MINUTES
PUBLIC HEARING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
JUNE 4, 2012
A PUBLIC HEARING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, June 4, 2012 to review and discuss proposals for participation in the 2012 Neighborhood Assistance Act.
Present were Mayor Ryan Bingham, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Weaver, City Councilors Paul Samele, Elinor Carbone, Gerald Zordan, and Marie Soliani, Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, City Clerk Joseph Quartiero, Mayoral Aide Timothy Waldron, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Brett Simmons, and Personnel Director Thomas Gritt. City Councilors Gregg Cogswell and Drake Waldron were absent.
Mayor Bingham called the public hearing to order at 6:30 p.m.
City Clerk Joseph Quartiero read the legal notice.
Mayor Bingham said no written comments were received.
There was no one present who wished to speak.
Mayor Bingham closed the public hearing at 6:31 p.m.
2012 NEIGHBORHOOD ASSISTANCE ACT
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Board of Councilmen voted unanimously, by roll call vote, to accept proposals for participation in the 2012 Neighborhood Assistance Act.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn the Public Hearing at 6:31 pm.
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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
JUNE 4, 2012
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, June 4, 2012.
Present were Mayor Ryan Bingham, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Weaver, City Councilors Paul Samele, Elinor Carbone, Gerald Zordan, and Marie Soliani, Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, City Clerk Joseph Quartiero, Mayoral Aide Timothy Waldron, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Brett Simmons, and Personnel Director Thomas Gritt. City Councilors Gregg Cogswell and Drake Waldron were absent.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
TAR WARS
Mayor Bingham said the Tar Wars Poster Contest winners (Addendum 1) were previously recognized at a ceremony before the meeting. He noted that there were three statewide winners, and one going to the national award conference. All three statewide winners were from one class, Mrs. Murphy's, at Vogel-Wetmore School.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting and Public Hearing held May 7, 2012. Councilor Samele abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting held jointly with the Board of Finance and Public Hearing held May 8, 2012. Councilor Samele abstained.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Ms. Susan Holbrook spoke as the Chairperson for the Coe Memorial Park Committee, in favor of Council approval for Mr. McEachern as a member of that committee.
COE MEMORIAL PARK COMMITTEE: M. McEachern
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to approve Mark McEachern as a member of the Coe Memorial Park Committee.
Mayor Bingham said he has heard from 12 people interested in serving on this committee, and he will make a recommendation for another member after meeting with some of the candidates.
TABLED: PUBLIC WORKS STORM CONTINGENCY FUND
At the Mayor's request, on a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council tabled the establishment of a $750,000 Public Works Storm Contingency Fund. Mayor Bingham said he can't make a recommendation on this until he sees what the year-end financials look like.
FIREWORKS 2012
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to
approve a July 2012 Fireworks display by American Thunder Fireworks Inc. of N. Reading, MA.
Councilor Soliani asked if the total amount is $14,000, and noted that the Fireworks Committee has raised over $14,000. Mayor Bingham said this will be paid for by donations, sponsorships, and fundraising. He thanked the Republican American and WZBG for their help.
RESOLUTION: CT Keep Kids Safe Grant
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the following resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a grant application to the State of Connecticut for a one-time grant up to $45,835, per Chief Field's Memo dated May 30, 2012: (Addendum 2)
RESOLVED, that RYAN J. BINGHAM in his capacity as Mayor is authorized to sign, in the
name and on behalf of the City of Torrington, a Connecticut Keep Kids Safe Program Grant
Application to the State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management, due June 19, 2012.
MANAGEMENT RESOLUTION: Contract Updates
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to approve the updates to the Management Resolution, effective July 1, 2012, per Personnel Director Tom Gritt's Memo dated May 31, 2012. (Addendum 3)
Councilor Carbone said the Personnel Committee reviewed the proposed changes, found that it is fair and balanced and recommended advancing it to Council.
COE MEMORIAL PARK MASTER PLAN: Add'l Funding
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to approve $ 6,684.00 in additional funding from the Coe Godfrey Trust, Fund #0041, for Fuss & O'Neill's work on the next phase of the Coe Memorial Park Master Plan, per Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Director Brett Simmons' Memo dated May 31, 2012. (Addendum 4)
BUILDING DEPARTMENT REPORT
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Building Department Report for April, 2012.
MUNICIPAL RENOVATION
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following payments from Fund #316, Municipal Renovations:
Vendor |
Invoice # |
Amount |
Description |
Air Temp Mechanical |
S22280 |
657.00 |
air conditioner leak-IT |
Mike Clark |
52512 |
175.00 |
Entry announcer system |
Van Zelm |
0037205 |
4,674.00 |
Prof Svcs-legal fees |
Soundworks & Security LLC |
4289507 |
748.25 |
microphone repair |
Soundworks & Security LLC |
4289609 |
107.50 |
microphone repair |
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public on "agenda items" only.
Ms. Susan Holbrook asked that the Coe Memorial Park Committee have some input into the Mayor's recommendation for a new member.
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. No business was presented.
BUSINESS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
Mayor Bingham let the Council know there will be a natural gas bid coming up on June 5th.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Pending Litigation
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to enter Executive Session under Pending Litigation at 6:42 p.m, with Atty. Weaver.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to enter Open Session at 7:11 p.m.
Mayor Bingham announced that the next regular City Council meeting would be held on Tuesday June 19, immediately after the Special Joint Meeting of Board of Finance and City Council which will be held immediately after the regular Board of Finance meeting at 5:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:12 pm.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC CITY CLERK
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Respectfully Submitted, Carol L. Anderson, CCTC Asst. City Clerk
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Addendum 1
2012 Tar Wars Poster Winners
(Special congratulations to Kathleen Murphy. ~All 3 state winners are in her classroom)
1st Place State Winner Pei Yi Zhuo Vogel-Wetmore~
2nd Place State Winner Pei Chao Zhuo Vogel-Wetmore
3rd Place State Winner Jason Canfield Vogel-Wetmore
East School Alyssa Maraia Aviyan Singletary Luke Waldron
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Saint Peter/Saint Francis School Kiana Lafleur Jessica Persechino Julia Sosnowski
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Forbes School Nicholas Barber Bopha Dy Sara Thurston
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Southwest School Kylie Dailey Jason Lee Melissa Tran
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Torringford School Julia Fritz Daniel Stenson Emily Vasquez
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Addendum 2
TORRINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT MEMO
TO: City Council Members
FROM: Chief John B. Field, Jr.
DATE: 5/30/2012
RE: State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management
The Torrington Fire Department would like to apply for a one-time grant funding up to $45,835 for the period September 2012 through June 2013 from the State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management, Connecticut Keep Kids Safe Grant Program. The Grant Application is due June 19, 2012, 2 p.m. The funds from the Grant may be used to coordinate, develop and
implement new innovative community programs or expand existing programs that prevent unintentional injuries among children under the age of 18 and to support public education and outreach activities to increase public awareness. We plan on purchasing 10 infant car seats, 10 car seats, 10 booster car seats, to run at least three car seat clinics, Fire Prevention Education and Awareness Program, smoke detectors (200) and CO detectors (200).
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Addendum 3
June 5, 2012
MEMO
To: Management Resolution Employees
From: Tom Gritt - Personnel Director
Re: Update of the Management Resolution
Attached please find the update to the Management Resolution, which was approved by the
City Council on June 5, 2012. The substantive changes are summarized below. New language is highlighted in bold type in the revised Management Resolution document
Summary of Substantive Changes to the July 1, 2102 Management Resolution
1. Pages 3-6 - Medical Insurance Benefits
Updates core plan to the Cigna High Deductible HSA plan; Provides “Buyup option” to the PPO plan at employee expense; Increases employee costshare amounts each of next two years; Reduces the City share of deductible from 75% to 50%. Language added that states retirees will pay the same costshare as active employees. This policy has been in effect for some time but not previously listed in the Resolution. It is being noted for informational purposes.
2. Page 8 - Vacation
Adds language that the taking of vacation must be in one-half day increments as a minimum. This policy has been in effect for some time but not previously listed in the Resolution. It is being noted for informational purposes.
3. Page 9 – City Employee’s Retirement Fund
Adds in the Defined Contribution Plan as the only plan for full time new hires since 9/2/08.
- Page 10 – Adds language that new hires will be considered probationary for their first 6 months of employment. This policy has been in effect for some time but not previously listed in the Resolution. It is being noted for informational purposes.
- Page 11 – Non –Discrimination Clause – Adds in several protected categories.
Updates wage schedule “A” with wage increases of 3% for 7/1/12 and 2% for 7/1/1
Addendum 4
City Of Torrington
Torrington Parks and Recreation 153 South Main Street Torrington, CT 06790 |
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Tel: (860) 489-2274 Fax: (860) 489-2588 |
MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, Members of City Council
From: J. Brett Simmons, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation
CC: Pennie Zucco, Jerry Rollett
Date: June 4, 2012
Re: Coe Memorial Park – Fuss & O’Neill Contract - Additional Fees for Master Plan Updates
I would like to request approval for additional funds for Fuss & O’Neill’s work on the next phase of the Coe Memorial Park Master Plan as follows. Please note that the funds will come from the Coe Godfrey Trust – Fund 0041.
- Original Contract (included for reference): $37,500.00 – already approved
- Landscape Workshop – Charette: $1,700.00
- Revisions to Master Plan – Municipal Approvals: $2,484.00
- Revisions to Master Plan – Landscape Plan: $1,500.00
- Additional Funds – To be used if necessary $1,000.00
for additional revisions to the plan.
- Total – Additional Funds Requested $6,684.00
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.~
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