MINUTES
PUBLIC HEARINGS
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
May 28, 2013
A PUBLIC HEARING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 to solicit citizen input regarding the sewer use charge for the year beginning July 1, 2013 and ending June 30, 2014.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan Bingham, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, City Councilors Drake Waldron, Gerald Zordan, Elinor Carbone, and Marie Soliani. Also present were Building Official Brett Zuraitis, Public Works Director Gerald Rollett, Water Pollution Control Administrator Raymond Drew, Comptroller Alice Proulx and Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco. City Councilors Paul Samele and Gregg Cogswell were absent.
Mayor Bingham called the opened the public hearing at 6:30 p.m.
Asst. City Clerk Carol Anderson read the legal notice.
WPC Administrator Raymond Drew
Mr. Drew said he feels we are in really good shape this year. He said in this 2013/2014 WPCA budget, he's asking for an operation maintenance allotment of $2,660,000, a debt service and sinking fund of $1,160,000, and fund transfers of $71,000 for a total budget of $3,900,000. He noted that some debt was retired, that is being considered for reinvestment into infrastructure. Mr. Drew pointed out that incremental increases are a valuable tool to insure sustainability of the infrastructure. He said it is his recommendation to keep the sewer fee for fiscal year 2013/2014 at $196.00 per single family residential unit and $196 for commercial per 65,000 gallons of flow.
There was no one else wishing to speak.
Mayor Bingham closed the public hearing at 6:35 p.m.
Councilor Carbone moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilor Zordan, and unanimously approved.
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A second PUBLIC HEARING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 to solicit citizen input regarding the proposed changes to the Antiblight Ordinance.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan Bingham, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, City Councilors Drake Waldron, Gerald Zordan, Elinor Carbone, and Marie Soliani. Also present were Building Official Brett Zuraitis, Public Works Director Gerald Rollett, Water Pollution Control Administrator Raymond Drew, Comptroller Alice Proulx and Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco. City Councilors Paul Samele and Gregg Cogswell were absent.
Mayor Bingham called the opened the public hearing at 6:36 p.m.
City Clerk Joseph Quartiero read the legal notice.
Mary Campbell of the NWCT Property Owners asked the Council for clarification of the changes. Atty. Rigat explained the special assessment went down to $2,500. She said they were also concerned with entrance onto private property issues, being expanded. Councilor Zordan explained the new ordinance allows for the Blight Committee to determine the problem on the property, work with the property owner, bring it to the City Council, who in turn makes a recommendation to Corporation Counsel who then would go to Superior Court for a court order to go onto the property. Ms. Campbell said this resolves her concerns.
Charles Perret expressed his concern about blight issues at a house he grew up in. He said he hopes the movement to clean up blighted areas achieves good results.
Mayor Bingham thanked Mr. Perret for his service to our Country, and closed the public hearing at 6:46 p.m.
Councilor Waldron moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilor Carbone, and unanimously approved.
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
May 28, 2013
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan Bingham, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, City Councilors Drake Waldron, Gerald Zordan, Elinor Carbone, and Marie Soliani. Also present were Building Official Brett Zuraitis, Public Works Director Gerald Rollett, Water Pollution Control Administrator Raymond Drew, Comptroller Alice Proulx and Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco. City Councilors Paul Samele and Gregg Cogswell were absent.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:47 p.m.
MOTION: SEWER USER FEE
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Board of Councilmen herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority voted unanimously to set the following sewer use charge for the year beginning July 1, 2013 and ending June 30, 2014:
For Residential Users $196.00 per dwelling unit
For All Other Users $196.00 per 65,000 gallons of volume of flow
WPCA BUDGET
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Board of Councilmen herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority voted unanimously to approve the WPCA budget for the year beginning July 1, 2013 and ending June 30, 2014 at $3,901,781.
WPCA FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Board of Councilmen herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority voted unanimously to approve WPCA Five-Year Capital Improvement Budget/Program for year beginning July 1, 2013 and ending June 30, 2018.
