City of Meriden, CT - September 2, 2008 minutes

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

SEPTEMBER 2, 2008

The Meriden City Council’s regular meeting of September 2, 2008 was convened at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Michael S. Rohde. Keith Gordon led the Council in the salute to the flag and Matthew Dominello offered the invocation. The Clerk called the roll. Present: Dante’ Bartolomeo, Brian Daniels, Matthew Dominello, Keith Gordon, Brian Kogut, George McGoldrick, David Salafia, Hilda Santiago, Trevor Thorpe and Anthony Tomassetti.

EXCUSED: Walter Shamock and John Thorp were away on business.

ATTENDANCE AT PUBLIC COMMENT: Dante’ Bartolomeo, Brian Daniels, Matthew Dominello, Keith Gordon, Brian Kogut, George McGoldrick, David Salafia, Hilda Santiago, Trevor Thorpe and Anthony Tomassetti.

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

Matthew Dominello, made a motion, seconded by Hilda Santiago, to invoke Rule 20 to bring forth a Consent Calendar and to approve the minutes of August 18, 2008 and to adopt a Consent Calendar as previously prepared. Motion carried unanimously.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Item 1. Petition with 243 signatures opposing Mark Development of auto car dealership on Murdock Avenue was referred to Economic Development, Housing & Zoning and Planning.

Item 3. Presented by David J. Salafia and Dante’ Bartolomeo.

Whereas, there is a storm drain pipe buried beneath Britannia Street; and

Whereas, this storm drain pipe conveys storm water runoff from Britannia Street, Locust Street, Tremont Street, Sherman Avenue, and the Jack Barry Little League Complex to an outfall in Clark Brook at Center Street; and

Whereas, this storm drain pipe has not functioned properly for several years; and

Whereas, this storm pipe recently collapsed and ceased to function entirely; and

Whereas, the resulting back-up of storm water run-off is causing property damage and is becoming a safety issue for adjacent residents; now, therefore,

Be it Resolved, that the City of Meriden appropriate funds from the 2008/2009 Capital Improvement Program in the sum of $150,000 to secure the services of a contractor to replace the 65± linear foot long damaged section of pipe and re-pave the section of Britannia Street removed during the repairs.

Referred to Finance and Public Works and Parks & Recreation.

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2008

Item 4. Presented by Brian F. Kogut, by request.

Whereas, two Highway Maintainer positions (Storm Drain-Water Division) are vacant due to transfers; and

Whereas, both positions have been vacant since May 1, 2008; and

Whereas, this has exceeded the 90 day waiting period; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that these vacancies be filled as soon as possible.

Referred to Finance.

Item 5. Presented by David J. Salafia, by request.

Whereas, the existing Harbor Brook Pump station General Electric 125 HP Variable Frequency Drive's are obsolete and parts are unavailable; and

Whereas,~The Water Pollution Control Facility has been experiencing frequent failures causing pump shut downs and alarms after hours during which the pumps will not restart; and

Whereas, Approximately~80% of all~the incoming sewage is pumped by the Harbor Brook pumping station and flows can exceed 30 million gallons per day requiring three or all four pumps to operate simultaneously; and

Whereas, Baldor 125 HP Variable Frequency Drive's are state of the art units~produced~in Wallingford, to be installed and serviced~by Total Control Inc. who have been providing routine and after hours emergency electrical repairs for the WPCF over the last three years; now, therefore~

Be It Resolved,~that we are requesting the use of Retained Earnings in the amount not to exceed $35,000~for four Baldor~125HP Variable Frequency Drive's to be purchased from and installed by Total Control Inc~.~~~~

Referred to Finance.

Item 6. Presented by Anthony D. Tomassetti and David J. Salafia, by request.

Whereas, Jonal Laboratories is in the process of a major expansion to their business at 456/468 Center Street; and

Whereas, Jonal Laboratories renovation will revitalize an important corridor on Center Street; and

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2008

Whereas, Jonal Laboratories renovation will result in increased property tax revenue to the City of Meriden; and

Whereas, Jonal Laboratories continued success is important to the employment base of city residents; and

Whereas, Jonal Laboratories 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 Jonal Laboratories be authorized to participate in the City of Meriden’s C.I.D.E.walk Program for additional sidewalk replacement at 456-468 Center Street.

Referred to Economic Development, Housing & Zoning and Planning.

Item 7. Presented by Dante’ Bartolomeo, by request.

Be It Resolved, that the dead end section (#215+) of Sunset Avenue be added to the paving list for prioritization by staff.

Referred to Public Works and Parks & Recreation.

Item 8. Presented by Brian F. Kogut, by request.

Be It Resolved, that Sage Hill Road be added to the paving list for prioritization by staff.

Referred to Public Works and Parks & Recreation.

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

Whereas, there are numerous activities held at Washington Park during the fall season such as football practice, football games and the like; and

Whereas, many families attend these events to watch their children; and

Whereas, there are many vehicles that park on both sides of Liberty Street, Pearl Street, North Pearl Street and Clinton Street; and

Whereas, because of the lack of parking spaces some citizens have blocked the driveway’s of homeowners in the area; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that signage be placed in the area advising not to block private driveways and that the Police Department enforce the parking in the area.

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2008

Referred to Public Safety.

Item 10. Letter to Mayor Rohde from Ryan Dunn, 794 Murdock Avenue re: Opposition to Mark Development for a large used car dealership at 850 Murdock Avenue was filed.

Item 11. Letter to Mayor Rohde from Sandra & Robert Kuhn re: Opposition to Mark Development for a large used car dealership at 850 Murdock Avenue was filed.

Item 12. Letter to City Council from Planning Commission re: Establish Land Use Fee Schedule for applications and adjust authorized fees; Amend Zoning to refer to Land Use Fee Schedule and their recommendation that the City Council adopt the proposed Fee Schedule for zoning related development applications, and amend the Zoning text to consistently refer to the Schedule was accepted and filed.

Item 13. Claims submitted against the City by Roselyn Gardens Condo Association, 1396 North Colony Road, Meriden, CT; Pedro Vazquez, 27 Kensington Avenue, Meriden, CT; Daniel and Lorraine Belanger-Bassett, 122 Thorpe Avenue, Meriden, CT; Stacey Owens, 16 Fourth Street, Meriden, CT were referred to Legal and Safety & Risk.

Item 20. Falcon Field/Washington Middle School Project Meeting Minutes of July 16, 2008 were filed with City Clerk.

Item 21. Public Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes of May 20, 2008 were filed with City Clerk.

Item 22. Public Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes of June 17, 2008 were filed with City Clerk.

Item 23. Meriden Police Department Monthly Report for July 2008 was filed with City Clerk.

Item 24. Meriden Transit District Meeting Minutes of August 21, 2008 were filed with City Clerk.

Item 25. Golf Course Commission Minutes of July 28, 2008 were filed with City Clerk.

Item MNO26. Presented by David J. Salafia, by request.

Whereas, the Water Pollution Control Facility had two to three operator vacancies over the last fiscal year; and

Whereas, the Water Pollution Control Facility was recently allowed to fill two of the three positions; and

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2008

Whereas, an experienced Operator is expected to transfer to another Division within the next two weeks; and

Whereas, the Water Pollution Control Facility is currently undergoing a major upgrade; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the Water Pollution Control Facility is requesting that the 90 day waiting period be waived and the Operator I position be filled as soon as possible.

Referred to Finance.

Item MNO27. Presented by Brian F. Kogut, by request.

A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION MAKING APPROPRIATIONS AGGREGATING $11,851,500 FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND EQUIPMENT IN THE 2008/2009 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $11,851,500 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 $11,851,500 For Various Public Improvements And Equipment In The 2008/2009 Capital Improvement Program And Authorizing The Issuance of $11,851, 500 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 June 16, 2008 (the “GPIB #64 Resolution”), is hereby amended by adding the following new appropriations:

“Center Street Bridge Design Consultant and Contract Repair (Acct. No. 0401-7364-326) - $40,000; and

Hubbard Park Playscape Fence (Acct. No. 0401-7364-327) - $26,000”,

Thereby increasing the total appropriation therein by $66,000 from $11,851,500 to $11,917,500.

Section 2. Section 2 of the GPIB #64 Resolution is amended by increasing the total amount of bonds of the City authorized to be issued therein by $66,000 from $11,851,500 to $11,917,500.

Section 3. Section 6 of the GPIB #64 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.

MNO28. Withdrawn.

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2008

MNO29. Withdrawn.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

Item 2. Presented by Brian F. Kogut, by request.

Whereas, the City Manager has appointed Michael Lupkas as Director of Finance; and

Whereas, that appointment is subject to approval by the City Council in accordance with Section C8-1 of the City Charter; and

Whereas, the Treasurer of the City of Meriden is to be appointed by the City Council upon the recommendation of the City Manager, as required by Section C8-17 of the City Charter; and

Whereas, the City Manager has recommended the appointment of Michael Lupkas as Treasurer; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the appointment of Michael Lupkas as Director of Finance is hereby approved and Michael Lupkas is appointed as Treasurer.

Brian Kogut, made a motion, seconded by Keith Gordon, to adopt. Kendzior described the process for selection. He stated we received a fairly large number of applicants for the position. It is a very competitive market these days for finance directors so that was a good sign that people think highly enough of the position and of the city to be willing to apply for it here. Those applications were reviewed by the Personnel Director, together with Bob Tait who as you all know was our former Finance Director and Jim Reynolds who is serving on an interim basis for us. There were about 7-8 applicants who were chosen to be interviewed. They were interviewed by a panel of three Finance Directors from other municipalities that are somewhat comparable in size to ours and have positions that are similar. Three of the applicants from that panel were chosen for a final round of interviews. The panel that did that was Kendzior, the Personnel Director, Chief of Police Cossette, Steve Montemurro who is the MIS Director and the Chair of the Finance Committee, Councilor Kogut. We were all unanimous in our choice. Mr. Lupkas has served as both the Director of Finance and Deputy Director of Finance in the City of Bridgeport for several years, about ten years or so. He is familiar with all of the sorts of issues that a Finance Director from the City of Meriden has to deal with. He has done bond issues. He is familiar with the auditing procedures that we use. Prior to that he held other positions in the City of Bridgeport and also had worked a number of years in the private sector as an accountant and so forth. He has a large number of professional memberships and he is a certified public finance official. Kendzior stated the panel was unanimous in its opinion. He feels Mr. Lupkas will be able to serve the city well and he is asking that the Council approve that decision. Motion carried unanimously.

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2008

Item 12A. Memorandum to Meriden City Council from Mayor Michael S. Rohde regarding appointment to the Meriden Linear Trails Advisory Committee. Pursuant to Section C3-3J of the Meriden City Charter, I am hereby recommending appointment of the following individual to the Meriden Linear Trails Advisory Committee:

Catherine Battista (D)

142 Stevenson Road, S.M.

Keith Gordon, made a motion, seconded by David Salafia, to table for two weeks for vetting. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 14A. Your Economic Development, Housing & Zoning Committee, to whom was referred a resolution concerning reimbursement of relocation expenses for Accel International Holdings, LLC under the Meriden Manufacturing Assistance Act on 8/4/08 have attended to the matter and recommend adoption.

Committee: George E. McGoldrick, Chairman; Matthew C. Dominello, Sr., Vice-Chairman; Anthony D. Tomassetti; Hilda E. Santiago; David J. Salafia; Brian P. Daniels.

George McGoldrick, made a motion, seconded by Hilda Santiago, to adopt. McGoldrick explained that this item and the next one provide assistance to a manufacturing operation that is currently in Waterbury who will be moving their manufacturing operation to Meriden. The company is ACCEL International. They manufacture high performance wire used in electronics, aerospace, medical, military and automotive and telecommunications applications. The first item is the up to $15,000 grant for relocation expenses pending documentation of those expenses. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 14B. Your Economic Development, Housing & Zoning Committee, to whom was referred a resolution concerning an application of ACCEL Meriden, LLC under the Meriden Manufacturing Act for a MMAP loan of $500,000 on 8/4/08 have attended to the matter and recommend adoption.

Committee: George E. McGoldrick, Chairman; Matthew C. Dominello, Sr., Vice-Chairman; Anthony D. Tomassetti; Hilda E. Santiago; David J. Salafia; Brian P. Daniels.

George McGoldrick, made a motion, seconded by Matthew Dominello, to adopt. McGoldrick stated this is the second of the two items which provide assistance to ACCEL. This is a $500,000 MMAP loan. It is a ten year loan. This company is moving from Waterbury and this will help accommodate the company’s activities. The company will activate a dormant facility which is the old T.I. Automotive facility. The company expects job growth over the next 2-3 years of 41 new positions and they are establishing a goal of hiring at least 50% of those from Meriden. The terms of the loan has been reviewed by the Economic Development Committee, by the MMAP Committee, by an independent advisor as well as by a private lender who will be participating in the financing of this package. It has been well vetted and he is sure they will do well.

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2008

McGoldrick stated we need to refer this to the Finance Committee as well. Keith Gordon, made a motion, seconded by David Salafia, to adopt and refer to Finance. Councilor Tomassetti asked to abstain on this issue. Hearing no objection it was so ordered. Motion to adopt and refer to Finance carried unanimously. Councilor Tomassetti abstained.

Item 15. No report from Finance.

Item 16. No report from Public Works and Parks & Recreation.

Item 17. No report from Public Safety.

Item 18. No report from Human Services.

Item 19. No report from Committee of the Whole.

There being nothing further to be brought before the Council, Mayor Rohde declared the meeting to stand adjourned. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

Clerk of the City Council