City Council

AGENDA – MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH December 2, 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 ADOPTION OF MINUTES: November 4, and November 18, 2024 PUBLIC HEARING 1. AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $3,700,000 FOR COSTS OF THE PLANNING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE WEST TOWN STREET WATER MAIN REHABILITATION PROJECT IN THE CITY OF NORWICH, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $3,700,000 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. 2. AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $7,500,000 FOR COSTS OF THE PLANNING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE NORWICHTOWN WELL PFAS TREATMENT SYSTEM, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $7,500,000 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. 3. AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $2,400,000 FOR COSTS OF THE PLANNING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROUTE 2 PIPE REPLACEMENT PROJECT, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $2,400,000 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. 4. AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $800,000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF LAND AND EXISTING BUILDINGS LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY OF NORWICH AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUE OF $800,000 BONDS OF THE CITY TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION AND PENDING THE ISSUANCE THEREOF THE MAKING OF TEMPORARY BORROWINGS FOR SUCH PURPOSE. SECOND READING AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE ABOVE ORDINANCE PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 1. Report from the Commission on the City Plan of the city Norwich pursuant to Section 8-24 of the General Statutes and Chapter XV, Section 4 of the Norwich City Charter AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $3,700,000 FOR COSTS OF THE PLANNING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE WEST TOWN STREET WATER MAIN REHABILITATION PROJECT IN THE CITY OF NORWICH, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $3,700,000 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. 2. Report from the Commission on the City Plan of the city Norwich pursuant to Section 8-24 of the General Statutes and Chapter XV, Section 4 of the Norwich City Charter AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $7,500,000 FOR COSTS OF THE PLANNING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE NORWICHTOWN WELL PFAS TREATMENT SYSTEM, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $7,500,000 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. 3. Report from the Commission on the City Plan of the city Norwich pursuant to Section 8-24 of the General Statutes and Chapter XV, Section 4 of the Norwich City AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $2,400,000 FOR COSTS OF THE PLANNING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROUTE 2 PIPE REPLACEMENT PROJECT, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $2,400,000 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. 4. Report from the Commission on the City Plan of the city Norwich pursuant to Section 8- 24 of the General Statutes and Chapter XV, Section 4 of the Norwich City Charter AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $800,000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF LAND AND EXISTING BUILDINGS LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY OF NORWICH AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUE OF $800,000 BONDS OF THE CITY TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION AND PENDING THE ISSUANCE THEREOF THE MAKING OF TEMPORARY BORROWINGS FOR SUCH PURPOSE. 5. Reference to the proposed Bond Ordinance for purchase of Downtown Chelsea Groton Bank Properties. 6. Reference to an explanation of the proposed ordinance amending the Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Fund Plan. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT CITIZENS COMMENT ON RESOLUTIONS (on agenda items only) NEW BUSINESS RESOLUTIONS  1. Relative to Round #6 CIF Planning Grant application for the former Norwich State Hospital properties at 628 and 705 Laurel Hill Road. 2. Relative to Norwich Golf Course Authority being authorized to expend up to $1,611,896.69 during calendar year 2025 utilizing revenues received from operations and other available funds. 3. Relative to amending the Rules and Procedure 2023-2025. NEW BUSINESS ORDINANCES 1. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 8‐74 AND 8‐75 OF ARTICLE IV OF CHAPTER 8 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES PERTAINING TO THE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS' RELIEF FUND PLAN OF THE CITY OF NORWICH. City Clerk  PUBLIC HEARING #1 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $3,700,000 FOR COSTS OF THE PLANNING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE WEST TOWN STREET WATER MAIN REHABILITATION PROJECT IN THE CITY OF NORWICH, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $3,700,000 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 $3,700,000 is appropriated for the costs of the planning, design and construction of the West Town Street water main rehabilitation project, including, but not limited to, the installation of cured-in-place pipe lining from the intersection of Yantic Road and West Town Street to the property located at 58 Yantic Flats Road, insertion pit excavation, installation of water main, valves and fittings to modify existing connections, 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. Section 2. The estimated useful life of the Project is thirty years. The total estimated cost of the Project is $3,700,000. $3,700,000 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 and grants, if applicable. 