City Council

MINUTES Vol 27, Page 428 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom September 3, 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 Tuesday, September 3, 2024. Present at City Hall were Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Michael Magistrali, City Councilors Drake Waldron, Stephen Ivain, and Molly Spino. Also present in person were Deputy Fire Chief David Tripp, Public Works Director Ray Drew, Facilities Manager Jamie Sykora, Treasurer Dan Farley, Registrar’s Clerk Melissa Russell, and WPCA Administrator Ed Tousey. Councilor David Oliver and Director of Services for the Elderly Joel Sekorski joined via Zoom. Councilors Anne Ruwet and Paul Cavagnero were absent. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m. Public Comment: On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. Mary Scaia, Country Woods Condominiums, shared concerns about Lodestar Energy putting a solar farm near their property. The property owners met with Lodestar to go over their worries. She said that it's too much land to lose with the solar farm being too close to us. She said with the help from the City Hamden was able to shut down the Lodestar project in their City. Stanley Smith, Country Woods Condominiums, shared his concerns about the numerous trees being removed and the water runoff. Denise Schibi, Country Woods Condominiums, is worried about removing the trees and having the water run into the park on Riverside Ave, causing more flooding. Elaine Kulesza is concerned about the radiation, EMF waves, and health issues. Wildlife would move from the area because of taking down 14.9 acres of trees. Aileen Ackerman, Country Woods Condominiums, is worried about destroying the local ecosystem, and the health risks. Terrance Nolan, Lodestar Energy, met with the Country Woods Condominium Association to address their concerns. They are looking to minimize the impact on the neighbors. Donna Kjersgaard, Country Woods Condominiums, shared the neighbors purchased their condos because of the environment they have right now. Carole Muro, Country Woods Condominiums, is concerned with the noise, and how it will disrupt the peaceful environment. Approve Minutes On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted to accept the Regular Meeting Minutes from August 19, 2024. Councilor Spino abstained. Fair Rent Commission On a mo�on by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to reappoint Scot Matava, to the Fair Rent Commission for a two-year term set to expire on June 30, 2026. Board of Assessment Appeals On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Oliver R. Davis (U) to the Board of Assessment Appeals as an alternate member to fill a vacancy for a term to expire on December 5, 2024. Services for the Elderly Commission On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Mayor’s appointment of Commissioner Tina Vanini (D) from Alternate to Voting Commissioner with a term ending July 5, 2027, to replace Commissioner John Riggs who has completed his second term. On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Mayor’s appointment of Commissioner Janet Recidivi (D) from Alternate to Voting Commissioner to fill the remainder of a term ending July 5, 2025, to replace Commissioner Art Mattiello who has resigned. On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Mayor’s appointment of Frances Daley (R) and John Parent (D) to Alternate Commissioners, to fill the remainder of the term ending July 5, 2025. ARPA - Spending Plan Vote On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the City ARPA Committee and approve the ARPA Spending Plan as amended on August 28, 2024. Mr. Drew provided an overview of the $10,075,341.70 the City received in ARPA funds. There are guidelines and stipulations for committing those funds. The ARPA committee met on August MINUTES Vol 27, Page 429 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom September 3, 2024 28, 2024; all funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024. The obligation means you must have a contract, agreement, or proposal to designate that money to be spent on whatever is deemed an eligible expense. The City has spent $4,623,699.01 so far, encumbered $1,938,443.01, and committed $232,000 in community impact grants which will be earmarked soon. That leaves $3,281,015.68 which is currently unobligated. When the committee met, they created a plan to see what the City could accomplish by the December 31, 2024, deadline. The ARPA funds need to be expended by December 31, 2026. Councilor Ivain asked what the New World Financial System did, Mr. Drew said it is the City’s Financial system, and an issue that consistently comes up is that only so many people can use the system. This request is for an unlimited license to have as many users as we need on the system. Councilor Ivain asked about the Building Management Systems, and Mr. Sykora said his goal is to get the whole City on the same system. He said it is a way to monitor the HVAC, along with being able to control the system remotely. Mr. Drew added it allows you tighter control over how the building operates, which leads to more energy efficiency. ARPA - Expense Approval Votes On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the ARPA Committee the Comptroller, and the IT Director to upgrade the New World Financial System to an Unlimited Site License to Tyler Technologies in the amount of $14,976 to be funded by ARPA G/L: 0284.8888.5900.0000. On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the ARPA Committee the Police Chief, and the IT Director to award the replacement of eight (8) laptop computers off CT DAS Contract 23PSX0163 to Telrepco in the amount of $42,840 to be funded by ARPA G/L: 0284.8888.5900.0000 On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the ARPA Committee and the WPCA Administrator to approve Payment Application #1 for the Brightwood Ave Sewer Replacement Project to Yield Industries in the amount of $190,836.00 to be funded by ARPA G/L: 0284.8888.5930.0000. Councilor Ivain asked if this was the total cost of the project, Mr. Drew said the application has the total cost on it. On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the ARPA Committee and the Facilities Director to award the Installation and/or replacement of Building Management Systems at Senior Center, Police Department, Fire Department/LCD off CT DAS Contract 23PSX0243CA to Air Temp Mechanical Services in the amount of $301,050.00 to be funded by ARPA G/L: 0284.8888.5930.0000 in the amount of $206,000.00 and Public Works Capital Reserve G/L: 0311.8888.5900.0112 in the amount of $95,050.00. On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to award a Grant in the amount of $10,000 to Nautilus Plus Fitness & Tanning Center to assist with business relocation expenses incurred with the sale of their property to Friendly Hands Food Bank. Voting Privacy Booths On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to waive the bid process and purchase (23) Franklin 4 Station Voting Privacy Booths from sole-source provider Inclusion Solutions of Evanston, IL in the amount of $23,766.20 using grant funds from the Center for Tech and Civic Life, as further explained in the Registrar Clerk’s memo dated August 23, 2024. Fire Department Extractor On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to utilize State Contract #15PSX0112 for the purchase of a Fire Department Washer/Extractor, from Daniels Equipment Company of Auburn, NH, to be paid from the Fire Department Capital Reserve Account in the amount of $23,632.00, pending Board of Safety approval. Councilor Waldron asked if this is replacing an existing unit, Deputy Chief Tripp said the first unit was purchased in 2010, and in 2022 it started having issues. This is a smaller unit that cleans two sets of turnout gear from fires, the new one will hold 6 sets. Councilor Waldron asked what the projected life is, Deputy Chief Tripp said 15 years, and the current machine is 14 years old. Small Cities – 26 Hodges Hill Road – Project # 143-PI-51 On a motion by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council, on the recommendation of the Small Cities Committee, voted unanimously to preapprove installing an auxiliary generator at 26 Hodges Hill Road, pending State Department of Housing approval. Mr. Farley explained two of these projects are not what they would normally approve. It went before the Small Cities Committee for pre- approval, and the City Council before being presented to the State Department of Housing. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 430 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom September 3, 2024 Small Cities – 64 Albany Street – Project # 143-SC1801-36 On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council, on the recommendation of the Small Cities Committee, voted unanimously to preapprove the replacement of the house and garage roof and gutters, installing a new garage overhead door, and replace the garage floor (slab) at 64 Albany Street, pending State Department of Housing approval. Small Cities – 29 Weigold Road – Project # 143-PI-52 On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council, on the recommendation of the Small Cities Committee, voted unanimously to approve the emergency replacement of the roof and gutters at 29 Weigold Road, not to exceed $20,000. Mr. Farley explained to the Board that this is an emergency, where the individual needs their roof replacement to keep homeowners’ insurance on their property. WPCA - Installment Plan Request On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the City Council herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to enter into a 5-year Installment Plan Agreement with MAHAILA D LLC, to facilitate their payment of the Capacity Reserve Fee of $15,000 due WPCA. With a 5% interest rate, their monthly payments will be $283.07 after a 14% down payment of $2,500. The Assessor’s Records identifies the property as 775 Main Street, property Owner MAHAILA D LLC, M/B/L: 120/004/005. Police Department Trek Police Electric Bicycles with Bike Racks On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to award the purchase of the two (2) TREK Electric bikes to Benidorm Bikes of Canton, CT in the amount of $11,799.90, pending approval from the Board of Public Safety. Funding for this purchase will be from the Police Department Capital Reserve account, as further explained in the Purchasing Agent’s letter dated August 28, 2024. Police Department University Drive Tower On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the replacement of the radio repeater located on University Drive, to Marcus Communications of Manchester, CT in the amount of $24,065.50, pending Board of Public Safety approval. This purchase will be funded from the Police Department's Capital Reserve, as further explained in the Police Chief's letter dated August 28, 2024. Councilor Ivain asked if this would be used with the new radio system, and Mayor Carbone said it would. 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 September 3, 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 September 3, 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 September 3, 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. Deputy Fire Chief Tripp told the Council this Thursday, September 5, 2024, is the annual Fire Department boot drive, September 11, 2024, they will hold their 9-11 Ceremony at the North End Fire Station, and September 20, 2024, will be the Fire Department vs. Police Department Fundraiser. Joel Sekorski said it's Senior Center Month, pick up a newsletter to check out what is happening. City Clerk Carol Anderson shared with the Board she has been working with Atty. Sandra Dawson, Corporation Counsel, and the Mayor on the explanatory text for the referendum question. Attorney Magistrali would like the Council to consider adding a part-time attorney or paralegal for the Corporation Counsel office. Items come in quickly and last minute, which makes it very busy. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 431 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom September 3, 2024 Business by Mayor & Members On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and City Council members. Councilor Ivain thought the solar installation model that Lodestar Energy was sunset in 2015. He said they should investigate other ways to add solar panels in the City rather than installing a solar field. He suggested businesses consider putting panels on their flat roofs, which you can find throughout the City. 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 Waldron, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK