City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 7, 2021 The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held June 7, 2021, at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present by a roll call vote: Mayor Nystrom, President Pro Tem Bettencourt, Ald. Nash, Gould, Wilson, Myles and DeLucia. City Manager Salomone and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll were also in attendance. 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”. Ald. Nash read the opening prayer and Boy Scouts of America Troop #4 Norwich, led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Myles, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the minutes of May 3, 10 and 17, 2021. Mayor Nystrom read the following proclamation: 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 7, 2021 Mayor Nystrom read the following proclamation: Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Myles, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the following Petition and Communication. 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 7, 2021 Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Myles, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the following Petition and Communication. 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 7, 2021 City Manager Salomone report: To: Mayor Nystrom and members of the City Council From: John Salomone, City Manager Subject: City Manager’s Report Date: June 7, 2021 City Hall reopened to the public on Monday, May 24th with a very smooth transition and no issues. Meetings attended included: State representatives and legislators, Southeastern Council of Governments (SCCOG), Southeastern Area Transit (SEAT), NPU‐City Coordination Meeting, Department of Health COVID‐19 updates, NCDC Board Meetings, Fire Chiefs, Passport to Norwich Campaign and American Rescue Plan meetings. The City has received the $10.6 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) which has been invested in short term safe bank investments. We are still getting clarification on the guidelines and there will be a presentation at the July 6th Council meeting on how the funds will be dispersed. Norwich Public Works Department staff participated in a training session to clean and reset historic burial markers at the Norwichtown Burying Grounds so that it may be enjoyed and studied by visitors for years to come. On June 5th approximately 50 student athletes from NFA participated in a community service project in conjunction with Public Works. In addition to picking up liter on some downtown streets, the students painted the primer coat of white paint on the “bump outs” of four intersections along Central Ave. in Greenville. The primer paint will then be covered with various colors as a community enhancement, complete streets project. 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 7, 2021 Thank you to Norwich Youth Grants who awarded a total of $156,406 to Norwich based organizations. The grants support youth development programs and services for economically and socially disadvantaged Norwich youth. The City’s Recreation Summer Day Camp was awarded $25,000 and $12,000 was awarded to Norwich Youth and Family Services for Summer Jam and Learn. The grants are administered by the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut. The Passport to Norwich program began June 1st to encourage local tourism in Norwich. The City partnered with US Foods, Norwich Historical Society, Eastern Regional Tourism District, Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce and NCDC to help the local small business restaurant operators and provide them with the resources and support to succeed after the pandemic. The passport includes a map with the Walk Norwich heritage trails of scenic routes through historically significant places. Full details are available at passporttonorwich.com. My assistant, Jacquie Barbarossa, who is also the city’s liaison for the Neighborhood Assistance Act Program has received 11 applications for the 2021 program year totaling $862,348.00. The public hearing for the applications will be held June 21st and forwarded to the State of Connecticut Department of Revenue Services before the July 1st submission date. The Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) Tax Credit Program provides funding for municipal and tax exempt organizations by providing corporation business tax credits for business that make cash contributions to the organizations that are approved by the Department of Revenue Services. Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment opened. Heather Romanski, 297 Scotland Rd, Chairperson of the Board of Education, spoke in favor of Resolution #4 and respectfully asked the Council to grant the funding requested of 3.9% by the Board of Education. She also stated their budget is on target for this fiscal year within their budget and asked for a continued partnership. Scott Eggert, 11 Tanglewood Dr, spoke against Resolution #4 and strongly urged that the Council really look at the Fire Directors position. He is against this position. Tim Coleman, 1 Sherwood Ln, spoke against Resolution #4 stating the Fire Director position will be very costly. He is against this position. Kristen Stringfellow, Superintendent of Schools, asked the Council to support Resolution #4 the school budget and the nonlapsing ordinance. She stated there is a unified goal between the Council/ Board of Education Ad hoc Committee and the Board of Education. She spoke on many critical capital needs for the schools which need funding. Brian Kobylarz, 16 Hobart Ave, asked why the Marketing budget line item keeps getting elevated. He thought NCDC should have cost savings measures and not reach into taxpayer’s pockets and he asked why we need to subside them. 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 set the public hearing for July 6, 2021 at 7:30 pm on the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, President Pro Tem Bettencourt and Ald. Gould. 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 7, 2021 WHEREAS, the City of Norwich is an Entitlement community receiving U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars of $876,317 for program year 2021 (PY47); and WHEREAS, the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) has held public meetings and voted on their recommendations for CDBG allocations in the month of May; and WHEREAS, the allocation process is subject to a 30-day comment period prior to being placed into effect and the Council of the City of Norwich must hold a public hearing regarding the recommendations prior to the final vote on the allocation. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the Council shall and hereby does schedule a public hearing to be held at 7:30 p.m. during the July 6, 2021 Council meeting on the subject of Community Development Block Grant allocation recommendations for PY 2021. CDBG Requests - PY47 (2021-2022) Revised 5/19/21 Anticipated PY 2021 Allocation $ 860,989.00 $ 876,317.00 $ 876,317.00 CDAC Council PY47 Request Recommendation Recommendation CDBG Requests - PY47 (2021-2022) CD Office - Administration (20% of Grant Funds) $ 172,197.00 $ 175,197.00 Public Services Children in Placement - GAL $ 20,000.00 $ 20,000.00 TVCCA Home Again Homeless Prevention $ 20,000.00 $ 20,000.00 Norwich Works - NHS $ 60,000.00 $ 60,000.00 Rapid Rehousing/Shelter Diversion - NHS $ 15,000.00 $ 15,000.00 Safe Futures $ 15,000.00 $ 15,000.00 Citizen & Police Academy - NPD $ 10,936.70 $ - Night Flight Basketball - NPD $ 18,738.40 $ - Total Public Services $ 159,675.10 $ 130,000.00 Non-Public Services Columbus Park - DPW $ 88,401.00 $ 40,280.00 Handicap Accessibility - DPW $ 40,430.00 $ 40,430.00 Rosewood Manor Roof & Gutters - NHA $ 150,000.00 $ 150,000.00 Futures, Inc. - HVAC System $ 30,046.00 $ - McKeon Park - Norwich Recreation $ 165,801.00 $ 55,623.00 Jenkins Park - Norwich Recreation $ 149,200.00 $ 11,375.00 Property Rehabilitation & Code Compliance - CD $ 225,000.00 $ 273,412.00 Total Non-Public Services $ 848,878.00 $ 571,120.00 Public Service $ 159,675.10 $ 130,000.00 Non-Public Service $ 848,878.00 $ 571,120.00 CD Administration $ 172,197.00 $ 175,197.00 Total All Requests $ 1,180,750.10 $ 876,317.00 Total Funding $ 860,989.00 $ 876,317.00 $ (319,761.10) $ - 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 Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Norwich Area Business and Industry Foundation, Inc. are co‐producing a 2021 Summer Concert Series to include, “Rockin’ the Dodd”, two concerts to be held at Dodd Stadium on July 7 and July 14, 2021, and “Rock the Docks”, four concerts to be conducted on July 21, July 28, August 4, and August 11 at Howard Brown Park with rain dates of August 18 and August 25; and 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 7, 2021 WHEREAS, the concerts will take place on Wednesdays from 6pm – 8pm; and WHEREAS, “Rockin’ the Dodd” and “Rock the Docks” will allow the entire community to enjoy a variety of music and entertainment at scenic locations; and WHEREAS, the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Norwich Area Business and Industry Foundation, Inc. propose to make available beer and wine for sale during these concerts to patrons thereof at a location in Howard T. Brown Park for the “Rock the Docks” concerts, the proceeds of the sales to be used to support the concert series and the sales to be handled by an appropriately licensed and permitted entity. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that, pursuant to Section 13.14.2 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances, City Manager John Salomone be and hereby is authorized to grant the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Norwich Area Business and Industry Foundation, Inc. permission to sell beer or wine at the “Rock the Docks” concert series to be held on the dates listed above at the Howard T. Brown Park, subject to satisfactory proof that the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Norwich Area Business and Industry Foundation, Inc. have complied with the applicable regulations of the State Liquor Commission; that identification will be mandatory from each person purchasing an alcoholic beverage; that the sales of beer and wine will be made under a proper liquor license, and that proper insurances will be obtained and maintained by the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Norwich Area Business and Industry Foundation, Inc. and any vendor of beer and/or wine for the events. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Myles, 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, Ballard Builders LLC owns property located at 9 Smith Avenue (Assessor Map 95, Block 2, Lot 2) which property has been approved for a two (2) lot subdivision by the Commission on the City Plan; and WHEREAS, in connection with the approval of its subdivision application, Ballard Builders, LLC agreed to convey to the City of Norwich a parcel of land situated on the westerly side of Smith Avenue consisting of approximately 1,129 +/- square feet to be part of the right-of-way of Smith Avenue the property to be conveyed more particularly described in Schedule A attached to this resolution; and WHEREAS, in connection with the approval of its subdivision application, Ballard Builders LLC also agreed to grant and convey to the City of Norwich a Conservation Easement as described in a Conservation Easement Agreement a copy of which is attached to this resolution as Schedule B applicable to a portion of the property as more particularly described in Schedule A to Conservation Easement also attached to this resolution; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich finds it to be in the best interest of the City of Norwich to accept the conveyance of the described parcel for right of way purposes and to enter into and accept the Conservation Easement Agreement proposed by Ballard Builders LLC to provide for the maintenance and conservation of the parcel subject to the Agreement. 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 7, 2021 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 accept and cause to be recorded a deed satisfactory to him and to Corporation Counsel conveying the property described in this resolution from Ballard Builders LLC to the City of Norwich for use in connection with the right-of-way of Smith Avenue; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that City Manager John Salomone, on behalf of the City of Norwich is authorized and directed to enter into, accept, receive and cause to be recorded on the land records a Conservation Easement Agreement as described herein acceptable to him and the Corporation Counsel. Conservation Agreement 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 resolution until June 14, 2021 introduced by Mayor Nystrom, President Pro Tem Bettencourt and Ald. Gould. RESOLVED, that the budget of the City of Norwich; including the General Fund, Capital Budget, Town Consolidation District, City Consolidation District, and Department of Public Utilities; for Fiscal Year 2021-22 as submitted by the City Manager on April 5, 2021, as amended and tentatively adopted by the Council of the City of Norwich on May 3, 2021, as further amended by the Council of the City of Norwich on May 17, 2021, and as further amended on June 7, 2021 be, and the same hereby is, adopted. 8 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 7, 2021 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 resolution until June 14, 2021 introduced by Mayor Nystrom, President Pro Tem Bettencourt and Ald. Gould. RESOLVED, that the tax levy ordinance of the City of Norwich for the Fiscal Year 2021-22 as submitted by the City Manager on April 5, 2021, as amended and tentatively adopted by the Council of the City of Norwich on May 3, 2021, as further amended by the Council of the City of Norwich on May 17, 2021, and as further amended on June 7, 2021 be, and the same hereby is, adopted 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 resolution until June 14, 2021 introduced by Mayor Nystrom, President Pro Tem Bettencourt and Ald. Gould. AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING THE TAX LEVIES ON THE LIST OF OCTOBER 1, 2020 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH: Section 1. On the City Assessment list of October 1, 2020 a tax of ___ (____) mills on the dollar is hereby established to be levied upon the ratable Real Estate, Personal Property, and Motor Vehicles within the City of Norwich of the inhabitants of said City and all others liable to pay taxes therein. Section 2. On the City Assessment list of October 1, 2020, a tax of ___ (___) mills on the dollar, is hereby established to be levied for fire services upon the ratable Real Estate, Personal Property, and Motor Vehicles within the Town Consolidation District of the inhabitants of said District and of all others liable to pay taxes therein. Section 3. On the City Assessment list of October 1, 2020, a tax of ___ (___) mills on the dollar, is hereby established to be levied for fire services upon the ratable Real Estate and Personal Property within the City Consolidation District of the inhabitants of said District and of all others liable to pay taxes therein. Section 4. On the City Assessment list of October 1, 2020, a tax of ___ (___) mills on the dollar, is hereby established to be levied for fire services upon the ratable Motor Vehicles within the City Consolidation District of the inhabitants of said District and of all others liable to pay taxes therein. Section 5. Except as provided in Section 6, all taxes on Real Estate and Personal Property listed in Sections 1 through 4 shall become due on July 1, 2021, and payable on said date in whole or in equal installments from that date, namely on July 1, 2021 and January 1, 2022, except that any tax of less than one hundred dollars shall be due and payable on July 1, 2021. If the first installment is not paid on or before August 1, 2021 or if the second installment is not paid on or before February 1, 2022, interest will be charged on any such delinquent payment at the rate of one and one-half (1½%) per cent per month from the due date or $2.00 whichever is greater, as provided for in the general statutes. Any person may pay the total amount of such tax for which he is liable at the time when the first installment shall be payable. 9 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 7, 2021 Section 6. Taxes on Motor Vehicles shall become due and payable in full on July 1, 2021. If the payment is not paid on or before August 1, 2021 interest will be charged on the delinquent payment at the rate of one and one-half (1½%) per cent per month from due date or $2.00 whichever is greater, as provided for in the general statutes. Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Wilson, it was unanimously voted to waive the full reading, set a public hearing on June 21, 2021 at 7:30 pm for the second reading and action for the following ordinance introduced Ald. Gould, Wilson and DeLucia. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE VI OF CHAPTER 7 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ESTABLISHING A NONLAPSING ACCOUNT FOR UNEXPENDED EDUCATION FUNDS AND MODIFYING EXISTING FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT POLICIES WHEREAS, the Norwich Board of Education (BOE) has requested that the Council of the City of Norwich establish an unexpended education funds account pursuant to Section 10-248a of the Connecticut General Statutes; and WHEREAS, the establishment of a nonlapsing account for unexpended education funds requires the modification of some of the terms of the existing financial management policies in order to be consistent with governmental generally accepted accounting principles; and WHEREAS, further modifications should be made to existing financial management policies in order to remove language which is due to sunset in June 2022. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the following sections be added or amended in Article VI of Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances: Sec. 7-131. – Unassigned Unrestricted fund balance of the general fund. The city shall maintain an adequate unassigned unrestricted fund balance (UFB) in its general fund. The UFB is the amount of fund balance that is not constrained by externally enforceable legal or contractual restrictions. Sec. 7-131.1. - Contingency appropriation. During the annual budget process, the city shall include a contingency appropriation. The contingency appropriation may be used to offset unanticipated, unbudgeted revenue shortfalls or expenditure overages which cannot be mitigated by reducing other operating expenditures. Except as set forth in Sec. 7-131.5, any Any unspent and unencumbered contingency appropriation, along with any operating surpluses in the general fund shall close out into the UFB at the end of the fiscal year. Sec. 7-131.2. - Size of unassigned unrestricted fund balance. The city shall accumulate a UFB of not less than 12 ten percent of the current fiscal year's budgeted expenditures and operating transfers. Sec. 7-131.3. - Permitted uses of unassigned unrestricted fund balance. UFB may be used to absorb operating deficits caused by unanticipated, unbudgeted revenue shortfalls or expenditure overages which cannot be mitigated by utilizing the contingency appropriation. UFB may be used in the place of normal operating revenues in the annual budget process. To the extent that UFB exceeds 17 percent of the current fiscal year's budgeted expenditures and operating transfers, the council of the City of Norwich may appropriate, by ordinance, some portion of such excess for one or more of the following purposes: a) Additional capital improvements beyond those required by Charter Chapter VII, Section 17 which can be demonstrated to reduce the future operating expenses of the city. b) Make transfers to a bonded projects fund to pay for projects with authorized, but unissued debt. 10 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 7, 2021 c) Retire existing debt early. d) Make employer contributions to the pension or other post-employment benefits trust funds above the amount required by section 7-132.4. e) Fund projects and other expenditures for which the City of Norwich is authorized to incur indebtedness pursuant to Charter Chapter VIII, Section 1. Sec. 7-131.4. - Replenishment of