City Council

Approved by City Council & WPCA April 15, 2024 MINUTES Vote: Unanimous Vol 27, Page 326 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom April 8, 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, April 8, 2024. Present at the City Hall Auditorium were Mayor Elinor Carbone, City Councilors Drake Waldron, Stephen Ivain, Molly Spino, Anne Ruwet, David Oliver, Treasurer Dan Farley, WPCA Administrator Ed Tousey, Superintendent of Public Works Tim Cote, and Park and Recreation Director Bobby Pentino. Councilor Paul Cavagnero and Public Works Director Ray Drew participated via Zoom. Corporation Counsel Michael Magistrali was absent. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:30 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. Accept Minutes On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Regular Meeting Minutes from March 18, 2024. Small Cities Public Hearings On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to schedule a Public Hearing on Monday, May 6th to solicit citizen input regarding the closeout of Small Cities Grant SC1814301. On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to schedule a Public Hearing on Monday, May 6th to solicit citizen input regarding the closeout of Small Cities Grant SC2014301. WPCA Payment Authorization On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the City Council herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to approve a payment of $23,715 from Fund #490 Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement to Yield Industries for Invoice #1625 for a Forced Main Emergency Repair (sinkhole) on Winsted Rd in the Bridge Area. WPCA Brightwood Avenue Sewer Replacement On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the City Council herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the WPCA Administrator and the Purchasing Agent to accept the bid from Yield Industries for Brightwood Avenue Sewer Replacement in the amount of $1,177,252, to be paid from Fund #490 Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement. Councilor Ivain asked for an explanation of the repair or improvement and why it was higher than expected. Mr. Tousey explained that Wright-Pierce had estimated the project low, and the two bids received for the project were very similar, but ultimately went with Wright-Pierce because they are a local company. Councilor Ivain asked if it was a repair or an improvement, Mr. Tousey said that there has always been an issue here, and this must be fixed before the new high school opens, as the Brightwood sewer line can barely handle the flow. Mr. Tousey said that with inflation projects are coming in higher than expected. Councilor Cavagnero asked if any of this cost would be the responsibility of the high school construction project, Mayor Carbone said that because this is offsite it is not part of the construction project and the City’s responsibility. Police Department Ammunition Purchase On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to utilize State Procurement Contract #19PSX0220 and purchase ammunition for the fiscal years 23/24 and 24/25. The estimated budgeted amount for these purchases is $34,577.03 for FY 23/24 and $37,250 for FY 24/25. Funding for these purchases will be charged to Uniform Allowance and Special Squads GL accounts, as further explained in the Purchasing Agent’s letter dated March 28, 2024. This has been previously approved by the Board of Public Safety. Councilor Oliver asked if the City would be able to get the ammunition due to a lack of supply, Mayor Carbone said that with a State Contract, they should be able to, however, she added that may be the reason why Chief Baldwin is asked for FY 24/25 ammunition now. ADS Pipe for Public Works Projects On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to utilize State Bid Contract #23PSX0246AA and purchase Polyethylene Corrugated Pipe, Tubing, and Geotextile Filter Fabric as needed. Funding for these purchases will be from the General Fund, as further explained in the Superintendent of Public Works memo dated March 25, 2024. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 327 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom April 8, 2024 Joe Ruwet Park Playscape On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Recreation Director and the Parks and Recreation Commission to award the replacement of the Joe Ruwet Park playscape to Creative Recreation of Newington, CT, in the amount of $49,976.00. Funding for this will be from ARPA funds, as further described in the Recreation Directors memo dated April 1, 2024. Councilor Spino asked what the start date is, Mr. Pentino said that once it was approved it would be within a month as the playscape is on backorder. Resolution #143-248 –CT DEEP Urban Forest Equity Grant On a motion by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution #143-248 and authorize the Mayor to apply for a $200,000 Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection – Urban Forest Equity Grant for a tree inventory, a community forest management plan, a tree canopy assessment, and a five-year software subscription to update the inventory as conditions change, as further explained in the Assistant City Planners memo dated April 8, 2024. See addendum. Lien Releases On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to release the liens listed in the Corporation Counsel’s memo of April 8, 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 April 8, 2024. Sewer Usage Refunds On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Oliver the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the sewer usage refunds indicated on the list dated April 8, 2024. Business by Dept. Heads On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads. Treasurer Dan Farley discussed the upcoming Public Hearings for Small Cities. 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. Councilor Cavagnero commended the Mayor on the Torrington Historical Society’s presentation on the remodeling and expansion. Councilor Ruwet said that the ARPA Committee is meeting on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, to discuss applications. She said that there will be a Public Hearing for some Ordinances on April 15, 2024. Mayor Carbone said at the next meeting there will be an ARPA update, with the complete spending to date and the commitment through December 2024. Public Comment (in-person only) On a motion by Councilor Oliver, 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 Oliver, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 6:52 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 328 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom April 8, 2024 Addendum: