MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
DECEMBER 07, 2015
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, December 7, 2015.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, City Councilors Drake Waldron, Gregg Cogswell, Luisa Noujaim, Anne Ruwet, Paul Cavagnero and Daniel Farley. Police Chief Michael Maniago, Comptroller Alice Proulx, Fleet Manager Emil Castro, Parks and Recreation Superintendent Brett Simmons, Board of Education Facilities Manager David Bascetta and City Engineer Ed Fabbri were also present.
Mayor Carbone opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. starting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular meeting held November 9, 2015. Councilors Waldron, Farley and Noujaim abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular meeting held November 16, 2015. Councilors Cavagnero, Farley and Noujaim abstained.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Donna Georgescu of Allison Dr. spoke against the Streetlight Removal Plan.
Mayor Carbone announced a Public Informational Meeting to be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2016. She explained the plan that was approved on November 16th is one that meets outdoor lighting regulations adopted in 2001 by the Planning & Zoning Commission, has remained on the books for 14 years, and that is included in the Plan of Conservation and Development that was created in 2010.
PURCHASE RECREATION DEPT. VEHICLES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet and pending the approval of the Board of Finance on December 15, 2015, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board to purchase a Jeep Patriot or Equivalent not to exceed $26,200.
PURCHASE FIRE DEPT. VEHICLES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Farley and pending the approval of the Board of Finance on December 15, 2015, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board to purchase two Ford Explorers not exceed $57,777. Councilor Ruwet offered her assurance that these purchases are within budget and in accordance with the Vehicle Replacement Plan.
PURCHASE POLICE DEPT. VEHICLES
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Waldron and pending the approval of the Board of Finance on December 15, 2015, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board to waive the bid process and purchase off the State Contract the following vehicles from M.H.Q. of Middletown, CT:
One (1) Low profile Ford Explorer for the Detective division not to exceed $35,201
One (1) K-9 Utility vehicle outfitted with K-9 cage/fan and door prop not to exceed $40,454.
Four (4) Patrol Utility Interceptors at $35,987 each, not to exceed $143,947, ordered before 1/8/16.
One (1) Patrol Supervisor Unit / Ford Expedition not to exceed $40,252.
One (1) Low profile Utility Interceptor vehicle for the Traffic Department not to exceed $34,252. (note: this vehicle has been moved forward for replacement due to undercarriage rusting issues)
AGREEMENT: Bishop Donnelly Sports Complex
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to enter into a License Agreement with the Catholic Cemeteries Assn. of the Archdiocese of Hartford, Inc., for the use of Bishop Donnelly Sports Complex as a City Park and Athletic Field for a five-year period ending November 30, 2020.
RESOLUTION: THS ADA Interior Compliance Project
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the following resolution authorizing that a grant may be applied for regarding the THS ADA Interior Compliance Project, that the THS ADA Interior Compliance Project Building Committee is hereby established, with David Bascetta as the building committee, that schematic drawings and outline specifications for the project are to be prepared, that the THS ADA Interior Compliance Project in the amount of $1,292,500.00 is approved with funds budgeted for FY2015-2016 from the Board of Education’s Capital Improvement Fund and that this project is eligible for reimbursement from the State of Connecticut at the rate of 72.5% on the dollar, leaving the City of Torrington’s share to be approximately $355,437.00:
RESOLVED:
That the City Council/Mayor in the City of Torrington, with the Mayor as it’s representative, authorizes the Torrington Board of Education to apply to the Commissioner of Education and to accept or reject a grant for the Torrington High School ADA Interior Compliance Project.
RESOLVED:
That the Torrington High School ADA Interior Compliance Project Building Committee is hereby established as THE BUILDING COMMITTEE with regard to the proposed Torrington High School ADA Interior Compliance Project, naming David Bascetta, Director of Facilities as THE BUILDING COMMITTEE.
RESOLVED:
That the City Council in the City of Torrington with the Mayor as it’s representative, hereby authorizes, at least, the preparation of schematic drawings and outline specifications for the Torrington High School ADA Interior Compliance Project.
RESOLVED:
That the City of Torrington approve the Torrington High School ADA Interior Compliance Project in the amount of $1,292,500.00. The funds were budgeted for the 2015-2016 fiscal year from the Board of Education’s Capital Improvement Fund. This project is eligible for reimbursement from the State of Connecticut at the rate of 72.5% on the dollar, leaving the City of Torrington’s share to be approximately $355,437.00.
MAIN ST. REALIGNMENT & STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS PHASE II
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to award a contract to Morais Concrete Svc., Inc. of Ludlow, MA for the Main Street Realignment and Streetscape Improvements Phase II project for $718,223.
THS ATHLETIC FIELDS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to approve a payment of $71,410.07 to H.I. Stone & Son, Inc. for the balance retainage on the THS Athletic Fields project, Invoice Applic#8RE, dated Dec. 19, 2014.
FEASIBILITY STUDY
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, and pending Board of Finance approval, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract with Blum Shapiro for a Municipal and School District Consolidation Feasibility Study, not to exceed $50,000, regarding the consolidation of financial offices.
BUDGET AMENDMENTS/TRANSFERS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the budget amendments/transfers relating to union contracts approved by City Council on November 16, 2015, and as described in the Comptroller’s Memo dated December 2, 2015. Addendum 1
EXTEND ACTUARIAL SERVICES
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to award the extension of the Actuarial Services Contract with Cheiron, Inc. of McLean, VA through June 30, 2016 and to act on behalf of the City regarding the execution and administration of the contract.
SMALL CITIES
On an amended motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded as amended by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Small Cities Committee and approve Projects #143- 402, #143-387, #143-427, #143-391, #143-392, and #143-433.
On an amended motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded as amended by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to approve the following Small Cities payments:
Vendor Requisition # Date Amount Description Fund
Safe Homes Inc. SC-14-22 11/13/2015 $400.00 Lead Paint Test #143-391 277
Safe Homes Inc. SC-14-23 11/13/2015 $400.00 Lead Paint Test #143-392 277
City of Torrington 14-SC-58 11/10/2015 $225.00 (3) Title Searches 271
Transfer 14-SC-59 11/10/2015 $3,450.00 Project 143-358 271
Transfer 14-SC-60 11/23/2015 $400.00 Project 143-391 271
Transfer 14-SC-61 11/23/2015 $400.00 Project 143-392 271
Transfer 14-SC-62 11/23/2015 $5,372.00 Project 143-392 271
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to add the following to the agenda:
RESOLUTION: Emerg. Mgt./ Homeland Sec. Grant
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Councilmen may enter into with and deliver to the State of Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection 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 Board of Councilmen 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.
BUSINESS BY DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Farley, 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 Cavagnero, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
The Councilors congratulated the newly elected and thanked the electors for placing them there. Councilor Ruwet announced the birth of her granddaughter, Elizabeth Ellie May Bingham.
Mayor Carbone reported that she has filed an extension with the Office of Policy and Management for the single audit as some items may not be completed in time.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:08 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson, CMC, MCTC
Asst. City Clerk
| 
