City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH October 16, 2023 The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held October 16, 2023 at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Nystrom, President Pro Tem DeLucia, Ald. Neuendorf, Gould, Singh, Burto and Nash. John Salomone City Manager, Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll were also in attendance. Mayor Nystrom presided. Please be advised that meetings of the Norwich City Council can be viewed in their entirety on the City of Norwich website “norwichct.org”. Ald. Neuendorf, read the opening prayer and Ald. Burto led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Nystrom called for citizen comment general. David Horst, Unitarian Universalist Church, spoke about a prayer vigil to be held for peace and reconciliation to be held on October 17, 2023 at 6:00 pm. Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm Ave., quoted Angela Davis “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” She applauded President Pro Tem DeLucia for voicing, his concern and not voting in favor of resolution #1 from the October 6, 2023 meeting concerning the Greenville playground mural. Pietro Camardella, 79 Lambert Dr., expressed his concern for the situation in Israel and wants to see our community proclaiming public support for Israel and against Hamas. There were no further speakers. Mayor Nystrom called for the following public hearing on AN ORDINANCE EXEMPTING THE ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE HOLY NEW MARTYRS AND CONFESSORS OF RUSSIA, INC. FROM THE PAYMENT OF TAXES ON CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED AT 8 HARLAND HEIGHTS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE. Mayor Nystrom called for those speaking in favor. There being none. Mayor Nystrom call for those speaking in opposition. There being no further speakers Mayor Nystrom declared the public hearing closed. Upon a motion of Ald. Nash, 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 Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to put the following ordinance introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia and Ald. Nash on the floor. Mayor Nystrom called for the second reading and action on AN ORDINANCE EXEMPTING THE ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE HOLY NEW MARTYRS AND CONFESSORS OF RUSSIA, INC. 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH October 16, 2023 FROM THE PAYMENT OF TAXES ON CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED AT 8 HARLAND HEIGHTS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE WHEREAS, that certain property located at 8 Harland Heights, Norwich, Connecticut was purchased by The Orthodox Church of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, Inc. on May 17, 2023 to be used as the dwelling house of the Priest; and, WHEREAS, said property since May 17, 2023 has been used for the dwelling house of the Priest by the Orthodox Church of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, Inc.; and, WHEREAS, said property was not considered to be tax exempt on the Grand List of October 1, 2022; and, WHEREAS, Connecticut General Statute Section 12-81(b) provides that any municipality may, by ordinance, provide that the property tax exemption authorized by any of subdivisions (7-16), inclusive, of section 12-81 shall be effective as of the date of acquisition of the property to which the exemption applies and shall, in such ordinance, provide procedure for reimbursement of the tax- exempt organization for any tax paid by it for a period subsequent to said date; and, WHEREAS, Connecticut General Statute Section 12-81(15) provides that real property, used by officiating clergymen as dwellings, shall be exempt from taxation; and, WHEREAS, the Orthodox Church of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, Inc. subsequently filed an M-3 application with the Norwich Assessor for the real property located at 8 Harland Heights to be eligible for the exemption based on its’ use; and, WHEREAS, the Assessor has approved the exempt status based on its current use; and, WHEREAS, taxes on the October 1, 2022 Grand List, which covers the period of October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023 were $6,290.06; and, WHEREAS, The Orthodox Church of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, Inc. has paid the first half of the real estate taxes on the October 1, 2022 Grand List for the property located at 8 Harland Heights in the total amount of $3,172.84; and, WHEREAS, The Orthodox Church of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, Inc., owned the property located at 8 Harland Heights for a period of 136 days on the October 1, 2022 grand list; and, WHEREAS, The Orthodox Church of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, Inc. would be entitled to a reimbursement in the amount of $2,343.28. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that such property at 8 Harland Heights be and hereby is exempted from the payment of any real estate taxes, interest or penalty due on the Grand List of October 1, 2022 from the date of purchase, May 17, 2023, as approved by the City Assessor, or until said premises are no longer used by The Orthodox Church of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, Inc. as the dwelling house of the Priest and the City of Norwich shall reimburse The Orthodox Church of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, Inc. for any City of Norwich real estate taxes paid by it on the Grand List of October 1, 2022 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH October 16, 2023 for the period subsequent to May 17, 2023; which reimbursement shall be in the sum of $2,343.28 for real estate taxes paid to the City of Norwich. On a roll call vote of 7-0 the above Ordinance passes. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the report from the Health Equity Committee. Report of the Health Equity Committee September 2023 Committee Members City Manager John Salomone or representative Patrick McCormack or representative of Uncas Health District Police Chief Patrick Daley or representative of the Norwich Police Department Ms. Brigid Marks or representative of the Norwich Department of Human Resources Director of Human Services, their successor or representative of the Norwich Human Services Department Ms. Shiela Hayes, Norwich NAACP Ms. Jennifer Granger or representative of United Community Family Services Healthcare Ms. Cathy Special or designee for the Otis Library Dr. Mohammed Qureshi, Hartford Healthcare Dr. Kyle McClaine, or representative of Hartford Healthcare Mr. Joseph Zuzel, Director of Community Health or representative, Hartford Healthcare (East) Melissa Meyers, Chief Executive Officer, or designee of Generations Laura Dietrich, Norwich Public Schools Director of Equity or representative After the amended resolution in Oct 2022, The Health Equity Committee met in November 2022, January 2023, March 2023, April 2023, and June 2023 for the 2022/2023 fiscal year. The committee has met in July 2023 and September 2023 in the 2023/2024 fiscal year. The Health Equity Committee has engaged in the following work: • Mission and Vision - Overview on Mission and Vision, elicit and share feedback from committee members about mission and vision language • Adopted the following mission “To eliminate disparities in health outcomes of all people in the City of Norwich due to all forms of current and historical systemic oppression, injustice, and discrimination” • Adopted the following vision “Everyone in the City of Norwich achieves their highest attainable level of health” • 6 areas of focus - identified and assigned members to each area of focus and set initial goals for each area. Numbers coincide with the resolution resolve points date July 19, 2021 (attached) 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH October 16, 2023 ● Health Equity Plan (3 & 4) Members: Cathy Special, _________________________ ● Data (aggregation and analysis) (5 & 6) Members: Patrick McCormack, Dr. Walia, _______________________ ● Direct Services (7 & 8) Members: Joseph Zuzel, Melissa Meyers, Dr. Walia ● Internal City processes (internal operations 9 & 10) Members: Brigid Marks, Kate Milde, Chief Patrick Daley ● Legislative advocacy (13 & 14) Members: Shiela Hayes, Patrick McCormack ● Goals and objectives (12) Members: __________________________ In the upcoming year, the Health Equity Health Committee will clearly define their role as they meet the goals of the resolution though mission and vision work. Committees have been assigned to all members. JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JULY 19, 2021 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; 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; 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH October 16, 2023 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 semiannual 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. Respectfully submitted 9/14/23 Joseph Zuzel Regional Director Community Health Hartford HealthCare Interim Chair City Manager’s Report To: Mayor Nystrom and members of the City Council From: John Salomone, City Manager Subject: City Manager’s Report Date: October 16, 2023 Meetings attended were with State representatives and legislators, Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) Southeastern Council of Governments Executive Committee Meeting (SCCOG), Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) City Coordination Meeting and CT Investment Fund (CIF) Stakeholders. 