MINUTES VOL. 26 PAGE 35
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL AND WPC AUTHORITY
JANUARY 3, 2012
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Tuesday, January 3, 2012.
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, Superintendant of Parks and Recreation Brett Simmons, Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco and City Clerk Joseph Quartiero.
PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Bingham called the Public Hearing to order at 6:30 p.m.
City Clerk Joseph Quartiero read the legal notice.
There was no one present who wished to speak.
Mayor Bingham closed the public hearing at 6:31 p.m.
AMEND ORDINANCE §15-2
CONSERVATION COMM. MEMBERSHIP
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted by roll call vote to amend Chapter 15 of the Torrington Code of Ordinances, Conservation Commission, Section 15-2, Membership, to make a quorum consist of 3 members present and allow for alternates. The vote was unanimous.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on December 19, 2011. Councilor Zordan abstained.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no one present who wished to speak.
PRESENTATION:
Mayor Bingham invited Specialist Jakob Parsons of the CT Army National Guard to speak. Specialist Parsons presented Senior Secretary Lisa Gay with a CT flag that flew over Iraq in appreciation for her kindness in sending 800 cookies to the troops overseas.
APPOINTMENT: Economic Development Commission
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to approve Stephen Michna as a member of the Economic Development Commission, replacing Cindy Donaldson, for a five year term expiring February 9, 2013.
RESOLUTION: SENIOR CENTER VAN
On a motion by Councilor Carbone seconded by Council Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the following resolution required for the purchase of a wheelchair accessible van for the Sullivan Senior Center’s Medical Transportation Program through the Section 5310 Program of the Federal Transit Act. The van will be funded at 80% up to $40,000 with the remaining balance of 20% funded through proceeds from the Sullivan Senior Center Park Avenue Thrift Shop.
RESOLUTION: authorizing the Hon. Ryan J. Bingham, Mayor to sign and execute Agreements and Contracts along with all necessary Agreements/Contractual documents, certifications and forms on behalf of the City of Torrington with the Department of Transportation of the State of Connecticut.
RESOLUTION
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution endorsing the Regional Performance Incentive Program proposal, “Public Works Equipment for Roadway Maintenance," referenced in Section 5 of Public Act 11-61 (An Act Concerning Responsible Growth).
Mayor Bingham explained that these three performance incentive grant proposals were the recommendation of Litchfield Hills Council of Elected Officials. The “Public Works Equipment for Roadway Maintenance" is a successful program he said, providing multiple pieces of public works equipment in a regional pool that are rented out to towns and cities for a very small fee. Mayor Bingham said the “Regional Animal Control Facility Feasibility Study” is the next step for community collaboration to regionalize our ASPCA facilities.
He said the “Regional Organic Recycling Facility Feasibility Study" is a discussion of a regional composting facility providing residents the ability to recycle organic waste. He added that these are competitive state grants.
RESOLUTION
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution endorsing the Regional Performance Incentive Program proposal, “Regional Animal Control Facility Feasibility Study,” referenced in Section 5 of Public Act 11-61 (An Act Concerning Responsible Growth).
RESOLUTION
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution endorsing the Regional Performance Incentive Program proposal, “Regional Organic Recycling Facility Feasibility Study," referenced in Section 5 of Public Act 11-6 (An Act Concerning Responsible Growth).
COE MEMORIAL PARK HORTICULTURAL SERVICES
On an amended motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani the Council voted unanimously to enter negotiations to extend Still River Gardens contract for one year for the Design, Planting and Maintenance of Coe Memorial Park Gardens.
Mayor Bingham said he will develop an RFEI to see what other service providers are available for the future. He said Still River Gardens has done an excellent job, their reviews received very high marks, and the plant purchases were under budget. Councilor Soliani expressed gratitude for the insight given.
Councilor Carbone said she saw tremendous growth, with a potential for more.
MAIDEN LANE PROJECT
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to approve a payment from Micro Fund #274 to Martin Laviero Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $4,672.39 for Payment Application #3 for work done to date on the Maiden Lane Project.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to add to the agenda.
RESCIND VOTE FROM 12/5/2011
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to rescind the vote made on 12/5/2011 (motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani) to authorize subordination of a Small Cities Housing loan to S.D. to the amount of $42,000.
Councilor Waldron explained this is due to a change in the original terms that will allow for refinancing costs, as another $4,000 is needed. He said there is still $82,000 of equity, more than what is owed the City.
SMALL CITIES LOAN SUBORDINATION
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to authorize subordination of a Small Cities Housing loan to S.D. to the amount of $46,000 with said amount necessary to address the loan refinancing, closing costs and fees.
OPEN TO PUBLIC ON 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 FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Council Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Mr. Simmons reported on Christmas Village and the ice rink.
Mr. Quartiero reported that his new codification vendor has provided an online version of the City Charter and Code of Ordinances that is much easier to negotiate and half the cost to maintain.
BUSINESS FROM 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.
Mayor Bingham explained that Specialist Parsons is Mrs. Zucco's nephew.
Councilor Soliani announced her family has seen the return of Lance Corporation David Michael Soliani to the United States, and the other Council members applauded him.
Mayor Bingham said his initial budget memo will be going out to Department Heads. He said he's been assured that state revenues should remain flat, and added that the City will have to match that with a flat or decreased spending year so that taxpayers aren't negatively impacted.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Waldron, and unanimously approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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