East Hartford Town Council
Town Council Chambers
January 21, 2014
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr., Majority Leader Barbara-Ann Rossi (via telephone), Councillors Marc I. Weinberg, Linda A. Russo, Ram Aberasturia, Patricia Harmon (via telephone) and Anita D. Morrison
ABSENT Minority Leader Esther B. Clarke
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:30 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.
Due to the snowstorm, two Councillors joined by telephone and two agenda items will be
deleted.
AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Ram Aberasturia
to amend the agenda as follows:
Under Recognitions and Awards, delete item 3. A. “J. Roger Pelletier”;
Under Communications, delete item 6. B. “East Hartford Housing Authority
Update”.
Motion carried 6/0. (Rossi and Harmon not conferenced in at this point)
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 6, 2014 Special Meeting/Leinad Appeal
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to approve the minutes of the January 6, 2014 Special Meeting/Leinad
Appeal.
Motion carried 8/0.
January 7, 2014 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the minutes of the January 7, 2014 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 8/0.
January 14, 2014 Special Meeting/Leinad Decision
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Linda Russo
to approve the minutes of the January 14, 2014 Special Meeting/Leinad
Decision.
Motion carried 8/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
Responses to Questions Asked of Administration – EHMS Furniture Inventory List
Chair Kehoe reviewed the January 9, 2014 memo from Al Costa, Facilities Manager, East Hartford Public Schools, which listed the items from the East Hartford Middle School which were disposed of or brought to a recycling center.
NEW BUSINESS
Recommendations from the Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee:
355 Maple Street
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Barbara Rossi
that the Town Council accept from the State of Connecticut the parcel of
property known as 355 Maple Street, together with referenced easements
and rights of way, described on the attached quit-claim deed* dated May 29, 2013 which was presented at the January 7, 2014 Real Estate
Acquisition and Disposition Committee meeting, for the state mandated
release fee of $1,000 and waive the acquisition requirements set forth in
§10-18(b) of the Town Ordinances.
Motion carried 8/0.
Quit claim deed follows these minutes
Two Parcels on Park Avenue/Main Street (Route 5 North)
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Barbara Rossi
that the Town Council accept from the State of Connecticut the parcels of
property located at Main Street (Route 5) and Park Avenue, together with
referenced easements and rights of way, described on the attached quit-
claim deeds dated March 12, 2012 and November 14, 2012, which were
presented at the January 7, 2014 Real Estate Acquisition and Disposition Committee, for the state mandated release fee of $1,000 and
waive the acquisition requirements set forth in §10-18(b) of the Town
Ordinances.
MOTION By Anita Morrison
seconded by Ram Aberasturia
to postpone action pending further documentation from the State of
Connecticut – either the Department of Energy and Environmental
Protection or Department of Transportation – relative to the environmental
condition of this property.
Motion carried 8/0.
Property Abutting 244 Lombardo Drive (f.k.a. Meat Town Property)
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Marc Weinberg
that the East Hartford Town Council rejects the State of Connecticut’s
tender of a deed for an approximately 11.4 acre parcel of land located
on Lombardo and DePietro Drive, as identified in Connecticut Special
Act 02-09, Section 8, and ask the Administration to work with the State
to amend or repeal the provisions of such Special Act as necessary to reflect the Town Council’s decision.
Motion carried 7/1. Nay: Morrison
U.S. Department of Agriculture: Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Grant
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Center for Collaborative Research on WIC Nutrition Education Innovations at the USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine has announced the availability of funds for researcher-initiated projects to demonstrate innovative approaches to nutrition education for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC); and
WHEREAS, the University of Connecticut (UCONN) is submitting a Small-Grants Research Program proposal to the USDA for funding to support a project entitled “Coordinating Nutrition Messages between WIC, Head Start and Pediatrician Offices to Prevent Childhood Obesity”; and
WHEREAS, the Town of East Hartford Health and Social Services’ WIC Program desires to participate in the aforementioned project as a sub-recipient and receive $17,960.00 for the period June 26, 2014 through June 25, 2016 if awarded.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Marcia A. Leclerc, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford is hereby authorized to execute any and all documents as may be required by the USDA with respect to the aforementioned grant.
