City Council

AGENDA – MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH November 18, 2024 7:30 PM The meeting will be televised on the Public Access Channel and posted on the city website, www.norwichct.org, in real time. PRAYER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CITIZEN COMMENT GENERAL (30 Minutes) PETITION AND COMMUNICATIONS 1. Resignation from the Norwich Housing Authority. 2. Progress Report of Community Rating Activity 510 (Floodplain Management Planning). CITY MANAGER’S REPORT CITIZENS COMMENT ON NEW BUSINESS RESOLUTIONS (listed below only) NEW BUSINESS RESOLUTIONS 1. Relative to the reallocation of funding in the Capital Improvement Fund. 2. Relative to Sachem Fund Board approvals to be paid out of the Sachem Fund. 3. Relative to Youth Advisory regular member appointment. 4. Relative to approving, completing and filing Round #6 CIF Grant Application. 5. Relative to amendment of existing American Rescue Plan Act allocations. 6. Relative to the City Manager being authorized to defer assessment increases for South Hills, LLC for seven years at 3 North C Street. EXECUTIVE SESSION City Clerk PETITION & COMMUNICATION #1  PETITION & COMMUNICATION #2 Community Rating System Activity 510 (Floodplain Management Planning) Progress Report on Implementation of Credited Plan Date this Report was Prepared: November 7, 2024 Name of Community: City of Norwich Name of Plan: Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan Date of Adoption of Plan: September 6, 2023 5 Year CRS Expiration Date: May 1, 2025 1. How can a copy of the original plan or area analysis report be obtained: The Multi-Jurisdictional plan and the Norwich Annex can be found on the SCCOG website. https://seccog.org/2023-hmp 2. Describe how this progress report was prepared and how it was submitted to the governing body, released to the media, and made available to the public: The City plan department prepared this report, with support from other City Departments, in order to identify action status. The report was then submitted to the City Council as part of a CRS update. This meeting and all materials are made available to the public for review. 3. Provide a description of the implementation of each recommendation or action item in the action plan or area analysis report, including a statement on how the project was implemented or not implemented during the previous year: See Below 4. Discuss why any objectives were not reached or why implementation is behind schedule: Several objectives have not been reached due to time constraints, funding needs, or because they rely on the completion of other actions. Others are part of ongoing conversations and are planned for implementation in the near future. 5. What are the recommendations for new projects or revised recommendations? There are no recommendations for new projects at this time given this is a relatively new list of actions for the City and all actions are still pertinent. Action # Action Status as of 11/2024 Ensure that the cooling centers (library and senior Not begun NW1 center) are accessible using transit or alternate transportation options. Conduct a study of the floodplain surrounding the Incomplete – will need to pursue Occum Fire Department building to determine the funding. extent of flood risk. This determination may be used NW2 to modify or retire the recommendations in the Southeastern Connecticut Critical Facilities Assessment to eliminate the basement. Annually FEMA grant information to Yantic Fire Completed in 2024. UConn Company to ensure they are aware of opportunities CIRCA is also evaluating options to reduce flood risk to the building. This action for the Yantic River through NW3 replaces full execution of the recommendations in Resilient Connecticut. the Southeastern Connecticut Critical Facilities Assessment. Dry floodproof the utility room at Public Works as Incomplete – will need to pursue NW4 recommended in the Southeastern Connecticut funding. Critical Facilities Assessment. Pursue a FEMA map revision for the Terminal Way Not begun area, as the floodway designation is not consistent NW5 with the tidal characteristics of the Thames River estuary. Execute the Thamesville Coastal Revitalization Incomplete – will need to pursue NW6 Project planned by Federal agencies. The cost funding. estimate is for staff support. Implement recommendations of the ARPA-funded Not begun NW7 drainage study located in the watershed that includes Kelly Middle School and Backus Hospital. Replace undersized culverts in Hunters Road to Not begun NW8 reduce