A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held on Monday, January 20, 2009 in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, City Councilors Rick E. Dalla Valle, Thomas C. Jerram, Marie P. Soliani, and Drake L. Waldron, Corp. Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, City Clerk Joseph Quartiero, Tax Assessor Donna Patchen, Treasurer Richard J. Friday, Personnel Director Thomas Gritt, Deputy Fire Chief Jaye Giampaolo, Data Processing Manager Rudy Pullano, Comptroller Alice Proulx, Public Works Director Gerald Rollett, Superintendent of Parks & Recreation Brett Simmons, Executive Director Housing Authority Claudia Sweeney, and several Parks & Recreation Commissioners.
Councilors Michael Colangelo and Elinor Carbone were absent.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m., immediately following a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the City Employees’ Retirement Fund.
MINUTES #95
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held January 5, 2009.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #98
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Susan Coe Holbrook as a co-descendant and member of the Coe Memorial Park Subcommittee requested the Council consider a petition requesting Litchfield Probate Court remove the Bank of America as trustee of the Coe-Godfrey Trust and make Torrington Savings Bank as successor-trustee.
Mayor Bingham commended Ms. Holbrook for wanting to save fees, but expressed his concern over the fact that Ms. Holbrook negotiated with Torrington Savings Bank outside the scope of the City with no authority to do so. The correct procedure for this type of change was discussed.
Councilor Jerram felt the Council should have Corporation Counsel Weaver contact the Probate Court in Litchfield to find out the proper procedure. They needed to have some clarity before they begin to expend some time and effort in moving forward without a clear path.
WAIVE BUILDING PERMIT FEES #350
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Housing Authority’s request to waive the building permit fees of $1,059.00 and to reimburse Diamond, Inc. $1,059.00 in regard to the Willow Gardens Roof Project.
Housing Director Claudia Sweeney asked the Council to waive the building permit fees per precedent set in 2002 and 2007 and asked that, in the future, could it be done automatically so she doesn’t have to keep coming back before the Council. She clarified that permit fee costs were not included in the bid price.
Mayor Bingham noted that he, as well as the Building Official didn’t feel comfortable waiving fees without bringing it before the City Council so there’s a record of it. He also noted that the Board of Finance tabled the motion earlier this day. The Council asked if the building permit fees had been included in the bid and Ms. Sweeney said she was positive that they had not.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: PERSONNEL #495
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to go into Executive Session.
OPEN SESSION #514
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to reconvene at 6:59 p.m.
RE-APPOINTMENT GERALD ROLLETT, THOMAS GRITT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to re-appoint Gerald Rollett as Public Works Director with a four year term to expire 3/11/2013, and Thomas Gritt as Personnel Director with a four year term to expire 1/5/2013.
(In voting on Mr. Rollett’s term, the Council voted to extend his term to 3/11/2013 when it should have remained 3/11/2012.) NOTE: Corporation Counsel Opinion: Pursuant to Torrington Charter provision Section C9-2, the appointment of the Director of Public Works shall be made by the Mayor “after consultation with the City Council”. There is no requirement for “consent” of the City Council to re-appoint that position.
Because a vote was not required by the City Council, Mr. Rollett’s four-year is retroactive to 3/12/08 and expires 3/11/2012 per the City Charter
MODIFICATION OF GENERAL FUND BUDGET #516
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the modification of the 2008/2009 General Fund Budget for fleet chargebacks for the volunteer fire department budgets, per the Comptroller’s memo dated January 12, 2009.
BUDGET TRANSFERS #526
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Comptroller’s budget transfer request for 7/1/08-12/31/08, per the Comptroller’s memo dated January 14, 2009, with the exception of $299.00 from Engineering-Salaries II to Personnel-Misc. Expense.
NORTHEND STATION #552 On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted to deny the Board of Safety’s request to authorize “Up To” $8,000.00 from Contingency to repair the fire damage that occurred at the Northend Station, with Councilor Jerram voting in favor.
Mayor Bingham explained that the Board of Finance denied the Board of Safety’s request to authorize “Up To” $8,000.00 from Contingency to repair the fire damage that occurred at the Northend Station. He said the Board of Finance believes the work should be done, but not taken from Contingency funds.
ADD TO AGENDA: NORTHEND STATION #1008
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to add to the agenda by 2/3 vote.
LETTER TO BOARD OF SAFETY
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to ask the Mayor or Corporation Counsel draft a letter on behalf of the Council to the Board of Public Safety requesting that firemen be allowed to perform the work on the Northend Firehouse project.
SHRED OBSOLETE BOOKS #1104
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted to authorize “Up To” $2,200.00 from Contingency to pay Shred-It Company to shred obsolete paper in preparation of the move to Timkin. Council voted 3 to 1 with Councilor Soliani voting against the motion.
Mayor Bingham said if there are funds leftover, he will make sure the six departments involved will replace these funds in Contingency.
ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION #1336
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Della Valle, a discussion took place in regard to the appointments to the Arts & Culture Commission:
Steve Criss Jacque William Jessica Hodorski
Lynn Gelomino Tim Wallace Davyne Verstandig
Gail Kruppa Aurora Daly Ron Alexander
Ex officio members: From Economic Development: Cindy Donaldson From the Mayor’s Office: Rose Ponte
MOTION TO TABLE #1352
On a motion by Councilor Della Valle, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to table the acceptance of the above members of the Arts & Culture Commission until such time as the Ordinance takes effect.
MUNICIPAL RENOVATIONS #1374
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following payments from the Municipal Renovations Fund #0316:
Republican American $70.06 Invitation to Bid Ad
Petty Cash-Compt’s Office $ 8.86 Chalk Line
SMALL CITIES #1382
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the payment of $1,967.00 from Small Cities Fund # 0288 to TO Design, LLC for Invoice #2775 for professional service rendered in the Willow Gardens Project.
OPEN TO PUBLIC, AGENDA ITEMS #1389
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously open the meeting to the public on “agenda items” only.
BUS: DEPARTMENT HEADS #1398
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Mr Gritt thanked the Council for the re-appointment.
Mr. Quartiero announced the retirement of Asst. City Clerk, Joline LeBlanc.
BUS: MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL #1471
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the
Vote to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
Councilor Dalla Valle questioned Mr. Rollett about Sewer Permits and spoke about the upcoming BMX track lease renewal.
Councilor Jerram questioned the temporary City Hall lease.
Councilor Soliani commented on the wonderful Inaugural Day it was.
Councilor Waldron echoed her sentiments.
EXECUTIVE SESSION # 1660
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to go into an executive session re: pending litigation.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council unanimously voted to return to open session.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to add to the agenda a motion to authorize the hiring of outside counsel to commence litigation for breach of contract.
HIRING OUTSIDE COUNSEL
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to hire outside counsel to commence litigation on behalf of the City for breach of contract.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:06 p.m.
ERNESTINE YUILLE WEAVER
CORPORATION COUNSEL
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