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH October 16, 2023 Our Public Works crews removed the Parklet from Broadway, as part of the lower Broadway improvements and the contractor started the construction of the permanent plaza configuration. The work will be complete by the end of the month. The Precast Concrete Deck beams for the larger of the two Sherman Street Bridges have been installed. Once the bridge deck is in place, the utilities can be reconnected to the new bridge. Work on the retaining walls along Asylum Street continues on schedule. Sherman Street will remain closed until next summer. The City’s fall brush pick-up was completed by Public Works in the month of September. Bagged Leaf collection will begin on November 20th. The Senior Center is assisting our residents with Medicare Open enrollment period which runs from October 15th to December 7th. Norwich residents can call Carolyn or Natalie for an appointment at (860) 889-5960. They currently have appointments available in November. The City Clerk’s office mailed absentee ballots on October 6th. If you need an application for an absentee ballot, please notify the City Clerk’s Office as soon as possible. Ballots must be received by Election Day, November 7th. There will be one drop box at City Hall’s Broadway entrance. If you need additional information, please call 860-823-3733. Thank you to Uncas Health for the yearly Flu Shot Clinics for our employees. Norwich Youth Family and Recreation Services will be holding their 6th Annual Trunk or Treat on Friday October 27th from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm at the Rose City Senior Center located at 8 Mahan Drive. The second annual NorWitch Strut event will be held on October 28th from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm downtown between Broadway and Bath Street. I have attached the City Departments, and Otis Library reports for quarter ending September 30th, 2023. Department Quarterly Reports Upon a motion of Ald. Gould seconded Ald. Nash, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted, pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes 1-200 (6), that the members of the Norwich City Council go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the acquisition or disposition of real estate or interests in real estate, when publicity regarding the proposed acquisition or disposition would cause a likelihood of an increased price to acquire and a diminished price to dispose of the property, and to review feasibility evaluations and reports made for the City of Norwich regarding such property, and to review information given the city in confidence not required to be disclosed by law. City Manager John Salomone, Deputy Comptroller Orla McKiernan, President of Norwich Community Development Corporation Kevin Brown, Director of Planning and Neighborhood Services Deanna Rhodes and Corporation Counsel Michael 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 7:46 pm to 8:19 pm, at which time Mayor Nystrom, stated no votes were taken. 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH October 16, 2023 Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Burto, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to resume the regular meeting. 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. Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm Ave., spoke with concern on resolution #3 ARPA $28,000,000. Wanting to know what the plan going forward is. She feels the proposed $385,000. To expand Mohegan Park is ill conceived. Wondering if the vote for the Police Station will pass? Mike Grillo, 202 N Wawecus Hill Rd., supports resolution #3 ARPA applauding the efforts and agreeing with confidentiality required for working through the process of the proposed Police Station project. There being no speakers Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. Upon a motion of Ald. Nash, 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 appointed with Council approval as a regular member of the Inland Wetlands, Water Courses and Conservation Commission for a term to expire on June 15, 2025 or until a successor is appointed: Christopher Seery (D) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Norwich hereby acknowledges the appointments of the above named to the Inland Wetlands, Water Courses and Conservation Commission. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Nash, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Ald. Gould, Ald, Nash and Ald. Neuendorf. WHEREAS, the Church of the Divine Providence (Divine Providence Parish) will hold a “Taste of Poland Festival” on Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 2:00-6:00 PM at Howard Brown Park located on the Norwich waterfront at 100 Chelsea Harbor Drive, Norwich, Connecticut featuring Dennis Polisky & Maestro’s Men, a Grammy nominated, Polka Hall of Fame band, live music with free admission and parking, with art activities, and authentic Polish food; and WHEREAS, the organizer, Divine Providence Parish, proposes to make available beer for sale during the festival, the proceeds of the sales of beer and food to be used to support various programs and 7  JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH October 16, 2023 activities sponsored by the Divine Providence Parish, the sales of beer to be handled by an appropriate licensed and permitted entity. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that, pursuant to Section 13.14.2 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances, City Manager John Salomone be and hereby is authorized to grant the Divine Providence Parish permission to sell beer at its “Taste of Poland Festival” to be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at the Howard T. Brown Park, subject to satisfactory proof that the Divine Providence Parish has complied with the applicable regulations of the State Liquor Commission; that identification will be mandatory from each person purchasing an alcoholic beverage; that the sales of beer will be made under a proper liquor license, and that proper insurances will be obtained and maintained by the Divine Providence Parish and any vendor of beer for the event. 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. Relative to amendment of existing American Rescue Plan Act allocations. RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the American Rescue Plan Act allocations adopted previously, be amended as follows: ARPA Exp. Details of requested Current Change City Manager Project Brief Description Dept/ No. Code change balance + / (-) recommended # Entity unspent Decrease appropriation of funds to make available to 3.1-Public Law enforcement Police reprogram. PD continues $500,000 back to 1 ARP01 Sector to reduce gun $715,196 ($500,000) Dept to have difficulty hiring available balance Workforce: violence persons qualified to be Public Safety police officers. Additional funds for this 2.35-Negative project, to include the Economic stairs to connect from Uncas Leap Public $150,000 from 2 ARP02 Impacts: Aid to Yantic to Sachem streets. $2,401,793 $150,000 Heritage Park Works available balance Tourism, Travel $90K is currently in or Hospitality Capital for the stairs, bid is $225K. 2.22-Negative Allow $28K from balance Senior Center: Economic to be used to purchase assist with Human $0 no change to 3 ARP42 Impacts: Strong additional vehicle which $45,188 $0 transportation for Services bottom line Healthy will increase capacity of seniors. Communities services. 8  JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH October 16, 2023 No. Current Project ARPA Exp. Dept/ Details of requested Change +/(- City Manager Brief Description balance # Code Entity change ) recommended unspent CRCOG have agreed both Loan and Grant funds, however Grant is 2.37-Negative not available as yet. Economic YMCA project: Public $186,719 from ARP63 Project requires additional $338,244 $186,719 4 Impacts: other clean up Works available balance funds to prevent delays in assistance clean up. Grant funds can be offset when received. 2.37-Negative Additional funds of up to Norwich Economic Bridge $95K needed to award $95,000 from 5 ARP51 Golf $143,800 $95,000 Impacts: other replacement lowest bid to complete available balance Course assistance project. Purchase of Land Purchase for Open Space 2.37-Negative adjacent to or potential future site for 6 New Economic Public $385,000 from Mohegan Park Police Dept. Such project N/A $385,000 Project Impacts: other Works available balance and Senior would require a assistance Center. referendum. NET Total Dollar Amount $316,719 Prior BALANCE OF FUNDS AVAILABLE $316,719 $0 REVISED FUNDS AVAILABLE AFTER ABOVE PROPOSED CHANGES All available funds will be allocated Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Nash, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to put the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Ald. Gould and Ald. Singh. WHEREAS, on September 18, 2023 the Council of the City of Norwich adopted a resolution acknowledging the proposed assignment of the Ground Lease and Development Agreement for the Norwich Marina from JCM Norwich Marina Acquisitions, LLC to Patten Marina Holdings, LLC having concluded that Patten Marina Holdings, LLC is likely to be of sound financial standing sufficient to provide reasonable assurance of being financially able to perform its obligations under the Ground Lease and Development Agreement, the assignment of the Ground Lease and Development Agreement expected to take place within thirty (30) days of the adoption of the 9 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH October 16, 2023 resolution and authorized and directed City Manager John Salomone to execute and deliver on behalf of the city its consent to the assignment of the Ground Lease and Development Agreement; and WHEREAS, this resolution also authorized and directed City Manager John Salomone to negotiate, execute, and deliver on behalf of the city, such agreements and other documentation as he may deem prudent and necessary to effectuate the transition to new agreements based on the presently existing economic reality with Patten Marina Holdings, LLC which new agreements were to include a number of specified items or categories of items; and WHEREAS, the City Manager, Kevin Brown of the Norwich Community Development Corporation, and its attorney and the Corporation Counsel have had a number of discussions with representatives of Patten Marina Holdings, LLC and with its attorney and have come to a number of understandings as well as identified areas for continuing discussions and negotiations; and WHEREAS, JCM Norwich Marina Acquisitions, LLC and Patten Marina Holdings, LLC plan to hold a closing to assign to Patten Marina Holdings, LLC the Ground Lease, and Development Agreement within the next several days; and WHEREAS, at the time of the previous assignment of the Ground Lease and Development Agreement from the American Wharf Development Corporation to JCM Norwich Marina Acquisitions, LLC, the Consent and Certificate executed by City Manager Alan Bergren on October 28, 