Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, City Councilors Rick Dalla Valle, Marie Soliani, Drake Waldron, Elinor Carbone and Paul Samele, Resigning Board of Public Safety Commissioner Gerald Zordan, and Water Pollution Control Administrator Ray Drew.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:49 p.m.
MINUTES On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held June 21, 2010.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Mr. David Kissko, president of Local #1579 spoke about recent layoffs in his bargaining unit, and questioned non-bargaining unit full-time temporary help working while his bargaining unit member is laid off. He addressed the issue of GPS tracking systems being installed in trucks that have 1960s technology, while members constantly incur shoulder injuries. He said the union feels that when $10,000 can be spent on GPS tracking systems to more efficiently run the Street Department, money could be put toward modernizing these
trucks. He said he feels that communication with this administration and our union is basically non-existent, and suggested the union be considered a partner, instead of the enemy. SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING-OPEB TRUST On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Carbone, on recommendation from the Ordinance Subcommittee, the Council voted unanimously to schedule a Public Hearing on August 16, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. to consider the addition of "Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust", to the Code of the City of Torrington.
APPT. TO CITY COUNCIL: G. ZORDAN On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Torrington Republican Town Committee’s recommendation to appoint Gerald A. Zordan to the Board of Councilmen to fulfill the remainder of resigning Councilman Thomas Jerram’s term which expires 12-05-2011. ~~
OATH OF OFFICE Mayor Bingham accepted Mr. Zordan’s oath of office for the position of City Councilor, and Councilor Zordan took his seat.
APPT. TO BOARD OF FINANCE: B. PAGANINI On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to appoint Brian M. Paganini to the Board of Finance to complete a 6 year term ending 12/15/2013, following the resignation of James A. Zeller. Mayor Bingham commended Mr. Paganini, saying he will serve the City well.
REGIONAL FOG RECEIVING FACILITY-MAY On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously as the Water Pollution Control Authority, to approve the following payments from fund #490 Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvements for Torrington Regional FOG Receiving Facility, tabled on June 21, 2010.
$223,492.27 to CH Nickerson for Constr. Svcs. May 2010 on Req. #5 dated 5/31/2010 $5,785.66 to Wright-Pierce for Constr. Admin. Svcs. May 2010 on Inv. #70707 dated 6/11/2010
Councilor Dalla Valle expressed confusion about payments for contractor’s food and travel expenses. Mr. Drew said these are standard reimbursable expenses. Councilor Dalla Valle recommended these items be looked at in future contracts
REGIONAL FOG RECEIVING FACILITY-JUNE On a motion by Councilor Carbone seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously, as the Water Pollution Control Authority, to approve the payment of $183,792.70 from fund #490 Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvements for Torrington Regional FOG Receiving Facility to CH Nickerson for Constr. Svcs. June 2010 on Req. #6 dated 7/8/2010.
PURCHASE 2011 FORD SUPERDUTY F350 On a motion by Councilor Carbone seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously, as the Water Pollution Control Authority, to accept the recommendation of the Fleet Manager, WPCA Administrator and the Purchasing Agent to award the bid for the purchase of a 2011 Ford Superduty F350 to Ford National Automart/Motors Fleet, Ocean, NJ in the amount of $35,214. Councilor Soliani questioned the purchase from a NJ company, considering warrantee service, while there is only a $3,000 price difference from a local company. Mr. Drew said his understanding is that warrantee service can be obtained from any authorized Ford Dealer. Councilor Dalla Valle confirmed this.
PURCHASE 2010 FORD F150 On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously, as the Water Pollution Control Authority, to accept the recommendation of the Fleet Manager, WPCA Administrator and the Purchasing Agent to award the bid for the purchase of a 2010 Ford F150 to Litchfield Ford in the amount of $22,489.
PURCHASE 2010 FORD EXPLORER On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Carbone the Council voted to table the acceptance of the Fleet Manager’s and Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to award the bid for the purchase of a 2010 Ford Explorer for the Chief of Police to MHQ Municipal Hq., West Hartford, CT in the amount of $26,579, funded by the Vehicle Replacement fund, choosing instead to wait for prior Board of Public Safety approval.
PURCHASE 2010 FORD RANGER EXTENDED CAB 4X4 On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted to accept the recommendation of the Fleet Manager and Purchasing Agent to award the bid for the purchase of a 2010 Ford Ranger Extended Cab 4x4 for the Street Dept. to Torrington Ford, in the amount of $19,771, funded by the Vehicle Replacement fund, and referring it to the Board of Finance.
