MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL AND WPC AUTHORITY
MARCH 9, 2011
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held in the Main Room of the Senior Center on Wednesday, March 9, 2011, having been adjourned from Monday, March 7, 2011.
Present were Mayor Ryan Bingham, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, City Councilors Gregg Cogswell, Paul Samele, Elinor Carbone, Gerald Zordan, Marie Soliani, and Drake Waldron, Fire Chief John Field, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Brett Simmons, Elderly Services Director Nancy Hodkoski, Nutrition Supervisor Joel Sekorski, Detective Kevin Tieman, Lt. Michael Emanuel and Chris Carminucci and Dan McNamara of Torrington Baseball LLC.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held February 22, 2011.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
John Schnyer spoke as a taxpayer and employee with suggestions regarding snow removal on Water Street, using City staff instead of contractors, and refitting a truck instead of purchasing another. He said he enjoys the privilege of working for the City and would like to see positive changes made. Councilor Soliani said she’s sorry that Mr. Schnyer feels forced to come before the City Council, when he should be getting satisfaction from his supervisor.
ARTS AND CULTURE COMM. APPTS.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to reappoint Jacque William and Gail Kruppa to the Arts and Culture Commission for a two year term expiring December 31, 2012. Mayor Bingham noted that he is looking for one additional volunteer for this group.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to add Section B to the agenda.
PURCHASE APPARATUS
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Fleet Manager, Deputy Fire Chief, and Purchasing Agent to award the purchase of an Aerial Single Axle Apparatus to Northeastern Fire Apparatus Specialists of Cheshire, CT, in the amount of $459,950.00 having been approved by the Board of Public Safety on March 8, 2011 and the Board of Finance on March 9, 2011.
Councilor Waldron asked for a few highlights of the advantages of purchasing this truck now.
Chief Field summarized that this purchase was moved from next year to this year to balance the spending in the Vehicle Replacement Plan, which ranged from $30,000 to be spent this year to $2,000,000 next year. He said this purchase will save $91,000 right up front. Over the next five to ten years there could be $577,502 in savings due to the deletion of a pumper scheduled to be purchased in 2014.
Deputy Chief Brunoli said seven bids were received, with the next lowest being $491,488. If delayed until next year, this purchase is estimated at $551,250. The proposed vehicle is a 2008, and has been on the demo circuit. He said it has 18,000 road miles and will have a manufacturer’s engine and transmission warrantee as if it were new. He added that this will allow versatility and coverage when the ladder truck is down for maintenance.
Chief Field said this purchase, and the pumper that’s due shortly, will replace the next oldest vehicles, which are 24 and 26 years old. The older trucks currently have more money spent on their maintenance than they are worth.
UNOFF. POLL CHECKERS PMT.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to eliminate the past practice of paying Unofficial Checkers at the Polls with Elections Budget Line Item 0010.0010.5200.0000, thereby leaving the hiring/payment of Unofficial Checkers to the political parties.
Mayor Bingham explained that this is part of the Registrars’ budget reduction and consolidation of polling locations.
Councilor Carbone asked how much they are paid. Mayor Bingham said it was about $1400 in total.
LEASE AGREEMENT, TORRINGTON BASEBALL LLC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to
authorize the Mayor to enter into a lease agreement with Torrington Baseball Group, LLC.
Mayor Bingham explained the lease of the park will be $1.00 and the concession agreement will be $1000, based on previous years. He said signage income to be shared with Fuessenich Park Partnership will be included in this agreement, and it has an option to extend from one year to five.
Chris Carminucci of Torrington Baseball LLC said it’s an honor to be part of this community and hopes to be here for many years. He said he looks forward to using the field in conjunction with all other teams that want to use it. He has a large staff and runs baseball teams for a living.
Councilor Samele asked about other teams’ usage fees. Mr. Simmons said that although fees are being considered, currently those teams slated to use that facility do use it for free. They sign an agreement, fill out a usage form, and as of this year, agree to the field use policy which will incorporate fees in the future. He added that as part of the budget process, they first recommended elimination of stipends to some of the programs and felt they shouldn’t overburden groups with fees in addition to that.
