MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
JANUARY 5, 2009
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, January 5, 2009 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, WPC Administrator Raymond Drew, Zoning & Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer Kimberly Barbieri, Economic Development Coordinator Rose Ponte and the City’s Labor Consultant, Attorney Victor Muschell.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m., immediately following a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the City Employees’ Retirement Fund.
MINUTES #115
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held December 15, 2008.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #125
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no public participation.
TEA SUCCESSOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT #130
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, a discussion took place in regard to the Torrington Education Association’s successor collective bargaining agreement affecting wages, hours and other working conditions for Torrington teachers for the duration of three years, commencing on July 1, 2009 and terminating on June 30, 2012, per Atty. Muschell’s letter dated December 23, 2008.
Atty. Muschell explained that the agreement allowed for a general wage increase of 2.5%; however, teachers, who normally advance a step each year, will be frozen for the first year of the three-year contract. The second and third years will have a wage re opener. The insurance participation will remain at 16% for the first year and increase by 1% each year in year two and three.
Atty. Muschell explained that the steps are divided into three columns; the Bachelor’s Degree, the Master’s Degree, and the Doctorate. A teacher has to achieve his Master’s Degree within ten years. Most teachers would be on the Master’s column, and they ordinarily move to a higher step each year until they reach the maximum, where there is no longer any movement. Each step entails a couple thousand-dollar increase. In addition, the step is enhanced by the percentage increase. He further stated that, once you lose a step movement, you lose it forever, unless you get a double step in a subsequent year.
Councilman Jerram asked how a 2.5% increase could be justified to people who are out of work and struggling to pay for their homes. He asked Atty. Muschell if they tried to negotiate a zero percent increase, given the way the economy is at this time.
Atty. Muschell said yes. He indicated that, as far as he was aware of, this settlement is the lowest in the state.
Councilor Soliani asked if it would be in the city’s best interest to forego the wage increase but institute the step because the step cost less than the increase in wages.
Atty. Muschell indicated that the costs are approximately the same ($637,500 for the wage increase, and $622,000 for the step). In total dollars they’re about the same; but in the long run, it was his belief that it might be better to freeze the step.
Councilor Jerram inquired how much it would cost to go through the process of binding arbitration. Atty. Muschell answered approximately $30,000.00.
Councilor Waldron noted that if the Council wanted to change the agreement and go with the step increase instead of the wage increase, they would have to go back for a union vote and, if it’s voted down, it would ultimately go to binding arbitration.
Councilor Dalla Valle indicated that forgoing the step saves the city money. He thought it was commendable for any union to give something back to the city. It’s also great that the union was willing to reopen their contract for the next two years; that’s not something that’s ever happened during his tenure as Councilman. The fact that the teachers are willing to accept a low percentage, to give up a step, and to reopen the contract in the next two years for wages is commendable on their part.
Atty. Muschell indicated that the teachers were very cooperative. At the beginning, they only wanted one re opener, but ultimately agreed to two. The whole process was a compromise and it was his recommendation that the Council accept the contract. He noted that there’s no requirement for the Council to approve the contract; it becomes automatically binding if the Council does nothing within thirty days.
VOTE #520
The Council, with the exception of Councilor Waldron who abstained, voted to approve the Torrington Education Association’s successor collective bargaining agreement.
RESOLUTION: FARMINGTON RIVER ENHANCEMENT GRANT #525
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to adopt a Resolution and authorize Mayor Bingham to submit and request grant funding in the amount of $50,000.00 for a Farmington River Enhancement Grant: Municipal Land Use Ordinance Evaluation, promoted to eliminate impediments to low impact development practices.
Zoning & Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer Kimberly Barbieri explained that the grant will be used to re-evaluate our ordinances and regulations for a second time to make sure that they are in tune with each other and to make sure that low impact development opportunities are easier to attain.
A CERTIFIED RESOLUTION Regarding the application for the Farmington River Enhancement Grant Program Managed by the State of Connecticut, Office of Long Island Sound Programs.
I Joseph L. Quartiero, City Clerk for the City of Torrington, do hereby certify that the following is a true and correct copy of a Resolution adopted at a meeting of the Torrington City Council, held and convened on January 5, 2009, at which a duly constituted quorum of the City Council was present and acting throughout, and that this Resolution is at present in full force and effect:
RESOLVED, that the Mayor of the City of Torrington, Ryan J. Bingham, is empowered to apply for a Farmington River Enhancement Grant: Municipal Land Use Ordinance Evaluation Project Grant on behalf of the City of Torrington and is authorized to affix the Corporate Seal.
In witness whereof, the undersigned has affixed his signature and the Corporation Seal of the City of Torrington this 6th day of January, 2009.
Joseph L. Quartiero, CMC
WRIGHT PIERCE #630
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the City Council, herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $1,250.00 from Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement Acct. #0490 to Wright Pierce for Invoice #61206 for Design of Felicity Lane Pump Station and Sewer.
RESOLUTIONS: REGIONAL FOG RECEIVING FACILITY #640
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the City Council, herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to adopt two Resolutions in regard to the Regional FOG Receiving Facility, per the WPC Administrator’s memo dated 12/29/2008.
WPC Administrator, Raymond Drew, indicated that the Resolutions are formalities in regard to the Clean Water Fund application.
Councilor Carbone inquired whether the numbers included in the Resolution are consistent with the numbers the Council looked at in October.
Mr. Drew stated that the number they looked at in October was $1,260,000.00, based on the current ENR, (Engineering Numerical Report) which fluctuates every year based on inflation and deflation. By applying the new ENR for December of 2008, they came up with $1,440,000.00. He noted that this is a 20% grant, 80% loan program, at 2%. The state has already bonded the funds and we are eligible for it. The Resolutions are merely a part of checking off items on the Clean Water Fund application. In order to do that we have to obligate local funds. We pay the vendors and submit the invoices to the state for reimbursement and the $1.4 includes the 20% grant.
RESOLUTION:
BE IT RESOLVED: That it is in the best interest of the City of Torrington, Water Pollution Control Authority to obligate funds in the amount of $1,440,000 from its Sanitary Sewer Capital Fund for the planning, design and construction of the Regional FOG Receiving Facility at the Torrington Water Pollution Control Facility.
I, Joseph L. Quartiero, the City Clerk of City of Torrington, do hereby certify this to be a true copy of the resolution duly adopted at the Regular Meeting of the City Council and Water Pollution Control Authority on January 5, 2009, and that it has not been rescinded, amended or altered in any way, and that it remains in full force and in effect.
Joseph L. Quartiero
BE IT RESOLVED: That it is in the best interests of the City of Torrington, Water Pollution Control Authority to file applications and enter into contracts with the Department of Environmental Protection for the planning, design and construction of the Regional FOG Receiving Facility at the Torrington Water Pollution Control Facility. In furtherance of this resolution, Ryan J. Bingham the Mayor for the City of Torrington is duly authorized to enter into and sign said contracts on behalf of the City of Torrington, Water Pollution Control Authority. The Mayor for the City of Torrington is further authorized to provide such additional information 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.
I, Joseph L. Quartiero, the City Clerk of City of Torrington, do hereby certify this to be a true copy of the resolution duly adopted at the Regular Meeting of the City Council and Water Pollution Control Authority on January 5, 2009, and that it has not been rescinded, amended or altered in any way, and that it remains in full force and in effect.
Joseph L. Quartiero, CMC
SMALL CITIES: UNIVERSAL COPY #725
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $20.72 from Small Cities Fund #0274 to Universal Copy, LLC for Invoice #7136 for the making of a Loan Payment Book.
SMALL CITIES: PREISS/BREISSMEISTER #730
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payments of $344.24 and $508.02 from Small Cities Fund #0288 to Preiss/Breissmeister, P.C. for Invoices #03 and #04 for professional services rendered in regard to the roof replacement to the Willow Gardens Senior Housing Project.
SMALL CITIES: TO DESIGN, LLC #740
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $5,775.00 from Small Cities Fund #0288 to, To Design, LLC for Invoice #2720 for professional services rendered in regard to the Willow Gardens Senior Housing Project. To be processed upon receipt of Drawdown #6.
SMALL CITIES: L. WAGNER & ASSOC. #750
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following payments from Small Cities to L. Wagner & Assoc. for professional services:
$17,100.00 Fund #0288 7/1/08-12/31/08 Willow Gardens Drawdown #5
$ 680.00 Fund #0288 7/1/08-12/31/08 Willow Gardens Drawdown #5
$16,802.50 Fund #0250 7/1/08-12/31/08 Housing Rehab
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT #750
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for the months of November and December 2008.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #760
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public on “agenda items” only. There was no public participation.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #770
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
City Clerk Joseph L. Quartiero indicated that the Annual Report will be done shortly.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #775
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.
Councilors Carbone and Soliani reminded everyone that the Torrington Development Corporation will be holding a public informational meeting at the Performing Arts Theater tomorrow evening at 7:00 p.m. and invited everyone to attend and to look at the conceptual plans of downtown Torrington. The TDC will be looking for suggestions, questions, and comments from the public to further the finalization of the Plan.
Councilor Colangelo congratulated the officers who were recently promoted.
Councilor Jerram requested an update on the revaluation during their next Council meeting.
Mayor Bingham indicated that the Reval Company, Total Valuation Services, has been running tests and notices should go out soon, so they may have something to report for their next Council meeting, but it will be close.
Councilor Waldron inquired where the Council will be meeting once City Hall is vacated. Mayor Bingham indicated that the Senior Center has been secured for public meetings to be held by major boards. Small committees will meet at the Timkin Building in several conference rooms that will be part of our space.
PUBLIC HEARING #990
Mayor Bingham called the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. to consider establishing an “Arts and Culture Commission.”
City Clerk, Joseph L. Quartiero read the legal notice.
Economic Development Coordinator Rose Ponte stated that it’s been proven time and time again that when cities marry cultural assets with the potential to increase economic development, it ends up implementing exciting initiatives that increase the tax base and economic development. The Commission will attempt to compile a calendar that will list all the different cultural events that take place in Torrington. The best part about this is that Torrington already has all the ingredients, we won’t have to invent cultural assets because we already own them, so the Commission will try to strengthen what is already here by creating events that will bring more people downtown and by making sure that the events are well publicized. They will also partner up with other communities so that
these cultural events and activities start to augment the redevelopment to take place downtown. She noted that all those who have served on the committee are interested in being Commissioners.
Councilor Carbone applauded the Commission and believed it was well timed with our efforts to revitalize downtown. This seems like a natural position as to how we can best utilize our cultural assets as well as our volunteers who are willing to step up and work on this project.
Having no further comments or questions, Mayor Bingham called the Public Hearing to a close at 7:08 p.m.
ESTABLISH ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION #1245
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to establish an “Arts and Culture Commission.”
ADJOURNMENT #1255
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:10 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
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