City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JULY 19, 2021 The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held July 19, 2021 at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Nystrom, President Pro Tem Bettencourt, Ald. Gould, Wilson, Myles and DeLucia. Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll were also in attendance. Ald. Nash and Mayor City Manager Salomone had an excused absent. Mayor Nystrom presided. Ald. Wilson read the opening prayer and Ald. Gould 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, spoke to the Council on various matters. Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm Ave, was shocked at how high the taxes are. Maloyid Perkins, talked about how taxes effect buying houses in Norwich. Augustus Wortham, 575 Boswell Ave, asked the City to invest in our children and provide a Community Center. LaShawn Cunningham, 575 Boswell Ave, asked for the Council to invest in the youth of the City. Isiah Paul, 1 River St, asked for a youth center. Lawrence Lazar, 1 Watercress Ave, felt a youth center was needed. Erin Brennan, 39 Quarto Rd, asked for a youth center. Tracy Burto, 1 Watercress Ave, echoed the previous speaker. Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. Mayor Nystrom call for a public hearing on AN ORDINANCE INCREASING THE APPROPRIATION FROM $750,000 TO $997,500 FOR THE PLANNING, ACQUISITION, AND CONSTRUCTION OF A WATER MAIN AND SERVICE LINES FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE DRIVE ASSOCIATION, INCREASING THE AUTHORIZATION FROM $750,000 TO $997,500 FOR THE ISSUANCE OF REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY SECURED SOLELY BY WATER REVENUE TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION, AUTHORIZING THE CITY AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TO ENTER INTO GRANT AND LOAN AGREEMENTS AND A JOINT RESOLUTION WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WITH RESPECT THERETO Speaking in favor: Mark Perkins, 81 Lawler Ln, asked the Council to approve this ordinance. Speaking in opposition: Marvin Serruto, 100 Starr St, stated he was tired of the Council spending money. 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JULY 19, 2021 Robert Bell, 122 Broadway, asked that the Ordinance money be paid back before the money is used. Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm Ave, asked if Countryside was a dues paying association and will this cause a tax increase. There being no further speakers Mayor Nystrom declared the public hearing closed. Upon a motion of Ald. Myles, seconded by Ald. Gould, it was unanimously voted to accept the resignation of Robert R. Buckley from the Redevelopment Agency thanking him for his service. Upon a Motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Myles, it was unanimously voted to accept the resignation of Jacquelyn W. Randall from the Senior Affairs Commission thanking her for her service. Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Bettencourt, 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 President Pro Tem Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to put the following ordinance introduced by Ald. Gould, Wilson and DeLucia on the floor. Council’s Amending Ordinance AN ORDINANCE INCREASING THE APPROPRIATION FROM $750,000 TO $997,500 FOR THE PLANNING, ACQUISITION, AND CONSTRUCTION OF A WATER MAIN AND SERVICE LINES FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE DRIVE ASSOCIATION, INCREASING THE AUTHORIZATION FROM $750,000 TO $997,500 FOR THE ISSUANCE OF REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY SECURED SOLELY BY WATER REVENUE TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION, AUTHORIZING THE CITY AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TO ENTER INTO GRANT AND LOAN AGREEMENTS AND A JOINT RESOLUTION WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WITH RESPECT THERETO BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH: Section 1. An Ordinance adopted January 6, 2020, entitled “AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $750,000 FOR THE PLANNING, ACQUISITION, AND CONSTRUCTION OF A WATER MAIN AND SERVICE LINES FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE DRIVE ASSOCIATION AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $750,000 REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY SECURED SOLELY BY WATER REVENUE TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TO ENTER INTO GRANT AND LOAN AGREEMENTS AND A JOINT RESOLUTION WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WITH RESPECT THERETO” (the “Prior Ordinance”), which ordinance is hereby ratified, confirmed and adopted, is amended to increase the appropriation and bond authorization therein by $247,500, from $750,000 to $997,500. The changed portions of the Prior Ordinance set forth in cross marks representing deletions and bold representing additions is as follows: 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JULY 19, 2021 Section 2. The title of the Ordinance is amended to read as follows: AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $997,500 $750,000 FOR THE PLANNING, ACQUISITION, AND CONSTRUCTION OF A WATER MAIN AND SERVICE LINES FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE DRIVE ASSOCIATION AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $997,500 $750,000 REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY SECURED SOLELY BY WATER REVENUE TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TO ENTER INTO GRANT AND LOAN AGREEMENTS AND A JOINT RESOLUTION WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WITH RESPECT THERETO Section 3. Section 1 of the Prior Ordinance is amended to read as follows: “Section 1. The sum of $997,500 $750,000 is appropriated for the planning, design, acquisition, and construction of (i) a water main on Lawler Lane from the existing Norwich