City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH April 1, 2024 The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held April 1, 2024 at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Nystrom, President Pro Tem DeLucia, Ald. Singh, Ald. Gould, Ald. Bettencourt, Ald. Hayes and Ald. Nash. City Manager John Salomone, 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. Nash, read the opening prayer and Ald. Hayes, led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Nystrom called for a moment of silence in honor of former US Senator Joseph Lieberman who passed on March 27, 2024, in honor of Lou Conter the oldest WWII, USS Arizona survivor from the Pearl Harbor attack who passed at the age of 102 years old today and for the casualties from the Baltimore, MD, Francis Scott Key Bridge, collapse that occurred on March 26, 2024. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Hayes, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the minutes of March 4, and 18, 2024. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Hayes, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the following communication. 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH April 1, 2024 CITY MANAGER REPORT City Managers Proposed 2024-2025 Budget Presentation Slides 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. Pat Curtin, Norwich Fire Battalion Chief, 60 Coburn Rd., Manchester, spoke in support of the replacement of Squad “A” stating the need is long overdue and he explained the importance of the apparatus. Tracy Montoya, Norwich Fire Chief, 25 Shawandasee Rd., Waterford, confirmed the previous speaker stating the vital need for the replacement of Squad “A”. Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm Ave., spoke in disappointment that of March 29th being the day of recognition of National Vietnam War Veterans Day was not recognized in the City of Norwich. She also spoke in support of replacing Squad “A”. She also pleaded with the Council to allow her to “help me to help you”. Things need to change in this city for every “action there is a reaction”. John Blackburn, 15 Alice St., responded to the previous speaker stating that a Vietnam Remembrance event is scheduled for April 27th at 10:00 at Rally Point that signifies the “Fall of Saigon”. There being no speakers Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Nash, the following old business resolution was put on the floor for reconsideration that was originally introduced by Ald. Gould, Ald. Hayes, and Ald. Bettencourt. Motion failed on a roll call vote of 4 to 3 with Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia, Ald. Hayes, Bettencourt, and Singh voting in opposition. BE IT RESOLVED, that the following be re-appointed to the School Building Committee (2020) with a term to expire on January 21, 2026 or until a successor is appointed: Peter Gauthier (D) Mark Bettencourt (D) Cindy Beauregard (U) Gregory Carabine (U) William Hull (D) Shiela Hayes (D) Gregory Ballassi (R) 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH April 1, 2024 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 City Manager Salomone. Relative to setting the first and second public hearings on the budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25. RESOLVED, that the first public hearing on the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25 will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2024, 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 2024-25 will be held on Monday, May 13, 2024 at 7:30 PM in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Salomone. To appropriate unexpended and unencumbered opioid settlement funds. WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich adopted ordinance 1835 on December 19, 2022 to establish a framework for collecting and appropriating opioid settlement funds; and WHEREAS, pursuant to ordinance 1835, the city manager shall submit a resolution proposing the use of unexpended and unencumbered opioid settlement funds to be spent in the following fiscal year for the City Council’s consideration at its first meeting in April; and WHEREAS, pursuant to ordinance 1835, any expenditures of opioid settlement funds shall be used exclusively for opioid abatement purposes, including, but not limited to, expanding access to opioid use disorder prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery options; and WHEREAS, as of the date of this resolution, the City has $130,910.84 of unexpended and unencumbered opioid settlement funds. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that $102,000 of opioid settlement funds be and hereby is appropriated as follows for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025: Org Obj Description Amount Notes 29024427 51610 Employees $28,000 One half of Triage Worker’s wages Seasonal/ Temporary 29024427 51620 20,000 Medical transport drivers Employees One half of Triage Worker’s benefits and payroll taxes for 29024427 52000 Fringe Benefits 24,000 Medical transport drivers 29024427 58718 Reliance Health 20,000 Partial funding for a recovery coach Transportation to care and other recovery-related 29024427 58730 Assistance Payments 10,000 assistance to clients Total $102,000 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH April 1, 2024 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 City Manager Salomone. To appropriate unexpended and unencumbered cannabis gross receipts tax revenues. WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich adopted ordinance 1834 on December 5, 2022 to establish a framework for collecting and appropriating cannabis gross receipts tax revenues; and WHEREAS, pursuant to ordinance 1834, the city manager shall submit a resolution proposing the use of unexpended and unencumbered cannabis gross receipts tax revenues to be spent in the following fiscal year for the City Council’s consideration at its first meeting in April; and WHEREAS, pursuant to ordinance 1834, any expenditures of cannabis gross receipts tax revenues shall be in accordance with the purposes allowed in C.G.S. §12-330mm(5), which include the provision of funding for 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; education programs or youth employment and training programs in such municipality; services for individuals released from the custody of the Commissioner of Correction, probation or parole and residing in such municipality; mental health or addiction services; youth service bureaus established pursuant to section 10-19m and to municipal juvenile review boards; efforts to promote civic engagement in communities in such municipality; or any other purpose later approved by amendment to C.G.S. §12-330mm(5).; and WHEREAS, as of the date of this resolution, the City has $71,758.56 of unexpended and unencumbered cannabis gross receipts tax revenues. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that $70,000 of cannabis gross receipts tax revenues be and hereby is appropriated as follows for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025: Org Obj Description Amount Notes Partial funding for Drug Free Communities Coordinator 29014427 51610 Employees $25,000 wages Partial funding for Drug Free Communities Coordinator 29014427 52000 Fringe Benefits 5,000 fringe benefits Community Engagement Hire contractor to assist City increase civic engagement – 29014427 53010 40,000 Coordinator especially among underserved populations Total $70,000 Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Hayes, on a roll call vote it was voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia Ald. Gould. To provided pay increases for the registrars of voters at the beginning of their next term. WHEREAS, the positions of the registrars of voters for the City of Norwich shall be filled for a new term starting January 8, 2025 at the election to take place on November 5, 2024; and 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH April 1, 2024 WHEREAS, recent changes in the laws and regulations of the State of Connecticut concerning elections, such as early voting, will cause the work of the registrars of voters to be more time- consuming. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the annual rate of pay for each of the registrars of voters be increased from $30,116 to $35,000; effective January 8, 2025. 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 City Manager Salomone on the floor. Upon a motion of Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia, seconded by Ald. Hayes, to postpone the following resolution until June 17, 2024. Upon a motion of Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia, seconded by Ald. Hayes, on a roll call vote the motion passed on a 4 to 3 vote with Mayor Nystrom, Ald. Nash and Ald. Gould voting in opposition. Relative to the reallocation of funding in the Capital Improvement Fund. 1. WHEREAS, the following projects from the City of Norwich’s Capital Improvement Fund have been completed, will be completed under their original allocations, or will be cancelled or deferred; leaving a total amount to be reallocated of $510,743.69: Ob Pr Amount to Department Org Project Description j oject Reallocate 3602 57 Public Works PW Street Building improvements 0.44 2007 242 3602 575 Public Works Recreation improvements 0.40 2010 05 3602 57 Public Works PW Building improvements 1,026.89 2015 247 3602 57 Public Works Yantic Lane Drainage 17,161.32 2017 242 3602 57 Public Works PW Building improvements 196.20 2017 247 3602 57 East Great Plain EGP Equipment 3.29 2018 303 3602 53 Public Works Stormwater system testing 17,033.10 2019 010 3602 57 Yantic Fire Marshal Office improvements 28,089.00 2019 207 3602 57 East Great Plain EGP Equipment 7,171.99 2019 303 3602 575 Public Works Recreation improvements 4,500.00 2019 05 3602 57 C2 Finance Senior Center parking lot cameras 171.61 4117 300 250 3602 57 C2 Finance Replace network firewall equipment 2,798.50 4117 340 303 3602 57 C2 Finance Replace telephone integrated servic 27,705.85 4117 340 304 3602 57 C2 Finance Replace small integrated service ro 37,500.00 4117 340 402 3602 57 C2 Public Works 23 Union Street Conference Room 866.83 4151 200 141 3602 57 C2 Police Renovate eight prisoner cells 17,421.53 4201 200 108 3602 57 C2 Police Redact/remote view body cameras 7,135.00 4201 340 072 3602 57 C2 Norwich Fire