MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
MARCH 16, 2009
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held in the Senior Center Main Room on Monday, March 16, 2009.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, City Councilors Rick E. Dalla Valle, Michael Colangelo, Elinor Carbone, Thomas Jerram, Marie P. Soliani, and Drake L. Waldron, Elderly Nutrition Director Joel Sekorski, Personnel Director Thomas Gritt, Public Works Director Gerald Rollett, Fire Lt. Gary Brunoli, Deputy Fire Chief Jaye Giampaolo, Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, WPCA Administrator Ray Drew, Administrative Assistant to the Mayor Stephen Nocera, and Atty. Victor Muschell.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
MINUTES #54
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held February 23, 2009. Councilors Jerram and Carbone abstained.
MINUTES #65
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the special meeting held March 4, 2009. Councilor Soliani abstained.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #72
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Mrs. Patricia Duprey requested the Council consider pursuing improved Senior Housing in Torrington.
ADD SECTION B TO AGENDA #192
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to add Section B to the Agenda.
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSISTANCE ACT #200
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to schedule a Public Hearing for the Neighborhood Assistance Act Proposal on June 1, 2009.
ADD TO AGENDA #233
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to add an item to the agenda.
LOCAL 1567 AGREEMENT #247
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to approve a tentative agreement between the City of Torrington and Local 1567 IAFF.
Atty. Muschell explained the firefighters agreed to a zero wage increase, an optional Health Savings Account, changes in the defined contribution plan for new employees, and $35,000 savings in various benefits.
Councilor Dalla Valle commended the firefighters for taking this step for the community at this time.
Mayor Bingham expressed his gratitude to the firefighters and recommended acceptance of this agreement.
Councilor Colangelo thanked the firefighters for their commitment.
MEALS-ON-WHEELS CONTRACT #799
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Director of Elderly Services’ recommendation to adopt the State of CT DSS Authorization of Signature Document authorizing Mayor Ryan J. Bingham to make, execute and approve the 143-SBG-33 / 08DSS5002AD Home Management Contract for the Special Diet Meals-on-Wheels Program on behalf of the City of Torrington for the period of 10/01/2009 – 09/30/2010 in the amount of $96,414.
HOME MANAGEMENT GRANT #810
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Director of Elderly Services’ recommendation to authorize the Mayor to sign the Home Management Grant Acceptances and Approvals and the Nondiscrimination Certification.
ELDERLY NUTRITION APPLICATION #820
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Services for the Elderly Commission’s recommendation to empower the mayor to sign the Elderly Nutrition Application covering the next grant cycle with a budget of $1,172,500, funded primarily by State and Federal funding, client
donation and private fund raising efforts.
MUNICIPAL RENOVATION #828
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following payments from the Municipal Renovations Fund #0316:
Blu-Print Service |
Inv.#28723 |
$ 590.00 |
Prep/Move/Install Machine, Enginrg |
Mike Clark |
None |
31.28 |
5 Keys, Hole Saw, and Sgn |
Corporate Express |
Inv.#93634513 |
9.30 |
Labels |
Giordano Signs & Graphics |
Inv. #1532 |
780.00 |
Temp. City Hall Signs |
Network Liquidators |
Inv.#83873 |
4938.00 |
Cisco Catalyst 48 pt. |
Friar Assocs. |
Inv.#20 |
20862.45 |
Prof. Svcs. 2/1/09 – 2/28/09 |
Nationwide Moving |
Inv.#5952 |
10068.00 |
Partial Pmt., Move to Timken |
BUILDING DEPT. #836
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for the month of February 2009.
DISCUSS: MUNIC. REFUSE & RECYCL. COLL. BID #842
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to discuss the municipal refuse and recyclable material collection bid and options.
Mayor Bingham said there was overwhelming support for single stream bi-weekly recycling, which is what he recommends. He said the savings realized by a ten year contract won’t have a lot of risk. The Mayor does not recommend eliminating bulk pick up at this time, but recommended keeping negotiations open with USA Hauling for a hybrid plan that does include bulky waste pick up to be determined by the Council at a later date.
Mr. Rollett reviewed the options he had previously summarized for the Council. He then recommended option B2, a full service contract with bi-weekly automated single stream recycle collection, with the right to amend the contract with items E, F, G & I, the extra out-of-cart services.
Mr. Paul Nonnemacher, Director of Public Affairs, CT Resources Recovery Authority spoke about the advantages of bi-weekly automated single stream recycling. If Torrington improved by 41%, we would save over 800 tons of garbage per year – over $56,000 in tipping fees. CRRA will be launching a statewide radio campaign to promote the benefits of single stream recycling.
Mr. Rollett explained single stream recycling. A separate bin for recyclables would be used that would not need paper items separated from bottles & cans. It would not mean mixing recyclables with solid waste.
Mr. George Roberts, Director of Sales & Operations from USA Hauling
added that the single stream recycling cart makes it easier to put more in the cart.
Mr. Rollett clarified that USA Hauling will supply larger 95 gallon containers.
Mr. Roberts said if services were cut back to save money, the transfer station could be available to residents.
AWARD MUNIC. REFUSE & RECYCL. COLL. CONTRACT #1671
Councilor Jerram made a motion, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, to accept the Purchasing Agent’s and the Public Works Director’s joint recommendation to award the Municipal Refuse and Recyclable Material Collection contract to USA Hauling & Recycling, Inc. Councilor Jerram amended his motion to include Option B2 and a Ten Year contract; Councilor Colangelo amended his second. The amended motion was unanimously approved.
BRIDGE CRANE #1720
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the WPCA Administrator’s recommendation to waive the bid process and award the supply and installation of a one ton bridge crane to Eagle Crane and Conveyor, Inc. for the lump sum price of $15,386.
OPEN TO PUBLIC, AGENDA ITEMS #1728
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the
Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public on agenda items only.
Mrs. Duprey asked for clarification on the Local 1567 Agreement.
BUS: DEPARTMENT HEADS #1799
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
No business was presented.
BUS: MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL #1812
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
Councilor Carbone informed the Council of the upcoming Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the Mayor’s Committee on Youth, Saturday March 21st at Applebee’s for $6.00. She is pleased that the Committee has become quite active in the community, such as having a Literacy Program, and collaborating with the Police Athletic League.
Mayor Bingham is pleased with the Committee as they have grown significantly in the past year, being full of energy, and having great ideas. He said it is a testament to what Councilor Carbone brings to the table.
Councilor Dalla Valle commended the Fire Union for what they’re doing for the City to help us get through these hard economic times.
Councilor Jerram echoed Councilor Dalla Valle’s sentiments. He said the Torrington High School Ceramics club is sponsoring an Empty Bowls Project Wednesday April 8th at the Elks Club, with 100% of the proceeds going to t the Community Soup Kitchen. Tickets are $20.00 per person, available at the High School.
Councilor Soliani expressed her gratitude to the Firefighters.
Councilor Waldron asked if there’s been any progress in the Fuessenich Park Concession. Mayor Bingham said they are working on it.
Mayor Bingham announced the Lord Mayor for St. Patrick’s Day will be Mary Flynn, a phenomenal woman involved in this community for quite some time, President of the Women’s Club, and involved in Girl Scouts. He recognized the Firefighter’s Union’s contribution to the City, and the savings that will accrue over the next 25 years. He hopes other unions will follow suit.
ADJOURNMENT #2180
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:30 p.m.
ATTEST: CAROL L. ANDERSON
ASST. CITY CLERK
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