MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
JANUARY 2, 2007
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Tuesday, January 2, 2007, in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, City Councilors James F. McKenna, Rick E. Dalla Valle, Andrew J. Slaiby, Marie P. Soliani, and Drake L. Waldron, Corp. Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, Purchasing Agent Charlene Antonelli, Building Official Brett Zuraitis, and Police Chief Robert Milano. Councilman Thomas C. Jerram was absent.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. immediately following a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the City Employees’ Retirement Fund scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #070
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no public participation.
RESOLUTION: STILL RIVER GREENWAY #080
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the board voted unanimously to adopt a Resolution authorizing Mayor Ryan J. Bingham to sign the agreement entitled “Agreement Between the State of Connecticut and the City of Torrington for Construction, Inspection and Maintenance of the Still River Greenway Utilizing Federal Funds Under the High Priority Component of the Surface Transportation Program.”
RESOLUTION
Resolved, that Ryan J. Bingham, Mayor, be and hereby is, authorized to sign the agreement entitled “Agreement Between the State of Connecticut and the City of Torrington for Construction, Inspection and Maintenance of the Still River Greenway Utilizing Federal Funds Under the High Priority Component of the Surface Transportation Program.”
ADOPTED BY THE Board of Councilmen OF THE CITY OF TORRINGTON, CONNECTICUT, THIS 2ND DAY OF JANUARY 2007.
SMALL CITIES: PROJECT 143-235 #100
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the board voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $3,850.00 from Small Cities Fund #250 to Project # 143-235 for emergency repair of a failed septic system.
ADD TO AGENDA #145
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the board voted unanimously to add an item to the agenda by 2/3rds vote in regard to the purchase of a new police cruiser to replace one which was totaled last week.
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the board voted unanimously to authorize “Up to” $26,500.00 from Vehicle Replacement Contingency for the replacement of a police cruiser and refer it to the Board of Finance.
According to the city’s Fleet Manager, Michael Michaud, the city may get as much as $12,000.00 to $14,000.00 from the insurance company for the totaled vehicle. Quotation requests were sent to three car dealerships; only one quote has been received to date, from Litchfield Ford. If a lower quote is received from one of the other car dealership prior to the matter going before the Board of Finance, the city will take the lower quote.
Chief Milano expressed his concern over the urgency of this matter since there are always a number of cruisers in the shop for repairs and he is fearful that the winter season may take its toll on the number of cruisers available, especially during the change of shifts.
The vehicle which was totaled was a 2004 model with 47,000 miles on it.
Mr. Michaud is working with the city’s insurance company as well as the other driver’s insurance. The allegation is that the other vehicle was stolen and the police department is pursuing those charges as well as medical records and search warrants.
RE-OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #295
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to reopen the meeting to the public on Agenda Items only. There was no public participation.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #305
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
There was none.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #320
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by Mayor Bingham and members of the City Council.
Mayor Bingham called a recess at 6:48 until 7:00 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Bingham called the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. to consider adopting an ordinance entitled “Vacant Premises” to establish standards for safeguarding vacant buildings which will include, but is not limited to fire prevention, facility closure and penalties for failure to comply.
City Clerk Joseph L. Quartiero read the legal notice.
Mayor Bingham opened the hearing for public comment. There was none from either the public or the Council.
Mayor Bingham called the public hearing to a close at 7:02 p.m.
ADOPT ORDINANCE: “VACANT PREMISES” #460
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance entitled “Vacant Premises” to establish standards for safeguarding vacant buildings which will include, but is not limited to fire prevention, facility closure and penalties for failure to comply.
PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Bingham called the public hearing to order at 7:03 p.m. to consider adopting an ordinance entitled “Skateboards, in-line Skates and Scooters” to establish standards for the use of such devices on public property, parental responsibility and penalties for failure to comply.
City Clerk Joseph L. Quartiero read the legal notice.
Mayor Bingham opened the hearing for public comment.
As a point of clarification, Councilor Dalla Valle said the ordinance was merely to keep kids from jumping on city steps, rails in public parking lots, etc., and there’s nothing in the ordinance that states they can’t use their skateboards as long as they are not a threat or nuisance while doing so. The ordinance is basically designed to protect property and property owners from any type of danger or nuisance caused by skateboards, in-line skates, scooters, etc. It’s designed to keep skateboarders away from posted properties, as well as private properties and prevents them from making excessive noise with skateboards. Skateboarding done in a responsible manner is usually acceptable, and when it’s not done in an acceptable manner, someone has to deal with it.
Carol DeAngelo, 249 Litchfield Street, said she called Parks & Recreation to find out why Torrington’s Skate Park is closed, while Winsted’s Skate Park remains open all year, 24/7. She also noted that Torrington’s Skate Park is much too small to accommodate all the kids who would like to use it. She pointed out that her son, who likes to skateboard and ride his bike, has been harassed by the Torrington Police Department because, supposedly, he and his friends “loiter” outside of Tommy’s. Now that Tommy’s is moving to the plaza where no bikes, blades, or skateboarding is allowed, she asked if these kids will get arrested if they enter the area?
Councilor Dalla Valle indicated that the plaza is private property and the owners of the property posted the area for no blades, bikes, or skateboarding.
Ms. DeAngelo stated that her son has already been arrested for standing on his skates in front of Vogel school doing absolutely nothing wrong. She missed a day’s work to go court only to have the matter dismissed. She accused the city of having certain police officers who pick and choose whom they harass and she didn’t think it was fair.
Mayor Bingham encouraged Ms. DeAngelo to attend a Board of Public Safety meeting to express her anguish or put her complaint in writing.
Councilor Dalla Valle indicated that money was an issue with the size of the Skateboard Park. It’s the city’s intention to expand it as more funds become available. Councilor Dalla Valle said he spent six years trying to get a park in Torrington and would never approve an ordinance like the one being proposed if the city didn’t have a park. The issue of why the park is locked at this time will be addressed.
Councilor McKenna urged Ms. DeAngelo to attend a Parks & Recreation Commission meeting to address her concerns.
Jordan DeAngelo pointed out that the No Trespassing sign posted at Vogel was located on a telephone pole approximately 50' from the ground and suggested making signs more visible.
Robert Kaplan, 55 Mountain View Manor, said his son received a $92.00 ticket for sitting on the stairs at Vogel Wetmore School. He accused the Police Department of harassing his son by using foul language.
He thought the “50 yards” mentioned in the proposed ordinance was extreme.
Councilor Dalla Valle felt the Police Department would benefit from the proposed ordinance because they would only look for people in violation of it. The 50-yard rule is really referring to a possible danger. Skateboarding doesn’t necessarily create a danger to anyone.
Councilor Dalla Valle felt the ordinance will help guide the Police Department. It will be helpful to neighborhoods, to property owners, and it will give the kids who aren’t doing anything wrong their legal right, to do whatever they’re doing as long as they are not causing a nuisance or endangering anyone, nor on those properties which are posted.
Mayor Bingham said this forum is for people to express whether or not they agree with the wording of the proposed ordinance. If someone is dissatisfied with the manner in which a police officer conducts himself, he should either write a formal complaint and send it to the Mayor’s Office or attend a Board of Public Safety meeting.
Arlene Renzullo, 76 Lorenzo, said she encountered several incidents that had to do with a number of skateboarders, including being subjected to abusive language and being told to get back into her house. She supported the ordinance as proposed.
Thomas Hampton, 154 Washington Avenue, informed the board that since he was diagnosed with cancer six months ago, he has trouble sleeping at night and therefore tries to sleep during the day. He reported that the excessive noise from a number of kids skateboarding 100 feet away from his apartment windows keep him from being able to do anything and drives him insane. He felt as though he was being harassed by skateboarders who had no respect for the elderly and the sick, and that his quality of life has been ruined.
Councilor Dalla Valle suggested removing the “defined as less than 50 yards” from the proposed ordinance and merely leaving “close proximity.”
Mr. Kaplan indicated that removing the “50 yards” would help somewhat. However, “nuisance” would still be up for interpretation and will continue to haunt him.
Debra Gluz, 94 Lorenzo, indicated that there should be some give and take in this matter. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect. It would benefit the city to open the Skate Park. She suggested instituting a Skate Board Committee.
Joseph Carey, 53 Culvert Street, stated that most people view skateboarding as a waste of time instead of the “sport” that it is. He was hoping the park could be open more hours.
Mayor Bingham called the public hearing to a close at 7:50 p.m.
ADOPT ORDINANCE #2250
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor McKenna, further discussion took place in regard to the ordinance entitled “Skateboards, in-line Skates and Scooters” to establish standards for the use of such devices on public property, parental responsibility and penalties for failure to comply.
Councilor Dalla Valle suggested removing the words “Defined as less than 50 yards” from the proposed ordinance. He thought the words “close proximity” already included in the ordinance would suffice.
Councilor Slaiby suggested that perhaps the distance should be changed instead of eliminated.
Councilor McKenna stated that distance wasn’t an issue as long as the skateboarders were posing no physical harm. It was his opinion that “close proximity” would suffice. The ordinance can always be amended if something doesn’t work or it’s causing a problem.
Councilor Soliani believed the proposed ordinance was a good start in helping both the Police Department as well as the kids who feel are being harassed.
AMEND MOTION #2470
Councilor Dalla Valle amended his motion to eliminate the words “Defined as less than 50 yards” from the ordinance entitled “Skateboards, in-line Skates and Scooters” to establish standards for the use of such devices on public property, parental responsibility and penalties for failure to comply. Councilor McKenna seconded the motion.
Mayor Bingham thanked everyone who spoke either for or against the ordinance.
Councilor Slaiby suggested placing fines into a fund to go toward the Skate Park.
Councilor Dalla Valle indicated that, although it’s a fabulous idea, fines go through the court system and have nothing to do with the city.
Mayor Bingham stated that Mark Lavoie was recently hired as the new Parks & Recreation Director. The hours of operation of the Skate Park will be looked into.
Councilor Dalla Valle pointed out that the ordinance will take effect 30 days after it’s published in the newspaper.
Councilor Soliani thought it would benefit everyone to be more respectful to each other.
VOTE 2800
The vote was unanimous to adopt the ordinance entitled “Skateboards, in-line Skates and Scooters” to establish standards for the use of such devices on public property, parental responsibility and penalties for failure to comply and to eliminate the words “Defined as less than 50 yards.”
ADJOURNMENT #2810
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:00 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
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