East Hartford Town Council
Town Council Chambers
MAY 6, 2014
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr., Majority Leader Barbara-Ann Rossi, Minority Leader Esther B. Clarke, Councillors Marc I. Weinberg, Linda A. Russo, Ram Aberasturia, Patricia Harmon and Anita D. Morrison
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:37 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 called for a moment of silence to honor the life of James Reik, a longtime resident of East Hartford, who served his community in various ways, including Town Constable. He will be missed.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Susan Kniep, Olde Roberts Street, spoke to the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) and believes that more should be done to make residents aware of how important this document is to the community.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
April 15, 2014 Executive Session
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Ram Aberasturia
to approve the minutes of the April 15, 2014 Executive Session.
Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Weinberg
April 15, 2014 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the minutes of the April 15, 2014 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Weinberg
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Esther Clarke
to take item 8.C. “East Hartford Plan: William Caspar Graustein Memorial
Fund” and item 8.D. “State Department of Education: School Readiness
Grant Program” out of order to accommodate those present.
Motion carried 9/0.
NEW BUSINESS
East Hartford Plan: William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Connecticut State Department of Education, and the Children’s Fund of Connecticut and the Annie E. Casey Foundation are partnering with the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund to advance the Discovery Birth-to-Eight Initiative by aligning their funding for community grants; and
WHEREAS, East Hartford ChildPlan, Inc., in collaboration with its members including the Town of East Hartford, desires to make and execute an application for funding in the amount of $40,000.00 with the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund to support the continued implementation and refinement of the community plan known as “East Hartford’s Plan for Healthy and Successful Young Children Age Birth to 8.”
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council that Marcia A. Leclerc, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford is hereby authorized to execute such application and other documents as may be required by the grant.
On call of the vote, motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Kehoe
State Department of Education: School Readiness Grant Program
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Connecticut State Department of Education is authorized to extend financial assistance, through the School Readiness Grant Program, to Priority Communities for the development of a network of school readiness programs that provide open access for children to quality programs that promote the health and safety of children and prepare them for formal schooling; and
WHEREAS, the Town of East Hartford and East Hartford Public Schools desire to make and execute an application for funding in the amount of $2,520,424.00 with the State of Connecticut to support School Readiness programs for East Hartford children.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council that Marcia A. Leclerc, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, is hereby authorized to execute such application and, upon approval of said application, to enter into and execute a funding agreement and any amendments and other documents as may be required by the State of Connecticut for the School Readiness Program.
On call of the vote, motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Kehoe
At this point, the Council returned to the order of the agenda.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
East Hartford Golf Course Update
Mike Walsh, Finance Director, briefly summarized what the Public Works department completed in preparation for Billy Casper Golf (BCG) taking over the management of the golf course and what needs to be completed.
Ryan Phelps, Regional Manager, Ciaran Carr, Local Manager, and Rob Streckfus, Golf Pro and General Manager of the East Hartford Golf Course, reported on the progress the course has made. The restaurant is opened for business; there is a new website (easthartfordgc.com) and a new logo, which has been very well received by the public. BCG purchased new equipment, including mowers, spreaders, utility vehicles, golf carts, leaf blowers, etc. Several golf leagues have booked rounds. The Clubhouse has been renovated; mold was removed downstairs, bathrooms renovated, and the kitchen was updated.
Presentation by BFJ Company re: East Hartford Plan of Conservation and Development
Chair Kehoe summarized the state regulation that requires towns in Connecticut to update their Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD). The Town Council will comment on the POCD at the May 15th Council meeting and the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, May 21st for residents to voice their concerns and suggestions.
Frank Fish, Principal, BFJ Planning, presented to the Town Council the draft of the POCD and highlighted the suggested changes to the existing POCD.
Resignation of Joan Ross from the Patriotic Commission
Chair Kehoe announced the resignation of Ms. Joan Ross from the Patriotic Commission and thanked her for her service to the community.
