MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
NOVEMBER 19, 2007
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, November 19, 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, Acting Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, WPC Administrator Raymond Drew, Parks & Recreation Director Mark Lavoie, Police Chief Robert Milano, Fire Chief John Field, Deputy Fire Chief Jaye Giampaolo, Data Processing Manager Rudy Pullano, and Personnel Director Thomas Gritt.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
MINUTES #030
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held November 5, 2007.
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council, with the exception of Councilor McKenna who abstained, voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the special joint meeting with the Board of Finance held November 7, 2007.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #040
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Susan Shuhi, 872 East Main Street, thanked Mayor Bingham, Corp. Counsel Ernestine Weaver, the City Council, and the Parks & Recreation Department for approving the site lease with the Drakeville Volunteer Fire Department for the Torrington Dog Park and the Parks and Recreation Commission for approving the money from their budget for the fencing. She urged the Council to approve the transfer of funds for said fence.
She stated that those involved in the dog park are in the process of obtaining a nonprofit tax number which will allow them to do fund raisers and ask for personal and corporate contributions. She assured the Council that they are committed to working with the city and Mark Lavoie to try to reduce some of the dog park expenditures in the future.
Sheila Carbone, 105 View Street, also spoke in support of the transfer of funds for the purchase of the dog park fence. She stated that the park will create a community center of activity where friends and neighbors can gather to relax and be in compliance with the leash law. Elderly residents who have difficulty walking their pets will gain a space to let their dogs not only run leash free, but to socialize with other dog owners. They intend to participate in monitoring the facility for cleanliness, safety and will help educate the general public on dog etiquette and the benefits the park will have in the community.
Michelle Delene, 267 Litchfield Street, asked the Council to address the ordinance concerning the clearing of sidewalks after a snow storm.
Secondly, Ms. Delene spoke in regard to full time RVers who are being harassed because they are not allowed to park on the street and landlords are skeptical to let them park on their property.
BUDGET TRANSFERS #270
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the budget transfers for year end 2006/2007 per the Comptroller’s memo dated 9/21/07, and referred them to the Bd. of Finance.
MODIFY THE 2007/2008 BUDGET FOR FEMA #280
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the modification of the 2007/2008 budget for FEMA reimbursable flood projects, per the Comptroller’s memo dated 11/13/2007, and referred the matter to the Board of Finance.
Mr. Rollett indicated that FEMA will pay 75% of the actual cost of the projects, which should be less than what the Council actually budgeted for.
TRANSFER FUNDS: EVICTION FUND #310
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the transfer of $1,301.25 from Contingency into the Eviction Fund, and referred the matter to the Board of Finance.
FUESSENICH PARK CONCESSION BID #350
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor McKenna, a discussion took place in regard to the Acting Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to extend the current bid to the Torrington Collegiate Baseball Inc. to run the Fuessenich Park concession stand for the 2008 season.
Councilor Dalla Valle made a motion to table the matter until it is reviewed by the Parks & Recreation Commission. There was no second.
Councilor Soliani inquired as to why they should consider an extension without it going out to bid.
Mayor Bingham said he believed it was part of the contract.
Councilor Waldron thought they had a three-year contract.
Councilor Dalla Valle said this was the second year of the first year contract and the item didn’t need to be in front of the Council until next spring. He thought the proper procedure would be to go through Parks & Rec. first.
Pat Fairchild, Chairman of the Parks & Recreation Commission, confirmed that the matter had not been brought before the commission, and she wasn’t certain it had to.
Mayor Bingham said he believed the contract gave them the opportunity to extend for another two or three years.
Pennie Zucco, Acting Purchasing Agent, stated that they have the opportunity to extend their contract up to five years without going out to bid.
Councilor McKenna suggested that perhaps the Corporation Counsel should review the contract before they make any decision.
MOTION TO TABLE #435
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously TO TABLE the Acting Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to extend the current bid to the Torrington Collegiate Baseball Inc. to run the Fuessenich Park concession stand for the 2008 season.
RADIO TELEMETRY EQUIPMENT BID #450
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendations from the Acting Purchasing Agent and the WPC Administrator to waive the bid process and award the Upgrading of Radio Telemetry Equipment for Evergreen, Cliffside, Winsted Road, and Cinnamon Ridge Pump Stations to Northwest Communications.
TRANSFERS: PARKS & RECREATION #455
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to approve the 2007 Capital transfers from the Parks & Recreation Director and referred them to the Board of Finance.
Parks & Recreation Director Mr. Lavoie explained that fiscal year 2005/2006 had a $45,000.00 balance which has gone into part of the Parks Master Plan, and that he has not touched the capital expense money from the 2007/2008 budget for this year’s work on parks. A Parks Improvement Plan was established to secure the repair issues that were brought up before the Commission in April. Other items on the list of transfers include moving forward with the dog park, the Machuga property, etc.
Councilor Dalla Valle asked where the $22,000.00 for the dog fence was coming from if the capital budget money was already geared for projects.
Mr. Lavoie explained that $25,000.00 was coming from Alvord. He continued to say that they’re not certain if Alvord is a park road, a city street, and there are development pressures. Clearly Alvord is a site that will require a lot of work and he will propose an Alvord budget in July. They have traffic issues with soccer and the BMX track, and the road conditions are appalling.
Councilor Dalla Valle wanted to make certain that nothing would suffer from the proposed transfers.
Mr. Lavoie said that was his belief. His department is in good shape with new playscapes and shelters. The city pool has just received a new roof and skylights in the bathroom sections. They refurbished the interior of the locker rooms and bathrooms. Other improvements will be the aesthetics of the life guard shack and signage will be added. The cracked curtain drain along the walk will be fixed. The pool itself is in sound condition, the liner is solid and the infrastructure of the pump system is in good shape.
Mr. Lavoie said the “lights” at the skate park will be a subject for more discussions. The issue of user sensibility and sensitivity is presenting concerns to his department as well as the Police Department. Quotes for lights have come in at $30,000.00 and he currently has no funds to pay for them.
Councilor Dalla Valle said he was approached by the facilities’ manager at the school system who said if we bought a camera, they would hook it into their system and the school would monitor it 24 hours a day. This might be something to look into.
SMALL CITIES: INQUIRING NEWS #810
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $464.10 from Small Cities Fund #250 to Inquiring News for Invitation to Bid Ad on project #143-231.
FINAL ACCEPTANCE: STREETS #815
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Final Acceptance of the following streets in the Torringford Ridge Estates Subdivision that serves 57 residential lots:
Cider Mill Crossing - beginning at the intersection with West Pearl Road and running south, southwest and northwest 1,996 feet to a cul-de-sac.
Silver Fox Lane - beginning at the end of the existing cul-de-sac and continuing to the south 1,064 feet to a cul-de-sac.
TORRINGFORD SCHOOL BUILDING INVOICES #830
On a motion by Councilor Slaiby, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following payments from the Torringford School Building Account #0314:
O & G Industries, Inc., Application No. 0033. $58,295.76
Dalene Hardwood Flooring Invoice # C73856 $19,400.00
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT #850
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Building Dept. Report for October 2007.
MANAGEMENT RESOLUTION #860
On a motion by Councilor Slaiby, seconded by Councilor Waldron, a discussion took place in regard to the request to update the Management Resolution.
Personnel Director Thomas Gritt explained that the updates include an increase in cost sharing for employees to $5, $6, and $7 a week. It added language for the Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy, which was always part of the package but not noted in the Management Resolution. The Mayor will decide on a case by case basis whether an employee working from home during a long term illness who can perform at a substantial level will have the opportunity to be on full salary after the initial 90 day period. The vacation bank will increase from 1½ times the annual allotment to 2 times.
Mr. Gritt stated that the Police Chief, Deputy Police Chief, Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief, who are members of the Police & Firemens’ Pension Plans, asked that the provision that calculates the pension found in the Management Resolution’s Pension Plan apply to them rather than the multiplier that’s used in the Police & Firemens’ Pension Plan. They are looking to use the highest year’s gross annual earnings of any of the last three years of service as opposed to using an average of the last three years. The committee didn’t feel this would be much of an impact because they don’t earn overtime.
The nondiscriminating clause was added, at the suggestion of the auditors.
The wages were the same as those given to the Supervisor’s Bargaining Unit for the years 7/1/07, 7/1/08 & 7/1/09.
Councilor McKenna asked it if would be better to let the new administration vote on this matter.
Councilor Jerram indicated that much input was received from management and several suggestions needing more deliberations will be addressed at a later date. It was his belief that the changes being presented were well thought out and deserved a vote at this time.
Councilor Soliani asked if the negotiating team was comfortable with the changes.
Mr. Gritt explained that the managers don’t have a bargaining unit. During the past two Resolutions, the Mayors and the Personnel Committees have allowed managers to come forward to make some suggestions and that is their level of representation. Some of these changes are a result of their input.
Councilor Dalla Valle said he had no objection to waiting for the new administration.
Councilor Soliani said she didn’t have a problem voting on the Management Resolution at this time if there weren’t any major changes or problems with the amendments.
VOTE #1110
On the previous motion, the Council voted unanimously to update the Management Resolution.
SMALL CITIES RECOMMENDATION #1120
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the Council voted unanimously to hear recommendations from the Small Cities Sub Comm.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the use of $28,800.00 from Small Cities funds for Project #143-231.
USE OF CONTINGENCY: POLICE DEPT. VEHICLE #1155
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the use of $11,685.00 from Contingency to cover expenses toward the Phase II completion of the Police Department’s emergency response vehicle under the Law Enforcement Homeland Security Grant, and referred it to the Board of Finance. Funds will be reimbursed by the state.
BUS: SECTION B #1165
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to consider business from Section B.
BOE TO USE FUNDS FROM AUCTION PROCEEDS #1175
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Board of Education to expend $3,680.00 of auction proceeds from Vehicle Replacement Contingency and referred it to the Board of Finance.
ADD TO AGENDA: CHARTER REVISION COMM. #1195
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the Council voted unanimously to add an item to the agenda by 2/3rds vote in regard to appointing members to the Charter Revision Commission.
CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION #1205
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor McKenna, the Council voted unanimously to accept the following members to the Charter Revision Commission:
Rick Dalla Valle ( R ) Elected Office Michael Nejaime ( R )
Victor Muschell ( R ) James McKenna ( D )
John Ciesco ( D ) Elected Office Vacant ( D )
Stephanie Lauer ( I ) Vacant ( R )
Marie Soliani ( D ) Elected Office Vacant ( D )
Gerald Zordan ( R ) Elected Office Vacant ( Any party)
Mayor Bingham said he was open to suggestions to fill the vacant positions.
RE-OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #1240
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to reopen the meeting to the public for “Agenda” items only.
Kurt Frederickson, with the Torrington Collegiate Baseball Inc. who runs the concession stand at Fuessenich Park, said the contract they signed was a two-year agreement with options to renew up to five years as long as they were recommended by the Purchasing Agent and approved by the City Council. It said nothing about having to be approved by the Parks & Recreation Commission. He asked why this item was tabled when no one else was interested in taking it over.
Councilor Dalla Valle indicated that someone else was interested in taking it over and the item could go out to bid. He noted that, originally, the Parks & Recreation Commission did not recommend the Collegiate Baseball take over the concession stand.
Mr. Frederickson indicated that they followed the bid process and have lived up to their contract. According to the contract, they have the right to ask for an extension.
Councilor McKenna said if the contract states that he has an option to renew, this may be a moot point.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #1375
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads. There was none.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #1410
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.
Mayor Bingham and the Council wished each other well. They congratulated those who would be returning to the Council and stated that they would miss the ones who were departing.
Councilor McKenna said it was his pleasure to represent the taxpayers of Torrington and a pleasure to serve on this Council as well as the past Council. He thanked everyone for the cooperation he received during his tenure on the board.
Councilor Slaiby thanked everyone and said it was a pleasure to serve the City of Torrington. He stated that the past two years had been a valuable experience for him.
As his last point of business, Councilor Slaiby said he received a complaint about the way streets were being swept. The person was concerned that leaves might be pushed back into the gutters upon the first snow fall.
Public Works Director Gerald Rollett said the city only picks up leaves that are in paper bags.
Mayor Bingham stated that the Inauguration will be held at 2:30 p.m. to accommodate Governor Jodi Rell’s schedule.
Mayor Bingham thanked Councilor McKenna and Councilor Slaiby for their incredible ideas and hard work throughout their terms, and looked forward to working with them again in the future.
He wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and hoped that everyone would take time to think of those who are less fortunate.
ADJOURNMENT #1845
On a motion by Councilor McKenna, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:25 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
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