MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL AND WPC AUTHORITY
JANUARY 25, 2012
A REGULAR MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Wednesday, January 25, 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, Fleet Manager Emil Castro, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Superintendant of Parks and Recreation Brett Simmons, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Gerard Carbone, Recreation Director Donna Winn, City Clerk Joseph Quartiero, Assistant to the Mayor Timothy Waldron, Members of the Coe Memorial Park Committee Susan Holbrook, Margaret Keywan, Mary Zbell, Frank Pennington, and Personnel Director Thomas Gritt.
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 January 3, 2012.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Chairman Frank Pennington spoke on behalf of the Coe Memorial Park Committee recommending the park's horticultural contract be reduced by 10% in materials, as fewer plantings are needed due to the perennials already in place. He said the committee continues to formally request traditional Victorian style gardens, instead of the current Cottage style.
ADD TO AGENDA:
Councilor Carbone made a motion, seconded by Councilor Zordan, to add a recommendation regarding City Hall Grievance #11-03 to the agenda. The Council unanimously agreed.
CITY HALL GRIEVANCE #11-03:
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to deny City Hall Grievance #11-03. Councilor Zordan explained that the consequences of the type of behavior that occurred generally result in termination. In this particular situation, he said, because of the circumstances and the seriousness of the offense, a 12-hour unpaid suspension is probably on the light side and is certainly appropriate.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS & MEASURES: F. Waldron
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the re-appointment of Fletcher Waldron as the Sealer of Weights and Measures for a two year term to expire December 15, 2014. Councilor Waldron abstained.
BOARD OF FINANCE MEMBER: W. Lamoin
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the appointment of William E. Lamoin as a member of the Board of Finance for a six year term to expire December 15, 2017.
BOARD OF FINANCE MEMBER: M. Bushka
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the re-appointment of Mark B. Bushka as a member of the Board of Finance for a six year term to expire December 15, 2017.
SANITARY SEWER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
Voting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, on a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following payments from Fund #490, Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement for Capital Project D-6 Central Interceptor CCTV and Cleaning, and Capital Project D-13 New Harwinton Road Pump Station Rehabilitation.
Date Contractor Invoice # Amounts Description
9/24/2011 American Septic 5263092411 $ 900.00 Central Interceptor – Toro Siphon
9/28/2011 American Septic 5262092811 $1,200.00 Central Interceptor – Toro Siphon
10/25/2011 American Septic 5363102511 $ 600.00 Central Interceptor – Toro Siphon
11/30/2011 Delray Contracting Req. #1 $9,500.00 New Harwinton Road PS Upgrade
FIRE DEPT. WORK PANTS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent's recommendation to award a bid for Fire Department Work Pants to Mag & Son Clothing of Newington, CT, for an annualized estimate of $6,093.00, having been approved by the Board of Public Safety on January 4, 2012.
FIRE DEPT. BADGES, LAPEL PINS & NAME TAGS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent's recommendation to award a bid for Fire Department Blackington Badges, Lapel Pins and Name Tags to Common Cents EMS Supply of Old Saybrook, CT, for an annualized estimate of $1,522.96 with the exception of Item HKF600 Name Tag to be awarded to Mag & Son Clothing in the amount of $17.80 each for an annualized estimate of $71.20, having been approved by the Board of Public Safety on January 4, 2012.
FIRE DEPT. UNIFORMS
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent's recommendation to award three partial bids for Fire Department Uniforms to Mag & Son Clothing of New Britain, CT for the annualized estimate of $14,257.15, to Fairfield Uniform of Bridgeport, Ct for the annualized estimate of $912.00, and to Bound Tree Medical, of Dublin, OH, for the annualized estimate of $2,570.40, having been approved by the Board of Public Safety on January 4, 2012.
COE MEMORIAL PARK HORTICULTURAL SERVICES
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to approve the extension of the updated contract with Still River Gardens, LLC for Horticultural Services for the Coe Memorial Park Gardens for the 2012 season in the amount of $65,000.
Mayor Bingham said the key point is that Still River Gardens came in significantly under budget and found ways to reduce costs.
Councilor Carbone said she didn't want to tie the vendor's hands by reducing the contract, in case there's a bad season and there's reason to replant. She said she appreciates that ways were found to economize and hopes that can be done again.
Councilor Zordan asked if this went out to bid, and Mayor Bingham explained the 2008 bid was for 5 years with 1 year extensions if they meet all the criteria and have the review committee's approval.
SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING – February 6, 2012
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to schedule a public hearing on Monday, February 6, 2012 to consider amending the Alcoholic Liquor Ordinance, as recommended by the Ordinance Subcommittee.
Councilor Carbone asked if the Council is tied to the language in the proposed Ordinance amendment. Atty. Weaver explained that changes can be discussed up until the point when it is voted on.
Councilor Carbone said she wants to hear what the public has to say, and hopes they are aware of the exact intent of this Ordinance change. She noted that the language is broad regarding beer and wine being sold by any lessee and consumed during any professionally organized event. Councilor Zordan said it has to be noted in their lease, the Council must agree to each lease, and the Council has an option of putting whatever it wants in the lease.
Councilor Soliani suggested the Titans offer their power-point presentation before the Public Hearing, as it will answer a lot of questions.
Councilor Carbone said she is concerned that the language allows arbitrary decisions on the part of future City Councils, and would like the intent of very tight leases made clear so that it can be honored and respected.
HYDRAULIC SPREADER
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Fleet Manager's, Superintendent of Streets', and Purchasing Agent's recommendation to award the Warren Hydraulic Spreader or Equivalent bid to Interstate Truck Equipment of Hartford, CT, for an amount of $5,720, with an estimated in-service cost of $798.00.
MUNICIPAL RENOVATIONS
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Waldon, the Council voted unanimously to approve a payment of $25,839.54 from Municipal Renovations Fund # 316 to O & G for Invoice #26-CTYHALL for services rendered through 11/30/2011.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for the month of December 2011.
RESOLUTION: Bank of America Funds Transfer Agreement
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the following resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a Funds Transfer Agreement with the Bank of America, for the City of Torrington Pension Fund:
RESOLVED: That the Company shall enter into the Employee Benefit Investment Management and Custodial Services Agreement (the "Agreement") with Bank of America (the "Bank") containing such terms and provisions as the Company and the Bank shall agree to; that the Agreement be entered into the [Plan] (the "Plan"); and that the officer whose name and title appears below (referred to as the "Designating Officer") acting singly, shall have full power and authority to execute the Agreement, and to designate officers of the Company (including himself or herself) as Authorized Representatives who, for the purpose of utilizing the Bank's investment management and custodial services for the assets of acting singly, shall have the power to take any and all actions, to the extent consistent with this
Agreement and the underlying Plan documents, related to the Plan assets held in the Account, including, but not limited to: (i) delivering to the Bank any and all instructions regarding the disposition of Bank stock, if any, held in the Account (including the stock of its parent company, Bank of America Corporation, and any other successor or affiliated entity); (ii) delivering to the Bank any and all cash management instructions; (iii) adding property to the Account in accordance with the Agreement; (iv) and terminating the Agreement and directing delivery of remaining assets to a successor custodian; (v) that under the Funds Transfer Agreement two or more of the Company's officers shall be authorized to effect funds transfers on the Company's behalf (including the authority to debit and withdraw funds from the Company's other accounts maintained with the Bank); (vi) that in order to accomplish the foregoing, the Designating Officer acting singly, shall have full power and
authority to change the Keyword used by the Bank to identify the Company, and to designate two or more of the Company's officers (including himself or herself) as Authorized Representatives who shall in turn, have the power and authority to effect funds transfers, including the power to: (A) debit and withdraw funds from the Company's Accounts via wire transfer instructions, (B) choose and change the Keyword used by the Bank to identify the Company, and (C) take any other action, including execution of further documents, necessary to effect wire transfers under the Funds Transfer Agreement
Mayor Bingham explained this allows him to write a letter to the Bank of America to transfer funds if there are any changes to the pension fund, pending approval of both Boards of Trustees.
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 Cogswell, seconded by Council Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Mr. Quartiero reported that the Land Record Indexes dating back to 1955 are now linked to the City's website, allowing the general public free access to the volume and page numbers of the records.
He further reported that the City Clerk's vault will be reconfigured with new shelving and paid for by using $3875 of Historic Preservation funds. The vault will become more user-friendly, he said.
Mr. Quartiero said he will again be applying for the $5000 Historic Preservation Grant from the State Library.
BUSINESS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
Mayor Bingham said the 60-day Blight Ordinance Committee (Committee 7-148ff) has started meeting to produce a recommendation to the Ordinance Subcommittee. He said the members of this committee include the following: Debbie Videtto, City Planner Martin Connor, Mike Clark, Police Chief Maniago, Building Official Brett Zuraitis, Gene Farley, Bob Smith from Torrington Area Health, Fire Marshal Tim Thareau, Brian Soucy, Mike Boe and Tax Assessor Donna Patchen.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Waldron, and unanimously approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:24 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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