NEW BUSINESS (Cont’d)
Recommendation from Tax Policy Committee re: RFP Tax Lien Sales
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to recommend that the Town Council authorize the administration to
conduct a tax lien sale by way of a request for proposal (RFP) and to seek
and receive sealed bids pursuant to an invitation to bid on a number of tax liens held by the town on specific real property as listed on lists 1 and 2 as produced by Finance Director Mike Walsh and attached to a memorandum dated March 25, 2014 from Mayor Marcia Leclerc to Town Council Chair Richard Kehoe, subject to the following four conditions:
- The Collector of Revenue shall notify the~record owner of each property subject to a lien that is to be included in the tax lien sale, by certified mail, that the lien is being included in the request for proposal and invitation to bid, and that~the owner should contact the Town immediately to pay the taxes or seek a payment plan if they wish to keep the Town's tax liens on their property from being sold;
- In order to qualify for a payment plan, the property owner must meet the following three criteria:
- They must remit 25% of the outstanding amount due
- They cannot have defaulted on a prior payment arrangement
- Their property must not have active property code violations;
- The letters from the Collector of Revenue to each property owner shall notify the property owner that the purchaser of the tax lien on their property shall have the right to foreclose on that property; and
- The Administration shall return to the Town Council with the results of the request for proposal and that the proposal for each tax lien must be approved by the Town Council before it is sold.
And further to authorize the administration to assign the tax liens as listed
on list 3 to the vendors who currently hold the prior year tax liens on these
properties.
Motion carried 9/0.
Councillor Clarke requested that the Administration notify the Town Council if the town forecloses on a property that failed to receive a bid as part of a tax lien sale.
Recommendation from Investigation & Audit Committee re: Appointment of Town Auditor
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Bill Horan
to recommend that the Town Council appoint Blum Shapiro as the
town’s auditors for fiscal year 2013-2014 to perform required
financial audits consistent with the most recent proposal of
$65,900.00.
Motion carried 9/0.
Solar Project at 61 Ecology Drive East Hartford Landfill:
Presentation by Bay State Consultants
John Shortsleeve, Bay State’s representative, Bo Weigand, True Green Capital’s representative, and Alan Benvenides, Engineer from Woodard & Curran, each presented a brief summary to the Council on their interactions which led to the recommendation that the town execute a contract with True Green Capital in which True Green will agree to design, build, finance, own, operate and maintain solar arrays located at the landfill at Ecology Drive. Additionally, the town will agree to accept the Net Metering Credits generated by those solar arrays. The contract is contingent on True Green being awarded ZERECs by the State DEEP during next month’s auction. If executed, the town would receive monthly credits to the electricity bill for the electricity generated by the solar arrays.
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Linda Russo
to go into Executive Session at 10:16 p.m.
Motion carried 9/0.
All Councillors, except Vice Chair Horan, went into Executive Session. The Regular session reconvened at 10:35 p.m.
Resolution to Execute Power Purchase Agreement
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Ram Aberasturia
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SOLAR FIELD AT THE EAST HARTFORD LANDFORM
WHEREAS, the Town of East Hartford (the Town) worked closely with the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) and Baystate Consultants to explore the competitive market for financially and environmentally appropriate solar opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the Town engaged CCM and Baystate Consultants to continuously monitor regulatory decisions with respect to Zero Emission Renewable Energy Credits (ZEREC) ordered to be auctioned by PURA (Public Utility Regulatory Agency); and
WHEREAS, the Town is willing to explore coupling the ZEREC credits with a power purchase agreement in order to facilitate the design, construction, and maintenance of a solar field to be located at the East Hartford Landform to work seamlessly with the Town’s existing electricity power purchase agreement; and
WHEREAS, CCM and Baystate have completed a Request for Qualifications on behalf of the Town and recommend True Green Capital to complete this solar project.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Town of East Hartford, hereby approves the purchasing of electricity and the associated net metering credits through the CCM Energy Purchasing Solar Program pursuant to a Power Purchase Agreement with True Green Capital or its affiliates that has been selected through a competitively bid Request for Qualifications and has agreed to install, own, operate and maintain an on-site photovoltaic electric generation system or systems that will supply electricity to Connecticut Light and Power at no cost to the Town of East Hartford.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the East Hartford Town Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to execute the Power Purchase Agreement on behalf of the Town; the details of the agreement shall be mutually determined between the Mayor and the company whose signatures will indicate approval of specific terms and conditions.
On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.
Flood Protection System Rehabilitation: Supplemental Agreement Authorization
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Linda Russo
to authorize the town to enter into a supplemental professional service
agreement with GEI Consultants, Inc. which will increase the contract for
the Civil Works and Closure Structure Repair Project, originally approved by the Town Council on April 20, 2011, by $47,913, revising the total
contract to an amount not to exceed $251,698.00; such supplemental
agreement is necessary to provide the construction administrative and
inspection services needed to complete the oversight of the project.
Motion carried 9/0.
Take Steps East Hartford
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to approve the outdoor amusement permit application entitled
“Take Steps East Hartford”, submitted by Mary Kate Doherty,
National Walk Manager for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of
America, to conduct a 5K walk in Great River Park on Saturday,
May 10, 2014 from 6AM to 2PM with music from 9AM to 1PM,
subject to compliance with adopted codes and regulations of the
State of Connecticut, the Town of East Hartford, and any other
stipulations required by the Town of East Hartford or its agencies,
and to waive the associated permit fee under the provisions of
Section 5-6(a) in the Town of East Hartford Code of Ordinances, as
this walk is to benefit the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America.
Motion carried 9/0.
Great River Park Car Show
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to approve the outdoor amusement permit application, entitled
Great River Park Car Show, submitted by Ted Fravel, Director of
the East Hartford Parks and Recreation Department, to conduct a
car show for viewing with awards and live musical entertainment at
Great River Park on Thursday, May 15, 2014 between 3:30PM and
8:30PM with music between 6PM and 8PM at the Great River Park
Amphitheater, with a rain date of Thursday, May 22nd utilizing the
same times for the car show and music; subject to compliance with
adopted codes and regulations of the State of Connecticut, the
Town of East Hartford, and any other stipulations required by the
Town of East Hartford or its agencies.
Motion carried 9/0.
Summer Movie Series
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to approve the outdoor amusement permit application, entitled
“Summer Movie Series 2014” submitted by Jean McGill, Event
Coordinator for Goodwin College, Inc. to conduct a series of family
oriented movies on the parking lot of the main building at Goodwin
College, One Riverside Drive with food vendors on site, from 7PM
to 11:30 PM on the following three Fridays in 2014: May 16th, July
25th and September 12th; subject to compliance with adopted codes
and regulations of the State of Connecticut, the Town of East
Hartford, and any other stipulations required by the Town of East
Hartford or its agencies; and to waive the associated permit fee,
under the provisions of Town Ordinance 5-6(a) as Goodwin College
is sponsoring these movies as free and open to the public.
Motion carried 9/0.
9th Annual Abelon Memorial Walk
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Ram Aberasturia
to approve the outdoor amusement permit application entitled “9th
Annual Abelon Memorial Walk” submitted by Rachel Buck, Event
Organizer for the East Hartford Public Schools, to conduct a walk to
provide information regarding pancreatic cancer on Saturday, May
17th on the grounds of the Connecticut International Baccalaureate
Academy, 857 Forbes Street from approximately 7:30AM to 2PM; subject to compliance with adopted codes and regulations of the State of Connecticut, the Town of East Hartford, and any other stipulations required by the Town of East Hartford or its agencies, and to waive the associated permit fee under the provisions of Section 5-6(a) in the Town of East Hartford Code of Ordinances, as this is a not-for-profit student initiated event.
Motion carried 9/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Ram Aberasturia urged all Councillors call the state liquor commission to inquire on the status of the liquor permit requested by BCG for the East Hartford Golf Course.
COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
None
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
None
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Esther Clarke
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (11:00 p.m.).
Motion carried 9/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on May 15th.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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