MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
NOVEMBER 15, 2004
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, November 15, 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, Director of Elderly Services Nancy Gyurko, Purchasing Agent Charlene Antonelli, Director of Social Services Yvonne Adorno, Building Official Francis Cardello, Economic Development Coordinator Christina Emery, Personnel Director Thomas Gritt, and the City’s Consultant to Small Cities Lawrence Wagner.
Mayor Quinn called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #010
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Michael Mallick, 135 Sharon Avenue informed the Council that it took four Board of Education employees to paint certain squares a putrid color on one day and four men to re-paint them to their original color the next day after his wife complained about the color.
This led him to complain about the lines recently painted in the middle of Migeon Avenue. It was his belief the person responsible for those crooked lines was not properly trained and was without supervision. Now the Traffic Division wants to purchase a machine that would draw straight lines. He thought the city should also purchase a laser transit in order to correct some of the city’s drainage problems. He pointed out that he still had a problem in front of his house.
Bridget Beauchaine reported that she had to put her old garbage pail out at least twice before it was picked up by the trash collectors, and while her problem had been resolved, she wanted the Council to know that all was not well with the new trash collection system.
She also couldn’t understand why the crooked lines on Migeon Avenue were a “result of correcting ourselves many times”. She asked why this town couldn’t do things right the first time. By the same token, the problem on Sharon Avenue persists.
Mayor Quinn repeated that the work on Sharon Avenue has been completed and no further work is anticipated to be done.
FOOD STAMP, EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING #220
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept an amendment to the Food Stamp, Employment and Training contract between the City of Torrington and the State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services executed on 5/24/04 and to re-authorize signatures for the acceptance of additional funds totaling $19,327.00.
ICS, INC. (SR. CTR. THRIFT SHOP) #235
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Purchasing Agent, The Director of Elderly Services, and the Elderly Services Commission to award the bid entitled “Sullivan Senior Center Thrift Shop” to the low bidder, ICS, Inc. for $228,460.00.
RANDALL FUNDING & DEVELOPMENT #250
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Summers, a discussion took place in regard to the request to authorize the Mayor to execute an agreement with Randall Funding and Development, Inc. to provide grant writing services to the City of Torrington.
Councilor Jerram inquired whether the work performed by Randall would be redundant to the work performed by our Economic Development Coordinator.
Mayor Quinn said he didn’t believe so. The attractive portion of Randall was that they would do a profile of the city in regard to size, activities, etc. and give us some guidance on where to go to obtain the myriad of grants available. They may be redundant to a certain department, however, it was his belief that they were not currently being pursued to the degree necessary to secure the grants.
Councilor Jerram indicated that Randall’s agreement dealt with Public Safety and Homeland Security and he believed Chief Field and Chief Milano had already been successful in obtaining those grants. Again, he saw a redundancy. Education was beyond our purview, so there would be no work done for us in that area.
Councilor Jerram didn’t know how a private contractor could help us to obtain grants when our qualified staff had already been doing that work. He inquired whether CCM should be helping us to that end for the fee we pay to belong to that organization.
Mayor Quinn indicated that, to his knowledge, CCM didn’t provide the service of identifying grants. He pointed out that our staff has had some success, but also some significant failures. Officer Vannini has had some success with Homeland Security, but they were giving us a boiler plate of what they could do. It was his belief that the potential for Randall to bring in x amount of dollars would offset the $6,000.00 investment.
Corp. Counsel Vasko informed the Council that the city would still be able to continue to write grants for the smaller items. Randall had the expertise to write the larger grants that we haven’t had much success with. In checking their references, Randall had been successful in obtaining those larger grants for towns such as Hartford, etc. The city would have control over which grants Randall would do. Obviously, paying Randall $3,000.00 for a $12,000.00 grant wouldn’t be economically feasible for the city. The contract would require the city to use them for two grants per year for two years. They could identify 100 grants that we could apply for on our own. “Other Fees” would only apply if the city decided to cancel the agreement after using them for only
one grant. The city would then owe $3,000.00 for the second grant.
Councilor Jerram inquired where the funding for Randall would come from.
Corp. Counsel Vasko indicated that this year’s payment would come from the Economic Development Coordinator’s budget and next year’s payment would be budgeted.
