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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
April 8, 2013
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, April 8, 2013, adjourned from April 1, 2013.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan Bingham, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, City Councilors Drake Waldron, Paul Samele, Gerald Zordan, Elinor Carbone, Marie Soliani and Gregg Cogswell.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:53 p.m.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting held March 18, 2013. Councilor Soliani abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Public Hearing held March 18, 2013. Councilor Soliani abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held March 18, 2013. Councilor Soliani abstained.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Ms. Mary Bagnaschi repeated her criticism of the Police Department.
FAIR HOUSING RESOLUTION
On a motion by Councilor Samele, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to readopt the following resolution:
FAIR HOUSING RESOLUTION City of Torrington
Whereas, All persons are afforded a right to full and equal housing opportunities in the neighborhood of their choice; and
Whereas, Federal fair housing laws require that all individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, be given equal access to all housing-related opportunities, including rental and homeownership opportunities, and be allowed to make free choices regarding housing location; and
Whereas, Connecticut fair housing laws require that all individuals, regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, learning disability, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, be given equal access to all housing-related opportunities, including rental and home ownership opportunities, and be allowed to make free choices regarding housing location; and
Whereas, The City of Torrington is committed to upholding these laws, and realizes that these laws must be supplemented by an Affirmative Statement publicly endorsing the right of all people to full and equal housing opportunities in the neighborhood of their choice. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOVED, That the City of Torrington hereby endorses a Fair Housing Policy to ensure equal opportunity for all persons to rent, purchase, obtain financing and enjoy all other housing-related services of their choice on a non-discriminatory basis as provided by state and federal law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the chief executive officer of the City of Torrington or his/her designated representative is responsible for responding to and assisting any person who alleges to be the victim of an illegal discriminatory housing practice in the City of Torrington and for advising such person of the right to file a complaint with the State of Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or to seek assistance from the CT Fair Housing Center, legal services, or other fair housing organizations to protect his or her right to equal
housing opportunities. |
FAIR HOUSING POLICY
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to readopt the following policy:
City of Torrington Fair Housing Policy Statement
It is the policy of the City of Torrington to promote fair housing opportunities and to encourage racial and economic integration in all its programs and housing development activities.
Programs funded and administered by this City of Torrington must comply with the provisions of Section 46a-64c of the C.G.S., and with related state and federal laws and regulations that prohibit discriminatory housing practices.
The City of Torrington or any of sub-recipient of the City of Torrington will carry out an affirmative marketing program to attract prospective buyers or tenants of all majority or minority groups, without consideration of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, creed, sexual orientation, marital status, lawful source of income, disability, age or because the individual has children in all programs and housing development activities funded or administered by the City of Torrington.
The municipality’s Office of the Mayor is responsible for the enforcement and implementation of this policy.~ The Fair Housing Coordinator may be reached at (860) 489-2228 o ]timothy_waldron@torringtonct.org.
Complaints pertaining to discrimination in any program funded or administered by this City of Torrington, may be filed with the Office of the Mayor.~ The municipality’s Grievance Procedure will be utilized in these cases.
Complaints also may be filed with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunity, Special Enforcement Unit, 21 Grand Street, Hartford, CT~ 06106, Telephone (860) 541-3403.
A copy of this policy statement will be given annually to all City of Torrington employees and they are expected to fully comply with it.~ In addition, a copy will be posted throughout the City of Torrington.
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SANITARY SEWER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority, voted unanimously to approve a payment of $857.54 from Fund #490 Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement for Capital Project D-13 New Harwinton Road Pump Station Rehabilitation for Wright Pierce Invoice #87607 dated February 11, 2013.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, 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 Samele, 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 Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council. Councilor Soliani said she is hoping the City will consider parking kiosks. Mayor Bingham said Officer Pisarski has looked into it. Councilor Soliani said she has always felt a professional police officer should not be checking parking meters. Mayor Bingham agreed and said the police officers' Park and Walks are a really good idea but their time would be better spent not issuing parking tickets.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:03 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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