City of Meriden, CT - December 16, 2002 City Council Minutes

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

DECEMBER 16, 2002

The Meriden City Council’s regular meeting of December 16, 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, Joseph Galotti, Keith Gordon, Brian Kogut, Patricia Lynes, George McGoldrick, Michael Rohde, Walter Shamock and Stephen Zerio.

ABSENT: Anthony Tomassetti was on vacation.

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

Stephen Zerio, made a motion, seconded by Patricia Lynes, to bring forth a Consent Calendar and to approve the minutes of December 2, 2002 and to adopt the Consent Calendar as previously prepared. Motion carried unanimously.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Item 2. Presented by Stephen T. Zerio.

Whereas, the City has acquired certain properties through foreclosure; and

Whereas, certain of these properties are located at:

125 Franklin Street and 76 Sherman Avenue; and

Whereas, the City’s Economic Development Task Force is responsible for disposing of such properties; and

Whereas, the Economic Development Task Force recommends these properties to be sold to an adjoining property owner; and

Whereas, the Economic Development Task Force recommends these properties be combined with buyers property as a single parcel by a new deed and that no new housing units may be constructed to the combined parcel; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the aforementioned properties are hereby declared surplus and may be disposed of by said Task Force.

Referred to Economic Development, Housing & Zoning and Planning.

Item 3. Presented by Stephen T. Zerio.

Whereas, there is approximately $39,206.66 owed for delinquent taxes on property located at 142 Springdale Avenue; and

Whereas, the City has commenced an action to foreclose the liens securing the payment of those taxes; and

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DECEMBER 16, 2002

Whereas, no offers were received at a foreclosure auction ordered by the Court in the foreclosure action; and

Whereas, the property is the site of a gasoline/automobile service station and may have environmental problems; and

Whereas, Ross Gulino has offered to purchase the tax liens securing that property for the sum of $12,349.10 and to pay the quarterly payments of taxes due for July and October, 2002; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the City Manager, Tax Collector and City Attorney are authorized to execute any documents necessary for assignment of liens securing payment of sums owed for real estate taxes on property located at 142 Springdale Avenue in the usual form to Ross Gulino or his designee, for the payments set forth above.

Referred to Finance.

Item 4. Presented by Stephen T. Zerio, Matthew C. Dominello, Sr., Patricia D. Lynes, Anthony D. Tomassetti, Keith Gordon.

Whereas, in the past year, 250,000 Americans died of sudden cardiac arrest: one every two minutes; and

Whereas, almost a third of these deaths could have been prevented if an automated external defibrillator (AED) had been available for immediate use at the time of the emergency; and

Whereas, an AED is a device that can be easily used by a layperson to restart a heart that has stopped beating effectively; and

Whereas, each AED costs $3,500 and existing funds are available to purchase two (2) AED units; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the City of Meriden purchase 4 Automated External Defibrillators for placement in City Hall, the Public Library, the Senior Center and the Health Department; and

Be It Further Resolved, that two (2) AED units be purchased at a total cost of $7,000 with Contingency Funds.

Referred to Human Services and Finance.

Item 5. Presented by Patricia D. Lynes, by request.

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

DECEMBER 16, 2002

Whereas, the Meriden City Council approved a resolution at its November 18, 2002 meeting to accept immunizations grant monies from the State Department of Public Health in an amount not to exceed $172,460 (86,230 annually) for calendar years 1/1/03-12/31/03 and 1/1/04-12/31/04; and

Whereas, the State Department of Public Health has identified the availability of an additional $17,000 (8,500 annually) in grant monies for the immunization program in the 2003 and 2004 calendar years; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the Department of Human Services, Division of Health, is hereby authorized and directed to enter into contract for a grant from the State of Connecticut, Department of Health Services in an amount not to exceed $94,730 annually to assist in improvement of immunization levels in Meriden for the period 1/1/03-12/31/03 and 1/1/04-12/31/04; and

Be It Further Resolved, that Beth Vumbaco, R.N., M.S., Director of Health and Human Services, is hereby authorized to sign such application and that the Division of Health is hereby designated to administer said program and all activities will be carried out under the direction of Beth Vumbaco, R.N., M.S., Director of Health and Human Services.

