|
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 6, 2007
The Meriden City Council’s regular meeting of August 6, 2007 was convened at 7:05 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: Matthew Dominello, Keith Gordon, Brian Kogut, Patricia Lynes, George McGoldrick, Hilda Santiago, Sandra Maier Schede and Anthony Tomassetti.
EXCUSED: Michael Rohde, David Salafia and Anthony Tomassetti were away on business.
ATTENDANCE AT PUBLIC COMMENT: Matthew Dominello, Keith Gordon, Brian Kogut, Patricia Lynes, George McGoldrick, Hilda Santiago, Sandra Maier Schede and Anthony Tomassetti.
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: City Manager Lawrence J. Kendzior and Corporation Counsel Michael Quinn.
Patricia Lynes, made a motion, seconded by Matthew Dominello, to invoke Rule 20 to bring forth a Consent Calendar and to approve the minutes of July 16, 2007 and to adopt a Consent Calendar as previously prepared. Motion carried unanimously.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Item 1. Presented by Brian F. Kogut, by request.
A RESOLUTION AMENDING A RESOLUTION MAKING APPROPRIATIONS AGGREGATING $1,421,000 FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND EQUIPMENT IN THE 2007/2008 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $1,421,000 BONDS OF THE CITY TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATIONS AND PENDING THE ISSUANCE THEREOF THE MAKING OF TEMPORARY BORROWINGS FOR SUCH PURPOSE.
RESOLVED:
Section 1. Section 1 of the Resolution entitled “A Resolution Making Appropriations Aggregating $1,421,000 For Various Public Improvements And Equipment In the 2007/2008 Capital Improvement Program and Authorizing The Issuance Of $1,421,000 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 July 16, 2007, as amended (the “GPIB #63 Resolution”), is hereby further amended by adding a new appropriation as follows: “Repairs to Coe Avenue Sidewalks over Sodom Brook $100,000”, thereby increasing the total appropriation therein by $100,000 from $1,421,000 to $1,521,000.
Section 2. Section 2 of the GPIB #63 Resolution is amended by increasing the total amount of bonds of the City authorized to be issued therein by $100,000 from $1,421,000 to $1,521,000.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 6, 2007
PAGE 2.
Section 3. Section 6 of the GPIB #63 Resolution shall be applicable to the appropriation added by this amendment as of the date of adoption of such amendment.
Referred to Finance for Public Hearing.
Item 2. Presented by Michael S. Rohde and Brian F. Kogut, by request.
Whereas, Sodom Brook travels under addressStreetCoe Avenue through a culvert adjacent to PlaceNameplacePlatt PlaceTypeHigh School; and
Whereas, the existing sidewalk which is located on both the north and south side of addressStreetCoe Avenue has been found to be in extremely poor condition; and
Whereas, the existing culvert should be studied in the near future to ensure it is structurally sound and properly sized; and
Whereas, the continuation of sidewalks in this are is important; and
Whereas, the City had developed a low cost, short term solution to replace only the sidewalk by using a timber structure to span the brook; and
Whereas, the work is required immediately to prevent the possible failure of the existing sidewalk; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, that the sum of $100,000 is appropriated for immediate repairs to the Coe Avenue sidewalks over Sodom Brook, and that said appropriation be funded as part of the 2007/2008 CIP.
Referred to Finance/Public Works and Parks & Recreation.
Item 3. Presented Anthony D. Tomassetti, by request.
Whereas, the Meriden Police Department is entitled to spend funds received under the Asset Forfeiture Program; and
Whereas, the of use of these funds would be to utilize rental vehicles for the purpose of undercover narcotic work; and
Whereas, the department wishes to spend $7,200 for the sole purpose of renting these vehicles; and
Whereas, this expenditure will enhance the effectiveness of the Police Department in the performance of its law enforcement functions; now, therefore,
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETINGS
AUGUST 6, 2007
PAGE 3.
Be It Resolved, that the Police Department is hereby authorized to utilize these law enforcement funds in the amount of $7,200; and
Be It Further Resolved, that these funds are hereby appropriated from the Asset Forfeiture Accounts.
Adopted.
Item 4. Presented by Anthony D. Tomassetti, by request.
