City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 16, 2021 The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held February 16, 2021 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. Ald. Nash read the opening prayer and Ald. Delucia led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Nystrom called for a moment of silence on the passing of former Council President and Councilwomen Bonnie Hong who served Norwich in many capacities and volunteered on many organizations. 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, expressed thoughts and prayers to the Hong Family. He stated that the public should have unrestricted access to meetings. Brian Kobylarz, 16 Hobart Ave, inaudible. Larry Rice, 41 Will Rd, talked about the money the city spends for non-resident children who are going to school in Norwich. There were no emails. Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. Presentation from the McGrath Consulting Group regarding the 2020 Fire Study report. Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. DeLucia, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to refer the 2020 Fire Study Report to Public Safety Committee. Ald. Nash asked to be excused from the meeting at this time. City Manager Report: To: Mayor Nystrom and members of the City Council From: John Salomone, City Manager 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 16, 2021 Subject: City Manager’s Report Date: February 16, 2021 Meetings attended via conference call or video were weekly Governor Lamont updates and the State Budget overview, State representatives and legislators, Southeastern Council of Governments (SECOG), Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM), NPU-City Coordination Meeting, Region 4 Emergency Support Plan, Department of Health COVID-19 updates, NCDC Director Search Committee and Passport to Norwich update. As of Friday, February 12th, Norwich Public Works, (NPW), has responded to 5 winter weather events over the last three weeks. The most notable storm started the morning of Monday, February 1st with clean-up lasting through the night, and snow accumulations of over one foot. NPW was assisted by one plow driver from NPU during this major storm event. The storm on Super Bowl Sunday produced about 7” of snow. While the costs of responding to these five storms was significant, ($150,000), it was budgeted for. The major part of the expense is the salt to treat the roads. To date, over 1,800 tons of salt has been used this winter. The annual average is about 2,500 tons. Depending on what happens over the next month, we should be in a satisfactory position from a budgetary standpoint, as long as we don’t have an extraordinary amount of storm events going forward. NPW has also completed four days of snow removal from Downtown and Greeneville streets over the last two weeks. This clean-up to make the streets safer for both vehicles and pedestrians have been done on regular time, incurring no additional overtime costs. The City of Norwich Office of Community Development has received $219,569 in special CDBG funds from the US Department of HUD under the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act’’ (CARES Act) for preventing, preparing for, and responding to COVID-19. Information for the Small Business Grant (SBG) Assistance is on the City’s Facebook and Community Development Office website or call them directly at 860-823-3770 for more information. Norwich Human Services has posted instructions on its web page on how to register for a vaccination through VAMS (Vaccine Administration Management System.) The Recreation Department will be resuming small group activities starting on February 16th in the recreation hall where everyone will be required to wear masks. A United Way Mobile Food Pantry distribution is being sponsored in Memory of Jason Vincent by Mayor Peter Nystrom & Linda Nystrom along with Jason’s friends and family. The event will be held February 25th at the Rose City Sr. Center from 3:30 pm-5:00 pm. Thank you to them and the volunteers that are making this event possible. The goal is to serve 400 families facing hunger in our community. Mayor Nystrom called for citizen comment. Marvin Serruto, 100 Starr St, stated the History of Norwich is invaluable and was in favor of Resolution #1. There were no emails. Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH FEBRUARY 16, 2021 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, by resolution adopted November 16, 2020, authorized and directed City Manager John Salomone to enter into, execute and deliver a grant application to the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office seeking funding to be used for the purpose of assisting the Norwich Historic District Commission in updating its Design Guidelines; and WHEREAS, the Norwich Historic District Commission has received a Certified Local Government Historic Preservation Enhancement Grant in an amount not to exceed $20,000, said Grant not requiring a local match; and WHEREAS, the Grant will require the City of Norwich to enter into an Assistance Agreement by and between the State of Connecticut acting by the Department of Economic and Community Development and the City of Norwich with regard to such CLG Historic Preservation Enhancement Grant. 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, execute and deliver duplicate copies of the Assistance Agreement by and between the State of Connecticut acting by the Department of Economic and Community Development and the City of Norwich in a form satisfactory to him, relative to the CLG Historic Preservation Enhancement Grant described herein together with other such forms or documentation as may be required to obtain and utilize the Grant. Upon motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Wilson, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 10:56 P.M. City Clerk 3