MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
February 7, 2011
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, February 7, 2011.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan Bingham, City Councilors Drake Waldron, Gerald Zordan, Marie Soliani, Elinor Carbone, Paul Samele, and Gregg Cogswell, Police Chief Michael Maniago, Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, Comptroller Alice Proulx, Emergency Management Director Rick Dalla Valle and Deputy Fire Chief Gary Brunoli.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 7:29 p.m.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held January 19, 2011.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the special meeting held January 20, 2011. Councilor Waldron abstained from the vote.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Atty. Samuel Slaiby addressed the Council regarding snow removal issues. He recommended that ‘over-dedicated public servants’ stop issuing parking tickets when the meters are blocked by snow. He compared Maine and Vermont’s methods of plowing streets less frequently, suggesting the plowing be reduced to save money and to allow more plowing in areas such as intersections and Main Street. He wondered if the cessation of free sand and salt for residents might be “penny-wise and pound-foolish” as one accident will eat up that money. He suggested residents might not mind paying a small charge for it.
TABLED: PERSONNEL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to table consideration of the Personnel Committee recommendation regarding Public Works Grievance #10-08.
SMALL CITIES COMMITTEE
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to approve Project #143-273, based on the recommendation of the Small Cities Committee. Councilor Waldron explained this is an emergency roof replacement on a house with plenty of equity and no risk to the City.
PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED: ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Zordan, and based on the recommendation of the Ordinance Committee, the Council voted unanimously to schedule a Public Hearing on February 22, 2011 to consider amending City Ordinance 114-1. Councilor Zordan explained that if Planning and Zoning needs to hire an outside person to review development plans, this change would require the plan presenter to pay the cost of that outside person. The City Taxpayers would not have to come up with that money.
POLICE DEPT. REROOFING PROJECT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to award the Reroofing and Related Work for TPD Project to The Imperial Co., Inc. of Cromwell, CT in the amount of $187,000, pending Board of Public Safety approval.
Councilor Soliani questioned the bid amounts being so far apart. Mrs. Zucco said bidders had the opportunity to walk through this project and knew what they had to bid on. She added that the architect who created the bid specs also reviewed the bids, and recommended this vendor. Chief Maniago said this architect is well respected in the profession for Public Safety facilities.
AMMUNITION PURCHASE
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to purchase ammunition off the State Contract from Eagle Point Gun in Thorofare, NJ, in the amount of $13,027.93, pending Board of Public Safety approval. Mrs. Zucco noted there is a three to seven month wait period for this ammunition, and Chief Maniago pointed out that the local price is $10,000 more, and the Police Department’s Spring Qualifications are coming up.
CAMPION AMBULANCE: MEMO OF UNDERSTANDING
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Memorandum of Understanding between Campion Ambulance Service, Inc. and the City of Torrington. (attachment 1) Mayor Bingham explained this was put out to bid, with one respondent. This is a zero dollar proposal and he has been assured by the State and Campion that Torrington will not see a significant loss in the level of service or response times. He said the “EMS Advisory Board”, a coordinated effort between the City, members of Board of Public Safety, the Police Dept., Fire Dept., Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and the Ambulance Provider will be relied on heavily to review any extraordinary cases or any complaints. He said that the City is essentially saving $200,000 for no loss of
service.
Councilor Soliani requested the EMS Provider Activity Report be sent to her. She wondered how they can charge $200,000 one year and not charge at all the next year, and still give the same level of service.
Mayor Bingham said he’s been assured that they will, and the EMS Advisory Committee will be relied on more now than in previous years.
Councilor Zordan noted that there is no expiration date. Mayor Bingham said this MOU is reliant on the PSA that Campion holds. Deputy Chief Brunoli explained Campion has to provide emergency services for the City according to the PSA, and that the Advisory Committee is working on a policy for response time guidelines and parameters.
SECTION B
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to add Section B to the agenda.
RESOLUTION: LEASE/PURCHASE FIN. MGT SYS. AND VACUUM TANKER
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the following resolutions (and attachment 2):
BE IT RESOLVED that Ryan J. Bingham, Mayor, is hereby authorized to sign the Lease Purchase Agreement entitled “Master Equipment Lease/Purchase Agreement” for a financial management system and vacuum tanker. Said Mayor is hereby further authorized to execute any and all amendments or addendums to said agreement.
RESOLUTION:
WHEREAS, City of Torrington, CT (the “Borrower”)has made certain capital expenditures in connection with the acquisition of certain equipment, including a Financial Management System and a Vacuum Tanker (the “Equipment”), prior to the date of this Resolution, and the Borrower expects to make additional capital expenditures in connection with the acquisition of the Equipment in the future.
RESOLVED, that the Borrower intends to reimburse itself for all or a portion of such expenditures, to the extent permitted by law, with the proceeds of obligations to be issued by a political subdivision or other governmental entity for the benefit of the Borrower (the “Obligations”).
