City Council

AGENDA – MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH March 15, 2021 7:30 PM The meeting of the Council will seek to comply with the directives of Executive Order 7B-1 issued by Governor Ned Lamont on March 14, 2020, together with any Executive Orders subsequently issued which pertain to such meetings. The Mayor, members of the City Council, the City Manager, City Clerk, Comptroller and Corporation Counsel shall be present in person but separated by appropriate social distancing at Council chambers or participate remotely by conference call, video conference or other technology. The meeting shall be televised on the Public Access Channel and posted on the city website, www.norwichct.org, in real time consistent with Executive Order 7B-1 and the usual practices of the City of Norwich. All remarks or comments made by the Mayor, the members of the Norwich City Council, city officials, and by the public during Citizen Comment General (30 minutes), Citizen Comment on resolutions and Public Hearings portion of the meeting, shall be included. The citizen comment general (30 minutes), comments of citizen on resolutions and Public Hearings may be made telephonically pursuant to the following instructions: Call phone number first dial 860-215-8140 and then when prompted, enter the conference ID# 4038191 followed by the pound (#) key. This number will be available only during the aforementioned its use commences when Citizen Comment General (30 minutes) on non-agenda items, Citizen Comment on resolutions and Public Hearings is reached and opened by the Mayor. Any calls must be made prior to the Mayor’s announcement that the Citizen Comment General (30 minutes) on non-agenda items, Citizen Comment on resolutions and Public Hearings period has ended. Citizen Comment General (30 minutes) on non-agenda items, Citizen Comments on resolutions limited to the resolutions and Public Hearings on the agenda may also be sent by email or means of other written communication stating the name, address and title if applicable, of the sender. Emails should be sent to the office of the Mayor at mayorsoffice@cityofnorwich.org and other written communication sent or delivered to the office of the Mayor, 100 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360. Emails must be received by 7:00 p.m., the above mentioned date, and other written communications received by 4:30 p.m., the above mentioned date, to be made available to the City Council for this meeting. Citizen Comment General (30 minutes) on non-agenda items, Citizen Comments and Public Hearings will be limited to the resolutions on the agenda only. All speakers taking part in the Citizen Comment and Public Hearings portion of the meeting shall clearly state their name, address and title, if applicable, before speaking and will be limited to three minutes. PRAYER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CITIZEN COMMENT GENERAL (30 Minutes) on non-agenda items call phone number first dial 860-215-8140 and then when prompted, enter the conference ID# 4038191 followed by the pound (#) key SECOND READING AND ACTION ON THE BELOW ORDINANCE PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED (November 16, 2020 and January 19, 2021) 1. 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 PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 1. Audit report presented by Ron Nossek of Blum Shapiro. 2. Explanation of resolution regarding the transfer of certain real estate, motor vehicle, and personal property taxes into the suspense account. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT CITIZENS COMMENT ON RESOLUTIONS (only on the agenda items) call phone number first dial 860-215-8140 and then when prompted, enter the conference ID# 4038191 followed by the pound (#) key NEW BUSINESS-RESOLUTIONS 1. Relative to a reappointment to the Board of Public Utilities Commission (Sewer Authority). 2. Relative to negotiating agreements regarding animal control services. 3. Relative to the aggregate sums representing motor vehicle and personal property taxes on the Grand List October 1, 2017 being transferred to the suspense account. 4. Relative to placing in the suspense account certain real estate taxes. 5. Relative to appointing a certified public accounting firm to perform the regular general audit for fiscal year 2020-21. 6. Relative to holding a Public Hearing on June 21, 2021 to review applications and receive comments relative to the Neighborhood Assistance Act. 7. Relative to reallocating capital budget funds for the Recreation division of the Norwich Human Services department to repair and resurface basketball courts. EXECUTIVE SESSION: 1. Property acquisition/disposition City Clerk  SECOND READING & ACTION #1 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. 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. (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. Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom President Pro Tem Mark M. Bettencourt Alderwoman Stacy Gould  PETITIONS & COMMUNICATIONS #2 JOSHUA A. POTHIER, 100 Broadway Room 105 C.P.A. COMPTROLLER Norwich, CT 06360-4431 Phone: (860) 823-3720 www.norwichct.org/finance Fax: (860) 823-3812 jpothier@cityofnorwich.org March 9, 2021 To: Mayor Peter A. Nystrom and Members of the Norwich City Council through City Manager John Salomone Explanation of resolutions regarding the transfer of certain real estate, motor vehicle, and personal property taxes into the suspense account There are two proposed resolutions for your consideration for the next City Council meeting agenda regarding the transfer of certain property taxes into the “suspense account.” I’ve prepared a brief explanation of these two resolutions below. Real Estate Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §12‐165, the Tax Collector must research each real estate tax account which she deems as not being collectable prior to presenting them to the City Council. There are different reasons for her to request that the tax account be transferred to the suspense tax book, including: mobile home abandoned and owner deceased or cannot be located, mobile home was removed without consent, property is contaminated, title issues, etc. The properties presented in the resolution for your consideration at the March 15, 2021 meeting are ones that the City of Norwich does NOT wish to acquire, either by tax sale or foreclosure and to date all attempts to collect the taxes have been unsuccessful. Motor Vehicle and Personal Property CGS § 12‐165 states the Tax Collector at least once each fiscal year shall transfer into the suspense account any personal property and motor vehicle taxes which are deemed uncollectible. The resolution on the March 15, 2021 agenda is to transfer the uncollected motor vehicle and personal property taxes from the October 2017 grand list into suspense. In Summary To consider these accounts as assets when it is believed that they will never be recouped does not help the City get an accurate picture of its finances. However, it is important to remember that while these property taxes are not deemed collectable, they are collectable and payment of the taxes would be accepted until the end of the 15 year collection period is over. Schedule of Planned Annual Collection Efforts Month Real Estate Motor Vehicle Personal Property July Collect current levy * Mail delinquent notices * Mail delinquent notices Notify DMV of delinquent Research and re‐mail Research and re‐mail returned mail. August accounts. Research and re‐mail returned mail. Check bankruptcy accts & send letters as returned mail. Check bankruptcy accts & needed send letters as needed Send demand notices to Send delinquent notices. Send demand notices to delinquent delinquent taxpayers. September Research and re‐mail returned taxpayers Research and re‐mail mail. returned mail. Identify properties for foreclosure (FC) or tax sale (TS) Research and re‐mail returned Research and re‐mail October Meet with Attorney for update on FC mail. returned mail. Update new owners Add new accts to FC list and send work‐ Research and re‐mail returned Research and re‐mail November ups to Attorney mail. returned mail. Mail supplemental motor vehicle December Continue to send work‐ups to Attorney tax bills Collect supplemental motor Collect second installment of January Collect second installment of RE taxes vehicle tax bills PP taxes, if applicable Mail delinquent notices. Mail Demand notices. Transfer current levy uncollectable Mail delinquent notices. Notify Suspend previous tax year accounts to suspense. Update new DMV of delinquent accounts. February accounts. Check bankruptcy owners. Check bankruptcy accts & send Suspend accts – previous tax accts & send letters as letters as needed year needed. Turn over all delinquent accts Turn over accts from previous Mail demands. Research and re‐mail to TaxServ. Research and re‐ March year to TaxServ. Research and returned mail. mail returned mail. re‐mail returned mail. Meet with Attorney for update on FC. Add new accts to FC list and send work‐ Research and re‐mail returned Research and re‐mail April ups to Attorney. Conduct Yearly or mail. returned mail. Biennial Tax Sale (Depending on need). Continue to send workups to Attorney. Get List of businesses from May File liens on all open accounts. Update Health District new owners June Generate next year’s tax levy. Notify Uncas Health District of delinquent accounts.  RESOLUTION #1 BE IT RESOLVED that the below named be reappointed as a regular member to the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners (Sewer Authority) with a term to expire on March 1, 2026 or until a successor is appointed: William Warzecha (D) President Pro Tem Mark M. Bettencourt Alderwoman Stacy Gould Alderwoman Ella C. Myles  RESOLUTION #2 WHEREAS, the City of Norwich is obligated by State Statute to provide animal control services to its residents; and WHEREAS, the Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (NECCOG) operates a regional animal services program for which it currently charges its members an annual fee of of $3.15 per capita; and WHEREAS, the City desires to engage NECCOG to provide animal control services to its residents; and WHEREAS, the City has an animal control facility that NECCOG desires to lease for $20,000 per year to assist in providing animal services to the City and to other communities as part of its regional animal services program; and WHEREAS, the City has a 2006 Chevrolet 2500HD pick-up truck with custom enclosed metal kennel crates and a 2006 Chevrolet Express AWD van which had been used in its animal control operations which NECCOG would like to acquire for approximately $7,000. 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 negotiate and enter into agreements satisfactory to himself for NECCOG to: a. provide animal control services to the City, b. lease the City’s animal control facility, and c. purchase the City’s animal control vehicles. City Manager John Salomone  RESOLUTION #3 WHEREAS, there is on file in the Tax Collector’s Office the names and addresses of the persons against whom motor vehicle taxes and personal property taxes on the Grand Lists up to and including 2017, were levied and the reasons why the Tax Collector believes such taxes are uncollectible; and, WHEREAS, in accordance with the Tax Collector’s recommendation the aggregate sum of $377,282.70 is the total outstanding motor vehicle tax on the Grand Lists up to and including 2017, to be transferred to the suspense tax book and $44,447.68 is the total outstanding personal property tax on the Grand Lists up to and including 2017, to be transferred to the suspense tax book; and, WHEREAS, nothing herein contained shall be construed as an abatement of any tax transferred to the suspense tax account, but any such taxes, as it shall have been increased by interest, penalty fees and charges may be collected; and WHEREAS, in June 2018, through RFP 18-12, the City selected TaxServ Capital Services LLC to pursue the collection of such accounts. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the following aggregate sums representing motor vehicle taxes of $377,282.70 and personal property taxes of $44,447.68 on the Grand Lists up to and including 2017, be and the same hereby are transferred to the suspense account. City Manager John Salomone  RESOLUTION #4 WHEREAS, Section 12-165 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended by Section 35 of Public Act 13-276 provides for the administrative procedure for transferring real estate taxes deemed uncollectible to the “suspense” tax book; and, WHEREAS, taxes transferred to the suspense tax book are no longer listed as an asset of the city in its annual financial report; and, WHEREAS, listed below are the names and addresses of the persons against whom certain real estate taxes on the Grand Lists up to and including 2019 were levied and which the Tax Collector believes such taxes are uncollectible because of lack of payment for several years; and, WHEREAS, in accordance with the Tax Collector’s recommendation the aggregate sum of $94,711.10 in real estate tax on the Grand Lists up to and including 2019, to be transferred to the suspense tax book; and, WHEREAS, nothing herein contained shall be construed as an abatement of any tax transferred to the suspense tax account, but any such taxes, as it shall have been increased by interest, penalty fees and charges may be collected; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the aggregate sum of $94,711.10 representing uncollectible real estate taxes on the Grand Lists up to and including 2019, be and the same hereby are transferred to the suspense account. Unique ID Address List Years Due Taxes Due 1000020562 56 ALICE ST 2019 $1,027.58 0112180001 HOLLAND AVE 2019 2,573.78 0112190001 20 CROWN ST 2019 1,405.64 0108790001 751 NORTH MAIN ST 2019 601.02 0360010023 53 PRENTICE ST 23 2019 873.04 0081360001 5TH CANAL END OF STREET 2019 6,494.98 1200020001 BEEBE RD 2019 216.16 0049540001 117 RIVER AVE 2019 101.80 0094660001 SEVENTH ST 2019 1,192.38 0057480001 35 LAMBERT DR REAR 2019 25.44 7125620001 LAUREL HILL RD 2019 76.29 0100340001 97 FOREST ST 2019 479.86 0023810001 OAKRIDGE ST 2019 717.38 7131530001 337-341 MAIN ST 2019 69,132.76 0085170001 252 OLD CANTERBURY TPKE 81 2019 5.52 0099370001 252 OLD CANTERBURY TPKE 28 2011-2018 8,344.10 0070940001 136 HUNTERS RD 103 2018 2.02 0070740001 76 NORTH MAIN ST 2012 1,441.35 TOTAL $94,711.10 City Manager John Salomone  RESOLUTION #5 WHEREAS, the Finance Department selected the proposal by the certified public accounting firm of BlumShapiro & Company, P.C. with request for proposals number 18-08 to perform the audits for the fiscal years ending June 30th 2018 through 2022; and WHEREAS, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP acquired BlumShapiro & Company, P.C. effective January 1, 2021; and WHEREAS, Connecticut General Statutes §§7-391 through 397 require each municipality to file financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and audited by an independent public accountant in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by December 31st; unless an extension is granted by the Connecticut Office of Policy & Management; and WHEREAS, the independent auditor must be appointed by the “appointing authority” on or before May 31st; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich is the appointing authority for the City of Norwich. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the accounting firm of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP be and hereby is, appointed to perform the regular general audit for the City of Norwich for fiscal year 2020- 2021. City Manager John Salomone  RESOLUTION #6 WHEREAS, the R.E. Van Norstrand Neighborhood Assistance Act, Chapter 228a of the Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S. 12-630aa-12-638) offers certain benefits to municipalities desiring to obtain the same and is administered by the State Department of Revenue Services (Commission of Revenue Services); and WHEREAS, the Neighborhood Assistance Act provides a tax credit for business firms which sponsor local programs; and WHEREAS, such programs must be proposed and conducted by private non-profit agencies or municipalities and be approved by the local legislative body; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH: A public hearing will be held on June 21, 2021 to review applications and receive comments relative to the Neighborhood Assistance Act. Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom Alderwoman Stacy Gould Alderman Joseph A. DeLucia  RESOLUTION #7 WHEREAS, the Recreation division believes that it will be able to repair and resurface more basketball courts within the amount of funds that it has been allotted in the capital budget; and, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that $19,000 be and hereby is reallocated from the Capital Improvement Fund projects listed in #1 to the projects listed in #2 below: 1. Projects to reallocate funds from: Org Object Project Description Amount 36024503 57100 C1902 Fernwood basketball courts $7,300 36024503 57100 C2053 Hamilton Ave. basketball courts 11,700 Total $19,000 2. Projects to reallocate funds to: Org Object Project Description Amount 36024503 57100 C2144 Thamesville basketball courts $7,300 Jenkins and Greeneville 36024503 57100 C2145 11,700 basketball courts Total $19,000 Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom Alderwoman Stacy Gould Alderman Joseph A. DeLucia