City Council

AGENDA – MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 20, 2022 7:30 PM PRAYER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CITIZEN COMMENT GENERAL (30 Minutes) PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 2-89 OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES, PART OF ARTICLE VII. COMMISSION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, TO REDUCE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MEMBERS ON THE COMMISSION FROM NINE TO SEVEN AND TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS REQUIRED TO BE SELECTED FROM CERTAIN CATEGORIES. 2. AN ORDINANCE REPEALING SECTION 16-4 OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES 3. Relative to a Resolution regarding the Neighborhood Assistance Act recommendations. 4. Relative to a Resolution regarding the Community Development Block Grant allocation recommendations. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATION 1. REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION ON PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES REGARDING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 2-89 OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES, PART OF ARTICLE VII. COMMISSION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, TO REDUCE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MEMBERS ON THE COMMISSION FROM NINE TO SEVEN AND TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS REQUIRED TO BE SELECTED FROM CERTAIN CATEGORIES. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT CITIZENS COMMENT ON RESOLUTIONS (only on the agenda items) NEW BUSINESS-RESOLUTIONS 1. Relative to approve the applications relative to the Neighborhood Assistance Act. 2. Relative to approve the Community Development Block Grant allocation recommendations. 3. Relative to a reappointment of a member to the Board of Assessment Appeals. 4. Relative to participation in a Cost Sharing Program with The City of Norwich to construct concrete sidewalks and to set a public hearing date. City Clerk  PUBLIC HEARING #1 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 2-89 OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES, PART OF ARTICLE VII. COMMISSION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, TO REDUCE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MEMBERS ON THE COMMISSION FROM NINE TO SEVEN AND TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS REQUIRED TO BE SELECTED FROM CERTAIN CATEGORIES. WHEREAS Article VII of Chapter 2 established a commission to advise the mayor and the council of the City of Norwich of the needs of persons with disabilities within the Norwich community with relation to housing, employment, transportation, economics, health, recreation and other relevant matters consistent with powers and duties established and stated in Sections 2-88 and 2-91 of Article VII; and WHEREAS the commission presently consists of nine members to include four members who are persons with disabilities, two members who are relatives of one or more persons with disabilities or who regularly work with or provide services to one or more persons with disabilities, and three additional members, all of whom must be electors of the City of Norwich and appointed by the council to serve terms of two years, or until their successor shall be duly appointed; and WHEREAS in its annual report for the year 2021 received and accepted by the council of the City of Norwich at its meeting of February 7, 2021, the commission reported that it was not able to meet in person during 2021 due to the restrictions on gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic and that at the one meeting it attempted to hold during 2021 was unable to transact business due to a lack of a quorum; and WHEREAS there are currently a number of vacancies on the commission due to resignations, some of which may reflect the difficulty individuals within specified categories have in attending meetings either in person or remotely; and WHEREAS the council of the City of Norwich wishes to continue the Commission for Persons with Disabilities as an advisory body of the City of Norwich as set forth in Article VII, of Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Norwich; and WHEREAS reducing the number of members of the commission from nine to seven and reconfiguring the membership of the same should assist the commission in conducting meetings and may encourage more individuals to seek appointment to the commission. NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that Section 2-89. Created; members. Chapter 2 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances be amended as follows: 1. The Norwich Commission for Persons with Disabilities is hereby created and shall have its principal office in City Hall, Norwich, Connecticut, or such other place as may be designated, and shall consist of nine seven members; to include four one members who are is a persons with disabilities, two one members who are is a relatives of one or more persons with disabilities or who regularly work with or provide services to one or more persons with disabilities; and three four additional members. who are not required to be eligible for appointment as a member of any of the three categories specified herein, but who may be a member of one or more of the specified categories. Members of the commission, who all must be electors of the City of Norwich, shall be appointed by the council, and shall serve for a term of two years, or until their successors shall be duly appointed. It shall not be a disqualification to the appointment of an individual who could be representative in any of the three specified categories listed herein as one of the four additional members to be appointed by the council and such appointments are to be encouraged. 2. This ordinance shall take effect on August 1, 2022. Members of the Commission for Persons with Disabilities serving as of August 1, 2022 shall serve out their terms of office with the adoption of this amended ordinance notwithstanding, may be reclassified as to membership. Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom President Pro Tem Joseph A. DeLucia Alderwoman Stacy Gould Alderman Derell Q. Wilson  PUBLIC HEARING #2 AN ORDINANCE REPEALING SECTION 16-4 OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES WHEREAS, as a result of terrorist acts occurring on September 11, 2001 the city of Norwich, on April 1, 2002, adopted Ordinance No. 1473 now codified as section 16-4 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances which provides that the city of Norwich will pay the difference between the municipal employee’s salary and that employee’s temporary military pay as well as the employee’s customary benefits for a period of one year in the event an employee is called to active duty; and WHEREAS, pay and/or benefits associated with the calling up of municipal employees for active duty, active service or training are set forth in state and federal statutes and regulations, and applicable collective bargaining provisions, if any; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that Section 16-4 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances which provides: The City of Norwich will pay the difference between the salary of a municipal employee and that employee’s temporary pay as well as the employee’s customary benefits for a period of one (1) year in the event the employee is called to active duty. Such expenditures shall be authorized from the corresponding salary account for each employee. is repealed in its entirety, with the issues of pay and/or benefits associated with active duty, active service and/or training controlled by state and federal statutes and regulations, and applicable collective bargaining provisions, if any. Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom President Pro Tem Joseph A. DeLucia Alderwoman Stacy Gould  PUBLIC HEARING #3 WHEREAS, the R.E. Van Norstrand Neighborhood Assistance Act, Chapter 228a of the Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S. 12-630aa-12-638) offers certain benefits to municipalities desiring to obtain the same and is administered by the State Department of Revenue Services (Commission of Revenue Services); and WHEREAS, the Neighborhood Assistance Act provides a tax credit for business firms which sponsor local programs; and WHEREAS, such programs must be proposed and conducted by private non-profit agencies or municipalities and be approved by the local legislative body; WHEREAS, a public hearing has been duly noticed and held on applications submitted to the City Manager’s office. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that it approves the following program proposals under the Neighborhood Assistance Act: 1. United Community & Family Services – Governor Samuel Huntington Mansion Window Replacement Project 2. Eastern Connecticut Housing Opportunities, Inc. – Heating System Energy Conservation Program -130 Washington St. & South 2nd Ave. 3. CT Radio Information System RIS-Audio Accessibility for People who are Blind or Print Challenged 4. United War Veterans Grand Army of the Republic Buckingham Memorial Association- Window Replacements at William Buckingham’s home 5. Norwich Historical Society, Inc. – Energy related upgrades to the c. 1772 Joseph Carpenter Silversmith Shop 6. Norwich Historical Society – Energy related upgrades to the circa 1789 East District School House 7. Norwich Historical Society, Inc. –Energy related upgrades for the c. 1750 Diah Manning House 8. Montessori Discovery School, Inc. – Campus-wide Energy Upgrades 9. St. Vincent de Paul Place Norwich, Inc. – Energy Upgrade-HVAC basement 10. Norwich Arts Center – Roof Replacement+ 11. St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church – Energy Efficient Dishwasher system with kitchen redesign as needed and appliance replacement Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom President Pro Tem Joseph A. DeLucia Alderwoman Stacy Gould  PUBLIC HEARING #4 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 $844,233; $15,000 anticipated return of loan (administration) for program year (PY) 2022; and Recapture Funds PY18 NCDC Signage $30,000, Sidewalks $39,528.53, PY 47 CDBG-CV Small Business Assistance $169,091.55 total recaptured ($274,452.08); 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 hold a meeting on the subject of Community Development Block Grant allocation recommendations for PY 2022. REVISED CDBG Requests - PY48 (2022-2023) FUNDING Anticipated PY 2022 Allocation $ 876,317.00 $ 844,233.00 Anticipated 2022 Recapture $ 274,452.08 $ 274,452.08 Total Anticipated Funding for PY48 program year $ 1,150,769.08 $ 1,118,685.08 CDAC Council PY48 Request Recommendation Recommendation CD Office - Administration (20% of Grant Funds) $ 168,840.00 $ 168,840.00 Anticipated Return of Loan Admin $ 75,000.00 $ 15,000.00 Total Projected Admin Expenditures $ 183,840.00 $ 183,840.00 Public Services Children in Placement - GAL $ 20,000.00 $ 20,000.00 Safe Futures - VALE $ 15,000.00 $ 15,000.00 Thames River Family Program $ 20,000.00 $ 20,000.00 Madonna Place $ 15,000.00 $ 15,000.00 IASC $ 7,000.00 $ 7,000.00 TVCCA Home Again $ 20,000.00 $ 20,000.00 OIC of NL County $ 30,000.00 $ 15,000.00 NRTP Vocational Training INELIGIBLE $ - $ - NHS - Rapid Rehousing Shelter Diversion $ 15,000.00 $ 15,000.00 NHS - Norwich Works $ 60,000.00 $ 45,000.00 Total Public Services $ 202,000.00 $ 172,000.00 Non-Public Services Prospect St - DPW $ 358,634.00 $ 182,843.08 Rosewood Manor Roof Gutters Phase II - NHA $ 150,000.00 $ 150,000.00 Property Rehabilitation Code Correction $ 225,000.00 $ 225,000.00 *Includes $33,795.55 Columbus Park Fence Replacement - DPW $ 84,700.00 $ 84,700.00 CV-Recapture HVAC - Futures, Inc $ 26,654.40 $ - *Includes $37,974 CV- Norwich Rec - Taftville Park Walking Track $ 37,974.00 $ 37,974.00 Recapture *Includes $97,322 CV- Norwich Rec - Lake Street Court & Parking $ 219,932.00 $ 97,322.00 Recapture Total Non-Public Services $ 1,102,894.40 $ 777,839.08 TOTALS Public Service $ 202,000.00 $ 172,000.00 Non-Public Service $ 1,102,894.40 $ 777,839.08 CD Administration $ 168,840.00 $ 168,840.00 Total All Requests $ 1,473,734.40 $ 1,118,679.08 Total Funding $ 1,150,769.08 $ 1,118,685.08 City Manager John L. Salomone PETITION & COMMUNICATION #1  RESOLUTION #1 WHEREAS, the R.E. Van Norstrand Neighborhood Assistance Act, Chapter 228a of the Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S. 12-630aa-12-638) offers certain benefits to municipalities desiring to obtain the same and is administered by the State Department of Revenue Services (Commission of Revenue Services); and WHEREAS, the Neighborhood Assistance Act provides a tax credit for business firms which sponsor local programs; and WHEREAS, such programs must be proposed and conducted by private non-profit agencies or municipalities and be approved by the local legislative body; WHEREAS, a public hearing has been duly noticed and held on applications submitted to the City Manager’s office. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that it approves the following program proposals under the Neighborhood Assistance Act: 1. United Community & Family Services – Governor Samuel Huntington Mansion Window Replacement Project 2. Eastern Connecticut Housing Opportunities, Inc. – Heating System Energy Conservation Program -130 Washington St. & South 2nd Ave. 3. CT Radio Information System RIS-Audio Accessibility for People who are Blind or Print Challenged 4. United War Veterans Grand Army of the Republic Buckingham Memorial Association- Window Replacements at William Buckingham’s home 5. Norwich Historical Society, Inc. – Energy related upgrades to the c. 1772 Joseph Carpenter Silversmith Shop 6. Norwich Historical Society – Energy related upgrades to the circa 1789 East District School House 7. Norwich Historical Society, Inc. –Energy related upgrades for the c. 1750 Diah Manning House 8. Montessori Discovery School, Inc. – Campus-wide Energy Upgrades 9. St. Vincent de Paul Place Norwich, Inc. – Energy Upgrade-HVAC basement 10. Norwich Arts Center – Roof Replacement+ 11. St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church – Energy Efficient Dishwasher system with kitchen redesign as needed and appliance replacement Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom President Pro Tem Joseph A. DeLucia Alderwoman Stacy Gould  RESOLUTION #2 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 $844,233; $15,000 anticipated return of loan (administration) for program year (PY) 2022; and Recapture Funds PY18 NCDC Signage $30,000, Sidewalks $39,528.53, PY 47 CDBG-CV Small Business Assistance $169,091.55 total recaptured ($274,452.08); 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 hold a meeting on the subject of Community Development Block Grant allocation recommendations for PY 2022. REVISED CDBG Requests - PY48 (2022-2023) FUNDING Anticipated PY 2022 Allocation $ 876,317.00 $ 844,233.00 Anticipated 2022 Recapture $ 274,452.08 $ 274,452.08 Total Anticipated Funding for PY48 program year $ 1,150,769.08 $ 1,118,685.08 CDAC Council PY48 Request Recommendation Recommendation CD Office - Administration (20% of Grant Funds) $ 168,840.00 $ 168,840.00 Anticipated Return of Loan Admin $ 75,000.00 $ 15,000.00 Total Projected Admin Expenditures $ 183,840.00 $ 183,840.00 Public Services Children in Placement - GAL $ 20,000.00 $ 20,000.00 Safe Futures - VALE $ 15,000.00 $ 15,000.00 Thames River Family Program $ 20,000.00 $ 20,000.00 Madonna Place $ 15,000.00 $ 15,000.00 IASC $ 7,000.00 $ 7,000.00 TVCCA Home Again $ 20,000.00 $ 20,000.00 OIC of NL County $ 30,000.00 $ 15,000.00 NRTP Vocational Training INELIGIBLE $ - $ - NHS - Rapid Rehousing Shelter Diversion $ 15,000.00 $ 15,000.00 NHS - Norwich Works $ 60,000.00 $ 45,000.00 Total Public Services $ 202,000.00 $ 172,000.00 Non-Public Services Prospect St - DPW $ 358,634.00 $ 182,843.08 Rosewood Manor Roof Gutters Phase II - NHA $ 150,000.00 $ 150,000.00 Property Rehabilitation Code Correction $ 225,000.00 $ 225,000.00 *Includes $33,795.55 Columbus Park Fence Replacement - DPW $ 84,700.00 $ 84,700.00 CV-Recapture HVAC - Futures, Inc $ 26,654.40 $ - *Includes $37,974 CV- Norwich Rec - Taftville Park Walking Track $ 37,974.00 $ 37,974.00 Recapture *Includes $97,322 CV- Norwich Rec - Lake Street Court & Parking $ 219,932.00 $ 97,322.00 Recapture Total Non-Public Services $ 1,102,894.40 $ 777,839.08 TOTALS Public Service $ 202,000.00 $ 172,000.00 Non-Public Service $ 1,102,894.40 $ 777,839.08 CD Administration $ 168,840.00 $ 168,840.00 Total All Requests $ 1,473,734.40 $ 1,118,679.08 Total Funding $ 1,150,769.08 $ 1,118,685.08 City Manager John L. Salomone  RESOLUTION #3 BE IT RESOLVED that the following be reappointed as a regular member to the Board of Assessment Appeals for a term to expire on June 1, 2024 or until a successor is appointed; Democles Angelopoulos (D) Alderwoman Tracey Burto Alderman Derell Q. Wilson  RESOLUTION #4 RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the property owners listed below want to participate in a cost sharing program with the City of Norwich to construct concrete sidewalks along their property; and WHEREAS, the City of Norwich wants to improve sidewalks throughout the City. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that: granite curbing and concrete sidewalks will be constructed at the following locations where the property owners will pay for an assessment for the cost of the sidewalks and the City of Norwich will pay for the cost of the curbing and miscellaneous items. Name Address Estimate Dallas Miller 61 Williams Street $6,702.84 George and Colleen Hardison 308 Boswell Avenue $4,525.00 Heather and Paul McKinney 21 Oak Street $3,704.40 Regan Miner 2 Town Street $14,534.42 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the cost of this project be funded from the existing capital budget line item for sidewalks, Capital Improvement Fund #3602 and the Sidewalk Fund, #2858, and that a public hearing be set at the second meeting of the City Council in June 2022. The estimated city’s cost for curbing and miscellaneous construction items is $ 16,218.00 Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom President Pro Tem Joseph A. DeLucia Alderwoman Stacy Gould