City of Meriden, CT - March 3, 2003 Minutes

The Meriden City Council’s regular meeting of March 3, 2003 was convened at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Mark Benigni. Mayor Benigni led the Council in the salute to the flag and Joseph Galotti offered the invocation. The Clerk called the roll. Present: Robert Clermont, Joseph Ferrigno Feest, Joseph Galotti, Keith Gordon, Brian Kogut, Patricia Lynes, George McGoldrick, Michael Rohde, Walter Shamock, Anthony Tomassetti, Stephen Zerio. Matthew Dominello arrived at 7:10 p.m.

Stephen Zerio, made a motion, seconded by Patricia Lynes, to bring forth a Consent Calendar and to approve the minutes of February 18, 2003 and to adopt the Consent Calendar as previously prepared. Motion carried unanimously.

Whereas, the City of Meriden and the Police Union have entered into a Tentative Agreement to change pension benefits for current employees and to place new employees and any current police officers who choose, in the City’s Municipal Pension Plan to enhance the current police plan to reflect surrounding communities; and

Be It Resolved, that the Personnel Director be authorized to sign said Agreement with Local #1016, Meriden Police Union and $11,000 be taken from the Police Pension Fund to cover the actuarial cost of meeting with the participants; and

Whereas, he would like the following fees increased: (1) Building permits (first thousand) - $18; (2) Each additional $1,000 - $13; CO in Commercial Property - $25; and CO for Residential Property - $20; now, therefore,

Whereas, a proposed budget review and adoption schedule is attached, which would require the City Council to consider the adoption of this budget on Monday, May 5th, and the setting of the City’s tax rate on Thursday, May 15th; now, therefore,

Item 7. Letter from Planning Commission re: 56 Linsley Avenue and their recommendation that the City dispose of same and that this lot be offered to neighbors and no further housing units shall be allowed was filed.

Item 8. Letter from Planning Commission re: 105 Willow Street and their recommendation that the City dispose of same and that this lot be offered to neighbors and no further housing units shall be allowed was filed.

Item 11. Letter from Planning Commission re: 192 West Main Street and their recommendation that City sell the parcel to neighboring property owners for the construction of a parking lot and that Engineering clearly define the area to be retained by the City for grading/construction of West Main Street/Lewis Avenue project and that Certificate of Approval must be obtained from Planning Commission prior to any construction was filed.

Item 12. Letter from Planning Commission re: 63-65 West Main Street/55 Grove Street and that their recommendation that City dispose of same and that these lots are located in a Central Commerical Design District zone and are basically covered 100% by 3 mixed use buildings was filed.

Item 14. Letter from Planning Commission re: Relocation of Cooper Street and Cooper Street Bridge and their recommendation to table to give the Economic Development Coordinator the opportunity to review the plan was filed.

Item 15. Claims submitted against the City by Dela Carnot, 107 Royal Oak Circle, Meriden; Gordon Ives, 43 Jerome Avenue, Meriden; Angel Burgos, 470 Paddock Avenue, Meriden; Melanie Voitkevics, 547 Murdock Avenue, Meriden; MaryAnne Williams, 55 Preston Drive, Meriden; Robert Gaudet, 124 Oxbow Drive, Meriden; Kirk P. Dean, 54 Maple Avenue, Meriden; Bismarck Guerra, 45 Prospect Street, Meriden; John Zachariewicz, 74 Sunrise Hill Road, Meriden;

Be It Resolved, by the City Council that the City Manager is hereby authorized to submit a grant application to FEMA for the attached list of items in the amount of $136,019.00, and to provide any additional materials and/or execute any additional documents for said grant, if offered; and

Whereas, the City of Meriden has received notification from the South Central CT Agency on Aging for the 23rd consecutive year, of a contract for medical transportation for Meriden residents and out-of-town transportation for Wallingford residents for the Division of Senior Affairs in the amount of $15,000 for the period October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2004; and

Be It Resolved, that Beth Vumbaco, RN, MS, Director of Health/Human Services shall be and hereby is authorized to execute a contract on behalf of the City of Meriden, Department of Human Services, Division of Senior Affairs, in accordance with the aforesaid project. Beth Vumbaco, RN, MS, Director of Health/Human Services shall process and submit all of the documents required that are relative to this contract.

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,

A RESOLUTION AMENDING A RESOLUTION MAKING APPROPRIATIONS AGGREGATING $8,402,000 FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND EQUIPMENT AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $8,402,000 BONDS OF THE CITY TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATIONS AND PENDING THE ISSUANCE THEREOF THE MAKING OF TEMPORARY BORROWINGS FOR SUCH PURPOSE.

Section 1. Section 1(a) of the resolution entitled “A Resolution Making Appropriations Aggregating $8,402,000 For Various Public Improvements And Equipment And Authorizing The Issuance Of $8,402,000 Bonds Of The City To Meet Said Appropriations And Pending The Issuance Thereof The Making Of Temporary Borrowings For Such Purpose”, adopted by the Common Council on August 21, 2000, as amended, (the “GPIB #49 Resolution”) is hereby amended by reducing the appropriation for “Meriden Manufacturing Assistance Agency – economic development, including administrative, printing, legal and financing costs related thereto” Acct#0401-7340-820 by $100,000 from $2,000,000 to $1,900,000; and adding a new appropriation for “Meriden Manufacturing Assistance Agency – economic development, related studies and technical assistance $100,000”.

Item 16A. Your Economic Development, Housing & Zoning Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning appraisals for 63 and 65 West Main Street and 55 Grove Street with the three best going to City Council for selection and approval of a contract to sell the property on 1/21/03, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend denial and the passage of the accompanying order:

Item 16B. Your Economic Development, Housing & Zoning Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning City Council endorses and adopts the City of Meriden’s Annual 2002 CEDS Report on 2/3/03, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption.

Item 16C. Your Economic Development, Housing & Zoning Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning disposition of City owned properties (56 Linsley Avenue, 105 Willow Street, 9 Bartlett Street, 181 Springdale Avenue) on 1/6/03, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption and the passage of the accompanying order:

56 Linsley Avenue – Planning Commission recommends that the City dispose of the property and that the lot be offered to neighbors and as such, no further housing units shall be allowed. 105 Willow Street – Planning Commission recommends that the City dispose of the property and that the lot be offered to neighbors and as such, no further housing units shall be allowed. 9 Bartlett Street – Planning Commission recommends that the City dispose of it and that the lot be offered to neighbors and as such, no further housing units shall be allowed. 181 Springdale Avenue – tabled due to further review/recommendation by the Planning Commission.

Item 16D. Your Economic Development, Housing & Zoning Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning disposition of City owned property (192 West Main Street) on 1/6/03, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption and the passage of the accompanying order:

Be It Further Ordered, that this item be approved as recommended by the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission recommends that the City sell the parcel to the neighboring property owners for the construction of a parking lot. This recommendation is conditioned upon: 1) Engineering staff clearly define area to be retained by the City for the grading and construction of the West Main Street/Lewis Avenue intersection project. 2)The purchaser be reminded that a Certificate of Approval must be obtained from the Planning Commission prior to any construction work.

Item 16E. Your Economic Development, Housing & Zoning Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning EPA has asked the City to submit final applications for funding to clean up environmentally contaminated and blighted properties on 2/18/03, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption and the passage of the accompanying order:

Item 16F. Your Economic Development, Housing & Zoning Committee, to whom was referred a letter from Luis Rodriguez re: 157 Lewis Avenue and requesting an easement to provide a private driveway to his property on 2/18/03, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption and the passage of the accompanying order:

Be It Further Ordered, that this item be approved as recommended by the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission recommends the granting of a limited license to the owner of 163 Lewis Avenue with the following conditions:

Item 17B. Your Finance Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning a loan of $65,000 from the General Fund for repairs, clean-up and assessment of certain Colony Street Buildings (9-11, 13, 25, 33) and that money will be repaid when buildings are sold on 2/3/03, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption.

Brian Kogut, made a motion, seconded by Stephen Zerio, to adopt. Councilor Feest asked to abstain from this vote. Hearing no objection it was so ordered. Motion carried. Councilor Clermont voted Nay. Councilor Feest abstained.

Item 17C. Your Finance Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning an appropriation from Contingency Fund of $5,000 for the Memorial Day Parade on 2/18/03, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption.

Item 17D. Your Finance Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning purchase of four automated external defibrillators for City Hall, Library, Senior Center and Health Department on 12/16/02, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption and the passage of the accompanying order:

Item 17E. Your Finance Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning agreement with Castle Craig Players and the City of Meriden for the ground floors of 63 and 65 West Main Street and reimbursement up to $1,000 for the relocation of Kitchens By Glen on 1/21/03, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption and the passage of the accompanying order:

Be It Further Resolved, that the City Manager is hereby authorized to execute a lease on this space to Castle Craig Play House on behalf of the City under the same terms and conditions as the current lease agreement with them;

Be It Further Resolved, that Castle Craig Players take possession of 63 and 65 West Main Street, but that there be a stay of six months before they would take possession of 63 West Main Street; and that the City pays all relocation costs incurred by Kitchens By Glen, including compensation for someone to do the physical labor for their relocation and including any reasonable and documenting loss profits that they present to the City Manager and which he agrees too; furthermore, the City would use every best effort to find a location that is suitable to the Glen’s in property that we control at the current rate ($300) by a month to month lease; and if it isn’t a property that we control, that the issue of relocation and any possible compensation for increased rent be returned to the Council for further consideration.

Brian Kogut, made a motion, seconded by Stephen Zerio, to adopt. Brian Kogut, made an amendment, seconded by Keith Gordon, to add the words, “Be It Resolved, that the City Manager is hereby authorized to execute a lease for 65 West Main Street with the Castle Craig Playhouse on behalf of the City under the same terms and conditions as the current lease agreement with them”. Michael Rohde, made a motion, seconded by Joseph Galotti, to have a roll call vote. Motion carried unanimously. Vote taken and motion carried 8:4. Councilors Dominello, Feest, Gordon, Kogut, Lynes, McGoldrick, Rohde, Tomassetti voted Aye. Councilors Clermont, Galotti, Shamock and Zerio voted Nay. Brian Kogut, made a motion, seconded by Joseph Galotti, to adopt the resolution as amended. Walter Shamock, made a motion, seconded by Anthony Tomassetti, to have a roll call vote. Motion carried unanimously. Vote taken and motion carried 8:4. Councilors Dominello, Galotti, Gordon, Kogut, Lynes, McGoldrick, Rohde and Tomassetti voted Aye. Councilors Clermont, Feest, Shamock and Zerio voted Nay.