risk of flooding and washouts. Develop designs for eventual installation of a new Not begun NW9 stormwater system in the Laurel Hill/Sunnyside area. Develop appropriate flood mitigation Retire – mapping was not recommendations after FEMA completes the re- updated. NW10 mapping of the Spaulding Pond/Spaulding Brook corridor. These recommendations can then be carried into the next edition of this plan. Assist NPU with completion of the sewer separation The City assists and supports as NW11 project through coordination and direct support as needed. needed. Working with an engineering firm or non-profit Incomplete – will need to pursue conservation entity, determine the feasibility of funding, however, UConn CIRCA NW12 removing the Upper Falls dam on the Yantic River to is evaluating options through eliminate backwater flooding at Sherman Street Resilient Connecticut Create more greenspace in the Greenville Area and Incomplete – will need to pursue other urban heat islands in the City such as the funding. Route 82 corridor. This should be accomplished by NW13 developing a master plan with typical concept designs to be applied in Greenville and along Route 82. Conduct an impervious surface evaluation to Incomplete – will need to pursue NW14 inventory largely paved parcels to ultimately reduce funding. imperviousness, increase green space, and address  parking requirement needs in the city. Utilize the Holyoke Impervious Surface Management Plan (refer to Mass MVP report inventory) as a potential template. Support additional linear park and trail systems in Not begun/no active projects to NW15 the 1% annual chance floodplain and expand the support Heritage Riverfront Walkway. Directly support voluntary acquisitions (buyouts) of The City has not received any NW16 1, 2, 3, and 4-unit residential structures (i.e., houses) inquiries as of yet but will in areas of flood risk and convert to open space. support as needs arise. Directly support voluntary acquisitions (buyouts) of The City has not received any commercial and industrial properties in areas of inquiries as of yet but will NW17 flood risk and convert to open space when these support as needs arise. properties cannot be feasibly re-used or redeveloped. Incomplete – Due to time Work with CT DEEP to update the list of repetitive constraints, City plan is looking NW18 loss properties and ensure that errors and updates to pursue this in 2025 with the are incorporated by FEMA. help of DEEP. Conduct direct outreach to property owners in Incomplete – will occur after the repetitive loss areas with information about how to list update. NW19 mitigation flood losses and coordinate with CRS activities. Require floodplain manager and land use staff to Staff were made aware of the take free training at training in 2024. https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/P2/Chemical- NW20 Management-and-Climate-Resilience/Chemical- Management-and-Climate-Resilience to reduce risks of spills from businesses during floods. Identify rock outcrops and steep slopes with Not begun NW21 additional natural resource potential and prioritize for conservation efforts. Consider additional regulations and design Not begun NW22 standards for development of properties with slopes greater than 15%. Conduct study and design to reduce flood risk at the Underway through the CT DEEP NW23 Bean Hill Substation. This action is for the study and Climate Resilience Fund design; construction is deferred. Conduct study and design to reduce flood risk at the Underway through the CT DEEP NW24 Shipping Street Sewer Pumping Station. This action Climate Resilience Fund is for the study and design; construction is deferred.  NEW BUSINESS RESOLUTION #1 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 $47,623.75: Amount to Department Org Obj Project Project Description Reallocate Yantic 36024237 57300 C2129 PPV fan $15.00 Yantic 36024237 57200 C2234 Main floor HVAC 5,926.00 Yantic 36024237 57200 C2331 CCTV upgrade 160.00 Yantic 36024237 57300 C2431 David Clark head sets 3,504.00 Yantic 36024237 57300 C2433 PFAS-free firefighting foam 180.00 Yantic 36024237 57300 C2434 Fire hose 258.00 Public Works 36024503 57300 C2541 Stump grinder 37,580.75 Total $47,623.75 and 2. WHEREAS, the following projects from the City of Norwich’s Capital Improvement Fund need funding of $47,623.75: Department Org Object Project Description Amount Yantic 36024237 57200 C2233 Pave main lot $10,043.00 Public Works 36024303 57300 C2547 Hydraulic hammer for wheeled excavator 22,000.00 Public Works 36024303 57320 C2538 Replace plow for dump truck 15,580.75 Total $47,623.75 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the unexpended funds of $47,623.75 from the projects enumerated in (1) be and hereby are appropriated to the projects enumerated in (2). City Manager John L. Salomone  NEW BUSINESS RESOLUTION #2 WHEREAS, the Sachem Fund was established by ordinance 1553, dated January 2, 2007, by the Council of the City of Norwich; and WHEREAS, the intent of ordinance 1553 was to establish a non-lapsing fund to be managed by the City of Norwich as set out in the ordinance; and WHEREAS, ordinance 1553 established a “Sachem Fund Board” which “shall make recommendations to the city council regarding expenditures from the Sachem Fund”; and WHEREAS, the Sachem Fund Board met on October 17, 2024 to review applications submitted to the Sachem Fund and to interview applicants; and WHEREAS, the Sachem Fund approved an application from the Norwich Historical Society in the sum of $50,000 to be used by the Norwich Historical Society and its partner organizations in connection with activities to be undertaken leading up to the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the American Declaration of Independence in 2026 and involving a number of themes including recognitions of black and indigenous revolutionary soldiers; and approved an application by Damm Creative, LLC to support the 2025 Rose Arts Festival by a grant of $15,000 to Damm Creative, LLC provided that Damm Creative LLC submit its 2024 Statement of Income/Expense relative to the Rose Art Festival to the Comptroller’s office for verification and approval of the use of the funds provided by the city in 2024 and this grant is used exclusively for a trailer/float and visual storytelling exhibit project; and WHEREAS, the remaining balance in the Sachem Fund after a reduction of funds as recommended by the Sachem Fund Board will be approximately $54,000; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich finds it in the best interest of the city to accept the recommendations of the Sachem Fund Board NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the following recommendations made by the Sachem Fund Board are approved with the sum of $65,000 to be taken from the Sachem Fund and paid out as follows: 1) Norwich Historical Society in the sum of $50,000 2) Damm Creative, LLC in the sum of $15,000 Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom President Pro Tempore Joseph A. DeLucia Alderwoman Stacy Gould Alderwoman Shiela Hayes  NEW BUSINESS RESOLUTON #3 WHEREAS, the City Manager John L. Salomone has appointed with Council approval as a regular member to the Youth Service Advisory Board for a term to expire on 2/01/25 or until a successor is appointed; Yairiahna Perez (I) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Norwich hereby acknowledges the appointments of the above named to the Youth Service Advisory Board. City Manager John L. Salomone  NEW BUSINESS RESOLUTION #4 Municipal Resolution in Support of the Community Investment Fund 2030 Grant Application for the Norwich Fontaine Field Improvement & Senior Center Access Project WHEREAS, Section 112 of Public Act 21-111, as amended, authorizes the State Bond Commission to issue bonds in the amount of one hundred and seventy-five million dollars ($175M) per year for each fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 through 2027, for the purpose of funding the Community Investment Fund (“CIF”) for distribution of discretionary grants to eligible Public Investment Communities and Alliance Districts; and WHEREAS, $175,000,000 is available each fiscal year of the CIF 2030 program for distribution to projects in eligible municipalities; and WHEREAS, CIF 2030 provides an opportunity, if awarded, for the City of Norwich to make improvements to the multi-use Fontaine Field & Track and create ADA-compliant access to Fontaine Field from the Rose City Senior Center, to promote community development; and WHEREAS, the City of Norwich developed a Master Parks Plan in 2023 and it highlights Fontaine Field as a Priority Phase; and WHEREAS, the City of Norwich has already funded $100,000 in improving the outdoor patio and programming space at the Rose City Senior Center adjacent to Fontaine Field; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the City of Norwich’s Code of Ordinances, the legislative power and authority of the City of Norwich is vested in the Council which consists of the mayor and six (6) council members with the city manager serving as the chief executive officer of the City of Norwich. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that it hereby approves the completion and filing of a Round #6 CIF Grant Application by the City of Norwich with a project total of no more than $5,200,000.00. Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom President Pro Tempore Joseph A. DeLucia Alderwoman Stacy Gould  NEW BUSINESS RESOLUTION #5 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. Brief Details of Current Change No. Dept/ Reallocation Project # Code Description requested change balance + / (-) Entity available Reprogramming Up to 2.35-Aid to Arts & Culture 1 of funds to Up to $196,836.47 ARP65 Tourism Travel support thru NCDC $196.836.47 Capehart rehab ($196,836.47) to ARP71 or Hospitality NCDC for City Match (new) Capehart Reprogramming 2.37-Negative New rehab project: of funds to help Up to Economic Up to 2 Project add to grant NCDC fund Capehart N/A $196,836.47 Impacts: other $196,836.47 ARP71 funds as City rehab for City from ARP65 assistance Match Match Total Dollar Amount $0 BALANCE OF FUNDS AVAILABLE $0 John Salomone, City Manager  NEW BUSINESS RESOLUTION #6 WHEREAS, the South Hills, LLC by a deed recorded December 21, 2023 at volume 3474 page 63 of the Norwich Land Records acquired the property identified as 3 North C Street, located in the Taftville section of Norwich, map 39 block 1 lot 93; and WHEREAS, the South Hills, LLC, proposes to build two buildings with 33 units in each creating 66 residential multi-family apartments, the construction having an estimated construction cost in excess of $10,000,000 and involving construction estimated at 66,726 square feet of new construction; and WHEREAS, the Norwich Commission on the City Plan reviewed its application, SDP #1051 at its meeting of February 27, 2024 and noted that the project will consist of 24 two-bedroom and 42 one-bedroom units and after careful consideration voted unanimously to approve SDP #1051 with certain conditions as listed in its letter of February 28 2024; and WHEREAS, the South Hills, LLC has submitted an application seeking an assessment deferral under the Uniform Tax Deferral Process pursuant to section 7-22 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances and section 12-65b et seq of the Connecticut General Statutes; and WHEREAS, this application has been reviewed by the comptroller and the assessor and found to meet the criteria required, and the comptroller and assessor have presented their results to the Mayor and join with him in recommending that the South Hills, LLC be granted an assessment deferral for the project, for a seven (7) year period for each of the two buildings based on the issuance of each building permit as follows: • The 1st and 2nd years, the assessment increase for each building would be deferred at 100%; • The 3rd year at 50%; • The 4th year at 40%; • The 5th year at 30%; • The 6th year at 20%; • The 7th year at 10%; • 100% of the assessment would be on the Grand List in the eighth year for each of the respective buildings; and WHEREAS, The Council of the City of Norwich finds that the property of the South Hill, LLC at 3 North C Street is eligible for a deferral of increased assessment, is located within a rehabilitation area, and the South Hills, LLC application has been adequately reviewed pursuant to section 7-22 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances; and WHEREAS, the Council finds fixing the assessment for this construction of new multi- family rental housing for a period of seven (7) years to be in the best interest of the City of Norwich. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that it hereby approves the entry into of a satisfactory written agreement with the South Hills, LLC fixing the assessment of the property and improvements to be constructed at 3 North C Street for a period of seven (7) years pursuant to a schedule prepared by the assessor incorporating assessment deferrals as set out in this resolution; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that City Manager, John Salomone, be and hereby is authorized and directed on behalf of the City of Norwich to enter into a written agreement satisfactory to him and the assessor, consistent with this resolution with the South Hills, LLC together with such other documentation or agreements as may be necessary to defer the assessment increases for each building pursuant to the schedule set out in this resolution. Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom President Pro Tempore Joseph A. DeLucia Alderwoman Stacy Gould