City of Meriden, CT - 12/01/2008

DECEMBER 1, 2008

The Meriden City Council’s regular meeting of December 1, 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 E. Santiago, John Thorp, Trevor Thorpe and Anthony D. Tomassetti.

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

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

Keith Gordon, made a motion, seconded by Matthew Dominello, to invoke Rule 20 to bring forth a Consent Calendar and to approve the minutes of November 17, 2008 and to adopt a Consent Calendar as previously prepared. Motion carried unanimously.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Item 1. Presented by David J. Salafia, by request.

WHEREAS, the South Central Regional Council of Governments and the Greater New Haven Transit District has informed the City that it is eligible to receive a federal Transit Enhancement grant to purchase and install a new transit bus shelter at Research Parkway & Murdock Ave., Meriden, CT, and

WHEREAS, the total amount of said grant is $18,350, and

WHEREAS, the federal share of said grant is 80% or $14,680, and the local share of said grant is 20% or $3,760, and

WHEREAS, payment for said grant is on a reimbursement basis through the Greater New Haven Transit District, administrator of the federal grant funds.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council that the City Manager, Lawrence J. Kendzior, is hereby authorized to submit and execute all required grant documents and attendant materials; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Manager is authorized to execute and submit any other supplemental materials as required.

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FTA Transit Enhancement Program

1. Municipality: Meriden, CT

2. Project Title: Bus Shelter Replacement Project

3. Project Location: Research Parkway & Murdock Ave., Meriden, CT

4. Written Description and Justification of Proposed Project:

The City of Meriden is seeking $18,350 to cover the costs associated with the purchase and installation of a transit bus shelter located in the City of Meriden that serves Connecticut Transit “C” Route. The bus shelter will be located on the east side of Research Parkway just north of the intersection of Research Parkway & Murdock Ave. in Meriden, CT.

In 1997, the City of Meriden in cooperation with the Greater New Haven Transit District installed five bus shelters throughout the city. One of these shelters was installed at Research Parkway & Murdock Ave. This stop is heavily used by bus passengers. On August 21, 2001, an unknown vehicle demolished the shelter. The original bench and pad, now an eyesore, still remain. The bus shelter has been the subject of numerous letters from the public requesting a complete rebuild of the shelter.

Since the original installation, this intersection has been reconfigured for traffic flow and direction. The new intersection makes access to the existing bus shelter location, which is located on the west side of Research Parkway and to the south of the Research Parkway & Murdock Ave. intersection, difficult for pedestrians to access. The proposal would install a new shelter across the street from the previous location and dismantle the existing bus shelter.

5. Preliminary Project Plans:

The project plan includes the procurement of a new bus shelter, site work and removal of the existing bus shelter. All work will be completed by the City of Meriden. The site location, selected by the Meriden Transit District, is located on the east side of Research Parkway just north of the intersection of Research Parkway & Murdock Ave. in Meriden, CT. A site plan will be developed by the City of Meriden as a part of project implementation.

6. Cost Estimates and Proposed Schedule

Consultation with the Greater New Haven Transit, City Engineering, and Columbia Equipment suggests that the cost to procure and install a prefabricated transit shelter is $18,350. A prefabricated shelter, similar to Columbia Equipment Company model #6005 (see attached) will be procured through the City’s standard bid process or other qualified purchasing process, such as purchase from the state contract.

7. Commitment of Non-Federal Funding Match

The City is aware that there is a 20% or $3,670 match required for the grant. The City is prepared to provide the matching funds as required. The City will document the match as required by the

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Greater New Haven Transit District, South Central Regional Council of Governments, or other state and federal agencies as required.

8. General Information

The City will provide additional project justification, such as photos of the physical damage to the transit shelter, site plans, bid documents, or other information to the Greater New Haven Transit District if South Central Regional Council of Governments as required.

9. Project Eligibility for FTA Funding.

Please check the FTA-eligible items that are addressed by the project:

a. Historic preservation, rehabilitation, and operation of historic mass

transportation building, structures, and facilities (including historic bus and

railroad facilities);

c. Landscaping and other scenic beautification, including tables, benches, trash

receptacles, and street lights;

e. Pedestrian access and walkways;

f. Bicycle access, including bicycle storage facilities and installing equipment for

transporting bicycles on mass transportation vehicles;

g. Transit connections to parks within the recipient’s transit service area;

i. Enhanced access for persons with disabilities to mass transportation.

10. Project Contacts

Name: Juliet Burdelski `

Title: Grants Administrator

Address: 142 East Main Street, Meriden, CT 06450

Phone Number: (203) 630 4105

Fax Number: (203) 630 4274

Title: Transit Administrator

Address: 22 West Main Street, Meriden, CT 06451

Phone Number: (203) 630 6851

Fax Number: (203) 630 7149

Referred to Public Works and Parks & Recreation and Finance.

Item 2. Presented by Anthony D. Tomassetti, by request.

Whereas, the City Council approved funding in an amount not to exceed $8000 for installation of two street lights and poles on Milici Circle on 4/7/08; and

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Whereas, the money appropriated from the Capital Equipment Account was not brought forward for this project to the 08/09 budget; and

Whereas, bills have been received to perform this installation and money now needs to be encumbered to pay for this service; now,

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that an appropriation not to exceed $8,200.00 be appropriated from the Contingency Fund.

Item 3. Letter from Planning Commission re: 398 Cook Avenue and their recommendation that City Council sell this vacant lot in an R-2 zone to abutting resident at 396 Cook Avenue on the condition that the property not be developed or used to increase the density of any other lot was accepted and filed.

Item 4. Letter from Planning Commission re: Zoning Amendment – Pet Mortuary and Disposal and their recommendation to deny due to vagueness of the definition in relation to type of animals and method of receipt, storage, disposal; lack of standards in the proposed regulation; lack of standards at state level; it would allow facility in M-3 zone, many of which abut dense residential neighborhoods; would allow industrial land to be used for storage of dead animals. Accepted and Filed.

Item 5. Letter from Planning Commission re: Plan of Conservation and Development was referred to Economic Development, Housing & Zoning.

Item 6. Letter from Planning Commission re: Policy/Procedure for Improvement of Unaccepted Street and their recommendation that Council approve the Policy/Procedure for Improvement of Unaccepted Streets with modification: Clarify and narrow the scope of roads to be covered under this policy by inserting after first mention of “unaccepted City streets” the words “that are existing substandard roads (within public street ROW’s proving primary access to multiple developed properties), not to include roads approved as private streets/drives nor undeveloped paper streets”. Referred to Economic Development, Housing & Zoning.

Item 13. Advisory Board on Aging Meeting Minutes of November 7, 2008 were filed with the City Clerk.

Item 14. Falcon Field/Washington Middle School Project Meeting Minutes of October 15, 2008 were filed with the City Clerk.

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Item MNO15. Presented by Michael S. Rohde, by request.

WHEREAS, the Connecticut Department of Transportation has informed the City that it received a grant in the amount of $114, 059 under the 2008 Connecticut Clean Fuel Program, and

WHEREAS, the grant can be used to fund the incremental cost of Two (2) Honda Civic Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Vehicles, Two (2) Ford Hybrid Escape Vehicles, and the full material cost of Eighteen (18) Diesel Retrofit Technologies.

WHEREAS, the purchase and use of such vehicles and equipment will help improve the environment by reducing vehicle emissions and improving fuel economy, and

WHEREAS, all equipment is available on state contract and must be purchased by December 31, 2009.

WHEREAS, the Connecticut Department of Transportation has informed the City the State Legislature has recently passed two public acts, PA 07-245 and PA 07-142, which indicate anyone doing business with the State of Connecticut is required to certify to the State that civil union nondiscrimination policies have been adopted. These requirements must be fulfilled as a part of the Connecticut Clean Fuel Program.

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 an agreement with the State of Connecticut for the Connecticut Clean Fuel Program (State Agreement No 6.26-15(08)),

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Manager is authorized to execute and submit any other supplemental materials as required.

BE IT FURTHER 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 any documents or supplementals as required by the State of Connecticut.

Referred to Finance.

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Item MNO16. Presented by David J. Salafia and John Thorp.

Whereas: There are a series of horizontal curves on Westfield Road beginning at the intersection of Bee Street at Westfield Road and continuing into Middletown; and

Whereas: There is guide rail located at the northerly entrance/exit to Giuffrida Drive which was installed to prevent errant motorists from sliding down the embankment and into the woods; and

Whereas: This guide rail has been struck and replacement of damaged sections and the addition of a bottom rail is required to increase the structural stability of this guide rail; and

Whereas: The new guide rail will restore the area to its original condition thereby preventing drivers from sliding down the embankment and into the woods.

Now therefore be it resolved that:

The City of Meriden appropriate funds in the sum of $3500 to secure the services of our on call guide rail contractor to furnish and install new metal beam guide rail, remove the damaged guide rail and install a bottom guide rail to increase the structural stability and that the cost thereof be from the Contingency Fund.

Referred to Finance.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

Item 7A. Your Economic Development, Housing & Zoning Committee, to whom was referred a petition concerning adding new subsection “Pet Mortuary and Disposal Facilities to Section 213-7 on 10/6/08 have attended to the matter and recommend FILING.

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 file. McGoldrick explained that the Planning Commission had recommended that this item be denied and the action was withdrawn by the applicant. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 7B. Your Economic Development, Housing & Zoning Committee, to whom was referred a resolution concerning Proposed Land Use Application Fee Schedule on 11/17/08 have attended to the matter and recommend the following:

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

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Be It Ordered, that this be approved as recommended by the Planning Commission.

George McGoldrick, made a motion, seconded by Hilda Santiago, to adopt. McGoldrick explained this item and the next one are intended to accomplish two things. One is to adjust the fees that are collected for planning reviews to levels that are consistent with work involved. Many of these had not been changed since the late 80’s. It also makes them consistent with our neighboring communities. In addition, it will remove the fee schedule from the City Code to allow it to be more easily updated in the future. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 7C. Your Economic Development, Housing & Zoning Committee, to whom was referred a resolution concerning zoning text amendments to eliminate specific fee amounts and refer to Land Use Fee Schedule on 11/17/08, 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 stated this item simply eliminates the fee amounts from the text of the code and puts them in the schedule. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 7D. Your Economic Development, Housing & Zoning Committee, to whom was referred a resolution concerning City Manager be authorized to execute any and all documents regarding sale of 398 Cook Avenue on 10/6/08 have attended to the matter and recommend the following:

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

Be It Ordered, that this be approved as recommended by the Planning Commission.

George McGoldrick, made a motion, seconded by Matthew Dominello, to adopt. McGoldrick stated the Committee decided to act in concert with the recommendation from the Planning Commission. This is a small parcel on Cook Avenue. We have an offer to purchase it from an adjoining property owner. The topography involved and the size of the site make it inappropriate for any city use and the sale is what is recommended. Rohde asked if there was a policy that if city land is available that first right of refusal would be an abutting property owner. McGoldrick stated he knows we have a policy and most of these are listed before they are sold. Kendzior stated there is a section of the code that addresses it. It really depends on the property and what it might be suitable for. Properties are either listed for sale with a real estate broker or sometimes we do a request for proposals if we have a property that we are interested in a particular use or it is only suitable for a particular use. From time to time we have these properties which really are not properties that we think should be developed or in this case could easily be developed and we typically offer these properties to all the adjoining owners and see what sort of response we get. Motion carried unanimously.

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Item 8. No report from Finance.

Item 9. No report from Public Works and Parks & Recreation.

Item 10. No report from Public Safety.

Item 11. No report from Human Services.

Item 12. No report from Committee of the Whole.

There being nothing further to be brought before the Council, Mayor Rohde entertained a motion to adjourn. A motion was made by Keith Gordon, seconded by Hilda Santiago, and carried unanimously, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

Clerk of the City Council