Councilor Samele noted that the High School teams pay for the use of the park. Mayor Bingham pointed out that the City pays for the use of school gyms and said he is working with the Superintendent of Schools to find a way to avoid these transfers of funds. He said the historical divide between the City and the Board of Education is no longer there, and there is a new vision of one City with the Board of Education.
Councilor Carbone agreed that Fuessenich Park is a gem of a field and agreed that the inequity of charging our High School team while a business pays $1.00 for a lease should be addressed. She questioned the requirement that hot dogs be Mucke’s brand only. Mayor Bingham said that was determined by a previous administration. Mr. Carminucci said he’s agreeable to anything.
Councilor Carbone further questioned the term “non-exclusive right”. Mr. Simmons explained that if other teams have a sponsor that’s helped them, for example, they need to get those signs pre-approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission. Councilor Carbone said that might need a little clarification.
Councilor Cogswell stated that he’s very happy to see this community involvement; he thinks the enthusiasm is there and wishes them the best.
SENIOR CENTER GRANT APPLICATION
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to sign the Sullivan Senior Center Bend and Stretch grant application to the Western CT Agency on Aging for the FY October 1, 2011 – September 30, 2012.
CITY HALL HVAC CHANGES
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to waive the bid process and contract with Van Zelm Engineers as Engineer of Record to supply Redesign Services and Commission of the Installation of City Hall HVAC changes in the amount of $20,000 for Commissioning Services and $25,000 for Modification Services.
Councilor Carbone asked if we have any recourse against the original contractor. Mayor Bingham said we’re working on it, and this will be paid for through the Municipal Renovations fund. He said the bid process was waived because there is only a small pool of contractors qualified to work on this type of system.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to enter Executive Session under Security Strategy at 7:35 p.m, inviting Atty. Weaver, Detective Tieman, and Lt. Emanuel.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to enter Open Session at 7:50 p.m.
POLICE DEPT SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s and the Police Department’s recommendation regarding expenditures for security enhancements for the Police Department.
SMALL CITIES
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to approve payment of $75.00 to the City of Torrington from Fund #250, Small Cities, for a title search performed for the property located at 23 Donahue Place.
BUILDING DEPT.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for January 2011.
Councilor Zordan questioned the commercial building costing $869,000 with no fees. Mayor Bingham said he would find out.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, 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
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Mayor Bingham said he’s been working with Senior Center staff and Larry Wagner on the next Small Cities project to upgrade the Senior Center facility and expand the Dining Room. He said Design needs to be paid for out of non-small cities funds, but Construction, Administration and Oversight of the project can be covered under small cities funds. Design cost would be around $32,000 and the Senior Center could contribute $20,000. Mayor Bingham said an opportunity exists within a fund that dates back to the 1980s that will allow for about $40,000 to be used in other areas. He said it would make sense to use those dollars to engage Kaestle Boos Associates to design the project and move forward with the hope of winning a grant this year. Because of the short time frame, Mayor Bingham said, there is a need for sole source
procurement. If the deadlines can’t be met, the application will be for another refund of the housing rehab grant. He said that pubic hearings on the matter will refer to both “Senior Center Project” and “Housing Rehab Fund”. He asked the Council to approve this opportunity to engage with Kaestle Boos Assocs. for $32,000, knowing that the majority of this cost could be covered by Senior Center funds, and potentially be added to through the budget process.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to add to the agenda.
SENIOR CENTER UPGRADE
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to enter into an agreement with Kaestle Boos Assocs. for no more than $32,000. Councilor Soliani clarified the Small Cities Committee discussion, saying they decided they were more comfortable with the Senior Center’s $20,000 being used, and $12,000 coming out of contingency, because it was promised to be returned. She said the committee felt unsure about the $40,000 and needed more information.
BUSINESS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
Councilor Cogswell asked if the Council would like to meet with our State Legislative Delegates.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani and unanimously approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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