Public Utilities water main on Canterbury Turnpike and Lawler Lane, (ii) a water main on Sunrise Street and Evergreen Street looping back onto Canterbury Turnpike, and (iii) service lines from the new mains to the premises currently served by the Countryside Drive Association community well system which will be abandoned as part of the project, including, but not limited to, all site work, easements, land acquisition, materials, installation and deployment costs, and such additional improvements as may be accomplished within said appropriation provided herein, and including all administration, advertising, printing, legal, and financing costs (hereafter the “Project”) as shall be determined by the Norwich Department of Public Utilities (the “Department”). Said appropriation shall be inclusive of state and federal grants in aid thereof. The Department is authorized to enter into contracts, expend the appropriation and implement the Project herein authorized.” Section 4. Section 2 of the Prior Ordinance is amended to read as follows: “Section 2. The estimated useful life of the Project is twenty years. The total estimated cost of the Project is $997,500 $750,000. $997,500 $750,000 of the total Project cost is estimated to be financed by or through a combination of (i) the State of Connecticut pursuant to its Clean Water Fund Program (as hereinafter defined), through grants and a subsidized interest loan, (ii) other state and federal grants, and (iii) additional moneys from the City or the Department. The Project is a general benefit to the City of Norwich and its general governmental purposes.” Section 5. Subsection (iii) [third sentence] and (v) of Section 3 of the Prior Ordinance are amended to read as follows: “(iii) . . . .The City may issue Clean Water Fund Obligations in one or more series and in such denominations as the Issuer Officials shall determine, provided that the total of all such Clean Water Fund Obligations, bonds and notes issued and appropriation expended pursuant to this ordinance shall not exceed $997,500 $750,000. . . .” “(v) any combination of bonds, temporary notes, notes, or obligations as set forth in the preceding subsections may be issued, provided that the total, aggregate principal amount thereof outstanding, and including the amount of grant funding obtained pursuant to a Project Grant and Project Loan Agreement, at any time shall not exceed $997,500 $750,000.” Section 6. The amount of $997,500 is substituted for the amount $750,000 in the Prior Ordinance unless otherwise provided herein. 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JULY 19, 2021 Section 7. The City Clerk shall cause an ordinance incorporating all amendments into one complete text to be prepared, labeled “As Amended” at the top, and filed with the minutes of the Meeting at which the Amending Ordinance is adopted. Section 8. This Amending Ordinance shall be effective upon adoption by the City Council and its approval by the Board. AS AMENDED AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $997,500 FOR THE PLANNING, ACQUISITION, AND CONSTRUCTION OF A WATER MAIN AND SERVICE LINES FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE DRIVE ASSOCIATION AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $997,500 REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY SECURED SOLELY BY WATER REVENUE TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TO ENTER INTO GRANT AND LOAN AGREEMENTS AND A JOINT RESOLUTION WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WITH RESPECT THERETO BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH: Section 1. The sum of $997,500 is appropriated for the planning, design, acquisition, and construction of (i) a water main on Lawler Lane from the existing Norwich Public Utilities water main on Canterbury Turnpike and Lawler Lane, (ii) a water main on Sunrise Street and Evergreen Street looping back onto Canterbury Turnpike, and (iii) service lines from the new mains to the premises currently served by the Countryside Drive Association community well system which will be abandoned as part of the project, including, but not limited to, all site work, easements, land acquisition, materials, installation and deployment costs, and such additional improvements as may be accomplished within said appropriation provided herein, and including all administration, advertising, printing, legal, and financing costs (hereafter the “Project”) as shall be determined by the Norwich Department of Public Utilities (the “Department”). Said appropriation shall be inclusive of state and federal grants in aid thereof. The Department is authorized to enter into contracts, expend the appropriation and implement the Project herein authorized. Section 2. The estimated useful life of the Project is twenty years. The total estimated cost of the Project is $997,500. $997,500 of the total Project cost is estimated to be financed by or through a combination of (i) the State of Connecticut pursuant to its Clean Water Fund Program (as hereinafter defined), through grants and a subsidized interest loan, (ii) other state and federal grants, and (iii) additional moneys from the City or the Department. The Project is a general benefit to the City of Norwich and its general governmental purposes. Section 3. To meet said appropriation: (i) Bonds of the City or so much thereof as shall be necessary for such purpose, shall be issued, maturing not later than the twentieth year after their date (or such longer term as may be authorized). Said bonds may be issued in one or more series as determined by the City Manager, the Comptroller - acting on behalf of the City herein - and General Manager City of Norwich Department of Public Utilities - acting on behalf of the Department and the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners (hereafter the “Board”) herein - (the “Issuer Officials”) and the amount of bonds of each series to be issued shall be fixed by the Issuer Officials in the amount necessary to meet the Issuer’s share of the cost of the Project determined after considering the estimated amount of the State and Federal grants-in-aid of the Project, or the actual amount 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JULY 19, 2021 thereof if this be ascertainable, and the anticipated times of the receipt of the proceeds thereof, provided that the total amount of bonds to be issued shall not be less than an amount which will provide funds sufficient with other funds available for such purpose to pay the principal of and the interest on all temporary borrowings in anticipation of the receipt of the proceeds of said bonds outstanding at the time of the issuance thereof, and to pay for the administrative, printing and legal costs of issuing the bonds. The bonds shall be in the denomination of $1,000 or a whole multiple thereof, or, be combined with other bonds of the Issuer and such combined issue shall be in the denomination per aggregate maturity of $1,000 or a whole multiple thereof, be issued in bearer form or in fully registered form, be executed in the name and on behalf of the City by the facsimile or manual signatures of the Issuer Officials bear the City seal or a facsimile thereof, be certified by a bank or trust company designated by the Issuer Officials, which bank or trust company may be designated the registrar and transfer agent, be payable at a bank or trust company designated by the Issuer Officials and be approved as to their legality by Bond Counsel. They shall bear such rate or rates of interest as shall be determined by the Issuer Officials. The issuance of such bonds in one or more series, the aggregate principal amount of bonds to be issued, the annual installments of principal, redemption provisions, if any, the date, time of issue and sale and other terms, details and particulars of such bonds shall be determined by the Issuer Officials, in accordance with the Joint Resolution. In the case of Parity Indebtedness as defined in the Joint Resolution between the City of Norwich and the Board (as hereinafter defined as the “Joint Resolution”), the Issuer Officials, shall also determine the revenues and property to be pledged for payment of such Parity Indebtedness; or (ii) Temporary notes of the City may be issued in one or more series pursuant to Section 7-244a of the General Statutes of Connecticut, as amended. The amount of such notes to be issued, if any, shall be determined by the Issuer Officials, and they are hereby authorized to determine the date, maturity, interest rate, form and other details and particulars of such notes, and to sell, execute and deliver the same; or (iii) Interim funding obligations and project loan obligations or any other obligations of the City (hereinafter “Clean Water Fund Obligations”) evidencing an obligation to repay any portion of the costs of the Project determined by the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Public Health or other department as applicable to be eligible for funding under Section 22a-475 et seq. of the Connecticut General Statutes, as the same may be amended from time to time (the “Clean Water Fund Program”). The General Manager City of Norwich Department of Public Utilities (the “General Manager”) is authorized in the name and on behalf of the City and the Board to apply for and accept any and all Federal and State loans and/or grants-in-aid of the Project and is further authorized to expend said funds in accordance with the terms hereof and in connection therewith to contract in the name of the Department with engineers, contractors and others. The City may issue Clean Water Fund Obligations in one or more series and in such denominations as the Issuer Officials shall determine, provided that the total of all such Clean Water Fund Obligations, bonds and notes issued and appropriation expended pursuant to this ordinance shall not exceed $997,500. The Issuer Officials are hereby authorized to determine the amount, date, maturity, interest rate, form and other details and particulars of such interim funding obligations and project loan obligations, subject to the provisions of the Clean Water Fund Program, and to execute and deliver the same. Clean Water Fund Obligations shall be secured solely from a pledge of water system revenues; or 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JULY 19, 2021 (iv) Promissory notes, bonds or other obligations made payable to the United States of America to meet any portion of the costs of the Project determined by the federal government, including acting through the Rural Utility Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) or other federal program or agency, to be eligible for loan and/or grant monies; or (v) Any combination of bonds, temporary notes, notes, or obligations as set forth in the preceding subsections may be issued, provided that the total, aggregate principal amount thereof outstanding, and including the amount of grant funding obtained pursuant to a Project Grant and Project Loan Agreement, at any time shall not exceed $997,500. Section 4. (i) Bonds, temporary notes, or water assessment notes, Clean Water Fund Obligations and federal obligations all as set forth in Section 3 are hereafter referred to as “Bonds.” The Bonds shall be water revenue bonds of the City, the payment of principal and interest on which shall be secured solely by revenues derived from the operation of the water system, including use charges, connection charges, benefit assessments or any combination thereof, investment income derived there from, or other property of the water system or revenue derived from the operation of the water system in accordance with the Joint Resolution. Each of the Bonds shall recite to the effect that every requirement of law relating to its issue has been duly complied with, that such Bond is within every debt and other limit prescribed by law, that such Bond does not constitute a general obligation of the City for which its full faith and credit is pledged, and that such Bond is payable solely from revenues, assessments, charges or property of the water system specifically pledged therefore. (ii) The bonds authorized to be issued by Section 3 shall be, issued and secured pursuant to the Joint Resolution approved by the City Council on August 7, 2000, and the Board on July 17, 2000, as amended, and as supplemented by various supplemental Resolutions adopted pursuant to the Joint Resolution, and which is hereby ratified, confirmed and approved in its entirety, including without limitation, the rate and revenue covenants therein. The Board irrevocably agrees to comply with the provisions of the Joint Resolution, including Supplemental Resolutions, including but not limited to: to set, establish and collect and maintain rates and revenue as necessary to continually comply with the terms, conditions and covenants of the General Resolution. The City irrevocably agrees to comply with the provisions of the General Resolution. In order to implement the provisions of the Joint Resolution the City and the Board may enter into an indenture of trust with a bank and trust company which indenture may contain provisions customarily included in revenue bond financings, including provisions of a similar nature to those in the Joint Resolution and which are necessary, convenient or advisable in connection with the issuance of the Bonds and their marketability. The Issuer Officials are hereby authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the City and the Board an indenture in such final form and containing such terms and conditions as they shall approve, and their signatures on any such indenture shall be conclusive evidence of their approval as authorized hereby. (iii) The Issuer Officials on behalf of the City and the Board are authorized to agree to additional terms and to delete or change existing terms and otherwise amend the form of Joint Resolution in order to obtain State or federal funding, provide better security for the bonds, correct any matter, cure any ambiguity or defect or otherwise benefit the Issuer in their judgment. Such additional or different terms may include restrictions on the use of water funds or fund balance or water operations, coverage ratios, additional or changed reserve requirements, identification and pledge of revenues securing the Bonds, providing for the form of the Bonds, conditions precedent to the issuance of Bonds and additional Bonds, the establishment and maintenance of funds and the use and disposition there from, including but not limited to 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JULY 19, 2021 accounts for the payment of debt service, the payment of operating expenses, debt service reserve and other reserve accounts, providing for the issuance of subordinated indebtedness, defining an event of default and providing for the allocation of revenues in such event, credit enhancement, providing for a pledge and allocation of water revenues to pay for obligations issued by third parties, and provisions of a similar and different nature to those in the Joint Resolution and which are necessary, convenient or advisable in connection with the issuance of the Bonds and their marketability, and to obtain the benefits of any state or federal grant or low interest loan program, including but not limited to the Clean Water Fund and Federal Department of Agriculture Programs. The Issuer Officials are hereby authorized, in addition to the General Resolution, to execute and deliver on behalf of the Issuer and the Board an indenture of trust in such final form and containing such terms and conditions as they shall approve, and their signatures on any such indenture shall be conclusive evidence of their approval as authorized hereby. Section 5. The issue of the Bonds aforesaid and of all other bonds or notes of the City heretofore authorized but not yet issued, as of the effective date of this Ordinance, would not cause the indebtedness of the City to exceed any debt limit calculated in accordance with law. Section 6. Said Bonds shall be sold by the Issuer Officials in a competitive offering or by negotiation, in their discretion. If sold in a competitive offering, the Bonds shall be sold upon sealed proposals at not less than par and accrued interest on the basis of the lowest not or true interest cost to the City. A notice of sale or a summary thereof describing the bonds and setting forth the terms and conditions of the sale shall be published at least five days in advance of the sale in a recognized publication carrying municipal bond notices and devoted primarily to financial news and the subject of state and municipal bonds. If the Bonds are sold by negotiation, the Issuer Officials, are authorized to execute a purchase agreement on behalf of the City and Board containing such terms and conditions as they deem appropriate and not inconsistent with this Ordinance. Section 7. Resolution of Official Intent to Reimburse Expenditures with Borrowings. The City of Norwich (the “Issuer”) hereby expresses its official intent pursuant to section 1.150-2 of the Federal Income Tax Regulations, Title 26 (the “Regulations”), to reimburse expenditures paid sixty days prior to and after the date of passage of this Resolution in the maximum amount and for the capital project defined in Section 1 with the proceeds of bonds, notes, or other obligations (“Bonds”) authorized to be issued by the Issuer. The Bonds shall be issued to reimburse such expenditures not later than 18 months after the later of the date of the expenditure or the