City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 3, 2024 The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held June 3, 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 (arrived at 7:37 PM), and 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. Bettencourt read the opening prayer and Ald. Singh, led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Nystrom called for a moment of silence in honor of Connecticut State Trooper Aaron Pelletier, who was killed by a hit and run driver on May 30, 2024 in Southington, CT. Mayor Nystrom read the following proclamation and immediately following presented it to Anthony Holland, NAACP President. PR O C L A MA TI ON WHEREAS, Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States; and WHEREAS, in 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free; and WHEREAS, this was two and a half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation which had become official on January 1, 1863; and WHEREAS, Senate Bill No. 305 was passed by the house and senate of Connecticut and signed into law by the governor, declaring the nineteenth day of June to be Juneteenth Independence Day, a legal holiday in the state; and WHEREAS, Lt. Daniel Jenkins II, the first black police officer in Norwich, held the first Juneteenth celebration in Connecticut in 1989 here in the Rose City, educating all to the significance of Juneteenth with a celebration; and WHEREAS, “Boston” Bennie Haith, a resident of Norwich, was the creator of the Juneteenth Flag, while he lived in Boston, a flag that is still flown with pride: and WHEREAS, the Rose City is proud of their history of celebrating Juneteenth and being the first city or town in Connecticut to do so and welcomes the continued celebration of Juneteenth and all it stands for. 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 declare the month of June as JUNETEENTH in the City of Norwich and urge all citizens to become more aware of the significance of this celebration in African-American History and in the heritage of our nation and City. Dated this Third day of June 2024 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 3, 2024 Peter Albert Nystrom Joseph A. DeLucia Mayor President Pro Tem Upon a motion of Ald. Gould and Ald. Hayes, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the minutes of May 6th, Budget Public Hearing for May 13th and minutes of May 20th, 2024. Mayor Nystrom called for the following public hearing on AN ORDINANCE INCREASING THE APPROPRIATION FROM $500,000 TO $2,000,000 FOR THE COSTS OF PLANNING A LEAD COPPER SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM, IN THE CITY OF NORWICH, INCREASING THE AUTHORIZATION FROM $500,000 TO $2,000,000 FOR THE ISSUANCE OF REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY SECURED SOLELY BY WATER REVENUE TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TO ENTER INTO GRANT AND LOAN AGREEMENTS AND A JOINT RESOLUTION WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WITH RESPECT THERETO. There were no speakers. Upon a motion of Ald. Singh, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to waive the reading of the full text and incorporate into the minutes this ordinance being given its second reading and action. Upon a motion of Ald. Singh seconded by Ald. Gould on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following ordinance introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia and Ald. Gould. AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $2,000,000 FOR THE COSTS OF PLANNING A LEAD COPPER SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM, IN THE CITY OF NORWICH, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $2,000,000 REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY SECURED SOLELY BY WATER REVENUE TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TO ENTER INTO GRANT AND LOAN AGREEMENTS AND A JOINT RESOLUTION WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WITH RESPECT THERETO. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH: Section 1. The sum of $2,000,000 is appropriated for the costs of planning a lead copper service line replacement program (“LSL”), including, but not limited to, the development of an electronic database and map of the various components of the water lines and prioritizing areas of the LSL replacement in the City of Norwich, Connecticut, and all related site work, easements, land acquisition, materials, installation and deployment costs, and such additional improvements as may be accomplished within said appropriation provided herein, and including all administration, advertising, printing, legal, and financing costs as more fully set forth in this Ordinance (hereafter the “Project”) as shall be determined by the City of Norwich Department of Public Utilities (the “Department”). Said appropriation shall be inclusive of State and Federal grants in aid thereof. The Department is authorized to enter into contracts, expend the appropriation and implement the Project herein authorized. 