City Council

Approved by the City Council & WPCA November 18, 2024 MINUTES Vote: Unanimous Vol 27, Page 448 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom October 21, 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, October 21, 2024. Present at City Hall were Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Michael Magistrali, City Councilors Stephen Ivain, Molly Spino, and Anne Ruwet. Also present in person were Economic Development Director William Wallach, WPCA Administrator Ed Tousey, Superintendent of Public Works Tim Cote, Fleet Manager Emil Castro, and Treasurer Dan Farley. Councilors David Oliver, Paul Cavagnero, Drake Waldron, Public Works Director Ray Drew, and Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco joined via Zoom. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comment: On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. No one from the public wished to speak. Approve Minutes On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Public Hearing and Regular Meeting Minutes from October 7, 2024. Economic Development Updates On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to receive Economic Development updates and Torrington Brownfields status. Mr. Wallach provided the Council with the most recent and updated Brownfields in Torrington. He also went over the different DECD- funded projects in Torrington. Those Projects include The Torrington Business Park, Sophia Building, Vinny’s, Hotchkiss Square, Embracing Our Legacy, and the Railroad Square Project. Councilor Ivain asked if Vinny’s remediation was in the building or the parking lot, Mr. Wallach said once the lead and asbestos are removed from the building, they will do one comprehensive sweep to determine if it's just the interior or exterior that needs to be remediated. Mayor Carbone added the Engineer has worked with the designers for the Railroad Square Project and is hoping for a spring start. Resolution #143-257 TEAM Torrington Advance Manufacturing Innovation Cluster Project Grant App. On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution #143-257 authorizing the Mayor to submit a response to the DECD Innovation Cluster Grant Program with a proposed grant application of $24,000,000, for the property located at 70 North Street, originally the home to the Torrington Company/Excelsior Needle Company and Dymax/Industrial Lane, as described in the Economic Development Director’s Memo dated October 21, 2024. Mr. Wallach presented to the Council TEAM Torrington – Technology and Advanced Manufacturing in Torrington. Mr. Wallach explained the CT Innovation Clusters, which is the CT Department of Economic and Community Development is awarding grants for projects that contribute to the ongoing development of CT’s Biotechnology, Financial Technology, Insurance Technology, and Advanced Manufacturing. Team Torrington aims to position the City of Torrington as a leader in advanced manufacturing by creating a collaborative business ecosystem with state-of-the-art facilities designed to stimulate innovation, enable the development and implementation of emerging technologies, and serve as a manufacturing icon for the City and all Northwest CT. The City partnering with Key Stakeholders wants to make 70 North Street and Industrial Lane by building a fuel cell on site. This would attract advanced manufacturing firms, enhance workforce skills, foster innovation and collaboration, develop infrastructure, and add sustainability and competitiveness. The project's total cost will be $51,000,000, with a 50% match from other grants and the key stakeholders. Councilor Cavagnero asked if the high school would be involved, Mr. Wallach said that TEAM Torrington’s goal is to grow and expand its core stakeholders. Mayor Carbone said the commitment is to match 1:1, and how to find the funds to match that, whether from grants, other investments, or loans. *See Addendum* Tax Abatement Request: 225 Wyoming Ave On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to approve the request of “225 Wyoming Owner LLC” and grant a tax abatement for certain real property located at 225 Wyoming Avenue, in accordance with the City of Torrington’s Tax Incentive Policy as described in the Economic Development Director’s letter dated October 15, 2024. Councilor Ruwet asked if the City normally does seven-year tax abatements. Mayor Carbone said all of them have been seven years. Keystone Development had a tax abatement and is now one of the top 10 taxpayers for the City. Councilor Ruwet asked if there were similar developments, Akshaya Bhargava owner of 225 Wyoming Owner LLC said they had developed similar assisted living facilities in California and Massachusetts. The other municipalities had given a tax abatement. Councilor Ivain asked if this location had not been used in a while, Mr. Wallach said it hadn’t been used since 2021. Councilor Spino asked what the timeframe for renovations and opening would be, Mr. Bhargava said February 2025, and then 12-18 months to stabilize the property. Mayor Carbone said this is more like a tax deferment. Councilor Spino asked if the MINUTES Vol 27, Page 449 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom October 21, 2024 numbers were good enough to plan considering there is a revaluation, Mr. Wallach spoke to the Assessor and was told these were good enough for deciding. WPCA Payment Authorization On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the ARPA Committee and the WPCA Administrator and approve Payment Application #3 for the Brightwood Ave Sewer Replacement Project to Yield Industries in the amount of $251,707.45, of which $168,988.55 to be funded by ARPA G/L: 0284.8888.5930.000 and $82,718.90 out of Fund 490. Councilor Ivain asked how the project was going, Mr. Tousey said it was slower than anticipated due to the amount of ledge, and lots of utilities. WPCA Replacement of 3 Heating Coils WRRF Operations Building On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Spino, the City Council herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority voted unanimously to approve a request of the WPCA Administrator to accept the quote from Air Temp for the replacement of 3 Heating Coils in the Operations building to be paid from WPCA Capital Reserve Fund. Air Temp Mechanical is the vendor of record for all HVAC repairs for the City. They have been the HVAC vendor for the City since 2018. Date Quote Contractor Amount Description 10/16/2024 #102412M Air Temp Mechanical $20,117 Services Police Department UTV On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted to award the purchase of the 2025 Polaris Ranger XP 1000 4X4 Utility Vehicle with Lighting Package to Chaves Brothers Management, LLC of Boca Raton, FL in the amount of $41,426.99. Funding for this purchase will be paid through the Opioid Settlement Fund, as further explained in the Purchasing Agent’s letter dated October 18, 2024, pending Board of Public Safety Approval. Mayor Carbone explained the reason for funding through the Opioid Fund is due to the remote locations in Torrington where the homeless live and people off the grid. Councilor Ruwet asked if the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board (VRAB) had to approve the purchase, Mayor Carbone said not initially, however, it will be part of the VRAB budget since it will have a life span. Councilor Ivain asked what the life span of the UTV and training would be for it, Mayor Carbon said the training would be specific to teams, and to cross-train the Fire Department on it. Councilor Cavagnero asked why it was purchased from Florida, Ms. Zucco said that another vendor was disqualified due to not receiving the bid bond. Councilor Cavagnero asked which department would maintain it, and Mr. Castro told him Fleet Maintenance would. Police Department Computers On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the ARPA Committee, IT director, and Police Chief to approve the replacement of several computer workstations and monitors within the Police Department. The contract is to be awarded to DELL Technologies Corporation for 20 desktops and 40 monitors for a cost of $25,411 within the adjusted and approved amount of the ARPA Committee. The funding source to be used is from ARPA G/L: 0284.8888.5900. Mayor Carbone told the Council this is only 50% of what needed to be replaced, they are staggering the purchases. Purchase of two 2025 International HV515 6X4 Plow Trucks 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 two 2025 International 6x4 plow trucks from Allegiance Truck of Hartford, CT in the amount of $601,416.18, as further explained in the Purchasing Agent’s letter dated October 11, 2024. Councilor Ivain asked if they would be taking units out of service, and Mr. Castro said they would be retiring the two 6X4s. Building Department Report On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for the month of September 2024. Lien Releases On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to release the liens listed in the Corporation Counsel’s memo of October 21, 2024. MINUTES Vol 27, Page 450 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom October 21, 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 October 21, 2024. Sewer Usage Refunds On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the sewer usage refunds indicated on the list dated October 21, 2024. Business by Dept. Heads On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads. Supervisor of Streets Tim Cote thanked the Council for approving the trucks. Assistant City Clerk Heather Abraham told the Council that Early Voting had started today, and we had 417 voters. Atty. Magistrali is excited about the Trick or Treat event at City Hall. Business by Mayor & Members On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and City Council members. Councilor Spino thanked the Mayor for providing the Council with a blight task force update. Mayor Carbone said this has been a successful program. Atty. Magistrali reminded the Council members there is a blight form online that can be filled out by constituents who are complaining. Mayor Carbone agreed, saying that Blight is complaint-driven. Councilor Ivain asked about the neighborhood rat situation, Mayor Carbone said that in her years in Office, she has never received a call about rats. She said calls received by the Mayor's Office would send the Torrington Area Health to investigate. She said the City is working on a task force to combat the rat issue. It would include Torrington Area Health, Animal Control, and Public Works, and bring in experts as needed. Mayor Carbone has contacted other municipalities with similar issues to see what they are doing. She said it could very well be from the demolition or road construction. Mayor Carbone said no taxpayer funds will be used for private property extermination services. Public Comment (in-person only) On a motion by Councilor Ivain, seconded by Councilor Spino, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public to comment on agenda items only. Adjournment On a motion by Councilor Spino, seconded by Councilor Ivain, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:45 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 451 CITY COUNCIL & WPCA REGULAR MEETING City Hall Auditorium / Zoom October 21, 2024 Addendum: