City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH DECEMBER 5, 2022 The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held December 5, 2022 at 7:30 PM at Kelly STEAM Magnet Middle School. 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. President Pro Tem DeLucia 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”. Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Burto, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the following minutes of November 7 and 21, 2022. Mayor Nystrom read the following Proclamation: 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH DECEMBER 5, 2022 Please be advised that meetings of the Norwich City Council can be viewed in their entirety on the City of Norwich website “norwichct.org”. SECOND READING AND ACTION ON THE BELOW ORDINANCES PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED (November 21, 2022) Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, 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. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Burto, on a roll call vote it was voted to put the following ordinance introduced by President Pro Tem DeLucia, and Ald. Burto on the floor and for discussion and a presentation by President Pro Tem DeLucia for approximately 20 minutes covering both ordinances. Mayor Nystrom asked if any objections, discussion ensued. On a roll call vote of 5-2 with Ald. Gould and Mayor Nystrom voting in opposition motion passes. President Pro Tem DeLucia gave a presentation on the following ordinances, after 20 minutes Mayor Nystrom asked him to summarize. Discussion ensued. President Pro Tem DeLucia appealed the chair for more time. On a motion of President Pro Tem DeLucia, seconded by Ald. Wilson, on a roll call vote 4-3 with Mayor Nystrom, Ald. Neuendorf and Gould voting in opposition the motion passed for more time. Upon a motion to suspend the rule of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Neuendorf, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to give the Chiefs an opportunity to come to the podium to speak. Chief Eyberse, Yantic Volunteer Fire Chief, stated President Pro Tem DeLucias comments do not deserve a response they are very one sided and somewhat misguided. Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Burto, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted go back to regular session. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 8-17 OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES WHEREAS, the providing of fire protection is a public function that falls within the state’s police power and Connecticut has delegated this function to local municipalities through Gen. Stat. Section 7- 148(c)(4)(B) which statute provides that any municipality shall have the power to: “[p]rovide for fire protection, organize, maintain and regulate the persons providing fire protection, provide the necessary apparatus for extinguishing fires and do all other things necessary or desirable for the protection of the municipality from fire”. . . ;and WHEREAS, the City of Norwich is responsible for the protection of life and property from fire and for the enforcement of all laws, ordinances and regulations relating to fire protection and fire safety within the City of Norwich; and WHEREAS the Charter of the City of Norwich, in Chapter 10, Section 4, provides that there shall be a fire department consisting of the fire chief and such other officers and employees of such ranks and grades as maybe prescribed by ordinance, which fire department shall be responsible for the protection of life and property within the city from fire and for the enforcement of all laws, ordinances and regulations relating to fire prevention and fire safety; and 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH DECEMBER 5, 2022 WHEREAS, the City of Norwich also relies upon five (5) volunteer fire companies located within different sections of the City of Norwich for the provision of fire protection and, the Charter, at Chapter X section 6, provides: “Nothing in this charter shall be construed to affect the organization, status or property of any volunteer fire company now established or which may hereafter be established in the city. Whenever paid and volunteer companies are acting together, they shall be under the command of the fire chief.”; and WHEREAS, the fire department and the five (5) volunteer companies are collectively described herein as the “Fire Service”, and all utilize and rely upon apparatus and equipment provided by the City of Norwich in connection with their fire protection, fire control, and fire prevention responsibilities; and WHEREAS, the City of Norwich commissioned an analysis of the Fire/EMS services in Norwich by McGrath Consulting Group, Inc., which prepared a detailed report of its analysis and made a number of recommendations relative to supporting, improving, and updating the provision of fire protection, fire control, fire prevention, and other fire related services in the City of Norwich, including