Whereas, the City of CityplaceMeriden, as a midsized urban center, has a problem with abandoned vehicles on private property; and
Whereas, property owners have a difficult time disposing of abandoned vehicles without a title and without the assistance of the City under the ordinance; and
Whereas, the program has been established for some time where the City will remove abandoned vehicles upon request and payment of fee by the property owner; and
Whereas, since the January 2004 increase in cost from $75 to $175 very few property owners have utilized the program; and
Whereas, the successful bidder for removing abandoned vehicles provides this service at no cost to the City; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, that Section 198-8 of the Meriden City Code be amended to read: A fee of seventy-five dollars ($75) shall be charged for the towing of each motor vehicle towed pursuant to this chapter. All such fees shall be deposited for the purpose of paying all expenses incurred in the towing of abandoned vehicles pursuant to this chapter.
Referred to Public Safety for Public Hearing/Finance.
Item 5. Presented by Michael S. Rohde, by request.
Whereas, the Public Utilities Commission at their regularly scheduled meeting of July 17, 2007, voted to approve the transfer of $125,000 from retained earnings; and
Whereas, these funds will be used to study/evaluate the increasing Broad Brook Reservoir algae problems; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, that $125,000 be transferred from retained earnings to the Capital Outlay Account (503-3920-501).
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 6, 2007
PAGE 4.
Referred to Finance.
Item 6. Presented by Patricia D. Lynes.
Whereas, the State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management has notified the City of Meriden of the availability of funds for the Title V Delinquency Prevention Program; and
Whereas, the funding is available from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009 in an amount up to $35,000; and
Whereas, this program requires the implementation of a local delinquency prevention plan which placeCityMeriden will build on the successful “PLUS” (Positive Learning for Ultimate Success”) Program; and
Whereas, the Meriden Department of Human Services, Youth Services Division, is requesting authorization to submit a grant proposal to the State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management to implement a comprehensive delinquency prevention plan; and
Whereas, this is a renewal grant which has no impact on the general fund; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, that Beth Vumbaco, R.N., M.S., Director of Health and Human Services, is hereby authorized and directed to enter into contract for a grant from the State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management in an amount not to exceed $35,000; and
Be It Further Resolved, that the Youth Services Division is hereby designated to administer the program, and that all activities be carried out under the direction of Beth Vumbaco, R.N., M.S., Director of Health and Human Services.
Adopted.
Item 7. Presented by Patricia D. Lynes.
Whereas, the Max E. Muravnick Meriden Senior Center provides mini-bus transportation for elderly and disabled Meriden residents to the senior center, for medical appointments, grocery shopping, banking, convalescent home visiting and for other needs; and
Whereas, in the most recently completed fiscal year ending on June 30, 2007 the mini-bus program provided 17,197 one way rides covering a total of 31,933 miles; and
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 6, 2007
PAGE 5.
Whereas, full-time mini-bus driver John Herbert retired from his position on June 30, 2007; and
Whereas, this vacant position is funded in the 2007/2008 budget for the Department of Human Services, Division of Senior Affairs; and
Whereas, filling this important position will improve transportation services for Meriden’s senior and disabled residents and meet the demand for medical and grocery shopping transportation; and
Whereas, the City of Meriden and the City Council have shown a commitment to the senior center and the mini-bus program and filling this vacant position will make it possible to fully utilize four vehicles for the benefit of Meriden’s senior and disabled residents; now, therefore,
Be It Resoled, that the Meriden City Council authorizes Beth Vumbaco, Director of the Department of Health/Human Services, to take the steps necessary to fill this full-time mini-bus driver vacancy.
Referred to Finance.
Item 8. Presented by Patricia D. Lynes, by request.
Be It Resolved, that an amount not to exceed $500 be appropriated for Meriden Kid Safe to purchase reflective kits for kids going back to school; and
Be It Further Resolved, that this be referred to Finance for source of funding.
Referred to Finance.
Item 9. Presented by David J. Salafia, by request.