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 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 $3,700,000. 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 $3,700,000. 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 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. 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. Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom President Pro Tem Joseph A. DeLucia Alderwoman Stacy Gould  PUBLIC HEARING #2 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $7,500,000 FOR COSTS OF THE PLANNING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE NORWICHTOWN WELL PFAS TREATMENT SYSTEM, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $7,500,000 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. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH: Section 1. The sum of $7,500,000 is appropriated for the costs of the planning, design and construction of the Norwichtown well PFAS treatment system, including, but not limited to, the establishment of a new facility either adjacent to or as an addition to the existing wellhead building, 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. Section 2. The estimated useful life of the Project is thirty years. The total estimated cost of the Project is $7,500,000. $7,500,000 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 and grants, if applicable. 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 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 $7,500,000. 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 $7,500,000. 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 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. 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. Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom President Pro Tem Joseph A. DeLucia Alderwoman Stacy Gould  PUBLIC HEARING #3 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $2,400,000 FOR COSTS OF THE PLANNING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROUTE 2 PIPE REPLACEMENT PROJECT, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $2,400,000 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. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH: Section 1. The sum of $2,400,000 is appropriated for the costs of the planning, design and construction of the Route 2 pipe replacement project, including, but not limited to, the replacement of galvanized and copper pipe along Route 2, 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. Section 2. The estimated useful life of the Project is thirty years. The total estimated cost of the Project is $2,400,000. $2,400,000 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 and grants, if applicable. 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 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 $2,400,000. 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 $2,400,000. 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 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. 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. Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom President Pro Tem Joseph A. DeLucia Alderwoman Stacy Gould  PUBLIC HEARING #4 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $800,000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF LAND AND EXISTING BUILDINGS LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY OF NORWICH AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUE OF $800,000 BONDS OF THE CITY TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION AND PENDING THE ISSUANCE THEREOF THE MAKING OF TEMPORARY BORROWINGS FOR SUCH PURPOSE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH: Section 1. The sum of $800,000 is appropriated to fund costs associated with purchasing the land and existing buildings located at 300 Main Street, 13 Arcadia Street and 17 Arcadia Street (collectively, the “Property”) all located in the City of Norwich, Connecticut (the “City”) from Chelsea Groton Bank, or any related affiliate of the bank, including, but not limited to, costs of appraisal, environmental studies, title search and title insurance as may be accomplished within said appropriation provided herein related to the Property, and administrative, consulting, advertising, printing, legal and financing costs to the extent paid therefrom (the “Project”). Said appropriation shall be inclusive of state and federal grants in aide thereof to offset in part the cost of the Project. Section 2. The total estimated cost of the Project is $800,000. The average estimated useful life of the Project is 30 years. The Project is a general benefit to the City and its general governmental and public purposes. Project costs may be paid from grants, bonds and notes issued by the City, or any combination of the foregoing. Section 3. To meet said