City Council

Approved by City Council & WPCA February 21, 2023 MINUTES Vol 27, Page 185 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA Vote: Unanimous REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom February 6, 2023 A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council and Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) of the City of Torrington was held at the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, February 6, 2023. Present at the City Hall auditorium were Mayor Elinor Carbone, City Councilors Armand Maniccia, and Paul Cavagnero. Also present at City Hall were Deputy Fire Chief David Tripp, Economic Development Director Rista Malanca, and Assistant City Planner Nate Nardi-Cyrus. Joining via Zoom were Councilors David Oliver, Anne Ruwet, and Drake Waldron. Councilor Keri Hoehne was absent. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Carbone recognized the recently retired elected Registrar of Voters Edward Wilmot (R) for his 10 years of service and John Ciesco (D) for his 20 years of service to the City. State Representative Michelle Cook presented Ed Wilmot and John Ciesco Official Citations from the General Assembly awarding all their hard work and commitment to the City of Torrington as the Elected Registrars of Voters. Mr. Wilmot and Mr. Ciesco thanked everyone that they worked with in the Registrar’s Office over the years. Public Comment: (in-person only) On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public, in accordance with Section 4(e) of the City Council & WPCA Meeting Rules of Procedure. Jane Slaiby voiced her concerns regarding the misprinted times mentioned in the Garbage Ordinance in the Republican- American newspaper. Stephen Ivain shared his support of the Torrington Trails Network and Assistant City Planner Nate for all the work that they have been doing for Torrington. Sam Slaiby commended the City on the action it has taken against the owners of the Yankee Pedlar. He also mentioned his concern regarding the vulgar language on signs throughout the City. Trevon Whittaker said he would have liked to have been notified of the new trail and its proposed path near his property. Approve Minutes On a motion by Councilor Maniccia, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Regular meeting minutes from January 17, 2023. Schedule a Public Hearing - Chapter 194 - Vehicles and Traffic On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council, on the recommendation of the Ordinance Committee, voted unanimously to schedule a Public Hearing for changes to Chapter 194 Vehicles and Traffic sections 194-3.1, 194-4, 194-16, and 194-24 on February 21, 2023. Schedule a Public Hearing - Chapter 181 – Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vegetation On a motion by Councilor Maniccia, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council, on the recommendation of the Ordinance Committee, voted unanimously to schedule a Public Hearing for a new Ordinance Chapter 181 Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vegetation on February 21, 2023. Conservation Commission Appointment On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council voted unanimously to appoint Karen A. Svetz (D) as a regular member of the Conservation Commission filling the remainder of a term that is set to expire on September 5, 2024. Resolution #143-237 USDA Community Facilities Grant On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution #143-237 authorizing the Mayor to execute Form RD 1942-6 “Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions”, Form RD 1940-1 “Request for Obligations of Funds” and all other documents required by USDA Rural Development to process an application for a USDA Community Facilities Grant not to exceed $1,100,000 for the construction of the Northwest Hills Regional Animal Facility. *See addendum* Resolution #143-238 DEEP’s CT Recreation Trails Grant Application On a motion by Councilor Maniccia, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted to consider adopting Resolution #143-238 authorizing the Mayor to apply for the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Recreational Trails Grant in the amount of $439,700, matched by $281,500 in City Funds, as further explained in the Assistant City Planner’s memo dated February 6, 2023. Assistant MINUTES Vol 27, Page 186 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom February 6, 2023 City Planner Nate Nardi-Cyrus explained in detail the pathway and where the funds were going to be coming from for the trail development. He went on to say that this portion of the trail will be mostly on City-owned property, which was purchased for developing this trail. Economic Development Director Rista Malanca went on to explain that a stretch of the rail line had been checked for contaminates before the City acquired it. Councilor Maniccia asked how the City plans on informing the property owners that may be affected. Mayor Carbone explained that over the years neighborhoods have changed, and at this point what the City will do is re-engage the neighborhoods to hear their concerns. Motion to Table: Resolution #143-238 DEEP’s CT Recreation Trails Grant Application On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Maniccia the Council voted unanimously to table adopting Resolution #143-238 authorizing the Mayor to apply for the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Recreational Trails Grant in the amount of $439,700, matched by $281,500 in City Funds, as further explained in the Assistant City Planner’s memo dated February 6, 2023, until February 21, 2023. Location Analytics Consultant On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council on the recommendation of the Economic Development Director voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City to award, execute and administer a contract agreement for a Location Analytics Consultant with Placer.ai in the amount of $25,000. This project is fully funded by the Building Healthier Communities Fund, as further explained in the Economic Development Director’s memo dated February 1, 2023. Councilor Cavagnero asked what this software will provide for the City, Economic Development Director Rista Malanca explained that it will geofence any area within the City and give accurate foot traffic counts. She went on to say that this will enable the City to identify its true trade area, where customers live and work. Revised Building Department Report On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council voted unanimously to accept the revised Building Department Report from December 2022. Tax Collector Refunds On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the tax refunds indicated on the list dated February 6, 2023. Sewer Usage Refunds On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the sewer usage refunds indicated on the list dated February 6, 2023. Business by Dept. Heads On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by department heads. Deputy Fire Chief Tripp shared with Council that the Fire Department was awarded $546,392.71 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). These funds will be used to get new battery-operated rescue tools and training for the whole department to become certified rescue technicians. He also thanked the Council for approving the Budget last year so the Fire Department has the Capital Funds available for the City’s share of the grant. Business by Mayor & Members On a motion by Councilor Maniccia, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by Mayor and Members. Councilor Ruwet Congratulated Ed Wilmot and John Ciesco for all their years of service. Councilors Maniccia and Cavagnero thanked John and Ed for their years of service and congratulated the Fire Department on being awarded the Federal Grant. Mayor Carbone gave the Council the latest update on the Yankee Pedlar. She mentioned that she will have the Blight Enforcement Officer come to a meeting soon to give an update on blight enforcement in the City. Public Comment (in-person only) On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public to comment on agenda items only. No one from the public wished to speak. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 187 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom February 6, 2023 Adjournment On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:38 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK *Addendum*