MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY
April 18, 2016
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the City Council & WPC Authority in the City Hall Auditorium on Monday, April 18, 2016.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Jaime LaMere, City Councilors Paul Cavagnero, Anne Ruwet, Gregg Cogswell, Daniel Farley, Luisa Noujaim and Drake Waldron.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:33 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 April 4, 2016. Councilor Noujaim abstained.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting held jointly with the Board of Public Safety on April 6, 2016.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Ed Aram and Mario Longobucco thanked the Mayor, Council, City staff and community for their part in the THS Athletic Field project. They presented Mayor Carbone with a Distinguished Track and Field Facility Award in recognition of excellence in design and construction from the American School Builders Association, saying the Torrington High School Track and Field Complex was rated number one in the country. Mayor Carbone commended Mr. Aram for all his work on the project.
AGREEMENT: City and Local 442 AFSCME 2015 to 2018
On a motion by Councilor Farley, seconded by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to approve an agreement between the City of Torrington and the Torrington Police Department Union Local 442 AFSCME Council 4 effective 7/1/2015 through 6/30/2018.
SOLAR PROJECT
Public Works Director Jerry Rollett explained he is looking for an ongoing lease negotiation for a solar project at the city landfill.
Mr. Ryan Linares of Greenskies Renewable Energy, LLC spoke on behalf of a proposed solar project, explaining that the State DEEP issued an RFP in early March, tied to an agreement, calling for renewable energy from 2 megawatts to 20 megawatts. He said that in this case, Greeenskies would have to enter into a lease agreement rather than sell energy directly to the town. Mayor Carbone said the City will continue in its efforts to negotiate what the terms of that agreement would be.
Mr. Rollett explained his preference for a lease option, rather than a power-purchase agreement, to avoid tying the City into a 20-year commitment to fluctuating electric prices. Mayor Carbone noted that the negotiations are ongoing and the project bid award decision will be brought to City Council.
8-24 Referral
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to forward the proposed project to the Planning & Zoning Commission for an 8-24 Referral. Councilor Cogswell abstained.
Schedule Public Hearing
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to schedule a public hearing regarding the lease of city property for Monday, May 2nd 2016. Councilor Cogswell abstained.
NEWFIELD ROAD CULVERT REPLACEMENT
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to award Bid #NCR-027-040616 to WW Manchester Construction of Bristol, CT, in the amount of $67,300 and to act on behalf of the City in its regard.
MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Mayor’s appointment of Jonathan Ryan to the Economic Development Commission for a five-year term to expire 2/9/2019.
SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING: E. BASIN SEWER REHAB
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to schedule a public hearing to be held on May 2, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. for the East Basin Sewer Rehabilitation Project.
HVAC MONITORING SYSTEM – POLICE DEPT.
On a motion by Councilor Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent and Police Chief’s recommendation to waive the formal bid process and approve Automated Building System, Inc. of Glastonbury, CT as the provider for the HVAC Monitoring System upgrade for an estimated cost of $13,984 pending Board of Public Safety approval. Chief Maniago explained that the bid process should be waived because this company is familiar with the Police Dept. HVAC system and offers a better price.
BUDGET AMENDMENTS/TRANSFERS
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to authorize the Comptroller to complete the FY2015/2016 budget amendments/transfers listed in the memo dated April 6, 2016, pending Board of Finance approval on April 20, 2016.
TAX REFUNDS
On an amended motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded as amended by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the refunds indicated on the list dated April 7, 2016, contingent upon clarification of two refunds in the amount of $210.45 and $591.09.
WPCA - Sewer Tax Refunds
Acting herein as the Water Pollution Control Authority, on a motion by Councilor Noujaim, seconded by Councilor Farley, the Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the sewer usage refunds indicated on the list dated April 7, 2016.
BUILDING DEPT. REPORT
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Ruwet, the Council voted unanimously to accept the Building Dept. Report for March 2016.
BUSINESS: Department 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 Cogswell, seconded by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the City Council.
Councilor Cogswell thanked those who served on the THS Turf Committee and said he was happy to be a part of that process. He requested monthly Economic Development Reports and an update from the Tax Collector on how things are going.
Councilor Ruwet announced the upcoming Regional Town Hall meeting to keep the UConn Torrington branch here and thanked the Mayor for her efforts.
Councilor Farley pointed out that the Building Department Reports give a good picture of our economic development and said he finds the signs encouraging. Mayor Carbone recommended a monthly written Economic Development Report.
Councilor Noujaim noted that residents’ anxiety about our education system’s future is increasing daily.
Mayor Carbone explained that it is a function of the Board of Finance to review the Education budget, and encouraged all to attend the Joint Meeting of the Board of Education and Board of Finance on Wednesday. She added that everyone should attend the Regional Town Hall meeting on April 21st to protest UConn’s proposed closing of the Torrington branch. Mayor Carbone said the current Main Street sidewalk reconstruction will have remarkable results and urged everyone to support downtown businesses during this time, and take advantage of the free parking.
OPEN TO PUBLIC: Agenda Items Only
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Noujaim, the Council voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public to discuss agenda items only.
George Craig asked how economically feasible the contractual agreement has been for the solar installation at Forbes School. Mayor Carbone noted that that project had an educational component and received some State reimbursement. She recommended Mr. Craig refer his question to the Board of Education.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilor Ruwet, seconded by Councilor Cogswell, the Council adjourned at 7:19 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson CMC
Asst. City Clerk
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