2011 recognized that the Phase I and Phase II developments as called for in the Development Agreement had been materially and substantially performed and discharged and affirmative waived any rights to claim of default by JCM Norwich Marina Acquisitions, LLC of its obligation as successor developer under the Development Agreement and/or the Ground Lease with respect to the obligations to construct and develop the Phase I and Phase II Developments; and WHEREAS, said Certificate and Consent further recognized that the obligations of the American Wharf Development Corporation with respect to the Development Agreement as to Phase III and Phase IV, and a Pedestrian Foot Bridge called for in Article 6 of the Development Agreement were in part deemed satisfied, in part deemed superseded or waived, and may in part remain unsatisfied; and WHEREAS, through ongoing discussions in connection with the assignment of the Ground Lease and Development Agreement to Patten Marina Holdings, LLC it has become apparent that many of the initial terms and conditions of the Development Agreement and Ground Lease need to be reconsidered to include the terminating the Development Agreement and the entering into a new Ground Lease incorporating appropriate terms from the Development Agreement or a new Development Agreement, and provide an option to purchase the property in form of Patten Marina Holdings, LLC, said new Ground Lease and/or Development Agreement to recognize the city’s interest as expressed in the council’s resolution of September 18, 2023. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that City Manager John Salomone be and hereby is authorized and directed to execute and deliver on behalf of the city such consents, certificates, and other documentation as he may deem prudent and necessary to document the status of the Marina Ground Lease and Marina Development Agreement and to consent to their assignment by JCM Norwich Marina Acquisitions, LLC to Patten Marina Holdings, LLC, or a related entity; and 10 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH October 16, 2023 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that City Manager John Salomone be and hereby is authorized and directed to continue his negotiations with Patten Marina Holdings, LLC in an effort to agree upon a new Ground Lease containing an option for purchase the property developed under the Phase I, Phase II and Phase IV of the Development Agreement in favor of Patten Marina Holdings, LLC or to provide under an agreement satisfactory to him for the termination of the existing Development Agreement the incorporation of necessary protections for the city in a new Ground Lease or a new Development Agreement to include the elimination of the base rent payments of $5,000 per annum in the years 2024, 2025, 2026, and the $230,000 payment in the year 2027, and to negotiate a new rent structure for the remaining years of the present Ground Lease should an option to purchase not be exercised. Upon a motion of Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to refer the following ordinance to Commission on the City Plan and schedule a public hearing for November 20, 2023 introduced by, Mayor Nystrom, Ald. Gould and Ald. Singh. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING REGULATIONS OF THE CITY OF NORWICH TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF PUBLIC ACT NO. 23-142 WHEREAS, Public Act No. 23-142, section 1 became effective on October 1, 2023 and provides that: “[N]o zoning regulation shall treat any family, childcare home, or group childcare home, located in a residence and licensed by the Office of Early Childhood pursuant to Chapter 368a, in a manner different from single or multi-family dwellings”; and WHEREAS, Public Act No. 23-142 provides that zoning regulation shall not prohibit the operation in a residential zone of any family, childcare home or group childcare home located in a residence, or require any special zoning permit or special zoning exception for such operation; and WHEREAS, Public Act No. 23-142 provides that not later than December 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, each municipality shall submit to the Office of Policy and Management a sworn statement from the chief executive officer of the municipality stating that the municipality’s zoning ordinances are in compliance, or the specific timeframe within which the municipality will bring its zoning ordinances into compliance; and WHEREAS, this ordinance is intended to amend the Norwich Zoning Regulations such that they will comply with the requirements established by Public Act. No. 23-142, with changes being made to the following sections of the Norwich Zoning Ordinance. NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the following sections of the Norwich Zoning Regulations be amended or repealed as follows: CHAPTER 1 RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS Section 1.2 Summary of Residential Uses by Zoning District, Table Legend, Home-Based Business Family day child care homes 11 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH October 16, 2023 Group day child care homes; and allow as an accessory