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 3, 2024 Section 2. The estimated useful life of the Project is thirty years. The total estimated cost of the Project is $2,000,000. $2,000,000 of the total Project cost is estimated to be financed by or through the State of Connecticut pursuant to its Clean Water Fund Program (as hereinafter defined), through a subsidized interest loan. The Project is a general benefit to the City of Norwich and its general governmental purposes. Section 3. To meet said appropriation: (i) bonds of the City or so much thereof as shall be necessary for such purpose, shall be issued, maturing not later than the twentieth year after their date (or such longer term as may be authorized). Said bonds may be issued in one or more series as determined by the City Manager, the Comptroller - acting on behalf of the City herein - and General Manager of the City of Norwich Department of Public Utilities - acting on behalf of the Department and the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners (hereafter the “Board”) herein - (the “Issuer Officials”) and the amount of bonds of each series to be issued shall be fixed by the Issuer Officials in the amount necessary to meet the Issuer’s share of the cost of the Project determined after considering the estimated amount of the State and Federal grants-in-aid of the Project, or the actual amount thereof if this be ascertainable, and the anticipated times of the receipt of the proceeds thereof, provided that the total amount of bonds to be issued shall not be less than an amount which will provide funds sufficient with other funds available for such purpose to pay the principal of and the interest on all temporary borrowings in anticipation of the receipt of the proceeds of said bonds outstanding at the time of the issuance thereof, and to pay for the administrative, printing and legal costs of issuing the bonds. The bonds shall be in the denomination of $1,000 or a whole multiple thereof, or, be combined with other bonds of the Issuer and such combined issue shall be in the denomination per aggregate maturity of $1,000 or a whole multiple thereof, be issued in bearer form or in fully registered form, be executed in the name and on behalf of the City by the facsimile or manual signatures of the Issuer Officials bear the City seal or a facsimile thereof, be certified by a bank or trust company designated by the Issuer Officials, which bank or trust company may be designated the registrar and transfer agent, be payable at a bank or trust company designated by the Issuer Officials and be approved as to their legality by Bond Counsel. They shall bear such rate or rates of interest as shall be determined by the Issuer Officials. The issuance of such bonds in one or more series, the aggregate principal amount of bonds to be issued, the annual installments of principal, redemption provisions, if any, the date, time of issue and sale and other terms, details and particulars of such bonds shall be determined by the Issuer Officials, in accordance with the Joint Resolution. In the case of Parity Indebtedness as defined in the Joint Resolution between the City of Norwich and the Board (as hereinafter defined as the “Joint Resolution”), the Issuer Officials, shall also determine the revenues and property to be pledged for payment of such Parity Indebtedness; or (ii) temporary notes of the City may be issued in one or more series pursuant to Section 7- 244a of the General Statutes of Connecticut, as amended. The amount of such notes to be issued, if any, shall be determined by the Issuer Officials, and they are hereby authorized to determine the date, maturity, interest rate, form and other details and particulars of such notes, and to sell, execute and deliver the same; or (iii) interim funding obligations and project loan obligations or any other obligations of the City (hereinafter “Clean Water Fund Obligations”) evidencing an obligation to repay any portion of the costs of the Project determined by the State of Connecticut Department of 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 3, 2024 Environmental Protection, Public Health or other department as applicable to be eligible for funding under Section 22a-475 et seq. of the Connecticut General Statutes, as the same may be amended from time to time (the “Clean Water Fund Program”). The General Manager of the Department is hereby authorized, on behalf of the City and the Board, to enter into any other agreements, instruments, documents and certificates for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Ordinance. The General Manager of the Department is hereby authorized, on behalf of the City and the Board, to apply for and accept any and all Federal and State grants for the Project, to expend said funds in accordance with the terms hereof, and in connection therewith to contract in the name of the Department with engineers, contractors and others. The City may issue Clean Water Fund Obligations in one or more series and in such denominations as the Issuer Officials shall determine, provided that the total of all such Clean Water Fund Obligations, bonds and notes issued and appropriation expended pursuant to this ordinance shall not exceed $2,000,000. The Issuer Officials are hereby authorized to determine the amount, date, maturity, interest rate, form and other details and particulars of such interim funding obligations and project loan obligations, subject to the provisions of the Clean Water Fund Program, and to execute and deliver the same. Clean Water Fund Obligations shall be secured solely from a pledge of water system revenues; or (iv) promissory notes, bonds or other obligations made payable to the United States of America to meet any portion of the costs of the Project determined by the federal government, including acting through the Rural Utility Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) or other federal program or agency, to be eligible for loan and/or grant monies; or (v) any combination of bonds, temporary notes, notes, or obligations as set forth in the preceding subsections may be issued, provided that the total, aggregate principal amount thereof outstanding, and including the amount of grant funding obtained pursuant to a Project Grant and Project Loan Agreement, at any time shall not exceed $2,000,000. Section 4. (i) Bonds, temporary notes, or water assessment notes, Clean Water Fund Obligations and federal obligations all as set forth in section 3 are