MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
DECEMBER 15, 2008
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, December 15, 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, City Planner Martin Connor, Economic Development Coordinator Rose Ponte, Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, Superintendent of Parks & Recreation Brett Simmons, Chairperson of the Parks & Recreation Commission Patricia Fairchild, and Chairman of the Municipal Renovations Committee Michael Clark.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council, with the exception of Councilors Dalla Valle and Jerram who abstained, voted to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held December 1, 2008.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no public participation.
Mayor Bingham read a letter he received from Robin Wadsworth, Chairman and CEO of the Torrington Twisters, stating that they sadly failed to come to an agreement for the 2009 season (Letter attached to the official minutes).
ZAHAREK LANDSCAPING #080
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation from the Parks & Recreation Commission that Zaharek Landscaping continue to do the tree work at Coe Memorial Park.
Pat Fairchild, Chairman of the Parks & Recreation Commission, indicated that the Coe Memorial Park Committee as well as the Parks & Recreation Commission is in favor of the work performed by Zaharek Landscaping. The Council has the recommendation from Parks & Recreation Commissioner Ducotey, who is in that business and has had the opportunity to compare Mr. Zaharek against other vendors in the tree business. She was passing on the recommendations from the Coe Memorial Park Committee and the Commission because of Mr. Zaharek’s past work performance.
Councilor Soliani inquired whether Mr. Zaharek’s cost was more or less than it has been in the past.
Mrs. Fairchild indicated that Mr. Zaharek works only on an “as needed” basis, and the cost will depend on the amount of work he’ll have to do in the park.
HRP ASSOC. INC. BROWNFIELD ASSESSMENT PROGRAM #175
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize Mayor Bingham to contract for environmental consulting services with HRP Associates, Inc. for the federally-funded Brownfield Assessment Program.
Mayor Bingham indicated that the RFP Committee who chose HRP Assoc., Inc. reviewed twenty-one proposals and interviewed four companies during the second round. HRP was by far superior on all levels, and, they have done work for the city in the past and are familiar with the Brownfields that currently exist. The committee unanimously agreed to recommend HRP to move forward with grant applications for two $200,000.00 assessment grants.
TEMPORARY CITY HALL SPACE #215
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to approve the lease with Quadrelle Realty for temporary City Hall space.
Councilor Soliani asked Mike Clark, the Chairman of the Municipal Renovations Committee, if the lease fell within the budget that was set up for temporary space.
Mr. Clark indicated that it does.
Councilor Colangelo inquired about the space in terms of where it was located, how much space would be used, and its cost.
Mr. Clark first apologized to the Council for announcing the temporary space that the MRC had decided upon prior to advising the Council. The site is the former Timkin property, located at 59 Field Street, which is in the process of changing hands to Quadrelle Realty. Quadrelle has the full authority to sublet to the City of Torrington. The space is approximately 14,000 square feet, with an allowance for another 5,600 square feet that will be for our sole use, and additional storage space. In order to keep the refit costs in line, many of the existing offices will be used. The city will pay $4.31 per s.f., exclusive of electricity and heat, and there’s a $6.00 per s.f. refit charge. The annual rental fee will be $84,476.00 and the refit charge will be $117,600.00.
That’s a fraction of the costs compared to every other site they looked at. The largest portion of the refit cost at the Quadrelle property will be on the temporary vault because the State of Connecticut has very stringent standards for vault construction. The property will have 70 parking spaces and they will remove the snow in all common areas.
Mr. Clark indicated that the move is scheduled during the upcoming Presidential holidays when City Hall functions can be shut down for four days. They expect a return to the newly renovated City Hall within 14 months.
Councilor Dalla Valle asked how the $196,000.00 a year in rental fees compared to what they allotted when they went out to a referendum.
Mr. Clark indicated that $350,000.00 was budgeted for temporary City Hall space. They will end up paying $235,000.00 for 14 months, including the refit. Some cost, as well as time savings has resulted by getting everyone out of City Hall at the same time.
HORIZON ENGINEERING ASSOC. #425
Councilor Jerram made a motion to approve the contract with Horizon Engineering Assoc. for commissioning services during city hall renovations. Councilor Waldron seconded the motion.
Mr. Clark explained that commissioning was the use of an expert, generally an engineer, to verify that the mechanical systems are the most cost efficient to operate and to maintain and to make sure the end user is trained adequately to maintain the system. The recommendation was for the city to continue the commissioning service every other year at an annual fee of $5,000.00 to re balance the system.
Councilor Dalla Valle pointed out that the Council has no paperwork in front of them for this vote, and asked Mr. Clark to give them more specifics about the contract.
Mr. Clark explained that the contract is based on a 95% completion of a design stage, which is where they are; the cost of $47,300.00 includes everything.
Corporation Counsel Weaver informed the board that the contract was received late this afternoon and it was more than 50 pages long.
MOTION TO TABLE #600
Councilman Dalla Valle made a motion to table the matter, due to the fact that there was no paperwork for them to peruse. There was no second.
VOTE #730
The Council voted to approve the contract with Horizon Engineering Assoc. for commissioning services during city hall renovations, with the exception of Councilor Dalla Valle, who voted against the motion on the basis that he didn’t have a contract in front of him.
INVOICES: MUNICIPAL RENOVATION FUND #740
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following payments from the Municipal Building Renovation Fund #0316:
Friar Associates $30,000.00 Inv. 19 Prof Svcs 11/1/08 to 11/30/08
Republican American $ 708.48 369291 Bid-Traffic Building
Republican American $ 708.48 381047 Bid-Traffic Building
Register Citizen $ 972.16 2315613 Bid-Traffic Building
SECTION B: # 745
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to consider business in Section B.
SECTION B:
RESOLUTION: HOUSING FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH #750
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to adopt a Resolution authorizing Mayor Bingham to submit a grant application under the Housing for Economic Growth Program referenced in Section 8-13 (m-x) of CGS to establish the Torrington Incentive Housing Zone.
City Planner Martin Connor indicated that the grant would study incentive housing for the downtown area where it could dovetail nicely with the Plan of Conservation and the Municipal Development Plan, which has mixed use and downtown housing development.
If the grant is approved and housing is actually built under it, each house built under the program could qualify for $2,000.00 as well as rebates for building permit fees. Mr. Connor indicated that a minimum of 20% of the project would require lower cost units with households earning 80% or less of the area median income, which is $83,400.00.
RESOLUTION:
The Legislative Body of the Town of Torrington met on December 15, 2008 and adopted a Resolution by the vote of 6 to 0 which:
1) Authorized submission of the grant application under the Housing for Economic Growth program referenced in section 8-13(m-x) of CGS; and
2) Identifies Ryan J. Bingham, Mayor as an individual authorized to sign the grant application and administer the grant. Such grant application is attached to and made a part of this record.
Attested by Joseph L. Quartiero, City Clerk
ACCUCOM CONSULTING, INC. #870
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to waive the bid process and purchase the Mobile Report Writing System from Accucom Consulting, Inc., which has been developed to work specifically with the Records Management System, from Hunt Computer Design LLC for the purchase price of $32,275.00, contingent upon the Board of Public Safety’s approval.
Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco indicated that the Police Department was able to remove some of the components and reduce the costs by using their current wireless vendor.
NORTHWEST HILLS DEALERSHIP #935
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendations from the Purchasing Agent and the Fleet Manager to accept the quotation from Northwest Hills Dealership to purchase three vehicles for a total of $41,100.00, contingent upon the Board of Public Safety’s approval.
Councilor Jerram pointed out the benefits of having all the same models in terms of maintenance and keeping an inventory of parts.
END OF SECTION B
SMALL CITIES: UNIVERSAL COPY #990
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $297.60 from Small Cities Fund #0288 to Universal Copy, LLC for Invoice #6846 for Plans and Specifications concerning the roof replacement for the Willow Gardens Project.
SMALL CITIES: NATIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOC. #1000
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $375.00 from Small Cities Fund #0250 to National Community Development Assoc. for Invoice #MEMB-2008-08 for Annual Membership Fees.
ADD TO AGENDA BY 2/3RDS VOTE: PRECISE LANDSCAPING #1010
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to add an item to the agenda by 2/3rds votes in regard to an RFP for Tree Trimming and Removal Service for Parks & Recreation.
PRECISE LANDSCAPING, INC. #1020
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Purchasing Agent and award the RFP to Precise Landscaping, Inc. for the Tree Trimming and Removal Service for the Parks & Recreation Department from December 2008 to June 2009.
RECOMMENDATION: ORDINANCE COMM. #1035
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to hear recommendations from the Ordinance Committee.
Councilor Dalla Valle made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing for January 5th, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers to establish a Commission of the Arts and Culture. Councilor Waldron seconded the motion. Unanimous.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #1070
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public on “agenda items” only.
The Council allowed Pat Fairchild, Chairperson of the Parks & Recreation Commission to speak concerning the letter Mayor Bingham received from the Twisters.
Mrs. Fairchild said she was targeted as the scapegoat for the demise of the Twisters and needed to set the record straight. She noted that she was a member of the committee chosen to formulate a new lease, which had great language in it. She sat in during a meeting where a teleconference took place with Robin Wadsworth, Chairman and CEO of the Twisters, where the terms of that lease were discussed. Ms. Wadsworth said she would get back to the city with whether or not they were going to accept the terms of the new lease. Soon thereafter, Mrs. Fairchild received an e-mail with a copy of a new lease that had red lined additions all through it. She was upset with all the additions because this was not the lease the committee had formulated and not part of the teleconference call
with Ms. Wadsworth. She then approached Mayor Bingham and Corporation Counsel Weaver with her concerns over the lease which she would have to present to the Parks & Recreation Commission in several days. She brought it to the Commission and they made recommendations to change some language in the lease. It was her belief that the changes were not that significant. The Commission’s major concern was the concession.
Mrs. Fairchild said she was very surprised that she was being mentioned publicly in Ms. Wadsworth letter and that the Commission was the reason the Twisters would not be coming back to Torrington. She did not believe that was the real reason and stated that neither she, nor her Commission, would take the blame for the demise of the Twisters.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #1230
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads. There was none.
BUS: MAYOR AND MEMBERS #1240
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Bingham and members of the City Council.
Councilor Colangelo said he didn’t feel Mrs. Fairchild nor the board was responsible for the demise of the Twisters. It was his opinion that the Twisters didn’t intend on staying in Torrington for the coming season. It was his belief that there was still a lot of good baseball left in town with Collegiate, Torrington High School, etc., and he felt the field should revert back to the kids of the city.
Councilor Dalla Valle said he thought it was great that Fuessenich Park would be open for the children of the city once again. He asked, when the concession stand goes out to bid, that the amount of money they were looking for in the past might be unreasonable based on the amount of usage the field gets and the crowds that gather there. He encouraged all Torrington baseball players to use the field to its fullest extent.
Councilor Dalla Valle further stated that is was unfortunate that Mrs. Fairchild and her commission were brought into the matter in the manner it was, and it was evident that the Twisters were holding the city hostage while their intention was to leave the city. The unfortunate thing is that a number of local vendors are still owed money by the Twisters.
Councilor Jerram indicated that the Torrington Midgets played well in Florida but lost the championship. They represented the city very well and are 4th in the country in their division. He thanked everyone who contributed to make the trip possible.
Councilor Waldron indicated the Christmas Parade was very successful.
Mayor Bingham indicated that he was shocked by the call and the subsequent letter from Robin Wadsworth announcing the demise of the Torrington Twisters. He said it was unfortunate that the Twisters chose not to stay in Torrington because they provided good baseball and affordable entertainment. However, their demise will be an excellent opportunity for more playing time for local teams. It was his belief that the city should always be working to get top notch baseball at a top notch baseball field like Fuessenich.
ADJOURNMENT #1700
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:23 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
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