City of Meriden, CT - November 19, 2007 Council Minutes

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

NOVEMBER 19, 2007

The Meriden City Council’s regular meeting of November 19, 2007 was convened at 7:02 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, Michael Rohde, David Salafia, Hilda Santiago, Sandra Maier Schede, Trevor Thorpe, Anthony Tomassetti and Stephen Zerio.

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

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

Stephen Zerio, made a motion, seconded by Matthew Dominello, to invoke Rule 20 to bring forth a Consent Calendar and to approve the minutes of October 15, 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

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 the following new appropriations:

Library- Elevator Upgrade (Acct. No. 0401-7363-350) $ 12,445

Parking Dept – Butler Street Equipment (Acct. No. 0401-7363-351 $ 49,000

Parks Dept– Mower/snow blower (Acct No. 0401-7363-352 $ 40,000

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

NOVEMBER 19, 2007

Engineering Dept Landfill expansion (Acct. No 0401-7363-353 $ 50,000

Cheshire road drainage (Acct No. 0401-7363-354 $ 40,000

Baldwin Pond Detention (Acct No. 0401-7363-355) $700,000

Traffic Dept – Traffic truck (Acct No. 0401-7363-356 $125,000

Signal upgrade program (Acct No. 0401-7363-357) $156,000

LED signals (Acct No. 0401-7363-358 $ 37,000

Highway Dept - Asphalt roller (Acct No. 0401-7363-359) $ 29,000

Citywide drainage (Acct No. 0401-7363-360 $ 55,000

Water Dept - Leak Study (Acct. No. 0401-7363-361) - $ 30,000

Scada technology upgrade (Acct. No. 0401-7363-362 $275,000

Broad Brook roof (Acct No. 0401-7363-363 $ 75,000

MIS Dept - Emergency back-up generator (Acct. No. 0401-7363-364) $350,000

thereby increasing the total appropriations therein by $2,023,445. The total of all appropriations in the GPIB #63 Resolution, after accounting for the new appropriations shall equal $4,104,030.

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

NOVEMBER 19, 2007

Section 2. Section 2 of the GPIB #63 Resolution, as amended, is hereby further amended by increasing the total amount of bonds of the City authorized to be issued therein by $2,023,445. The total of all bonds authorized under GPIB #63 Resolution, after accounting for this additional authorization shall equal $3,736,362.

Section 3. Section 6 of the GPIB #63 Resolution shall be applicable to the appropriations added by this amendment as of the date of adoption of such amendment.

Referred to Finance for Public Hearing.

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

WHEREAS, in order to close out and receive payment of $13,000 in grant funds for open space acquisition, the City must execute a Grant Agreement with the State of Connecticut; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council that Lawrence J. Kendzior, City Manager of the City of Meriden, be and hereby is authorized to execute on behalf of the City of Meriden a Grant Agreement and Conservation and Public Recreation Easement and Agreement under the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Program with the State of Connecticut for financial assistance to acquire permanent interest in land(s) known as the “Barry Property”, OSWA-321, located at 0 Chamberlain Highway, Berlin, CT and to manage said land as open space land pursuant to Section 7-131d of the Connecticut General Statutes, and

BE IT RESOLVED, that the CITY OF MERIDEN hereby adopts as its policy to support the nondiscrimination agreements and warranties required under Conn. Gen. State 4a-60(a)(1) and4a-60a(a)(1) as amended in the State of Connecticut Public Act 07-245 and sections 9(a)(1) and 10(a)(1) of Public Act 07-142, as those statutes may be amended from time to time.

BE IT FURTHER KNOWN that Lawrence J. Kendzior was appointed City Manager and that his term of office began on June 6, 2005 and will serve indefinitely. As City Manager, Lawrence J. Kendzior serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the City of Meriden and is hereby authorized to enter into such agreements, contracts, and all documents necessary to said grant with the State of Connecticut.

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

NOVEMBER 19, 2007

Item 3. Presented by George E. McGoldrick and Stephen Zerio, by request.

Whereas, a letter was received in the City Manager’s Office on March 23, 2007 from Carol Cardona, owner of a property located at 123 Miller Street, offering that property for sale to the City; and

Whereas, said property is adjacent to the Meriden Public Library; and

Whereas, two independent appraisals have been obtained for this property; and

Whereas, on August 27, 2007 the Economic Development Task Force met and voted to recommend to the City Council that the City offer $178,000 this property; and

Whereas, on October 10, 2007 Carol Cardona indicated that she is willing to accept that sum; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the City purchase 123 Miller Street for the sum of $178,000 and the City Manager be authorized to execute any documents related to the purchase of the property.

Referred to Economic Development, Housing & Zoning and Finance.

Item 4. Presented by Trevor Thorpe and Hilda E. Santiago, by request.

WHEREAS, Casa Boricua de Meriden Inc. recently submitted a request to the City that it serve as its fiscal agent for the purposes of accepting and executing a State grant; and

WHEREAS, the State grant would provide $100,000 to address fire code violations and handicapped accessibility at Casa Boricua headquarters located at 204 Colony Street; and

WHEREAS, It is in City’s interest to work with Casa Boricua to bring 204 Colony Street into compliance with the State fire code; and

WHEREAS, the City, by serving as the fiscal agent, must comply with all of the State bidding and contracting requirements, and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City, agrees to serve as the fiscal agent for Casa Boricua de Meriden Inc. for the purposes of accepting and executing a State grant agreement to address fire code violations and handicapped accessibility at 204 Colony Street, and

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

NOVEMBER 19, 2007

BE IT FURTHER KNOWN that City Manager Lawrence J. Kendzior is hereby authorized to enter into such agreements, contracts, and all documents necessary to said grant with the State of Connecticut.

Referred to Human Services.

Item 5. Presented by Anthony D. Tomassetti, by request.

WHEREAS, the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security has informed the City that it is eligible to receive $4,522.00 in Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) program funding for Federal Fiscal Year 2008 which began on October 1, 2007, and

WHEREAS, the funding will fund personnel and administrative expenses related to emergency management activities completed by the Fire and Police Departments.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Manager Lawrence J. Kendzior, be and hereby is authorized to act on behalf of the City of Meriden in executing a Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, for participation in the FY 2008 Emergency Management Performance Grant program.

Item 6. Presented by Anthony D. Tomassetti, by request.

Whereas, Lt. Brian Giesing is currently off duty due to a serious medical condition, and this condition does not allow him to return to work in a firefighting position; and

Whereas, this situation will probably culminate in his retirement under a disability in the very near future, it is in the best interest of the Department to fill Lt. Giesing’s position as soon as possible after his retirement; and

Whereas, the retirement of Lt. Giesing and the promotion of a firefighter to the lieutenant position will create a vacant fire fighter’s position; and

Whereas, there is a current Lieutenant promotional list, and a current Firefighter hiring list; now, therefore

Be It Resolved, that the promotional position of Fire Lieutenant and the hiring position for Firefighter should be approved by the Council in order to facilitate the promotion and filling of these vacancies as soon as possible.

Referred to Finance.

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

NOVEMBER 19, 2007

Item 7. Presented by Patricia D. Lynes and Trevor Thorpe.

Be It Resolved, that a designated member from each Neighborhood Association be given a free pass for the landfill to dispose of bulky waste that is dropped off illegally in their neighborhood.

Referred to Public Works and Parks & Recreation.

Item 8. Presented by Patricia D. Lynes.

Whereas, the Meriden Senior Center is a place that the seniors of Meriden can attend for recreational activities, meals and health services; and

Whereas, Max E. Muravnick was instrumental in creating a Senior Center for Meriden’s seniors; and

Whereas, Max E. Muravnick who ran numerous activities for the seniors such as physical fitness classes, was a founder of Special Day for Special People to name a few; and

Whereas, Max E. Muravnick, recently departed this life; and

Whereas, it would be fitting to honor his memory by changing the name of the Meriden Senior Center to the Max E. Muravnick Senior Community Center; and

Whereas, membership should be expanded to out of town members for an annual fee of $20.00 per year; and

Whereas, the membership age should be lowered from age 60 to 55; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the Human Services Committee review these recommendations with a report back to the City Council.

Referred to Human Services.

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

NOVEMBER 19, 2007

Item 10. Presented by David J. Salafia and Mark D. Benigni.

WHEREAS, improvement to the appearance and condition of buildings located in the City’s downtown central business district is important to the economic development of the City and to the stabilization and growth of its tax base; and

WHEREAS, extending assistance to owners and tenants of properties located in the downtown central business district by means of a City façade loan program will result in improved appearance and condition of buildings in the area and assist the City in its efforts to combat blight, leading to increased private investment and economic development and increased employment opportunities for Meriden residents; and

WHEREAS, establishment of such a program in conjunction with ongoing efforts to revitalize the central business district through reuse of the Hub site, flood control improvements, establishment of a central green commons area, development of an enhanced transit system, and other ongoing efforts to revitalize that area are crucial to the future economic vitality of the City;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:

That a downtown central business district façade loan program be established, in accordance with the criteria and outline of the attached draft program attached hereto dated September 26, 2007.

DOWNTOWN FAÇADE LOAN PROGRAM

First Draft – 9/26/07

A. To improve the appearance of downtown storefronts.

B. To improve the structural stability of downtown facades.

C. To create an incentive for owner participation in making improvements to downtown properties.

D. To fight blight in the downtown area.

A. For properties located within the Central Commercial Design District.

B. Properties must be free of delinquent real estate taxes or water and sewer fees.

C. Improvements must be repairs and renovations to exterior surfaces.

D. Improvements must be permanent (not seasonal or decorative).

E. Signage is eligible.

F. Scope of work to be defined by a designer, architect, or structural engineer and must be approved by the Design Review Board.

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

NOVEMBER 19, 2007

III. APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND PROCESS.

A. Owner or tenant of property to apply for loan through the Office of Neighborhood Preservation.

1. Maximum loan amount - $25,000.00

2. Grant available for design - $2,500.00

3. Tenant may apply, but owner of building must agree to and sign loan paperwork as the property will be attached.

B. Loan application to include general description of intended improvements.

C. Loan application to include details of existing debt load on property.

D. Office of Neighborhood Preservation to conduct credit check of applicant and perform a Title Search.

E. An in-house appraisal based on tax assessment will be conducted to determine acceptable level of allowable debt on property.

F. Department of Development and Enforcement will complete an Environmental Review.

G. Application will be presented to the Neighborhood Preservation Application Review Panel for approval/denial.

1. Neighborhood Preservation Application Review Panel to make final determination for approval/denial.

a. Loan to value ratio to be considered in approval process.

b. Income eligibility of property owner is not a factor.

2. Neighborhood Preservation Program staff will inform applicant of Panel’s decision.

A. A grant of up to $2,500.00 is available for design, architectural or structural drawings.

1. Grant payable to designer/architect/engineer.

2. No drawings, no grant.

B. A 2% forbearance loan up to $25,000.00 is available for construction work.

1. A lien in the amount of the loan will be placed on the property.

2. 2% interest compounded annually for 10 years will accrue.

3. After 10 years, no further interest will be added.

V. PROGRAM FINANCING.

A. Re-allocate $100,000.00 from CD22 Down Payment Assistance Program to Downtown Façade Program.

B. Allow use of Neighborhood Preservation Bond Revolving Account for Downtown Façade Program.

C. Eliminate previous condition that required half of all repaid Neighborhood Preservation bond funded loans to be returned to the General Fund.

1. Continue to allocate half of repaid bond loans to Neighborhood Preservation Bond Revolving Account for housing rehabilitation loans.

2. Allocate the half of repaid bond loans currently going to the General Fund to the Downtown Façade Program.

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

NOVEMBER 19, 2007

D. Establish Downtown Façade Revolving Account to recycle money repaid from façade loans to new façade loans.

Referred to Economic Development, Housing & Zoning and Finance.

Item 11. Claims submitted against the City by Patricia Lawson, 35 New Street, Meriden, CT; Valerie Angelillo, 374 Belleview Avenue, Southington, CT; Lina and Bassam Chammout, 30 Lincoln Court, Meriden, CT; Scott Lavigne, 60 Summer Street, 2^nd Floor, Meriden, CT; Louise A. Binke, 15 Oxford Drive, Middlefield, CT; Karen Ligamari, 421 E. Main Street, Meriden, CT; Rose Cignatta, 31 Courtney Court, Meriden, CT; Sarah Wirtes, 151 Andrew Avenue, Apt. 301, Naugatuck, CT were referred to Legal and Safety & Risk.

Item 18. Municipal Pension Board Minutes of October 9, 2007 were filed with City Clerk.

Item 19. Falcon Field/Washington Middle School Project Meeting Minutes of September 19, 2007 were filed with City Clerk.

Item 20. Meriden Police Department Monthly Report for August 2007 was filed with City Clerk.

Item 21. Meriden Police Department Monthly Report for September 2007 was filed with City Clerk.

Item 22. Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes of October 3, 2007 were filed with City Clerk.

Item 23. Advisory Board on Aging Meeting Minutes of November 2, 2007 were filed with City Clerk.

Item 24. School Building Committee Meeting Minutes of September 6, 2007 were filed with City Clerk.

Item 25. School Building Committee Meeting Minutes of October 4, 2007 were filed with City Clerk.

Item 26. Department of Fire and Emergency Services Monthly Report for August 2007 was filed with City Clerk.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

Presentation A. Presentation to the Girl Scouts.

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

NOVEMBER 19, 2007

Mayor Benigni asked Deputy Mayor Dominello, Majority Leader Zerio and Councilor Lynes to join him in the ellipse to present the Girl Scouts and their leaders city lanyards thanking them for helping during the Mayor’s Clean-Up. Cheryl Tomassetti gave out awards to the different scouts and troops for different types of garbage that they found during their “Scavenger Hunt”.

Item B. Spirit of Meriden Award

WHEREAS, each month an individual is chosen who exemplifies community spirit worthy of recognition, and this month’s recipient for the Spirit of Meriden Award for November 2007 is Joseph Zajac, and the members of the Meriden Linear Trails Advisory Committee; and

WHEREAS, the Meriden Linear Trails Advisory Committee, currently Chaired by Joseph Zajac, includes Councilor Michael Rohde, Council Clerk Lori Canney, Robert Burbank, Timothy Fogal, and Francis Zygmont; and

WHEREAS, Joe Zajac, known as Meriden’s advocate for the transportation needs of our citizens, has served the City as a member of the Meriden Transit District since 1985, first as a Commissioner, then its Chairman, and currently serves as their Administrator; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his role with transportation, Joe has taught both Computer and Introduction to the Digital Camera classes at the Meriden Senior Center; serves as a representative of our senior citizens at the City Center Initiative meetings and the Meriden Parks & Public Land Dedication Committee; and

WHEREAS, Joe and the members of the Meriden Linear Trails Advisory Committee have spent countless hours of planning and preparing for the reality of the Quinnipiac River Gorge Trail, and after countless years of meetings, their dedication is finally being rewarded as the first phase of the project was completed and duly noted by the dedication ceremony on November 3, 2007; and

WHEREAS, these dedicated and caring individuals are certainly worthy of this award and should be publicly recognized for the outstanding services they have devoted to the City of Meriden;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mark D. Benigni, Mayor of the City of Meriden, do hereby proclaim Tuesday, November 20, 2007 as “Joseph Zajac Day” in the City of Meriden, in thanks and appreciation to Joe who is a perfect example of a motivated individual with community pride, giving back to the community, being an inspiration to all; and

FURTHERMORE, the members of the Meriden Linear Trails Advisory Committee are also to be commended and are a perfect example of community spirit and, therefore, I do hereby proclaim Wednesday, November 21, 2007 as “Meriden Linear Trails Advisory Committee Day” in the City of Meriden, to honor Mike, Tim, Bob,

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

NOVEMBER 19, 2007

Francis and Lori as the recipients of the Spirit of Meriden Award for November 2007, and

FURTHERMORE, I do hereby encourage all our citizens to publicly thank these dedicated individuals for all the time and energy they have given to the Quinnipiac River Gorge Trail, and will continue to do so until the final phase of the Linear Trail is completed.

DATED AND PRESENTED, this 19^th day of November 2007.

Stephen Zerio, made a motion, seconded by Keith Gordon, to adopt. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Benigni asked Joseph Zajac, Francis Zygmont, Timothy Fogal, Robert Burbank and Lori Canney to join him, Deputy Mayor Dominello and Majority Leader Zerio in the ellipse to receive a framed copy of the proclamation.

Item 9. Presented by Brian F. Kogut, by request.

Whereas, on June 18, 2007, the City Council approved a new collective bargaining agreement between the City of Meriden and Local #595; and

Whereas, the agreement provided for a wage increase of 2.5% for the period from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the sum of $135,240 be transferred from the Contingency Fund to the appropriate salary line items to cover the cost of said increase.

Stephen Zerio, made a motion, seconded by Brian Kogut, to adopt. Zerio stated through the Chair to the City Manager that a citizen had raised a question during public comment as to how this percentage wage increase compared to other unions in other towns. Kendzior stated the 2.5% is in fact the amount that we settled the other contracts which came up during the same time period for. Over the three years of the contract the wage increase is less than 3% per year on an average or slightly less. Both of those numbers are less than the average settlements that other municipalities including comparable communities that share our fiscal resources so it is a very good settlement. Zerio asked if Kendzior could explain why the Contingency Fund was the source of funding. Kendzior stated he reviewed with the Finance Director the various sources that were available for the funding for this contract. The Council actually approved the contract quite some time ago and his recommendation and our joint determination was the Contingency Fund was the best source. The Contingency Fund this year was somewhat larger than it has been in the past years and there has been very little appropriation to date out of the Contingency. Zerio asked Kogut if he had any problem with that and Kogut stated that he felt the Contingency Fund was the best place for this. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 12. No report from Finance.

Item 13. No report from Economic Development, Housing & Zoning.

Item 14. No report from Public Works and Parks & Recreation.

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

NOVEMBER 19, 2007

Item 15. No report from Public Safety.

Item 16. No report from Human Services.

Item 17. No report from Committee of the Whole.

Stephen Zerio, made a motion, seconded by Patricia Lynes, to remove from the table Item #14 of 10/15/07. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 14. Memorandum to City Council from Mayor Benigni recommending appointments to the School Building Committee of the following individuals:

Bruce Fontanella (R) Barbara Fraser (R)

498 High Hill Road 29 Daniel Way

Exp. 1/31/10 Exp. 1/31/08

(replaces Stark) (replaces Sullivan)

Stephen Zerio, 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 to stand adjourned. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

Clerk of the City Council