City of Meriden, CT - April 1, 2002 Minutes

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

The Meriden City Council’s regular meeting of April 1, 2002 was convened at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Mark Benigni. Mayor Benigni led the Council in the salute to the flag and Matthew Dominello, Sr. offered the invocation. The Clerk called the roll. Present: Robert Clermont, Matthew Dominello, Joseph Ferrigno Feest, Joseph Galotti, Keith Gordon, Brian Kogut, Patricia Lynes, George McGoldrick, Michael Rohde, Walter Shamock, Anthony Tomassetti and Stephen Zerio.

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Roger L. Kemp, City Manager and Lawrence J. Kendzior, Corporation Counsel.

Stephen Zerio, made a motion, seconded by Patricia Lynes, to invoke Rule 20 to bring forth a Consent Calendar and to approve minutes of March 18, 2002 and to adopt the Consent Calendar and minutes as previously prepared. Motion carried unanimously.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Item 4. Presented by Stephen T. Zerio.

Whereas, The City of Meriden wishes to attract and retain the best top level management staff; and

Whereas, many professionals, in making a decision to come to Meriden and/or stay in Meriden, assess their benefit package; and

Whereas, for top level management, pension benefits are an important piece of the overall package; and

Whereas, at present only prior City of Meriden time can be purchased for pension credit; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that management employees defined as (Director of Parks & Public Works, City Attorney, Finance Director, MIS Director, Director of Meriden Public Library, Director of Planning, Personnel Director, City Manager, Director of Health & Human Services, Director of Economic Development) may purchase up to five (5) years of prior service (from which they are not currently collecting a pension) with a non-profit entity, other municipality or state. Purchase of time must be made prior to making an application for retirement. Cost of purchase will be equal to six percent (6%) of the earnings for such service plus accrued interest from date of earnings. Service must have been within one (1) year of employment with the City of Meriden. Service may be

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bought in no less than six (6) month increments. Employee must show, to the satisfaction of the Director of Personnel, all salary for each six (6) month period requested.

Payment may be a lump sum thirty (30) days after approval or one (1) year after approval in equal installments, however, interest will continue to accrue.

Referred to Finance for Public Hearing.

Item 5. Presented by Walter Shamock.

Be It Ordered, that the fine for littering in Meriden be $250.00.

Referred to Public Safety and Legal.

Item 6. Presented by Matthew C. Dominello, Sr.

Whereas, the lower level floor at the Max E. Muravnick Senior Center is uneven and there are many bumps and bulges in the floor due to a high water table and excess water pressure beneath the floor; and

Whereas, the floor is a welded sheet of vinyl floor with no seams or other openings to allow water vapor to escape from underneath the floor; and

Whereas, the hydrostatic water pressure under this floor has recently been measured at 16 pounds per square inch compared to a normal reading of 3 pounds per square inch; and

Whereas, these conditions are getting worse and the bumps in the floor present and ongoing safety hazard to Senior Center participants; and

Whereas, the lower level is heavily used on a daily basis by many Senior Center members for a variety of exercise and fitness activities including aerobics, line dancing, physical fitness, chair dancing, Tai Chi, weight training, sit down and tone up, powerful aging for women and more; and

Whereas, petitions with more than 200 signatures have been submitted by Senior Center members urging prompt attention to the potentially dangerous situation that these floor problems present; now, therefore,

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Be It Resolved, that the City Council hereby appropriates $78,000 from the contingency fund for the cost of the total project. This shall include hiring a professional engineer to develop a remediation plan and bid specifications and to oversee construction. The scope of the project will be to remove all existing floor coverings from the Senior Center lower level including base and asbestos tiles, to shot blast all remaining glue and adhesive from the concrete floor and to install a new 12” x 12” porcelain tile floor; and

Further Resolved, the City Council hereby authorizes Purchasing Agent Wilma Petro to solicit competitive bids for this project and to move forward on the completion of this project as soon as possible for the benefits and safety of the members of the Senior Center.

Referred to Finance.

Item 7. Presented by Stephen T. Zerio.

Whereas, the Meriden Transit District (MTD) has received additional funds from the State to provide transit services; and

Whereas, the adopted budget for the MTD must be amended to accommodate these changes; and

Whereas, revenues are increasing by $34,155, expenditures are increasing by $30,090; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the revenues and expenditures for the MTD are hereby amended by these amounts for the current fiscal year; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the City’s General Fund support for the MTD is also being reduced from $10,635 to $6,570.

Referred to Finance.

Item 8. Presented by Walter Shamock, Joseph Galotti, Joseph Ferrigno Feest, Robert Clermont, Anthony Tomassetti, Matthew Dominello and Michael Rohde.

Whereas, the City Council and the Mayor routinely receive requests for information and assistance from members of the public; and

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Whereas, many of these requests often require considerable research and coordination with many governmental agencies and with business and civic organizations; and

Whereas, the City Charter provides for an unclassified position of assistant to the City Council; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that:

The following shall is hereby enacted as Article XIV of the City Code.

§3-33. Position established.

There shall be a position of Constituent Caseworker. Said position shall be an unclassified position to assist the City Council in the performance of its duties, as provided in §C9-3 of the City Charter. Said position shall be filled by appointment of the Mayor confirmed by approval of a majority of the City Council.

The appointee shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council for a period terminating, if not sooner, on the first Monday of each December following each biennial municipal election.

The job description and duties of said position shall be as may be approved by the City Council from time to time.

Be It Further Resolved that:

The attached job description for Constituent Caseworker is hereby approved.

CONSTITUENT CASEWORKER

This is administrative and professional work providing specialized staff assistance to the City Council and Mayor. The position is not included in the classified service per §C9-3 of the Charter, and is filled by appointment of the Mayor subject to approval of the City Council, with the appointee serving at the pleasure of the City Council.

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Work involves responding to citizen inquiries and complaints, facilitating solutions and mediating between citizens and government officials, and performing other tasks as assigned by the City Council and the Mayor.

Assists the City Council and Mayor in responding to citizen inquiries and complaints.

Assists citizens in resolving problems with public agencies.

Provides information on governmental resources and programs. Investigates facts, records, laws, policies and procedures.

Mediates solutions to simple and complex complaints.

Acts as liaison between municipal elected officials and the public.

Performs routine tasks for the City Council and the Mayor and represents the Mayor in dealings with employees, businesses, civic organizations and the public.

Attends meetings of the City Council, municipal boards and commissions, other government agencies, committees and the like, as assigned by the City Council and Mayor.

Does considerable research and analysis, gathers statistical and other data, and prepares written reports for the City Council and Mayor.

Performs related work as required.

DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.

Considerable knowledge of local, state and federal organizations and services.

Ability to express ideas effectively in oral and written form.

Good interpersonal skills, and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected and appointed members and employees of municipal, state and federal governmental organizations, businesses, civic organizations and the public.

DESIRABLE EXPERINCE AND TRAINING

Bachelor’s degree; plus demonstrated, positive involvement with a variety of civic and/or citizen groups and activities, or prior employment experience in constituent casework or similar.

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Item 9. Letter to Mayor Benigni from Doug Giacco re: City helping to redo the walk paths at Mustone Park was referred from Public Works and Parks & Recreation.

Item 10. Letter to City Council from Anthony Perrucci, 4 Hilltop Road re: Road be widened and straightened at corner of Hicks Avenue and Hilltop Road was referred to Public Safety.

Item 11. Bid Waiver from Police Department for $40,385.00 for Mobile Vision to purchase camera equipment for the police cruisers. This would be covered under a state bid. Filed.

Item 12. Letter to City Council from Planning Commission re: Landfill Reuse Committee’s Report which recommends that once the ordered recapping work is done (3 years) it will be at least 7 years until the landfill could be used for anything. This ten-year horizon is the reason the Committee feels that it would be premature to propose any uses. Filed.

Item 13. Letter to City Council from Planning Commission re: Open Space – 379 Oregon Avenue – Esposito Property and their recommendation not to acquire the property. Filed.

Item 14. Jeffrey Mongillo, 116 Kathyrn Lane, Plantsville was referred to Legal and Safety & Risk.

Item 21. Minutes of Flood Control Implementation Agency Meeting of 3/5/02 were filed.

Item 22. Minutes of the Meriden Municipal Pension Board Meeting of 3/12/02 were filed.

Item 23. Minutes of Golf Course Commission Meeting of 2/25/02 was filed.

Item 24. Minutes of Public Utilities Commission Meeting of 1/15/02 was filed.

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Item MNO25. Withdrawn.

Item MNO26. Presented by Mark Benigni, by request.

Whereas, the State of Connecticut through its State Library is making paper/preservation/conservation grants available for the preservation of vital municipal records in the City/Town Clerk Offices; and

Whereas, the City of Meriden is eligible for $10,000 for such a conservation grant; and

Whereas, The City of Meriden has numerous Vitals, Land Records, and indices that are in need of preservation; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that Roger L. Kemp, City Manager is hereby authorized to execute and deliver in the name of and on behalf of the City of Meriden, an application and contract with the Connecticut State Library for a Historic Preservation Grant.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

Item 1. Presented by Mark Benigni.

Whereas, each year the Meriden Lodge Elks #35 honors a worthy member of Irish ancestry as “Irishman of the Year” and Martin Schmidt, native of Meriden, is this year’s honoree for 2002; and

Whereas, Martin, an active member of 31 years, was one of the original committee members for the Irish Night Committee, has served on the Arm Wrestling Committee “We Pull for Kids”, House Committee, Welfare Committee, Head Cleaning Committee Chairman, as well as his involvement with the Annual Easter Egg Hunt, was Exalted Ruler from 1987-1988 and is past trustee chairman; and

Whereas, Martin, when he is not involved with the Meriden Elks, is employed by Form-All Plastics as well as running his metal casting business, a family business created by his father 60 years ago; and

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Whereas, it is only fitting that Martin F. Schmidt be honored for his dedication and contributions as a member of the Meriden Elks and to our community; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, by the Mayor and Meriden City Council that we do hereby extend our congratulations to Martin F. Schmidt for being named “Irishman of the Year” for 2002; and

Furthermore, that family, friends, acquaintances and citizens of Meriden take notice that Tuesday, April 2, 2002 has been proclaimed as “Martin F. Schmidt Day” in the City of Meriden to publicly thank Marty for all the time and energy that he has dedicated to the Meriden Elks and to our community.

Walter Shamock, made a motion, seconded by Joseph Feest, to adopt. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Benigni asked Deputy Mayor Shamock, Minority Leader Feest and Deputy Majority Leader Dominello to join him in the ellipse. Mayor Benigni gave a framed resolution to Mr. Schmidt and the Council gave him a standing ovation.

Item 2. Presented by Mark Benigni.

Whereas, Luis Murillo, Jr., student of Platt High School and native son, has captured the State Open Wrestling Championship; and

Whereas, the sport of wrestling seems to be a natural for Luis Murillo, Jr. who followed in his father’s footsteps, for 20 years Luis Murillo, Sr., a student also at Platt High School, attained the same State Championship; and

Whereas, Luis, Sr. noticed that his son, at the young age of 8, did have a gift for this sport and training began for Luis in their basement; and

Whereas, throughout his elementary and middle school years, Luis’ hard work and sacrifice paid off as he won not only tournaments locally, but tournaments as far away as Maryland; and

Whereas, Luis’ wrestling record for Platt High School is impressive, in his senior year, 40-1, attaining 1st Class M, being named Platt’s All Time Winner, Three-time Academic All-State, in addition to his most recent win, the State Open Wrestling Championship; now, therefore,

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Be It Resolved, by the Mayor and Meriden City Council that we do hereby extend our congratulations to Luis Murillo in attaining the State Open Wrestling Championship; and

Furthermore, that family, friends and citizens of Meriden take notice that Wednesday, April 3, 2002, has been proclaimed as “Luis Murillo, Jr. Day” in the City of Meriden in honor of Luis’ hard work and determination in the sport of wrestling and in winning the State Open Wrestling Championship.

Stephen Zerio, made a motion, seconded by Keith Gordon, to adopt. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Benigni asked Deputy Mayor Shamock, Majority Leader Zerio and Councilor McGoldrick to join him in the ellipse. Mayor Benigni asked Luis Murillo, Jr., Luis Murillo, Sr. and Brian McCarty, Coach of the Platt Wrestling to come forward. Mayor Benigni gave Luis Murillo, Jr. a framed copy of the resolution and the Council gave him a standing ovation.

Item 3. Presented by Matthew C. Dominello, Sr., Walter Shamock and Keith Gordon.

Whereas, more than 50 years ago, six million Jews were murdered in the Nazi Holocaust as part of a systematic program of genocide and millions of other people suffered as victims of Nazism; and

Whereas, the history of the Holocaust offers an opportunity to reflect on the moral responsibilities of individuals, societies, and governments; and

Whereas, the people of the City of Meriden should continually rededicate themselves to the principle of equal justice for all people; and

Whereas, the people of the City of Meriden should remain eternally vigilant against all tyranny, and recognize that bigotry provides a breeding ground for tyranny to flourish; and

Whereas, the Days of Remembrance have been set aside for the people of the City of Meriden to remember the victims of the Holocaust as well as to reflect on the need for respect of all peoples; and

Whereas, April 9th has been designated pursuant to an Act of Congress and internationally as a “Day of Remembrance of Victims of the Nazi Holocaust”, known as Yom Hashoah; and

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Whereas, it is appropriate for the people of the City of Meriden to join in the international commemoration; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, and in the hope that we will strive always to overcome prejudice and inhumanity through education, vigilance and resistance, the week of April 7th through April 14th, 2002 is hereby designated as “The Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust”.