appropriation, up to $800,000 bonds of the City, or so much thereof as may be necessary for said purpose, may be issued, maturing not later than the twentieth (20th) year after their date, or such later date as may be allowed by law. Said bonds may be issued in one or more series as shall be determined by the City Manager and the Comptroller, and the amount of bonds of each series to be issued shall be fixed by the City Manager and the Comptroller, 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 bear such rate or rates of interest as shall be determined by the City Manager and the Comptroller. The bonds shall be in the denomination 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 manual or facsimile signatures of the City Manager and the Comptroller, bear the City seal or a facsimile thereof, be certified by a bank or trust company designated by the City Manager and the Comptroller, which bank or trust company may be designated the registrar and transfer agent, be payable at a bank or trust company designated by the City Manager and the Comptroller, and be approved as to their legality by Pullman & Comley, LLC, Bond Counsel. The bonds shall be general obligations of the City and each of the bonds shall recite 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 the full faith and credit of the City are pledged to the payment of the principal thereof and the interest thereon and shall be paid from property taxation to the extent not paid from other funds available for the payment thereof. The aggregate principal amount of the bonds, 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 City Manager and the Comptroller in accordance with the requirements of the General Statutes of Connecticut, as amended (the “Statutes”). In connection with the issuance of any bonds or notes authorized herein, the City may exercise any power delegated to municipalities pursuant to Section 7-370b of the Statutes, including the authority to enter into agreements managing interest rate risk. The City Manager and Comptroller, on behalf of the City, shall execute and deliver such reimbursement agreements, letter of credit agreement, credit facilities, remarketing, standby marketing agreements, standby bond purchase agreements, and any other commercially necessary or appropriate agreements which are necessary, appropriate or desirable in connection with or incidental to the sale and issuance of such bonds or notes. Section 4. 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 5. Said bonds shall be sold by the City Manager and Comptroller in a competitive offering or by negotiation, in their discretion. If sold at competitive offering, the bonds shall be sold upon sealed proposals, auction or similar process, at not less than par and accrued interest on the basis of the lowest net or true interest cost to the City. Section 6. The City Manager and the Comptroller are authorized to make temporary borrowings in anticipation of the receipt of the proceeds of any series of said bonds. Notes evidencing such borrowings shall be signed by the manual or facsimile signatures of the City Manager and the Comptroller, have the seal of the City or a facsimile thereof affixed, be payable at a bank or trust company designated by the City Manager and the Comptroller, be certified by a bank or trust company designated by the City Manager and the Comptroller pursuant to Section 7-373 of the Statutes, and be approved as to their legality by Pullman & Comley, LLC, Bond Counsel. They shall be issued with maturity dates which comply with the provisions of the Statutes governing the issuance of such notes, as the same may be amended from time to time. The notes shall be general obligations of the City and each of the notes shall recite that every requirement of law relating to its issue has been duly complied with, that such note is within every debt and other limit prescribed by law, that the full faith and credit of the City are pledged to the payment of the principal thereof and the interest thereon and shall be paid from property taxation to the extent not paid from other funds available for the payment thereof. The net interest cost on such notes, including renewals thereof, and the expense of preparing, issuing and marketing them, to the extent paid from the proceeds of such renewals or said bonds, shall be included as a cost of the equipment. Upon the sale of said bonds the proceeds thereof, to the extent required, shalt be applied forthwith to the payment of the principal of and the interest on any such temporary borrowings then outstanding or shall be deposited with a hank or trust company in trust for such purpose. Section 7. Resolution of Official Intent to Reimburse Expenditures with Borrowings. The City (the “Issuer”) hereby expresses its official intent pursuant to §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 ordinance 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 that 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 or his designee is authorized to pay project expenses in accordance herewith pending the issuance of reimbursement bonds, and to amend this declaration. Section 8. The City Manager and Comptroller are hereby authorized to exercise all powers conferred by Section 3-20e of the General Statutes with respect to secondary market disclosure and to provide annual information and notices of material events as enumerated in Securities and Exchange Commission Exchange Act Rule 15c2-12, as amended, as may be necessary, appropriate or desirable to effect the sale of the bonds and notes authorized by this ordinance.  Section 9. In order to meet the capital cash flow expenditure needs of the City, the City Manager and Comptroller are authorized to allocate and reallocate expenditures incurred for the equipment to any bonds or notes of the City outstanding as of the date of such allocation, and the bonds or notes to which such expenditures have been allocated shall be deemed to have been issued for such purpose. Section 10. It is hereby found and determined that the issue of 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, is in the public interest. The City Manager and the Comptroller are hereby authorized to issue and utilize without further approval any financing alternative currently or hereafter available to municipal governments pursuant to law. Section 11. The City Manager and Comptroller are hereby authorized to prepare and distribute preliminary and final Official Statements of the City, to execute and deliver on behalf of the City all such other documents, and to take all action, necessary and proper for the sale, issuance and delivery of any bonds or notes relating to the Project in accordance with the provisions of the Statutes and the laws of the United States. Section 12. The Mayor, the City Manager, the Comptroller and any other proper City official are each hereby authorized to apply for and accept any available State or federal grant in aid of the financing of the Project, and to take all action necessary or proper in connection therewith, including the execution of any necessary, appropriate or desirable agreement or document relating to the Project. Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom President Pro Tem Joseph A. DeLucia Alderwoman Stacy Gould PETITION & COMMUNICATION #1 PETITION & COMMUNICATION #2 PETITION & COMMUNICATION #3 PETITION & COMMUNICATION #4  PETITION & COMMUNICATION #5 JOSHUA A. POTHIER, C.P.A. 100 Broadway Room 105 COMPTROLLER Norwich, CT 06360-4431 Phone: (860) 823-3720 www.norwichct.org/finance Fax: (860) 823-3812 jpothier@cityofnorwich.org November 25, 2024 To: Mayor Peter Nystrom and Members of the Norwich City Council through City Manager John Salomone Proposed Bond Ordinance for Purchase of Downtown Chelsea Groton Bank Properties Background This proposed ordinance would provide funding for the City’s purchase of the Chelsea Groton Bank properties on Main Street and parking areas on Arcadia Street for $800,000. The City negotiated this price with the Bank and did not give the Bank a deposit to secure its option to purchase the properties. These properties are being considered as a future home of a new station for the Norwich Police Department. A new police station would require approval by referendum. Tax Impact of Debt Service on Proposed Bond Ordinance Assuming that the project were bonded for 20 years at 5%, the annual debt service of approximately $80,000 would add 0.03 mills to the General Fund, or about $5 per year for a single family home with the median assessed value. Tax Impact of Carrying Costs The annual carrying costs (utilities, insurance, etc.) and lost property tax revenue on these properties total approximately $140,000. These carrying costs would add 0.055 mills to the General Fund, or about $9 per year for a single-family home with the median assessed value. What would the City do if it acquires these properties and a referendum for a new police station fails? The City could seek proposals from developers to purchase and redevelop the properties.  PETITION & COMMUNICATION #6 JOSHUA A. POTHIER, C.P.A. 100 Broadway Room 105 COMPTROLLER Norwich, CT 06360-4431 Phone: (860) 823-3720 www.norwichct.org/finance Fax: (860) 823-3812 jpothier@cityofnorwich.org November 25, 2024 To: Mayor Peter A. Nystrom and Members of the Norwich City Council through City Manager John Salomone Explanation of proposed ordinance amending the Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Fund Plan AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS' RELIEF FUND PLAN OF THE CITY OF NORWICH Overview This proposed ordinance would increase benefits for volunteer firefighters who participate in the Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Fund Plan (VFFRF Plan) and increase the amount that volunteer firefighters will need to contribute to purchase years of service. The benefit multiplier and the contribution rate from the members would increase from $24 to $30 per month. Comparison of Provisions of Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Fund Plan to Other City Pension Plans The VFFRF Plan is one of two major tools used to attract new volunteers and retain experienced volunteers. The other tool is the tax abatement for which, on September 21, 2020, the City Council approved Ordinance 1791 to increase the maximum abatement from $1,000 to $1,500 in fiscal year 2021-22 and to $2,000 in fiscal year 2022-23. The table below includes the highlights of the recent changes in the City’s pension plans for new members. The pension plans for the employees of the Police, Fire, and General City are more costly than that of the VFFRF – the table merely notes the comparison of the recent changes to major features