MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
July 16, 2013, adjourned from July 15, 2015
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, having been adjourned from Monday, July 15, 2013.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan Bingham, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, City Councilors Gregg Cogswell, Drake Waldron, Gerald Zordan, and Elinor Carbone. City Councilors Paul Samele and Marie Soliani were absent. Also present were Public Works Director Gerald Rollett, City Engineer Edward Fabbri, Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, and Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Pepler.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Public Hearing and Regular Meeting held June 17, 2013.
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special and Telephonic Meeting held jointly with the Board of Finance on June 24, 2013.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Public Hearing and Regular Meeting held July 1, 2013.
ARTS & CULTURE COMM.: E. Cannata, M. McAllister, F. Demerill
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to accept the following Mayoral appointments to the Arts & Culture Commission:
Ed Cannata to replace Sally Bergad, who resigned 7/9/2013, for a 2-year term expiring 12/31/2014
Michael McAllister to replace Gail Kruppa, for a 2-year term expiring 12/31/2014
Fiona Demerill to replace Jessica Hodorski, who resigned in Dec. 2012, for a 4-year term expiring 12/31/2016
HISTORIC PROPERTIES COMM.: Trivella, Boe, Cannata, Haygood, McEachern, Cook, Lipinski
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted unanimously to accept the following Mayoral appointments to the Historic Property Commission:
Marc Trivella, 3-year term expiring July 15, 2016
Michael Boe, 3-year term expiring July 15, 2016
Ed Canata, 2-year term expiring July 15, 2015
William Haygood, 2-year term expiring July 15, 2015
Mark McEachern, 1-year term expiring July 15, 2014
Edward Cook, alternate member
Travis Lipinski, alternate member
RESOLUTION: Historic Documents Preservation Grant
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the following resolution:
Resolved: That Ryan J. Bingham, Mayor, is empowered to execute and deliver in the
name and on behalf of this municipality a contract with the Connecticut State Library
for an Historic Documents Preservation Grant.
SIDEWALK MASTER PLAN
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to refer the Sidewalk Master Plan to the Planning & Zoning Commission for an 8-24 Recommendation.
Mr. Fabbri explained that in light of increased sidewalk complaints, a procedure has been followed to process and document each complaint. He said that part of the overall scheme is to revisit that procedure, considering liabilities, inspections and responsibilities. The other piece involves new home construction or driveway renovation where sidewalk installation is required, he said.
Mr. Fabbri said this draft Master Plan is an attempt to look at all the streets, assess sidewalk needs, forward it to the Planning & Zoning Commission, get public input, and have a committee review it.
Councilor Zordan asked if this is a duplication of the Complete Streets Resolution that was passed several months ago. Mr. Fabbri said no. Councilor Zordan asked if the Plan for Conservation and Development also addressed sidewalks.
Mayor Bingham explained that this takes a lot of the previous work that was done and puts it into a specific sidewalk plan. He said we want to develop a master plan with specifications that are achievable and don’t have exorbitant costs, especially if we're going to invest public funds, or ask property owners to clean up their sidewalks. This is a balance between a lot of different pieces of information that Engineering, Public Works, the Mayor's Office and the City Attorney's office compiled in an effort to make sidewalk improvement attainable.
Councilor Zordan asked how the needs will be determined. Mr. Rollett replied that he would like better input from the public and to see a committee appointed by City Council to work with the Public Works, Building, and Land Use Departments to get a more global picture of the right sidewalk master plan for the City.
Councilor Carbone said this is a great first step and recounted the young man who recently came before Council to identify areas in our sidewalks that didn't allow for wheelchair accessibility. She said she would love to receive input via a public hearing and is in favor of developing a committee to work on this. She asked if a plan like this improves our qualifications for receiving grant funding. Mayor Bingham said it would, and offered East Main Street as an example of an area that needs a sidewalk plan before grants can be applied for.
MUNICIPAL RENOVATIONS
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to approve a payment of $1,000 from Municipal Renovation Fund #316 to Larry O's Masonry for Invoice #56, repair to masonry door. Mr. Rollett explained that a limestone lintel had a crack in it after the building was renovated. He added that some issues need time to be done correctly.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Dept.'s Report for June, 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 pubic. There was no one present who wished to speak.
BUSINESS BY DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
Atty. Rigat said Mr. Enoch Little entered into a stipulated judgment with the City for cleanup of his property. He said cleanup efforts began on the 24th of June and were completed on the 27th. The City agreed to pay the contractor $12,000 for the cleanup, he said, and that is protected by a lien on the property.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Councilor Zordan, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted
unanimously to add to the agenda.
PROPERTY CLEANUP: E. Little
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Zordan, the Council voted
unanimously to approve the payment of $12,000 for the cleanup at Mr. Little's property.
BUSINESS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
Mayor Bingham announced the opening of four cooling centers in Torrington for the hot weather.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 6:46 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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