Item 6. Presented by Brian F. Kogut.

Whereas, the City Council previously approved the participation of the City in the matter of Educational Cost Sharing Municipalities v. State of Connecticut; and

Whereas, on July 15, 2002, the City Council voted to end the participation of the City in that matter; and

Whereas, the City has received its final bill from Updike, Kelly and Spellacy, P.C., for legal services in that matter; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that $8,200.14 be appropriated from the Contingency Fund to pay fees to Updike, Kelly and Spellacy, P.C. for legal services in the above matter.

Referred to Finance.

Item 7. Presented by Mark Benigni, by request.

Be It Resolved, that Congresswoman Nancy Johnson can use an office at the Meriden Senior Center in accordance with the attached request.

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

DECEMBER 16, 2002

Congress of the United States

House of Representatives

Washington, D.C. 20515-0706

142 East Main Street

Thank you for all of your assistance with our transition. I appreciate all of your efforts.

As we discussed, Congresswoman Johnson would like to continue the tradition of having an office at the Meriden Senior Center. As you know, Congresswoman Johnson will be sworn in as Meriden’s Congressional Representative in the New Year and would like to use the office at that point on a part-time limited basis.

Please let me know what steps I need to take to have this request approved. I can be reached at 860-223-8412. Thank you for your help and please give my best to the Mayor.

P.S. Permission is requested to let Congresswoman Nancy Johnson use office space at our Senior Citizens Center.

Item 8. Presented by Robert Clermont.

Whereas, on March 18, 2002, the City Council authorized the City Manager to submit an application to the State Department of Environmental Protection for a grant to acquire property located at 379 Oregon Road for open space purposes, but the City was not successful in securing that grant at that time; and

Whereas, prior thereto the Conservation Commission requested that the City contact the owner of the above property to discuss acquisition of that property by the City; and

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DECEMBER 16, 2002

Whereas, on October 7, the City Council directed that the City Manager contact the owner of that property to ascertain the terms and conditions on which he might sell or transfer the property to the City, and the City Manager has done so; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that:

The City Manager prepare or have prepared a new grant application for funds to acquire property located at 379 Oregon Road for open space purpose, and submit same to the Department of Environmental Protection at the earliest opportunity in accordance with the Department’s requirements; and

The City Manager contact the owner of the property to negotiate and secure an option to purchase the property and preserve the property in its current undeveloped condition while the City’s application for grant acquisition funds is pending, and that the City Manager present the results of such negotiations back to the City Council within thirty days of adoption of this resolution.

Referred to Public Works and Parks & Recreation and Finance.

Item 9. Presented by Joseph Ferrigno Feest.

Be It Resolved, that a sidewalk be installed from Wilcox Technical School to Red Bridge (on the Humane Society side of the street).

Referred to Public Works and Parks & Recreation.

Item 11. Claims submitted against the City by Jeff Morris, 57 Spruce Street, Meriden; Marci Uliase, 181 Bee Street, Meriden; Lilease Johnson, 121 Pleasant Street, Meriden; Norman Morache, 135 Graveline Avenue, Meriden; Alfred Dreher, Jr., 451E Heritage Village, Southbury, CT.; Ryan Meacham, 50 Empire Rd., Meriden; Rose Costa, 345 Knob Hill Road, Meriden; Anne Schaefer, 140 Mayflower Lane, Meriden were referred to Legal and Safety & Risk.

Item 18. Flood Control Implementation Agency Meeting Minutes of November 5, 2002 were filed.

Item 19. Meriden Aviation Commission Meeting Minutes of November 12, 2002 were filed.

Item 20. School Building Committee Meeting Minutes of November 7, 2002 were filed.

