EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MARCH 19, 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 7:40 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.
The Chair recognized the observance of St. Joseph’s Day, today, March 19th.
AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Bill Horan
to amend the agenda as follows:
Under New Business, add item 8.G. Recommendation from the Investigation &
Audit Committee: Appointment of Town Auditor.
Motion carried 9/0.
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Eric Thompson
to amend the agenda as follows:
Under New Business, add item 8.H. Bid Waiver re: East Hartford Fire Department.
Motion carried 9/0.
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Eric Thompson
to amend the agenda as follows:
Under New Business, delete item 8.E. Referral to Town-owned Property Other Than
Real Estate re: Trade-in of Bookmobile to Purchase Sprinter Van.
Motion carried 9/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Janet Facer, 36 Chapman Street, President of the Women’s 9 Hole Golf League, supports most of the Mayor’s recommendations for the East Hartford golf course, but does not agree with closing the downstairs of the clubhouse to the public.
Susan Kniep, 44-46 and 50 Olde Roberts Street, raised several questions on the East Hartford golf course lease agreement: (1) were drainage upgrades made to the course as stated in the agreement; (2) did MDM Golf LLC post performance bonds and are those bonds up-to-date; and (3) did MDM Golf LLC submit annual audits to the town.
Mary Martin, member of the East Hartford Rotary Club, and Sheryl O’Connor, current President of the East Hartford Rotary Club, spoke in support of the purchase of a new Sprinter Van as a bookmobile for the East Hartford Public Library, made possible with a donation by the East Hartford Rotary Club.
Mayor Leclerc (1) thanked Linda Carrasquillo for her service to the town by serving, for many years, on the Patriotic and Veterans Affairs Commissions; (2) thanked the Golf Course Task Force Committee for their efforts and recommendations made for the East Hartford golf course; (3) supports the following agenda items: (a) the purchase of a new Sprinter Van to be used as a bookmobile for the East Hartford Public Libraries; (b) the C-Pace resolution; and (c) the bid waiver for the purchase of a used pumper for the East Hartford Fire Department.
Chair Kehoe granted Ram Aberasturia a point of personal privilege to recognize the death of David A. Walls, former Principal of Silver Lane Elementary School, who passed away on March 9, 2013. Councillor Aberasturia, a graduate of Silver Lane Elementary, remembered Mr. Walls as a caring and giving man who gave back to his community. His legacy of excellence will live on through the students he taught. A moment of silence was observed in honor of Mr. Walls’ life.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 2, 2013 Budget Workshop
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the March 2, 2013 Budget Workshop – as
corrected on March 7, 2013.
Motion carried 9/0.
March 4, 2013 Budget Workshop – as corrected
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the minutes of the March 4, 2013 Budget Workshop – as
corrected on March 7, 2013..
Motion carried 9/0.
March 5, 2013 Executive Session/East Hartford Golf Course
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the March 5, 2013 Executive Session/East
Hartford Golf Course.
Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Horan
March 5, 2013 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the minutes of the March 5, 2013 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Clarke
March 6, 2013 Public Hearing/Budget
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the March 6, 2013 Public Hearing/Budget.
Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Clarke
March 7, 2013 Public Hearing/Budget
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the minutes of the March 7, 2013 Public Hearing/Budget.
Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Clarke
March 12, 2013 Special Meeting/School-based Health Centers
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the March 12, 2013 Special Meeting/School-
based Health Centers.
Motion carried 9/0.
March 12, 2013 Special Meeting/Budget
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the minutes of the March 12, 2013 Special Meeting/Budget.
Motion carried 9/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
Resignation of Linda Carrasquillo
Chair Kehoe thanked Ms. Carrasquillo for her service on the Patriotic and Veterans Affairs Commissions and wished her well on her
retirement.
NEW BUSINESS
Registrars of Voters: Election Day Emergency Procedures
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to approve the Election Day Emergency Procedures as presented to the
Town Council by the Registrars of Voters, Mary Mourey and Judith
Shanahan at the budget workshop held on March 2 2013.
Motion carried 9/0.
A copy of this plan follows these minutes.
Recommendations re: East Hartford Golf Course
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to adopt the following resolution:
Whereas, the East Hartford Golf Course is a town owned facility providing a great local venue for golfers; and
Whereas, after many years of operating losses, the town leased the golf course and the operations of the golf course and the restaurant to MDM Golf; and
Whereas, MDM Golf has invested a significant amount of money in the golf course but has, of late, failed to maintain the golf course in a condition necessary to attract and retain golfers and has, on several occasions, failed to timely pay the town the quarterly lease payment – though ultimately MDM Golf is current; and
Whereas, it is in the town’s best interest to ensure that the golf course and its operations are a source of pride for our community.
