City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 19, 2021 The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held January 19, 2021 at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Ald. Bettencourt, Ald. Nash, Gould, Wilson, Myles and DeLucia. City Manager Salomone (via phone) 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. There were not speakers. There were no emails. Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to postpone the following ordinance until March 15, 2021 at 7:30 pm. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 8-74, 8-75 AND 8-77 OF ARTICLE IV OF CHAPTER 8 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES PERTAINING TO THE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS' RELIEF FUND PLAN OF THE CITY OF NORWICH WHEREAS, plan changes have been proposed to the City of Norwich Volunteer Firefighters Pension Plan; and WHEREAS, on or about October 5, 2020 the City of Norwich Finance Department received an analysis of the financial impact of the proposed changes prepared by the actuarial firm overseeing the pension fund; and WHEREAS, the Volunteer Firefighter Relief Fund Committee at a special meeting held October 13, 2020 reviewed this financial analysis and voted to recommend the proposed plan changes to the Council of the City of Norwich NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Norwich that the following amendments to Sections 8-74, 8-75, and 8-77 of Article IV of Chapter 8 of the Code of Ordinances listed as follows: Section 8-74(a)(v)(6); Section 8-74(a)(v)(7,) (to be added); Section 8-75(a) (i) and (ii), (subpart (ii) deleted in full); Section 8-75(c)(vi), (amending 8-75(c)(vi) by deleting (i) and (2) and restating (vi)); Section 8-75(c)(vii), (to be added); Section 8-77(d)(i)(1)(a) and (b); Section 8-77(d)(i)(l)(c), (to be added). BE AND HEREBY ARE ADOPTED. 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 19, 2021 Sec. 8-74. – Service (v) Contribution rate. A plan member shall contribute the following amounts for purchase of credited service during the following periods: (1) $60.00 for plan years prior to January 1, 1995. (2) $84.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 1995 but prior to January 1, 2000. (3) $120.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 2000 but prior to January 1, 2006. (4) $180.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 2006 but prior to January 1, 2011. (5) $216.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 2011 but prior to January 1, 2014. (6) $264.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 2014 but prior to January 1, 2021. (7) $288.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 2021. Sec. 8-75. - Retirement benefits. (a) Normal retirement. (i) For members joining the plan prior to January 1, 2015, the A plan member's normal retirement date shall be the first day of the month in which such member has attained age 55 and has completed at least 20 years of credited service. (ii) For members joining the plan on or after January 1, 2015, the plan member's normal retirement date shall be the first day of the month in which such member has attained age 55 and has completed at least 25 years of credited service. (b) Deferred retirement. A plan member who is satisfactorily able to perform fire duties may remain an active member and continue to earn credited service beyond his/her normal retirement date while he/she continues to collect benefits. The first day of the calendar month following such deferred retirement shall be known as his/her deferred retirement date. (c) Calculation of retirement benefits. The monthly amount of retirement benefits payable to a plan member shall be calculated as follows: (i) For retired members with a break in service prior to January 1, 1995, $7.00 times 20 years of service, for a maximum of $140.00. (ii) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 1995 but prior to January 1, 2000, $8.00 times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of 30 years, or $240.00. iii) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 2000 but prior to January 1, 2006, $10.00 times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of 30 years, or $300.00. (iv) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 2006 but prior to January 1, 2011, $15.00 times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of 35 years, or $525.00. 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 19, 2021 (v) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 2011 but prior to January 1, 2015, $18.00 times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of 40 years, or $720.00. (vi) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 2015 but prior to January 1, 2021, $22.00 times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of forty years, or $880,00; (1) Fforty years, or $880.00, for members who joined the plan prior to January 1, 2015 (2) Thirty years, or $660.00, for members who joined the plan on or after January 1, 2015 (vii) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 2021, $24 times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of 40 years, or $960.00 Sec. 8-77. - Death benefits. (d) Death after retirement. (i) Qualified spousal and child benefits. A plan member who is under the age of 65 as of January 8, 2001 and is an active member is entitled to have benefits pass onto his/her qualified spouse and child(ren), subject to the restrictions and calculations described herein. (1) Qualified spouse is entitled to death benefits until death or remarriage, calculated as follows: a. Plan member who died between January 8, 2001 and July 16, 2006. Fifty percent of the deceased plan member's retirement benefit; b. Plan member who died after between July 16, 2006 and January 1, 2021. Ninety percent of the deceased plan member's retirement benefit. c. Plan member who die after January 1, 2021. One hundred percent of the deceased plan member's retirement benefit. City Manager Report: To: Mayor Nystrom and members of the City Council From: John Salomone, City Manager Subject: City Manager’s Report Date: January 19, 2021 Meetings attended via conference call or video were Governor Lamont updates, State representatives and legislators, Southeastern Council of Governments, Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) 15Legislative Committee and Board of Director Meeting, NPU-City Coordination Meeting, NCDC Board meeting, Region 4 Emergency Support Plan, and Department of Health COVID-19 updates. The City has purchased 10 Face Recognition Body Temperature scanners which scan a person’s face and takes his/her temperature. They are located at the entry to City Hall and various City Building locations. The Public Works Department has completed a major clean-up of dead wood from the Upper Falls Heritage Park and the Granite Mill building demolition has started which is all part of the 2018 Master Plan for the Uncas Leap Heritage Park. The Martin Luther King Center building has been demolished and the site work is near completion. 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 19, 2021 The Engineering Office is working with the Laurel Hill Volunteer Fire Department on replacing the failing retaining wall. Norwich Human Services was able to secure a $35,000 grant through the Community Foundation of Eastern CT and Graustein Memorial to give laptops to 30 high school students, pay $50/month for six months toward 75 families’ internet bill and to work with Adult Education on hosting a class for parents to help them understand technology. This grant is called Bridging the Digital Divide and will go a long way to help families obtain equity. Unfortunately, the number of deaths in Norwich associated with fentanyl and opioids continues to remain high, despite efforts of the Task Force addressing this issue. NHS urges families to reach out to the recovery coaches in the City to assist family members struggling with substance use disorder. Call NHS for more info. The Rose City Senior Center participated with the Uncas Health District to offer 90 vaccinations to people in group 1a. The plan is for Uncas Health to offer 2 clinics per week at the Senior Center to assist residents in getting vaccinated quickly. The Recreation Department continues to solicit donations to improve Armstrong Tennis Courts. The committee will be contacting residents and businesses through March to seek donations towards the project. The City’s Lock Box tax payments as of Friday, January 15th were 456 payments totaling $1,523,757.07. Payments at Norwich People’s Bank branches were 250 payments totaling $426,461.98. I have attached the City Departments, and Otis Library reports for quarter ending December 31, 2020. Department Quarterly Reports 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 City Manager Salomone. WHEREAS, the City Manager John L. Salomone has appointed with Councils approval as a regular member to the Norwich Housing Authority for a term to expire on 10/31/25 or until a successor is appointed; Benjamin P. Lathrop (R) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Norwich hereby acknowledges the appointment of the above named to the Norwich Housing Authority. Upon a motion of Ald. Myles, seconded by Ald. Wilson, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to refer the following resolution to the Appoint/Reappointment Committee introduced by Ald. DeLucia 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 19, 2021 BE IT RESOLVED that the below named be and hereby is appointed as an alternate member to the Personnel and Pension Board for a term to expire on March 1, 2022 or until a successor is appointed: Robert F. Pounch (U) 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. WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, on June 15, 2020, adopted a resolution proposed by the City of Norwich Office of Community Development, as guided by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, making a substantial Amendment to the City of Norwich’s Annual Action Plan and budget for the fiscal year (FY) 2019-2020 to incorporate $506,569 of CDBG-CV CARES Act funds; and WHEREAS, by such resolution the Council adopted and approved a request to fund the CDBG Office Small Business Assistance in the sum of $219,569; and WHEREAS, by resolution adopted December 21, 2020 the Council amended the June 15, 2020 approved resolution to approve subcontracting with the Norwich Community Development Corporation of the sum of $219,569 directed to the CDBG Office Small Business Assistance to administer the program consistent with the requirements and guidance of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development with respect to the use of such funds; and WHEREAS, as a result of recent events, there is a need to reassign responsibilities at the Norwich Community Development Corporation making it difficult for it to administer the program at this time; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that its resolution as described herein, adopted December 21, 2020, be rescinded. Upon a motion by Ald. Gould, seconded by President Pro Tem Bettencourt, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to go into Executive Session pursuant to Connecticut General Statute Section 1- 200(6) for the purpose of discussing strategies and negotiations with respect to collective bargaining. The following shall be asked to participate during all or portions of the Executive Session at the request of the City Council: City Manager John Salomone, Finance Director Joshua Pothier, and Director of Personal Brigid Marks, Labor Attorney Kenneth Plumb and Corporation Council Michael E. Driscoll. The council was in Executive Session from 8:10 pm to 8:56 pm, at which time Mayor Nystrom, stated no votes were taken. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Wilson, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to return to regular session. Upon motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Nash, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:57 P.M. City Clerk 5