hereafter referred to as “Bonds.” The Bonds shall be water revenue bonds of the City, the payment of principal and interest on which shall be secured solely by revenues derived from the operation of the water system, including use charges, connection charges, benefit assessments or any combination thereof, investment income derived there from, or other property of the water system or revenue derived from the operation of the water system in accordance with the Joint Resolution. Each of the Bonds shall recite to the effect that every requirement of law relating to its issue has been duly complied with, that such Bond is within every debt and other limit prescribed by law, that such Bond does not constitute a general obligation of the City for which its full faith and credit is pledged, and that such Bond is payable solely from revenues, assessments, charges or property of the water system specifically pledged therefore. (ii) The bonds authorized to be issued by section 3 shall be, issued and secured pursuant to the Joint Resolution approved by the City Council on August 7, 2000, and the Board on July 17, 2000, as amended, and as supplemented by various supplemental Resolutions adopted pursuant to the Joint Resolution, and which is hereby ratified, confirmed and approved in its entirety, including without limitation, the rate and revenue covenants therein. The Board irrevocably agrees to comply with the provisions of the Joint Resolution, including 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 3, 2024 Supplemental Resolutions, including but not limited to: to set, establish and collect and maintain rates and revenue as necessary to continually comply with the terms, conditions and covenants of the General Resolution. The City irrevocably agrees to comply with the provisions of the General Resolution. In order to implement the provisions of the Joint Resolution the City and the Board may enter into an indenture of trust with a bank and trust company which indenture may contain provisions customarily included in revenue bond financings, including provisions of a similar nature to those in the Joint Resolution and which are necessary, convenient or advisable in connection with the issuance of the Bonds and their marketability. The Issuer Officials are hereby authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the City and the Board an indenture in such final form and containing such terms and conditions as they shall approve, and their signatures on any such indenture shall be conclusive evidence of their approval as authorized hereby. (iii) The Issuer Officials on behalf of the City and the Board are authorized to agree to additional terms and to delete or change existing terms and otherwise amend the form of Joint Resolution in order to obtain State or Federal funding, provide better security for the bonds, correct any matter, cure any ambiguity or defect or otherwise benefit the Issuer in their judgment. Such additional or different terms may include restrictions on the use of water funds or fund balance or water operations, coverage ratios, additional or changed reserve requirements, identification and pledge of revenues securing the Bonds, providing for the form of the Bonds, conditions precedent to the issuance of Bonds and additional Bonds, the establishment and maintenance of funds and the use and disposition there from, including but not limited to accounts for the payment of debt service, the payment of operating expenses, debt service reserve and other reserve accounts, providing for the issuance of subordinated indebtedness, defining an event of default and providing for the allocation of revenues in such event, credit enhancement, providing for a pledge and allocation of water revenues to pay for obligations issued by third parties, and provisions of a similar and different nature to those in the Joint Resolution and which are necessary, convenient or advisable in connection with the issuance of the Bonds and their marketability, and to obtain the benefits of any State or Federal grant or low interest loan program, including but not limited to the Clean Water Fund and Federal Department of Agriculture Programs. The Issuer Officials are hereby authorized, in addition to the General Resolution, to execute and deliver on behalf of the Issuer and the Board an indenture of trust in such final form and containing such terms and conditions as they shall approve, and their signatures on any such indenture shall be conclusive evidence of their approval as authorized hereby. Section 5. The issue of the Bonds aforesaid and of all other bonds or notes of the City heretofore authorized but not yet issued, as of the effective date of this Ordinance, would not cause the indebtedness of the City to exceed any debt limit calculated in accordance with law. Section 6. Said Bonds shall be sold by the Issuer Officials in a competitive offering or by negotiation, in their discretion. If sold in a competitive offering, the Bonds shall be sold upon sealed proposals at not less than par and accrued interest on the basis of the lowest not or true interest cost to the City. A notice of sale or a summary thereof describing the bonds and setting forth the terms and conditions of the sale shall be published at least five days in advance of the sale in a recognized publication carrying municipal bond notices and devoted primarily to financial news and the subject of state and municipal bonds. If the Bonds are sold by negotiation, the Issuer Officials, are authorized to execute a purchase agreement on behalf of the City and Board containing such terms and conditions as they deem appropriate and not inconsistent with this Ordinance. 