Now therefore be it resolved that the East Hartford Town Council supports the Mayor’s efforts to invest in the golf course physical plant and would support modifications to the town’s contract with MDM Golf consistent with the following principles:
- The town shall set aside any lease income from the golf course for improvements that will enhance the long term operations of the golf course.
- No improvements or town investments shall be made until MDM Golf has submitted an independently audited financial statement providing revenue and expense receipts from the operations of the golf course and restaurant.
- As a condition of the expenditure of town funds, MDM Golf shall commission a USGA Green Section Turf Advisory Report and commit to making improvements consistent with the report on a timetable approved by the town and to hiring a PGA card carrying golf pro to oversee the operations of the golf course as well as a qualified GCSAA golf course superintendent as required in section 4.20 of the contract. Further MDM Golf shall commit to making any adjustments recommended by a joint town/MDM golf course oversight committee which shall survey the course conditions no less than once every 30 days.
4 As a condition of the expenditure of town funds, MDM Golf and the town shall determine the most effective allocation of town resources to improve the restaurant and golf shop facility to increase the rounds of golf, making a priority the elimination of mold in the downstairs area of the building.
- As a condition of the expenditure of town funds, MDM Golf shall maintain a proper number of golf carts.
- As a condition of the expenditure of town funds, MDM Golf shall institute community programming to attract individuals to play this course including Golf Course Lessons as well as interaction with East Hartford High School Golf teams as well as commencing a First Tee Program.
- As a condition of the expenditure of town funds, MDM Golf shall agree to post a bond or line of credit to ensure that the town has adequate financial assurance of continued operation of the golf course in a manner outlined in the lease agreement.
On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.
Refund of Taxes
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Eric Thompson
to refund taxes in the amount of $6,884.04
pursuant to Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Motion carried 9/0.
Bill |
Name |
Prop Loc/Vehicle Info. |
Over Paid |
2011-03-0051826 |
AUGER REBECCA M |
2003//1J4GL48K73W675472 |
$ (244.33) |
|
|
|
|
2011-03-0052818 |
BELANGER LINDA A |
2006//1YVHP80DX65M64760 |
$ (57.38) |
2011-01-0001211 |
BERNARDI ALICEA |
49 SCOTT ST |
$ (64.43) |
2011-03-0054021 |
BRAITHWAITE MOLLY S |
2011//5XYKTDA20BG159637 |
$ (8.52) |
2011-04-0080981 |
BROWN SHAMECKA LISETTE |
1996//1YVGE22C9T5585939 |
$ (18.74) |
2011-03-0054856 |
BURNSIDE ICE INC DBA |
1999//1HTSLAAM0XH213665 |
$ (234.99) |
|
ICE COLD EQUIP CO |
|
|
2011-03-0054893 |
BURZYNSKI GEORGE W 3RD |
1995//1FTDF15Y6SNA35779 |
$ (69.11) |
|
|
|
|
2011-01-0002452 |
CASSANDRA JOHN J & DOROTHY G |
47 LEXINGTON RD |
$ (316.43) |
2011-03-0056101 |
CECERE LYNN M |
2004//JN8DR09Y64W913630 |
$ (5.00) |
2011-01-0004761 |
CORELOGIC |
100 LANGFORD LN |
$(1,728.30) |
|
ATTN: REFUND DEPT. DFW-1-3 |
|
|
2011-03-0059450 |
DENT MATTIE M |
2006//KMHDN46D16U378636 |
$ (58.45) |
|
|
|
|
2011-03-0064710 |
GORDON RAYNELL |
2002//1G1JC124227226559 |
$ (119.81) |
2011-03-0065120 |
GRENIER MARIE B |
2009//5NPET46C49H409950 |
$ (10.00) |
|
|
|
|
2011-01-0006495 |
HARTIGAN LILLIAN |
78 HERBERT DR |
$(1,000.00) |
|
|
|
|
2011-04-0083934 |
JONES KENNETH G |
1995//1N4BU31D6SC186313 |
$ (80.02) |
|
|
|
|
2011-03-0068941 |
KELSO WALTER T |
2008//3N1BC13E78L401141 |
$ (176.73) |
|
|
|
|
2011-03-0055002 |
LEONE THROWE TELLER & NAGLE |
2001//SCALD61E41CX07575 |
$(1,446.52) |
|
|
|
|
2011-03-0073918 |
MICKIEWICZ GENEVIEVE F |
1999//KMHJF25F4XU838803 |
$ (6.59) |
2011-03-0074631 |
MOREAU AURELIEN A |
2006//5TETX22N06Z191439 |
$ (107.26) |
2011-03-0074811 |
MORRISON JOHN OR ANITA |
2007//5TDZK23C57S048183 |
$ (72.85) |
|
|
|
|
2011-04-0085415 |
NEARING BRYAN E OR |
2009//3GNCA13B29S609813 |
$ (138.43) |
|
NEARING SHELLY |
|
|
2011-03-0075647 |
NGUYEN TUAN H |
2003//WBAGN63483DS43938 |
$ (105.83) |
|
|
|
|
2011-03-0077049 |
PAGE FRANK E |
2007//JF1GG63627G804966 |
$ (232.57) |
|
|
|
|
2011-01-0011493 |
SMITH BURNSIDE PROP LLC |
611 BURNSIDE AVE |
$ (30.00) |
2011-02-0042094 |
STONE ACADEMY |
745 BURNSIDE AVE |
$ (291.29) |
|
|
|
|
2011-03-0086313 |
TOYOTA MOTOR CREDIT CORP |
2008//4T1FA38PX8U160770 |
$ (249.46) |
|
|
|
|
2011-03-0088767 |
WILLIAMS CHELSEA R |
2008//2HGFG12618H548742 |
$ (11.00) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
$(6,884.04) |
Bid Waiver: Sprinter Van for the East Hartford Public Library
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Pat Harmon
to waive the bidding procedures in accordance with §10-7(c) of the
Town of East Hartford Code of Ordinances to permit the East Hartford
Public Library to purchase a new Sprinter Van to be used by the
East Hartford Public Libraries as a bookmobile.
Motion carried 9/0.
Commercial property Assessed Clean Energy (C-Pace) Resolution
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ASSESSED CLEAN ENERGY
(“C-PACE”) AGREEMENT
WHEREAS, Section~157 of Public Act No. 12-2 of the June 12, 2012 Special Session of the Connecticut General Assembly (the “Act”) established a program, known as the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program, to facilitate loan financing for clean energy improvements to commercial properties by utilizing a state or local assessment mechanism to provide security for repayment of the loans; and
WHEREAS, the Act authorizes the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (the “Authority”), a public instrumentality and political subdivision of the State charged with implementing the C-PACE program on behalf of the State, to enter into a written agreement with participating municipalities pursuant to which the municipality may agree to assess, collect, remit and assign, benefit assessments to the Authority in return for energy improvements for benefited property owners within the municipality and for costs reasonably incurred by the municipality in performing such duties; and
Whereas, the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (“C-PACE”) Agreement (the “C-PACE Agreement”) between the Town of East Hartford and the Authority, as attached hereto, constitutes the written agreement authorized by the Act.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:(a) that we, the Town Council, constituting the legislative body of the Town of East Hartford, hereby approves the C-PACE Agreement, and (b) that Mayor Marcia A. Leclerc is hereby authorized and directed, on behalf of the Town, to execute and deliver the C-PACE Agreement, substantially in the form attached to this Resolution, for the purposes provided therein, together with such other documents as he or she may determine to be necessary and appropriate to evidence, secure and otherwise complete the C-PACE Agreement.
On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.
Recommendation from Investigation & Audit Committee: Appointment of Town Auditor
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to approve the appointment of Blum Shapiro as the town’s auditor to
provide auditing services for the Town of East Hartford for five one-year
contracts as follows:
fiscal years ending June 30, 2013 ($65,900), June 30, 2014
($65,900), June 30, 2015 ($67,900), June 30, 2016 ($69,900) and
June 30, 2017 ($69,900) which approval was recommended unanimously
by the Investigation and Audit Committee.
Motion carried 9/0.
Bid Waiver: Pumper Truck for the East Hartford Fire Department
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Linda Russo
to waive the bidding procedures in accordance with §10-7(c) of the Town
of East Hartford Code of Ordinances to permit the East Hartford Fire
Department to purchase a used 2004 pumper VIN #1F9EL28J83CST2146
manufactured by Seagrave Fire Apparatus LLC or an approved equal in an
amount not to exceed $225,000.00, and to authorize the Mayor to enter
into a purchase agreement with Seagrave Fire Apparatus to purchase such
fire engine using funds in the 2012-2013 budget.
Motion carried 9/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
None
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Susan Kniep, 44-46 and 50 Olde Roberts Street, again brought up the issues of the performance bonds and audits for MDM Golf LLC as the lessee of the East Hartford Golf Course.
Mayor Leclerc thanked the Town Council for passing her recommended budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year with only an extremely small adjustment.
Barbara Rossi recognized the efforts of the East Hartford High School basketball team for their placement in team standings.
Marc Weinberg also congratulated the special unified basketball team at East Hartford High School who won the CCC Tournament. He also wished Pat Harmon a Happy Birthday.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (9:20 p.m.).
Motion carried 9/0.
The Chair wished all a Happy Easter or Passover and announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on April 2, 2013.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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