use instead of requiring a Special Permit in the R-80, R—40, R-20, and multi-family zones. Section 1.3.3.1.2 “Family or Group child day care home” in accordance with C.G.S. S 19a-77, as amended. Section 1.3.3.4.4 Group day care home. .5 Major home occupation in accordance with section 6.1. Section 1.4.3.1.2 “Family or Group child day care home” in accordance with C.G.S. § 19a- 77, as amended. Section 1.4.3.4.4 Group day care home. .5 Major home occupation in accordance with section 6.1. Section 1.5.3.1.2 “Family day or Group child care home” in accordance with C.G.S. § 19a-77, as amended. Section 1.5.3.4.4 Group day care home. .5 Major home occupation in accordance with section 6.1. CHAPTER 2 NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT, NC. Section 2.3.2.4.4 Family day or Group Child care homes in accordance with C.G.S. § 19a-77, as amended Section 2.3.2.4.4 Child day care center. Section 2.3.3.1.2 Family day or Group child care home in accordance with C.G.S. § 19a-77, as amended Section 2.3.3.4.4 Group day care home. Drive-through windows, as accessory to a permitted use in accordance with Section 6.16. Section 2.4.3.1.2 Family day or Group Child care home in accordance with C.G.S. § 19a-77, as amended. Section 2.4.3.1.7 Employee amenities (e.g., clinic, commissary, recreation center, day child care center). Section 2.4.3.4.4 Group day care home. Section 2.5.3.1.2 Family day or Group child care home in accordance with C.G.S. § 191-77, as amended. Section 2.5.3.1.7 Employee amenities (e.g., clinic, commissary, recreation center, day child care center) 12 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH October 16, 2023 Section 2.6.3.1.2 Family day or Group child care home in accordance with C.G.S. § 19a-77, as amended. Section 2.6.3.1.7 Employee amenities (e.g., clinic, commissary, recreation center, day child care center) Section 2.7.3.4.5 Group day care home. Section 2.9.3.1.4 Employee amenities (e.g., clinic, commissary, recreation center, day child care center) Section 2.10.4.1.4 Employee amenities (e.g., clinic, commissary, recreation center, day child care center) Section 2.11.3.1.4 Employee amenities (e.g., clinic, commissary, recreation center, day child care center) CHAPTER 5 BASIC STANDARDS Section 5.1.2 Group day care homes and day Child care centers – 1 space per employee plus one space for every 6 children enrolled CHAPTER 6 USE REQUIREMENTS Section 6.12.4 Accessory uses such as day child care centers, professional offices, out- patient treatment centers and such other uses as are commonly associated with and maintained in conjunction with the principal use, provided the total area devoted to accessory uses shall not exceed 35 percent of the total floor area of the entire facility may be conducted on the lot. CHAPTER 9 DEFINITIONS Section 9.2 DAY CARE RELATED TERMS Day Care is a program of supplementary care provided to one or more persons on a regularly recurring, but part-time basis, in a place other than the recipient’s own dwelling. Day Care, Animal – see ANIMAL RELATED TERMS Day Child Care Center is defined in C.G.S. § 19a-77 Family Day Child Care Home is defined in C.G.S. §19a-77 Group Day Child Care Home is defined in C.G.S. § 19a-77 Family day child care home – see DAYCARE RELATED TERMS 13 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH October 16, 2023 Mayor Nystrom read and presented the following proclamation to the City Treasurer, Michael Gaultieri. PROCLAM AT ION WHEREAS, Michael Gualtieri was elected in 2015 to the position of Treasurer of the City of Norwich; and WHEREAS, while in office Michael Gualtieri has met with many bankers and has arranged lower interest rates for the Rose City; and WHEREAS, in 2022 the interest paid to Norwich was $ 221,857.00 and in 2023 the interest was $ 2,184,393.00 over $ 1,962,000 million over fiscal year 2022, this is an 885% increase and in the first quarter of this fiscal year and we have collected $ 1,000,000.00 already thanks to Mike Gualtieri’ s negotiations; and WHEREAS, Michael Gualtieri proposed the Pension Bond to pay off the pension debt Norwich held which should save the Rose City over the course of twenty years over $ 40,000,000.00; and WHEREAS, Michael Gualtieri lives with his wife of 39 years, Stacey and has two children Gabrielle and Vincent and enjoys fishing, golf, wildlife travel and working in the yard; and WHEREAS, Michael Gualtieri is retiring and the City of Norwich thanks him for his hard work and will miss him but we wish him enjoyment in his retirement. NOW THEREFORE, I, MAYOR PETER ALBERT NYSTROM AND NORWICH CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM, JOSEPH A. DELUCIA, ON BEHALF OF THE NORWICH CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, do hereby thank Michael Gualtieri on his retirement wish him the best. Dated this Thirteenth day of October, 2023 Peter Albert Nystrom Joseph A. DeLucia Mayor President Pro Tem Stacy Gould Tracey Burto Councilwoman Councilwoman Bill Nash Grant Neuendorf Councilman Councilman Swaranjit Singh Councilman Upon motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Nash on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:40 pm. City Clerk 14