the delivery of the most efficient and cost effective services to all of Norwich, the council agreeing with its recommendation that such services be provided with a focus on “WHAT IS BEST FOR THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDING THE SERVICE”; and WHEREAS, the city of Norwich is in the process of updating its communication and dispatch services to, among other things, improve communications among the components of the fire service; and WHEREAS, this Ordinance is intended to amend and supplement Ordinance 8-17 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances with a goal of providing the best, most efficient and cost-effective service for all of Norwich, acknowledging that the primary focus of the Fire Service of the City of Norwich should be and remain the “WHAT IS BEST FOR THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDING THE SERVICE.” NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the following amendment to section 8-17 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances be and hereby are adopted. Sec. 8-17 – Responding to Alarms and calls for service (a) The city manager may permit the fire department established in Chapter X, section 4 of the Charter of the City of Norwich (the Norwich Fire Department) to respond to alarms and other incidents as determined by the city manager outside the limits of the city consolidation district, and the volunteer fire companies to respond in cases of serious emergency or otherwise to assist the fire department in responding to alarms in the city consolidation district. (b) The city manager may permit the use of fire apparatus belonging to the city in places outside of the city. He may confer upon the fire chief and the chiefs of the respective volunteer fire companies’ authority to permit such use, subject, however, to such regulations and instructions as the chief executive officer may impose. (c) The city of Norwich shall institute and have an automatic aid policy pursuant to which: (1) The Norwich Fire Department (sometimes referred to as the career fire department or the paid fire department) shall be on automatic aid assignment to all reported structure fires and other such calls as directed by current policy established by the city manager; 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH DECEMBER 5, 2022 (2) The Norwich Fire Department shall be on automatic aid assignment to all re-tones of a volunteer fire company established within the city of Norwich for a fire or other emergency occurring within the boundaries of the city of Norwich; (3) The Norwich Fire Department shall be on automatic aid assignment for all fire calls and all calls pertaining to situations or conditions posing a risk of causing serious damage to or the disabling of city assets, including, but not limited to, all structures and properties which are owned by the city, leased by the city, or operated by the city or any of its departments; (4) The Norwich Fire Department shall receive automatic aid from the volunteer companies as prescribed in an automatic aid policy as established by the city manager; (5) For purposes of such automatic aid policy, a “response” is defined as a fire apparatus enroute and staffed by at least two (2) certified interior fire fighters; (6) For purposes of such automatic aid policy, a “re-tone” is defined as an emergency call when there is no response within five (5) minutes, or sooner as current policy dictates, from the time of the original dispatch. On a roll call vote of 4 to 3 with Mayor Nystrom, Ald. Neuendorf and Gould voting in opposition the above ordinance passes. Upon a motion of President Pro Tem DeLucia, seconded by Ald. Wilson, 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 DeLucia, seconded by Ald. Wilson, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to put the following ordinance introduced by President Pro Tem DeLucia, and Ald. Burto on the floor. AN ORDINANCE REPEALING SECTION 8-18 OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES AND REPLACING IT WITH AN AMENDED SECTION 8-18. WHEREAS, the providing of fire protection is a public function that falls within the state’s police power and Connecticut has delegated this function to local municipalities through Gen. Stat. Section 7- 148(c)(4)(B) which statute provides that any municipality shall have the power to: “[p]rovide for fire protection, organize, maintain and regulate the persons providing fire protection, provide the necessary apparatus for extinguishing fires and do all other things necessary or desirable for the protection of the municipality from fire”. . . ;and WHEREAS, the City of Norwich is responsible for the protection of life and property from fire and for the enforcement of all laws, ordinances and regulations relating to fire protection and fire safety within the City of Norwich; and WHEREAS the Charter of the City of Norwich, in Chapter 10, Section 4, provides that there shall be a fire department consisting of the fire chief and such other officers