City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH September 3, 2024 The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held September 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, 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”. Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia, read the opening prayer and Ald. Bettencourt, led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the minutes of August 5, 2024 and August 19, 2024. Upon a motion of Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to suspend the rules and to present the following proclamation. Mayor Nystrom read and presented the following Proclamation to American Legion Peter Gallan Post # 104 to John Duca. After the presentation John Duca presented Mayor Nystrom with an American Legion commemorative coin. City Of Norwich Mayors Office Peter Albert Nystrom, Mayor PROCLA MATI O N WHEREAS, American Legion’s mission is to enhance the well-being of America's veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by their devotion to mutual helpfulness; and WHEREAS, the American Legion's vision statement is "The American Legion: Veterans Strengthening America."; and WHEREAS, the American Legion Peter Gallan Post # 104 opened their doors One Hundred years ago on August 25, 1924; and WHEREAS , American Legion Peter Gallan Post # 104 has tirelessly served veterans since, with hard work and dedication; and WHEREAS, American Legion Peter Gallan Post # 104 has diligently served the veterans who came before them and work hard to serve those who are serving our country now; and 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH September 3, 2024 WHEREAS, American Legion Peter Gallan Post # 104 has faithfully served the Rose City and our surrounding area to help veterans and their families; and WHEREAS, American Legion Peter Gallan Post # 104 is an inspiration for their faithful service to all veterans. 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 congratulate American Legion Peter Gallan Post # 104 as they celebrate their One Hundred Anniversary of the opening of the Peter Gallon Post 104. Dated this Third day of September 2024 Peter Albert Nystrom Joseph A. DeLucia Mayor President Pro Tem Mayor Nystrom called for the following public hearing on AN ORDINANCE REGARDING ADDITIONAL FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE GENERAL FUND AND CITY CONSOLIDATION DISTRICT. There were no speakers. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Singh, 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. Gould, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote of 6 to 1 it was voted to adopt the following ordinance introduced by City Manager Salomone. With Mayor Nystrom voting in opposition. AN ORDINANCE REGARDING ADDITIONAL FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE GENERAL FUND AND CITY CONSOLIDATION DISTRICT WHEREAS, Norwich Public Schools expended $3,622,786 in excess of its fiscal year 2023-24 General Fund appropriation as a result of higher than anticipated special education tuition and transportation costs; WHEREAS, the City Consolidation District’s (“CCD”) overtime and replacement costs for fiscal year 2023-24 are $136,100 higher than anticipated compared to the adopted 2023-24 budget for the CCD; and WHEREAS, the General Fund and CCD have adequate levels of unassigned fund balance (“UFB”) to absorb the impact of the budget variances described above. 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH September 3, 2024 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH THAT the fiscal year 2023-24 appropriations for the General Fund and CCD be, and hereby are, increased by the sums of $3,622,786 and $136,100, respectively, for the reasons set forth above. Purpose: To increase the appropriations of the General Fund and City Consolidation District for projected expenditures in excess of the adopted 2023-24 budget. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT To: Mayor Nystrom and members of the City Council From: John Salomone, City Manager Subject: City Manager’s Report Date: September 3, 2024 Meetings attended were Southeastern Council of Governments Meeting (SCCOG), Southeastern Area Transit (SEAT), NPU-City Coordination Meeting, NCDC Board of Directors meeting, CIF Stakeholder Meeting and City Department Head Meeting. Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency, (CIRMA), our insurance carrier, presented the City with a member equity check in the amount of $25,633. CIRMA demonstrated their long-standing community principles by returning $2M of member’s equity to its municipal, public school and local public agency members. Established in 1980, CIRMA provides stable and consistent rates and world- class insurance protections and services to its members. Public Works is currently working on repairing drainage in preparation for paving on Banas Court, Caribou Drive and Nemczuk Drive. City paving will continue with Pine Street, Pinecrest Court, Pinecroft Road and Gardner Acres. Uncas Leap is progressing on schedule for completion and the ribbon cutting has been scheduled for Friday, October 11th in time for Indigenous Peoples/Columbus Day. The Mayor’s Office is organizing the committee and will be meeting this week to discuss the details of the event. Norwich Human Services Community Care Team hosted members of the 119k Commission on August 21st. The Director, YFR Division Manager, and two staff also attended New London’s 119k Commission Meeting, where Norwich’s Community Care Team was cited as a best practice. The Commission wants to scale up Norwich’s Collaborative Case Management Model. Human Services, and the Youth, Family, & Recreation Division in particular, has attended every single Norwich Public Schools Back to School Events, including Convocation. The Sachem Fund Board application deadline has been extended until September 20th to obtain additional applications. There is approximately $90,000 available from the fund that was established in January 2007. The Mohegan Tribe and the City manage the distribution of the funds and have awarded approximately $1.3 million in grants since its inception. Additional information can be found on the City’s website www.norwichct.org under Bids &/RFPS. Projects or programs must show that they can provide a return on investment and/or create a self-sustaining legacy for both the City and the Sachem Fund. 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH September 3, 2024 Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Hayes, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the following petition and communication. Mayor Nystrom called for citizen comment on new business resolutions. There being no speakers, Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. 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. 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH September 3, 2024 WHEREAS, the City Manager John L. Salomone, with Council approval shall appoint as an alternate member of the Inland Wetlands, Water Courses and Conservation Commission for a term to expire on June 15, 2026 or until a successor is appointed: Cullan Riley (D) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Norwich hereby acknowledges the appointment 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 and Ald. Bettencourt. WHEREAS, the Commission on the City Plan on, January 25, 2024, approved an application for subdivision by The Norwich Community Development Corporation (“NCDC”) of property known as 145 Taftville-Occum Road, 432 Canterbury Turnpike & 180 Lawler Lane, and shown on a subdivision plan entitled: “Property Survey, Subdivision Plan, Prepared for Occum Industrial Center, 180 Lawler Lane, 432 Canterbury Turnpike & 145 Taftville-Occum Road – Norwich, Connecticut, Scale 1” = 100’ September, 2023, Revisions 10/19/2023, 11/10/2023 and 2/27/2024, Boundaries, LLC; and WHEREAS, on January 25, 2024, the Commission on the City Plan did issue a letter approving the subdivision with certain conditions, including: a. NCDC convey utility easements for sewer, water and electric to the City of Norwich, acting through the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners of the City of Norwich, as shown on Pages C-209 (Easement Area Map), and Sheets C-501 – C-505 (Easement Area Map); and WHEREAS, NCDC has tendered Easement Agreements of the proposed Easement Areas to the City of Norwich as shown on the pages of the Subdivision Plan; and WHEREAS, the Director of Public Works has reviewed and approved of the same. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the tender of Easement Agreements by NCDC to the City of Norwich be accepted and City Manager John Salomone be and herby is authorized and directed to cause the Easement Agreements described herein, if acceptable to him and the Corporation Counsel to be recorded on the Norwich Land Records. Upon a motion of Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Ald. Gould and Ald. Bettencourt. WHEREAS, the Commission on the City Plan on January 25, 2024, approved an application for subdivision by The Norwich Community Development Corporation (“NCDC”) of property known as 145 Taftville-Occum Road, 432 Canterbury Turnpike & 180 Lawler Lane, and shown on a subdivision plan entitled: “Property Survey, Subdivision Plan, Prepared for Occum Industrial Center, 180 Lawler Lane, 432 Canterbury Turnpike & 145 Taftville-Occum Road – Norwich, Connecticut, Scale 1” = 100’ September, 2023, Revisions 10/19/2023, 11/10/2023 and 2/27/2024, Boundaries, LLC; and 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH September 3, 2024 WHEREAS, on January 25, 2024, the Commission on the City Plan did issue a letter approving the subdivision with certain conditions, including: a. NCDC convey certain property shown as “Open Space, 25.05 Acres, to be conveyed to the City of Norwich or Conservation Land Trust”), on Pages Sheets C-207 and C-208 of said Subdivision Plan. b. NCDC convey a certain Conservation Easement to the City of Norwich and shown as “Proposed Conservation Easement” on Sheet C-203 of said Subdivision Plan”. c. NCDC convey certain drainage easements each shown as “Proposed Drainage Easement in favor of the City of Norwich”, and each bearing a drainage easement number, on Sheets C-209 – C-211 on the Subdivision Plan; and WHEREAS, NCDC has tendered deeds of proposed Open Space, the Conservation Easement and the Drainage Easements to the City of Norwich; and WHEREAS, the Commission on the City Plan has reviewed the proposed deed, conservation easement and drainage easement and recommended approval of the same. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the tender of deed and easements by NCDC to the City of Norwich be accepted and City Manager John Salomone be and herby is authorized and directed to cause the deed and easements described herein, if acceptable to him and the Corporation Counsel to be recorded on the Norwich Land Records. Upon a motion of Ald. Singh, seconded by Ald. Hayes, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to postpone until October 7, 2024, the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Ald. Gould and Ald. Bettencourt. 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: Details of ARPA Exp. Brief Current Change Dept/ requested Reallocation No. Project # Code Description balance + / (-) Entity change available Law 3.1-Public Reprogramming enforcement Sector of funds to cover payroll, $127,622 to ARP01 Workforce Police Dept Marina $150,294 ($127,622) 1 including ARP70 (new) Payroll and Restaurant reduction of Benefits rehab gun violence 3.1-Public Reprogramming Human Sector of funds to cover Services Human $100,000 to ARP08 Workforce Marina $185,667 ($100,000) staffing-Case Services ARP70 (new) 2 Payroll and Restaurant Workers Benefits rehab 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH September 3, 2024 2.34- Reprogramming Expansion of Assistance to of funds to cover library $25.87 to ARP17 Impacted Otis Library Marina $25.87 ($25.87) services and ARP70 (new) 3 Nonprofit Restaurant access Organization rehab 1.7-Other COVID-19 Reprogramming 4 Public Health City Hall of funds to cover Finance/ $4,416.20 to ARP24 Expenses audio visual Marina $8,661.87 ($4,416.20) MIS ARP70 (new) includes equipment Restaurant communicatio rehab n enforcement Scholarships Reprogramming 2.37-Economic for of funds to cover Impact Human $17,935.93 to ARP30 Recreation Marina $17,935.93 ($17,935.93) Assistance Services ARP70 (new) 5 Summer Restaurant Other Camp rehab 235-Aid to Marina Fund from $250,000 from 6 ARP70 Tourism Travel Restaurant NCDC reprogramming N/A $250,000 other ARP or Hospitality Rehab other projects projects Total Dollar Amount $0 $0 BALANCE OF FUNDS AVAILABLE Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Hayes, 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 strategy or negotiations with respect to collective bargaining. City Manager John Salomone, Director of Human Resources Robert Scalise, Comptroller Josh Pothier, and Corporation Counsel Michael E. Driscoll shall be asked to participate during all or portions of this Executive Session at the request of the City Council. Council and invited attendees reported to Executive Session at 8:22 pm. Upon motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Nash on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to reconvene at 9:22 pm at which time Mayor Nystrom, stated no votes were taken. Upon motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Nash on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:23 pm. City Clerk 7