On call of the vote, motion carried 8/0.
Billy Casper Golf Transition Update:
Michael Walsh, Finance Director, summarized the history of the East Hartford Golf Course from the date that Billy Casper Golf (BCG) commenced management of the course – November 1, 2013. Before introducing members of BCG, Mr. Walsh reviewed the following minor repairs that the town is in the process of completing with funding from the town’s General Fund: (1) new fencing around the dumpster; (2) mold remediation in the basement; (3) new drop ceiling in the basement; (4) dig out the stump behind the 9th green and curb/landscape the island; (5) install the flag pole on the newly renovated island; (6) cart away all brush (and red stockade fencing) behind the red stockade fencing behind the first green; (7) add a white split rail fence along Long Hill; and(8) remove rusted fencing on south side of the house.
The following individuals from BCG updated the Council with what is happening and what is being planned in the future: Ryan Phelps, Regional Director of Operations; Dan Evers, Regional Director of Agronomy; Robert Streckfus, General Manager; and Bill Abbe, Superintendent. Mr. Phelps stated that for calendar year 2014, revenues are estimated at about $717,000, while expenses are estimated at $804,000 – creating a shortfall.
Lease Purchase Financing Agreement
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Linda Russo
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE A MUNICIPAL TAX-EXEMPT
LEASE PURCHASE FINANCING AGREEMENT
WHEREAS, the Town of East Hartford has contracted with Billy Casper Golf, a nationally recognized expert golf course operator to take over the golf course, maintenance, and restaurant operations as of November 1, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Billy Casper Golf has identified various maintenance equipment, golf carts, and other capital equipment necessary to properly operate the East Hartford Golf Course and restaurant in 2014 and beyond; and
WHEREAS, Billy Casper Golf has budgeted $117,483 in the 2014 golf year and $118,658 in future years as part of the golf course budget compiled by Billy Casper Golf to pay principal and interest on the aforementioned capital lease purchases; and
WHEREAS, the Town of East Hartford will enter into the lease while Billy Casper Golf will pay the annual cost of the lease out of proceeds from the Golf Course.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor of the Town of East Hartford is authorized to enter into a master lease purchase agreement and related documents with TD Equipment Finance, Inc. in the principal amount not to exceed $700,000. The interest rate, payment schedule and other details of the financing shall be mutually determined between the company and the Mayor, whose signatures will indicate approval of specific terms and conditions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town declares its intent to be reimbursed for any temporary advances from the General Fund to pay for any part of the equipment from proceeds of the lease financing in accordance with Treasury Regulation 26 CFR 1.103-18 and/or 26CFR1.150-2.
On call of the vote, motion carried 8/0.
East Hartford Library: Fine Forgiveness Program
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Linda Russo
to establish a “Fine Forgiveness” program for the East Hartford
Public Library to run through June 30, 2014 as outlined in a memo
dated January 15, 2014 to Marcia A. Leclerc, Mayor from Susan Hansen,
Director of Libraries.
Motion carried 8/0.
Refund of Taxes
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Ram Aberasturia
to refund taxes in the amount of $2,834.38
pursuant to Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Motion carried 8/0.
Bill |
Name |
Prop Loc/Vehicle Info. |
Over Paid |
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0051673 |
ARROYO LUZ E |
2005//1YVHP80C755M15778 |
$ (47.50) |
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0053603 |
BOLES NEIL T |
2000//1G4CW54K3Y4234010 |
$ (12.51) |
2012-03-0054245 |
BROADIE GREGORY STJOHN |
2003//1FVABTAKX3HM11867 |
$ (100.58) |
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0056318 |
CHASE AUTO FINANCE CORP |
2010//JF1GH6B61AH826084 |
$ (273.50) |
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0058744 |
DATTILIO MARK R |
2008//3FAHP07Z58R174263 |
$ (190.00) |
2012-03-0059421 |
DESANTIS ALFRED A OR |
2007//1J8FF28W37D369573 |
$ (14.36) |
|
DESANTIS CHRISTINE A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0087338 |
GUERTIN DANIEL |
2012//3VWJP7AT9CM602332 |
$ (65.84) |
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0066461 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2010//5FNRL3H75AB090573 |
$ (684.19) |
|
|
|
|
2012-01-0008445 |
LENDA SOPHIE G OR |
27 KENYON PL |
$ (491.24) |
|
HARVEY ALLEN J, CONSERVATOR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0073829 |
MITSUBISHI MOTORS CREDIT OF AMERICA |
2009//JA4MT41XX9Z000196 |
$ (192.12) |
|
JEANIE HUA/TAX DEPT. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0075273 |
NISSAN INFINITI LT |
2011//3N1AB6AP6BL726077 |
$ (115.81) |
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0076218 |
ORTIZ NEREIDA |
1992//JT3VN39W0N8044206 |
$ (73.49) |
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0076953 |
PATTISON DOUGLAS M |
2011//JF1GV7E65BG518000 |
$ (104.92) |
|
|
|
|
2011-04-0086379 |
RAMIREZ NOEMI |
2003//JN8DR09Y23W837905 |
$ (35.24) |
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0083378 |
SMALL DAVID J |
1999//1B7KC2364XJ613089 |
$ (283.59) |
2012-03-0084272 |
STONE LINDA |
2001//2HKRL18691H547026 |
$ (86.05) |
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0089058 |
ZITANI JOSEPH N |
2002//1B7GG16X82S696845 |
$ (63.44) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
$(2,834.38) |
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
None
COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
Brenda Rose v. Town of East Hartford
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to accept Corporation Counsel’s recommendation to settle the pending
superior court action known as Brenda Rose v. Town of East Hartford,
Docket No. CV-11-6023968S, for the total sum of $75,000.00.
Motion carried 7/0. Abstain: Harmon
Costa Associates, LLC v. Town of East Hartford
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Anita Morrison
to accept Corporation Counsel’s recommendation to settle the pending
real property tax appeal known as Costa Associates, LLC v Town of East
Hartford, Docket No. CV-13-6019933S, involving 13 Bissell Street from the
fair market value of $73,330 to the fair market value of $47,500,
commencing as of the 2012 Grand List, which shall generate a reduction of
$793.73 in property taxes.
Motion carried 7/0. Abstain: Harmon
Stone Creek Apartments, LLC v Town of East Hartford – 126 Silver Lane
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Anita Morrison
to accept Corporation Counsel’s recommendation to settle the pending
real property tax appeal known as Stone Creek Apartments, LLC v.
Town of East Hartford, Docket No. CV-13-6020931S, involving
126 Silver Lane, from the fair market value of $3,186,150 to the fair market
value of $3,000,000, commencing as of the 2012 Grand List which shall
generate a reduction of $5,720.40 in property taxes.
Motion carried 7/0. Abstain: Harmon
Stone Creek Apartments, LLC v Town of East Hartford – 140 Silver Lane
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Anita Morrison
to accept Corporation Counsel’s recommendation to settle the pending
real property tax appeal known as Stone Creek Apartments, LLC v.
Town of East Hartford, Docket No. CV-13-6020931S, involving
140 Silver Lane, from the fair market value of $2,754,820 to the fair market
value of $2,544,000, commencing as of the 2012 Grand List which shall
generate a reduction of $6,478.50 in property taxes.
Motion carried 7/0. Abstain: Harmon
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
None
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Pat Harmon
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (9:35 p.m.).
Motion carried 8/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on February 4, 2014.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
| 