Matthew Dominello, made a motion, seconded by Keith Gordon, to adopt. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 15A. Your Finance Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning a grant to purchase supplemental traffic enforcement equipment on 3/18/02, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend ADOPTION and the passage of the accompanying order:

Committee: Brian F. Kogut, Chairman, Keith Gordon, Vice-Chairman, Stephen T. Zerio, Walter A. Shamock and Joseph R. Galotti, Jr.

Be It Ordered, that an appropriation of $5000 be approved from the Contingency Fund as the City’s share of the $25,000 grant; and

Be It Further Ordered, that a loan in the amount of $20,000 be approved in anticipation of the grant reimbursement.

Brian Kogut, made a motion, seconded by Keith Gordon, to adopt. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 15B. Your Finance Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning an amendment to GPIB #48 – “Putnam, Hale, Sherman Elementary Schools – Architectural and Legal - $370,600” on 3/18/02 report that they have attended to the matter and recommend ADOPTION.

Committee: Brian F. Kogut, Chairman, Keith Gordon, Vice-Chairman, Stephen T. Zerio, Walter A. Shamock and Joseph R. Galotti, Jr.

Brian Kogut, made a motion, seconded by Keith Gordon, to adopt. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 15C. Your Finance Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning an amendment to GPIB #55 – “Police Court Complex – Architectural and Legal Fees –

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$158,600” on 3/18/02 report that they have attended to the matter and recommend ADOPTION.

Committee: Brian F. Kogut, Chairman, Keith Gordon, Vice-Chairman, Stephen T. Zerio, Walter A. Shamock and Joseph R. Galotti, Jr.

Brian Kogut, made a motion, seconded by Keith Gordon, to adopt. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 16A. Your Economic Development, Housing & Zoning Committee, to whom was referred a letter from Rev. Angel Ramos of the Iglesia Roca de Salvacion Church, 64 Grove Street regarding demolition of 88 Grove Street on 1/22/02 report that they have attended to the matter and recommend DENIAL and the passage of the accompanying order:

Committee: Stephen T. Zerio, Chairman, George McGoldrick, Vice-Chairman, Patricia D. Lynes, Joseph Ferrigno Feest and Robert Clermont.

Be It Further Ordered, that this request be denied as recommended by the Planning Commission.

Stephen Zerio, made a motion, seconded by Patricia Lynes, to adopt. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 16B. Your Economic Development, Housing & Zoning Committee, to whom was referred a resolution concerning the City Manager be directed to direct the Planning & Engineering Dept. to conduct a traffic, development and zoning study of West Main Street corridor to identify improvements to the existing conditions and a plan for future development on 1/7/02, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend ADOPTION.

Committee: Stephen T. Zerio, Chairman, George McGoldrick, Vice-Chairman, Patricia D. Lynes, Joseph Ferrigno Feest and Robert Clermont.

Stephen Zerio, made a motion, seconded by Patricia Lynes, to adopt. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 16C. Your Economic Development, Housing & Zoning Committee, to whom was referred a letter to City Council from Scott & Jennifer Perzanowski, 82 Daffodil Lane re: Accepting the cul-de-sac at the end of Daffodil Lane as a City Street (Original address for zoning – 175 Alexander Drive) on 1/7/02, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend ADOPTION and the passage of the accompanying order:

Committee: Stephen T. Zerio, Chairman, George McGoldrick, Vice-Chairman, Patricia D. Lynes, Joseph Ferrigno Feest and Robert Clermont.

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Be It Further Ordered, that this item be approved as recommended by the Planning Commission.

Stephen Zerio, made a motion, seconded by Patricia Lynes, to adopt. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 16D. Your Economic Development, Housing & Zoning Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning the Manufacturing Assistance Program on 1/22/02, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend ADOPTION.

Committee: Stephen T. Zerio, Chairman, George McGoldrick, Vice-Chairman, Patricia D. Lynes, Joseph Ferrigno Feest and Robert Clermont.

Stephen Zerio, made a motion, seconded by Patricia Lynes, to adopt. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 17. Your Human Services Committee, to whom was referred a resolution concerning continuance of Health Coverage for employees of Head Start Program on 2/19/02, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend REFERRING THIS TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION.

Committee: Stephen T. Zerio, Chairman, George McGoldrick, Vice-Chairman, Patricia D. Lynes, Joseph Ferrigno Feest and Robert Clermont.

Patricia Lynes, made a motion, seconded by Robert Clermont, to adopt and refer to Finance Committee. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 18A. Your Public Works and Parks & Recreation Committee, to whom was referred a resolution concerning staff develop design, discuss with neighbors & refer back to Public Works for Elmwood Park on 1/22/02, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend the following: