliver an interlocal agreement on behalf of the City of Norwich with one or more of the towns showing common boundaries with the City of Norwich to provide reciprocal tax abatements as set forth in this section for eligible members of volunteer fire department who in a municipality subject to said intergovernmental agreement and provide volunteer services in another municipality subject to said agreement. (g) Any member meeting the emergency call and training requirements set forth in subsection (a) herein or who cannot perform his/her duty as a result of department-related injury as set forth in subsection (b) herein, and on whose behalf the necessary qualifying information has been submitted by the chief of the volunteer fire company for which the member performed services as set forth in subsection (c) herein shall be eligible for a tax abatement of up to $1,500 in property taxes due for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022 and up to $2,000 for taxes due on any fiscal year thereafter commencing with the fiscal year running from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023. On a roll call vote of 7-0 motion passes. Upon a motion of Ald. Myles, seconded by Ald. Wilson, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the following letter of resignation of Anthony J Jacobs from the Redevelopment Agency. Upon a motion of Ald. Myles, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the referral letter from the Public Safety Committee. 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 City Managers Report: To: Mayor Nystrom and members of the City Council From: John Salomone, City Manager Subject: City Manager’s Report Date: September 21, 2020 Meetings attended via conference call or video were Governor Lamont updates, State representatives and legislators, Region 4 Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security, Southeastern Council of Governments, (SCCOG), South East Area Transit (SEAT), NPU-City Coordination Meeting, Public Parking Commission and Volunteer Fire Fighter Relief Fund Committee. On September 11, 2020 the City received word that they would receive an additional allocation of $544,243 CDBG-CV funds through the CARES ACT. Previously the City received an allocation of $506,569. These funds will be used to assist low income Norwich residents, businesses and service providers to help them through the financial devastation of the pandemic. The Community Development Office will be preparing an additional RFP, to allocate this round of funds, in the coming week. 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 On September 16th, 50 City employees, across most departments, participated in a workshop titled “How to Talk About Race in the Workplace”. The presenter Kwane Christian is the Director of the American Negotiation Institute. These conversations are challenging because they are deeply emotional and trigger strongly held beliefs about identify and fairness. The risks of failing to have these conversations in a respectful way can have profound consequences throughout the workplace, leading to issues with morale, group cohesion, and employee retention. Norwich Youth and Family Services annual Family Day event was a virtual success over the past weekend. Community agencies partnered with NYFS to provide 190 care packages to Norwich kids and families. Local agencies donated fun promotional items and filled the bags with many items including arts & crafts supplies, masks, and books. NYFS partnered with St. Vincent de Paul Place and Voc’s Westside Pizza to include coupons for a free pizza slice for each child in the family, as well as chips and cookies. The bags also included flyers and brochures for local programs, events and parenting programs. Additionally, families had the opportunity to view about 30 videos, submitted by community programs and agencies, on the Norwich Youth & Family Services Facebook page and had approximately 2,500 views to date. Many of the videos, included demonstrations of family friendly activities that can be done at home. The McGrath Consulting Group, Inc., the selected consulting firm to perform the analysis of the City’s fire services, will be meeting with the Fire Chiefs and city staff on October 5th & 6th. This is the first step in the process regarding the resolution that was approved at the August 17th Council meeting. Thank you to the American Legion Post 104 for the $5,000 grant to the City’s Public Works Department to replace and repair the roofs of the 2 buildings at the Taftville Veterans Memorial Park. Public Works Director Pat McLaughlin will be coordinating the project with the group. The City of Norwich and its employees have been selected as the “City Partner of the Year 2019-20” by the United Way. Thank you to those that contributed and/or donated their time on behalf of the United Way. Mayor Nystrom called for citizen comment. There were no speakers. There were no emails. Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. Upon a motion of Ald. Myles, seconded by Ald. Gould, 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 re-appointed as a regular member to the Historic District Commission with a term to expire on December 31, 2024 or until a successor is appointed: Timothy Dowhan (D) BE IT RESOLVED that the following be appointed an alternate member to the Historic District Commission for a term to expire on December 31, 2021 or until a successor is appointed; Gregory Farlow (R) 8 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 Upon a motion of Ald. Myles, 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 following be re-appointed as regular members to the Senior Affairs Commission for a term to expire on September 1, 2021 or until a successor is appointed; Janice Stewart (D) Frank J. Jacaruso Jr. (D) P. Michael Lahan (D) Jacquelyn W. Randall (D) Upon a motion of Ald. Myles, seconded by Ald. Gould, 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 following be re-appointed as a regular member to the Dangerous Buildings Board of Review for a term to expire on June 1, 2021 or until a successor is appointed; James M. Quarto (D) Upon a motion of Ald. Myles, 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 following be re-appointed as a regular member to the Board of Assessment Appeals for a term to expire on June 1, 2022 or until a successor is appointed; Jean Becker (U) BE IT RESOLVED that the following be appointed a regular member to the Board of Assessment Appeals for a term to expire on June 1, 2022 or until a successor is appointed; Democles Angelopoulos (D) Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by President Pro Tem Bettencourt, 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 following be re-appointed as a regular member to the Community Development Advisory Committee for a term to expire on December 31, 2020 or until a successor is appointed; Gemma Fabris (D) 9 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 Upon a motion of Ald. Myles, seconded by President Pro Tem Bettencourt, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to put the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Ald. Gould and DeLucia on the floor. Upon a motion of Ald. Myles, seconded by President Pro Tem Bettencourt, it was unanimously voted to amend the following resolution to add in paragraph #4 to add “$35,000.00” and paragraph #5 “$35,000.00 to 75 Hudson Road, Bridgeport, Connecticut” WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, by a resolution adopted September 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 8 Garfield Avenue 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 WHEREAS, Allyn and Associates Realtors has received offers to purchase the property, the highest offer being the sum of $35,000 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 $35,000 to Derek Hudson of 75 Hudson Road, Bridgeport, Connecticut 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 Derek Hudson 75 Hudson Road, Bridgeport, Connecticut or his designee for the property known as 8 Garfield Avenue, 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. Upon motion of Ald. Gould seconded by Ald. Nash, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:26 P.M. City Clerk 10