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the maximum principal amount of Obligations expected to be issued for the Equipment is $493,696.51.
Ms. Proulx explained these resolutions were needed to authorize the Mayor to enter into a lease purchase agreement for financing the Financial Management System previously approved by City Council, and for the Volunteer Fire Department’s Vacuum Tanker also previously approved by City Council. She said six financial institutions were compared to achieve the best finance rate possible.
SMALL CITIES PAYMENTS
Councilor Waldron made a motion, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, to consider approval of the following payments from Fund #250, Small Cities:
VENDOR S. Nocera Reimbursement R. Bingham Reimbursement L. Wagner & Assocs. |
REQ. # HRLR-180 HRLR-180 HRLR-179 |
AMOUNT $99.25 $99.25 $2587.50 |
DESCRIPTION NCDA 2011 Winter Meeting NCDA 2011 Winter Meeting Prof. Svc 10/1/10 – 12/31/10 |
Councilor Waldron amended his motion to correct the second figure to $834.42, Councilor Cogswell seconded, and the amended motion was unanimously approved.
WATER ST. SIDEWALK PROJECT
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Waldron the Council voted unanimously to approve the payment of $1575.00 from Fund #282, Water St. Sidewalk Improvements Project, for Requisition #143-CDBGR15, Professional Services rendered 10/1/10 through 12/31/10.
MUNICIPAL RENOVATIONS
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following payments from Fund #316, Municipal Renovations:
VENDOR AT&T CT Horizon Engineering KeeClean VanZelm Mike Clark |
INV# 122910 19 5036 0034851 11511 |
AMOUNT 189.29 917.50 800.00 2,002.00 10.83 |
DESCRIPTION dev & engineering chg Prof Svc 10/30-12/3/10 entrance cleaning Prof Svc 10/31-11/27/10 clothes hanging pole |
Councilor Zordan requested that $10.83 be spent on a clothes hanging pole for the Council Chambers.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public on "agenda items" only. There was no one present who wished to speak.
BUSINESS BY DEPT HEADS
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Police Chief Maniago responded to Atty. Slaiby’s remarks about the Parking Enforcement Officer saying it is a thankless job but the best thing to be done in parking enforcement is to be consistent and steady throughout the course of the year. He said amendments or changes would need to be advertised so the public and downtown business owners will know what to expect from the Police Department consistently and professionally. Chief Maniago noted that the Parking Enforcement Officer does not do things more exuberantly at certain times of the year, he is a very steady performer and a credit to what he does on a daily basis. Chief Maniago said he highly doubts the Parking Enforcement Officer dissuades anyone from coming downtown to shop in the stores.
Deputy Chief Brunoli announced that the EOC ground has been broken, and concrete will be poured tomorrow.
Emergency Management Director Rick Dalla Valle reported that he applied for a $115,923 FEMA grant for ..the major snow storm two weeks back. He also reported on the January 29th Main St. gas leak. He worked ..with the Police and Fire Depts., Campion Ambulance, and Senior Center staff, Salvation Army, American ..Red Cross and Friendly Hands Food Bank, and the Community Soup Kitchen. It was a very smooth ..operation, he said, and every Department involved did a fantastic job. Mr. Dalla Valle also noted that the ..A.I.C. .members supervised by him work every day to clear snow from parking meters, keeping them open ..and .accessible.
Mayor Bingham addressed Mr. Slaiby’s remarks regarding snow plowing and stopping mid-route to remove snow. He said it seems impractical, knowing it takes more labor and equipment to remove snow, and it’s important that our guys are ready for the next storm. They are currently out knocking down sightline issues which is what they do during fair weather days, but because of the severity of the storms and the small amount of time in between storms, they haven’t been able to do that. Mayor Bingham said to the Council that it’s incumbent on us as public officials to request our neighbors and community do their part by not throwing snow back into the road, clearing sidewalks, and clearing sightline issues. It takes us all working together, along with great volunteers, to get through these storms without too much of a
financial burden. Regarding residential sand and salt, he said he is always open to new suggestions, and appreciates that one.
BUSINESS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
Councilor Cogswell expressed appreciation to the Public Works employees.
Councilor Samele said he’s happy to hear that we are currently removing snow and that it was decided not to push snow into the sidewalks.
Councilor Carbone commended the snow plow drivers and said that since the snow causes people to park so far away from a meter, they may not realize they still need to feed it. She congratulated the Police Dept. on recent drug busts, and the Fire Dept. on the ground breaking.
Councilor Zordan said that Agway has salt and sand available.
Councilor Soliani suggested the newspapers make known the information about salt and sand at Agway.
Mayor Bingham added that in the past, neighboring communities shut off their salt and sand supplies and their residents would come to ours.
Councilor Waldron noted that the Mayor did a great job shoveling his sidewalk.
Mayor Bingham said he is investigating the possibility of working with downtown business owners regarding snow removal. He announced that Governor Malloy will hold a Town Meeting here on February 24th at 7:00 pm.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:15 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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