unassigned unrestricted fund balance. Should the unassigned unrestricted fund balance of the general fund, having reached the minimum level set in Section 7-131.2, fall below that minimum level, in the fiscal year following such occurrence, the city shall increase the contingency appropriation called for in Section 7-131.1 according to the following schedule: a) If the UFB is below eight percent of the current fiscal year's budgeted expenditures and operating transfers, the city shall restore UFB to the eight-percent level within two budget cycles. b) If the UFB is greater than eight percent, but below 12 ten percent of the current fiscal year's budgeted expenditures and operating transfers, the city shall restore UFB to the 12 ten percent level within five budget cycles. [New Section] Sec. 7-131.5 – Nonlapsing account for unexpended education funds of the general fund The city will establish a nonlapsing account for unexpended education funds account pursuant to CGS Section 10-248a. [New Section] Sec. 7-131.5.1 – Deposits into nonlapsing account On or before 60 days following the close of a fiscal year, the Board of Education (BOE) may request and the City Council may approve the deposit of unexpended and unencumbered general fund budgeted appropriations for education into such nonlapsing account in the amount of up two percent of the budgeted appropriations for education for such fiscal year. [New Section] Sec. 7-131.5.2 – Size of nonlapsing account The nonlapsing account shall not exceed four percent of the budgeted appropriations for education for the current fiscal year. [New Section] Sec. 7-131.5.3 – Expenditures from the nonlapsing account In a motion approved at a regular meeting of the BOE, the BOE: 1. shall use the nonlapsing account to offset general fund education operating deficits; and 2. may use the nonlapsing account to make: a. improvements to school buildings, facilities, and equipment, or b. improvements to programs which will not create ongoing operating costs. Purpose: To amend financial policies to establish a nonlapsing account for unexpended education funds, make existing financial policies compatible with the existence of such a nonlapsing account, and remove language which will sunset in June 2022. Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Wilson, it was unanimously voted to put the following ordinance introduced President Pro Tem Bettencourt, Ald. Nash and DeLucia on the floor. Upon a motion of Ald. DeLucia, seconded by Ald. Wilson, it was voted to waive the full reading, refer to the Public Safety Committee and set a public hearing on June 21, 2021 at 7:30 pm for the second reading and action for the following ordinance. 11 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 7, 2021 AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH THE POSITION OF DIRECTOR OF THE FIRE SERVICE, TO BE CODIFIED AS SECTION 8‐12 OF CHAPTER 8 OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES, AND TO SET RESPONSIBILLITIES AND REQUIREMENTS WITH RESPECT TO THE POSITION BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that: a) There shall be a Director of the Fire Service who shall serve as part of the City Administration reporting to the City Manager. b) The Director of the Fire Service shall exercise all the duties, powers and functions of the position and shall be responsible for the administrative oversight, visioning, leadership, planning, budgeting, coordinating and management of the fire department (career) and volunteer fire companies (hereinafter collectively the “Fire Department”) and shall, in conjunction with the chiefs of the fire department and the volunteer fire companies (hereinafter collectively the “Fire Chiefs”), manage the implementation of the Fire Department’s goals, objectives and priorities. The Superintendent of the Fire Service shall recommend and administer policies and procedures, and shall affect their implementation through direct supervision of the Fire Chiefs of the Fire Department, including but not limited to: (1) In conjunction with the Fire Chiefs, develop a Fire Department strategic plan and provide for its implementation. (2) In conjunction with the Fire Chiefs, manage the development and implementation of the City’s compliance with federal and state safety and security programs, including but not limited to, NFPA 1710, NFPA 1720, OSHA, and ICS. (3) Ensure that the Fire Department properly enforces all local, state and federal laws and ordinances. (4) Independently, or in conjunction with the Fire Chiefs, shall work to ensure appropriate service delivery throughout the City of Norwich. (5) Promote and develop relationships with the citizens of the City of Norwich, and with businesses and organizations. (6) Serve and act as the Public Information Officer for the City of Norwich in the event of citywide emergencies and/or medical service events. (7) When available, attend major emergency incidents within the City to observe operations and to serve as the City’s spokesperson. (8) Evaluate the organizational structure of all fire departments and fire companies in the City of Norwich from a public safety perspective, to address potential duplication of services, and make recommendations to promote greater efficiency of service delivery. 12 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 7, 2021 (9) In collaboration with the Fire Chiefs, assist in presenting to the City Manager and/ or the Council of the City of Norwich on matters of operations, budget, personnel and other matters. (10) Coordinate, develop and implement standard operating guidelines (SOG’s) for the fire departments. (11) Ensure coordination of communications and operations between the Fire Department and dispatch agencies, including providing current and future guidance, policies and procedures for effective dispatching of emergency personnel. (12) Coordinate the preparation of budgets for all entities within the Fire Department, including regular and continued oversight of the approved operating and capital budgets. (13) Evaluate all Fire Department equipment and apparatus to address duplication and effective use of resources. (14) Assist all components of the Fire Department in station location, station maintenance, and future building needs through identification, rationale, budget and effects on service delivery. (15) Coordinate and write grants for the procurement of personnel, apparatus, emergency funding and other resources. (16) Evaluate all Fire Department training programs and facilitate the development of an integrated training program for all components of the Fire Department. (17) Continually review personnel deployment to promote and ensure efficient and effective utilization of manpower. (18) Coordinate with the Department of Human Resources and the Fire Chiefs concerning recruitment, promotion, discipline and personnel practices. (19) Supervise the Fire Chiefs regarding recruitment, evaluation, discipline, and their adherence to the City of Norwich personnel policies and procedures, department operations, management of employees and volunteers, written and verbal communications and such other activities as the Superintendent of the Fire Service deems appropriate to strengthen the Fire Department, including initiating and taking appropriate action concerning personnel in conjunction with the Department of Human Resources. (20) Provide input regarding fire prevention and code enforcement. (21) Inform the City Manager on a regular basis of the status of activities, programs, problems and the plans associated with the Fire Department. (22) Develop collaborative working relationships with the Fire Chiefs, including facilitating regular joint meetings. (23) Prepare and present written reports to the City Manager, Public Safety Committee of the City of Norwich or the Council of the City of Norwich as directed, assume leadership over special projects assigned by the City Manager and/or the Public Safety Committee of the Council of the City of Norwich and including responsibility for project delineation, management, communication, budget and implementation. 13 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 7, 2021 (24) Maintain all acceptable levels of competence, professionalism and ability as well as acceptable standards of conduct to ensure the responsibilities and duties of the position are performed as outlined herein and as otherwise required. c) The Director of the Fire Service shall: (1) Demonstrate and maintain sufficient knowledge, skills, abilities and experience required of the position, shall hold and maintain such licenses and certifications as required by the City of Norwich, and shall meet such other requirements as are set out in the job description prepared by the Department of Human Resources of the City of Norwich including, but not limited to, levels of education, fitness, training, and experience. d) Nothing in this Ordinance shall be construed to affect the organization, status or property of any volunteer fire company now established or which may hereafter be established in the City. e) This Ordinance shall take effect on _________________. On a roll call vote with Mayor Nystrom and Ald. Gould voting in opposition motion passes 5-2. Upon a motion by Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Wilson, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to go into Executive Session pursuant to Connecticut General Statute Section 1- 200(6),that the members of the Norwich City Council for the purpose of discussing an application/applications for a grant for necessary code work and structural improvements qualifying and available under the American Rescue Plan Act when such trade secrets in the form of commercial or financial information given in confidence and not required by statute. City Manager John Salomone and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll shall be asked to participate during all or portions of this Executive Session at the request of the City Council. The council was in Executive Session from 8:17 pm to 8:37 pm, at which time Mayor Nystrom, stated no votes were taken. Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Myles, 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 8:38 P.M. City Clerk 14