MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
OCTOBER 6, 2008
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, October 6, 2008 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, Public Works Director Gerald Rollett, City Planner Martin Connor, Director of Elderly Services Nancy Hodkoski, Supervisor of Elderly Nutrition Joel Sekorski, Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, WPC Administrator Raymond Drew, Superintendent of Parks & Recreation Brett Simmons, Economic Development Coordinator Rose Ponte, City Planner Marty Connor, Fire Chief John Field, Traffic Officer Robert Shopey and Republican Registrar of Voters Amelia K. Waldron.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
MINUTES #020
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held September 15, 2008.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #030
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION #035
Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to the following summer interns: Lindsey Rodrigues (City Clerk’s Office), John DelVento (Mayor’s Office), Erica O’Grady (Nutrition), Tom Hartwell (Police Dept.), Riley Hoang (Fire Dept.), Molly VanDeusen (Planning & Zoning), and Casey Valigursky (Economic Development).
Mayor Bingham and the City Council congratulated each of the recipients and thanked Jo-An Cracco (Career Center), John Pelchat (Acting Principal), and Dr. Marsha Olsen (Assistant Principal) for their efforts in making this valuable program available to Torrington High School students.
Joel Sekorski, Supervisor of Elderly Nutrition was congratulated by all for winning first place in the baking competition at the Harwinton Fair.
Tom Iffland, 36 Brewer Street, urged the Council to put out to bid the contract for the upkeep and maintenance of the gardens at Coe Memorial Park. It was his belief that many contractors would like the opportunity to bid on it.
Jim Pescatore, commissioner from the Parks & Recreation Commission, 46 Pershing Street, said even though the park has never looked better and perhaps the Garden Goddess contract is in the best interest of the city, no one knows for certain without going out to bid. He shared his concerns with the Council:
1. $52,000.00 a year for labor with no set hours of work, especially during the winter months.
2. $88,000.00 worth of bulbs and flowers. Slightly more than $100,000.00 has already been spent over the last three years.
3. Replacing tools that break on the job.
Susan Coe Holbrook, member of the Coe Memorial Park Sub Committee thought the Garden Goddess contract was one that everyone could live with. She noted the reason that so many augers were broken was because some of the older garden beds were filled with construction debris from Phase I. She stated that the Coe Godfrey Trust is solvent, primarily invested in bonds and safely sustained accounts. If a financial problem occurs in the future, the contract may be terminated. An annual review of Mrs. Harvey’s work was incorporated in the latest contract.
Ms. Holbrook noted that Mike Zaharek has had an oral agreement to do tree service work at Coe Memorial Park for several years and the sub committee firmly supports him.
She pointed out that a Request for Quotation was posted on the city’s Web site for a $40,000.00 sidewalk repair project at the Civic Center. Since Councilman Dalla Valle’s first request on June 6, 2006, the sub committee has tried in vain to have this project completed. Mr. Rollett recently stated that it would be completed in-house at a minimal fee as the area was to be renovated in Phase II. Why was $40,000.00 worth of work being requested, only to be dug up in the spring time? It’s an unnecessary waste of money.
Mike Banziruk, 180 Harvard Drive, spoke about the use of $40,000.00 from the Coe Memorial Park Trust Fund to repair a sidewalk that has water drainage problems. Water can’t get to the nearby three catch basins because of grass overgrowth. His solution was to have city laborers shovel out the grass so the water could reach the catch basins.
Mayor Bingham indicated that a Request for Quotation was placed on the city’s website and explained an RFQ as a non-binding request for contractors to quote how much they think it will cost to complete a project.
Andrew Palker, Torrington taxpayer, (land owner of property on Weed Street) and excavating contractor, inquired why he was not awarded the bid entitled “Sewer Repair Work at Belleview Avenue” as he was the low bidder. He stated he has supplied a bid bond, and furnished good references accordingly.
Councilor Soliani pointed out that the paperwork submitted by Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco stated of the seven bids received, three vendors were disqualified for non-conformance and missing documents. (Mr. Palker was one of the three who had missing documents.)
GARDEN GODDESS #1180
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Carbone, a discussion took place in regard to the request to waive the bid process and award the contract for Horticultural and Related Services for Coe Memorial Park to the Garden Goddess. (Tabled on 09/15/08)
Councilor Dalla Valle stated his concerns with the contract as a whole:
1. Waiving the bid process for an amount that great.
2. Recommendation from the Public Works Director not to accept the contract, from the Purchasing Agent to go out for proposals, and from the Parks & Recreation Commissioners that the Commission, as a whole, had reservations when they voted to approve this matter and send it to Council
3. The bid process is usually waived because it’s a sole vendor.
4. Sets a precedence.
Councilor Soliani stated that the Parks & Recreation Commission did make the recommendation to the City Council to approve the Garden Goddess contract.
She thought the city deserved to have the beauty of Coe Memorial Park because it will build on it by revitalizing downtown. She strongly urged the Council to approve the motion.
Councilor Dalla Valle pointed out that the Chairman of the Parks & Recreation Commission informed the Council that they made the recommendation to approve the Garden Goddess contract, but each and every one had reservations about doing so.
Councilor Colangelo was concerned about setting a precedence and preferred putting the matter out to bid.
VOTE #1380
The motion failed on a 2-4 vote. Councilors Carbone and Soliani voted in favor. Councilors Dalla Valle, Colangelo, Jerram, and Waldron opposed.
RESOLUTION: SOCIAL SERVICES-SPECIAL FUNDING #1390
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to adopt a Resolution and authorize Mayor Bingham to enter into and amend contractual instruments with the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services for a Special Funding for Municipalities Program.
I, Joseph L. Quartiero, City Clerk of the City of Torrington, a municipality organized under the laws of the State of Connecticut do hereby certify that the following is a true and correct copy of a resolution duly adopted at a meeting of the Board of Councilmen of the contractor held and convened on the 6th day of October, 2008, at which meeting a duly constituted quorum of the Board of Councilmen was present and acting throughout and that such resolution has not been modified, rescinded, or revoked, and is at present in full force and effect.
“Resolved that Mayor Ryan J. Bingham is empowered to enter into and amend contractual instruments in the name and on behalf of this Contractor with the Department of Social Services of the State of Connecticut for a Special Funding for Municipalities program, and to affix the corporate seal.
In Witness Whereof, the undersigned has his signature and the corporate seal of the Contractor this 7th day of 2008.
JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
SANITARY SEWER REPAIR: BELLEVIEW AVE. #1400
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to award a unit price contract for the Sanitary Sewer Repair at Belleview Avenue to the low responsive bidder, P & G Pepper Construction of Torrington, CT at a cost of $89,828.00.
Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco stated she received seven bids for the project and three of the seven vendors who bid did not comply with bid specifications which clearly specified in bold which documents were required when submitting a bid.
Councilor Dalla Valle requested a print out in the future showing which documents were included and which ones were missing from the bid packets.
LITCHFIELD FORD #1560
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendations from the Purchasing Agent and the Fleet Manager to purchase a 3/4 Ton Ford F250 Supercab or equivalent with an 8 foot bed from Litchfield Ford for $24,622.00. (For the Parks & Recreation Department.)
ADDENDUM: WRIGHT-PIERCE #1575
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council, acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to execute Addendum No.1 to Amendment No.10 to authorize Wright-Pierce to proceed with the Final Design of a Temporary Pump Station at Felicity Lane.
SCHEDULE SPECIAL MEETING #1590
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council, acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to schedule a Special Meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority on Monday, October 27, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of:
A. Discussion & Presentation of Capital Projects
1. Fats, Oil and Grease Facility
2. Toro Field Siphon Rehab
3. East Drainage Basin Rehab
B. Vote to make corrections to Sewer Service Area Map dated March 7, 2005.
C. Vote to amend Water Pollution Control Plan
TRAFFIC BARN CONSTRUCTION BIDS #1600
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to table the Municipal Renovation Committee’s recommendation in regard to the Traffic Barn construction bids.
COMMISSIONING AGENT: CITY HALL #1610
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Municipal Renovation Committee’s recommendation to award the Request for Proposal to Horizon Engineering Asso., LLP as the Commissioning Agent for City Hall renovations.
REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN #1680
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $74.58 from Municipal Renovations Fund #0316 to the Republican American for an ad concerning Request for Commissioning Services for the Renovation to City Hall.
SALARY INCREASES: REGISTRARS #1685
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council, with the exception of Councilor Waldron who abstained, voted to approve the request from the Democratic and Republican Registrar of Voters for an increase in salary of 4% per year, (for the next two years - 4% in January of 2009 and 4% in January of 2010).
SMALL CITIES: PREISS / BREISMEISTER #1720
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $750.00 from Small Cities Fund #288 to Preiss / Breismeister P.C. for professional services rendered through August 31, 2008 for the roof replacement at the Willow Gardens Senior Housing Project.
SECTION B #1730
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to consider business in Section B.
POLICE UNIFORMS #1735
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to extend the current bid contract on the bid entitled “Police Uniforms” to New England Uniform, LLC for the fiscal year 08/09, contingent upon the Board of Public Safety’s approval.
APPOINTMENT: SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY #1740
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to appoint Carol Buice to fill the current alternate vacancy on the Services for the Elderly Commission for a term to expire July 2009.
TORRINGFORD BUILDING #1750
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $2,543.08 from the Torringford School Building Fund #0314 to Silktown Roofing for Invoice #23902, for the Pitch Pan for AC lines, and install ladder.
End of Section B.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #1760
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public on “agenda items” only.
Mr. Palker requested to see the documents submitted to the Purchasing Agent on the Sanitary Sewer Repair at Belleview Avenue.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #1805
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads. There was none.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #1820
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Bingham and members of the City Council.
Councilor Colangelo inquired about the $40,000.00 sidewalk that was mentioned by Mr. Banziruk and Ms. Holbrook at the beginning of the meeting.
Mr. Rollett indicated that he didn’t know where the $40,000.00 figure came from. He estimated the minor project to cost a couple thousand dollars. He wanted the project to be completed before the Coe Park Civic Center is used for the upcoming election.
Pat Fairchild, chairperson of the Parks & Recreation Commission stated that the $40,000.00 figure for the sidewalk repair was never mentioned at any of their meetings.
Councilor Dalla Valle indicated that his workers just finished building a 72 foot sidewalk for $1,200.00. That could be an option for the city to consider.
Councilor Dalla Valle suggested that an RFP for Coe Park be written as soon as possible.
Mayor Bingham indicated that a committee would be created concerning the RFP for the horticultural and related services for Coe Memorial Park and asked for two volunteers from each of the City Council, Parks & Recreation Commission, and Coe Memorial Park Sub Committee. He will also be on the committee as well as a couple city staff members.
ADJOURNMENT #2030
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:25 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
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