City of Meriden, CT - 10/20/2008

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

OCTOBER 20, 2008

The Meriden City Council’s regular meeting of October 20, 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, Walter Shamock, John Thorp, Trevor Thorpe and Anthony Tomassetti.

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

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

Keith Gordon, made a motion, seconded by Walter Shamock, to invoke Rule 20 to bring forth a Consent Calendar and to approve the minutes of October 6, 2008 and to adopt a Consent Calendar as previously prepared. Motion carried unanimously.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Item 2. Presented by Hilda E. Santiago, by request.

Whereas, for the past 39 years the State Department of Social Services has provided funds to the City of Meriden for the purpose of providing day care to 50 economically disadvantaged preschoolers; and

Whereas, the City of Meriden values affordable school readiness and day care opportunities for 3 and 4 year olds residing in Meriden; and

Whereas, the available funding for calendar year 2009 is in an amount not to exceed $405,250; and

Whereas, upon renewal of this grant the City will contribute in-kind services in the form of administrative and fiscal management; and

Whereas, the receipt of this grant has no financial impact on the City’s General fund; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that Lawrence J. Kendzior, City Manager is empowered to enter into and amend contractual instruments in the name of and on behalf of the City Council of Meriden with the Department of Social Services of the State of Connecticut for a Child Day Care Program.

Item 3. Presented by Hilda E. Santiago, by request.

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Whereas, the Council approved a resolution at its March 17, 2008 meeting to adopt grant funds for a contract to support senior centers educational, health, social and human services programs for older adults in the amount of $4,500. Funds are to be expended by June 30, 2008; and

Whereas, the Connecticut Department of Social Services has identified the availability of additional funds in the amount of $3,450 and has extended the contract period to April 30, 2009; and

Whereas, the receipt of additional grant funds has no financial impact on the City’s General Fund; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that Beth Vumbaco, R.N., 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, R.N., MS, Director of Health/Human Services shall process and submit all of the documents required that are relative to this contract.

Item 4. Presented by Michael S. Rohde, by request.

Whereas, an appropriation of $10,000 was approved by the City Council on 7/2/2007 to fund the budget line item for the Anti-“Litter Committee” to cover 2007/2008; and

Whereas, $5,000 of the appropriated funds were not spent in FY2007-2008 and therefore the funds were returned to the general fund on July 1, 2008; and

Whereas, the Anti-Litter Committee is continuing their efforts to reduce litter in the City of Meriden and therefore is in need of funding for the committee; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that an appropriation not to exceed $5000.00 be made with source of funding to be determined by the Finance Committee.

Referred to Finance.

Item 5. George E. McGoldrick and Brian F. Kogut, by request

WHEREAS, the City owns property at 311 Murdock Avenue, located adjacent to Interstate Highway I-91, and

WHEREAS, Patriot Outdoor, LLC, has offered to lease a portion of that property for the purpose of erecting a billboard for an annual rental fee of $12,000 plus 25% of

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the gross advertising revenue received by Patriot for that billboard, in accordance with the terms of a proposed lease, a copy of which is attached hereto, and

WHEREAS, the Patriot also would pay for the installation of a permanent sign at the base of the billboard identifying the Meriden Humane Society, which is also located at said address and would install a “Welcome to Meriden” sign on Research Parkway also noting the Humane Society, and

WHEREAS, the City would have the right to approve advertising content on the billboard, which approval would not be unreasonably withheld;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that a Lease between the City of Meriden and Patriot Outdoor LLC is hereby approved and the City Manager is authorized to execute said lease and any other documents attendant thereto.

Referred to Finance.

Item 12. Flood Control Implementation Agency Meeting Minutes of May 6, 2008 were filed with City Clerk.

Item 13. Flood Control Implementation Agency Meeting Minutes of July 1, 2008 were filed with City Clerk.

Item 14. Department of Fire and Emergency Services Monthly Report for July 2008 were filed with City Clerk.

Item 15. Letter from Planning Commission re: Plan of Conservation and Development for City Council’s review. Special Informational Meeting between City Council and Planning Commission to be held on October 29, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at the Meriden Public Library.

Item MNO16. Presented by Brian F. Kogut and Anthony D. Tomassetti.

Whereas, the City of Meriden currently has an inner district tax rate of 29.89 mills and an outer district tax rate of 27.96 mills, and

Whereas, the additional revenues generated by the inner district tax rate are utilized solely to provide trash collection services for residential units of four families or less located in the inner district, and

Whereas, businesses located in the inner district are required to pay the higher mill rate but do not receive trash collection services, and

Whereas, residential properties of five units or more located in the inner district are also required to pay the higher mill rate but do not receive trash collection services, and

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Whereas, the City of Meriden contracts with a private hauler to provide trash collection services in the inner district at the following rates:

Single Family Residence $276 per year

Two Family Residence $456 per year

Three Family Residence $684 per year

Four Family Residence $1,020 per year and

Whereas, inequities exists because some taxpayers are paying more than the cost of the trash collection services they receive, some taxpayers are paying less than the cost of the trash collection services they receive, and all business taxpayers located in the inner district are being forced to pay for a service that they don’t receive; and

Whereas, staff’s recommendation to simply reduce the size of the inner district does not go far enough to address the inequities that exist

Now, therefore, be it resolved that effective July 1, 2009

1. The inner district tax rate will be eliminated and all taxpayers will pay the same mill rate.

2. Any residential taxpayer who receives trash collection services through city contract will pay the actual cost of that service rather than an amount based on their property assessment. For example, if the city contracts with a private hauler to pick up trash at a single family residence for $276 per year then the owner of that single family residence will pay the city that same amount.

3. Businesses will not be charged for trash collection services that they do not receive.

Referred to Finance.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

Item1. Presented by George E. McGoldrick.

Whereas, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is soliciting applications for its Brownfields Assessment Grant program; and

Whereas, the City of Meriden wishes to improve its quality of life and create land for redevelopment by eliminating blighted and contaminated properties; and

Whereas, the USEPA has previously recognized and supported the City’s comprehensive brownfields program through one million dollars ($1,000,000) in grant funding; and

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Whereas, these funds would help prepare sites for reuse, increase the tax base and create new jobs for residents; and

Whereas, the City of Meriden, is a governmental entity eligible to apply for these funds; and

Whereas, this EPA application and funding do not require any expenditure of funds by the City; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the Meriden City Council hereby approves the submission of a $200,000 application to USEPA and authorizes the City Manager, Lawrence J. Kendzior, to execute any and all documents pertaining to this application and grant award.

Keith Gordon, made a motion, seconded by Walter Shamock, to adopt. Gordon explained if we receive this grant will be for $200,000 to help continue to mitigate the issues at Factory H. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 6A. Your Public Works and Parks & Recreation Committee, to whom was referred a letter from John Gopian of CT Yankee Council requesting Meriden’s participation in the 100^th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America in spring of 2010 on 8/4/08 report that they have attended to the matter and recommend the following:

Committee: David J. Salafia, Chairperson; Brian F. Kogut, Vice-Chair; Walter Shamock; John J. Thorp; Dante´ Bartolomeo.

Be It Ordered, that this be approved in concept.

David Salafia, made a motion, seconded by Brian Kogut, to adopt. Salafia explained the Boy Scouts will have a Jamboree at the new and refurbished Half Way House at Hubbard Park the spring of 2010. A detailed plan will be forthcoming. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 6B. Your Public Works and Parks & Recreation Committee, to whom was referred a resolution on 10/6/08 concerning possible installation of sidewalks on Orange Street with source of funding to be considered for inclusion in the 2009-2010 CIP report that they have attended to the matter and recommend the following:

Committee: David J. Salafia, Chairperson; Brian F. Kogut, Vice-Chair; Walter Shamock; John J. Thorp; Dante´ Bartolomeo.

Be It Ordered, that this be placed in next year’s budget.

David Salafia, made a motion, seconded by Brian Kogut, to adopt. Salafia explained that Orange Street will be placed on the sidewalk list for possible inclusion in next year’s budget. The staff has put this on the prioritization list. Rohde asked if this has been included for next year and Salafia explained it hadn’t been. It will be looked at by staff who will make determination regarding inclusion. Motion carried unanimously.

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Item 6C. Your Public Works and Parks & Recreation Committee, to whom was referred a resolution concerning block building to be built for Falcon BMX on 10/6/08, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption.

Committee: David J. Salafia, Chairperson; Brian F. Kogut, Vice-Chair; Walter Shamock; John J. Thorp; Dante´ Bartolomeo.

David Salafia, made a motion, seconded by Brian Kogut, to adopt. Salafia stated he is a member of the Lion’s Club along with Councilors Tomassetti and John Thorp. This project being built by the Lion’s Club is President Tom Raffile’s president’s project. Tom has worked with the BMX leadership to design and build this building. Most of us know that when the Lion’s Club is involved with a project it is something we all can be proud of. He totally endorses this resolution. Rohde asked if there was any cost to the city and Salafia stated no.

Item 7. Your Human Services Committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning CDBG-34 on 9/15/08, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend the following:

Committee: Hilda E. Santiago, Chairperson; Trevor Thorpe, Vice-Chair; Matthew C. Dominello, Sr.; Brian P. Daniels; Dante´ Bartolomeo.

Be It Ordered, that the following amounts be reallocated from the Contingency portion of CD-34:

$2500 to Gallery 53; and

$3389 to Meriden Soup Kitchen; and

Be It Further Ordered, that this brings the Contingency Fund balance to “0” dollars.

Trevor Thorpe, made a motion, seconded by Matthew Dominello, to adopt. Santiago stated this is a resolution we approved at a meeting on October 2. We had a public hearing. We had members from the Meriden Soup Kitchen that came and spoke about the program. There are seven different groups that serve. There is about 70 volunteers. There are no paid staff. They pay for custodial services. Most of the funds cover food, paper and serving supplies. They pay no rent to the church, it is a gratis contribution and pay no utilities. They do some maintenance on the building and have also done some upgrading to the building. They are hoping to receive a grant from the Cuno Foundation for $13-$14,000 to cover the kitchen upgrade. Last year they spent $30-$32,000 and they have already passed that amount for the year. Currently they serve 160-200 people a day. They do not ask for identification for those that come to the kitchen. The Soup Kitchen does not operate on the weekends but the Salvation Army and shelter serve meals on Saturday and Sunday. Santiago also explained that Gallery 53 are hosting projects for children 3-5 years of age, for low income children. They get children from the Battered Women’s Shelter, Catholic Family Services, YMCA. The funding will cover the cost of supplies.

Rohde stated these two items are very well deserved. These are two organizations that do tremendous good for our city. Last Friday he had the opportunity to visit the Soup Kitchen. They have volunteers that come at 7 a.m. in the morning to start preparing meals. Last year they served 30,000 meals. This year they’ll be serving 35,000 meals. Seven faith communities are involved

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in this. It is a phenomenal operation that they have over there. The First Baptist Church provides space for them and storage for the food, free of cost. It is a wonderful asset to our community. They did report seeing an increase in working families and children coming to the meals coming at lunch time. It is of tremendous need in our community and our faith communities are really stepping up and he feels they are doing a phenomenal job. Gallery 53 as we know is a downtown gallery. They are going beyond normal arts and crafts to helping children as well. This is a great use of the money and commends Chairperson Santiago for retooling the balances to these worthwhile organizations. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 8. No report from Finance.

Item 9. No report from Economic Development, Housing & Zoning.

Item 10. No report from Public Safety.

Item 11. No report from Committee of the Whole.

Mayor Rohde publicly thanked Jacqueline Fordiani, the City’s Constituent Caseworker for her help in organizing the Mayor’s Clean-Up Day and presented her with a silver cup for all her hard work.

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