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Minutes 08/17/2009
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
August 17, 2009
A   REGULAR  MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held in the Senior Center Main Room on Monday, August 17, 2009.
Present were Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, City Councilors Richard Dalla Valle, Michael Colangelo, Elinor Carbone, Thomas Jerram, Marie Soliani, and Drake Waldron, WPCA Administrator Ray Drew, Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, Personnel Director Thomas Gritt, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Tax Collector Robert Crovo, Superintendent of Parks & Recreation Brett Simmons, Recreation Director Donna Winn, Coe Memorial Park Subcommittee Member Susan Coe Holbrook, Parks and Recreation Commission Chairperson Patricia Fairchild and Administrative Assistant to the Mayor Stephen Nocera.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
MINUTES #85
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held August 3, 2009. Councilors Dalla Valle and Jerram abstained.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #99
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Susan Holbrook spoke on behalf of the Coe Memorial Park Subcommittee in support of removing Bank of America as trustee of the Adelaide Coe Godfrey trust.
Sam Slaiby spoke on behalf of the Torrington Housing Authority in favor of appointing David Murelli to that Board.

TORRINGTON HOUSING AUTHORITY #207
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to appoint David Murelli to the Torrington Housing Authority for a five-year term expiring September 1, 2014.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR DISPATCHERS #214
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to adopt a Resolution to establish a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan to be administered by ICMA Retirement Corporation for implementation with the Dispatcher employee group and other employee groups as appropriate.
HOUSING REHAB GRANT #231
Councilor Colangelo made a motion to approve payment of $2,887.50 from the Housing Rehab Grant Fund #0250 to L. Wagner & Assocs. for professional services rendered for the period of 4/1/09 through 6/30/09 for the Torrington Housing Rehabilitation Program. Councilor Jerram seconded it with a clarification of the payment amount being $2,887.50. It was unanimously approved.
HOUSING REHAB GRANT #241
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to approve payment of $375.00 from the Housing Rehab Grant Fund #0250 to the National Community Development Assn. for annual membership dues for the period of 7/1/09 through 6/30/10.
WILLOW GARDENS PROJECT #253
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to approve payment of $58,795.00 from Fund #288 to Mastrobattisto, Inc., Payment Application #2, for work done to date on the Willow Gardens Project.
SECTION B #259
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to consider business in Section B.
POLICE DEPT BOOKING DESK #268
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to consider accepting the Purchasing Agent's recommendation to award a bid to Systematics, Inc. of Meriden, CT for the Police Department Booking Desk in the amount of $30,450.00, having been approved by the Board of Public Safety on August 12, 2009.

Councilor Dalla Valle said he would be opposed to spending additional money, especially outside of town. Purchasing Agent Zucco explained Systematics planned for better quality and sturdier materials in their bid, and this type of project is their specialty.

Councilor Soliani made a motion to table this item, seconded by Councilor Colangelo and unanimously approved.
PAVEMENT REHAB: Litchfield, Winthrop & Water Sts. #512
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the State of Connecticut for the Construction, Inspection and Maintenance of the Litchfield Street, Winthrop Street and Water Street Pavement Rehabilitation Utilizing Federal Funds under the American Recovery Act of 2009 Public Act 111-5.
ADELAIDE COE GODFREY TRUST #525
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone the Council voted unanimously to commence a competitive selection process to seek a successor trustee for the Adelaide Coe Godfrey Trust with the successful successor providing similar services at least while reducing the costs to the Trust.
DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT: Submit Approval #622
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution authorizing the Mayor to submit the resolution of approval of the Project Plan to the Torrington Development Corporation of the City of Torrington and submit said plan to the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development for their approval.

SEWER MAIN LINE REPAIRS: Wheeler Ln #634
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the City Council acting herein as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to authorize payment in the amount of $4,046.68 from Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement Account #490 to P & G Pepper Construction Services for Invoice #80103 for two sewer main line repairs on Wheeler Lane.
MUNICIPAL RENOVATIONS #643
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following payments from the Municipal Renovations Fund #0316.
Special Testing Laboratories Inc.
23281
2660.00
Testing & Inspection
Special Testing Laboratories Inc.
23302
2020.50
Sampling & Inspection
Horizon Engineering
5
3530.00
Prof Svc 6/27-7/31/09
PARKS AND RECREATION #679
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to consider business from the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Mayor Bingham described a meeting with the Fuessenich Park Committee where members stated their wish to attract new teams to the Park. The funding for bleacher replacement was discussed. It was determined that more information is needed.
OPEN TO PUBLIC: AGENDA ITEMS ONLY #1069
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public on "agenda items" only.  

Mrs. Victor Howard Young asked about the plans for the former Skee's Diner. Mayor Bingham explained it has the approval of the Planning & Zoning Commission and the next step is to rally around it with fund-raising efforts.
Susan Coe Holbrook expressed her disappointment with the bidding process for the Adelaide Coe Godfrey trust and said Torrington Savings Bank is a clear cut choice as far as 'the family's' perspective. She said the RFQ process will waste more time and money. Councilor Carbone explained the Probate Judge recommended this selection process.  Mayor Bingham said he's proud we're taking this step and is looking forward to seeing if Torrington Savings Bank will be the next trustee.
BUSINESS BY DEPT HEADS #1227
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads. No business was presented.
BUSINESS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL #1246
On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of City Council.

Mayor Bingham said a Tax Collection presentation will be held in different meeting, which will include the Board of Finance.
Councilor Carbone reported on the successful Cops and Kids day presented by the Mayor's Committee on Youth, partnered with the Police Athletic League, Family Strides, Great Opportunities and the Mayor.

Councilor Colangelo requested Superintendent Simmons determine the costs involved in hosting football games at Feussenich Park.  He supported the notion of temporary free parking downtown.

Councilor Dalla Valle agreed with the free parking, said Department Heads need to be at the Council meetings when they have an item on the Agenda, and added that, when purchasing new recording equipment, it would be nice to provide open and accessible government through televised video recordings.

Councilor Soliani asked for a forensic audit on the Tax Collector.
ADJOURNMENT #1567
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn.

ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
              CITY CLERK


Respectfully submitted,

Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Asst. City Clerk