MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
NOVEMBER 17, 2008
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, November 17, 2008 in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, City Councilors Michael Colangelo (arrived at 6:33 p.m.), Elinor Carbone, Thomas C. Jerram, Marie P. Soliani, and Drake L. Waldron, Corp. Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, Comptroller Alice Proulx, City Planner Martin Connor, Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, WPC Administrator Raymond Drew, and Data Processing Manager Rudy Pullano. Councilor Rick E. Dalla Valle was absent.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
MINUTES #025
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held November 3, 2008.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #030
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Mindy Hobson and Karla Woodworth, members of the Torrington Early Childhood Collaborative informed the Council that they were conducting a “Winter Coat and Accessories Drive” for community children, and that several local organizations, banks, and businesses will help them collect these items.
Mayor Bingham invited them to place a collection box in City Hall as well.
Councilor Colangelo arrived at 6:33 p.m.
Mayor Bingham and the City Council recognized the Warriors Midget Football Team by presenting the league with a plaque acknowledging the Junior Peewee Football Team for winning the State Championship in their age and weight division, and the Junior Midgets for their competition in the National Tournament which will be held in Florida during the early part of December.
Mayor Bingham noted that the Midgets were looking to raise more than $20,000.00 to send them to Florida.
PLANIMETRICS #290
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to accept the City Planner’s recommendation that Planimetrics be selected as the firm to assist the Planning & Zoning Commission in the update of the City of Torrington’s Plan of Conservation and Development.
RESOLUTION: TORR. CHILD CARE #410
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to adopt a Resolution authorizing Mayor Bingham to execute the Torrington Child Care Center Contract #143-CDC-31 for the year 2009 in the amount of $240,750.00.
RESOLUTION:
I, Joseph L. Quartiero, Secretary for the Board of Councilmen of the City of Torrington, a Connecticut corporation (the “Contractor”), 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 duly held and convened on Monday, November 17, 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 the 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 Child Day Care Program, and to affix the corporate seal.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has affixed his signature and the corporate seal of the Contractor this 18th day of November, 2008.
Joseph L. Quartiero, CMC
MACHUGA PROPERTY #445
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, a brief discussion took place in regard to the request to designate the use of the Machuga property as a park for the purposes of promoting recreational activities under the authority of the Park & Recreation Commission.
Councilor Soliani indicated that she still had several questions for Kim Barbieri, the Zoning and Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer.
MOTION TO TABLE: MACHUGA PROPERTY #460
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to table the aforementioned request.
REIMBURSE PERMIT FEES #470
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Jerram, a discussion took place in regard to the request from Community Health and Wellness Center to reimburse city permit fees, pending the Board of Finance’s approval on 11/18/2008. (Tabled by Council on 10/22/08 and tabled by BOF on 10/21/08.)
Councilors Soliani and Carbone stated that the city is grateful to all nonprofit organizations who provide service to our community, but didn’t think it was in the city’s best interest to reimburse the fees and they were concerned about setting a precedent.
VOTE #745
Councilor Waldron voted in favor of the motion. Councilors Colangelo, Carbone, Jerram and Soliani opposed the motion. On a 1-4 vote, the motion to reimburse fees to the Community Health and Wellness Center failed.
PHONE SYSTEM #755
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendations from the Purchasing Agent and the IT Supervisor to waive the bid process and purchase a new Phone System from First Call, Inc. in the amount of $31,500.00 for the move from City Hall to the new location.
The new system will be used at the newly renovated City Hall.
LITCHFIELD FORD #775
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendations from the Purchasing Agent and the Fleet Manager to waive the bid process and accept the request for quotation from Litchfield Ford and purchase a 2008 Ford Expedition XLT at a cost of $21,998.00 for the Fire Department, contingent upon the Board of Safety’s approval.
Mayor Bingham noted that this vehicle, which they call a “fly car,” was a new addition to the fleet under the Fire Department’s long term planning.
Councilor Jerram inquired whether local vendors had been asked to bid.
Purchasing Agent Zucco indicated that the bid she received from Torrington Ford was greater than the one she received from Litchfield Ford by more than 6%.
Councilor Jerram asked if the fly car would allow the Lieutenant to go to the scene rather than taking the ladder truck.
Mayor Bingham and Councilor Colangelo said that was their understanding.
Councilor Colangelo inquired about the bid submitted by Wilson Dodge for a Durango at a cost of approximately $3,000.00 less than the Expedition.
Mrs. Zucco stated that the Expedition was the Fire Department’s first choice.
TOUGHBOOKS #895
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendations from the Purchasing Agent and Chief Milano to waive the bid process and purchase six CF-30 Toughbooks off the State Bid Contract from Telrepco, Inc. for $22,318.00, contingent upon the Board of Safety’s approval.
AMMUNITION #915
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation from the Purchasing Agent to waive the bid process and purchase the Police Department’s ammunition off the State Contract from Eagle Point Gun, for $17,148.04, contingent upon the Board of Safety’s approval.
PUBLIC HEARING #960
Mayor Bingham called the public hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. to review and discuss increases to “Candystriper” public transportation fares for Torrington, Winsted and Litchfield.
City Clerk Joseph L. Quartiero read the legal notice.
There were no questions or comments from either the public or the City Council.
Mayor Bingham closed the public hearing at 7:02 p.m.
MOTION: INCREASE TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FARES #1010
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, a discussion took place in regard to the request to increase “Candystriper” public transportation fares for Torrington, Winsted and Litchfield as follows:
A. Winsted and Litchfield seniors ride for free but with a suggested donation of $1.25
B. Disabled persons with Medicare or State Issued Identification fares will increase by 15 cents to a total far of 65 cents
C. Student fares will increase by 15 cents to a total fare of 90 cents
D. With the exception of children’s fares and Candystriper Commuter Service, all other passenger fares will increase by 25 cents to a total fare of $1.25
Councilor Carbone asked when the rates were last increased.
Carol Deane, Executive Director of NW CT Transit District, stated rates have never increased since she has been Director. She stated that a public hearing was required to increase the Candystriper fares for transit in Torrington, Litchfield and Winsted, and that NW CT Transit’s rates are exactly the same as three other transit districts in Connecticut. She also reported that a Job Access policy meeting was held today in Waterbury, and the commuter fares were increased from $1.65 to $2.00.
VOTE #1085
The Council voted unanimously to increase the Candystriper public transportation fares for Torrington, Winsted and Litchfield as noted on the above motion.
SECTION B #1090
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to consider business in Section B:
ARMORY ROOF REPAIR #1100
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, a discussion took place in regard to the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to award the Armory Roof Repairs Bid to Yumbla’s Construction LLC in the amount of $14,500.00 with additional costs for decking at $3.10 per sq. ft. and fascia board at $4.50 per lineal ft.
Councilor Soliani indicated she was uncomfortable with the difference in pricing from the low bidder to the second low bidder and expressed that she would be inclined to accept a middle bid instead.
Purchasing Agent Zucco stated that Yumbla’s have been in business since 2006. She checked their references and the Better Business Bureau, and made sure their license was valid. Everything seemed to be on the up and up. However, she contacted the Purchasing Agent from Ridgefield who informed her that Yumbla had submitted a bid to them for painting, which was $14,000.00 less than the next bidder and they were supposed to submit a lead abatement license but they didn’t have one. They never contacted the Purchasing Agent about the matter, so the town of Ridgefield was recommending hiring the second lowest bidder.
Councilor Carbone inquired about the warrantee.
Mrs. Zucco said there’s a 25-year warrantee on the roofing and if they don’t fulfill their obligations, they would lose their bid bond of $725.00, and the job will go to the next lowest bidder. She stated that Yumbla attended the pre-bid conference and was aware of all aspects of the project.
Councilor Soliani felt more uncomfortable after hearing from Mrs. Zucco about Yumbla’s work record and the fact that they’ve only been in business two years and were going to guarantee the roof for 25 years.
When asked about the second lowest bidder Benco, Mrs. Zucco indicated they have done satisfactory work for the city in the past.
AMEND MOTION #1500
Councilor Jerram amended his motion to reject the lowest bidder (Yumbla) and go with the second lowest bidder (Benco). Councilor Soliani seconded the motion. Unanimous.
WRIGHT PIERCE #1585
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council, acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $7,900.00 from Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement Acct. #490 to Wright Peirce for Invoice #60241 for 90% Design of Felicity Lane Pump Station.
O & G INDUSTRIES, INC. #1595
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council, acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $7,660.04 from Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement Acct. #490 to O & G Industries for Invoice #997577 for pavement repair related to sanitary sewer replacement on Eastwood Road.
FRIAR ASSOC. #1605
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $56,147.00 from the Municipal Renovations Fund #0316 to Friar Assoc. for Invoice # 0000018 for professional services rendered from 10/01/08 to 10/31/08.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT #1615
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for October 2008.
RECOMMENDATION: SMALL CITIES #1625
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, a discussion took place in regard to the recommendation from the Small Cities Sub Committee.
PROJECT 143-267 #1630
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to approve Small Cities’ Project #143-267 for a septic replacement in the amount of $24,500.00.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #1650
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public on “agenda items” only. There was no public participation.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #1670
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 # 1680
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Bingham and members of the City Council.
Councilor Colangelo inquired whether employees under the Management Resolution have annual reviews, and if they were reviewed by the Personnel Director.
Mayor Bingham noted that reviews of Management Resolution personnel did not occur until he became Mayor and that he reviews them on an annual basis.
Councilor Jerram indicated that a Pasta Dinner is scheduled for December 1st at the Elks to raise funds to send the Junior Midgets Football Team to Florida. He thanked the Elks and all those who donated the food so the team could have 100% of the proceeds.
Mayor Bingham noted that festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. next Friday with a Family Night including the illumination of the Christmas tree in front of City Hall, the famous Christmas Tree House, LARC’s Festival of Trees, and many specials offered by local restaurants.
ADJOURNMENT #1935
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:28 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
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