MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
SEPTEMBER 7, 2004
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Tuesday, September 7, 2004, in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Owen J. Quinn, Jr., City Councilors Thomas C. Jerram, Paul F. Samele, Jr., Marie P. Soliani, James F. McKenna, Paul W. Summers, and Drake L. Waldron, Corp. Counsel Albert Vasko, Public Works Director Gerald Rollett, City Engineer Edward Fabbri, Purchasing Agent Charlene Antonelli, Director of Social Services Yvonne Adorno, and Building Official Francis Cardello.
Mayor Quinn called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m.
MINUTES #070
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held August 16, 2004.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #080
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Donna Isely, South Main Street, Secretary to the Parking Authority, inquired about the Council’s reason to dissolve the Parking Authority and about the Economic Development Commission’s plan to do so.
Mayor Quinn asked Ms. Isely if she was aware that there had been talk about dissolving the Parking Authority over the last few months because it was relatively low on cash and facing bankruptcy and could not continue to fund the operation over a long period of time. Therefore, the Chairman of the Parking Authority had asked the Mayor and the City Council to look for a way to take over the operation so that it would become financially stable.
Mayor Quinn stated that a joint meeting between the Torrington Development Corporation and the Parking Authority resulted in a possible solution by eliminating the Parking Authority and transferring those duties to a city department. The operation would then have financial stability and oversight of its employees, and it would continue to operate in pretty much the same fashion, except that it would be attached to a different department. The plan, developed by the Torrington Development Corporation, is to eliminate parking meters in the downtown area, leave parking meters in the parking lots, fit them with the Torrington Development Corporation plan for a diagonal parking, one-way Main Street, increase parking to a downtown that desperately needs more parking and implement a chalk method rather than a ticketing
method. Mayor Quinn assured Ms. Isely that the Council was merely reacting to the request of the chairperson that the Parking Authority be attached to the city where many people thought it belonged in the first place and not “targeting” the Parking Authority, per se.
Mayor Quinn further stated that additional questions can be answered during the public hearing. He stated that they had taken particular care to make certain they went before the Parking Authority and the Torrington Development Corporation, that it had been mentioned in several news articles published by the local media, and that this plan would be an economic boost for the downtown and solve the financial problems that the Parking Authority has long complained about. It was his belief that the disbanding of the Parking Authority was a win-win situation and no one was anticipated being displaced under this plan.
OLD FIREHOUSE: J.R. LALIBERTE #870
J. R. Laliberte said he was continuing to bring the Council up-to-date on actions being taken on the Old Firehouse. He noted that he had gone through the bidding process and was presently negotiating between two different roofers. Despite the fact that his architect had previously given the Building Inspector a copy of the drawing, he picked up some applications from the Building Inspector on Friday. To his knowledge, there were no problems with the drawings, therefore, there should be no problems with the building permit process.
Mr. Laliberte is presently going through the qualifying stages of each of the contractors and he will be turning in the building permit either Monday or Tuesday for application. All three contract divisions, Carpentry, Masons and Roofing, will be negotiated in time for the commitment date of 9/16/04.
Mr. Laliberte pointed out that he was on schedule for the September 16th date included in his letter of 7/13/04 to the City Council as the date to have applied for the permit and to have contractors ready to work.
Councilor McKenna inquired about the start dates in the contracts.
Mr. Laliberte stated that the contracts had an immediate start date. The carpentry work will begin as early as the end of next week if the permit is approved by the Building Inspector. The anticipated completion date for the priority roof and facade work is before the first snowfall, which obviously means completion will occur before the end of November. He stated that the package included certain items that the City Council had addressed as blight. It looks like those items are going to fall into budget and all the work on the drawings will be awarded, with the facade and roof being done first.
MOTION TO TABLE #1000
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to table the foreclosure of the Old Firehouse: J.R. Laliberte until 9/16/2004 (sic 9/20/2004). (Tabled on 7/19 & 8/16/2004)
Mr. Laliberte stated that, back in March when the fines were levied against the property, he was told by the City Council that the fines would be removed if he continued to do the work. He asked if it was possible to get something in writing to that effect, since he was about to commit to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Councilor McKenna said he thought the Council would address that issue when it’s appropriate and he didn’t feel it was appropriate at this point.
Mr. Laliberte asked if it might be possible to get something at the next meeting.
Councilor McKenna said he would decide at that point.
Councilor Soliani added that the fines should not be removed until after the completion of what needs to be done because Mr. Laliberte is still considered to have a “blighted” property.
Mr. Laliberte said he was merely asking for assurances that if he continued to do what he was doing and he committed to . . . (sentence unfinished.)
Mayor Quinn said “Let me answer from my vantage point, and this is a non voting member of the City Council but the Chairperson of it. What we have said to everyone in blight for the three years that I’ve been here, that if the people do what was necessary to put the property into good working order, that we would not fine them, but it’s incumbent upon that person to finish the job. Unfortunately, we’ve had to go to extreme measures to get to this point, but I think that if you’re looking and saying ‘If I do my end of the bargain, is the city going to come in and just foreclose after you’ve fixed the place up?’, that’s not the track record of the Blight Committee, that I don’t think is the
intention of the City Council, but the intention is that this job be completed to our satisfaction and then it would be appropriate for us to discuss that matter, but only until such time as it’s completed.”
SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACT #470
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to accept the following amendments to the Food Stamp, Employment, and Training Contract between the City of Torrington and the Department of Social Services originally executed on 5/24/04 and to reauthorize signatures for the Acceptance:
A. A three month extension from 9/30/04 to 12/31/04.
B. An increase in funds by $4,789.00 from $23,700.00 to $28,489.00.
APPOINTMENT: CITATION HEARING OFFICER #490
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to appoint Joel Perlotto as Citation Hearing Officer to conduct hearings as provided by the City Ordinance establishing Citation Procedures and Fines for Zoning Violations.
CHIP SEALING OF ROADS BID #500
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to reject the only bid received on the Chip Sealing of Roads Bid and to authorize the Purchasing Agent and Superintendent of Streets to negotiate with Dosh-King, the only bidder, to bring the entire job below the $100,000.00 wage rate threshold.
Councilor Jerram inquired about the impact on the fair wage rate threshold when a job exceeds the $100,000.00 limit.
Purchasing Agent Charlene Antonelli stated that when fair wage rates go into effect, there’s a tremendous amount of paperwork which usually drives the price of the job upward.
Councilor Jerram thought it would behoove the city to do as many projects as possible in increments of less than $100,000.00.
Public Works Director Gerald Rollett added that it depends on the type of project involved. Many of their projects are under state bid where a fair wage rate already applies, so it doesn’t matter if the project is for $10,000.00 or $300,000.00, they are paying the same, based on the state bid.
City Engineer Ed Fabbri said they focus on staying under the $100,000.00 mark for storm and sanitary sewer projects.
BFC, INC. #590
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to extend the existing unit price contract with BFC, Inc., for crack sealing of city streets in the amount of $.98 per pound for an additional budget total of $30,000.00 which will be paid from Town Aid funds.
P & G PEPPER CONST. #610
On a motion by Councilor Summers, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $157,842.43 from the Northwest Interceptor Fund #302 to P & G Pepper Construction Services, Inc. for work performed on the New Harwinton Road Sanitary Sewer Project.
W. W. MANCHESTER #670
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $8,329.54 from the Northwest Interceptor Fund #302 to W. W. Manchester Construction Co., Inc. for work performed on the East Main Street at Willow Street Sanitary Sewer Installation.
SECTION 8-24 REFERRAL: MORTIMER ST. #680
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the favorable recommendation from Planning & Zoning concerning the Section 8-24 referral on the proposed 108 foot extension of existing sewers at 40 Mortimer Street with the condition that the applicant will incur all costs of the sewer line extension.
