City Council

Approved by City Council & WPCA MINUTES March 18, 2024 Vol 27, Page 320 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA Vote: Unanimous REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom March 4, 2024 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, March 4, 2024. Present at the City Hall Auditorium were Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Michael Magistrali, City Councilors Drake Waldron, Stephen Ivain, Molly Spino, Anne Ruwet and Paul Cavagnero, Treasurer Dan Farley, and Facilities Manager Jamie Sykora. Director of Services for the Elderly Joel Sekorski participated via Zoom. Councilor David Oliver was absent. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comment On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, 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. No one from the public wished to speak. Approve Minutes On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted to accept the Regular meeting minutes from February 20, 2024. Councilor Ruwet and Waldron abstained. Aon Plc On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to approve the assignment of Fiducient Advisors, LLC to Aon plc. Senior Center Awning On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to waive the bid process and award the Senior Center awning repair and/or replacement to Awnings Plus of Torrington, in the amount of $17,417.10. The entire cost of these services is being donated by a Senior Center member, as further explained in the Services for the Elderly Director’s letter dated February 23, 2024. Mayor Carbone told the Council that Awnings Plus is the company that originally came up with the design and installation of the original awning. Lien Releases On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to release the liens listed in the Corporation Counsel’s memo of March 4, 2024. Tax Collector Refunds On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the tax refunds indicated on the list dated March 4, 2024. Sewer Usage Refunds On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the sewer usage refunds indicated on the list dated March 4, 2024. Business by Dept. Heads On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads. Treasurer Dan Farley provided the Council with an update on the bond and note sale for the City. He said the City’s credit rating is SP 1+, which is the highest rating, and the bond rating is AA- Stable, with the only rating higher being AAA. Mr. Farley said that the City had sold $34,350,000 in bond anticipation notes to Jefferies LLC, for a premium of $287,166. Mr. Farley told the Council that the City has also sold $14,000,000 in general obligation bonds, $10,000,000 for the new school, and $4,000,000 for roadwork, to FHN Financial Capital Markets, from which the City will get a premium of $1,376,794.21. Mr. Farley said that he was pleased with how the sales of the bonds and notes went. Mayor Carbone said these sales provide the cash flow necessary for the new school construction. She said that the City would go out to bid one more time next year for the school construction, which is to be completed by January 2025. She explained that they would then have additional construction, demolition, and field work which should be completed by the winter of 2025. Mayor Carbone explained to the Council that the State of Connecticut Grant reimbursement withholds 5% of funds until there is an audit of where the funds were used. Business by Mayor & Members On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and City Council members. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 321 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom March 4, 2024 Councilor Cavagnero would like a joint Board of Education and City Council meeting to go over the plans and goals for the upcoming year. Councilor Ruwet shared with the Council that there was an Ordinance Subcommittee meeting before the Council and they are passing three Ordinances to Public Hearing which will be scheduled for April 8, 2024, with another Ordinance Subcommittee meeting on April 15, 2024. Councilor Waldron said that he will be nominating Mark Cavagnero for the distinguished alumnus award this year, as he is the architect for the planned expansion of the Torrington Historical Society. Mayor Carbone shared with the Council that the Torrington Historical Society is doing a presentation for the complete expansion and creation of a history education center on March 25, 2024. Mark Cavagnero has put together a presentation for the residents of the City to see the planned expansion of the Torrington Historical Society. Mayor Carbone said that she is looking into some grant opportunities to help with the expansion. Councilor Cavagnero added that his brother Mark Cavagnero is an expert at adding modern additions to historical buildings. Public Comment (in-person only) On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Spino, 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. Adjournment On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:04 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK