MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
DECEMBER 17, 2007
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, December 17, 2007 in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, City Councilors Rick E. Dalla Valle, Michael Colangelo, Elinor Carbone, Thomas C. Jerram, Marie P. Soliani, and Drake L. Waldron, Corp. Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, Acting Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, Recreation Director Donna Winn, Emergency Management Coordinator Thomas Vannini, Director of the Torrington Development Corporation Christina Emery, and Chairperson for the Parks & Recreation Commission Patricia Fairchild.
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 December 3, 2007.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #035
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Donna Labbe, Coordinator for the Torrington Early Childhood Collaborative, on behalf of the Parent Committee, informed the Council that they received a $30,000.00 grant from a private funder, the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund’s Discovery Initiative for the year 2008 to continue working on early childhood readiness for school.
Karla Woodworth announced that the Collaborative also received two Connecticut Parent Trust Fund grants totaling $8,000.00 to offer Torrington residents ten-week courses, one in English and one in Spanish, which will help build leadership skills and end in a community project.
Alison Jeannin, TECC Parent member gave Mayor Bingham an informational packet from the Mayor of Hartford on “What Children Need to Know to be Ready for School.” She also commended Councilor Dalla Valle for all the help he has given their committee.
FUESSENICH PARK CONCESSION STAND BID #115
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Waldron, a discussion took place in regard to the Acting Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to extend the current bid and permit the Torrington Collegiate Baseball Inc. to run the Fuessenich Park concession stand for the 2008 season. (Tabled on 11/19/07 and 12/03/07).
Mayor Bingham noted that the Council received a letter from Patricia Fairchild stating that the Parks & Recreation Commission voted to recommend to the City Council that the current contract for the Fuessenich Park concession stand be extended per the terms of the present contract.
MOVE TO TABLE #140
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted 5-1, to table the Fuessenich Park Concession Stand matter to January 7, with Councilor Colangelo opposing the motion.
COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT #150
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Emergency Management Coordinator’s request to waive the bid process and authorize the use of $24,544.00 from Contingency to purchase communication equipment and accountability system and referred it to the Board of Finance. Funds will be reimbursed from 2005-2006 Homeland Security grants.
TORRINGTON DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION #165
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to approve the request from the Torrington Development Corporation, for $50,000.00 from encumbered money, to begin the Municipal Development Plan.
Christina Emery, executive Director of the Torrington Development Corporation, explained that the Corporation is looking to start the process. The portion to collect the existing conditions data and market analysis will take ten to twelve weeks. The schedule for the entire MDP is contingent upon the state funding which the city is anticipating. The MDP itself, the process of collecting the data and writing the report, is estimated to take six months. The components of the report are regulated by state statute. It could be another three months thereafter for public hearings and final approvals to take place.
Torrington Development Corporation member, Councilor Jerram, explained that it was imperative to keep this process moving forward. He thought it was a better move to use funds already encumbered than to wait for the state to get their bonding people together to dispense the funds. State funding will ultimately come back to the city.
APPOINTMENT: BD OF FINANCE #230
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the appointment of Laurene Pesce to replace James Nichol on the Board of Finance, for the remainder of his term which expires December 2009.
APPOINTMENTS: INLAND WETLANDS #250
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the following reappointment to the Inland Wetlands Commission, each for a 3-year term to expire in September 2010:
Thomas Telman, Christine Altman, and Kathy Carlson.
APPOINTMENTS: ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS #265
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to accept the following appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals:
Genevieve Gangi, regular member, 5-year term to expire December 2012.
Karen Falk, alternate, 5-year term to expire December 2012
Kenneth Edwards, alternate, to fill a vacancy to expire December 2011.
APPOINTMENTS: PLANNING & ZONING #275
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the following appointments to the Planning & Zoning Commission:
Gregory Mele, regular member, 5-year term to expire December 2012
Donna Greco, alternate, 5-year term to expire December 2012
APPOINTMENTS: FLOOD & EROSION CONTROL #315
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to reappoint the following members of the Flood & Erosion Control Board for 3-year terms to expire February 2010:
Gregory Mele Doris Murphy
Paul Summers Gregory Perosino
Richard Calkins
ALTERNATES:
James Bobinski, Christine Mele, Donna Greco
APPOINTMENT: SEALER OF WEIGHTS & MEASURES #320
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the reappointment of Fletcher Waldron as the Sealer of Weights and Measures for a 2-year term to expire December 15, 2009.
APPOINTMENTS: BEAUTIFICATION COMM. #330
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the following reappointments to the Beautification Committee for 2-year terms to expire in February 2010:
Fletcher Waldron John Hogan
Karen Barlow Eunice Leone
Ted Barlow Elaine Turri
TORRINGFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL INVOICE #370
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $4,094.00 from Torringford Elementary School Building Fund #314 to Insalco Corp. for Application #1, Geni Scissor Lift, Balance Due.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT #380
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for November 2007.
BUSINESS IN SECTION B #385
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to consider business in Section B:
SECTION B:
SECTION 8-24 REFERRAL: TORRINGTON FAIR SHOPPING PLAZA #390
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to accept the favorable Section 8-24 recommendation from Planning & Zoning of an Acceptance of a Conservation Easement concerning the Torrington Fair Shopping Plaza on East Main Street.
RECOMMENDATION: SMALL CITIES #450
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to accept a change order on Small Cities Project #143-230 for a roofing project in the amount of $2,500.00.
RECOMMENDATION: ORDINANCE COMMITTEE #470
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to schedule a Public Hearing for 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 22, 2007 to repeal Chapter 122 of the Torrington Code. (The Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance).
End of Section B.
REOPEN THE MEETING TO THE PUBLIC #515
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to reopen the meeting to the public for “Agenda” items only.
Kirk Fredriksson, General Manager for the Torrington Collegiate Baseball, Inc. asked the Council for their reason to table this matter for a third time. He noted that they had lived up to their contract, and received a favorable recommendation from the Acting Purchasing Agent as well as the Parks & Recreation Commission, which isn’t required.
Councilor Dalla Valle pointed out that the Council is governed by a rule that states there will be no further discussion once a motion has been tabled; however, he indicated that questions came up that needed to be answered.
Mr. Fredriksson stated that he would be happy to answer any questions they may have for him.
Councilor Jerram agreed with Councilor Dalla Valle that several questions needed to be answered prior to the Council taking a vote on this matter.
BUS: DEPARTMENT HEADS #670
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads. There was none.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #685
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Bingham and members of the City Council.
Mayor Bingham and the Council commended the Parks & Recreation Commission for a tremendous opening ceremony for Christmas Village. They wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Councilor Jerram also commended the Street Department for doing a great job during their third snow event of the year.
Mayor Bingham thanked those who voted at the referendum held December 13. He assured residents that the committee will work hard to keep the cost down and get the City Hall renovation project done as effectively as possible over the next two years.
The Council took a two minute recess.
PUBLIC HEARING: To consider modifying the Alcoholic Liquor, Public Consumption Ordinance by prohibiting consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages on public property.
City Clerk Joseph L. Quartiero read the legal notice.
Mayor Bingham called the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m.
Patricia Fairchild, Chairperson for the Parks & Recreation Commission stated that they addressed the issue of alcohol consumption at Coe Park during their October 3 meeting when the Commissioners voted unanimously to recommend to the Council that alcohol on all city property be prohibited, including Fuessenich Park, the Armory, and properties that they have jurisdiction over.
Mayor Bingham read a letter from Susan Holbrook, a member of the Coe Park Sub Committee, whereby she supported the proposed ordinance change which would ban the consumption, sale, or provision of any alcoholic beverage at any city-sponsored event on city property. She cited the issue of liability as the main reason for supporting the proposed ordinance.
Councilor Jerram said he understood the concerns of the Parks & Recreation Commission, and respectfully disagreed during the last Public Hearing on the matter, and continued to respectfully disagree with the intent to change the ordinance as stated.
Mayor Bingham called the Public Hearing to a close at 7:08 p.m.
MOVE THE ITEM #1030
Councilor Dalla Valle moved the vote to modify the Alcoholic Liquor, Public Consumption Ordinance by prohibiting consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages on public property. Councilor Carbone seconded the motion.
MOTION TO TABLE #1035
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to table until January 7, the vote to modify the Alcoholic Liquor, Public Consumption Ordinance by prohibiting consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages on public property.
ADJOURNMENT #1045
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:10 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
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