City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 4, 2022 The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held April 4, 2022 at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Nystrom, President Pro Tem DeLucia, Ald. Neuendorf, Gould, Singh, Burto and Wilson. City Manager Salomone and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll were also in attendance. Mayor Nystrom presided. Ald. Burto read the opening prayer and Ald. Singh 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”. Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the minutes of March 7 and 21, 2022. Mayor Nystrom continued the following public hearing on AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 9 DEFINITIONS, SECTION 9.2 DEFINED TERMS, OF THE ZONING REGULATIONS TO ADD MANUFACTURING RELATED TERMS, INCLUDING MANUFACTURING, ADVANCED MANUFACTURING, FOOD MANUFACTURING, PRECISION MANUFACTURING, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND RESEARCH LABORATORIES Speaking in favor: There were no further speakers. Speaking in opposition: There were no further speakers. There being no further speakers Mayor Nystrom declared the public hearing closed. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Burto, 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 Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Burto, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to put the following ordinance introduced by Mayor Nystrom, President Pro Tem DeLucia and Ald. Gould on the floor. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 9 DEFINITIONS, SECTION 9.2 DEFINED TERMS, OF THE ZONING REGULATIONS TO ADD MANUFACTURING RELATED TERMS, INCLUDING MANUFACTURING, ADVANCED MANUFACTURING, FOOD MANUFACTURING, PRECISION MANUFACTURING, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND RESEARCH LABORATORIES WHEREAS, the Norwich Zoning Regulations in Chapter 9 Definitions at Section 9.2 Defined Terms define certain words for purposes of the Zoning Regulations; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich as Zoning Commission finds that adding certain Manufacturing and Research and Development related terms to the defined terms will assist in interpreting and implementing the Zoning Regulations. 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 4, 2022 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that Section 9.2 of Chapter 9 of the Zoning Regulations be amended by adding the following terms as listed herein, said amendment to take effect on the 10th day following passage and publication of this ordinance pursuant to Section 11 of Chapter V of the Code of Ordinances of the Charter of the City of Norwich. 9.2 Defined Terms Manufacturing Related Terms Manufacturing is the process of turning raw materials or parts into finished goods through the use of tools, human labor, machinery, and chemical processing, including, similar uses specified under CGS §32-9p(d), the definition of a Manufacturing Facility. Commercial cultivation, micro- cultivation, manufacturing, and production of plant-based products, and food or beverages, may be permitted as Manufacturing, Advanced Manufacturing, Food Manufacturing, Precision Manufacturing, and Research and Development. Advanced Manufacturing is the use of innovative technologies to create products. Advanced manufacturing can include production activities that depend on information, automation, computation, software, sensing, and networking. Food Manufacturing is the commercial production and packaging of foods and beverages. A food manufacturer is responsible for the purity and proper labeling of the product and includes breweries and commercial bakeries which are primarily engaged in the manufacturing of baked goods for sale and distribution by other businesses. A restaurant or retail bakery is not considered a food manufacturer. Precision Manufacturing is the machining of individual pieces that requires identical parts to be created in large quantities for industries such as medical and aeronautical. Research and Development (R&D) includes activities directed toward the innovation, introduction, and improvement of products and processes. Research Laboratories means a facility or a specially designated area of a facility used primarily for research, development, and testing activity, and not primarily involved in the production of goods for commercial sale. Research and Development – See Manufacturing On a roll call vote of 7-0 the above ordinance passes. Upon a motion of Ald. Burto, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the following report. 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 4, 2022 Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the following report. 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 4, 2022 Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the following report. 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 4, 2022 CITY MANAGERS REPORT City Managers Proposed Budget and American Rescue Plan Proposal, Fiscal Year 2022-23 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 on resolutions. Deanna Rhodes, Director of Planning and Neighborhood Services, stated she was in favor of Resolution #5 and Resolution #2. Kevin Brown, President of NCDC, spoke in favor of Resolution #6 and asked that the Council support this. Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Burto, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Salomone. Relative to setting the first and second public hearings on the budget for Fiscal Year 2022-23 and the Manager’s proposed American Rescue Plan Act projects. 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 4, 2022 RESOLVED, that the first public hearing on the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2022-23 and the Manager’s proposed American Rescue Plan Act projects will be held on Thursday, April 14, 2022, 7:30 PM in the Council Chambers of City Hall. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the second public hearing on the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2022-23 and the Manager’s proposed American Rescue Plan Act projects will be held on Monday, May 9, 2022 at 7:30 PM in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Burto, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Salomone. To reallocate funds from capital projects for completion of Occum fire station improvements and purchase of turnout gear. WHEREAS, the Occum Volunteer Fire department is requesting funds to complete projects related to fire station improvements such as electrical upgrades, flooring repairs, resurfacing, and coating, and painting as well as the purchase of turnout gear; and WHEREAS, there are funds available from previously approved capital projects which have been completed at less than their original appropriations which may be used towards the fire station improvements and purchase of turnout gear. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that $3,730.55 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 36024235 57300 C2030 Occum - Pager Equipment 29.40 36024235 57300 C2031 Occum - Gate Valve 249.54 36024235 57300 C2070 Occum - Replace AED 320.00 Occum -Replace thermal 36024235 57300 C2071 1,188.29 Imaging Cameras 36024235 57300 C2122 Occum - Hydrant Valves 699.32 36024235 57200 C2225 Occum - Keyfob Entry System 1,244.00 Total 3,730.55 2. Projects to reallocate funds to: Org Object Project Description Amount Occum Fire Station 36024235 57200 C2252 2,643.59 Improvements 36024235 57300 C2226 Occum Turnout Gear 1,086.96 Total 3,730.55 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 4, 2022 Upon a motion of President Pro Tem DeLucia, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to put the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, President Pro Tem DeLucia, Ald. Gould and Wilson on the floor. Upon a motion of President Pro Tem DeLucia, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to send the following Resolution to the Monument Committee. It was a further motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to bring this back on May 16, 2022. WHEREAS, Janice “Jan” Alberta Stewart dedicated herself to service to her family, her church, many organizations, and to the city and citizens of Norwich; and WHEREAS, in 1975, she became associated with the Rose City (Norwich) Senior Center, then located in a storefront on Main Street, becoming the Senior Affairs Director in 1977 and holding this position until her retirement in 2000; and WHEREAS, in 1977 Janice Stewart supervised the move of the Senior Center to new quarters in the Buckingham Memorial Building from which location its programs and operations were conducted for 17 years; and WHEREAS, Janice Stewart through her work, reputation, perseverance and ability to persuade greatly assisted in obtaining state funds for a new Senior Center location built on Mahan Drive and opened in 1994, where facility, staff and cliental remained under her direct care until her retirement in 2000; and WHEREAS, in recognition for her work with the elderly, and her dedication to the cliental of the senior center and seniors generally, Janice Stewart received many recognitions and awards including the Dr. Singer Award from Prevent Blindness Connecticut and the Board of Education and Services for the Blind, the President’s Volunteer Action Award from President Ronald Reagan, the Congressional Record by U. S. Representative Sam Gejdenson and a citation arranged by State Senator James J. Murphy for her involvement with the Senior Citizen Job Bank; and WHEREAS, after retirement she continued and expanded her commitment to multiple organizations often in leadership positions, including a long association with the Norwich Senior Affairs Commission; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich would like to recognize her efforts on behalf of the city and its citizens particularly those who are or will become senior citizens NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the skills and efforts of Janice Stewart and her long service to and leadership of the Rose City Senior Center be publicly honored, whereby it recommends that the sign located to the right of the main entrance of to the Senior Center which now reads “Rose City Senior Center”, be expanded to add the name “Janice A. Stewart” and that a plaque or other acknowledgement be located within the Senior Center in a public location acknowledging this resolution and Janice Stewart. Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Ald. Gould and Wilson. 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 4, 2022 WHEREAS, the City of Norwich has leased land from the State of Connecticut located on the east side of the west branch of the Yantic River off West Main Street (CT. Route 82) near its intersection of West Thames Street (CT. Route 32) for a five year term which lease expired on January 31, 2017; and WHEREAS, the City requested to extend this lease which request the Department of Transportation has approved subject to receipt of a non‐refundable deposit of $500 to cover the cost of processing a lease on state land and the approval of the Office of policy and Management; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich finds it to be in the best interest of the City of Norwich to lease this land for a term to run from February 1, 2022 to January 31, 2027 or as proposed by the state. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that, the sum of $500 be taken from Contingency Account 10500000‐58600 to be paid to the Department of Transportation to process this lease of state land and that City Manager John Salomone be and hereby is authorized and directed to sign such lease if approved together with such letter and documentation as is necessary to acknowledge and accept this lease on behalf of the City of Norwich. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Burto, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Ald. Gould and Wilson. WHEREAS, the City of Norwich acquired property identified as 14 Grove Place, map 93, block 6, lot 57, by a deed in lieu of foreclosure recorded January 5, 2017 at volume 2997 page 4 of the Norwich Land Records; and WHEREAS, said property is currently unimproved, essentially landlocked, and contains .07 acres; and WHEREAS, an abutting property owner has inquired about obtaining this property in order to facilitate development of his property; and WHEREAS, the Public Works and Capital Improvements Committee of the council met on February 24, 2022 and after reviewing this request recommends that the property be conveyed to an abutter so long as the parcel is combined into the abutter’s existing property; and WHEREAS, there are presently two abutting property owners. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that said property be offered to abutting owners to purchase through the office of the tax collector by letters sent to each abutting owner soliciting bids on the property with the tax collector to determine in her discretion a minimum price, which is to be at least one hundred dollars ($100), below which no bid will be accepted, and to report to the council by the second scheduled council meeting to be held in May 2022 if a bid or bids have been received and the identity of the high bidder, all bids subject to a bidder’s confirming that this parcel will be combined with adjoining property of the bidder within 90 days of the conveyance of 14 Grove Place to the bidder. Upon a motion of Ald. Singh, seconded by Ald. Burto, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, President Pro Tem DeLucia, Ald. Gould and Wilson. 8 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 4, 2022 WHEREAS, the City of Norwich, through the Norwich Community Development Corporation, a municipal development agency, is engaged in the development of 384 acre of industrially zoned land for uses including an offshore wind and advanced & green manufacturing, known as Business Park North; and WHEREAS, the City of Norwich, in connection with the development of Business Park North, seeks to improve the ramps at the Exit 18 interchange from Interstate Route 395 which connects key transportation corridors, promotes economic development and wellbeing for its residents including underserved neighborhoods, and creates infrastructure to serve environmentally beneficial technologies, and; WHEREAS, the proposed enhancements on the Exit 18 ramps from Interstate 395 onto Connecticut State Route 97 along with the construction of a new public industrial access road to open up Business Park North for development of a green manufacturing complex (the “Project”) would serve as a key step in establishing an industrial sector for environmentally beneficial technologies and help to revitalize core impoverished neighborhoods through economic growth and job opportunities, and; WHEREAS, Norwich City Council finds that the Project will significantly further health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Norwich and the community by allowing for the development of an offshore wind and advanced green manufacturing complex that can connect underserved residents to economic opportunity. WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Transportation administers financial assistance for surface transportation