Mens shower room improvements 17,000.00 4202 200 068 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH April 1, 2024 3602 57 C2 Norwich Fire Stove - HQ 2,057.03 4202 200 409 3602 57 C2 Norwich Fire SKA-Pak Cylinders 951.00 4202 300 310 3602 57 C2 Norwich Fire Green Foam 125.00 4202 300 311 3602 57 C2 East Great Plain Replace 2 AEDs 18.85 4233 300 065 3602 57 C2 East Great Plain Battery Operated Rescue Tools 483.00 4233 300 211 3602 57 C2 East Great Plain Station Door 643.86 4233 300 214 3602 57 C2 East Great Plain Rescue Strut Kit 279.20 4233 300 215 3602 57 C2 East Great Plain Holmatro hyraulic hose replacement 2.00 4233 300 314 3602 57 C2 East Great Plain Nozzles and appliances 74.13 4233 300 315 3602 57 C2 East Great Plain Battery operated rescue tools 30,000.00 4233 300 316 3602 57 C2 East Great Plain Replace portable water pumps 816.00 4233 300 317 3602 57 C2 East Great Plain King Ceiling Training Prop 500.00 4233 300 416 3602 57 C2 East Great Plain Battery Operated Exhaust Fans 3,970.59 4233 300 419 3602 57 C2 Laurel Hill Training room improvements 2,385.41 4234 300 120 3602 57 C2 Laurel Hill Rescue Strut Kit 0.01 4234 300 221 3602 57 C2 Laurel Hill Generator for Squad 857.01 4234 300 222 3602 57 C2 Laurel Hill Headsets for Engine 62 3,030.00 4234 300 423 3602 57 C2 Occum Occum Fire Station improvements 305.80 4235 200 252 3602 571 C2 Taftville Parking lot lighting improvements 5,925.00 4236 00 146 3602 57 C2 Taftville Mobile and portable radios 28,702.73 4236 300 126 3602 57 C2 Taftville Grip Hoist 4,294.00 4236 300 231 3602 57 C2 Taftville Replace AED 5,685.00 4236 300 232 3602 57 C2 Taftville Underwater ROV 345.52 4236 300 326 3602 57 C2 Taftville Edraulic combination extrication 4,876.84 4236 300 426 3602 57 C2 Taftville Sonar unit for underwater ROV 363.48 4236 300 429 3602 57 C2 Taftville Boat Trailer 1,469.00 4236 320 228 3602 57 C2 Yantic FMO abatement improvements 4,068.01 4237 200 035 3602 57 C2 Yantic Exhaust System 1,101.00 4237 200 235 3602 57 C2 Yantic Pager replacements 5,000.00 4237 300 038 3602 57 C2 Yantic Turnout gear washer and dryer 1,624.00 4237 300 077 3602 57 C2 Yantic Pagers 5,850.00 4237 300 128 3602 57 C2 Public Works Brown Park electrical upgrades 853.39 4303 200 258 3602 57 C2 Public Works Replacement of Asphalt Hot box for 8,789.00 4303 300 435 3602 57 C2 Public Works Replacement of pavement line stripi 6,642.72 4303 300 436 3602 57 C2 Public Works Large rack body truck with lift gat 9,654.60 4303 320 334 3602 57 C2 Public Works 10 wheel dump truck 6,175.00 4303 320 335 3602 57 C2 Public Works Backhoe Replacement with wheeled Ex 44,380.00 4303 320 437 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH April 1, 2024 3602 57 C2 Public Works Mini articulated Loader with snow b 12,536.09 4303 320 439 3602 571 C2 Public Works Little Plains Park fence rehab 11,480.00 4305 00 142 3602 57 C2 Public Works Roof Maintenance 178.82 4305 200 241 3602 57 C2 Public Works AFS office renovations 205.94 4347 200 351 3602 57 C2 Public Works Dog Pound HVAC repairs 25.00 4347 200 356 3602 57 C2 Public Works Five passenger transport van 310.23 4417 320 340 3602 571 C2 Public Works Hamilton Ave baseball field improve 60.00 4503 00 050 3602 571 C2 Public Works Hamilton Ave basketball courts 1,850.00 4503 00 053 3602 571 C2 Public Works Thamesville basketball courts 11.83 4503 00 144 3602 571 C2 Public Works Bleachers at Moriarty and Jennings 6.00 4503 00 245 3602 571 C2 Public Works Dugout Booth and Roof Repairs 190.00 4503 00 248 3602 571 C2 Public Works Field Maintenance- 4 fields (2 Oule 4,005.15 4503 00 342 3602 57 C2 Public Works Renovate 10 John Edward Drive 95,260.89 4503 200 138 3602 57 C2 Public Works Storage Unit 1,730.61 4503 300 246 3602 57 C2 Public Works Zero-turn mower 4,813.00 4503 300 341 Total $510,743.69 ; and 2. WHEREAS, the following projects from the City of Norwich’s Capital Improvement Fund need funding of $510,743.69: O Pr Department Org Description Amount bject oject 3602 5 C2 Finance City Hall and police networking equipment 68,175.96 4117 7340 449 3602 5 C2 Police Crime Scene Software 24,556.53 4201 7340 206 3602 5 C2 Norwich Fire Turnout Gear - PPE - Full Sets 20,133.03 4202 7300 411 3602 5 C2 East Great Plain Turnout Gear 43,962.91 4233 7300 450 3602 5 C2 Laurel Hill Replace garage doors 6,272.43 4234 7200 319 3602 5 C2 Occum Turnout gear - full sets 305.80 4235 7300 424 3602 5 C2 Taftville Replace kitchen suppression system 51,661.57 4236 7200 075 3602 5 C2 Yantic CCTV system upgrade 18,500.00 4237 7200 331 3602 5 C2 Painting and maintenance to exterior of main Yantic 27,232.01 4237 7200 453 building and annex 3602 5 C2 Public Works Street sweeper 88,487.64 4303 7320 452 3602 5 C2 Public Works Roof maintenence to numerous City B 49,027.93 4305 7200 440 3602 5 C2 Public Works Renovate YFRS building 75 Mohegan Park Rd 95,260.89 4305 7200 451 3602 5 C2 Public Works Spayne basketball courts improvemen 17,166.99 4503 7100 345 Total $510,743.69 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH April 1, 2024 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the unexpended funds of $510,743.69 from the projects enumerated in (1) be and hereby are appropriated to the projects enumerated in (2). Upon a motion of Ald. Singh, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was voted to unanimously adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia and Ald. Gould. 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 Brett Meehan 41 Williams Street $7,598.00 Ganesha Hospitality LLC 352 Main Street $38,889.00 Lisa Siderewicz 6 Elm Street $7,140.00 Teodulo Campos 49-51 South A Street $8,023.98 Home Max LLC 152 Broad Street $6,104.89 Phelan Sharkey 27-29 Second Street $5,174.27 Tomasita and Fernando Ruiz 10 Pearl Street $11,741.96 First Baptist Church 239 West Main Street $10,279.30 First Baptist Church 20 Fairmount Street $6,777.70 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 April 2024. The estimated city’s cost for curbing and miscellaneous construction items is $81,941.90 Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was voted to unanimously adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia Ald. Gould and Ald. Singh. WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich on March 7, 2016 established a subcommittee of the council known as the Monument Committee to consider and recommend policies and procedures 8 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH April 1, 2024 with respect to the location, placement, maintenance and ownership of monuments, memorials, tablets, plaques, and markers placed or to be placed on municipal property, including privately financed and donated items, as well as policies and procedures to be used in reviewing offers to donate such to the city; and WHEREAS, this Committee filed a report on June 20, 2016 consisting of 1) a City of Norwich policy regarding monuments on city property; and 2) a City of Norwich information form to be completed regarding a proposal to donate a monument/memorial to be placed on city property; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich on September 7, 2016 directed a supplement to both the policy and the application form to include Mural-Permit or process for City of Norwich owned buildings only, which are to use and follow the requirements described for monuments, statues and memorials; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich has determined that the work of the Monuments Committee in evaluating applications has been effectively subsumed by the Public Works and Capital Projects subcommittee of the council such that the need for a separate Monuments Committee or subcommittee of the council no longer exists; and WHEREAS, the Public Works and Capital Projects subcommittee of the council recommends that the Monuments Committee as established by the resolutions referenced herein be dissolved; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich finds it will be in the best interest of the City of Norwich to dissolve the Monuments Committee at this point. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the Monuments Committee established by the resolutions referenced herein shall be dissolved with the obligation initially established for it including, but not limited to, recommendations on policies and procedures with respect to the location, placement, maintenance and ownership of monuments, memorials, tablets, plaques, and markers placed or to be placed on municipal property, including privately financed and donated items, as well as policies and procedures used for reviewing offers to donate such to the city, and the maintenance and creations of murals and similar works on City of Norwich owned buildings be exercised by the Public Works and Capital Projects subcommittee of the council. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Hayes, on a roll call vote it was voted to unanimously adopt the following resolution introduced by Ald. Gould, Ald. Hayes and Ald. Bettencourt. BE IT RESOLVED that the following be appointed as temporary members to the Board of Assessment Appeals for a term to expire on September 13, 2024. Angelo Yeitz (R) Edward David Thomas Jr. (R) Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was voted to unanimously adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia and Ald. Gould. 9 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH April 1, 2024 WHEREAS, the City of Norwich has been awarded a grant of $64,250 for the Capehart Mill Riverfront Park Project in connection with an application for funding made under the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s CERCLA 128(a) Grant Program Round 1; and WHEREAS, the grant will be used by the City of Norwich to complete Remedial Design Characterization Activities which include developing an updated Remedial Action Plan (RAP) and Soil Management Plan; and WHEREAS, the assessment work will enable the City of Norwich to develop an updated RAP that is aligned with the proposed end use to redevelop the 6.05-acre property into a municipal riverfront park; and WHEREAS, the City of Norwich will need to develop a draft Assistance Agreement Contract containing the key terms of the grant funding as well as any conditions that the City of Norwich must fulfill prior to accepting the funds, in accordance with the EPA’s Subaward Policy dated November 12, 2020 and upon delivery of the final DEEP contract the City of Norwich will have thirty (30) days to accept the terms and conditions and return the signed document to the project manager’s attention; 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 work with Planning Director Deanna Rhodes, and such other individuals as he may deem necessary to execute a satisfactory Assistance Agreement Contract and to return it with a certified copy of this resolution to the appropriate individual at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Protection. Upon a motion of Ald. Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Hayes, on a roll call vote it was unanimously decided to waive the full reading of the text, and set a public hearing on June 3, 2024, at 7:30 pm for the following ordinance introduced by City Manager Salomone. AN ORDINANCE RELATIVE TO THE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE CITY OF NORWICH AND THE CITY AND TOWN CONSOLIDATION DISTRICTS OF SAID CITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25. 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, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025 to wit: 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 Budget Budget Proposed City Council 438,638 480,797 530,757 City Manager 440,278 462,771 471,227 Finance 1,948,002 2,071,191 2,161,789 Assessor 540,821 581,863 591,541 City Treasurer 308,709 383,442 331,200 Law 439,000 439,000 431,000 Human Resources 660,687 736,822 698,121 City Clerk 533,103 562,994 627,135 10 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH April 1, 2024 Planning & 1,262,181 1,432,728 1,520,493 Neighborhood Services Election 234,122 195,229 202,286 Police 18,375,503 19,216,092 18,229,236 Fire - Central 2,361,185 2,533,284 2,650,999 Dispatch & - - 1,686,789 Communications Emergency Management 75,661 76,574 70,845 Fire - East Great Plain 165,433 173,840 183,411 Fire - Laurel Hill 86,732 92,377 94,006 Fire - Occum 100,168 111,538 111,992 Fire - Taftville 176,038 177,780 184,220 Fire - Yantic 208,874 189,873 197,261 Public Works 12,262,739 12,908,927 13,514,109 Human Services 1,951,288 2,058,298 2,383,623 Education 86,803,758 89,473,852 93,276,491 Debt Service 3,558,554 4,296,599 4,584,268 Miscellaneous 5,695,256 6,059,804 6,608,250 City Consolidation 8,135,604 8,482,180 8,711,885 District Town Consolidation 487,256 527,195 566,664 District TOTALS 147,249,590 153,725,050 160,619,598 General Operations 45,524,131 48,172,689 50,585,976 Debt Service 3,558,554 4,296,599 4,584,268 Capital Improvements 2,740,287 2,772,535 2,894,314 Education 86,803,758 89,473,852 93,276,491 City Consolidation 8,135,604 8,482,180 8,711,885 District Town Consolidation 487,256 527,195 566,664 District TOTALS 147,249,590 153,725,050 160,619,598 Upon a motion of Ald. Hayes, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously decided to waive the full reading of the text, and set a public hearing on June 3, 2024, at 7:30 pm for the following ordinance introduced by City Manager Salomone. AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING THE TAX LEVIES ON THE LIST OF OCTOBER 1, 2023 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH: 11 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH April 1, 2024 Section 1. On the City Assessment list of October 1, 2023 a tax of thirty-two and fifty-two hundredths (32.52) 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, 2023, a tax of twenty-seven hundredths (0.27) 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, 2023, a tax of five and twenty-five hundredths (5.25) 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, 2023, a tax of thirty-two and forty-six hundredths (32.46) 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, 2024, and payable on said date in whole or in equal installments from that date, namely on July 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025, except that any tax of less than one hundred dollars shall be due and payable on July 1, 2024. If the first installment is not paid on or before August 1, 2024 or if the second installment is not paid on or before February 1, 2025, 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, 2024. If the payment is not paid on or before August 1, 2024 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 the general statutes. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Nash, on a roll call vote it was unanimously decided to waive the full reading of the text, and set a public hearing on April 15, 2024 at 7:30 pm for the following ordinance introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia and Ald. Gould. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 9-28 OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING THE FEE TO BE CHARGED TO COMMERCIAL HAULERS FOR THE DISPOSITION OF SOLID WASTE AND ANY OTHER MATERIALS COLLECTED IN NORWICH AND DISPOSED OF AT FACILITIES OPERATED BY THE SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT REGIONAL RESOURCE RECOVERY AUTHORITY WHEREAS, the City of Norwich is a party to a Municipal Service Agreement with the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resource Recovery Authority (SCRRRA) whereby SCRRRA bills the city a 12 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH April 1, 2024 charge to be referred to as a tip fee for materials generated in Norwich and brought to a SCRRRA facility for disposition; and WHEREAS, the SCRRRA tip fee per ton will increase by $6.56 effective July 1, 2024; and WHEREAS, the City of Norwich currently charges commercial haulers $70.00 for each ton of solid waste collected in Norwich and delivered to a SCRRRA facility. NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that items c. and d. of Sec. 9-28 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances be and hereby is amended as follows: Sec. 9-28. Permit for collection, transportation or disposition of solid waste and other materials. c. The charge to be imposed on commercial haulers by the city of Norwich for solid waste and other materials collected in Norwich and transported to the Lisbon Incinerator or to any facility operated by the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resource Recovery Authority shall be $70.00 $77.00 per ton. d. This charge of $70.00 $77.00 per ton shall become effective July 1, 2023 2024. Purpose: To increase the tip fee per ton charged to commercial haulers. Upon a motion of Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Gould, it was decided to waive the full reading of the text, and set a public hearing on April 15, 2024 at 7:30 pm for the following ordinance introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia and Ald. Gould on a roll call vote the motion passed on a 6 to 1 vote with Ald. Bettencourt voting in opposition. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 7-131.3 AND 7-132.4 OF ARTICLE VI OF CHAPTER 7 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO CORRECT THE LANGUAGE REGARDING PERMITTED USES OF GENERAL FUND UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE AND TO REDUCE THE VARIANCE ACTUARIALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTIONS. WHEREAS, the general fund unassigned fund balance policy was intended to preclude the use of fund balance in place of normal operating revenues; and WHEREAS, the City has taken a number of measures to reduce the volatility of pension and other post-employment benefit contributions, such as reducing the assumed rate of return and utilizing more conservative actuarial assumptions; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to further reduce volatility by reducing the year-to- year variances in budgeted pension and other post-employment benefit contributions from 15% to 10%. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that sections 7-131.3 and 7-132.4 be amended in Article VI of Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances: Sec. 7-131.3. Permitted uses of unassigned fund balance. UFB may be used to absorb operating deficits caused by unanticipated, unbudgeted revenue shortfalls or expenditure overages which cannot be mitigated by utilizing the contingency appropriation. UFB may shall not be used in the place of normal operating revenues in the annual budget process. 13 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH April 1, 2024 To the extent that UFB exceeds 17 percent of the current fiscal year's budgeted expenditures and operating transfers, the council of the City of Norwich may appropriate, by ordinance, some portion of such excess for one or more of the following purposes: (a) Additional capital improvements beyond those required by Charter Chapter VII, Section 17 which can be demonstrated to reduce the future operating expenses of the city. (b) Make transfers to a bonded projects fund to pay for projects with authorized, but unissued debt. (c) Retire existing debt early. (d) Make employer contributions to the pension or other post-employment benefits trust funds above the amount required by section 7-132.4. (e) Fund projects and other expenditures for which the City of Norwich is authorized to incur indebtedness pursuant to Charter Chapter VIII, Section 1. Sec. 7-132.4. Contributions. (a) Generally. The city shall contribute the actuarially determined contribution ("ADC"), as defined by Government Accounting Standards Board Statements 68 and 75, each fiscal year unless the amount varies by more than 15 10 percent ± from the previous year. This variance shall be calculated by division (e.g., Norwich Public Utilities, Norwich Public Schools, Police, Fire, Volunteer Fire, and all other General City). (b) If the ADC is less than 85 90 percent of the previous year's contribution, the city shall contribute an amount equal to 85 90 percent of the previous year's contribution. (c) If the ADC is greater than 115 110 percent of the previous year's contribution, the city shall contribute an amount equal to 115 110 percent of the previous year's contribution. Purpose: To amend financial policies to correct the language regarding permitted uses of general fund unassigned fund balance and to reduce the variance from 15% to 10% for actuarially determined contributions. Upon motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Nash on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:14 pm. City Clerk 14