substantial completion of the project, or such later date the Regulations may authorize. The Issuer hereby certifies that the intention to reimburse as expressed herein is based upon its reasonable expectations as of this date. The Comptroller, and General Manager City of Norwich Department of Public Utilities or their designee is authorized to pay project expenses in accordance herewith pending the issuance of reimbursement bonds, and to amend this declaration. Section 8. It is hereby found and determined that it is in the public interest to issue all, or a portion of, the Bonds, Notes or other obligations of the City authorized to be issued herein as qualified private activity bonds, or with interest that is includable in gross income of the holders thereof for purposes of federal income taxation. The Issuer Officials are hereby authorized to issue and utilize without further approval any financing alternative currently or hereafter available to municipal government pursuant to law, including but not limited to any “tax credit bond,” or “tax advantaged bond”. Section 9. The General Manager is authorized on behalf of the Board and the City to enter into a loan and subsidy agreement and such other contracts and agreements necessary to implement the Project herein authorized, including, but not limited to, any water service or benefit assessment agreement with a maximum term of not more than 20 years, with such additions, revisions and deletions 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JULY 19, 2021 as in his judgment are in the best interest of the Board and the City, including the addition of information, completion of schedules, or such other changes as may facilitate the Project and its financing. Section 10. This Ordinance shall be effective upon adoption by the City Council and its approval by the Board. On a roll call vote of 6-0 the above ordinance passes. Mayor Nystrom called for citizen comment on resolutions. Please be advised that meetings of the Norwich City Council can be viewed in their entirety on the City of Norwich website “norwichct.org”. Swarnjit Singh Bhatia, 56 Briar Hill Rd; Karen Lau, 25 Surrey Ln; Linda Theodoru, 37 Taftville Occum Rd; Peter Helms, 54 Woodrow Ave; Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm Ave; Ursula Chappelle, 161 Cliff St; Augustus Wortham Jr, 575 Boswell Ave; Robin Viches, Rose City United; Lawrence Lizzart, 10 Watercress Ave; Shiela Hayes, 382 Laurel Hill Ave, President of NAACP, 66 Franklin St; Pastor Benjamin Green, Evans A. M. E. Zion Church; Linda Fouche, 65 Williams St; Robert Bell, 122 Broadway; Tracy Burto, 1 Watercress; Gregory Perry, 287 Harland Rd; Maloyid Perkins, 136 West Thames St; Sahara Matthews, 120 Elizabeth St; Mark Kulos, 327 Broadway; Pastor Adam Bowles, Castle Church; Sara Flores, 109 Sachem St; Carline Charmelus, 19 Jordan Dr; Eric Brennan, 35 Quarto Rd; Resident, 16 Lost Acre Rd spoke in favor of Resolution #6. Marvin Serruto, 100 Starr St, expressed displeasure on Resolution #6. Larry Rice, no address given, was displeased regarding Resolution #4 and spoke in opposition of Resolution #6. Shiela Hayes, 382 Laurel Hill Ave, spoke in support of Resolutions #2, 3 and 5. Mark Kulos, 327 Broadway spoke in support of Resolution #5. Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. 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 City Manager Salomone. WHEREAS, the term of the City Historian will expire on August 20, 2021 and the current City Historian, Dale Plummer wishes to be re-appointed to another three year term; and WHEREAS, City Manager John L. Salomone has re-appointed Dale Plummer (D) as City Historian for a term to expire August 20, 2024. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Norwich hereby approves the re-appointment of the above named as City Historian. 8 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JULY 19, 2021 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 President Pro Tem Bettencourt, Ald. Gould and Myles. BE IT RESOLVED that the below named be re-appointed as a regular member of the Commission on the City Plan with a term to expire on February 28, 2023 or until a successor is appointed: Frank Manfredi (D) BE IT RESOLVED that the below named be appointed as a regular member of the Commission on the City Plan with a term to expire on February 28, 2023 or until a successor is appointed: Swarnjit Singh Bhatia (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 President Pro Tem Bettencourt, Ald. Gould and Myles. BE IT RESOLVED that the below named be re-appointed as a regular member to the Personnel & Pension Board with a term to expire on March 1, 2023 or until a successor is appointed: Paul Schroder (R) BE IT RESOLVED that the below named be appointed as a regular member to the Personnel & Pension Board with a term to expire on March 1, 2023 or until a successor is appointed: Richard Morelli (U) BE IT RESOLVED that the below named be appointed as an alternate member to the Personnel & Pension Board with a term to expire on March 1, 2022 or until a successor is appointed: Francis Gavigan (R) 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, Ald. Gould and Myles. BE IT RESOLVED that the following be re-appointed a regular member to the Board of Assessment Appeals for a term to expire on June 01, 2023 or until a successor is appointed; Dennis Riley (D) 9 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JULY 19, 2021 Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, 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. Myles. BE IT RESOLVED that the below named be appointed as a regular member to the Board of Public Utilities Commission (Sewer Authority) with a term to expire on March 1, 2024 or until a successor is appointed: Ashon Avent (D) Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Myles, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to put the following resolution introduced President Pro Tem Bettencourt, Ald. Wilson, Myles and DeLucia on the floor. Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by President Pro Tem Bettencourt, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to amend the following resolution in paragraph #6 to add “WHEREAS: “in the long term,”. Upon a motion of Mayor Nystrom, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was voted to amend the following resolution to add the following; “WHEREAS, it is in our best interest to foster health equity throughout the entire City of Norwich and its residents; WHEREAS, the City Council of Norwich wished to reaffirm its declaration of racism as a public health crisis; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH wishes to appoint a Health Equity Committee which shall include but not be limited to the Office of the City Manager, representatives of the Norwich Department of Human Services, the Uncas Health District, the Norwich Police Department, the Human Resources Department, United Community Family and Services, Rose City United and Generations, be it further resolved that said Health Equity Committee shall also include members of the general public and any stakeholders who wish to participate so that those charged with achieving the goals have had a chance to “buy in” to the concepts and participate early in this valiant effort. Interested stakeholders may include members of the Norwich City Council.” Introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Ald. Nash and Gould. On a motion to further amend the proposed above amendment of Ald. DeLucia, seconded by President Pro Tem Bettencourt, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to remove “so that those charged with achieving the goals have had a chance to “buy in” to the concepts and participate early in this valiant effort.” Amendment passes on a roll call vote of 6-0 10 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JULY 19, 2021 WHEREAS, public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people, entire populations and their communities. These populations can be as small as a local neighborhood, or as big as an entire country or region of the world; WHEREAS, public health work is achieved by promoting healthy lifestyles, researching disease and injury prevention, and detecting, preventing and responding to infectious diseases; WHEREAS, racism is threat to public health and safety, and is a paramount social determinant of health, shaping access to the resources that create opportunities for health, including public safety, housing, education and employment, and is a persistent barrier to health equity for all Norwich residents; WHEREAS, in addition to having an independent influence on the social determinants of health, racism in and of itself has been proven to have broad-reaching and direct negative impacts on individual health outcomes; WHEREAS, racial justice is the creation and proactive reinforcement of policies, practices, attitudes and actions that produce equitable power, access, opportunity, treatment, and outcomes for all people regardless of race; WHEREAS, in the long term, agencies, boards, committees, and commissions of City government must recommit to addressing the impact that racism has on the lives of all of our neighbors and how it impacts the overall health of our City; WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed, reaffirmed, and cast in sharp relief the emergency nature of these pre-existing inequities caused by systemic racism. In cases where race and ethnicity is known, the rate of reported COVID-19 cases as of July 9, 2021in the entire state of Connecticut, Blacks, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) is 125,616 compared with 110,399 for whites; and WHEREAS, all Norwich residents are welcomed to join in working toward a city where all residents live fulfilling lives free of racism, poverty, violence, and other systems of oppression; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, 1. The Norwich City Council asserts that racism is a public health crisis affecting our entire community; 2. The Norwich City Council and City Manager develop strategies that work to dismantle the systemic racism that creates barriers to strong public health. These strategies shall include access to data to drive equitable policies and a review of current policies and practices through a racial equity lens; 3. In partnership with Uncas Health District, develop a “Norwich Health Equity” plan that outlines detailed objectives and measurable goals in which the City will focus on root causes of the inequities that cause disparities in health outcomes for our residents; 4. Engage historically marginalized communities in identifying problems and solutions and supporting community-driven responses; 11 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JULY 19, 2021 5. Ensure complete and regular availability of specific race and ethnicity data that documents the health inequities that exist in Norwich through collection, dissemination and remedies for gaps in that data to strengthen our collective understanding. This should include creating and implementing a Norwich Health Equity Measure Set, and data sharing between the Uncas Health District and relevant agencies of the State of Connecticut; 6. Conduct ongoing and enhanced analysis using all available data to understand the complexity of the interconnectedness of societal, environmental and behavioral factors that contribute to the impact of racism on access to those resources that promote good health including good jobs, access to healthy and affordable food, housing, equitable transportation options and excellent public education. This includes a more comprehensive understanding of racism and its impact on violence in the community both as a direct correlation to its existence and the impact that it creates on the overall health of people and the community at large; 7. Focus on access to prevention and treatment that is culturally and linguistically competent and meets communities where they are to counter the inequities that exist in health care; 8. Develop direct service programs and services to address the negative impact that these inequities have had on specific populations as well as programs that empower communities to tackle these systemic barriers; 9. The City Manager and Human Resource Director commit to conduct all human resources, vendor selection and grant management activities with a racial equity lens including reviewing all internal policies and practices such as examinations, hiring, promotions, leadership appointments and funding; 10. Promote racially equitable economic and workforce development practices; 11. Encourage community partners and stakeholders in the education, employment, housing, criminal justice and safety arenas to recognize racism as a public health crisis and to implement portions or all of this declaration; 12. All stakeholders identify clear goals and objectives, including specific benchmarks, to assess progress and capitalize on opportunities to further advance racial equity and report semi- annual to the city council on the progress of these goals ; and 13. Advocate at the state and federal level for policies and funding and the Norwich City Council will consider in the organization’s budget allocating adequate financial resources to accomplish these activities. WHEREAS, it is in our best interest to foster health equity throughout the entire City of Norwich and its residents; WHEREAS, the City Council of Norwich wished to reaffirm its declaration of racism as a public health crisis; 12 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JULY 19, 2021 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, wishes to appoint a Health Equity Committee which shall include but not be limited to the Office of the City Manager, representatives of the Norwich Department of Human Services, the Uncas Health District, the Norwich Police Department, the Human Resources Department, United Community Family and Services, Rose City United and Generations, be it further resolved that said Health Equity Committee shall also include members of the general public and any stakeholders who wish to participate. Interested stakeholders may include members of the Norwich City Council. The motion passes on the above amended resolution on a roll call vote of 6-0. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Myles, it was unanimously voted to waive the full reading set a public hearing on August 2, 2021, at 7:30 pm for the second reading and action for the following ordinance introduced City Manager Salomone. AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $145,000,000 TO FUND ALL OR A PORTION OF THE UNFUNDED ACTUARIAL ACCRUED LIABILITY OF THE CITY'S EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT PLAN AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION PENSION BONDS OF THE CITY TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION WHEREAS, the City of Norwich (the “City”) has established the City of Norwich Employees' Retirement Plan (the “Plan”) for the benefit of certain employees and their beneficiaries; and WHEREAS, retirement benefits for members of the Plan are paid from the Employees' Retirement Fund (the "Fund"); and WHEREAS, the assets of the Fund consist of pooled monies that include appropriations from the City and contributions from members of the Plan; and WHEREAS, the Plan has a large unfunded actuarial accrued liability in the approximate amount of $144,000,000, and as a result, the City's annual actuarially determined contribution to the Fund is projected to increase significantly each year; and WHEREAS, section 7-374c of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended (the “Statutes”), authorize municipalities to issue general obligation pension bonds to fund all or a portion of an unfunded past benefit obligation, as determined by an actuarial valuation, and the payment of costs related to the issuance of such bonds; and WHEREAS, due to historically low interest rates for municipal debt, it is anticipated that the proceeds from the issuance of such bonds, when invested as part of Fund assets in higher yielding asset classes, should achieve a long-term rate of return that is greater than the interest rate owed over the term of the bonds; and WHEREAS, the City’s Comptroller projects that the issuance of such bonds shall significantly lower the net cost of the Plan, thereby improving the City's fiscal stability. 13 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JULY 19, 2021 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH: Section 1. The sum of $145,000,000 is appropriated for the purpose of funding all or a portion of the unfunded actuarial accrued liability with respect to the Plan, and to pay certain costs of issuance of the Bonds (as defined below), including, but not limited to, legal, actuary, advisory, escrow, verification and investment fees, trustee costs, underwriters' discount and printing and administrative expenses. The net proceeds of the sale of the Bonds, after payment of costs of issuance, shall be deposited into the Fund and invested in appropriate legal investments permitted by the Statutes in accordance with the terms of the Plan. Section 2. To meet said appropriation, general obligation pension bonds of the City shall be issued pursuant to Section 7-374c of the Statutes (the “Act”), in an amount not to exceed $145,000,000 (the "Bonds"). The Bonds shall be general obligations of the City and shall be serial bonds maturing in annual or semiannual installments of principal or shall be term bonds with mandatory annual or semiannual deposits of sinking fund payments into a sinking fund. The first installment of any series of the Bonds shall mature or the first sinking fund payment of any series of the Bonds shall be due not later than eighteen months from the date of issue of such series, provided that such first installment shall mature or such first sinking fund payment shall be due not later than the fiscal year of the City next following the fiscal year in which such series is issued. The last installment of such series shall mature or the last sinking fund payment of such series shall be due not later than twenty-five years from such date of issue. The Bonds shall be in the denomination of $1,000 or a whole multiple thereof, be issued in bearer form or in fully registered form, be executed in the name and on behalf of the City by the manual or facsimile signatures of the City Manager and the Comptroller, bear the City seal or a facsimile thereof, be certified by a bank or trust company designated by the City Manager and the Comptroller, which bank or trust company may be designated the registrar and transfer agent, be payable at a bank or trust company designated by the City Manager and the Comptroller, and be approved as to their legality by Pullman & Comley, LLC, Bond Counsel. Each of the Bonds shall recite that every requirement of law relating to its issue has been duly complied with, that such bond is within every debt and other limit prescribed by law, that the full faith and credit of the City are pledged to the payment of the principal thereof and the interest thereon. The aggregate principal amount of the Bonds, annual installments of principal, redemption provisions, if any, the date, time of issue and sale and other terms, details and particulars of such bonds, including the approval of the rate or rates of interests, shall be determined by the City Manager and the Comptroller in accordance with the requirements of the Statutes. In connection with the issuance of any bonds or notes authorized herein, the City may exercise any power delegated to municipalities pursuant to Section 7-370b of the Statutes, including the authority to enter into agreements managing interest rate risk. The City Manager and Comptroller, on behalf of the City, shall execute and deliver such reimbursement agreements, letter of credit agreement, credit facilities, remarketing, standby marketing agreements, standby bond purchase agreements, and any other commercially necessary or appropriate agreements which are necessary, appropriate or desirable in connection with or incidental to the sale and issuance of such bonds or notes. Section 3. The issue of the Bonds and of all other bonds or notes of the City heretofore authorized but not yet issued, as of the effective date of this ordinance, would not cause the indebtedness of the City to exceed any debt limit calculated in accordance with law. Section 4. Said Bonds shall be sold by the City Manager and Comptroller in a competitive offering or by negotiation, in their discretion. If sold in a competitive offering, the Bonds shall be sold at not less than par and accrued interest on the basis of the lowest net or true interest cost to the City. If sold 14 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JULY 19, 2021 on a negotiated basis, the City Manager and Comptroller are authorized to execute a bond purchase contract or similar agreement for the sale of the Bonds. Section 5. The Bonds may bear interest which is includable in the gross income of holders thereof for Federal income tax purposes pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the issuance of such taxable bonds is hereby determined to be in the public interest of the City. Section 6. The City Manager and Comptroller are hereby authorized to exercise all powers conferred by Section 3-20e of the Statutes with respect to secondary market disclosure and to provide annual information and notices of material events as enumerated in Securities and Exchange Commission Exchange Act Rule 15c2-12, as amended, as may be necessary, appropriate or desirable to effect the sale of the bonds and notes authorized by this ordinance. Section 7. The City Manager and Comptroller are hereby authorized to prepare and distribute preliminary and final Official Statements of the City, to execute and deliver on behalf of the City all such other documents and agreements, and to take all action, necessary and proper for the sale, issuance and delivery of the Bonds, including, but not limited to, repayment agreements, memoranda of understanding, instruments and documents with its Department of Public Utilities and Board of Education, on behalf of the City. Section 8. The City Manager and Comptroller shall take all actions necessary to comply with the terms of the Act including but not limited to making the necessary submissions to the Office of Policy and Management and the Office of the Treasurer of the State of Connecticut and, as long as the Bonds or any bond refunding the Bonds are outstanding, the City shall (i) in each fiscal year, commencing with the fiscal year in which the Bonds are issued, appropriate funds in an amount sufficient to meet the actuarially required contribution and contribute such amount to the Plan, acknowledging that any such amounts not included in any annual City budget to make such contributions may be deemed to be appropriated under the Act, and (ii) notify the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management annually of the amount or the rate of any such actuarially recommended contribution and the amount or the rate, if any, of the actual annual contribution by the City to the Plan to meet such actuarially recommended contribution. Upon motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Myles, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 10:00 P.M. City Clerk 15