Item 21. Commission for Persons with Disabilities Meeting Minutes of September 24, 2002 were filed.

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DECEMBER 16, 2002

Item 22. Meriden Public Library Board of Directors Meeting Minutes of October 28, 2002 were filed.

Item 23. Golf Course Commission Meeting Minutes of November 25, 2002 were filed.

Item MNO24. Petition with 9 signatures requesting stop signs be installed at the intersection of Dexter Avenue and Lydale Place to improve the safety at the corner was referred to Public Safety.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

Item 1. Presented by Mark D. Benigni, Matthew C. Dominello, Sr., Stephen T. Zerio.

Whereas, the 2002 Maloney Volleyball Team has attained an impressive undefeated record for the year, 14-0 for the regular season, and 18-0 for the CCC South Record; and

Whereas, the team, coached by Victor Rivera, brought back the CIAC Class L State title back to our City for the first time in 10 years; and

Whereas, it is only fitting that the Championship season accomplished by the Team and Coaches deserve the gratitude and recognition of the City of Meriden and this City Council for the exemplary fashion in which they represented our City; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that this City Council does hereby extends its heartiest congratulations to the members of the Maloney High School Girls Volleyball Team, and their Assistant Coaches: Peter Montemurro and Veronica Brooks, and Head Coach Victor Rivera in becoming the 2002 CCC Tournament Champions, and the 2002 CIAC Class L State Champions; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the City Council does honorably recognize the team for admirably displaying true teamwork and winning spirit while proudly representing the City of Meriden; and

Be It Further Resolved, that a copy thereof be spread upon the minutes of this City Council and that each member be publicly presented with a citation as an expression of appreciation and congratulations to the proud winners of the “2002 CIAC CLASS L STATE CHAMPIONSHIP”.

DATED AND PRESENTED, this 16th day of December, 2002.

Mayor Benigni invited Deputy Mayor Shamock, Majority Leader Zerio, Minority Leader Feest and Councilor Dominello to join him in the ellipse to present certificates and mugs to the following: Team Members Jessica Haller, Kiley Molinari, Stephanie Riter, Stephanie Hollman, Jasmine Lopez,

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

DECEMBER 16, 2002

Kelly DiNoia, Megan Wilson, Kim Cornell, Amy Zimmer, Angela Loomis, Caitlyn Allgaier, Julia Kovach, Danielle Filipowicz and Tri-Captains Cindy Lowe, Sarah Hewitt and Leah Hettrick. Assistant Coachs: Peter Montemurro and Veronica Brooks. Head Coach: Victor Rivera.

The City Council gave the team and coaches a standing ovation.

To: Roger L. Kemp, City Manager

From: Wilma C. Petro, CPPB, C.P.M., Purchasing Officer

Date: November 27, 2002

Subject: Request for Acceptance of Alternate Process

In June, the City Council added $30,000.00 to the MIS budget to hire a consultant to assist the Fire Department in addressing Fire Systems.

Deputy Chief Cossette and MIS Director Steve Montemurro found a person with both HTE experience and Public Safety experience. Tom Turski retired from the City of New Haven, where he gained a vast knowledge of HTE’s public safety applications. Both Deputy Chief Cossette and Steve Montemurro though Tom’s experience would be critical in addressing the computer application needs of the Fire Department, and after a preliminary interview felt he was a perfect fit for the position. Subsequently, Tom then interviewed with Acting Chief Clinton Ross, and Clinton also approved of his hiring.

Therefore, I am asking for your concurrence of this process.

Wilma C. Petro, CPPB, C.P.M.

Stephen Zerio, made a motion, seconded by Brian Kogut, to file. After discussion, Walter Shamock, made a motion, seconded by Michael Rohde, to move the question. Motion carried unanimously. Vote taken on base motion to file and carried unanimously.

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

DECEMBER 16, 2002

Item 12A. Your Finance Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning an amendment to GPIB #53 – “Lincoln Middle School – Construction, Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment - $30,498,400” on 11/18/02, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption.