MINUTES
PUBLIC HEARING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
March 16, 2015
A PUBLIC HEARING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, March 16, 2015.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, City Councilors Paul Cavagnero, Anne Ruwet, Christopher Anderson, Drake Waldron and Gregg Cogswell. City Councilor Paul Samele was absent. Also present were Personnel Director Thomas Gritt, Elderly Services Director Joel Sekorski, City Treasurer Arthur Mattiello, Comptroller Alice Proulx, Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, and Public Works director Gerald Rollett. Small Cities Administrator Peter Testa was also present.
Mayor Carbone called the public hearing to order at 6:30 p.m.
City Clerk Joseph Quartiero read the legal notice.
Mr. Testa explained how the program works and updated the Council on the current status of the Small Cities loan progam.
There was no one present who wished to speak.
Mayor Carbone closed the public hearing at 6:37 p.m.
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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
March 16, 2015
Mayor Carbone called the REGULAR MEETING to order at 6:37 p.m. starting 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 Regular Meeting held March 2, 2015.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no one present who wished to speak.
RESOLUTION: SMALL CITIES GRANT APPLICATION
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, Federal monies are available under the Connecticut Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program, administered by the State of Connecticut, Department of Housing pursuant to Public Law 93 – 3 83, as amended; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 127c, and Part VI of Chapter 130 of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Commissioner of Housing is authorized to disburse such Federal monies to local municipalities; and,
WHEREAS, it is desirable and in the public interest that the City of Torrington make application to the State for $400,000 in order to undertake a Small Cities Community Development Program and to execute an Assistance Agreement therefore, should one be offered.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL:
1. That it is cognizant of the conditions and prerequisites for State Assistance imposed by Part VI of Chapter 130 of The Connecticut General Statutes; and,
2. That the filing of an application by the City of Torrington in an amount not to exceed $400,000 is hereby approved, and that the Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to file such Application with the Commissioner of the Department of Housing, to provide such additional information, to execute such other documents as may be required by the Commissioner, to execute an Assistance Agreement with the State of Connecticut for State financial assistance if such an Agreement is offered, to execute any amendments, rescissions, and revisions thereto, to carry out approved activities and to act as the authorized representative of the City of Torrington.
CONTINGENCY FUND: Repair Entrance
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the use of $9,500 of Contingency Funds to repair flagstones at the City Hall front entrance, which present a potential trip hazard, pending Board of Finance approval on Mar. 17, 2015.
BUDGET AMENDMENT: Pension Funding
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the budget amendment described in the Comptroller’s Memo dated February 11, 2015, pending Board of Finance approval on March 17, 2015. Addendum 1
RESOLUTION: Fair Housing
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to readopt the Fair Housing Resolution:
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, or gender identity or expression 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.
POLICY: Fair Housing
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor ¬¬¬¬Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to readopt the Fair Housing Policy:
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 or 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.
TABLED: Fleet Tracking GPS – Dept. Public Works
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to table the decision on the Purchasing Agent’s and Department Heads’ recommendation to use Contingency Funds and authorize the Mayor to award, execute and administer a contract for the purchase of a Fleet Tracking GPS for the Public Works Department to Reltronics Technologies, Inc. of Rochester, NY in the amount of $39,846.00, pending Board of Finance approval on March 17, 2015.
UMBILICAL HOSE – WPCA CCTV Truck
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to waive the bid process and approve the purchase of an umbilical hose from Bahr Sales, Inc. of Wallingford, CT, in the amount of $15,000.00. Councilor Ruwet questioned the waiving of the bid process. Mr. Rollett explained that this is for an existing piece of equipment and Bahr Sales, Inc. is a sole source provider.
MANAGEMENT RESOLUTION UPDATE
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to approve the March 16, 2015 Update to the Management Resolution. Mr. Gritt explained there are language changes for wages to keep pay periods flat and wages lower, employee cost share increases, a PPO medical insurance plan default and the elimination of retired medical insurance offers for new-hires, increased life insurance benefits, the elimination of the Lincoln’s Birthday holiday, an increase in the defined contribution plan from 6% to 7%, the elimination of longevity payments for new-hires, and the increase of wages by 2 ½% in 2015 and 2% in 2016. Councilor Anderson abstained.
SENIOR CENTER AIR CONDITIONING SPLIT SYSTEM
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s and Services for the Elderly Director’s recommendation to authorize the Mayor to award, execute and administer a contract for the purchase of a Split System Unit and Extended Warrantee in the amount of $14,775.00 from SK Mechanical, LLC of Manchester, CT.
Building Department
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Department Report for January 2015.
Small Cities Grants
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Anderson, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the following payments:
Vendor Requisition # Invoice Date Fund Amount Description
NCDA HRLR-234 2/23/2015 250 $ 400.00 Winter Conference Registration Fee
Safe Homes Inc. ESC-13-15 1/21/2015 277 $ 400.00 Project 143-342
Safe Homes Inc. SC-14-01 2/23/2015 277 $ 800.00 Project 143-351
Safe Homes Inc. ESC-13-18 2/23/2015 277 $ 800.00 Project 143-348
Republican American 14-SC-06 2/12/2015 271 $ 195.02 Request for Proposal Ad
City of Torrington 14-SC-07 2/12/2015 271 $ 150.00 Two Title Searches
L. Wagner & Assocs. 14-SC-08 2/20/2015 271 $2000.00 Prof. Svcs. 1/1/15 – 2/27/15
L. Wagner & Assocs. 14-SC-09 2/20/2015 271 $8685.00 Prof. Svcs. 1/1/15 – 2/27/2015
--transfer-- 14-SC-10 2/23/2015 271 $ 800.00 Project 143-351
City of Torrington 14-SC-11 2/23/2015 271 $ 150.00 Two Title Searches
--transfer-- 14-SC-12 2/24/2015 271 $7400.00 Project 143-381
--transfer-- 14-SC-13 2/24/2015 271 $6525.00 Project 143-342
--transfer-- 14-SC-14 2/24/2015 271 $8102.00 Project 143-363
--transfer-- 14-SC-15 2/24/2015 271 $4975.00 Project 143-351
BUSINESS: DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads. No business was presented.
BUSINESS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council. No business was presented.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Anderson, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 5:53 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson CMC
Asst. City Clerk
Addendum 1
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