City of Meriden, CT

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

FEBRUARY 2, 2009

The Meriden City Council’s regular meeting of February 2, 2009 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 and Trevor Thorpe.

EXCUSED: Anthony Tomassetti was excused.

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

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

Keith Gordon, made a motion, seconded by George McGoldrick, to invoke Rule 20 to bring forth a Consent Calendar and to approve the minutes of January 20, 2009 and to adopt a Consent Calendar as previously prepared. Motion carried unanimously.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Item 2. 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

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

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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:

Referred to Finance.

Item 3. Presented by David J. Salafia, by request.

Whereas, the Water Pollution Control Facility Discharge Permit will soon be modified by the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection to include limits for phosphorus reduction; and

Whereas, the Water Pollution Control Facility is currently undergoing an upgrade and has a qualified contractor on site; and

Whereas, the Water Pollution Control Facility has requested that the Public Utilities Commission approve a Phosphorus Reduction Feasibility Study. The Study qualifies for 55% Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Grant monies; and

Whereas, the Public Utilities Commission has approved a Feasibility Study to reduce phosphorus for the amount of $150,477.00 to be funded by Retained Earnings; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the Water Pollution Control Facility is requesting the use of Retained Earnings in the amount not to exceed $150,477.00 for a Phosphorus Reduction Feasibility Study. These monies will be transferred to the WPCF Capital Account (0502-3930-501) for purposes of accounting.

Referred to Public Works and Parks & Recreation and Finance.

Item 4. Presented by David J. Salafia and John J. Thorp.

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Whereas, there is an existing metal beam guide rail located in the northwest corner of Baldwin Avenue at Preston Drive; and

Whereas, the physical condition of this guide rail has deteriorated over the years to the point where sections of the guide rail are damaged/bent; and

Whereas, the condition of the vertical supports have also deteriorated through apparent vehicular hits; and

Whereas, the replacement of the guide rail is recommended by Engineering to maintain current safety practices; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the City of Meriden appropriate funds in the sum of $3,500 to secure the services of our on call guide rail contractor to remove the existing guide rail, furnish and install new metal beam guide rail and that the cost thereof be from the Contingency Fund.

Referred to Public Works and Parks & Recreation, Finance.

Item 6. Presented by David J. Salafia, by request.

Whereas, the 2008 Golf Rates meet the required projected income for the 2009-2010 fiscal year budget; and

Whereas, the Golf Course Commission wishes to maintain a balanced budget; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the attached proposed rates for the 2009-2010 fiscal year be approved.

Proposed Golf Rates, 2009

2009 Season Pass Rates ****

****Additional 1 dollar Capital Improvement Charge per round of golf to be applied.

By February 28, 2009 After February 28, 2009

Individual, Resident $1090.00 $1140.00

Senior, Resident* $ 550.00 $ 600.00

First Pass purchased $1090.00 $1140.00

Each Additional Pass $ 890.00 $ 940.00

Youth, Resident** $ 250.00 $ 300.00

Individual, Non-Resident $1550.00 $1600.00

Senior, Non-Resident* $ 890.00 $ 940.00

* Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Excluding holidays)

Weekends after 3 p.m.

Holidays are defined as Memorial Day, Independence Day (4^th of July), Labor Day or others that may be defined by the Golf Commission.

** Family, Resident: with one full pass purchased, spouses or full time students between the age of 18 and 24. (Student must show documentation of full time status at an accredited college or university).

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***Weekdays before 3 p.m. and weekends after 3 p.m.

****Additional 1 dollar Capital Improvement Charge per round of golf to be applied.

Proposed Golf Rates, 2009 (cont.)

2009 Daily Green Fees****

Residents Non-Residents

Weekday: 9 holes $17.00 $19.00

18 holes $26.00 $34.00

Weekend & 9 holes $18,00 $20.00

Holidays: 18 holes $29.00 $37.00

Senior: 9 holes $12.00*** $12.00***

18 holes $19.00*** $19.00***

Youth: 9 holes $9.00*** $9.00***

18 holes $16.00*** $16.00***

Twilight (90 min. before sunset) $11.00 $11.00

***Weekdays before 3 p.m. and weekends after 3 p.m.

2009 Winter Green Fees****

Unlimited Play $16.00 Senior Rate $9.00

-Promotional rates and time periods to be announced by the Golf Commission.

****Additional 1 dollar Capital Improvement Charge per round of golf to be applied.

2009 League Registration and Green Fees

Per Person: $10.00 Registration

Green Fee for 9 holes: $20.00

2009 Tournament Fees*

18 holes $54.00* 18 holes $58.00*

*Package includes green fee, golf cart and Capital Improvement Fee.

Note: Golf Commission will establish opening and closing dates of the Golf Course.

Referred to Public Works and Parks & Recreation for Public Hearing, Finance.

Item 7. Claims submitted against the City by Debbie Corriveau, 94 Webb Street, South Meriden, CT; Joseph A. Menichetti, 47 Fiesta Heights, Meriden, CT; Ray Correa, 130 Bradley Avenue, 2^nd Floor, Apt. 203, Meriden, CT; Victoria Barr, 3 Garden Street, 2^nd Floor, Meriden, CT; Eddie Fluker and Matosha Moore, 3 Garden Street, Apt. 1, Meriden, CT; Kenneth Gagne, 78 Walt Drive, Meriden, CT were referred to Legal and Safety & Risk.

Item 14. Flood Control Implementation Agency Meeting Minutes of December 2, 2008 were filed with City Clerk.

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Item 15. Golf Course Commission Minutes of November 24, 2008 were filed with City Clerk.

Item MNO16. Presented by David J. Salafia, by request.

Whereas, the Water Pollution Control Facility Manager’s position is unfilled due to a staff member’s retirement on October 31, 2008; and

Whereas, the Water Pollution Control Facility Assistant Manager has been appointed Acting Manager in the interim; and

Whereas, the Water Pollution Control Facility is required to employ a Chief Operator at the class of such facility under Section 22A-416-3 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and this position must be filled by March 9^th; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the Department of Public Utilities may appoint a qualified individual to the position of Water Pollution Control Manager effective immediately.

Referred to Public Works and Parks & Recreation and Finance.

Item MNO17. Presented by David J. Salafia, by request.

Whereas, the Water Pollution Control Facility Maintenance Supervisor has recently acquired his State of CT Department of Environmental Protection Class 4 Certification; and

Whereas, the Water Pollution Control Facility Maintenance Supervisor is now eligible to fill the position of Water Pollution Control Manager; and

Whereas, the promotion of Water Pollution Control Facility Maintenance Supervisor to the Water Pollution Control Manager’s position will create a vacant Supervisor’s position; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, the Department be allowed to fill the position of Water Pollution Control Facility Maintenance Supervisor immediately upon its vacancy.

Referred to Public Works and Parks & Recreation and Finance.

Item MNO18. Report of the Board of Ethics for 2008 was filed with the City Clerk.

Item MNO19. Letter from Planning Commission re: Amendment to the Draft Plan of Conservation and Development Dated 9/2008 was referred to Economic Development, Housing & Zoning.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

Item 1. Presented by Michael S. Rohde, by request.

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Be It Resolved, that the City of Meriden, hereby adopts as its policy to support the non-discrimination agreements and warranties required under Connecticut General Statutes §4a-60(a)(1) and §4a-60a(a)(1), as amended in State of Connecticut Public Act 07-245 and sections 9(a)(1) and 10(a)(1) of Public Act 07-142; and

Also Be It Resolved, that Lawrence J. Kendzior, City Manager, is empowered to execute and deliver in the name and on behalf of the City of Meriden a contract with the Connecticut State Library for a Historic Documents Preservation Grant.

Keith Gordon, made a motion, seconded by Matthew Dominello, to adopt. Rohde asked City Manager Kendzior to discuss this item. Kendzior stated these are grant applications from the state library. They are filed here by the City Clerk. The funds that are received are used to preserve older historic documents, maps and so forth. When the applications are successful the grants are usually for a figure of about $4000-$5000. Motion carried unanimously.

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

Be It Resolved, that lumens be increased on Pole #5352 that is in front of 69 Morse Street.

Keith Gordon, made a motion, seconded by Brian Kogut, to adopt. Gordon explained there was a question brought up at Public Comment in regards to increasing lumens on this pole. In the areas of Cortland Court and Morse Street there have been several break-ins recently. There was a request by not only the residents but the police for increased lighting. Increased lighting in the area would help the police do better surveillance and/or the neighbors would feel a little bit more secure. It is approximately an $8 cost. The facts regarding the cost is it is a newer bulb and with the increased lumens it would actually be cheaper for us to run. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 8A. Your Finance Committee, to whom was referred a resolution concerning an appropriation not to exceed $103,000 be authorized to install a PVC liner to rehabilitate the 500± linear foot long section of storm drain pipe in Britannia Street from Warren Street west towards Center Street and said sum to be included in the 2008-2009 CIP on 1/5/09, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption.

Item 8B. Your Finance Committee, to whom was referred a resolution concerning an amendment to GPIB #64 – “Britannia Street – Repair and Rehabilitate Storm Drain (Acct. #0401-7362-983) - $103,000” on 1/5/09, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption.

