City of Meriden, CT - October 21, 2002 Minutes

The Meriden City Council’s regular meeting of October 21, 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 offered the invocation. The Clerk called the roll. Present: Robert Clermont, Matthew Dominello, Joseph Ferrigno Feest, Keith Gordon, Brian Kogut, George McGoldrick, Michael Rohde, Walter Shamock, Anthony Tomassetti and Stephen Zerio.

Stephen Zerio, made a motion, seconded by Keith Gordon, to invoke Rule 20 to bring forth a Consent Calendar and to approve the minutes of October 7, 2002 and to adopt the Consent Calendar as previously prepared. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 1. Petition with 35 signatures requesting that the City of Meriden provide Springdale Avenue with new sidewalks was referred to Public Works and Parks & Recreation.

Whereas, the City Council previously approved a lease agreement with the Castle Craig Players for 59 and 61 West Main Street; and

Whereas, the Castle Craig Players desire to expand into the ground floors of 63 and 65 West Main Street, which was previously approved by the City Council; and

Whereas, a lease agreement should be prepared with Castle Craig Players for this portion of 63 and 65 West Main Street, subject to the same terms and conditions as the previous lease agreement with them for 59 and 61 West Main Street; and

Whereas, the tenant at 63 West Main Street, Kitchens By Glen, be allowed to receive reimbursement for reasonable moving expenses for relocating their personal property to another suitable location within the City of Meriden; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the Corporation Counsel be directed to prepare a lease agreement with Castle Craig Players for the ground floors of 63 and 65 West Main Street; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the City Manager be directed to reimburse Kitchens By Glen for reasonable moving expenses (of up to $1,000) for the relocation of their personal property to another suitable location within the City of Meriden; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the City Manager be directed to authorize the Economic Development Director to work with Kitchens By Glen to find another suitable location within the City of Meriden.

Whereas, the top command staff of the Police Department, with the exception of the Deputy Chief and Chief of Police, are members of the police union; and

Whereas, the police Collective Bargaining Agreement excludes the ranks of Major, Deputy Chief and Chief of Police from the collective bargaining unit; and

Whereas, the addition of non-union personnel to the Executive Command Staff would further facilitate the mission of the police department; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the Police Chief is hereby authorized to hire a Major from among the sworn members of the police department. The position will be filled through the management hiring process. The Major would be placed at a salary between $65,000 - $70,000 dependent on experience and would receive the benefits of management members of the City. The rank, from which this appointee came, would not be filled in budget years 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 and the salary would be applied to the salary established for this position. Additional monies necessary would come from the police salary line item for 2002/2003 from unfilled positions; and

Be It Further Resolved, that in future years if there appears to be a documented need for a second Major position, another could be filled while the position it comes from is eliminated.

A Major is a member of the Executive Staff of the Police Department, which consists of the Chief of Police and the Deputy Chief of Police. The primary duty of a Major is to plan, control and direct the work of an assigned division, and who has the authority and responsibility to recommend hiring selections, advancements and promotions, awards, reassignments and discipline, evaluate performance, including the retention of probationary employees; deal with

employees or unions to resolve complaints or grievances at the lowest level when designated by the Chief; and advise or represent the Chief of Police during collective bargaining negotiations and labor hearings when so designated by the Chief.

As a member of the Executive Staff, a Major also serves as an advisor and assistant to the Chief of Police on a day-to-day basis; is a high level representative of management to the community and the City staff; and the Commander of the Operational or Support Service functions.

In addition to the above, a Major will have substantial participation and decision making power that directly impacts upon the agency, including:

The formulation and execution of the overall management policies and programs that significantly affects the Police Support or Operational functions, or involves a substantial participation in the executive and administrative functions of the Office of the Chief.

Making personnel changes within the assigned departments or subdivision of the Police Department including but not limited to, selecting, removing, and assigning subordinates to particular tasks, activities, and projects.

Regularly exercises discretion and independent judgment in the management of assigned departments or subdivision of the Police Department, including the administration of all required tactical and strategic planning, organizing, staffing, directing, controlling, reporting, and budgeting processes and activities under his/her command, and all other aspects of the management of subordinates, including personnel administration, under the general supervision of the Chief of Police.

Item 4. Letter to Walter Shamock from Ray Parmentier to repave Ridgewood Road was referred to Public Works and Parks & Recreation.

Item 5. Bid Waiver from Jeffry Cossette, Deputy Chief of Police for computers, licensing and configuration utilizing State bid from Computers Plus Center who will deliver, install and configure all equipment was filed.

Item 6. Bid Waiver from Meriden Public Schools for the lease of two 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Sedans for use in Driver’s Education classes from Valenti Auto Sales was filed.

Item 7. Claims submitted against the City by Chandler Spears, 1444 Old North Colony Road, Meriden; Jaclyn Gilgallon, 80 Schwink Drive, Meriden; Deborah

Item 8. Your Finance Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning Law Enforcement Block Grant on 9/16/02, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption and the passage of the accompanying order:

Item 9A. Your Public Safety Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning Law Enforcement Block Grant on 9/16/02, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption.

Committee: Matthew C. Dominello, Sr., Chairman; Anthony D. Tomassetti, Vice-Chairman; Michael S. Rohde; Keith Gordon; Joseph Ferrigno Feest.

Item 9B. Your Public Safety Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning increasing lumens on Pole #1032 South Vine Street (opposite Dove Drive) on 9/16/02, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption.

Committee: Matthew C. Dominello, Sr., Chairman; Anthony D. Tomassetti, Vice-Chairman; Michael S. Rohde; Keith Gordon; Joseph Ferrigno Feest.

Item 9C. Your Public Safety Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning increasing lumens on both poles on Dove Drive on 9/16/02, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption.

Committee: Matthew C. Dominello, Chairperson; Anthony D. Tomassetti, Vice-Chairman; Michael S. Rohde; Keith Gordon; Joseph Ferrigno Feest.

Item 9D. Your Public Safety Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning increasing lumens on Pole #586 and #833 Centennial Avenue on 9/16/02, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption.

Committee: Matthew C. Dominello, Chairperson; Anthony D. Tomassetti, Vice-Chairman; Michael S. Rohde; Keith Gordon; Joseph Ferrigno Feest.

Item 10A. Your Economic Development, Housing & Zoning Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning properties at 77 Springdale Avenue and 49 Goodwill Avenue on 9/16/02, 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; Robert Clermont.

Be It Ordered, that 49 Goodwill Avenue be approved as recommended by the Planning Commission, that this lot be offered to the adjacent property owners, but not to be offered as a building lot; and

Item 10B. Your Economic Development, Housing & Zoning Committee, to whom was referred the letter to Mayor Benigni from Luis Rodriguez, 163 Lewis Avenue re: Lot at 157 Lewis Avenue on 9/16/02, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend denial and the passage of the accompanying order:

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

Item 10C. Your Economic Development, Housing & Zoning Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning disposition of certain city owned properties (1756, 1758 and 1772 North Broad Street) on 9/3/02, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption and the accompanying order:

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

Stephen Zerio made a motion, seconded by Brian Kogut, to go into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation. Motion carried unanimously. The time was 7:16 p.m.

Stephen Zerio made a motion, seconded by Brian Kogut, to come out of Executive Session. Motion carried unanimously. The time was 8:30 p.m.

There being nothing further to be brought before the Council, Stephen Zerio, made a motion, seconded by Keith Gordon, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m.