EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
JANUARY 15, 2013
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr., Majority Leader Barbara-Ann Rossi, Minority Leader Eric A. Thompson, Councillors Marc I. Weinberg, Linda A. Russo, Ram Aberasturia, Patricia Harmon and Esther B. Clarke
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. The Chair announced the exit locations in accordance with Connecticut General
Statutes §29-381, after which the Council joined him in the pledge of allegiance.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Susan Kniep, 44-46 and 50 Olde Roberts Street, (1) thanked the Council for scheduling the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) presentation; (2) asked if the CRDA will hold public meetings and post minutes, agendas, etc. from those meetings to their website; (3) asked if there will be periodic reporting from the CRDA to the town; (4) urged the Town Council take a strong position on the reformation of collective bargaining laws; and (5) repeated her Freedom of Information request from the December 11, 2012 Town Council meeting.
Mayor Leclerc (1) introduced members of the CRDA: Michael Freimuth, Executive Director; Floyd W. Green III, Member; Anthony Lazzaro, Legal Counsel; (2) stated that agendas and minutes from CRDA meetings are posted to both the CRDA’s website and the town’s website; (3) announced that the Board of Education has formed a School Security Task Force which will review procedures already in place for the safety of the students and teachers; (4) reported that, due to a major fire at the Gateway Estates apartment complex, approximately 100 individuals were relocated to the East Hartford High School shelter; (5) announced that a $2500 reward has been posted for information which would lead to the arrest of the person setting these fires; and (6) fully supports the arbitration award for the CSEA Local 2001 SEIU
contract.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 2, 2013 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the January 2, 2013 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 9/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
Capital Region Development Authority: Introduction and Overview of Authority’s Goals & Activities
Chair Kehoe briefly summarized the formation of the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA), stating that the Authority was created by the act of the General Assembly in the 2012 legislative session.
Michael Freimuth, Executive Director of the CRDA, provided an overview of the Authority’s mission -- as the successor agency to the Capital City Economic Development Authority (CCEDA) -- which consists primarily of developing the downtown Hartford area. Their powers are set out in Public Act 12-147. Most of their powers, including the power of eminent domain, are limited to downtown Hartford. Mr. Freimuth stressed that the CRDA powers of eminent domain do not fall within the town of East Hartford. East Hartford is represented on the board solely because CRDA oversees the operation of Rentschler Field stadium, along with the convention center and the Hartford civic center. CRDA may provide assistance to the towns in the Hartford region only if requested by the Mayor or
legislative body of the town. CRDA will, upon request, provide technical assistance to implement a project that has been approved by the town and is consistent with town ordinances. As an example, CRDA is working with Newington to determine if housing is feasible along the busway.
Mr. Freimuth indicated that if the town approves a municipal economic development plan for an area of the town and obtains funding for such plan, CRDA can help implement that plan and may, if there are financial resources available, provide additional funding.
State Senator Gary LeBeau, State Representatives Timothy Larson and Jason Rojas, addressed the Town Council expressing their support of the CRDA and its beneficial effect on the town.
Responses to Questions Asked of Administration – Account for the Refurbished Christmas Lights
Chair Kehoe read the Mayor’s answer as follows: The snow flake decorations will be paid from Seasonal Purchase Equipment account #S7553. The Pratt & Whitney donation will replenish that account so no town funds were used to purchase the decorations.
NEW BUSINESS
Arbitration Award: Collective Bargaining Agreement – Town of East Hartford & CSEA, Local 2001 SEIU July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2013:
Council Action on Award
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to accept the arbitration award for the collective bargaining agreement
between the town of East Hartford and CSEA, Local 2001 SEIU from
July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2013.
Motion carried 9/0.
Once fully executed, a copy of this contract will follow these minutes.
Transfer of Funds
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Esther Clarke
to waive the reading of the list of transfers. (see below)
Motion carried 9/0.
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to approve a transfer of $238,659 from the town’s contingency fund to
cover the costs associated with the implementation of the 3-year CSEA,
Local 2001 SEIU town employee contract.
Motion carried 9/0.
A detailed copy of the transfer is attached.
Cities readiness Initiative: DEMHS Region 3 Anthrax Release
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED that Mayor Marcia A. Leclerc has been empowered to make application to and execute contracts and any amendments thereof, on behalf of the Corporation, between the Corporation and the West Hartford – Bloomfield Health District or its successor agency, concerning a $12,000 “Public Health Preparedness DEMHS Region 3 Cities Readiness Initiative” for the grant period August 10, 2011 through June 30, 2013.
On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.
Flood Protection System: Pump Station Repair Project: Supplement Agreement
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Ram Aberasturia
to amend the professional services contract with GEI Consultants, Inc.,
originally approved at the May 1, 2012 Town Council meeting for the
Construction Administration and Inspection for the Pump Station
Rehabilitation – Phase II in the original amount of $198,193 by adding
$79,399 to complete the construction oversight of the project.
Motion carried 9/0.
Appointment to Planning & Zoning Commission: Valentine Povinelli, Jr.
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to approve the appointment of Valentine Povinelli, Jr.,
97 Langford Lane, to the Planning and Zoning Commission,
to fill the vacancy created by the death of John Grottole,
which term shall expire December 2018.
Motion carried 9/0.
Appointment to the East Hartford Housing Authority: John N. Carella
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to approve the appointment of John N. Carella, 242 Oak Street,
to the East Hartford Housing Authority, to fill the unexpired term
of James Kate, which term shall expire July 2015.
Motion carried 9/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Esther Clarke asked if the town had received the Intertown Capital Equipment (ICE) Purchase Incentive Grant from OPM that had been approved by the Council in July 2012. Mayor Leclerc replied that the town was awarded the grant, but has not received the funds yet. Additionally, Councillor Clarke read from a newspaper article on the relocation of Concentra to Hartford and asked if there was some way the town could have offered an incentive to keep them in East Hartford. Mayor Leclerc answered that Concentra was looking to expand their leased floor area and the town could not accommodate the square footage that they needed. Concentra was not interested in building a new structure – they wanted to continue to lease.
COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
Estate of Marcus Asiamah v. East Hartford Board of Education, et al
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Linda Russo
to accept Corporation Counsel's recommendation to fully and finally settle
the pending claim of the Estate of Marcus Asiamah v. East Hartford Board
of Education, et al., for the total sum of $1,500,000.00, with the Town of
East Hartford paying the deductible of $500,000.00, and the balance paid
by the Town’s insurer.
Motion carried 9/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Susan Kniep, 44-46 and 50 Olde Roberts Street, (1) expressed her disappointment in the Council’s approval of the arbitration award for the CSEA Local 2001 SEIU labor contract; (2) asked the MDC to include on a February agenda the $800M bond issue; and (3) asked that tonight’s meeting minutes clearly reflect the intent of the CRDA regarding eminent domain.
Eric Thompson announced that his daughter, Daria, had been accepted at the University of Bridgeport with a first year full scholarship.
Bill Horan wished Marc Weinberg a belated Happy Birthday. He also announced that registration for the East Hartford Little League has begun.
Barbara Rossi thanked all for the many well wishes she received while she was under the weather and celebrating her birthday.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (9:26 p.m.).
Motion carried 9/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on February 5, 2013.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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