City of Meriden, CT - July 2, 2007 Council Minutes

The Meriden City Council’s regular meeting of July 2, 2007 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: Matthew Dominello, Keith Gordon, Brian Kogut, Patricia Lynes, David Salafia, Hilda Santiago, Sandra Maier Schede, Trevor Thorpe, Anthony Tomassetti and Stephen Zerio.

EXCUSED: George McGoldrick and Michael Rohde were excused.

ATTENDANCE AT PUBLIC COMMENT: Matthew Dominello, Keith Gordon, Brian Kogut, Patricia Lynes, David Salafia, Hilda Santiago, Sandra Maier Schede, Trevor Thorpe, Anthony Tomassetti and Stephen Zerio.

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: CityplaceLawrence J. Kendzior, City Manager and Michael Quinn, Corporation Counsel.

Stephen Zerio, made a motion, seconded by Patricia Lynes, to invoke Rule 20 to bring forth a Consent Calendar and to approve the minutes of June 18, 2007 and to adopt a Consent Calendar as previously prepared. Motion carried unanimously.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Item 1. Presented by Stephen T. Zerio, by request.

Whereas, the City of Meriden has submitted an application to the FAA for the Airport Improvement Project (3-09-0012-09-2007) for funding of the Airport Layout Plan Update at the Meriden-Markham Airport; and

Whereas, since the completion of the latest airport layout plan in 2000, the City and the Meriden Aviation Commission, with the support of FAA and ConnDOT, have implemented many of the capitol improvements recommended in the plan; and

Whereas, other terminal area facility development is being recommended in the new layout plan for the placePlaceNameMeriden-Markham PlaceTypeAirport; and

Whereas, the fee estimate cost of $94,644 for planning of the Airport Layout Plan Update, approved by FAA, qualifies with the following reimbursements:

ConnDOT Share (3.75%)

City of placeCityMeriden Share (1.25%); now,

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the City Manager is hereby authorized to execute, file documents, accept payments, and do all things necessary in obtaining Federal and State funding for the subject project.

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Item 2. Presented by Mark D. Benigni, by request.

Whereas, the current Manager of Security Attendant/Parking has retired effective June 30, 2007 (Salary Range A Supervisors); and

Whereas, this is a position that needs to be filled immediately; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the Parking Commission be authorized to fill the position effective July 30^th, 2007 at $14.15 per hour (Supervisors Salary Matrix Grade A Probationary Step for one year).

Item 3. Presented by Anthony D. Tomassetti, by request.

Whereas, the U.S. Department of Justice has informed the City it is eligible for a $37,240 grant from the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program to enhance and expand law enforcement in the community; and

Whereas, the implementation of special foot patrols and suppression activities during the summer/fall months will help to curtail such gang activity and improve quality of life; now, therefore

Be It Resolved, that the City Manager is hereby authorized to execute and provide any grant contract and related materials.

Federal Reserve: $37,240.00

Personnel: Overtime Approx. $54.14 hr. x 687.8 hrs = $37,240.00

Item 4. Presented by George E. McGoldrick, by request.

Be It Resolved, that the upper section of addressStreetGrove Street be referred to the Public Works and Parks & Recreation Committee for possible repair/replacement of sidewalks in that area.

Referred to Public Works and Parks & Recreation.

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

Whereas, the City of placeCityMeriden has problems with litter; and

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Whereas, an Anti-Litter Committee has been established; and

Whereas, there is a need for funding by the committee; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that an appropriation not to exceed $10,000 be made with source of funding to be determined by the Finance Committee to cover FY2007/2008.

Referred to Finance.

Item 6. Presented by Patricia D. Lynes, by request.

Be It Resolved, that $1000 be appropriated from the Contingency Fund for the Council of Neighborhoods National Night Out.

Item 7. Presented by Patricia D. Lynes, by request.

Be It Resolved, that an amount not to exceed $20,000 be appropriated to the Public Works line item to cover the cost for two more free landfill days; and

Be It Further Resolved, that source of funding will be determined by the Finance Committee.

Referred to Finance.

Item 8. Letter to City Council from Planning Commission re: Meriden Boys & Girls Club/City Property on Beaver’s Pond and their recommendation to table to give the commission the opportunity to further research the intentions and request of the Boys & Girls Club to acquire 3 city properties contiguous to Camp Cuno on Beaver’s Pond was filed.

Item 9. Claims submitted against the city by Donna Ryan, 38 Kim Lane, Meriden, CT; Joseph Gionfriddo, 95 Belvedere Drive, Meriden, CT; Joseph Muzyka, 39 Alcove Street, Meriden, CT were referred to Legal and Safety & Risk.

Item 16. Advisory Board on Aging Meeting Minutes of June 1, 2007 were filed with City Clerk.

Item 17. Falcon Field/Washington Middle School Project Special Meeting Minutes of April 4, 2007 were filed with City Clerk.

Item 18. Municipal Pension Board Minutes of June 12, 2007 were filed with City Clerk.

Item 19. Meriden Police Department Monthly Report for May 2007 was filed with City Clerk.

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Item MNO20. Presented by Anthony D. Tomassetti, by request.

Whereas, the Meriden Police Department has not purchased a new vehicle for the Detective Bureau in ten years, the present fleet is in need of replacement; and

Whereas, I am requesting $20,000 be allocated from the Asset Forfeiture Fund for the purpose of purchasing this new vehicle; and

Whereas, this expenditure will enhance the effectiveness of the Police Department in the performance of its law enforcement functions; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the Police Department is hereby authorized to utilize these law enforcement funds in the amount of $20,000; and

Be It Further Resolved, that these funds are hereby appropriated from the Asset Forfeiture Accounts.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

Item 10. Your Economic Development, Housing & Zoning Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning amendment of Section 213-26.3 “Active Adult Cluster Developments” on 5/7/07, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption.

Committee: Stephen T. Zerio, Chairman; Matthew C. Dominello, Sr.; Anthony D. Tomassetti; Hilda Santiago; David Salafia.

Stephen Zerio, made a motion, seconded by Keith Gordon, to adopt. Zerio stated this is a resolution that is correcting a slight error. He stated about a year or two ago the City Council amended a zoning ordinance to basically sunset the planned residential cluster development language and replace it with language that allows active adult clusters in the city. During that time it actually did not consider an opportunity for those who had certain built in plans approved under the old ordinance and consequently since the old ordinance has gone away we had to have a mechanism to allow those already approved units to be built. This language allows that to happen. It only allows those that have been approved and no other planned residential development units that have not been approved or brought to Planning can be approved and that is the only change on this. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 11. Your Public Safety Committee, to whom was referred a resolution concerning a new Section 107-10 of the City Code entitled “Knox (Lock) Boxes” on 6/18/07, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption.

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Committee: Anthony D. Tomassetti, Chairman; Matthew C. Dominello, Sr.; Keith Gordon; Patricia Lynes; Trevor Thorpe.

Anthony Tomassetti, made a motion, seconded by Matthew Dominello, to adopt. Tomassetti stated this ordinance will require Knox Lock Boxes at all new or renovated commercial buildings. These boxes hold master keys so that the Fire Department can access in case of emergency. Gordon stated Knox Lock Boxes are approximately 4” x 4” and attached to the building so if there is an emergency the Fire Department can get in instead of waiting for a call person to arrive. It helps mitigate any situations that might be happening in the building. This is also helpful to the Police Department in an emergency or get into the building for a special investigation. This is a life saving situation. The longer it takes to get in a building if there is a fire going on the more damage can occur. The cost is anywhere from $150-$300 depending on the size. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 12. No report from Finance.

Item 13. No report from Public Works and Parks & Recreation.

Item 14. No report from Human Services.

Item 15. No report from Committee of the Whole.

Stephen Zerio, made a motion, seconded by Keith Gordon, to remove MNO31 of 6/18/07 from the table. Motion carried unanimously.

Item MNO31. Letter from Mayor Benigni recommending appointment of Robert Hettrick to the Aviation Commission for a term expiring 1/31/10 (replacing Cossette).

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

Stephen Zerio, made a motion, seconded by Patricia Lynes, to move into Executive Session. Motion carried unanimously. The time was 7:10 p.m.

Stephen Zerio, made a motion, seconded by Patricia Lynes, to come out of Executive Session and adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

Clerk of the City Council