MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
March 17, 2014
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the Auditorium on Monday, March 3, 2014.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat and City Councilors Anne Ruwet, Gregg Cogswell, Drake Waldron, Paul Cavagnero and Christopher Anderson. Also present were IT Director Gerald Crowley, Superintendent of Parks & Recreation Brett Simmons, Comptroller Alice Proulx, Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Director of Public Works Gerald Rollett, City Engineer Ed Fabbri, Fleet Manager Emil Castro, Superintendant of Streets Robert Lizotte, Economic Development Director Erin Wilson, Police Chief Michael Maniago and Mayoral Aid Timothy Waldron. City Councilor Paul Samele was absent.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously
to accept the minutes of the Public Hearing and Regular Meeting held March 3, 2014.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously
to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting held March 3, 2014
OPEN TO PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously
to open the meeting to the public.
Catherine Grenier of E. Center St. spoke about her ongoing issue with the Tax Collector. She said her taxes are always paid through her mortgage holder but was told she owes two payments plus interest. Ms. Grenier said she does not owe this money and has proof that her payments were made. She asked Council to do something about this.
TABLED: Discontinue Clark St.
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Board of Councilmen voted unanimously to table the discontinuance of a segment of Clark St. as referenced on a map titled Property Survey Depicting Abandonment of a Portion of Clark Street" dated August 25, 2010 prepared by the City of Torrington Engineering Dept. Mayor Carbone explained that we are waiting for a response from the State of Connecticut regarding this issue.
SALE OF WEBSITE
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Board of Councilmen voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement to sell the right, title, and interest of the "It's Happening Here" website to Evan Dobos of Picture This WebCenter for the sum of one dollar, tabled on January 6, 2014. Mayor Carbone noted that there is a provision in the agreement that the City could reacquire the site in the future. Ms. Wilson said she has reviewed the site and approves of it, but is unable to manage it. She said she thinks Mr. Dobos can take the site further than she can and noted that the site will be a great tool for promoting the city to potential new businesses. Ms. Wilson said she will partner with Mr. Dobos, who will include a monthly newsletter and blog from the
Economic Development Department on the site.
POLICE VEHICLES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Board of Councilmen voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board to approve the following scheduled vehicle purchases for the Police Department from MHQ (State Contract), having been approved by the Board of Public Safety on March 5, 2014: (1) Ford Explorer $33,200, (4) Utility Interceptors: (3) For Patrol $33,998 ea. (1) for the Deputy Chief $30,406, (1) Expedition for shift supervisors $38,182.
PURCHASE COMPUTERS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously
to accept the IT Director's recommendation to waive the bid process and purchase (17) desktop computers off a state contract for $632.00 each. Mr. Crowley said the city is running on older operating systems and this is the progression of desktop replacement. He added that this state contract offers the best prices.
RESOLUTION: Establish Data Connection- Reg'l. Perf. Incent. Grant
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously
to adopt a resolution endorsing the Regional Performance Incentive Program proposal referenced in CGS Section 4-124s as amended by Section 251 and 253 of PA13-247, for the purpose of accepting the IT Director's recommendation to establish a municipal data connection to the Nutmeg Network.
Mr. Crowley explained the Nutmeg Network is part of the State's fiber optic project used to connect schools, libraries and the police barracks throughout the state and which has grown to include public safety locations such as the Litchfield County Dispatch, the Police Department and now municipalities. He said the goal of putting all the region's municipalities on this digital highway will provide a platform for them to share resources, applications and services. Mr. Crowley said this Network will provide an
opportunity for Torrington to create a city-owned fiber optic connection to the firehouse, and added that it is quite extensive and highly resilient.
DISCUSSION: Public Act 13-61
Mayor Carbone explained that if the Council desired to pursue this, a recommendation would be made to the Ordinance Committee.
Atty. Rigat explained that there is an interested applicant looking for tax abatement and it is within Council's discretion to authorize this. He said he thinks it should be discussed more, and perhaps speak with the DEEP.
Mayor Carbone said we had a request from a commercial property owner that does have a renewable source of energy, to consider the idea of adopting this tax exemption. She said it would apply only to that piece of a renewable energy source. Mayor Carbone noted that there are a number of less limited alternative energy incentives and programs through CL&P, Yankee Gas, the Small Business Administration and the State that may serve as a way to attract business to the community. She asked the Council if they would like to forward this to the Ordinance Committee and the Council nodded their agreement. Councilor Cogswell requested more information on the amount of revenue loss they are considering with this adoption of PA13-61.
FOOTHILLS BMX LEASE
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously
to authorize the Mayor to sign a lease agreement with the Litchfield County BMX Group, Inc. for the use of Alvord Park through May 31, 2019.
RESOLUTION: Homeland Security Grant
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously
to adopt the following resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a MOA regarding the use of FFY13 State Homeland Security grant funding and custodial ownership of regional assets in DEMHS Region 5.
RESOLVED, that the City of Torrington may enter into with and deliver to the State of
Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (formerly the
Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security) any and all documents
which it deems to be necessary or appropriate; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that Elinor Carbone, as Mayor of the City of Torrington, is
authorized and directed to execute and deliver any and all documents on behalf
of the City of Torrington and to do and perform all acts and things which she
deems to be necessary or appropriate to carry out the terms of such documents,
including, but not limited to, executing and delivering all agreements and documents
contemplated by such documents.
BLDG. DEPT. REPORT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously
to accept the Building Department Report for February, 2014.
AUTHORIZE GENERAL FUND SALT OVERRUN
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously
to authorize funding of the 2013/2014 General Fund salt overrun as per the Comptroller's memo of March 14, 2014. Addendum 1
Mayor Carbone commended the Comptroller's efforts to find the funds to cover this. She said that Item #4 on the memo regarding an allocation to the various City Departments that also use this salt is probably the most prudent way to recover that last $39,000.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously
to add Section B to the Agenda.
SMALL CITIES PROJECT #143-375
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously
to accept the recommendation of the Small Cities Subcommittee regarding Project #143-375. Councilor Waldron explained that this is an emergency project that carries no risk to the City.
BUSINESS BY DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously
to consider business presented by Department Heads.
BUSINESS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously
to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
Mayor Carbone announced the appointment of Tim Considine as Lord Mayor on St. Patrick's Day, being the first post-humus recognition in this annual event.
She noted the upcoming Community Tag Sale on Saturday, April 12th and the ribbon-cutting at the new JoAnn Fabric store. Mayor Carbone updated the Council on the Franklin Street property, saying she is working diligently to try to capitalize on the available Brownfield Revolving Loan funds before they expire. She congratulated Lynn Gelormino for her well-deserved appointment as Executive Director of the Warner Theatre and expressed her appreciation to the downtown merchants for their work in organizing their efforts.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously
to adjourn at 7:10 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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