MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
FEBRUARY 21, 2006
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Tuesday, February 21, 2006, in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, City Councilors James F. McKenna, Thomas C. Jerram (arrived at 6:50p.m.), Rick E. Dalla Valle, Andrew J. Slaiby, Marie P. Soliani, and Drake L. Waldron, Corp. Counsel Albert Vasko, Comptroller Alice Proulx, City Planner Martin Connor, Purchasing Agent Charlene Antonelli, Superintendent of Streets Robert Lizotte, and Deputy Fire Chief Jaye Giampaolo.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
MINUTES #020
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held February 6, 2006.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #050
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Pasquale Fappiano, spoke in regard to the Fuessenich Park concession stand bid awarded to the Twisters during the last Council meeting.
He stated that the Twister’s check was placed on the Purchasing Agent’s desk by a city hall custodian around three o’clock on Friday afternoon. He asked if the bid requirements were violated by submitting a check after business hours.
Charlene Antonelli said the bid specifications say the payment is due within ten days, but doesn’t specifically state the time of day it is due. Since it arrived on Friday afternoon, it met its criteria.
A lengthy discussion ensued.
Duke Wall, member of the Parks & Recreation Commission, said he was disappointed that the Council did not accept the Commissioner’s recommendation to award the Fuessenich Park Concession Bid to Alfredo’s.
He noted that their unanimous vote to recommend Alfredo’s was made after much discussion and research. He agreed that the bid process was extended in this case, with the payment being made after business hours.
Mayor Bingham stated that future bid specs will be addressed in terms of stating a specific time they are due.
Councilor Dalla Valle stated, this bid wasn’t required to go through the bid process because it was under the $10,000.00 amount set by City Charter.
Councilor Jerram arrived at 6:50 p.m.
Samuel Slaiby, 204 Benham Street, said the Council should listen very carefully to any recommendation made by a commission charged with a specific area for the city. In addition, the Commission should have been very specific in relaying to the Council, all the information they considered prior to making their recommendation.
Traci Soshon, 52 Chestnut Avenue, said she attended both the Parks & Recreation Commission meeting as well as last week’s Council meeting, and felt the Twisters were given a little extra leeway in obtaining the concession bid at Fuessenich Park.
RESOLUTION: NAUGATUCK RIVER STILL WATER POND #805
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to adopt a Resolution to nominate the Naugatuck River Still Water Pond to the Litchfield town line for State of Connecticut Greenway designation.
RESOLUTION FOR CRITERIA FOR THE DESIGNATION OF GREENWAYS IN CONNECTICUT
WHEREAS, the City of Torrington has a Greenway, the Naugatuck River, Stillwater Pond to the Litchfield Town line, that meets the criteria for the State of Connecticut’s Criteria for the Designation of Greenways in Connecticut; and
WHEREAS, the development of Torrington’s Greenway design to connect useable open space allowing for the long-term preservation of natural resources, maintaining the water quality of the Naugatuck River, and the quality of life for Torrington Citizens by providing recreational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the “Naugatuck River Greenway Assessment, Phase One, (Stillwater Pond to Route 118,” prepared by The Litchfield Hills Council of Elected Officials, in cooperation with the City of Torrington and Towns of Harwinton and Litchfield was completed and adopted as a planning document by the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission and Parks and Recreation Department;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL to hereby authorize the City Planner to submit the nomination of the Naugatuck River Greenway, Stillwater Pond to the Litchfield Town line, for official designation as a State of Connecticut Greenway; and
FURTHER RESOLVE to authorize Mayor Ryan Bingham to sign any documents pertaining to the nomination of the Naugatuck River Greenway, Stillwater Pond to the Litchfield Town line for official designation.
Councilor Dalla Valle excused himself for a brief period of time.
PUBLIC HEARING: EDWARD BYRNE GRANT #840
Mayor Bingham called the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. concerning the city’s proposed grant application under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to enhance the Police Department’s response to crime.
Assistant City Clerk Joline LeBlanc read the legal notice.
Police Chief Robert Milano stated that this grant was specifically targeted for law enforcement purposes. Based upon its approval, the Torrington Police Department intends to apply for this $17,200.00 grant and use it for backfilling /replacement of personnel reassigned to do narcotics investigations. In recent years they have been struggling with manpower issues, and as a result have not been as effective as they would like to be in this area.
Chief Milano stated that the city is being confronted with drug issues, and the grant will go a long way in allowing the Police Department to be more effective and efficient in this area. He strongly urged the Council to give him permission to apply for this grant.
Councilor McKenna inquired whether the federal government would firmly direct what the Police Department could do with the funds.
Chief Milano indicated that he will have to file documentation with Affirmative Action, must comply with the American Disabilities Act, etc. However, this is purely a wire down of funds into an account set up by the Comptroller, and she will have to file quarterly reports. The only string attached is that they have to use the funds for the purpose requested and file some paperwork.
Mayor Bingham brought the Public Hearing to a close at 7:05 p.m.
VOTE: GRANT #1040
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to give Chief Milano permission to file a grant application under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to enhance the Police Department’s response to crime.
Councilor Dalla Valle returned.
TRANSFER REQUESTS #1070
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the transfer requests from the Comptroller, and referred them to the Board of Finance.
PAINT LADDER II #1100
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the use of approximately $16,500.00 from the Vehicle Replacement Contingency Account for the painting of Ladder II, and referred it to the Board of Finance.
HANDY HOUSE #1120
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to award the Portable Toilet Rental bid to the low bidder, Handy House, Inc. of Branford, CT.
L. WAGNER & ASSOC. #1130
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to award a contract to L. Wagner & Assoc., Inc. as the Small Cities Community Development Administrator for the Sidewalk Improvements Project.
REPAIR TRUCK #8: #1145
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the reallocation of prior year funds to repair Truck #8 and referred it to the Board of Finance.
MODIFY TRUCK #9 : 1150
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the Council voted unanimously to authorize $400.00 from the Vehicle Replacement Contingency Account to modify Truck #9 and referred it to the Bd. of Finance.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT #1180
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for January 2006.
TORRINGFORD SCHOOL INVOICES #1220
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following invoices from the Torringford School Building Fund #314:
Friar Assoc., Inc. Invoice #30 Installment #17 $ 15,691.00
O & G Industries Invoice #19 Services thru 1/31/06 $309,638.00
EnviroScience Invoice #9 Alt Work Practice $ 350.00
Everlast Climbing Invoice #15185 Climbing Wall $ 2,362.00
Councilor McKenna requested an update from the Building Committee.
RECOMMENDATION: ORDINANCE COMM. #1250
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to hear recommendations from the Ordinance Committee.
Councilor Dalla Valle made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing for Monday, March 6, 2006 concerning a Right-of-Way Ordinance from the Engineering Department. Councilor McKenna seconded the motion. Unanimous. The Public Hearing would be held immediately following the Public Hearing already scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #1340
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to reopen the meeting to the public for “agenda items” only. There was no public participation.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #1350
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads. There was none.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #1380
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the
Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor
Bingham and members of the City Council.
Councilor Jerram requested an update from the Blight Committee, specifically on any properties that may possibly be on the verge of being released from the blight list.
Councilor Slaiby reminded everyone to attend the pasta supper at St. Maron’s Church on Thursday, February 23 to help the Torrington High School Band purchase new sousaphones.
Councilor Dalla Valle requested changing the night that city hall is open from Thursday to Monday to accommodate department heads who have to attend the meetings.
Mayor Bingham stated that he would bring the matter before department heads at their next meeting.
Mayor Bingham said he would review the bid process with Mrs. Antonelli.
Mayor Bingham announced that Torrington High School is having an auction for Project Graduation at 4:00 p.m. on April 2 at the Elks.
Mayor Bingham said he wanted to set up a review board made up of volunteers from the City Council and the Board of Finance to review the budget in more detail.
ADJOURNMENT #1640
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:23 p.m.
ATTEST: JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
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