MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
February 21, 2017
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Tuesday, February 21, 2017.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone and City Councilors Gregg Cogswell, Luisa Noujaim, Drake Waldron and Daniel Farley. City Councilor Anne Ruwet was absent and City Councilor Paul Cavagnero arrived at 6:34 p.m. Also present were Mayoral Aide Timothy Waldron, Economic Development Director Erin Wilson and Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held February 6, 2017. Councilor Noujaim abstained.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no one present who wished to speak.
DISCUSSION: Torrington Tax Collector, LLC
Mayor Carbone explained that prior tax collector contracts contained a provision prohibiting the Tax Collector from selling tax liens without Board approval. She said this provision is not included in the current contract, but the Tax Collector preferred to notify the Board of the upcoming sale of one tax lien for the property located at 295 E. Main Street, in the interest of transparency.
DIESEL FUEL, #2 FUEL OIL, GASOLINE
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Purchasing Agent to enter into a contract for the following, if the price is no greater than 10% over the bid price on February 22, 2017:
- Diesel Fuel from Santa Buckley Energy, Inc. of Bridgeport, CT for $1.8789 per gallon, $177,170.01 est. annual cost
- #2 Fuel Oil from Santa Buckley Energy, Inc. of Bridgeport, CT for $1.9885 per gallon, $63,235.67 est. annual cost
- Gasoline from Dennis K. Burke, Inc. of Chelsea, MA for $1.8849 per gallon, $197,922.90 estimated annual cost
Councilor Cavagnero arrived at 6:34 p.m.
BROWNFIELDS INVESTIGATIONS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to approve the request to waive the Bid process for the 200 Litchfield Street Brownfield Assessment Project and authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract for environmental services with HRP Associates.
Councilor Noujaim asked for information about the funding, and what will happen next. Ms. Wilson listed the brownfields grants received. Mayor Carbone added that having the greatest potential for redevelopment was the basis for site selection.
Councilor Cogswell asked if these assessments will provide all the information needed on this property, and Ms. Wilson explained Phase 1, 2 and 3 , the goals for this process, and why it makes sense to maintain the existing Licensed Environmental Professional.
Councilor Cavagnero asked how HRP became the preferred service provider and what HRP is being asked to do. Ms. Wilson said they were hired through a competitive bid procurement process in 2008 and they are being asked to perform environmental assessments in a supplemental Phase 2 and a Phase 3, and, if there is money left, an asbestos survey and remedial action plan. She said the State is looking at assessment work for the remaining portion of the property as part of the transit facility project.
Councilor Cavagnero said he is interested in obtaining a truly objective, non-partial analysis of what can or cannot be done, and at what cost, for that property. Mayor Carbone explained that HRP was engaged with the City of Torrington long before state expressed any interest in that property, and that HRP has an obligation to provide their best advice to the City. Councilor Cavagnero said he would like to see options kept open for this key piece of property on the west side of Torrington.
APPOINTMENTS: Fair Housing
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to appoint Timothy Waldron as Fair Housing Officer for the City of Torrington, in accordance with Title VIII, Civil Rights Act of 1968 as amended.~ Mr. Waldron explained that a Fair Housing Officer, required by the CT Dept. of Housing, will address resident complaints about housing discrimination.
SMALL CITIES PAYMENT
On a motion by Councilor Farley, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to authorize a payment of $150 from Fund #250 to the City of Torrington for Requisition #HRLR-258 dated 1/25/2017 for Title Searches performed for two projects.
TAX COLLECTOR TAX REFUNDS
On a motion by Councilor Farley, seconded by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the 47 tax refunds indicated on the list dated February 21, 2017.
TAX COLLECTOR SEWER USAGE FEE REFUNDS
Herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, on a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the 13 sewer usage fee refunds indicated on the list dated February 21, 2017.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for January 2017.
BUSINESS BY DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Mr. Quartiero reported that online Land Record images have been completed from 1982 to the present and acquired with Historic Preservation Grant funds. He said that $9,000** in revenue has been gained since these images were made available on the website.
BUSINESS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
Councilor Noujaim commended the THS Drama Dept. for the very creative play they presented that was written and directed by one of the students with no budget.
Mayor Carbone gave a synopsis of her recent trip to Washington DC to meet with Senators Blumenthal and Murphy and Representative Esty. She said she shared with them the challenges Torrington faces as a micropolitan area and her concerns about safety standards in sober homes. She said she will testify in support of State legislation requiring sober homes to register as a business, carry Narcan on site, and obtain training. Councilor Cavagnero urged sober home accountability and tracking to produce data that will allow the City to address potential cases of poor management.
Mayor Carbone invited the Council to attend a Public Forum for the Brownfield Area wide Revitalization Grant on Thursday March 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the Auditorium.
OPEN TO PUBLIC: Agenda Items Only
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to discuss agenda items only.
Sharon Waagner said that the work on sober home legislation should include opportunities for fire safety inspections.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cavagnero, the Council adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson, MMC
Asst. City Clerk
**NOTE: This figure was later found to be incorrect, and should have been stated as $21,490.
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