Whereas, Fiderio and Sons utilized the city’s C.I.D.E.walk Program during their original remodeling and renovation of 687 Broad Street in 1997, turning a dilapidated structure into a thriving, tax generating business; and
Whereas, Fiderio and Sons has recently completed a major expansion to their business on land adjacent to the original remodeled and renovated building; and
Whereas, Fiderio and Sons’ renovation projects have helped to revitalize an important corridor on addressStreetBroad Street; and
Whereas, Fiderio and Sons’ renovation projects will result in increased property tax revenue to the City of placeCityMeriden; and
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 6, 2007
PAGE 6.
Whereas, Fiderio & Sons’ has been an outstanding contributor to the City of Meriden’s civic groups, non-profit organizations, and youth organizations for many years; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, that Fiderio and Sons be authorized to participate in the City of placeCityMeriden’s C.I.D.E.walk Program for additional sidewalk replacement at addressStreet687 Broad Street.
Item 10. Presented by Anthony D. Tomassetti, by request.
Be It Resolved, that a feasibility study be done in the area of Wall Street and addressStreetParker Avenue North to determine the possible need of a stop sign installation.
Referred to Public Safety.
Item 11. Presented by Anthony D. Tomassetti, by request.
Whereas, the Public Safety Committee received a complaint regarding the intersection of South Curtis Street, Victoria Drive, Green Road and Kenwood Road; and
Whereas, the complaint was if a car is stopped at the intersection and wants to turn into Victoria Drive, cars going north on South Curtis proceed through the stop sign assuming the car will be making a right onto South Curtis Street; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, that a feasibility study be done in the area of the intersection of South Curtis Street, Victoria Drive, Green Road and Kenwood Drive to determine the need for additional signage in the area or installation of a blinking red light and the need for more police enforcement.
Referred to Public Safety.
Item 12. Presented by David J. Salafia, by request.
Whereas, the neighbors on Gale Avenue whose property abuts Ceppa Field are complaining that baseballs are damaging their property and not allowing them to enjoy their yards during baseball games; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, that the Parks Department install a net to help eliminate the baseballs from flying into the neighbors’ yards.
Referred to Public Works and Parks & Recreation.
Item 13. Presented by Brian F. Kogut, by request.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 6, 2007
PAGE 7.
A RESOLUTION AMENDING A RESOLUTION MAKING APPROPRIATIONS AGGREGATING $1,421,00 FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND EQUIPMENT IN THE 2007/2008 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF
$1,421,000 BONDS OF THE CITY TO MEET SAID APPRORIATIONS AND PENDING THE ISSUANCE THEREOF THE MAKING OF TEMPORARY BORROWINGS FOR SUCH PURPOSE.
RESOLVED:
Section 1. Section 1 of the Resolution entitled “A Resolution Making Appropriations Aggregating $1,421,000 For Various Public Improvements And Equipment In the 2007/2008 Capital Improvement Program And Authorizing The Issuance Of $1,421,000 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 July 16, 2007, as amended (the “GPIB #63 Resolution”), is hereby further amended by adding a new appropriation as follows: “Replacement and Expansion of the Fire Department Communications System - $459,585”, thereby increasing the total appropriation therein by $459,585 from $1,521,000 to $1,980,585.
Section 2. To meet the City’s share of said appropriation, Section 2 of the GPIB #63 Resolution is amended by increasing the total amount of bonds of the City authorized to be issued therein by $91,917 from $1,521,000 to $1,621,917.
Section 3. Section 6 of the GPIB #63 Resolution shall be applicable to the appropriation added by this amendment as of the date of adoption of such amendment.
Referred to Finance for Public Hearing.
Item 14. Presented by Anthony D. Tomassetti and Brian F. Kogut, by request.
Whereas, the City wishes to improve the coverage of the Fire Department’s radio communication system; and
Whereas, the City applied for and has been awarded a federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant; and
Whereas, the cost of the improvements to the radio communications system is $459,585 and the amount of the grant award is $367,668, leaving a balance of $91,917 to be funded by the City; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, that the grant agreement is accepted, the sum of $91,917 is appropriated for the radio communication system improvements as described on the project description and the cost thereof shall be included as part of the 2007-2008 CIP.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 6, 2007
PAGE 8.
Referred to Public Safety and Finance.
Item 15. Presented by Stephen T. Zerio, by request.
Whereas, on July 2, 2007, Item #1, the City Council approved the resolution regarding the submission of the FAA Application for the Airport Improvement Project (03-09-0012-09-2007) for funding for the Airport Layout Plan Update at the Meriden-Markham Airport in the amount of $94,644.00; and
Whereas, after reviewing the item internally, it is found that the amount of the cost for the planning of the Airport Layout Plan Update, as approved by the FAA, should be corrected to reflect the grant amount of $99,625.00; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, that the amount indicated in the resolution should be correct to the approved FAA grant amount of $99,625.00.
Adopted.
Item 16. Presented by Brian F. Kogut, by request.
Whereas, the City Manager’s Interdepartmental Project Review Committee, composed of the Directors of Development and Enforcement, Finance, Public Works, Public Utilities, and Parks, the Grants Administrator, the GIS Specialist an the Purchasing Agent, has recommended projects for approval as part of the 2007/2008 Capital Improvement Plan; and
Whereas, the City Manager has reviewed and concurs with those recommendations; and
Whereas, the total cost of the recommended projects complies with the requirements of Section 23-1 of the City Code in that it is less than one-half the amount of principal indebtedness retired in the preceding year for projects to which said section applies; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, that the attached capital budget recommendation is hereby approved as the Capital Improvement Plan for 2007/2008.
2007/2008 Capital Budget Recommendation of
The Interdepartmental Review Committee for Capital Projects
July 9, 2007
Library Elevator Upgrade 12,445
Parking addressStreetButler Street Equipment 49,000
Garage Caulking Repair 40,000
Parks 72” Mower/Snow Blower 40,000
Engineering Landfill Expansion 50,000
RR Bridge over Harbor Brook 150,000
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 6, 2007
PAGE 9.
addressStreetCheshire Road Drainage 40,000
Downtown Improvements 50,000
placeBaldwin Pond Detention 700,000
Traffic Traffic Truck 125,000
Signal Upgrade Program 156,000
LED Signals 37,000
Highway Paving addressStreetBox 45,000
Asphalt Roller 29,000
City Wide Drainage 55,000
MIS Emergency Backup Generator 350,000
SUBTOTAL (NON-PUBLIC UTILITIES) 1,928,445
Public Utilities Requests Leak Study 30,000
Scada Technology Upgrade 275,000
Broad Brook Roof 75,000
Carpenter Tank Permanent Dome 850,000
SUBTOTAL PU 1,230,000
GRAND TOTAL 3,158,445
*Please note the Broad Brook Algae Problem Study ($125,000) will be funded from the “retained earnings account”.
Referred to Finance.
Item 17. Presented by Stephen T. Zerio, by request.
Be It Resolved, that:
The lease between the City of Meriden and the State of Connecticut for 6,491 square feet located in the Stoddard Building, 165 Miller Street, Meriden, Connecticut on the terms and conditions as set forth in the lease is hereby approved; and
Be It Further Resolved, that placeCityLawrence J. Kendzior, City Manager of the City of Meriden, is empowered on behalf of the City to execute and deliver contracts and amendments there to, and all documents required by the Governor, the Connecticut Department of Public Works, the Connecticut Properties Review Board and the Office of the Attorney General associated with such contracts and amendments.
Adopted.
Item 18. Presented by Michael S. Rohde, by request.
Whereas, a Water Plant Operator retired on April 2, 2007; and
Whereas, the ninety (90) day waiting period has expired; and
Whereas, the Department of Public Health requires that the Water Division be adequately staffed; now, therefore,
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 6, 2007
PAGE 10.
Be It Resolved, that this Water Plant Operator vacancy be filled as soon as possible.
Referred to Finance.
Item 18A. Presented by Michael S. Rohde, by request.
Whereas, a Water Plant Operator retired after thirty (30) years on July 31, 2007; and
Whereas, the Department of Public Health requires that the Water Division be adequately staffed; and
Whereas, the Council has instituted a 90 day waiting period for the filling of all vacancies; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, that this Water Plant Operator vacancy may be filled anytime after November 1, 2007.
Referred to Finance.
Item 19. Presented by Michael S. Rohde, by request.
Whereas, a Distribution Maintainer resigned on December 29, 2006; and
Whereas, the ninety (90) day waiting period has expired; and
Whereas, the Department of Public Health requires that the Water Division be adequately staffed; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, that this Water Distribution Maintainer position be filled as possible.
Referred to Finance.
Item 20. Presented by Michael S. Rohde, by request.
Whereas, the Water Pollution Control Facility has had a vacant Operator’s position since February 12, 2007, due to a transfer; and
Whereas, the Water Pollution Control Facility will incur a second vacancy due to the retirement of a Senior Operator effective August 1, 2007; and
Whereas, a third operator has just started a leave of absence for at least a 3 month period; and
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 6, 2007
PAGE 11.
Whereas, due to personnel shortages in 2005 and 2006, the Water Pollution Control Facility retained balances in our Labor Account of $152,000.00 and $62,000.00 respectively; and
Whereas, our work force will be reduced by 25% until we fill the two positions and the operator on leave returns; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, that the Water Pollution Control Facility be allowed to begin advertising, testing, and interviewing to fill both vacancies as soon as possible.
Referred to Finance.
Item 21. Letter to City Council from Planning Commission re: Boys & Girls Club – Request for Property – Camp Cuno Areas and their recommendation against transferring title to the two larger parcels in order to keep the property in the “Open Space Inventory” and under the control of the City. They do recommend the Council adopting the resolution to allow the club use of the properties. Accepted and Filed.
Item 22. Claims submitted against the City by Diane Hunter-Kranich, 202R addressStreetSkeet Club Road, CityDurham, StateCT; William Plinck, addressStreet367 Preston Avenue, CityMeriden, StateCT were referred to Legal and Safety & Risk.
Item 29. Golf Course Commission Meeting Minutes of June 25, 2007 were filed with City Clerk.
Item 30. Department of Fire and Emergency Services Monthly Report for June 2007 was filed with City Clerk.
Item 31. placePlaceTypeSchool PlaceTypeBuilding Committee Meeting Minutes of July 5, 2007 were filed with City Clerk.
Item MNO32. Presented by Patricia D. Lynes, by request.
Whereas, on May 21, 2007, Item 11A of the City Council approved the resolution regarding the submission of the CDBG-33 Application in the amount of $933,266.33; and
Whereas, after reviewing the item internally, it is found that the amount of the cost for the Neighborhood Preservation Rehabilitation and Housing program should be corrected to reflect the amount of $557,707; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, that the amount indicated in the resolution should be corrected to the amount of $577,707.
Adopted.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 6, 2007
PAGE 12.
Item MNO33. Presented by Brian F. Kogut, by request.
Whereas, Environmental Health is a vital service of the Department of Human Services, Division of Health; and
Whereas, Environmental Health Registered Sanitarians are responsible for the enforcement of both state and local codes; food service inspections and licensure, nuisance complaints, childhood lead poisoning prevention, lead abatement, barbershop/hairdressing and cosmetology inspections and licensure, collection of water and lead samples, pool inspection and permits, subsurface sewage evaluations and permits, day care inspections, and public presentations on environmental health matters, etc; and
Whereas, the Sanitarian II position has been vacant since May 25, 2007, and the second Sanitarian II has a 3 month FMLA until late September; and
Whereas, the Division of Health proposes to reduce the hours of employment from 40 to 35 hours/week (saving $6,529 per year); and
Whereas, after successful completion of the State of Connecticut Registered Sanitarian exam in December 2007, the Sanitarian II position would be filled by the most qualified Sanitarian I staff member in February, 2008 (saving an additional $2,750 this year); and
Whereas, filling this vacant Sanitarian position is important to the daily operation of public health activities serving the citizens of placeCityMeriden; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, that the City Manager is hereby authorized to fill this position.
Referred to Finance.
The Chair entertained a motion to remove Item 10 of 7/16/07 from the table.
Keith Gordon, made a motion, seconded by Patricia Lynes, to remove Item 10 of 7/16/07 from the table. Motion carried unanimously.
Item 10 of 7/16/07: Letter to City Council recommending appointment of William Godburn to the Public Utilities Commission for a term expiring 1/31/09 replacing Pilkerton.
Patricia Lynes, made a motion, seconded by Keith Gordon, to adopt. Motion carried unanimously.
There being nothing further to be brought before the Council, Mayor Benigni declared the meeting adjourned. The time was 7:10 p.m.
Lori N. Canney
Clerk of the City Council
|