MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
JULY 7, 2008
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, July 7, 2008 in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, City Councilors Rick E. Dalla Valle, Michael Colangelo, Elinor Carbone, Marie P. Soliani, and Drake L. Waldron, Corp. Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, City Planner Martin Connor, Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, and WPC Administrator Raymond Drew. Councilor Thomas C. Jerram was absent.
Prior to the Board of Trustees of the City Employees’ Retirement Fund meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Mayor Bingham recognized several people who have benefitted from the Torrington Early Childhood Collaborative.
Karla Woodworth, PEP (People Empowering People) Facilitator, thanked the Council for their support, and informed them that the $5,000.00 they budgeted toward the Collaborative has benefitted a number of people in the community. She introduced Mindy Hobson, and Heather Kosmulski two of the recipients and the latest graduates of PEP. Cara Managel, also a graduate, was not available for this meeting.
Donna Labbe, Torrington Early Childhood Collaborative, Community Outreach Coordinator, thanked Councilor Dalla Valle for his help, support and dedication. She stated they received another $1,000.00 that will be used to develop a web site for children. They hope they’ll be able to link to the City’s website.
Doreen Deary, Executive Director of La Via Latina, introduced the latest APEX graduates (ASPIRA Parents for Excellence - National Spanish Speaking Parent Leadership Program),
Sylvia Mendoza Ernie Manegal
Martha Bernal Zoila Barrera
Blanca Tacuri Laura Barrera
Sonia Cuzco Blanca Borja
Francisca Duman
Mayor Bingham and the City Council congratulated those recognized for their achievements.
Mayor Bingham called the City Council meeting to order at 7:17 p.m., immediately following the Board of Trustees of the City Employees’ Retirement Fund meeting.
MINUTES #1640
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the special joint meeting with the Board of Finance held 06/05/08.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council, with the exception of Councilor Dalla Valle who abstained, voted to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held 06/16/2008.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #1655
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no public participation.
MOVE ITEM ON AGENDA #1670
Mayor Bingham requested moving agenda item #9 with council approval to the present time.
JUSTICE IN EDUCATION FUNDING #1680
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted to hear to hear a request from Stephen T. Cassano, Executive Director, for the city to join the Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding.
Mr. Cassano gave the Council a quick history on why this suit has been filed. He noted that the Horton vs Meskill case was significant because we cannot rely on local property taxes to fund the majority of education costs. For that reason, the state created the ECS formula. Unfortunately, that formula has been amended 31 times. Every amendment tweaked the formula enough so that for the last few years they haven’t bothered to use it because it’s so out-dated and out-of-whack with reality. It was supposed to be the balance that would provide equity in education funding. To complicate things even further, they added special ed to the ECS formula in 1995 instead of keeping it as a separate program. The specific cost to educate a child with special needs is greater than
the average child in a classroom. That hurts the funding of the ECS formula.
In 1990, another suit called Johnson vs Rowland was filed by 15 to 20 towns. They could not afford to remain in the case and dropped out. This case is significant in a different way, and the reason it has moved forward is that Yale University’s Law School has a special clinic and the clinic is our attorney for this case. So far, they have more than a million dollars worth of legal fees which they don’t have to pay. They are in it for the long run and have been magnificent.
Mr. Cassano said they know schools are underfunded and senior citizens are the victims in their property taxes. Included in the case are small towns, large cities, wealthy and poor towns, democratic and republican leaders, and they all have one thing in common: the reliance on the property tax to fund education.
Mr. Cassano indicated that over the last 12 years, Torrington had a 50% increase in funding and when you look at inflation, it comes down to 8.5%. Torrington has had 213 additional children in a 12 year period, but the actual student count is down nine, thanks to parochial and private schools. Torrington lost $12.7 million just because the formulas were capped. This suit will not bring the loss back; it’s not about past damages, it’s about the future.
Ten years ago the state was paying 52% of the overall education costs; today it’s down to 41.5%. The City of Torrington is paying 60% of the cost to educate children. That’s a tremendous shift backwards. Between FY96 and FY07, students receiving free/reduced cost meals increased from 20% to 28%, students from non-English speaking homes increased from 4% to 11%, minority enrollment increased from 9% to 21% and special ed costs consumed 22% of the district’s operating budget.
This suit is based on adequacy formulas. There have been 23 of these cases decided across the country in favor of the plaintiff. Adequacy simply says “What does it cost to educate a child?” The costs to teach special needs children, non-English speaking children, those with specific disabilities, those who come from a home of poverty, etc. are different, and adequacy puts those children together. They look at the population, and project what the potential cost will be based on your current student needs and population. In 2007 dollars, the adequacy estimate in Torrington amounted to $15,724.00 per pupil, yet data shows that Torrington spent just $11,168 per pupil.
Mr. Cassano said they expect to win the case and expect a decision by the end of August, although an extension may be requested. When the Governor was informed about the suit, she put together a Task Force and came up with a billion dollars which was cut, but it was a start.
Mr. Cassano indicated that the dues for Torrington would be $5,000.00.
Councilor Colangelo asked what the fees would be used for.
Mr. Cassano stated they are creating a reserve fund to use on depositions in the next phase of the case. The budget also includes a project manager who makes a salary of $70,000.00 or $80,000.00 a year. He’s on a part time basis at $3,000.00 a month, and the rest of the budget will be used mostly on publications, funding for the supreme court meetings, etc.
