City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 18, 2022 The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held January 18, 2022 at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Nystrom, President Pro Tem DeLucia, Ald. Neuendorf, Gould, Singh, Burto and Wilson. Acting City Manager, Josh Pothier and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll were also in attendance. City Manager John Salomone was absent. Mayor Nystrom presided. Ald. Wilson read the opening prayer and Ald. Burto 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., stated he is planning on having a Columbus Day Celebration this year. Larry Rice, 41 Will Rd., requested the Council look to consider COLA for retirees that would have certain restrictions. Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. CITY MANAGERS REPORT Report read into the record by Josh Pothier, Acting City Manager in the absence of John Salomone. To: Mayor Nystrom and members of the City Council From: John Salomone, City Manager Subject: City Manager’s Report Date: January 18, 2022 Meetings attended were with State representatives and legislators, Southeastern Council of Governments (SCCOG), Southeastern Area Transit (SEAT) Board meeting, Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, (CCM), NPU-City Coordination meeting, City Department Heads and the Fire Chiefs. The annual goal setting session with the City Council will be held on Saturday, February 5th and Thursday evening, February 10th. Meeting information will be forthcoming. The City of Norwich received a second distribution of COVID self-test kits and N95 Masks from the State. In the second distribution, the city received 29 cases of COVID self-test kits that each contained 90 kits per case. Ten cases of N95 masks containing 960 masks each were also received. Tara Booker, Director of Norwich Human Services worked with Emergency Management on targeted distribution of 1100 self-test kits to reach those who are elderly or have transportation and other barriers that would prevent them from accessing tests in the public distribution. The remaining COVID self-test kits and masks were then distributed to the public, in front of Kelly Middle School on January 8, 2022, until supplies were depleted. On Friday January 14th, Norwich Public Works assisted with a State distribution of COVID supplies for School Districts from the main garage at Clinton Avenue. The National Guard supplied the majority of the manpower, with Public Works providing the building, as supplies were distributed from inside the garage. Norwich Human Services has started a Move Meditate Connect program for teens to help improve coping strategies in order to make healthier choices. They have also implemented a Suicide Prevention and Mental Health program for 25 students at NFA with another 50 slated to engage in the program starting in February to help address the wellness of students, youth and families in Norwich. They are also wrapping up three programs in the elementary school, involving 80 students, one of which is a peer mentoring program where 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 18, 2022 students are paired with NFA students, and two of which are focused on helping kids learn how to manage their feelings and respond appropriately to them, rather than acting out. All of these groups will run again starting in February with new groups of students. The Tax office is open for in person payments and has been steady for the January tax installment. The City of Norwich continues to encourage taxpayers to pay their taxes remotely if possible. The City’s Lock Box tax payments as of Friday, January 14th were 651 payments totaling $1,098,737.22 and payments at Norwich People’s Bank branches were 244 payments totaling $373,748.44. I have attached the City Departments, and Otis Library reports for quarter ending December 31, 2021. Departmental Quarterly Reports Mayor Nystrom called for citizen comment on resolutions. There were no speakers. Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Salomone. WHEREAS, the City Manager John L. Salomone has recommended the following reappointments to the Public Parking Commission; Reappointed as a regular members of the Public Parking Commission for a term to expire on 12/31/23 or until successors are appointed: H. Tucker Braddock (D) Jeffrey Lord (R) Sean Ryan (D) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Norwich hereby approves the re-appointments of the above named to the Public Parking Commission. Upon a motion of Ald. Singh, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Salomone. WHEREAS, the City Manager John L. Salomone has reappointed with Councils approval as regular members to the Harbor Management Commission for a term to expire on 12/5/23 or until a successor is appointed; Mark Sicuso (D) Michael Gualtieri (R) H. Tucker Braddock (D) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Norwich hereby acknowledges the reappointments of the above named to the Harbor Management Commission. 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 18, 2022 Upon a motion of Ald. Burto, 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 DeLucia and Alderwoman Gould. WHEREAS, Connecticut General Statute § 8-23 requires the adoption of a Plan of Conservation and Development for a municipality at least once every ten (10) years; and WHEREAS, a committee known as the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) Committee was formed to assist in the preparation of the current POCD; and WHEREAS, recommendations with respect to the makeup of such a committee are provided at Connecticut General Statute § 8-23(c). NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the Plan of Conservation and Development POCD Committee be reconvened with the appointment of new members to assist in the preparation of the updated ten (10) year POCD; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that said POCD Committee shall consist of the following: Mayor, City Manager, Director of Planning & Neighborhood Services, Assistant City Planner, Director of Public Works, Director of Community Development, President of the Norwich Community Development Corporation, General Manager of Norwich Public Utilities, Superintendent of Schools, Chief of Police, Director of Emergency Management, members of the Commission on the City Plan; two (2) volunteers from the public; and a representative or representatives selected by the following boards, commissions or related Norwich agencies per the following schedule: Redevelopment Agency (1) Recreation Advisory Board (1) Harbor Management Commission (1) Historic District Commission (1) Historical Society (1) Norwich Housing Authority (1) Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Conservation Commission (1) Board of Education (1) Health Equity Committee (2) (When formed) Uncas Health District (1) Chamber of Commerce (1) Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Burto, it was unanimously voted to waive the full reading of the text and send a referral to Commission on the City Plan and set a public hearing on February 7, 2022 at 7:30 pm for the second reading and action for the following ordinance introduced by Mayor Nystrom, President Pro Tem DeLucia and Ald. Gould. AN ORDINANCE PROPOSING TO AMEND ORDINANCE SECTION 7-91 TO EXPAND TRACT ONE OF THE ENTERPRISE ZONE DESCRIBED THEREIN BY ADDING A PARCEL OF APPROXIMATELY .43 ACRES TO IT 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 18, 2022 WHEREAS, Ordinance No 1003, titled “An Ordinance Creating an “Enterprise Zone” and “Fixing Assessments on Properties Contained Within Such Zone” was adopted by the Council on October 4, 1982 pursuant to the Connecticut General Statute § 32-70 and is codified as Section 7-91 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances; and WHEREAS, Ordinance No 1003 divided the Enterprise Zone it established into three (3) sections or tract for purposes of description; and WHEREAS, Tract One is described in Ordinance No 1003 as: “TRACT ONE – A long narrow strip of land that is bounded on the north by the Laurel Hill Bridge; on the south by the southerly line of the currently-zone I-1 district (which is also the southerly property line of the King Seeley Thermos); on the west by the Thames River; and on the east by the real property lines of lots located on the easterly side of Laurel Hill Avenue; and WHEREAS, certain properties located to the east and west of Thermos Avenue are included in Tract One but a property located at 23 Thermos Avenue, which was designated as lots 49, 55, and 56 on a map prepared for the Norwich Industrial Improvement Corporation recorded in the Book of Maps volume 2, page 36 of the Norwich Land Records and now identified as Map 1, Block 1, Lot 1 on the Assessor’s record, is not; said parcel being located on the east side of Thermos Avenue and now under common ownership with certain continuous parcels located in Tract One which are north and east of it; and WHEREAS, the Council finds it will promote development in the Enterprise Zone and be in the best interest of the City of Norwich to seek to add to Tract One of this Enterprise Zone the property located at 23 Thermos Avenue which is more particularly described as follows: A certain tract or parcel of land situated in the Town of Norwich, County of New London, State of Connecticut, depicted as Lot 1 of Assessor’s Map 125, Block 1 and being more particularly described as follows: Beginning at a point on the northerly line of the southerly portion of Thermos Avenue, said point lying S 86º 18’ 36” W a distance of 90.68 feet from the southwesterly corner of land now or formerly of Hector J. & Lydia P. Ricafranca and running thence S 86º 18’ 36” W a distance of 136.67 feet to a point of non-tangent curve to the right having a radius of 12.68 feet; thence northwesterly along the arc of said curve a distance of 21.86 feet, the chord bearing of said curve being N 44’ 58’ 32” W a chord distance of 19.25 feet; thence N 0º 30’ 46” E a distance of 98.27 feet to a point, these first three courses running by and along the northerly and easterly line of Thermos Avenue; thence S 86º 26’ 24” E a distance of 105.23 feet to a point; thence N 3º 33’ 36” E a distance of 49.85 feet to a point; thence S 86º 26’ 24” E a distance of 50.00 feet to a point; thence S 3º 33’ 36” W a distance of 143.48 feet to the point of beginning on Thermos Avenue, these last four courses bounded northerly, westerly, northerly and easterly by land now or formerly of Riverheights Development, Inc. Containing 18,180 ± SF or 0.417 acre. Being depicted on the plan entitled “Condominium Development TheVillas at Riverheights, Thermos Avenue, Norwich, Connecticut. Scale: 1”=30’, December 20, 2007” and filed as Map CC#48 in the Norwich Land Records. 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JANUARY 18, 2022 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that City Manager John Salomone, with such assistance as he may require, be authorized and directed to make application on behalf of the City of Norwich to the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development pursuant to Chapter 585 of the Connecticut General Statutes to seek inclusion of the property identified as 23 Thermos Avenue within Tract One of the Enterprise Zone established by Ordinance 1003, Section 7-91 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances; and BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that if an approval to incorporate 23 Thermos Avenue is received from the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, the description of Tract One of the Enterprise Zone as set out in Ordinance § 7-91 be amended to include the property identified as Map 1, Block 1, Lot 1 and known as 23 Thermos Avenue within and made a part of Tract One; and BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that if such approval is received, the maps utilized by the city depicting the Tract One portion of this Enterprise Zone be corrected to include 23 Thermos Avenue. Upon motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:52 pm. Assistant City Clerk 5