SANITARY SEWER: MORTIMER ST. #690
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the extension of a public sanitary sewer 108 feet along Mortimer Street to service property located at 40 Mortimer Street owned by Francis Manfredi.
WAIVE CONNECTION FEE: MORTIMER ST. #700
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to waive one hook up fee in the amount of $2,500.00 in lieu of the estimated $7,400.00 in construction costs associated with the proposed extension and connection of public sewer improvements that Mr. Manfredi will be solely responsible for.
Public Works Director Gerald Rollett informed the Council that the norm in the past has been that the city waives one connection fee when construction is paid by a homeowner through an assessment or by a contractor.
Councilor Jerram inquired whether there were any other vacant lots in that area that they planned on developing.
Mr. Rollett said he was not aware of any other lots that he could connect to. He already has three existing units on his property, including a two-family house and an apartment.
Mayor Quinn pointed out that Mr. Manfredi was making a request for one waiver.
DUMP ROAD #800
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to discuss the renaming of Dump Road and scheduled a public hearing for Monday, October 18, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
City Engineer Edward Fabbri explained how the renaming of Dump Road would be a move toward economic development in the south end, especially since there is no longer a dump in the area. Some suggestions included Grist Mill Road, Old Mill Road, Litchfield Heights, or Town View.
PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE: AUBURN WAY #980
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to grant provisional acceptance to the remaining 860 feet of Auburn Way from Rockwell Drive to the intersection of the proposed Penney La.
SMALL CITIES #990
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following payments from Small Cities for professional services rendered from May 1, 2004 through July 31, 2004.
Fund #275 $1,527.50 L. Wagner & Asso.
Fund #276 $4,777.50 L. Wagner & Asso.
TORRINGFORD SCHOOL INVOICES #995
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following invoices from Torringford School Building Fund #314:
$ 379.81 Reimburse Torringford School Central Treas. Fund for 19 Rugs
$297,304.00 Payment #00001 to O & G Ind., Inc. for services through 7/31/04
GORDON, MUIR & FOLEY #1005
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $2,500.00 from Contingency to Gordon, Muir & Foley, LLP for professional services rendered in the Southwest School matter and referred it to the Board of Finance.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT #1015
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department report for July 2004.
RECOMMENDATIONS: ORDINANCE COMMITTEE #1030
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Ordinance Committee’s recommendation to schedule three public hearings on September 20, 2004 in regard to the following ordinances:
1) To add language relative to the automated refuse collection.
2) To rescind the ordinance that created the Parking Authority.
3) To increase the veterans’ exemption from $5,000.00 to $10,000.00.
It was noted that bulk refuse would remain the same at this time, however, bulk waste was still on the table with the Solid Waste Advisory Committee.
RECOMMENDATIONS: STREET LIGHT COMMITTEE #1200
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, discussion took place in regard to the Street Light Committee’s recommendation, which differed from that of the City Engineer’s, to install three lights on Weigold Road at poles 2232 at the farm, 4408 at the hill, and 4403 at the turnaround at Camp Jewell. The Committee asked the Council members to familiarize themselves with the request by visiting the area, preferably in the evening, so they can make an informed vote on the matter during the September 20th meeting.
SECTION B #1340
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to consider business in Section B.
SMALL CITIES #1340
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following 0% Deferred Loans from Small Cities 2002 Housing Rehab:
$24,900.00 Roofing, Carpentry, Electrical & Windows
$19,500.00 Carpentry, Electrical & Flooring
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #1350
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
City Engineer Edward Fabbri suggested Grandview Drive as a possible name for Dump Road.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #1400
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Quinn and members of the City Council.
Councilor Jerram requested an update from the Torringford School Building Committee.
ADJOURNMENT #1510
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Summers, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:20 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
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