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 3, 2024 Section 7. Resolution of Official Intent to Reimburse Expenditures with Borrowings. The City of Norwich (the “Issuer”) hereby expresses its official intent pursuant to section 1.150-2 of the Federal Income Tax Regulations, Title 26 (the “Regulations”), to reimburse expenditures paid sixty days prior to and after the date of passage of this Resolution in the maximum amount and for the capital project defined in Section 1 with the proceeds of bonds, notes, or other obligations (“Bonds”) authorized to be issued by the Issuer. The Bonds shall be issued to reimburse such expenditures not later than 18 months after the later of the date of the expenditure or the substantial completion of the project, or such later date the Regulations may authorize. The Issuer hereby certifies that the intention to reimburse as expressed herein is based upon its reasonable expectations as of this date. The Comptroller, and General Manager of the City of Norwich Department of Public Utilities or their designee is authorized to pay project expenses in accordance herewith pending the issuance of reimbursement bonds, and to amend this declaration. Section 8. It is hereby found and determined that it is in the public interest to issue all, or a portion of, the Bonds, Notes or other obligations of the City authorized to be issued herein as qualified private activity bonds, or with interest that is includable in gross income of the holders thereof for purposes of federal income taxation. The Issuer Officials are hereby authorized to issue and utilize without further approval any financing alternative currently or hereafter available to municipal government pursuant to law, including but not limited to any “tax credit bond,” or “Build America Bonds” including Direct Payment and Tax Credit Versions. Section 9. This Ordinance shall be effective upon adoption by the City Council and its approval by the Board. Upon a motion of Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia, seconded by Ald. Hayes, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to suspend the rules to include the two additional petitions and communications. Upon a motion of Ald. Hayes, seconded by Ald. Singh, it was unanimously voted to accept the following communication from Chairman J. DeLucia of the City Council/Board of Education School Budget Ad Hoc Committee. City Clerk Muscarella read the following into the record: 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 3, 2024 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 3, 2024 Upon a motion of Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Hayes it was unanimously voted to accept the following communication received via email from Mark Grader, President of Grader Jewelers, Inc. City Clerk Muscarella read the following into the record: SUBMITTED TO CITY CLERK VIA EMAIL ON 5/31/2024 Dear Mayor Nystrom, I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your invaluable support and dedicated efforts in safeguarding Grader Jewelers, Inc.'s property from the potential disruptions of the numerous roundabouts planned by the state for Route 82. Thanks to your intervention and steadfast advocacy, our business can continue to thrive in its current location, free from the challenges that these infrastructural changes would have imposed. Your commitment to the local business community and your responsiveness to our concerns have made a significant difference, and we are profoundly appreciative. Your leadership and dedication to the well-being of Norwich's businesses and residents are truly commendable. We are fortunate to have a mayor who is so attentive to the needs of the community and willing to go above and beyond to protect its interests. Once again, thank you for your outstanding support. We look forward to continuing to be part of the vibrant economic fabric of Norwich under your exemplary leadership. Sincerely, Mark Grader President Grader Jewelers, Inc. Upon a motion of Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia, seconded by Ald. Hayes, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to suspend the rules to amend the title of Petition and Communication number one to be was incorrectly titled on the agenda. 1. Report from the Commission on the City Plan of the City of Norwich, pursuant to Section 8-24 of the General Statutes and Chapter XV, Section 4 of the Norwich City Charter AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $2,900,000 FOR COSTS OF THE PLANNING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE UTILITY BRIDGE AND WATER MAIN IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT IN THE TOWN OF BOZRAH, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $2,900,000 REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY OF NORWICH SECURED SOLELY BY WATER REVENUE TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TO ENTER INTO GRANT AND LOAN AGREEMENTS AND A JOINT RESOLUTION WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WITH RESPECT THERETO. Upon a motion of Ald. Hayes, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the following petition and communication. City Clerk Muscarella read the following into the record: 8 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 3, 2024 9 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 3, 2024 CITY MANAGER REPORT To: Mayor Nystrom and members of the City Council From: John Salomone, City Manager Subject: City Manager’s Report Date: June 3, 2024 Meetings attended were NCDC Executive Board of Directors meeting, NPU-City Coordination Meeting, CT Investment Fund (CIF) Stakeholders, and Police and Fire negotiations. In efforts to increase the collections in the Norwich Tax Office delinquent motor vehicle and personal property accounts have been sent to TaxServ Capital Services. Once these accounts are sent to this collection agency they handle all billing and collections. Delinquent real estate accounts have been sent letters to initiate collections or referred to our city attorneys to start a foreclosure. A tax sale is in the beginning stages and projected to be held in September of this year. Human Services’ Youth, Family, and Recreation Division is actively accepting applications for programs for all ages and the Rose City Senior Center is hosting an increased number of information sessions on topics from promoting health to avoiding scams. Please check out the departments’ website at www.norwichct.org Norwich Prevention Council is funding a third Narcan distribution box, to be posted in the Reliance Health parking lot on Cliff Street. My assistant, Jacquie Barbarossa, who is also the city’s liaison for the Neighborhood Assistance Act Program has received 5 applications for this year’s program year totaling $549,000. The public hearing for the applications will be held June 17th and forwarded to the State of Connecticut Department of Revenue Services before the July 1st submission deadline. The Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) Tax Credit Program provides funding for municipal and tax exempt organizations by providing corporation business tax credits for business that make cash contributions to the organizations that are approved by the Department of Revenue Services. Reminder that an informational meeting for the Chelsea Harbor/Downtown Norwich Mobility Study will be held this Wednesday, June 5th from 5-7 PM in Room 335 at City Hall. Please come and learn about transportation alternatives for our downtown. Congratulations to Fire Lieutenants Marc Landry and Andrew Thomasson and best of luck to our 2 new firefighters Tyler Rokowski and Andre Salaun who were sworn in on May 23rd. After 13+ years with the City Public Works Director, Patrick McLaughlin, has announced his retirement at the end of June. Pat started his career as City Engineer in December 2010 and was promoted to Public Works Director in April of 2019. Thank you for your service and congratulations. 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. State Rep Derell Wilson, 30 Second St., spoke in favor of resolution #6 on Juneteenth as a holiday in Norwich. He spoke with enthusiasm in favor of it but did point out the delay in it happening. 10 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 3, 2024 Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm Ave., commented on resolution #2 saying it is hard to make informed comments. Her goal is to make things better and if taxes go up she doesn’t know what she will do. She ended with a quote “Time for some good trouble.” Emmanuella Prempeh, 495 Laurel Hill Rd., spoke in favor of resolution #6 stating that it is important to celebrate Juneteenth as a holiday as it is also important to celebrate other cultures as well. Beryl Fishbone, 19 Bliss Pl., spoke in favor of resolution #6 on Juneteenth as a holiday. Also commenting that it was about time we caught up with the Federal government finally. Carline Charmelus, 19 Jordan Dr., spoke in favor of resolution #6 on Juneteenth stating that Juneteenth has been celebrated in the city for a long time so that it is only fitting to declare it a holiday. There being no speakers, Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. Upon a motion of Ald. Hayes, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to put the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia and Ald. Gould on the floor. Upon a motion of Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to postpone action until June 10, 2024, on the following resolution. RESOLVED, that the budget of the City of Norwich; including the General Fund, Capital Budget, Town Consolidation District, City Consolidation District, and Department of Public Utilities; for Fiscal Year 2024-25 as submitted by the City Manager on April 1, 2024, as amended and tentatively adopted by the Council of the City of Norwich on May 6, 2024, be, and the same hereby is, adopted. Upon a motion of Ald. Hayes, seconded by Ald. Nash, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to put the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia and Ald. Gould on the floor. Upon a motion of Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to postpone action until June 10, 2024, on the following resolution. RESOLVED, that the appropriations ordinance of the City of Norwich; including the General Fund, Capital Budget, Town Consolidation District, and City Consolidation District; for Fiscal Year 2024-25 as submitted by the City Manager on April 1, 2024, as amended, and tentatively adopted by the Council of the City of Norwich on May 6, 2024, be, and the same hereby is, adopted. Upon a motion of Ald. Hayes, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to put the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia and Ald. Gould on the floor. Upon a motion of Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to postpone action until June 10, 2024, on the following resolution. 11 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 3, 2024 RESOLVED, that the tax levy ordinance of the City of Norwich for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 as submitted by the City Manager on April 1, 2024, as amended and tentatively adopted by the Council of the City of Norwich on May 6, 2024, be, and the same hereby is, adopted. AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING THE TAX LEVIES ON THE LIST OF OCTOBER 1, 2023 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH: Section 1. On the City Assessment list of October 1, 2023 a tax of thirty-two and twenty-nine hundredths (32.29) 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-three hundredths (5.23) 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 voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia and Ald. Gould. 12 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 3, 2024 13 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 3, 2024 14 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 3, 2024 15 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 3, 2024 16 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 3, 2024 17 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 3, 2024 Upon a motion of Ald. Hayes, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia and Ald. Gould. CDBG Requests - PY50 (2024-2025) REVISED FUNDING REVISED FUNDING Anticipated PY 2024 Allocation $ 806,000.00 $ 845,890.00 $ 845,890.00 Total Anticipated Funding for PY50 $ 806,000.00 $ 845,890.00 $ 845,890.00 PY50 Request CDAC Recommendation Council Recommendation CD Office - Administration (20% of Grant Funds) $ 161,255.00 $ 169,178.00 Anticipated Return of Loan Admin $ 33,500.00 $ 25,577.00 Total Projected Admin Expenditures $ 194,755.00 $ 194,755.00 Public Services Children in Placement - Guardian ad Litem (GAL) $ 30,000.00 $ 22,000.00 Big Brothers Big Sisters Community & School-Based Mentoring $ 15,000.00 $ - NHS Norwich Works $ 95,000.00 $ 85,000.00 NHS Norwich Housing Assistance Program $ 75,000.00 $ 70,000.00 Immigration Advocacy Support Center (IASC) $ 8,000.00 $ - Thames River Community Service Stability For Young Adults $ 25,000.00 $ - TVCCA Homelessness Prevention $ 30,000.00 $ 15,000.00 Madonna Place COPE $ 20,000.00 $ 15,000.00 Safe Futures Domestic Violence Response Team (NDVRT) $ 15,000.00 $ 10,000.00 Martin House Housing Advocacy & Placement $ 25,000.00 $ - United Way of Southeastern CT Labor Food Center $ 45,000.00 $ - Total Public Services $ 383,000.00 $ 217,000.00 Non-Public Services NHA Rosewood Manor Exterior Renovations $ 200,000.00 $ 219,712.00 DPW Taftville Sidewalks $ 386,665.00 $ - CD Property Rehabilitation $ 250,000.00 $ 240,000.00 Total Non-Public Services $ 836,665.00 $ 459,712.00 TOTALS Public Service $ 383,000.00 $ 217,000.00 Non-Public Service $ 836,665.00 $ 459,712.00 CD Administration $ 161,255.00 $ 169,178.00 Upon a motion of Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Hayes, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia, Ald. Gould and Ald. Hayes. WHEREAS, Juneteenth, is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States dating back to June of 1865 when Major General Granger landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. This was 2 ½ years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation which became official on January 1, 1863; and WHEREAS, one of General Granger's first orders of business was to read to the people of Texas, General Order Number 3 which began most significantly with, "The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United 18  JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 3, 2024 States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer"; and WHEREAS, in Texas, the celebrations of June 19, 1866 became known as "Juneteenth" and on January 1, 1980, Juneteenth became an official state holiday in Texas and the first state to grant official recognition of Juneteenth as an emancipation celebration; and WHEREAS, in 1989, the NAACP Norwich Branch held its first Juneteenth Day celebration and is the first known celebration in the State of Connecticut; and WHEREAS, in June of 2012, the "Norwich Freedom Bell" was forged in the City of Norwich as part of the NAACP Norwich Branch Juneteenth Celebration; and WHEREAS, on June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law Thursday, officially making June 19th a federal holiday and giving national recognition to a day commemorating emancipation; and WHEREAS, on May 27, 2022, Governor Ned Lamont signed into law Public Act 22-128, which establishes a new legal state holiday on June 19th known as Juneteenth Independence Day. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, officially establishes a new city holiday on June 19th known as Juneteenth Independence Day. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that a sum of $50,000 be transferred from Contingency Account 10500000-58600 into the fiscal year 2023-24 budgets of the Police and Norwich Fire departments to pay for their estimated replacement overtime costs of $45,000 and $5,000, respectively. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Hayes, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Salomone. RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the American Rescue Plan Act allocations adopted previously, be amended as follows: Brief Details of requested Current Change City Manager No. ARPA Exp. Code Dept/ balance Project # Description change + / (-) recommended Entity available 19 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 3, 2024 2.2-Household Reprogramming of Basic needs $200,000 back Assistance Rent Human funds to cover funds 1 ARP04 for Norwich $265,645 ($200,000) to available Mortgage and Services needed for ARP68 families balance Utility Aid Marina Towers Position will not be 2 6.1-Provision of Grants filled. Reprogramming $150,000 back City ARP40 Government Project of funds to cover funds $178,403 ($150,000) to available Manager Services Manager needed for ARP68 balance Marina Towers. 2.35-Aid to Purchase of Reprogramming of $350,000 from ARP68 City 3 Tourism Travel Marina funds to cover this N/A $350,000 available (new) Manager or Hospitality Towers purchase balance Total Dollar Amount $0 BALANCE OF FUNDS AVAILABLE $0 Upon motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Hayes on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:22 pm. City Clerk 20