MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
DECEMBER 4, 2006
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, December 4, 2006, in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, City Councilors James F. McKenna, Thomas C. Jerram, Rick E. Dalla Valle, Andrew J. Slaiby, Marie P. Soliani, and Drake L. Waldron, Corp. Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, and Public Works Director Gerald Rollett.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
Mayor Bingham recognized Cub Scouts from Troop #50, and handed a pin of the City of Torrington to each of them.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #080
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Bonnie Kramer, 475 Greenwoods Road, Roger (inaudible last name), Ed Kaczmarcyk 492 Prospect Street, and State Representative from the 64thDistrict Roberta Willis urged the Council to endorse the 20% Clean Energy by 2010 Challenge.
Mike Banzurik, 180 Harvard Drive, said he thought the City Charter discriminated against property owners whom taxes are levied against. All voters have the opportunity to vote on referendums and budgets, yet not all voters are taxpayers.
Councilor Jerram said he should bring his issue to the state because state law regulates how taxes are levied. A statutory change would be required in the Connecticut General Assembly.
MOTION TO TABLE: SHOOKIE RECREATION #580
Councilor Jerram made a motion to table the discussion/vote concerning Shookie Recreation and its lease of Southeast School until they could determine their options. Councilor Waldron seconded the motion.
Councilors Jerram and Waldron voted in favor of the motion to table. Councilors McKenna, Dalla Valle, Slaiby and Soliani opposed the motion. On a 2-4 vote, the motion to table failed.
DISCUSSION: SHOOKIE RECREATION
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor McKenna, a discussion took place on Shookie Recreation and its lease of Southeast School.
Corporation Counsel Yuille Weaver indicated that Mr. Schroeder made his last payment in August for the month of August, and is presently in arrears for September, October, and November, and December is also due as well.
Mr. Schroeder said he firmly believes they are doing great things for the city. They currently have an enrollment of 95 children and nearly 500 families have participated in their programs. Shookie Recreational is on a continual growth pattern. He didn’t know what steps, if any, were possible to renegotiate a lease with the city.
Councilor Dalla Valle commended Mr. Schroeder for coming before the Council once again and for what he was doing for the children of the city.
Councillor Dalla Valle asked Mr. Rollett how much it cost the city to maintain the building.
Mr. Rollett stated that approximately $15,000.00 was budgeted for the building’s upkeep; however, he had just spent $15,000.00 fixing the oil tank that wasn’t planned.
Councilor Dalla Valle stated, “Based on that and based on the fact of the amounts of monies that we collect in rent from other entities in the city, such as the rental of space in the Armory, and the rental of space in City Hall to outside entities, being such a low amount, I personally think we should at least give him a shot.”
Councilor McKenna noted that the Board of Education had expressed a desire to use the building in the past and asked Councilor Waldron if that was still the case.
Councilor Waldron affirmed they were still interested.
Councilor Dalla Valle asked if the Board of Education would lease the building from the city.
Councilor Jerram thought they should table the matter to figure out their options prior to making any decisions with Shookie Recreation. He thought discussions should take place in an executive session under contract negotiations.
Mr. Schroeder indicated that he would be more willing to disclose numbers and options to possibly share the building.
MOTION TO TABLE #840
Councilor Jerram moved to table the matter.
Councilor Dalla Valle asked if there was any reason the Council couldn’t put a stop to Mr. Schroeder’s payments while they negotiate, so what he owes doesn’t keep accumulating.
Mayor Bingham noted that Mr. Schroeder signed an agreement and that was the bottom line.
Councilor McKenna said Mr. Schroeder would already be in the eviction stage if he had a private landlord.
Councilor Dalla Valle was merely asking for some consideration for someone who is trying to do some good for the children in the City of Torrington.
MOTION TO TABLE #885
Councilor Waldron seconded the motion to table. The vote was unanimous.
CLEAN WATER ACTION #900
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Soliani, a discussion took place in regard to the 20% Clean Energy by 2010 Challenge.
Colin Bennett and Denise (Clapsetto?) urged the City Council to adopt a Resolution and support the 20% Clean Energy by 2010 Campaign.
Public Works Director Jerry Rollett said he generally supported the idea; however, he forewarned the Council that there is a cost attached to the program of nearly $1.00 to $2.00 per resident, which means that the city’s cost will be between $35,000.00 and $70,000.00 a year. With current skyrocketing energy costs, this will be additional money that the city hasn’t budgeted to cover this program.
Mr. Rollett noted that the city is running fluorescent lights in some of its street lights as a test, and has received no complaints from the public, and the city is looking to expand that program to save money. He suggested that perhaps the city could go into the program little by little to see what our budget costs are going to be before going into it 100%.
State Representative Roberta Willis indicated that they will be holding a session on energy. They won’t be rolling rates back, but they will try to stabilize them as they move forward. She said the State of Connecticut needs to get back into some sort of state control of utility generation, and that’s what they hope to do.
On the previous motion, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the Resolution in support of the 20% Clean Energy by 2010 Challenge.
RESOLUTION:
WHEREAS, the City of Torrington City Council promotes conservation and the study of the use of renewable energy sources; and
WHEREAS, electricity production is the leading cause of industrial air pollution in the United States of which Torrington residents are exposed to resulting in a variety of health risks including cases of asthma especially in children; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. energy needs are expected to grow by 33% over the next 20 years and clean technologies can be generated and distributed right in the U.S.; and
WHEREAS, clean energy resources-such as wind and solar energy-constantly replenish themselves, do not cause the buildup of global warming gases and health-damaging pollutants, and if properly managed, will be available to serve our energy needs forever.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council, with a commitment to the health of its citizens, commits the City of Torrington to the 20% by 2010 campaign where, by the year 2010, the municipal facilities will purchase 20% of energy needs from clean energy sources and that the city staff will investigate all options for meeting that goal, including purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates, local clean energy installations and possible state and federal funding opportunities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the city staff will explore the Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program that provides qualified cities and towns with clean energy systems, free of charge, by meeting certain requirements. The benefits of such programs include a no-cost option for the city, reduced electricity demand on the state’s transmissions and distribution system, reduced emission of harmful environmental pollutants and energy independence; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council encourages all businesses, institutions and households within Torrington to adopt the goal of making at least 20% of their energy purchases come from renewable energy sources by the year 2010.
ADOPT RESOLUTION TO RESCHEDULE REFERENDUM #1390
Councilor Soliani made a motion to adopt a Resolution to reschedule the Referendum in regard to the Torrington City Hall Renovation and Improvement and City Barn Site Vehicle Garage Construction Project appropriation and borrowing authorization from December 5, 2006 to January 9, 2007. Councilor Slaiby seconded the motion.
Councilors McKenna, Slaiby, Soliani, and Waldron voted in favor of the motion. Councilors Jerram and Dalla Valle opposed the motion. On a 4-2 vote, the motion carried. (Please see note at #1690).
RESOLUTION OF BOARD OF COUNCILMEN OF THE CITY OF TORRINGTON
December 4, 2006
WHEREAS, it is necessary to reschedule the referendum to be held on the appropriation and borrowing authorization approved by the Board of Councilmen by resolution entitled “Resolution Appropriating $19,500,000 for The Torrington City Hall Renovation And Improvement And City Barn Site Vehicle Garage Construction Project, And Authorizing The Issue Of Bonds And Notes In The Same Amount To Finance The Appropriation,” as adopted at its September 5, 2006 meeting.
NOW, THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that said appropriation and borrowing authorization be submitted to the voters of the City of Torrington for approval by vote on voting machines to be held in Torrington on January 9, 2007, in lieu of December 5, 2006, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. , and that the ballot heading read substantially as follows:
“SHALL THE CITY OF TORRINGTON APPROPRIATE $19,500,000 FOR THE TORRINGTON CITY HALL RENOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT AND CITY BARN SITE VEHICLE GARAGE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT, AND AUTHORIZE THE ISSUE OF BONDS AND NOTED IN THE SAME AMOUNT TO FINANCE THE APPROPRIATION?”
The notice of said referendum shall be substantially in the form presented to this meeting, a copy of which shall be recorded with the minutes of this meeting.
(FURTHER RESOLVED, that, in his discretion, the City Clerk is authorized to prepare a concise explanatory text and additional explanatory materials regarding said resolution, such texts and explanatory material to be subject to the approval of the City Attorney and to be prepared and distributed in accordance with Section 9-369b of the General Statutes of Connecticut, Revision of 1958, as amended.)
SMALL CITIES #1410
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $5,600.00 from Small Cities Fund
#250 for an emergency boiler and well tank replacement for Project #143-248.
SECTION 8-24 #1450
On a motion by Councilor Slaiby, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to accept the favorable recommendation on Planning & Zoning’s Section 8-24 referral in regard to leasing a portion of the commuter parking lot located near Route 8 East Main Street for the NW CT Welcome Center, in conjunction with the NW Chamber of Commerce.
WRIGHT-PIERCE #1465
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $280.00 from Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement Fund #490 to Wright-Pierce for work performed on the South Main Street Pump Station and Sewer - Final Design and referred it to the Board of Finance.
TORRINGFORD SCHOOL PAYMENT #1480
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $31,778.96 from the Torringford School Building Fund #314 to BKM for kindergarten furniture.
RE-OPEN MEETING TO THE PUBLIC #1490
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the Council voted unanimously to reopen the meeting to the public on Agenda Items only. There was no public participation.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #1510
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads. There was none.
BUS: MAYOR & COUNCIL #1530
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by Mayor Bingham and members of the City Council.
Councilor Waldron said he would have liked to have been kept informed that Shookie Recreational was in arrears.
Mayor Bingham stated that discussions were being held with Mr. Schroeder and payment was expected, however, that didn’t occur.
Councilor Slaiby noted that the lighting of the tree was a great event, and the Toy Drive sponsored by the Mayor’s Committee on Youth, was very successful.
Councilor McKenna agreed.
#1690
Councilor Dalla Valle noted that he voted against the referendum the first time and repeated his vote today because there is only one question on the ballot.
Mayor Bingham said it was quite heartwarming to see so many people attend the Tree Lighting Ceremony, and that they will continue to improve this event in the years to come.
He thanked Councilor Slaiby for taking charge of the Toy Drive.
ADJOURNMENT #1740
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:22 p.m.
ATTEST: JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
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