City Council

Approved by City Council & WPCA October 16, 2023 MINUTES Vol 27, Page 281 Vote: Unanimous CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom October 2, 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, October 2, 2023. Present at the City Hall Auditorium were Mayor Elinor Carbone, City Councilors Drake Waldron, Keri Hoehne, Armand Maniccia, Anne Ruwet, and Paul Cavagnero. Also present at City Hall were Public Works Director Ray Drew, City Engineer Paul Kundzins, Facilities Director Jamie Sykora, Superintendent of Streets and Parks Tim Cote, Recreation Director Bobby Pentino, WPCA Administrator Ed Tousey, Treasurer Dan Farley, Assessor Thomas DiStasio, and Deputy Assessor Stacie Maldonado. Joining via Zoom was Fire Chief Eric Borden. Councilor David Oliver was absent. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comment: (in-person only) On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, 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. Judith Labrecque expressed her concerns and frustrations regarding getting the streetlight replaced at 174 Bradford Road. Approve Minutes On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted to accept the Regular meeting minutes from September 18, 2023. Councilor Hoehne abstained. Economic Development Reappointment On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to reappoint Diane Carroll (U) as a regular member of the Economic Development Commission for a five- year term set to expire on February 9, 2028. Infrastructure Improvements Project Status Report Public Works Director Ray Drew did a presentation on the various Public Works Projects that have recently been completed, are in progress, and are scheduled. Mr. Drew stated that 46 projects are outlined in the presentation, he said that they will not go through each one, but if the Council has a question regarding any specific ones the department heads will be glad to answer. Councilor Cavagnero asked if the City had already bonded for the Railroad Square Project, and Mr. Drew told him it was part of the Road Building Project. Councilor Cavagnero also asked if the City of Torrington maintains jurisdiction over the Animal Control Facility because it is in the Town of Harwinton, Mr. Drew told him that Torrington has total control over the Animal Control Facility along with the Sewer Plant, even though they are in Harwinton, they are maintained by Torrington. Councilor Ruwet asked about an estimated date of completion for the Railroad Square Project, noting that they are still in the design phase, City Engineer Paul Kundzins told her that they are waiting on the funding to get straightened out before they can fully finish the design and even have an estimated date of completion. Mayor Carbone further explained that this project will be a multi-year project, and it will be done in phases to access the funding properly. Councilor Cavagnero asked how many parking spots would be available in the new parking lot behind Christmas Village, Mr. Kundzins said that the parking behind Christmas Village would be for the Teachers at Vogel-Wetmore to park, to free up the Mason Street parking lot during the day. Councilor Ruwet asked about the timeline for the Joe Ruwet Playground to be completed, Recreation Director Bobby Pentino told her that they had just finished adding 38 new parking spots to that area. He went on to say the City had just gone out to bid and received quotes on the Playground, and that it will be installed in the Spring of 2024. Councilor Ruwet also asked about Country Club Road, and the water issues that they are having, Mr. Kundzins explained that at this time it is not a project yet, and they are still investigating. He went on to say that he has yet to figure out exactly what is going on and that it will not be an easy or cheap fix. Councilor Hoehne asked about the flooding that has been occurring on Limestone Drive, Mr. Kundzins told her that he wasn’t aware of any issues in that area since it had been re-paved. Councilor Hoehne also asked about the Brightwood Avenue Sewer Project regarding the new high school and new development on Kennedy Drive causing a burden on the system, WPCA Administrator Ed Tousey explained that there are already problems with that system, and since they will be adding the additional flow from the High School to an already troubled area of sewer, it makes sense to replace the pipe. Facilities Director Jamie Sykora provided an update on the Animal Control Facility, he explained to the Council that they had to finalize the fire system and have a meeting scheduled with the Fire Marshall in Harwinton to get the Certificate of Occupancy. He hopes to be fully moved into the new Facility by November 1, 2023. Mr. Drew said that this project was initiated in 2011, and it has taken 12 years to get to this point where the Facility is finished. City Engineer Paul Kundzins provided an update on the bonding of the roadwork that has been done. He also mentioned that the State had just awarded the City $2.8 million to reconstruct Migeon Avenue, so they will fast-track the rest of the design and will be starting this project next summer. Mr. Kundzins also showed a time-lapse video of the reconstruction MINUTES Vol 27, Page 282 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom October 2, 2023 of the Bogue Road Bridge and explained the whole process to the Council. Superintendent of Streets and Parks Tim Cote provided the Council with an update on some sinkhole problems and other projects that have been completed. He went on to talk about Highland Avenue being damaged by the rain, and how it is a project that is in the works. WPCA Payment Authorization On a motion by Councilor Maniccia, seconded by Councilor Hoehne, the City Council herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to approve the following payment from Fund #490 Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement. DATE INVOICE CONTRACTOR AMOUNT DESCRIPTION 9/18/2023 1498 Yield Ind. $54,700.00 Lyman Dr. Sewer replacement Fire Department Uniforms On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council voted unanimously to utilize State Contract #17PSX0024AB for the purchase of Fire Department Uniforms, from Fairfield Uniform Company of Bridgeport, CT to be paid from the Uniform Allowance line item, as further explained in the Purchasing Agent’s letter dated September 28, 2023, pending Board of Safety approval. Chief Borden said the funding will be spanning two Fiscal Years. Motor Vehicle Tax Compliance – Assessor’s Office On a motion by Councilor Maniccia, seconded by Councilor Hoehne, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City to award, execute, and administer a contract agreement, including additional options and fees as needed for the Motor Vehicle Tax Compliance to Fischer Investigations, LLC DBA Capital Tax Recovery of Berlin, CT, as further explained in the Purchasing Agents letter dated September 26, 2023. Councilors Hoehne and Maniccia both asked what this would be enforcing, Assessor Tom DiStasio explained that it was to help missing out-of-state and out-of-town vehicles that may not be registered properly. Mayor Carbone reminded the Council that earlier this year an Ordinance was passed regarding out-of-state Motor Vehicles, and this is another way to help with enforcing that. Embracing Our Legacy Planning Study On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City to award, execute, and administer a contract for the Embracing our Legacy Study with Gamble Associates of Cambridge, MA in the amount of $220,000, which will be funded through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Brownfield Area Revitalization Planning Grant, as further explained in the Economic Development Directors memo dated September 26, 2023. Mayor Carbone told the Council that this is the former Brunswick property that is down by Forbes School. She said that this is a great opportunity for investment properties. She went on to say that Forbes School would be included in this study. Resolution #143-244 On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Maniccia, the Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution #143-244 authorizing the Mayor to apply for the annual EMPG Grant for FY 22 and FY 23. See addendum #1. Lien Releases On a motion by Councilor Maniccia, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to release the liens listed in the Corporation Counsel’s memo of October 2, 2023. Tax Collector Refunds On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the tax refunds indicated on the list dated October 2, 2023. Sewer Usage Refunds On a motion by Councilor Maniccia, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the sewer usage refunds indicated on the list dated October 2, 2023. Business by Dept. Heads On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 283 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom October 2, 2023 Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Bobby Pentino shared with the Council that they are holding the first-ever Haunted House at the Armory, on October 14, 2023, and many volunteers are helping. WPCA Administrator Ed Tousey said that they have been inundated with the amount of rain that the City has received this past week and have been working around the clock to get the system back working properly. Public Works Director Ray Drew told the Council that they have received numerous complaints regarding the flooding in the City. He said that the infrastructure is ready and prepared to function as intended, it is an average design that withstands peaks in the weather. The amount of rain received in the past six months has been significant, and the systems have functioned as needed. Assessor Thomas DiStasio shared that his department has begun working on reevaluations. Business by Mayor & Members On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Hoehne, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and City Council members. Councilor Cavagnero wanted to know how to get the streetlight approved to be replaced at 174 Bradford Road. Mayor Carbone told him it would be by adding it to the agenda by a 2/3 vote and then getting the motion approved. Councilor Cavagnero asked for this to be added to the agenda. On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to add by a 2/3 vote the reinstallation of a streetlight at 174 Bradford Road. On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Hoehne, the Council voted unanimously to reinstall the streetlight at 174 Bradford Road. Councilor Cavagnero said that no one is wrong in this situation. Councilor Ruwet told the Council that they will be looking at a Streetlight Ordinance to set parameters. Councilor Hoehne said that this $3,300 is a good expense. Councilor Ruwet said that Richard Lopez did a great job on Saturday’s Hispanic Heritage Day even if it was confined to inside Coe Park due to the weather. Public Comment (in-person only) On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public to comment on agenda items only. Judith Labrecque thanked the Council for voting to reinstall the streetlight on her street. Adjournment On a motion by Councilor Maniccia, seconded by Councilor Hoehne, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:49 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK MINUTES Vol 27, Page 284 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom October 2, 2023 Addendum #1: MINUTES Vol 27, Page 284 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom October 2, 2023