VOTE #520
On the previous motion, the Council voted unanimously to authorize Mayor Quinn to execute an agreement with Randall Funding and Development, Inc. to provide grant writing services to the City of Torrington
Mayor Quinn pointed out that the next two items on the Agenda would require an executive session, (Tentative Agreement with Local 818, and wage increase for Management Resolution employees) along with number 15 (status of pending litigations). He would also ask to add an executive session to the Agenda under Property Disposition.
TORRINGFORD SCHOOL BUILDING PAYMENTS #540
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following payments from the Torringford School Building Fund #314:
$ 5,953.62 Advanced Reprographics Invoice #15906
$ 20,050.00 Friar Associate Invoice #15 -
Cont Admin
$ 2,412.67 O & G Industries Invoice #765250 - Printing & Mailing
$ 919,933.00 O & G Industries Payment #00004
SPECIAL DIET PROGRAM #560
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution from the Elderly Service Commission to enter into a contract with the State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services for the Special Diet Program for the year October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005, for funds in the amount of $45,081.00.
RESOLUTION:
I, Joseph L. Quartiero, of the City of Torrington (the “Contractor”) do hereby certify that the following is a true and correct copy of a Resolution duly adopted at a meeting of the Board of Councilmen, of the Contractor duly held and convened on Monday, November 15, 2004, at which meeting a duly constituted quorum of the Board of Councilmen was present and acting throughout and that such resolution has not been modified, rescinded, or revoked, and is at present in full force and
effect:
RESOLVED, that the Mayor, Owen J. Quinn, Jr., is empowered to enter into and amend contractual instruments in the name and on behalf of this Contractor with the Department of Social Services of the State of Connecticut for a Social Services Block Grant Program and to affix the corporate seal.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has affixed his signature and the corporate seal of the Contractor this 16th day of November, 2004.
Joseph L. Quartiero, CCMC, CTC
City Clerk, Torrington, Ct.
PORTABLE TOILET BID #600
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Parks & Recreation Director and the Purchasing Agent to waive the bid process and rent portable toilets using the State of Connecticut’s bid #04PSX0083 for the 2005 and 2006 seasons, at a cost of $79.75 per month for each portable toilet.
REFUND: STEPHEN GEHRING #630
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to issue a refund of $1,926.26 from Contingency to Stephen Gehring, of Gehring Construction, Inc. on a building permit fee for a job not completed at Walmart and referred it to the Board of Finance.
TORRINGTON FORD #670
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation from the Board of Public Safety to purchase a 2004 Ford Taurus from Torrington Ford for $13,900.00 from the Vehicle Replacement Account to replace the Deputy Fire Marshal’s present vehicle which is due for replacement.
SMALL CITIES RECOMMENDATIONS #700
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to approve the amount of $25,000.00 for Project #103.
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to approve the mortgage subordination request for Mr. Vogt. The city is in second position at the present time and will not substantially change. The amount will be somewhat higher but the payments will be lower.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #750
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads. There was none.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #760
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Quinn and members of the City Council.
Councilor Jerram thanked the Veterans Committee and the Park & Recreation Commission for a wonderful presentation on Veterans’ Day.
ADD TO AGENDA #790
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to add an executive session to the Agenda by 2/3rds vote in regard to Property Disposition.
EXECUTIVE SESSION #800
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to go into Executive Session at 6:56 p.m. under Contract Negotiations, Pending Litigations, and Property Disposition.
Mayor Quinn pointed out that the Personnel Director Thomas Gritt would be invited into the executive session for items 5 & 6 which dealt with a tentative agreement for Local 818, and a wage increase for Management Resolution employees.
Corp. Counsel Vasko would review the status of pending litigations in executive session.
Economic Development Coordinator Christina Emery would be invited in executive session under property disposition.
OPEN SESSION #880
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to reconvene into Open Session at 7:35 p.m.
TENTATIVE AGREEMENT: LOCAL 818 #890
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Tentative Agreement with Local 818 of Council #4, AFSCME, City Supervisory Employees, for labor agreement from 7/1/04 through 6/30/07.
WAGE INCREASE: MANAGEMENT RESOLUTION #900
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to approve wage increases for Management Resolution employees for 3% retroactive to July 1, 2004 and 3% effective July 1, 2005. No paperwork included.
ADD TO AGENDA: RKX, PRAX #950
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to add an item to the Agenda by 2/3rds vote to authorize Mayor Quinn to execute an agreement with RKX, PRAX, Dennis Gouey and Carol Jenkins to submit a joint venture proposal for the court house site.
ADD TO AGENDA: KELLEY TRANSIT CO. #990
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to add an item to the Agenda by 2/3rds to authorize Mayor Quinn to execute an agreement with Kelley Transit Co. and related companies to enter into a joint venture agreement to submit a proposal for the court house.
AMENDED: KELLEY REALTY COMPANY #995
Councilor Jerram amended his motion to reflect “Kelley Realty Company”. Councilor McKenna amended his second.
MOTION: RKX, LLC, PRAX, LLC, CAROL JENKINS, DENNIS GOUEY & CITY OF TORRINGTON #1020
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, a discussion took place in regard to the Mayor’s execution of agreement to enter into a joint resolution for submission to the State of Connecticut property owned by RKX, LLC, PRAX, LLC, the City of Torrington, Carol Jenkins and Dennis Gouey.
Under discussion, Mayor Quinn indicated that, when he was elected Mayor, one of his highest priorities would be to site the court house in downtown Torrington. He felt the State of Connecticut should follow its conservation plan for development and put it in the urban center, and the only urban center in Litchfield County is the City of Torrington. He did not agree that it should be in isolated properties outside of that urban center. He then went on record as the Mayor of Torrington and said the thought a downtown redevelopment plan and a court house, two separate plans needed to be linked to give the greatest good for economic development for the City of Torrington. From his perspective, court house, restaurants, office, retail, mixed use, residential made sense for urban planning. To that
end, he had always advocated the selection of Center Street as the most advantageous location for the court house. The Torrington Development Corporation thought that was an excellent land use policy, urban planning initiative. Unfortunately, the state said they didn’t want the city, the Mayor, area politicians, Torrington Development Corporation to influence in any way the decision and that they would put out an RFP that could be responded to. The only requirement in the RFP was that the parcel needed to be at least 2.75 acres in one solid piece and one acre that could be located within 500 feet of the first parcel. Mayor Quinn was not able to get from the State of Connecticut that it needed to be in the urban center. The legislation, they claimed, was that it could be anywhere in the City of Torrington. He argued that the area legislators in their memorandum of agreement agreed in principal that it should be in the urban area. For
whatever reason, the legislation basically said only the City of Torrington, so Mayor Quinn received no such guarantees. He then changed his course of action and offered technical assistance and information from the Mayor’s Office, Department of Public Works, Engineering, Assessor, and Inland Wetlands, and said we would provide topographical and assessment maps to any person who wanted to assemble. Two people that came to visit did not have enough acreage on their own. One was the Kelley family who has almost the acreage necessary. It abuts a municipal parking lot. They requested that a partnership be formed between Kelley Realty and the City of Torrington for that acreage to allow them to submit a footprint to the State of Connecticut that would allow them to meet that regulation. Mayor Quinn was bringing before the City Council that agreement between Kelley Realty and the City of Torrington for their consideration in order for the
property to meet the specified date of November 23.
Also, they had a request from RKX, PRAX and owners of the property Carol Jenkins and Dennis Gouey. They also don’t have enough property in their holdings together, but there is a municipal property located behind their property that the city holds deed to, which is currently unused for any function. If the city enters into an agreement with them, that property added to their footprint, would allow them to qualify as a potential site for the court house.
Mayor Quinn said he believed he had been fair to all property owners. He had interviewed anyone who needed the city’s technical assistance and attempted to give them all the information we had. Since there are two people who need our assistance, Mayor Quinn was advocating entering into these agreements so we can meet the technical guidelines in establishing the RFP from the Department of Public Works so that we can, at least, put them into play. The purpose of the Mayor’s position is that we want as many viable Torrington properties going before the Department of Public Works as possible, that we would partner or advocate for as many good sites as possible in Torrington so that we don’t have any further delays in siting this court house in the City of Torrington.
VOTE : RKX, PRAX, CITY OF TORRINGTON, JENKINS & GOUEY #1280
On the previous motion, the Council voted unanimously to authorize Mayor Quinn to sign and enter into a joint resolution for submission to the state of Connecticut for property owned by RKX, LLC, PRAX, LLC, the City of Torrington, Carol Jenkins and Dennis Gouey. (Main Street.)
MOTION: KELLEY REALTY #1290
Councilor McKenna made a motion to authorize Mayor Quinn to enter into a joint venture agreement with Kelley Realty to submit a proposal for the court house relative to their property on Water Street. Councilor Summers seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
ADJOURNMENT #1310
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:45 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CCTC, CMC
CITY CLERK
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