City Council

Approved by the City Council & WPCA October 7, 2024 MINUTES Vol 27, Page 433 Vote: Unanimous CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom September 16, 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, September 16, 2024. Present at City Hall were Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Michael Magistrali, City Councilors Drake Waldron, Stephen Ivain, Molly Spino, Anne Ruwet, Paul Cavagnero, and David Oliver. Also present in person were Economic Development Director William Wallach, Fleet Manager Emil Castro, IT Director Gerry Crowley, Treasurer Dan Farley, and WPCA Administrator Ed Tousey. Public Works Director Ray Drew joined via Zoom. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m., beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comment: On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. Ray Bottass said the roads are terrible to drive on. He asked the Mayor to run for another term. Approve Minutes On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted to accept the Special Joint Meeting Minutes with the Board of Finance from September 3, 2024. Councilors Ruwet and Cavagnero abstained. On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted to accept the Regular Meeting Minutes from September 3, 2024. Councilors Ruwet and Cavagnero abstained. Vehicle Replacement Budget On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council, on the recommendation of the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board, voted unanimously to approve the Vehicle Replacement Budget for FY 2024/2025, pending Board of Finance approval. ARPA – Blight Committee Ad Hoc Lead Abatement Grant Committee On a motion by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to amend the motion from April 15, 2024, add the owner's name, and add the vendor being reimbursed. Minutes from April 15, 2024: ARPA – Blight Committee Ad Hoc Lead Abatement Grant Committee On a motion by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Blight Committee, Ad Hoc Lead Abatement Grant Committee, and Torrington Area Health District to award a $24,928.00 grant from the Lead Abatement Grant Funds, established with ARPA funds to Carlos Matute, owner of 57-59 Turner Avenue for reimbursement of lead abatement expenses incurred for abatement of lead-based painted surfaces conducted by Lobos Construction, LLC of Hartford, CT and post abatement assessment conducted by Torrington Area Health District. On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Blight Committee, Ad Hoc Lead Abatement Grant Committee, and Torrington Area Health District to award a $34,990.00 grant from the Lead Abatement Grant Funds established with ARPA funds to Vijay Teodore, owner of 113 East Elm Street for reimbursement of expenses incurred for abatement of lead-based painted surfaces conducted by Abreu Construction, LLC of Wesley Chapel, FL, and post-abatement assessment conducted by Torrington Area Health District. On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Blight Committee, Ad Hoc Lead Abatement Grant Committee and Torrington Area Health District to award a $712.95 grant from the Lead Abatement Grant Funds established with ARPA funds to Vijay Teodore, owner of 113 East Elm Street for reimbursement of expenses incurred for tenant relocation hotel accommodations during abatement of lead-based painted surfaces. Mayor Carbone told the Council there was a child of the tenant presented with very high lead blood levels and needed to be removed from the house while the abatement occurred. WPCA UTV Probe for Disinfection System On a motion by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Spino, 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 award the bid for the purchase of a UTV Probe for a Disinfection System to HACH Company of Loveland, CO for $29.336.70. Funding for this project will be MINUTES Vol 27, Page 434 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom September 16, 2024 through the WPCA Capital, as further explained in the Purchasing Agent’s letter dated September 12, 2024. WPCA Invoices Brightwood Sewer Replacement Project Vote by the City Council herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority to accept the recommendation of the WPCA Administrator to approve the following payments as explained in his memo dated September 16, 2024: On a motion by Councilor Cavagnero, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to approve payment of invoice #238660 for the Brightwood Ave Sewer Replacement Project to Wright- Pierce Engineering in the amount of $41,672.80 from fund 490. Councilor Oliver asked if the reference contract was August 31, 2022, was a typo, Mr. Tousey said it was a contract in August 2022, and they weren’t going to change it. Atty. Magistrali added that these are our on-call contractors, and we recently renewed their contract. On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the ARPA Committee and the WPCA Administrator to approve Payment Application #2 for the Brightwood Ave Sewer Replacement Project to Yield Industries in the amount of $390,175.45 to be funded by ARPA G/L: 0284-8888 5930.000. WPCA Compact Pickup Cab Crew Cab 4WD On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City to award, execute, and administer a contract for the purchase of the 2024 Compact Pickup Crew Cab 4WD to Litchfield Ford of Litchfield, CT for $40,560. Funding for this purchase will be through the WPCA Capital Reserve, as further explained in the Purchasing Agents letter dated September 12, 2024. ARPA Spending Plan – Technology On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the ARPA Committee and the IT Director and approve the replacement of the City and Police Department virtualization infrastructure servers. The contract is to be awarded to SHI International Corp. of Somerset, NJ, for the total amount of $345,730.19, with funding to be sourced from ARPA G/L: 0284-8888 5900.0000. Municipal Brownfield Grant App. – (Fmr. Brunswick Factory & Westside Cleaners) Resolution #143-254 & #143-256 On a motion by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution #143-254 authorizing the Mayor to apply for DECD funding through the Brownfield Municipal Grant Program, for Assessment Only Grant for the Brunswick Factory Property at 535 Migeon Ave., as described in the Economic Development Director’s Memorandum #1 dated September 16, 2024. Councilor Ivain asked what this grant will be paying for, and where the City is with the Brunswick site. Mr. Wallach explained that the assessment project is to finalize the phase 1 assessment and conduct a phase 2 and phase 3 assessment. Brunswick brought the property up to industrial use only. This grant will help to see what else may need to be remediated to get a fully comprehensive picture, as for the status it limits redevelopment opportunities. This could help find environmental contaminants, the cost of full remediation, clean it, and redevelop it. Councilor Ruwet asked if the application was ready to go, and Mr. Wallach said the grant was ready for the Mayor to sign. Councilor Cavagnero asked who owns the 38 Litchfield Street property, Mayor Carbone said Paul Gerbi. Mayor Carbone said the property is tax delinquent, and the trustees relinquished their interest. Clear the title, and how much cleanup is necessary, dry-cleaning establishments are notorious for lots of contaminants. Councilor Cavagnero said that public funds shouldn’t be going to clean this up. Mr. Wallach said this is an assessment phase, the dry-cleaning facilities have deep levels of contaminants. Mayor Carbone said the next motion is to allow us to apply for the grant funds for the assessment. *See addendum #1* On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution #143-256 authorizing the Mayor to apply for DECD funding through the Brownfield Municipal Grant Program, for Assessment Only Grant for the North Parcel and the former Westside Cleaners at 38 New Litchfield St, as described in the Economic Development Director’s Memorandum #1 dated September 16, 2024. *See addendum #2* MINUTES Vol 27, Page 435 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom September 16, 2024 Municipal Brownfield Grant (245 East Elm Street) HBMA Project On a motion by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City to award, execute, and administer a contract agreement for the Hazardous Building Material Abatement Project (HBMA Project) to EnviroConsultants & Recyclers, Inc. of Danbury, CT for $222,400. Funding is from a $1,000,0000 Municipal Brownfield Remediation Grant from the Department of Economic and Community Development, as further explained in the Economic Development Director’s Memorandum #2 dated Sept. 16, 2024. Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program – USDOT: Grant Application Resolution #143-255 On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution #143-255 authorizing the Mayor to apply for a planning grant through the USDOT Reconnecting Communities Piolet (RCP) Program for the Columbus Square Planning Project, as described in the Economic Development Director’s Memorandum #3 dated Sept. 16, 2024. Councilor Cavagnero asked for an explanation for the more efficient traffic flow, and what else would be feasible to do with grant funds, Mr. Wallach said not to waste time with a plan that wouldn’t be implemented. He said the East Main Corridor study identified issues in that area for pedestrian safety, vehicle safety, and line of site adjustments. Councilor Cavagnero asked where the $441,000 would get spent, Mr. Wallach said SLR the engineering firm for the City, they are the transportation planning experts, the goal would be to have an engineering design, to take to CT DOT as a capital improvement project for this area. Mayor Carbone reminded the Council that three State roads intersect right there, which are Rt 8, 4, and 202. Councilor Ivain asked if other intersections were being looked at, Mayor Carbone said that this project would not change the prioritization of the other projects. *See addendum #3* 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 16, 2024. Tax Collector Refunds On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the tax refunds indicated on the list dated September 16, 2024. Sewer Usage Refunds On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the sewer usage refunds indicated on the list dated September 16, 2024. Business by Dept. Heads On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads. Treasurer Dan Farley shared with the Council that since the City started the Capital Tax Recovery Program, the company has gotten 54 out-of-state license plates and collected $36,855.78 in fees and fines. City Clerk Carol Anderson told the Council there are 52 more days left, and absentee ballots will be mailed on October 4, 2024. Business by Mayor & Members On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and City Council members. Councilor Cavagnero asked what the status was with the BOE insurance, Mayor Carbone said that the Corporation Counsel sent numerous FOI requests. Atty. Magistrali told the Council that requests were for all communication with Brown & Brown, email, phone conversations, copies of contracts, and requests for proposals. They feel they have not complied with the request in the Charter to follow the procurement process. Councilor Cavagnero asked who is responsible if there is a lapse in insurance coverage, Atty. Magistrali said they are working on the transition. Councilor Cavagnero asked if the BOE has money to pay for this health insurance, Mayor Carbone said they did not pay their last installment of $1.5 million in FY 24 and haven’t paid $4.5 million for FY25 into the Internal Service Fund, and these past 3 months have been utilizing the reserve built up for the last 21 years, so they are responsible. Mayor Carbone added another reason for the FOI request was for the cost of the BOE’s health insurance. Councilor Ruwet told the Council there was an Ordinance Meeting earlier and they needed to add to the agenda so they can hold a Public Hearing on October 7, 2024. On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to add scheduling a Public Hearing for the “Code of Ethics”. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 436 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom September 16, 2024 On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to establish a public hearing for October 7, 2024, on the “Code of Ethics”. Councilor Ruwet said she will continue to be opposed to any artificial turf. Councilor Spino asked if there was anything the Council could do for the residents of Lover’s Lane, regarding the solar project, Mayor Carbone shared they had the Planning and Zoning Commission look at the plan. She said the City Planner said the Commission has no objection to the project in general and recommended two items for inclusion screening, the solar panels aren’t so easily visible, and frequent site visits during construction. So, there is nothing inconsistent with Zoning. Mayor Carbone said the Council could go on record with their concerns with the fourth solar array in the City of Torrington, however, the landfill one was embraced. Councilor Ruwet said there is another proposal for solar in West Hill Lake, so she would like to go on record to object to this project. Councilor Ivain stated he would like to keep this property rural and keep the values of the land. He would like to see other alternatives for energy use. On a motion by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to add to the agenda writing a letter to the Siting Council. On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the Council voted unanimously to direct the Mayor's office to go on record with the Siting Council opposing this project. Councilor Cavagnero would like to include the State Legislature in this letter. Public Comment (in-person only) On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public to comment on agenda items only. Ray Bottass told the Council he paid his tax bill and received a bill for an extra amount. Adjournment On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Oliver, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:59 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK Addendum #1: MINUTES Vol 27, Page 437 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom September 16, 2024 Addendum #2: MINUTES Vol 27, Page 438 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom September 16, 2024 Addendum #3: MINUTES Vol 27, Page 439 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom September 16, 2024