of the plans. Police Fire General City Volunteer Firefighters' Relief Fund Settled in November Settled in November Current-September Settled in July 2024 Proposed 2024 2018 2021 Age 55 with 25 Age 55 with 20 Age 55 with 20 Retirement Date 25 and out 25 and out years years years Cap on service years 30 30 34 40 40 No change from No change from Decreased with the Requesting increase Benefits formula Multiplier increased previous contract previous contract last contract in multiplier Requesting increase No change from No change from Increased with the Increased with the Member contributions in member previous contract previous contract last contract last ordinance contribution Member must take Member must take Member must take Survivorship benefits a reduced pension a reduced pension a reduced pension 90% spouse benefit 90% spouse benefit for survivor benefits for survivor benefits for survivor benefits Cost & Tax Impact Our actuary firm, Milliman, prepared the attached estimate of the impact of eight VFFRF Plan change scenarios on the actuarially determined contribution. The VFFRF Committee voted to recommend Option 4 to the City Council. I have presented below the estimated tax impact of Option 4 based projections by Milliman. Estimated Tax Impact on TCD Residents Proposed Plan Change Current Plan (Option 4) Actuarial Determined Contribution $ 333,065 $ 371,592 10/1/23 Collectible Grand List 1,840,183,676 1,840,183,676 Mills 0.18 0.20 Median Single Family Home Assessed Value $ 163,170 $ 163,170 Property Taxes $ 29.37 $ 32.63 Increase $ 3.26 In summary, the tax impact for the average household in the Town Consolidation District would be approximately $3 per year.  Main +1 860 687 2110 Fax +1 860 687 2111 milliman.com April 19, 2024 PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL Mr. Joshua Pothier, Comptroller City of Norwich 100 Broadway Norwich, CT 06360 Re: City of Norwich Volunteer Firefighters’ Pension Plan - Proposed Plan Changes Dear Josh: You asked us to analyze the financial impact of the following proposed plan changes:  Increasing the benefit multiplier and the employee contribution rate from $24 per month to multiple options between $26 - $30 per month  Increasing the survivor benefit percentage from 90% to 100% for all members who have been married for at least two years, including three beneficiaries who are currently receiving benefits, a number of current retirees who elected a 90% joint & survivor annuity at retirement, and future retirees who elect a joint & survivor annuity The attached exhibit illustrates the impact of each change on the Actuarially Determined Contribution for FY 2024-25. If the attached exhibit is distributed, it must be distributed with a copy of this letter in its entirety. Our calculations are based on the actuarial methods and assumptions we used for our January 1, 2024 actuarial valuation, which include a proposed change to the MP-2021 Mortality Improvement Scale and implementation of 5-year asset smoothing; these changes will be discussed with the VFFRF Committee next month. We have assumed the plan changes were made effective on January 1, 2024. The actual cost will depend on the final form of the plan change, the effective date, and the eligible members at that time. It is certain that actual experience will not conform exactly to the assumptions used in this analysis. To the extent future experience deviates from those assumptions, the results of this analysis could vary from the results presented here. Future actuarial measurements may differ significantly from the current measurements presented in this report due to such factors as the following: plan experience differing from that anticipated by the economic or demographic assumptions, changes in economic or demographic assumptions, increases or decreases expected as part of the natural operation of the methodology used for these measurements (such as the end of an amortization period or additional cost or contribution requirements based on the plan’s funded status), and changes in plan provisions or applicable law. Due to the limited scope of our assignment, we did not perform an analysis of the potential range of such future measurements. The proposed plan changes do not materially impact the analysis of risk that was presented in our January 1, 2022 valuation report. Mr. Joshua Pothier April 19, 2024 Page 2 We performed a limited review of the data used directly in our analysis for reasonableness and consistency and have not found material defects in the data. If there are material defects in the data, it is possible that they would be uncovered by a detailed, systematic review and comparison of the data to search for data values that are questionable or for relationships that are materially inconsistent. Such a review was beyond the scope of our assignment. If the underlying data or information is inaccurate or incomplete, the results of our analysis may likewise be inaccurate or incomplete and our calculations may need to be revised. The results were developed using models intended for valuations that use standard actuarial techniques. We have reviewed the models, including their inputs, calculations, and outputs for consistency, reasonableness, and appropriateness to the intended purpose and in compliance with generally accepted actuarial practice and relevant actuarial standards of practice. The models, including all input, calculations, and output, may not be appropriate for any other purpose. Milliman’s work is prepared solely for the internal business use of the City of Norwich. To the extent that Milliman’s work is not subject to disclosure under applicable public records laws, Milliman’s work may not be provided to third parties without Milliman's prior written consent. Milliman does not intend to benefit or create a legal duty to any third party recipient of its work product, and Milliman may include a legend on its reports so stating. Milliman’s consent to release its work product to any third party may be conditioned on the third party signing a Release, subject to the following exceptions: (a) the City may provide a copy of Milliman’s work, in its entirety, to the City’s professional service advisors who are subject to a duty of confidentiality and who agree to not use Milliman’s work for any purpose other than to benefit the City; and (b) the City may provide a copy of Milliman’s work, in its entirety, to other governmental entities, as required by law. No third party recipient of Milliman’s work product should rely upon Milliman’s work product. Such recipients should engage qualified professionals for advice appropriate to their own specific needs. We have not explored any legal issues with respect to the proposed plan changes. We are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice on such issues. The consultants who worked on this assignment are pension actuaries. Milliman's advice is not intended to be a substitute for qualified legal or accounting counsel. The signing actuary is independent of the plan sponsor. I am not aware of any relationship that would impair the objectivity of my work. I am a member of the American Academy of Actuaries and meet the Qualification Standards of the American Academy of Actuaries to render the actuarial opinion contained herein. Please let me know if you have any questions. Sincerely, Rebecca A. Sielman, FSA Consulting Actuary RAS/mwj 90 NWF2024ProposedPlanChanges Milliman April 19, 2024 City of Norwich Volunteer Firefighters' Pension Plan Cost Impact of Proposed Pension Plan Changes 2024 Valuation* No Plan Changes Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4 Option 5 Option 6 Option 7 Option 8 Monthly Service Benefit Multiplier $24 $26 $28 $29 $30 $26 $28 $29 $30 Monthly Volunteer Contribution $24 $26 $28 $29 $30 $26 $28 $29 $30 Spousal Survivor Percentage 90% 90% 90% 90% 90% 100% 100% 100% 100% Accrued Liability $7,054,876 $7,180,297 $7,305,569 $7,368,176 $7,430,782 $7,310,998 $7,437,194 $7,500,259 $7,563,322 Actuarial Value of Assets 4,237,932 4,237,932 4,237,932 4,237,932 4,237,932 4,237,932 4,237,932 4,237,932 4,237,932 Unfunded Accrued Liability 2,816,944 2,942,365 3,067,637 3,130,244 3,192,850 3,073,066 3,199,262 3,262,327 3,325,390 Funded Ratio 60.1% 59.0% 58.0% 57.5% 57.0% 58.0% 57.0% 56.5% 56.0% Amortization Payment 246,866 255,678 264,480 268,879 273,278 264,861 273,728 278,159 282,590 Total Normal Cost 74,007 78,509 82,988 85,222 87,456 80,948 85,465 87,718 89,969 Expected Employee Contributions 14,400 15,600 16,800 17,400 18,000 15,600 16,800 17,400 18,000 Expected Expenses 7,000 7,000 7,000 7,000 7,000 7,000 7,000 7,000 7,000 Net Normal Cost 66,607 69,909 73,188 74,822 76,456 72,348 75,665 77,318 78,969 Interest Adjustment 19,592 20,349 21,104 21,481 21,858 21,076 21,837 22,217 22,597 Actuarially Determined 333,065 345,936 358,772 365,182 371,592 358,285 371,230 377,694 384,156 Contribution for 2024-25 * Reflects proposed update of mortality projection scale to MP-2021 and proposed implementation of 5-year asset smoothing This work product was prepared solely for the City for the purposes described herein and may not be appropriate to use for other purposes. Milliman does not intend to benefit and assumes no duty or liability to other parties who receive this work. Milliman recommends that third parties be aided by their own actuary or other qualified professional when reviewing the Milliman work product. This exhibit is an attachment to a letter dated April 19, 2024 and should only be distributed with a copy of that letter in its entirety.  NEW BUSINESS RESOLUTION #1 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 (“City” or “Norwich”) as a qualifying Public Investment Community and Alliance District to undertake planning activities for future development and investment; and WHEREAS, The former Norwich State Hospital properties located at 628 and 705 Laurel Hill Road, with a combined size of 49.65+/- acres, are zoned for commercial development but have laid dormant and unused for many years though prime for redevelopment and adaptive reuse; and WHEREAS, these properties are adjacent to other former Norwich State Hospital properties which are located in the Town of Preston and are being remediated for development as the “Preston Riverwalk” in partnership with the Mohegan Tribe; and WHEREAS, in 2019 the City of Norwich expended $45,500 of a Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Grant awarded for city-wide brownfield assessment to complete a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, Limited Structural Assessment, Limited Hazardous Building Materials Assessment, and Limited Soils Sampling, as to better understand the existing conditions of the Norwich properties; and WHEREAS, the property owner, Thames River Place LLC and an unnamed interested developer have agreed to partner with the City of Norwich Planning and Neighborhood Services Department to study and consider all development options for the Norwich properties to determine the most suitable, economically viable, and community supported potential uses for the properties; 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 City 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 Planning Grant Application by the City of Norwich for a funding request to CIF for no more than $250,000. Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom President Pro Tem Joseph A. DeLucia A lderwoman Stacy Gould  NEW BUSINESS RESOLUTION # 2 WHEREAS, an agreement between the City of Norwich and the Norwich Golf Course Authority entered into at the time of the acquisition of the golf course by the City provided that the Norwich Golf Course Authority might not expend more than $100,000 in any one year without the approval of the Council of the City of Norwich; and WHEREAS, the Norwich Golf Course Authority has annually advised the Council of the City of Norwich of its expected revenues and expenses for the upcoming calendar year; and WHEREAS, the Norwich Golf Course Authority will need to expend more than $100,000 during the calendar year 2025 to meet operating and capital improvement expenses; and WHEREAS, the adopted operational and capital budget of the Norwich Golf Course Authority for 2025 anticipates receiving revenue of $1,572,480.00 from operations during 2025 and having budgeted expenditures of $1,611,896.69; including non-cash expenses for depreciation of facilities and equipment. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the Norwich Golf Course Authority be and hereby is authorized to expend up to $1,611,896.69 during calendar year 2025 utilizing revenues received from operations and other available funds. Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom President Pro Tem Joseph A. DeLucia Alderwoman Stacy Gould  NEW BUSINESS RESOLUTION #3 WHEREAS, the Rules of Procedure of the Council of the City of Norwich Connecticut provide at Section II that “[T]he presiding officer shall preserve order and decorum. . .” during council meetings; and WHEREAS, Rule XX, provides for the order of the presentation of items at each meeting the City Council held on the first Monday of each month including “Public hearings” and “Citizen comment on agenda items” when such appear on the agenda; and further provide that “Upon the adoption of a resolution establishing additional regular meeting dates, the following item may be added to the order of business for such additional regular meetings as the first order of business: Citizen comment on non- agenda items of concern to the City and within the direct purview of the City Council (second meeting). The time of commencement of such additional regular meetings and the duration, individually and in the aggregate, of comments under this item, may be established in such resolution. The Mayor may rule out of order any speaker whose comments are not directed to non- agenda items of concern to the City and within the direct purview of the City Council, or which are otherwise inappropriate.”; and WHEREAS, Rule XXI provides in part: “In addition to citizen comment on non-agenda items of concern to the City and within the direct purview of the City Council , as provided for in Section XX, any person who wishes to address the City Council on a resolution or ordinance which appears on the council agenda for the specific meeting may do so, but any other requests to address the Council, other than in accordance with the preceding paragraph, shall be referred to the appropriate Council committee. No person shall speak longer than three minutes except for those making a presentation at the invitation of the Council.”; and WHEREAS, the Council finds it will assist the presiding officer in maintaining decorum, will be of assistance to the Council and those attending any Council meeting in person or viewing the same remotely, including meetings of the Council conducted by electronic equipment in whole or in part, in following discussion on topics of interest to them, and will assist the city clerk in the identification of speakers for the purpose of maintaining complete and proper minutes of council meetings, to require all such speakers to identify themselves by name and residential or business address at the commencement of their remarks. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the Rules and Procedures of the Council of the City of Norwich be and hereby are amended by removing that portion of Rule XXI which reads: “In addition to citizen comment on non-agenda items of concern to the City and within the direct purview of the City Council, as provided for in Section XX, any person who wishes to address the City Council on a resolution or ordinance which appears on the council agenda for the specific meeting may do so, but any other requests to address the Council, other than in accordance with the preceding paragraph, shall be referred to the appropriate Council committee. No person shall speak longer than three minutes except for those making a presentation at the invitation of the Council.” and substituting the following paragraph to Rule XXI in place of it. If any person who wishes to address the Council of the City of Norwich on non-agenda items of concern to the City and within the direct purview of the City Council as provided for in Section XX, or any person who wishes to address the City Council on a resolution or ordinance which appears on the council agenda for the specific meeting at which said person wishes to speak may do so, provided any such person shall clearly state their name and residential or business address at the start of their remarks, but any other request to address the Council, other than in accordance with the preceding paragraph, shall be referred to the appropriate Council committee. Any person failing to provide his or her name and residential or business address at the commencement of their remarks or upon having been asked to do so by the presiding officer shall be deemed out of order and requested to discontinue their remarks until they have verbally provided their name and residential or business address for the record. No person shall speak longer than three minutes except for those making a presentation at the invitation of the Council. Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom President Pro Tem Joseph A. DeLucia Alderwoman Stacy Gould  NEW BUSINESS ORDINANCE #1 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 8‐74 AND 8‐75 OF ARTICLE IV OF CHAPTER 8 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES PERTAINING TO THE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS' RELIEF FUND PLAN OF THE CITY OF NORWICH WHEREAS, plan changes have been proposed to the City of Norwich Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Fund Plan; and WHEREAS, on or about April 19, 2024 the City of Norwich Finance Department received an analysis of the financial impact of the proposed changes prepared by the actuarial firm overseeing the pension fund; and WHEREAS, at a regular meeting of the Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Fund Committee held on November 18, 2024. reviewed this financial analysis and voted to recommend the proposed plan changes to the Council of the City of Norwich; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich accepts the recommendations for plan changes proposed by the Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Fund Committee. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Norwich, that the following amendments to Sections 8‐74 and 8‐75 of Article IV of Chapter 8 of the Code of Ordinances listed as follows: Section 8‐74(a)(v)(7); Section 8‐74(a)(v)(8) (to be added); Section 8‐75(c)(vii); and Section 8‐75(c)(viii), (to be added) be and hereby are adopted. Sec. 8-74. - Service. (a) Annual purchase of credited service time. Any plan member who is aged 18 years or older as of the end of the plan year may purchase a year of credited service by meeting the following requirements: (v) Contribution rate. A plan member shall contribute the following amounts for purchase of credited service during the following periods: (1) $60.00 for plan years prior to January 1, 1995. (2) $84.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 1995 but prior to January 1, 2000. (3) $120.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 2000 but prior to January 1, 2006. (4) $180.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 2006 but prior to January 1, 2011. (5) $216.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 2011 but prior to January 1, 2014. (6) $264.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 2014 but prior to January 1, 2021. (7) $288.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 2021, but prior to January 1, 2024 (8) $360.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 2024. Sec. 8-75. - Retirement benefits. (c) Calculation of retirement benefits. The monthly amount of retirement benefits payable to a plan member shall be calculated as follows: (i) For retired members with a break in service prior to January 1, 1995, $7.00 times 20 years of service, for a maximum of $140.00. (ii) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 1995 but prior to January 1, 2000, $8.00 times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of 30 years, or $240.00. (iii) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 2000 but prior to January 1, 2006, $10.00 times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of 30 years, or $300.00. (iv) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 2006 but prior to January 1, 2011, $15.00 times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of 35 years, or $525.00. (v) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 2011 but prior to January 1, 2015, $18.00 times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of 40 years, or $720.00. (vi) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 2015 but prior to January 1, 2021, $22.00 times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of 40 years, or $880.00. (vii) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 2021 but prior to January 1, 2024, $24.00 times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of 40 years, or $960.00. (viii) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 2024, $30.00 times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of 40 years, or $1,200.00. Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom Alderwoman Stacy Gould Alderman Bill Nash