Councilor Colangelo believed Torrington should be involved and the case should be a unified effort, but he preferred to wait until the city obtained the Board of Education’s input on the matter.
MOTION TO TABLE #2365
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to table Stephen Cassano’s request for Torrington to join the Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding until they receive the Board of Education’s input.
FIREFIGHTER TURNOUT GEAR #2400
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, a discussion took place in regard to the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to award the bid entitled “Five Year Lease and Maintenance of 35 Sets of Firefighter Turnout Gear” to Firematic Supply Company, Inc. of Rocky Hill, CT for $21,702.94 per year or $108,514.70 over the five year lease period, contingent upon the Board of Safety’s approval.
MOTION TO TABLE #2535
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to table the bid entitled “Five Year Lease and Maintenance of 35 Sets of Firefighter Turnout Gear” until further questions can be answered.
RADIO TELEMETRY UPGRADE PROJECT BID #2600
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to waive the bid process and award the bid entitled “Radio Telemetry Upgrade Project” to Northwest Communications, Torrington, CT in the amount of $26,712.00.
HVAC BID EXTENSION #2670
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to extend the current bid contract entitled “HVAC Bid Extension Request” to West State Mechanical Services, Inc. of Torrington for the 08/09 fiscal year at the same rate, terms and conditions as the existing bid.
AT&T #2680
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the expenditure of $39,363.75 from the City Hall Renovations Fund #0316 to AT&T for the DS3 Router for moving the existing computer communications configuration at City Hall to the Fire Department.
RESOLUTION: ST OF CT DEP #2690
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to adopt a Resolution and authorize Mayor Bingham to enter into contracts with the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.
LOCAL FLOOD PROTECTION PROJECT
VEGETATION CLEARING CONTRACT - PHASE 1
NAUGATUCK RIVER
TORRINGTON, CONNECTICUT
RESOLUTION
Be it resolved that it is in the best interest of the City of Torrington to enter
into contracts with the Department of Environmental Protection.
In furtherance of this resolution, Ryan J. Bingham, Mayor, is duly authorized to enter into and sign said contracts on behalf of the City of Torrington.
The Mayor is further authorized to provide such additional informational and execute such other documents as may be required by the state or federal government in connection with said contracts and to execute any amendments, recisions, and revisions thereto. The City Clerk is authorized to impress the seal of the City of Torrington on any such document, amendment, recision, or revision.
I, Joseph L. Quartiero, City Clerk of the City of Torrington, do hereby certify this to be a true copy of the resolution duly adopted by the Board of Councilmen of the City of Torrington, its legislative body, at a meeting held on July 7, 2008, and that it has not been rescinded, amended or altered in any way, and that it remains in full force and in effect.
ADOPTED BY THE Board of Councilmen OF THE CITY OF TORRINGTON, CONNECTICUT, THIS 7TH DAY OF JULY 2008.
RESOLUTION: MUNICIPAL PLAN OF CONSERVATION & DEV. #2768
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to adopt a Resolution and authorize Mayor Bingham to execute the Municipal Plan of Conservation and Development Grant Program.
City Planner, Martin Connor indicated that they are in compliance of their June 30th, 2010 deadline.
CERTIFIED RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE BODY
The Legislative Body of the City of Torrington met on July 7, 2008, and adopted a Resolution by the vote of 6 to 0 which:
(1) authorized the application for the Municipal Plan of Conservation and Development Grant referenced in Section 13 (a)(1) and Section 32 (a)(1)of Public Act 07-7 (An Act Authorizing and Adjusting Bonds of the State for Capital Improvements and for Transportation Infrastructure Improvements and Concerning the Connecticut State University Infrastructure Act):
(2) identifies Ryan J. Bingham, Mayor as an individual authorized to sign the grant application and administer the grant. Such application is attached to and made a part of this record.
Attested to by Joseph L. Quartiero, City Clerk.
APPOINTMENT: HOUSING AUTHORITY #2800
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to reappoint Robert Raleigh to the Torrington Housing Authority for a five-year term to expire September 2013.
TORRINGFORD SCHOOL BUILDING INVOICE #2830
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $256,379.22 from the Torringford School Building Fund #0314 to O & G Industries, Inc. for professional services, Application #35.
Mayor Bingham will request an update from the Chairman, John Calkins, for the next meeting.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #2865
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public on “agenda items” only. There was none.
BUS: DEPT HEADS #2875
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver noted that the Council will be reviewing pending litigation matters in executive session during the next Council meeting.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #2950
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Bingham and members of the City Council.
Councilor Colangelo requested a copy of the Police Department’s Five Year Plan.
Councilor Soliani noted that the turnout for the July 4th fireworks was overwhelming.
Mayor Bingham commended Councilor Dalla Valle for his participation in the fire works display.
Councilor Waldron requested adding an item to the agenda by 2/3rds vote in regard to Small Cities.
ADD TO AGENDA: SMALL CITIES #3080
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to add three Small Cities items to the agenda.
APPROVE SMALL CITIES PROJECTS #3100
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to approve Small Cities Projects #143-233, #143-241, and #143-267.
ADJOURNMENT #3200
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:53 p.m.
ATTEST: JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
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