Committee: Brian F. Kogut, Chairperson; Keith Gordon, Vice-Chairperson; George E. McGoldrick; Walter A. Shamock; John J. Thorp.

Brian Kogut, made a motion, seconded by Keith Gordon, to adopt Item 8A and 8B. Kogut stated this was an item approved at the last meeting by the City Council on the recommendation of the Public Works Committee. It is to line a section of pipe in Britannia Street the length of approximately 500 linear feet. There was a question asked in the audience exactly what this is. Essentially what they are doing is they are going down in between two manholes. They are

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inserting essentially what is a balloon. They are inflating it and then they are melting it on the sides of the pipe. This is currently a very old brick pipe. This will kind of fill in the cracks and give it a little bit more structural integrity. It is not something that will fix it forever. It is kind of a low cost interim step, that will help give us some more years in that pipe. The reason he asked for Item 8A and 8B to be taken up together is they are related items. Item 8A is the committee report that asks that the funding be included in the CIP and Item 8B is actually the bond authorization and that is why he asked to approve them both together.

Gordon stated it was also brought up at Public Comment in regards to how was it researched that this was going to work and how long it was going to last. This is the drain pipe, not the water pipe. They sent cameras down there and examined the pipes and did an extensive study and they felt this was the best way to fix it right now and they anticipate at least a ten year life on it. For us to do it now would cost us millions of dollars. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 8C. Your Finance Committee, to whom was referred a resolution concerning City Manager be authorized to execute any and all documents for a grant not to exceed $249,821 to procure new radio equipment for Fire Fighters and that an appropriation not to exceed $49,964 be made from the 2008-2009 CIP on 1/5/09 report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption.

Item 8D. Your Finance Committee, to whom was referred a resolution concerning an amendment to GPIB #64 – “Fire Department – Radio Equipment (Acct. #0401-7364-982) - $249,821” on 1/5/09, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend adoption.

Committee: Brian F. Kogut, Chairperson; Keith Gordon, Vice-Chairperson; George E. McGoldrick; Walter A. Shamock; John J. Thorp.

Brian Kogut, made a motion, seconded by Keith Gordon, to adopt Item 8C and 8D which are related items. Kogut explained this is a Homeland Security Grant for portable radios for the Fire Department. The total amount of the grant is $249,821. The federal share of that is $199,857 and the city’s 20% share is $49,464. The intent of this is to replace all mobile radios, the ones both in the trucks and the portables that the firefighters have with them with newer, narrower band width radios. The one condition that the Finance Committee imposed is that we want to make sure that all the old radios are in fact taken out of service so we don’t have old radios, new radios, repairs on the old ones, etc. We were told by the Deputy Chief that this will replace all the radios and all the old ones will be decommissioned. One interesting thing is we currently spend over $17,000 a year just on batteries for these older radios so by getting these new ones, even though the city’s share is $49,000 over a 3 year period we’ll actually probably save a little bit of money. It really is a good arrangement for the city. The reason he asked for 8C and 8D to come together is that 8C specifies that this will be included in the 08-09 Capital Improvement Plan and 8D is merely the bond authorization for this.

Gordon stated on the actual vote he will be abstaining on both of these.

Shamock stated a question was brought up at the Finance Committee meeting if there was any value to the old radios. He thought we were supposed to receive a report back to indicate if there

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was any value to them. Kogut stated he had asked that and hadn’t received the information back yet. Kogut stated they are going to look into, if in fact, another municipality could use them or if there is some way to sell them. There is a possibility we might recoup something but he doesn’t anticipate it will be a lot. Shamock stated if they’re worth anything we should get iT and Kogut concurred.

Bartolomeo asked a question regarding the $17,000 that we currently pay on a yearly basis for batteries. What do they anticipate the cost for new batteries will be or are they not as expensive and is it a recharging system. Kogut stated the batteries for the newer radios before they have to start replacing them will be a couple of years. He anticipates with the newer lithium type batteries that cost should hopefully go down going forward. Motion carried unanimously. Councilor Gordon abstained.

Item 8E. Your Finance Committee, to whom was referred a resolution concerning an appropriation not to exceed $7000 be made from the Contingency Fund to obtain conceptual layouts for the changes of use or reconfiguration of the recreational facilities at North End Field and Washington Park on 1/5/09 report that they have attended to the matter and recommend filing.

Committee: Brian F. Kogut, Chairperson; Keith Gordon, Vice-Chairperson; George E. McGoldrick; Walter A. Shamock; John J. Thorp.

Brian Kogut, made a motion, seconded by Keith Gordon, to adopt which recommends filing. Kogut stated this item came before the Public Works Committee and before the Council at our last meeting. There was a determination made by the Public Works Committee that we should first look to do this in-house so there would be no additional money spent from an outside consultant. We’re recommending filing to get this off our agenda. If in fact it is determined that there is some money needed it will then come back to us for source of funding.

Bartolomeo stated it was asked at Public Comment if there is consideration about the teams that are currently playing on Washington Park. There is a Recreation Task Force in our city who is looking at all of the teams throughout the city and logistically where they are best suited.

Motion carried unanimously.

Item 8F. Your Finance Committee, to whom was referred a resolution concerning filling vacancy for Librarian II position on 12/15/08, report that they have attended to the matter and recommend the following:

Committee: Brian F. Kogut, Chairperson; Keith Gordon, Vice-Chairperson; George E. McGoldrick; Walter A. Shamock; John J. Thorp.

Be It Ordered, that the position not be filled before 90 days; and

Be It Further Ordered, that the City Manager review next year’s budget before filling the position.

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Brian Kogut, made a motion, seconded by Keith Gordon, to adopt. Kogut stated there recently was a retirement in the Library which left open a position. This came before the Finance Committee. We did in fact stipulate that the position won’t be filled before 90 days and also stipulated that before it is filled the City Manager take a look at next year’s budget. The concern was given the economic climate we might be imposing some type of a hiring freeze across the board. The last thing we wanted to do is hire somebody and then find out a week or a month later that we have to eliminate that position. It was interesting when we talked about whether or not we needed to fill this position. Obviously it started off along the lines of the economy is bad and concern about next year’s budget. What we found is because of the economic climate the Library is getting more use than ever before. There is a tremendous amount of people taking advantage of the resources down at the Library to try and find jobs. Certainly we don’t want to put our residents who are searching for jobs in a situation where we’re cutting back on those services. The position itself is a 37-1/2 hour position so it is not a 40 hour a week position. If in fact it is filled we have asked them to fill it on the lower end of the steps as opposed to the higher end.

Dominello questioned if the City Manager will come back to the Council before filling the position. Kogut stated we have authorized him to fill the position after 90 days. What we have said to him is since you’re in the process of reviewing the budget proposal for next year is to make a determination on whether or not this is going to be filled. We don’t want to get into a situation where we hire someone and then you eliminate the position. As it stands now, given the requirements and staffing and hours we need to fill the position. Motion carried unanimously.

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

Item 10. No report from Economic Development, Housing & Zoning.

Item 11. No report from Public Safety.

Item 12. No report from Human Services.

Item 13. No report from Committee of the Whole.

Majority Gordon asked the City Manager to explain our fiscal year budget ending June of 2008 so we know how we are financially doing. It has been reported that we are broke. He wants to clear this item up. He also wants the City Manager to speak regarding the Gatsby 34 Achievement award we just won.

Kendzior stated the Council should have a copy of the completed audit for the 2007-2008 fiscal year. We finished the year with a small operating surplus of $182,000. That is despite the fact that we started the year, with the amount of approved revenue in the budget for education funding $1.8 million less than what we actually received. We started a couple of million dollars behind but we were able to make that up during the course of the year by controlling expenditures. We finished the year with a small surplus of $182,000. This is the 3^rd or 4^th year we received this award. It is due to the fact that our audit is a clean audit. There are no notes or no objections made by the auditors and so forth.

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McGoldrick asked a question regarding debt service. Kendzior stated the amount of our debt service is at a 10 year low. The amount of bonded indebtedness at the end of that fiscal year was about $79,000,000. It is the lowest it has been in ten years. Bonded indebtedness is on a steady decline. However you measure it, if you do it per capita, we’re also at a ten year low as a percentage of our operating budget. Four years ago the amount of payments on bonded indebtedness, even the operating budget, were about 11-12% of the operating budget. The current year we are in they are at about 7% so we’ve made a great deal of progress in decreasing the amount of bonded indebtedness and decreasing the amount of our operating budget that goes for payments on bonded indebtedness.

Mayor Rohde thanked the City Manager, Chairman Kogut of Finance and the entire Finance Committee. This has been a long process that we’ve been engaged in, really being on top of our budget, to come through this year with a slight surplus given all the challenges before us and was indeed a remarkable achievement. Additionally, we’ve gotten awards for the fiscal reporting we have done so we’ve had a number of years now of good fiscal stewardship and that bodes well for the City of Meriden.

There being nothing further to be brought before the Council, Mayor Rohde entertained a motion to adjourn. A motion was made by Walter Shamock, seconded by Matthew Dominello, and carried unanimously, to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

Clerk of the City Council