purposes, through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program, and; WHEREAS, the Norwich Community Development Corporation is a duly and legally authorized economic development entity in the City of Norwich, and the entity coordinating this Project, and; WHEREAS, the Norwich Community Development Corporation desires to seek financial assistance from the RAISE program for the proposed ramp and industrial road described above in the amount of $24,723,770 to be applied toward the capital construction expenses of the project, and; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that that the Norwich City Council endorses the filing by the Norwich Community Development Corporation of an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation seeking funding in the amount of $24,723,770 from the RAISE grant program to offset construction costs associated with the Project. Upon a motion of President Pro Tem DeLucia, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to set the public hearings as stated in Resolution #1 on the following ordinance introduced by City Manager. 9 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 4, 2022 AN ORDINANCE RELATIVE TO THE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE CITY OF NORWICH AND THE CITY AND TOWN CONSOLIDATION DISTRICTS OF SAID CITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-23. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, the following appropriations hereby are made to meet the expense of the City of Norwich and the City and Town Consolidation Districts of the City of Norwich for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022 and ending June 30, 2023 to wit: 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 Budget Budget Proposed City Council 437,340 408,622 438,638 City Manager 396,796 424,267 440,278 Finance 1,691,804 1,804,792 1,936,258 Assessor 474,396 479,656 540,397 City Treasurer 278,050 296,705 304,375 Law 454,000 439,000 439,000 Human Resources 548,745 637,636 663,687 City Clerk 518,172 548,235 521,727 Planning & Neighborhood Services 1,042,594 1,189,147 1,280,590 Election 164,183 160,655 166,122 Police 17,329,300 18,365,141 18,665,279 Fire - Central 2,205,538 2,306,027 2,343,580 Emergency Management 76,331 72,840 71,795 Fire - East Great Plain 149,216 154,996 167,433 Fire - Laurel Hill 83,445 81,221 87,732 Fire - Occum 93,060 92,300 101,168 Fire - Taftville 164,584 173,968 178,038 Fire - Yantic 162,904 160,383 174,874 Public Works 10,802,197 11,144,301 12,250,807 Human Services 2,044,053 2,221,289 1,935,703 Education 84,240,102 86,346,105 87,233,758 Debt Service 4,097,319 3,907,535 3,558,554 Miscellaneous 5,403,613 5,599,521 6,012,196 City Consolidation District 7,782,705 8,157,074 8,117,604 Town Consolidation District 448,631 505,129 487,256 TOTALS 141,089,078 145,676,545 148,116,849 General Operations 41,876,961 44,103,547 45,979,390 Debt Service 4,097,319 3,907,535 3,558,554 Capital Improvements 2,643,360 2,657,155 2,740,287 Education 84,240,102 86,346,105 87,233,758 City Consolidation District 7,782,705 8,157,074 8,117,604 Town Consolidation District 448,631 505,129 487,256 TOTALS 141,089,078 145,676,545 148,116,849 10 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 4, 2022 Upon a motion of President Pro Tem DeLucia, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to set the public hearings as stated in Resolution #1 on the following ordinance introduced by City Manager. AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING THE TAX LEVIES ON THE LIST OF OCTOBER 1, 2021 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH: Section 1. On the City Assessment list of October 1, 2021 a tax of forty-two and eighty-seven hundredths (42.87) mills on the dollar is hereby established to be levied upon the ratable Real Estate and Personal Property 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, 2021, a tax of thirty-five hundredths (0.35) mills on the dollar, is hereby established to be levied for fire services upon the ratable Real Estate and Personal Property 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, 2021, a tax of seven and eight hundredths (7.08) 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, 2021, a tax of twenty-nine (29.00) mills on the dollar is hereby established to be levied upon the ratable Motor Vehicles within the City of Norwich of the inhabitants of said City and 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, 2022, and payable on said date in whole or in equal installments from that date, namely on July 1, 2022 and January 1, 2023, except that any tax of less than one hundred dollars shall be due and payable on July 1, 2022. If the first installment is not paid on or before August 1, 2022 or if the second installment is not paid on or before February 1, 2023, 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. Section 6. Taxes on Motor Vehicles shall become due and payable in full on July 1, 2022. If the payment is not paid on or before August 1, 2022 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 Upon motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:45 pm. City Clerk 11