Mr. Drew updated the Council on the wastewater treatment plant facilities upgrade, saying he's still working with the DEP to finalize that facilities plan. He said he hopes to have recommendations from them shortly, so they can proceed with the system design for phosphorous removal. He added that he is looking into reinvesting the retired general obligation bond monies into our East End Drainage Basin I & I Project.
WPCA MISCELLANEOUS FEE SCHEDULE
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Board of Councilmen herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority voted unanimously to approve WPCA Miscellaneous Fee Schedule for year beginning July 1, 2013 and ending June 30, 2014.
Mr. Drew said he is not recommending any changes or increases to those fees as well. Mayor Bingham thanked Mr. Drew and his staff for doing a great job, and keeping our sewer fees down. Mr. Drew said the state average for a single family home is $369, and it is his pleasure to serve the Mayor and Council, and he looks forward to working for the City of Torrington and its residents for years to come.
ANTIBLIGHT ORDINANCE CHANGES (see also page 3)
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to approve proposed changes to the Antiblight Ordinance. Mayor Bingham thanked the current and previous committees who worked on it.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held May 6, 2013.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no one present who wished to speak.
ORDINANCE COMMITTEE – SEWER USE ORDINANCE
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to
accept the recommendation of the Ordinance Committee. Councilor Zordan, Chairman of the Ordinance
Committee, explained the committee met and reviewed the projected Sewer Use Ordinance changes and the committee recommends that they be implemented.
SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to
schedule a public hearing for 6:30 p.m. June 17, 2013.
SMALL CITIES – Waive Default Provision
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Small Cities Committee and authorize the waiving of the default provision requiring payment of the Small Cities loan ($67,600.00) which had been recorded in Mr. Palmer’s wife’s name (Darlene Palmer), now deceased (April 29, 2012); instead, transferring the loan responsibilities to Mr. Leslie E. Palmer, Jr. ~
Councilor Waldron explained that this transfer of loan responsibility is due to the death of the homeowner.
COST ALLOCATION PLAN
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Cost Allocation Plan submitted by the Comptroller on May 16, 2013, having been approved by the Board of Finance on May 21, 2013. (Addendum 1)
RESOLUTION: Torrington Gateways Project, Agreement
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the following resolution:
Be it RESOLVED, that, Ryan J. Bingham, Mayor of the City of Torrington is authorized
to sign the subject agreement to work within the State right of way on Various State
Roads in the City of Torrington.
Mayor Bingham said this was a grant received through Congresswoman Nancy Johnson seven or eight years ago, and we're finally going to welcome people appropriately to Torrington with signage and plantings on the State right of way. Once it's done it will look beautiful and be worth the effort, he said.
RESOLUTION FOR ZONING ENFORCEMENT: 3394 Torringford St., 761 Migeon Ave.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the following resolution:
Be it RESOLVED that Attorney Raymond Rigat, Corporation Counsel for the City of
Torrington, is hereby authorized to bring legal action forward for purposes of zoning
enforcement with respect to two properties:~ (1) 3394 Torringford Street, Ms. Pauline
Sullivan; AND (2) 761 Migeon Avenue, Mr. Mathias F. Auer LLC, A to Z Driveline.
ROADWAY WORK: Accept State/Regional Bids
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to waive the bid process and accept the State and Regional bids for roadway work and materials for the fiscal year 2013-2014 based on the State and Regional Contracts listed in Mr. Rollett's Memorandum regarding State/Regional Bids Acceptance dated May 14, 2013. (Addendum 2)
HVAC SERVICES CONTRACT
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent's recommendation to extend the current HVAC Services contract #HVAC-014-070711 with Air Temp Mechanical Services, Inc. of Southington, CT at an hourly rate of $74.00 for Journeyman and $50.00 for Apprentice, with subcontracted plumbers having the same rate, for the fiscal year 2013/2014.
PORTABLE TOILET RENTAL
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent's and Parks and Recreation Supervisor's recommendation to authorize the Mayor to award the rental of Portable Toilets to Suburban Sanitation Services of Canton, CT and have the Mayor act on behalf of the City regarding the execution of the contract and its administration.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Dept.'s Report for April, 2013. Councilor Zordan noted that the report has nearly doubled in a year.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Carbone, 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 Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Mr. Quartiero questioned the Antiblight Ordinance changes passed earlier in the meeting saying his staff edited this without responsibility and there were still unanswered questions, such as the ellipse in §161-9D(2)a. Atty. Rigat replied that the ellipse indicates where the sentence ends, the idea was to insert the assessment of $2500, and the ellipse should then be changed to a period before the next sentence.
ANTIBLIGHT ORDINANCE CHANGES: Amended Motion (see also page 1)
Councilor Zordan amended his previous motion to change §161-9D(2)a as previously passed, to what was just said by Atty. Rigat. Councilor Soliani amended her second and the correction was unanimously approved.
BUSINESS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
Mayor Bingham announced the upcoming fundraiser, Fireworks Wine Tasting, on June 14th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:05 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
City of Torrington
Cost Allocation Plan
Overview of Organization:
The City of Torrington is the largest municipality in Litchfield County with a population of over 36,000. It was incorporated as a city in 1740 and chartered as a city in 1923. It is governed by a Mayor and an elected council of six. City Hall is located at 140 Main Street, Torrington, CT.
Torrington’s city government provides a wide array of services to residents and visitors including police and fire protection, public works (streets, parks, sanitary sewer, streetlights), various administrative functions and municipal sewer services.
Overview of City Costs:
In accordance with state and federal guidelines, the operating costs of the City are assigned into appropriate categories as outlined below:
Direct Costs:
Direct costs are those that can be identified specifically with a department, program or activity. These items can include but are not limited to payroll, benefits, supplies and equipment, repairs, travel, education, and subcontractors.
Allocable direct costs are those that can be identified with more than one department, program or activity. These costs are allocated between departments and/or programs based on guidelines established by a formula most appropriate to the particular cost or by grant specific guidelines. These costs can include but are not limited to payroll, benefits, insurance, facilities maintenance, equipment and supplies and other miscellaneous services.
General and administrative costs for general management of the City of Torrington are not typically allocated to individual departments or grants.
Allocation of Costs
Employee Compensation:
Payroll costs are documented with timesheets identifying time spent for each department or grant. Salaries, wages and FICA are charged directly to the department or grant for which work has been done. Costs that impact on more than one function or grant will be allocated based on a formula most appropriate to the particular cost.
Employee Benefits:
Payroll taxes are allocated to departments and/ or grants based on the current percentage of cost to payroll expense. Medical and workers’ compensation insurance costs are determined by rates established by the insurance provider and are charged to grants where applicable. Employee benefits are not currently allocated to individual departments other than those attached to enterprise and/or internal service funds.
Non Payroll Costs:
All direct costs must have a direct pay voucher or purchase order and invoice on file.
Direct pay vouchers are utilized for mileage, seminars, dues, subscriptions and employee reimbursements only. Completed vouchers that identify line item allocation along with supporting documentation are approved by the department head and submitted for payment.
All other costs must be entered into the financial management system by authorized department personnel. All pertinent information concerning the item and the allocation to the appropriate line item must be included. Department head approval along with the purchasing agent and/or Mayor approval is required on all items processed through this system. Purchase orders that pertain to more than one department and/or function are allocated in the initial purchase order entry process.
This cost allocation plan has been designed to meet the current needs of the City and to comply with all state and federal regulations. Any changes to the plan must be approved by the Mayor, City Council and Board of Finance.
This cost allocation plan which is currently in effect has been reviewed and approved by the Mayor, City Council and Board of Finance as identified below.
Mayor/City Council: Date _____________________(Minutes attached)
Board of Finance: Date _______________________ (Minutes attached)
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