City of Meriden, CT

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

FEBRUARY 17, 2009

The Meriden City Council’s regular meeting of February 17, 2009 was convened at 7:03 p.m. by Mayor Michael S. Rohde. Keith Gordon led the Council in the salute to the flag and Matthew C. Dominello, Sr. offered the invocation. The Clerk called the roll. Present: Brian Daniels, Matthew Dominello, Keith Gordon, Brian Kogut, George McGoldrick, David Salafia, Hilda Santiago, Walter Shamock, John Thorp, Trevor Thorpe and Anthony Tomassetti.

EXCUSED: Dante’ Bartolomeo was excused.

ATTENDANCE AT PUBLIC COMMENT: Brian Daniels, Matthew Dominello, Keith Gordon, Brian Kogut, George McGoldrick, David Salafia, Hilda Santiago, Walter Shamock, John Thorp, 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 Keith Gordon, to invoke Rule 20 to bring forth a Consent Calendar and to approve the minutes of February 2, 2009 and to adopt a Consent Calendar as previously prepared. Motion carried unanimously.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Item 1. Presented by Hilda E. Santiago, by request.

Whereas, the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Regulations, Sections 19a-111c-1 through 19a-111c-11 were amended effective January 1, 2009; and,

Whereas, the amended regulations require public health follow-up on many more infants and toddlers identified to have a blood lead screening of 10 ug/dl (microgram per deciliter of blood) for confirmation and remediation; and,

Whereas, the State Department of Public Health through a contract to the Connecticut Association of Director’s of Health, Inc. (CADH) wishes to enter into a subcontract with the Meriden Health Department, in the amount of $10,504; and,

Whereas, the Meriden Health Department can use the funding to enhance lead poisoning prevention in Meriden; and,

Whereas, complications of lead poisoning in children include learning disabilities, speech/language and behavior problems, decreased muscle and bone growth, hearing damage, and nervous system damage; and,

Whereas, the contract period may run from January 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009; and,

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FEBRUARY 17, 2009

Whereas, there is no impact on the City’s General Fund; and,

Therefore Be It Resolved, that Beth Vumbaco, RN, MS, Director of Health/Human Services is hereby authorized to execute a contract on behalf of the City of Meriden for this project. Beth Vumbaco, RN, MS, Director of Health/Human Services shall process and submit all of the documents required that are relative to this contract.

Referred to Human Services.

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

A RESOLUTION AMENDING 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.

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, as amended (the “GPIB #64 Resolution”), is hereby further amended by adding the following new appropriation:

“Public Works Department – Replace Storm Drainage Pipe and Repave Britannia Street (Acct. #0401-7364-980) - $150,000”

Thereby increasing the total appropriation therein by $150,000 from $12,432,500 to $12,582,500.

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 $150,000 from $12,432,500 to $12,582,500.

Section 3. Section 6 of the GPIB #64 Resolution shall be applicable to the appropriation added by this amendment as of the date of adoption of such amendment.

Referred to Finance for Public Hearing.

Item 3. Presented by Keith Gordon and Brian Daniels, by request.

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FEBRUARY 17, 2009

Whereas, the City and Meriden Local #740 have entered into a full tentative agreement for the period beginning July 1, 2008; and

Whereas, the tentative agreement has been approved by union membership; and

Whereas, the agreement provides for wage increases of 3% for each of the three years retroactive to July 1, 2008; and

Whereas, the agreement provides for savings involving changes to the 4 hour bonus cutting it to 2 hours over the life of the agreement and lower starting and ending salaries; and

Whereas, the agreement provides for other changes that the effected Department Heads believe will allow the Departments to operate in a more cost effective manner; and

Whereas, the City Manager, Personnel Director and Director of Public Works, Director of Parks and Public Buildings and the Director of Public Utilities recommend approval of this agreement; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the Agreement with Local #740 attached hereto is approved and the Personnel Director is authorized to execute a final agreement; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the sum of $82,575, the estimated general fund cost of the increase in wages for the current fiscal year, be transferred from line item 0001-0213-201 as follows: 0001-0801-194 $22,817; 0001-0802-194 $3,100; 0001-2605-194 $2,081; 0001-2610-194 $1,914; 0001-3351-194 $9,739; 0001-3354-194 $22,369; 0001-3359-194 $11,387; 0001-3360-194 $9,168.

Referred to Finance.

Item 4. Claims submitted against the City by Steve A. Glenn, 57 Hillcrest Avenue, Meriden, CT; Michael Pyskaty & Judith Daus, 14 Morse Street, Meriden, CT; Rhoda Hurwitz, 17 Cardinal Drive, Meriden, CT; Pamela J. Sielz, 8 Rose Circle, Meriden, CT; Harold E. Hanson, 327 Spring Street, Meriden, CT; David & Jerilyn Giannette, 83 Sperry Lane, Meriden, CT were referred to Legal and Safety & Risk.

Item 11. School Building Committee Meeting Minutes of January 8, 2009 were filed with the City Clerk.

Item 12. Meriden Police Department Monthly Report for December 2008 was filed with the City Clerk.

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FEBRUARY 17, 2009

Item 13. Department of Fire and Emergency Services Monthly Report for October 2008 was filed with the City Clerk.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

Item 5. Your Economic Development, Housing & Zoning Committee, to whom was referred a letter from Planning Commission concerning amendments to the Draft Plan of Conservation and Development dated 9/2008 on 2/2/09, 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 the Plan of Conservation and Development be adopted as recommended by the Planning Commission with the attached amendments:

Amended language per motion of Councilor Santiago (changes highlighted):

“Part of the “Westvaco” parcel (owned by the City) bordering Berlin is a ~~potentially~~ desirable addition to Open Space. The parcel includes significant water resource and steep slopes, and is said to provide a significant habitat area, is connected to other open lands (including land in Berlin). At the northern half of the parcel and the western slope, ~~d areas are potential~~ a specific mapped area will be dedicated as permanent open space ~~areas~~ by the City Council”.

McGoldrick stated he wanted to begin by thanking Mr. Caruso and his staff, the committee members and in particular, Mr. Buccilli who also consistently thanked all those other people but in characteristic modesty omitted to note the leadership that he provided in this exercise and continues to provide as Chairman of our Planning Commission.

As you have heard the Plan of Conservation and Development establishes goals and principles that will guide Meriden’s land use in the near future and suggests the uses for individual parcels that will help meet the goals and honor the principles that are contained in the plan. It balances our community needs for development and conservation by identifying areas for commercial, industrial, residential and recreational uses. Importantly, it allows growth in our commercial tax base to provide relief for the residential taxpayers who currently provide about 78% of our property tax income which is too much. It is important to recognize that passage of this plan does not commit us to any particular development plan nor does it represent an end to the process as you heard earlier. Over the next several years we will move into an implementation stage that will involve passage of zoning changes suggested by the plan which will involve additional public input; the development of guidelines to ensure a sensitive development of part of the NRG site that is recommended for commercial improvements; and hopefully, it will involve consideration of development proposals as they are presented and reviewed by at a minimum for site plan approval by our Planning Commission and the other land use agencies that will review them.

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FEBRUARY 17, 2009

Our vote tonight is our recommendation to the Planning Commission. This process is a little unusual. The final adoption of this will be by the Planning Commission. The plan contains carefully considered balances. The success of the plan is in preserving areas that are held to be important parts of Meriden’s character. It contains opportunities for needed growth and development and he has encouraged the Councilor’s to vote for the plan.

McGoldrick stated the plan had a very detailed presentation from Mr. Caruso at the time. Given that and the public meetings that everyone had an opportunity to attend, he doesn’t believe we need to review that again tonight. There was one change made at the committee level which was to the Westvaco parcel near the Berlin border. A portion of that had been identified in an amendment passed by the Steering Committee as being something that should be preserved. We have added that to the preserved open space, which is a little bit more than half of that small parcel up there at the corner near Berlin.

Shamock stated he is encouraged that we will have another opportunity if there is a parcel that comes before us to vote on that if we are in a situation. He does commend the Planning Commission and Caruso for all the work they did on this. There are some sections that he personally would not endorse. He is speaking about that parcel that is going to be rezoned possibly on Murdock Avenue. This will come before us again and he will have a vote if and when it happens.

McGoldrick stated that is an important point. The re-zoning will require a public hearing. Shamock stated he does endorse the concept because we do need economic development. You can’t have the taxpayers burdened any longer than they are especially with the economic situation the way it is. He feels we have to endorse this plan and fully supports it.

Thorpe stated he had put forth a resolution asking to save all the NRG and Westvaco property for open space. That didn’t go anywhere and he wasn’t a bit surprised. Everyone recognizes the need for some industrial development in Meriden. To those who are concerned with the open space as is he, he wanted to point out a couple of things in particular to the viewing public who wasn’t here at the committee. Out of the 350 acres of the NRG parcel, 63 have been given on a user agreement to the Boys and Girls Club. In addition to that, the city is going to immediately or very shortly designate 100 more acres as designated open space, prior to any construction or building or whatever on that mountain. In addition another 50 acres beyond that is going to be designated open space a bit further down the road once we see how things are going there. Beyond that developers in the area, just like on Research Parkway are only going to be allowed to develop on about 50% of the property that they purchase and that includes their parking area. This combined with the fact that a significant portion of the adjacent Westvaco property is now going to be held as open space indicates that no less than ¾ of that mountain is going to be preserved as open space. Many speakers and citizens that write letters are under the impression that we’re going to have Summitwood up there again with 15,000 people and all kinds of high rise buildings. We’re not. The construction that has been suggested for this area is low construction like we see on Research Parkway. There are no great big tall buildings. Lines of sight have been taken into account by the Planning Commission. He personally thinks what they have done here in conjunction with what they’ve done throughout the city for population density and the reduction

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FEBRUARY 17, 2009

thereof has been wonderful. Let no one make the mistake that this is a done deal. This is a plan. Every single change on this plan has to go through the normal process. This is just a guideline. Thorpe congratulated the people that did it and for the open space considerations they made in the north end of the city. When this all started he really didn’t think we’d be looking of to keep ¾ of that property to remain as it is.

McGoldrick stated Councilor Thorpe makes an important point particularly with respect to the NRG property. There has been discussion that suggests we are opening this parcel to development. That is the reverse of what is happening here. In fact it is currently open to development. Other than the fact that it is controlled by the city at this point, it may well have been developed. In fact, what is happening is more than half of it is being reserved to not be developed. We are actually protecting a large portion of it which currently is unprotected at this point.

Daniels stated he wished to comment on two particular properties on the east side that he has been watching very carefully through this process. First is the Hall Farm on Preston Avenue and then the other is the property on Murdock Avenue known as either the Saab site or the Orsini property. As to the property on Hall Farm one of the things he has done through this process is confirm that the Plan of Conservation and Development would not allow something like a big box Lowe’s to go into that property Also that the future contemplated under this plan would be some sort of development consistent with the character of the neighborhood. As to the property on Murdock Avenue he has also confirmed that the plan does not contemplate regulations that would permit an auto auction. Again, the tweaks on that Research Parkway development district, again, are consistent with the character of the neighborhood. As Councilor McGoldrick said this is the first step. The next round will actually be looking at zoning regulations and to draft zoning regulations, getting input from the public and continue to get input from the neighbors who live in these neighborhoods as we go through the zoning regulation process.

Kogut stated he had the privilege of serving on the Plan of Conservation and Development Steering Committee. As Commissioner Buccilli had stated during public comment this was over a two year process and a lot of work was done by a lot of people. He thanked Mr. Buccilli as Chairman of both the Planning Commission and that steering committee and also Town Planner Dominick Caruso and his staff because a tremendous amount of work went into this. We got input from the various boards and commissions of the city and had representation from the various boards and commissions. We had representatives from the Board of Education. We listened to the public. Kogut wanted to thank everybody that participated in the process at all because there were a lot of divergent views. People disagree on some of the topics, obviously Cathole Mountain was one of the big issues. Everybody acted in the best interest of the city. Everybody was doing what they thought was correct and was putting what they thought the best image of the city was. One of the key components for him, especially as Finance Chair was the economic development aspect of this because as you all know there is significant strains on our municipal budgets every year. One of the things that we attempted to accomplish is to strike the balance that Chairman Buccilli has spoken about whereby there will be additional commercial and industrial to offset the tax base. He thinks this goes a long way towards those goals.

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

FEBRUARY 17, 2009

McGoldrick stated he wanted to address some of the concerns that were raised during public comment. There is nothing to plan here. He stated there was a comment about a land grab. There is nothing in this plan that suggests any takings or anything of that type. Nor is there anything that would allow development in Hubbard Park. That clearly is an overstatement. Mr. Moore of the Chamber of Commerce is not paid by the taxpayers, the Chamber takes care of that. He understands the questions about rehabilitation. The market realities are things we had to pay attention to in developing this plan. We are encouraging a different type of development. We are not saying a building should not be rehabbed, what we are doing is keeping the door open for additional types of development as well as positioning the city to capitalize on the type of development that the market is going to bring to us.

Rohde also thanked the Planning staff, the Steering Committee and the volunteers who put in over two years of time in to this effort. They really created a wonderful contact for smart growth and that is really what we are talking about, thoughtful growth and balanced approaches that try to take the best ideas and work with them as we think ahead. We’re not talking a year or two here, we’re talking decades and decades. Frankly, Meriden really is on the cusp of some major transformational possibilities with the downtown, fixing the flood control project, cleaning up Factory H, the intermodal transporation hub. We are situated very nicely in the center of the state and all of these resources will come into play and this plan really sets the stage for us to do some really good work in the next decade ahead. He commends those who had a part of bringing this to the Council and he would ask that we all unanimously endorse the project. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 6. No report from Finance.

Item 7. No report from Public Works and Parks & Recreation.

Item 8. No report from Public Safety.

Item 9. No report from Human Services.

Item 10. 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 Matthew Dominello, and carried unanimously, to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

Clerk of the City Council