and employees of such ranks and grades as maybe prescribed by ordinance, which fire department shall be responsible for the protection of life and property within the city from fire and for the enforcement of all laws, ordinances and regulations relating to fire prevention and fire safety; and 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH DECEMBER 5, 2022 WHEREAS, the City of Norwich also relies upon five (5) volunteer fire companies located within different sections of the City of Norwich for the provision of fire protection and, the Charter, at Chapter X section 6, provides: “Nothing in this charter shall be construed to affect the organization, status or property of any volunteer fire company now established or which may hereafter be established in the city. Whenever paid and volunteer companies are acting together, they shall be under the command of the fire chief.”; and WHEREAS, the fire department and the five (5) volunteer companies are collectively described herein as the “Fire Service”, and all utilize and rely upon apparatus and equipment provided by the City of Norwich in connection with their fire protection, fire control, and fire prevention responsibilities; and WHEREAS, the City of Norwich commissioned an analysis of the Fire/EMS services in Norwich by McGrath Consulting Group, Inc., which prepared a detailed report of its analysis and made a number of recommendations relative to supporting, improving, and updating the provision of fire protection, fire control, fire prevention, and other fire related services in the City of Norwich, including the delivery of the most efficient and cost effective services to all of Norwich, the council agreeing with its recommendation that such services be provided with a focus on “WHAT IS BEST FOR THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDING THE SERVICE”; and WHEREAS, the city of Norwich is in the process of updating its communication and dispatch services to, among other things, improve communications among the components of the fire service; and WHEREAS, the McGrath Report recommends standardization of fire apparatus and equipment; and WHEREAS, this Ordinance is intended to amend and supplement Ordinance 8-17 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances with a goal of providing the best, most efficient and cost-effective service for all of Norwich, acknowledging that the primary focus of the Fire Service of the City of Norwich should be and remain the “WHAT IS BEST FOR THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDING THE SERVICE.” NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that section 8-18 be repealed in its entirety and the following substituted therefor. Sec. 8-18 Centralized purchasing protocol and common apparatus and equipment specification, procurement and replacement procedure (a) This section is intended to supplement the purchasing requirements of the city of Norwich established in Article II of Chapter VII of the Code of Ordinances but is not intended to repeal, limit or overturn any of the requirements therein established with respect to city purchases. (b) Definitions. (1) “FIRE DEPARTMENT” shall mean the fire department established pursuant to section 4 of Chapter X of the Charter of the city of Norwich. (2) “VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY” shall mean any volunteer fire company now established or which may hereafter be established within the city of Norwich. (3) “FIRE SERVICE” shall mean the fire department and the five (5) volunteer fire companies described collectively, to include any volunteer company which may hereafter be established within the city of Norwich. 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH DECEMBER 5, 2022 (4) “APPARATUS” shall mean the three (3) main types of apparatus used in the Norwich fire service based on function. The three (3) main types of apparatus presently used are engines, aerial devices, and rescue. (5) “ENGINE” shall mean pumper truck, the primary function of which is fire attack with an onboard pump, water tank, tools and hose, but which may include subcategories such as an engine-tanker having a tank capacity of 1,000 gallons or more as well as tankers which are large capacity water delivery vehicles without hose or tools for firefighting. (6) “AERIAL DEVICE” shall mean a ladder truck which may have a mounted ladder which may or may not have a platform or bucket to operate from on the end of the mounted ladder. A ladder truck may also carry portable ladders. The terms “truck”, “tower”, and “ladder” are presently used to describe certain aerial devices used in the city of Norwich. (7) “RESCUE” shall mean a vehicle that carries specialized rescue equipment. (8) “SPECIALIZED VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT” shall mean other vehicles or marine units used by the fire service including a hose tender, off-road utility vehicle, dive boat, off-road vehicles, Marine-1 and small marine units. (c) The city of Norwich will establish a centralized