MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
MAY 7, 2007
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, May 7, 2007 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, Comptroller Alice Proulx, Public Works Director Gerald Rollett, City Planner Martin Connor, Director of Elderly Services Nancy Gyurko, Purchasing Agent Charlene Antonelli, WPC Administrator Raymond Drew, Parks & Recreation Director Mark Lavoie, and Police Chief Robert Milano.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m.
MINUTES #020
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the board with the exception of Councilor Jerram who abstained, voted to accept the
minutes of the regular meeting held April 16, 2007.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the board with the exception of Councilor McKenna who abstained, voted to accept the
minutes of the special meeting held April 30, 2007 on budgets.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #050
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no public participation.
LED PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS #060
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the board voted unanimously to accept the recommendation from the Board of Public Safety to award the bid entitled “LED Pedestrian Signals” to the low bidder, Marlin Controls for $29,530.00.
PRIMARY SLUDGE GRIT WASHER #070
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the board, acting as the WPCA, voted unanimously to accept the recommendation from the Purchasing Agent to award the bid entitled “Furnish & Install a Primary Sludge Grit Washer” to the only bidder, Walker Wellington for $68,000.00.
SECTION 8-24: SANITARY SEWER LINE #095
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the board, acting as the WPCA, voted unanimously to accept the Section 8-24 referral from the Planning & Zoning Commission to approve the extension of the existing public sanitary sewer line, beginning at the intersection of Sunrise Drive and Neidt Road, running south along Neidt Road, then west along East Hill Road approximately 600 feet, with the condition that the proposed improvements be done at the applicant’s expense.
SECTION 8-24: CONSERVATION EASEMENT #115
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the board voted unanimously to accept the Section 8-24 referral from the Planning & Zoning Commission to approve the Conservation Easement, Torringford West Street, Torrington Land Records Map #5044.
MEALS-ON-WHEELS TRUCK #160
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the board voted unanimously to waive the bid process and purchase a new Meals-0n-Wheels truck from Delivery Concepts (sole vendor) in the amount of $36,966.00.
ADD TO AGENDA #205
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the board voted unanimously to add an item to the agenda by 2/3rds vote in regard to the Parks & Recreation Director’s request to purchase equipment.
PURCHASE NEW EQUIPMENT: PARKS & REC #225
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the board voted unanimously to approve the request from the Parks & Recreation Director to purchase six pieces of equipment.
Councilor Dalla Valle noted that the city received $27,000.00 from insurance when a piece of equipment accidently went into Besse Pond. Based on the needs of the Parks & Recreation Department, the Superintendent has come up with a list of six pieces of equipment he would like to purchase for $21,274.00 that would do more than the one piece of equipment that was lost. Nearly $6,000.00 would remain unspent. (The funds will come from Vehicle Replacement Contingency, and the matter will be referred to the Board of Finance.)
Mr. Lavoie indicated that his request has been approved by the Parks Commission. He noted that the piece of equipment that went into Besse Pond was scheduled to be outdated this calendar year, and they have a duplicate machine. It was his belief that upgrading the equipment was in the best interest of the city.
CONTINGENCY FUNDS FOR CITY CHARTER #355
Councilor Jerram made a motion to authorize the use of $6,000.00 from Contingency, from which approximately $3,000.00 will be used to purchase the next supplement to the City Charter from General Code which entails the last seven ordinances already passed and three ordinances being proposed, and $3,000.00 will be used to purchase the E-Code and its first year’s maintenance fee to put the City Charter on the Web Site. Councilor Waldron seconded the motion.
City Clerk Joseph L. Quartiero informed the Council that he would only need $4,000.00, because an adjustment of $2,000.00 was made when the cost for a legal ad was removed from this line item.
AMENDED MOTION #380
Councilor Jerram amended his motion to authorize up to $4,000.00 from Contingency to purchase the next supplement to the City Charter and the E-Code to place the City Charter on the Web Site and referred the matter to the Board of Finance. Councilor Waldron amended his second. Unanimous.
PUBLIC HEARING: DECD SMALL CITIES #440
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the board voted unanimously to schedule a Public Hearing on Monday June 4, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. to review and discuss the city’s proposed application to the State DECD for funds under the Small Cities Program for proposed activities in the areas of housing, economic development or community facilities and to review the status of its current Small Cities’ projects and programs.
APPOINTMENT: SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY #470
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the board voted unanimously to accept the appointment of Frank McGowan as an Alternate to the Services for the Elderly Commission for a three year term to expire in July, 2009, to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Roger Janelle.
SMALL CITIES: L WAGNER & ASSO. #480
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the board voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $5,625.00 from Small Cities Fund #279 to L. Wagner & Asso. for professional services rendered from January 1, 2007 through March 31, 2007 in regard to the grant for the Neighborhood Sidewalk & Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project. (Payment upon receipt of Drawdown #2)
SMALL CITIES: L. WAGNER & ASSO. #480
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the board voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $6,175.00 from Small Cities Fund #250 to L. Wagner & Asso. for professional services rendered from January 1, 2007 through March 31, 2007 in regard to the Housing Rehabilitation Program.
SMALL CITIES: REPUBLICAN AMERICAN #490
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the board voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $235.04 from Small Cities Fund #250 to the Republican American for an Invitation to Bid ad in regard to the Neighborhood Sidewalk & Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT #500
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the board voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Reports for March and April 2007.
BARTHOLOMEW COMPANY #505
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the board voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $4,755.82 from the Torringford Building Fund #314 to Bartholomew Company for Application #6.
HOLLFELDER COMPANY LLC #515
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, a discussion took place in regard to the recommendations from the Purchasing Agent and the City’s architect, O’Riordan and Migani Asso. to award the bid entitled “Torrington Police Facility Exterior Masonry Restoration” to the low bidder Hollfelder Company, LLC for $212,100.00, contingent upon the Board of Safety’s approval on 5/09/07. The matter will be referred to the Board of Finance for their approval as well.
A discussion took place with the Purchasing Agent in regard to the back up paperwork given to the City Council in their packets.
Councilor Jerram noted that the architect recommended that the city budget 15% for contingency for any unknowns they may come across during the project.
Purchasing Agent Charlene Antonelli stated that the architect will supervise and look out for the city’s interest to make sure everything is done correctly.
Please refer to #1040 for the conclusion of this matter.
PUBLIC HEARING #700
Mayor Bingham called the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. to set the sewer use charge for the year beginning July 1, 2007 and ending June 30, 2008 as follows:
For Residential Users $170.00 per dwelling unit
For All Other Users $170.00 per 65,000 gallons of volume of flow
City Clerk Joseph L. Quartiero read the legal notice.
Mayor Bingham opened the public hearing. No questions or comments were heard from either the public or the City Council, acting as the WPCA.
Mayor Bingham called the public hearing to a close at 7:02 p.m.
SET SEWER USER FEE #755
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the
Board of Councilmen, acting herein as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to set the sewer use charge for the year beginning July 1, 2007 and ending June 30, 2008 as follows:
For Residential Users $170.00 per dwelling unit
For All Other Users $170.00 per 65,000 gallons of volume of flow
WPCA BUDGET #765
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the
Board of Councilmen, acting herein as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to approve the WPCA Budget for the year beginning July 1, 2007 and ending June 30, 2008.
Councilor Jerram inquired about the revenue from Harwinton and Litchfield.
WPC Administrator Raymond Drew indicated that Harwinton and Litchfield’s fees are based on the actual flow and divided into two portions; 1) their operations and maintenance, whereby they pay a percentage of what the City of Torrington closes the year at, and 2) a flat fee of 1.1% of Torrington’s debt service. Mr. Drew stated that Litchfield’s agreement expires in 2013 and Harwinton’s in 2017.
Mayor Bingham asked Mr. Drew how the city rates as compared to other municipalities in Connecticut.
Mr. Drew noted that a 2005 study showed the average cost for municipalities’ households in the State of Connecticut at $261.00. The proposed increase to $170.00 reflects a $23.00 increase over the last fourteen years, which is less than $2.00 a year.
WPCA FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET #890
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Board of Councilmen, acting herein as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to approve the WPCA Five-Year Capital Improvement Budget/Program for year beginning July 1, 2007 and ending June 30, 2012.
HOLLFELDER COMPANY LLC #1040
Continuation: (please refer to #515) the Council voted unanimously to accept the purchasing Agent’s recommendation and award the bid entitled “Torrington Police Facility Exterior Masonry Restoration” to the low bidder Hollfelder Company, LLC for $212,100.00, contingent upon the Board of Safety’s approval on 5/09/07. The matter is referred also to the Board of Finance for their approval.
Councilor Slaiby left the meeting at 7:10 p.m.
AUTHORIZE THE USE OF ANTHEM STOCK #1080
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the board voted unanimously to authorize the expenditure UP TO $250,000.00 from the Anthem Stock Distribution Fund for the completion of the masonry work to the exterior of the Torrington Police Department, and referred the matter to the Board of Finance.
The remaining balance in Anthem stocks after the drawdown will be approximately $110,000.00.
RECOMMENDATION: SMALL CITIES #1120
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the board voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $7,900.00 from Small Cities Funds to Project 143-249 for an emergency roof replacement.
RECOMMENDATIONS: ORDINANCE COMMITTEE #1180
Councilor Dalla Valle made a motion to schedule three public hearings for May 21, 2007 beginning at 7:00 p.m. for the following ordinances:
1) To add onto the existing ordinance for Coe Park.
2) Responsible Contractors.
3) Billable Services for the Fire Department, contingent upon the Board of Public Safety’s approval on May 9, 2007.
Councilor Soliani seconded the motion. Unanimous.
Councilor Dalla Valle requested that a vote not be taken the same night the public hearings are held in order for the Council to absorb the public comments.
RE-OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #1435
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the board voted unanimously to reopen the meeting to the public for “Agenda Items” only. There was none.
BUS: DEPT HEADS #1450
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the board voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
City Clerk Joseph Quartiero indicated that Parks & Recreation had a budget transfer to add to the Agenda by 2/3rds vote.
ADD TO AGENDA #1470
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the board voted unanimously to add the budget transfer to the agenda.
BUDGET TRANSFER #1500
Councilor McKenna made a motion to approve the budget transfer of $16,000.00 in the Parks & Recreation Budget. Councilor Dalla Valle seconded the motion.
TABLE BUDGET TRANSFER #1525
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the board voted unanimously to table the budget transfer of $16,000.00 in the Parks Budget until more detail is available to support the transfer.
City Clerk Joseph L. Quartiero stated that he has started the process of restoring the Viet Nam War Board with the new name tags.
Mayor Bingham noted that he had several volunteers willing to work on the Iraqi Freedom Board when it’s ready to begin.
Mr. Quartiero indicated that he will need the DD214's from the returning servicemen prior to their names being listed on the board.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #1600
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the board voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Bingham and members of the City Council.
Councilor Soliani suggested scheduling a meeting specifically to discuss the funding for street reclamation, since we are presently reclaiming three miles of streets as opposed to six miles in previous years.
Mayor Bingham invited the Council to the groundbreaking ceremony for the sidewalk project.
Mr. Rollett indicated that the abandoned railroad tracks have to be pulled out and some of the drainage structures have to be adjusted in preparation to the sidewalk project.
ADJOURNMENT #1930
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:32 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO
CITY CLERK
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