HISTORIC DOCUMENTS PRESERVATION GRANT On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted to adopt the following resolution: RESOLVED: That Ryan J. Bingham, Mayor, is empowered to execute and deliver in the name and on behalf of this municipality a contract with the Connecticut State Library for an Historic Documents Preservation Grant.
ARCHITECT FOR DISPATCH CENTER Deputy Chief Brunoli said this firm comes highly recommended, being one of the top three firms in the State of CT for this type of project, and was the low bidder. He added that this consultant will assist with the creation of the project specifications so that they can go out to bid.
Deputy Chief Brunoli summarized the grants involved in the creation of the Dispatch Center, saying it will be upwards of 1.6 million, financed through the grant process. He commended the Mayor and the Mayor’s Office for helping obtain grant money.
Councilor Dalla Valle asked where the matching funds will come from.~ Deputy Chief~ Brunoli explained it will be calculated from purchases over a three year period and that they already have close to 80 or 90 thousand in matching funds due to equipment previously purchased for this project.~ He added that there is money in the capital budget for headquarters renovations that may be put towards the grant’s matching funds. Councilor Carbone asked if this investment is consistent with the potential Litchfield County Dispatch. Mayor Bingham replied that it is not necessarily so, but is moving towards it, with ongoing discussions.
Deputy Chief Brunoli asked that this matter be approved by Council this evening and not wait for prior Board of Public Safety approval.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Deputy Fire Chief and the Purchasing Agent to award the Architectural Consultant to Design Emergency Operation Dispatch Center contract to Jacunski Humes Architects, LLC of Berlin, CT in the amount of $12,800, pending Board of Public Safety Approval.
MUNICIPAL RENOVATIONS INVOICES On a motion by Councilor Carbone seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following payments from Fund #316, Municipal Renovations:
$1,641.60 to BKM Total Office for Invoice #562188 for furniture $ 246.30 to Santa Buckley Energy for Invoice #196090 for natural gas $ 384.48 to Torrington Water Co. for Invoice #61710 for water $5,610.00 to CMF Communications for Invoice #10-108 for phone relocation $ 150.00 to Moscarillo’s Garden Shop for Invoice #129648/1 for roses $ 546.70 to Moscarillo’s Garden Shop for Invoice #129597/1 for Memorial Wall flowers $11,017.90 to City of Torrington to reimburse pmt made on Invoice #71410, Winthrop St. fencing
SMALL CITIES INVOICE On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to approve a payment of $246.87 to the Register Citizen for Invoice #02443578 for Notice of Intent Advertisement, from Fund #250, Small Cities.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT REPORT On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Dept. report for the month of June 2010.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AGENDA ITEMS ONLY On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public on "agenda items" only. There was no one who wished to speak.
BUSINESS BY DEPT HEADS #858 On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads. No business was presented. Ms. Proulx thanked the Mayor and Council for supporting her request to move forward with the new financial management system. Atty. Weaver said she has
two matters for Executive Session under Pending Litigation and Lease Negotiations to be added to the agenda as Item # 20.
ADD TO AGENDA On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to add to the agenda
BUSINESS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council. Councilor Dalla Valle wondered why the GPS purchase wasn’t discussed at Council, and whose decision it was. Mayor Bingham said it has been talked about in conversations for the last three years, and over the last three months conversations with a local company have gotten to the point where they were comfortable moving forward. He said it was a joint decision between his office the Street Dept., Public Works, and the Police Dept. with 28
vehicles between Public Works and Parks & Recreation and 28 marked Police Vehicles where, for tracking purposes, dispatchers may be better able to allocate resources. He said on the Public works side, this will ultimately allow Mr. Rollett and Mr. Lizotte to see when plows are up or down and when salt is being spread -- to hopefully better allocate resources. Mayor Bingham said this has not been done on the Public Works side throughout the State and hopefully we can be on the leading edge using that particular piece. Councilor Dalla Valle asked if the WPCA was included and Mr. Drew said their 11 vehicles are not scheduled to have any GPS installed at this
time. Councilor Samele congratulated Councilor Zordan and said that Councilor Jerram was definitely an asset to this Council and City. Councilors Carbone, Soliani, and Waldron congratulated and welcomed Councilor Zordan. Councilor Zordan thanked the Council for allowing him to join them. Mayor Bingham spoke about Main St. Marketplace, a rousing
success which he has enjoyed every week. He encouraged everyone to keep attending to see what downtown Torrington has to offer such as the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department Car Show and a Bike Show. He reported that the Torrington Titans are doing very well this season and hopefully will make the playoffs.
EXECUTIVE SESSION On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to enter Executive Session at 7:27.
OPEN SESSION On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to return to Open Session at 8:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:00 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted, Carol L. Anderson, CCTC Asst. City Clerk
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