purchasing protocol to create common apparatus specifications and procurement procedures relative to the acquisition of apparatus, specialized vehicles or equipment, utilized by the fire service, including personal protection equipment. The city manager, with the assistance of the fire chief, a chief of one of the volunteer fire companies selected by the chiefs of the volunteer fire companies for this purpose, or by the city manager if the selection is not made within sixty (60) days of the adoption of this ordinance, the fleet maintenance supervisor and the purchasing agent to (1) establish common base-standards and specifications for all apparatus including engines, aerial devices, rescue and specialized vehicles or equipment including personal protection equipment and all forms of equipment utilized by the fire service. This committee shall recommend to the city manager a centralized purchasing protocol within one hundred eighty (180) days of its formation, and a common apparatus specification and procurement procedures within a timeline directed by the city manager. The city manager shall then prepare a final proposed protocol and recommended common based standards and present the same to the public safety committee of the city council for review. (d) Whenever the chief of the fire department determines that the piece of apparatus needs to be replaced or a piece of apparatus needs to be acquired, he shall convey this information to the city manager. The city manager shall then convene a specification team to consist of the fire chief of the fire department or his designee, the chief of the volunteer fire company who has made the request or his designee, or the chief of the volunteer fire company appointed to the specifications committee when the request is initiated by the fire chief of the fire department, the fleet maintenance superintendent, and the purchasing agent. The specification team shall review the request and develop a set of specifications applicable to the apparatus if a common specification has not been previously established. 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH DECEMBER 5, 2022 The city manager shall recommend the specification so adopted to the city council in connection with a resolution authorizing the issuance of a request for proposals. The same information shall also be transmitted to the city council at the time it is considering a resolution approving of a bond and/or setting a referendum upon the proposed bid award. Any fire company may request a deviation from a common apparatus specification or for an upgrade from a common grade standard specification, but any cost above the cost of the specifications approved by the committee and the city manager, to the extent the deviation or the upgrade increases the cost of the city of Norwich to acquire the same, may not be paid for by city funds but may be paid for by funds of the requesting fire company. Understanding that there may be a need for a deviation from the common apparatus specifications under certain conditions the specification committee may approve such a deviation with the total cost to be paid by city funds. (e) When common based standards and/or specifications have been established, the bulk purchase of items and equipment to be utilized by the fire service, including personal protective equipment, shall be required whenever available and recommended by the city purchasing agent. (f) The Fire Study prepared by McGrath Consulting Group Inc. has recommended that various pieces of apparatus be removed from service or retired. The city manager shall appoint an apparatus reduction ad hoc committee to consist of the fire chief, the chiefs of the volunteer companies, and the fleet maintenance superintendent to select six (6) pieces of apparatus to be removed from service or retired without replacement. The committee is to make its recommendation to the council identifying the six (6) pieces of apparatus to be removed from service or retired and the basis for the recommendation on or before April 1, 2023 and the interim to issue monthly progress reports to the public safety committee of the city council. After April 1, 2023 any new apparatus to be acquired and paid for by the city of Norwich must replace a piece of apparatus then in use that is recommended to be decommissioned. (g) Recognizing that the apparatus and equipment provided to and utilized by the fire service is provided by the city of Norwich all members of the fire service shall be expected to avoid discriminatory practices in connection with their involvement with the fire service discriminating practices as are established by the city of Norwich or the State of Connecticut. On a roll call vote of 4 to 3 with Mayor Nystrom, Ald. Neuendorf and Gould voting in opposition the above Ordinance passes. Mayor Nystrom called for the following public hearing on AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF NORWICH/ CREATING BUSINESS MASTER PLAN DISTRICT Business Master Plan Document List of Public Hearing Exhibits 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH DECEMBER 5, 2022 The City Clerk read the following reports: 8 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH DECEMBER 5, 2022 9 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH DECEMBER 5, 2022 10 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH DECEMBER 5, 2022 Please be advised that meetings of the Norwich City Council can be viewed in their entirety on the City of Norwich website “norwichct.org”. Speaking in favor: Kevin Brown, President of Norwich Community Development Corporation, gave a presentation and stated this is just a zone change amendment from GC (General Commercial) and PDD (Planned Development) to BMPD (Business Master Plan District). Mark Block, Attorney for Norwich Community Development Corporation, talked about the technical aspects of this change to meet the thresholds. He stated this is to establish an overlay zone BMPD and is consistent with the POCD. Jeff Bord, Civil Engineer for Bohler, talked about exhibits H-J regarding the Zone change. 11 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH DECEMBER 5, 2022 Mark Block, Attorney for Norwich Community Development Corporation, talked about exhibits H-J regarding the Zone change. Scott Gladstone, 25 Old Canterbury Tpk, encouraged the neighbors and NCDC to work together to reach a common goal. Jill Zarcardi, 213 West Town St, stated this is just the zone change process and hopes all concerns are heard. Speaking in opposition: Charles Witt, 511 Canterbury Tpk, stated he is an abutter and it would disturb the wildlife in the area. Janette Witt, 511 Canterbury Tpk, stated it would be next to her property. Leon Baldwin, 35 Old Canterbury Tpk, talked about the increase in the traffic flow and felt property values would decrease. Asked for referendum vote. Tiffany Baldwin, 35 Old Canterbury Tpk, talked about the increased truck traffic and the impact on the wildlife. Edie Piscatelli, 44 Wales Rd, talked about the 13 properties in the current industrial park that are empty, the wildlife, saving open space, revaluation and safety risks in a residential area. Sue Jacobson, 256 Lawler Ln, concerned about wildlife, taxes and the safety of the roads. Mark Perkins, 81 Lawler Ln, doesn’t think the Council needs to spoil these neighborhoods. Chase Corcoran, 456 Canterbury Tpk, talked about the boundaries, buffers and heights of the buildings. Nicole Santerre, 452 Canterbury Tpk, concerned about the closeness, the round-a-bouts and asked for a buffer. Lisa Young, 77 White Plains Rd, feels the City is failing the residents. Rene Bibeault, 155 Baltic Rd, talked about the trucks and workers traffic which would impact on the road. Steve Browning, 671 Scotland Rd, had concerns on the character of the neighbors and expressed concerns about drainage. Joanne Philbrick, Norwichtown, stated she drove thru the industrial park and noted the several businesses were empty or non-profit. She stated the Council has a responsibility to the Citizens to listen and respect them. Janice Swain, 506 Canterbury Tpk, talked about the excess traffic on Canterbury Tpk and asked for more information. Erika Chiaradio, 538 Scotland Rd, asked if there was a handout and has many unanswered questions. Samuel Browning, 671 Scotland Rd, talked about using the 50 acres in the existing industrial park (Dodd Stadium). He asked to have it sent back to CCP and work with the people here. Marky Sharm, 61 Taftville Occum Rd, talked about the excess traffic on these roads. Ethan Lavoie, 392 Canterbury Tpk, stated this is not the right area for a Business Park. 12 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH DECEMBER 5, 2022 Donald Surprenant, 43 Wales Rd, spoke about the oil and grease from the trucks on the roadway, the effect on wetland and asked about the hours of operation. He stated the residents don’t deserve this. Bruce McCaffrey, 29 Wales Rd, talked about the eight story buildings, the wildlife and asked what is going into this park. Ryan Beckner, 210 Canterbury Tpk, agrees with others and feels this will destroy the neighborhood. Jessie Quay, 321 Canterbury Tpk, doesn’t want the excess traffic in her area and asked the Council to take a deeper look. Paul Carey, 538 Scotland Rd, asked the Council why when the public speaks they are not heard. Edie Piscatelli, 44 Wales Rd, asked what uses are now allowed in this area. Erika Chiaradio, 538 Scotland Rd, stated this is only a zone change and hopes if approved, it doesn’t open a can of worms. There being no further speakers Mayor Nystrom declared the public hearing will continue on December 19, 2022. Mayor called for a Public Hearing on AN ORDINANCE ADDING ARTICLE VII OF CHAPTER 7 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE MUNICIPAL TAXATION OF CANNABIS Speaking in favor: Raymond Henry, 18 Rogers Rd, asked why we are taxing the cannabis when it is taxed by the State. Shiela Hayes, 382 Laurel Hill Ave, asked if young adults and pre-school children are included in this ordinance. Speaking in opposition: There were no speakers. Upon a motion of Ald. Singh, 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. Singh, 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. Neuendorf on the floor. AN ORDINANCE ADDING ARTICLE VII OF CHAPTER 7 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE MUNICIPAL TAXATION OF CANNABIS WHEREAS, Section 12-330mm of the Connecticut General Statutes imposes a municipal gross receipts tax on sales of cannabis by cannabis retailers, hybrid retailers, and micro-cultivators and specifies how such taxes shall be invoiced and for what purposes such taxes may be spent; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich expects to have one or more cannabis retailers, hybrid retailers, and micro-cultivators operating in the City of Norwich. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the following sections be added in Article VII of Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances: 13 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH DECEMBER 5, 2022 ARTICLE VII. MUNICIPAL TAXATION OF CANNABIS Sec. 7-151. Designation of contact with commissioner of revenue services. The city designates the tax collector as the individual to whom the Connecticut commissioner of revenue services shall send notifications for municipal gross receipts tax on cannabis. Sec. 7-152 Gross receipts tax. Pursuant to C.G.S. §12-330mm, the tax collector shall invoice and collect a gross receipts tax on taxable sales of cannabis by cannabis retailers, hybrid retailers, and micro-cultivators using information provided by the Connecticut commissioner of revenue services along with any associated interest, penalties or other fees. The tax collector may impose liens for nonpayment of such taxes, interest, and penalties on the real property of cannabis retailers, hybrid retailers, and micro-cultivators. Sec. 7-153 Separate set of accounts. Cannabis gross receipts tax revenues and expenditures of those revenues shall be accounted for in a special revenue fund and not included in general fund revenues. Sec. 7-154 Expenditure of cannabis gross receipts tax revenues. The city manager shall submit a resolution proposing the use of unexpended and unencumbered cannabis gross receipts taxes to be spent in the following fiscal year for the City Council’s consideration at its first meeting in April. Any expenditures of cannabis gross receipt taxes shall be in accordance with the purposes allowed in C.G.S. §12-330mm(5): a. make improvements to the streetscapes and other neighborhood developments in and around each community in which a cannabis retailer, hybrid retailer or micro-cultivator is located, b. fund education programs or youth employment and training programs in such municipality, c. fund services for individuals released from the custody of the Commissioner of Correction, probation or parole and residing in such municipality, d. fund mental health or addiction services, e. fund youth service bureaus established pursuant to section 10-19m and to municipal juvenile review boards, f. fund efforts to promote civic engagement in communities in such municipality, or g. any other purpose later approved by amendment to C.G.S. §12-330mm(5). Purpose: To establish a framework for collecting and appropriating cannabis gross receipts tax revenues. Motion passes on a roll call vote of 7-0. Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Burto, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the above report from Commission on the City Plan. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Wilson, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the above report from Town of Lisbon. Upon a motion of Ald. Singh, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the above report from Southeastern Council of Governments. 14 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH DECEMBER 5, 2022 CITY MANAGERS REPORT To: Mayor Nystrom and members of the City Council From: John Salomone, City Manager Subject: City Manager’s Report Date: December 5, 2022 Meetings attended were NPU-City Coordination Meeting, NCDC Board of Directors meeting, State of CT Task Force to Study Indoor Air Quality in School Buildings, participated in a ratings call with Standard & Poors on December 1st for the City’s $9.5 million bond issue which will take place later in December, and staff meeting regarding next round of AARP funding. I also had the pleasure of attending the Connecticut Economic Development Summit which was organized by the state’s Development of Economic and Community Development. The standing room only event was attended by hundreds of business leaders and policymakers and focused on the 100,000 job openings in the state that are waiting for people to fill. There will be a virtual public Informational meeting regarding the pedestrian improvement on Norwich New London Turnpike at 5pm on December 14th. Information has been posted on the City website at www.norwichct.org and on the City’s Facebook page. The project spans from Town Street to Rt. 82 and included pedestrian improvements and bicycle lanes. The Otrobando Avenue culvert repairs have been completed and the road was reopened to traffic on November 30th on schedule. Norwich Human Services met with Norwich Public Utilities to expand their collaborative fee matching program and are formalizing their client service protocols. These changes will eliminate existing delays in fee payment and will reduce financial burdens for Norwich residents. The Adult & Family Services Division supplied food gift cards to 25 Norwich families to use for Thanksgiving thanks to the Norwich Rotary Club. Rose City Sr. Center has added 127 new members to the Center from July 1 thru November 2022. The Outreach Administrator and Benefits Counselor have provided over 100 seniors with Medicare open enrollment assistance which started October 15th and runs thru December 7th. Thank you to John and Bill Post who donated the plaque for employees of the former Norwich Savings Society who served in World War II. The plaque is displayed outside the City Clerk’s office thanks to our Norwich Public Works Department. Thank you to the committee volunteers, and entertainers for the 31st annual Light Up City Hall. Brown Park is also decorated again this year and can be viewed on the City website by clicking on the red tree at the top of the page. Thank you to Public Works team who designed and fabricated the metal lighted tree in the downtown roundabout when the cost of buying a tree of lights seemed excessive and the delivery time was questionable. Norwich Events Organization Light Parade was post-phoned due to weather and will be held on Friday December 9th at 6 pm. 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. Bob Malouf, 1 Coit Ln, member of the Golf Authority, explained the golf course budget and asked the Council for approval. Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. 15 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH DECEMBER 5, 2022 Upon a Motion of Ald. Singh, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously accept the following resolution introduced by John Salomone. WHEREAS, an agreement between the City of Norwich and the Norwich Golf Course Authority entered into at the time of the acquisition of the golf course by the City provided that the Norwich Golf Course Authority might not expend more than $100,000 in any one year without the approval of the Council of the City of Norwich; and WHEREAS, the Norwich Golf Course Authority has annually advised the Council of the City of Norwich of its expected revenues and expenses for the upcoming calendar year; and WHEREAS, the Norwich Golf Course Authority will need to expend more than $100,000 during the calendar year 2023 to meet operating and capital improvement expenses; and WHEREAS, the adopted operational and capital budget of the Norwich Golf Course Authority for 2023 anticipates receiving revenue of $1,354,104 from operations during 2023, and $200,000 from ARPA funds to replace an aging bridge over Trading Cove Brook and having budgeted expenditures of $1,553,899; including the bridge replacement and non-cash expenses for depreciation of facilities and equipment. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the Norwich Golf Course Authority be and hereby is authorized to expend up to $1,553,899 to include the bridge work during calendar year 2023 utilizing revenues received from operations and other available funds. Upon a motion by Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Burto, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to go into Executive Session pursuant to Connecticut General Statute Section 1-200(6) for the purpose to discuss the acquisition or disposition of real estate or interests in real estate when publicity regarding the site and proposal, including proposed construction, would adversely impact the price of the same as to the interest of the city, to review preliminary drafts concerning proposed development and use of the property feasibility estimates, and evaluations, the Council having determined that the public interest in withholding such clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure; as well as to review commercial or financial information provided in confidence not required by statute. City Manager John Salomone, Comptroller Josh Pothier, Director of Neighborhood Services, Deanna Rhodes, President Norwich Community Development Corporation, Kevin Brown, and Corporation Counsel Michael E. Driscoll, shall be asked to participate during all or portions of this Executive Session at the request of the City Council. The council was in Executive Session from 11:30 pm to 12:06 am, at which time Mayor Nystrom, stated no votes were taken. Upon a motion of Ald. Burto, seconded by Ald. Wilson, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to return to regular session. Upon motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Burto, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adjourn 12:07 AM. City Clerk 16