CITY OF NORWICH

CITY OF NORWICH CONNECTICUT

AGENDA - MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH

October 6, 2014

7:30 PM

PRAYER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ADOPTION OF MINUTES: September 2 and 15, 2014

PROCLAMATIONS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES

1. National Bully Prevention Month.

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

1. Report from 105 Chestnut Street Committee of Sale.

2. Report from the School Street Committee of Sale.

3. Report from the Fountain Street Committee of Sale.

4. Report from NCDC on the Reid & Hughes Building.

5. Recognition received on the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award presented to Joshua A Pother, Comptroller.

6. Letter of Resignation from Lynn Norris on the Community Development Advisory Committee.

CITY MANAGER'S REPORT

CITIZENS COMMENT ON RESOLUTIONS

NEW BUSINESS-RESOLUTIONS

1. Relative to extending the time negotiation to acquire the parking lot at 68 Broadway.

2. Relative to transferring old school records to the Archivist at the Connecticut State Library.

3. Relative to establishing a Community Center Feasible Study Committee.

4. Relative to authorizing an easement over 480 Asylum Street.

5. Relative to City Manager Alan H. Bergren being authorized to apply for a State Historic Restoration Fund grant for City Hall.

6. Relative to extending the time for recommendations from the Chestnut Street Committee of Sale.

7. Relative to extending the time for recommendations from the School Street Committee of Sale.

8. Relative to extending the time for recommendations from the Fountain Street Committee of Sale.

NEW BUSINESS-ORDINANCE

1. AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A COMMISSION FOR THE DISABLED.

City Clerk

Resolution #1

WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, by resolution adopted July 7, 2014 directed City Manager Alan H. Bergren to enter into negotiations with the Dime Bank to, potentially, acquire property of the Dime Bank located at 68 Broadway; and

WHEREAS, said property includes a large stone rubble masonry retaining wall bordering on Church Street; and

WHEREAS, City Manager Bergren sought a review of the condition of the wall before entering into negotiations and has now received a structural assessment report pertaining to the same including estimated repair costs; and

WHEREAS, City Manager Bergren was to report on his negotiations on or before the first meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich in October 2014, but negotiations have been held up awaiting the engineering report.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that date for City Manager Bergren to report to the Council of the City of Norwich requesting these negotiations be and hereby is extended to the first meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich in December 2014.

Mayor Deberey Hinchey

RESOLUTION #2

WHEREAS, the central office of the Norwich Public Schools possesses a number of records which the city historian identified as a being of potential interest to the State Archives; and

WHEREAS, said records include 8 volumes of Norwich Central School District registers covering periods between 1855 and 1899; and 10 volumes of handwritten and bound entries prepared for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (the St. Louis World's Fair of 1904) by students of the Norwich Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, representatives of the State Archives have examined the materials and seek to access these materials into the State Archives; and

WHEREAS, such accession will require the Superintendent of Schools to fill out, sign and date a State Archives Memorandum of Transfer; and

WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Schools has reported that the Norwich Public Schools do not have adequate storage facilities to maintain such older items and they will deteriorate if not properly maintained; and

WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Schools will request the Board of Education approve a transfer of such materials to the State Archives and is now requesting that the Council of the City of Norwich approve of such transfer to the State Archives; and

WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich finds that a transfer to the State Archives will permit these pUblic records to be better maintained and to be more accessible for historic research

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that it approves of the request of the Superintendent of Schools to transfer to the State Archives on a permanent basis the public records described herein if such request is also approved by the Norwich Board of Education; as well as the transfer with such other educational records requested by the State Archives, if the transfers of such are approved by the Norwich Board of Education, and so long as any such transfer is not restricted or precluded by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.

City Manager Alan H. Bergren

RESOLUTION #3

WHEREAS, over several years a significant number of community groups, organizations and concerned individuals have expressed a desire to create a community centerJor the benefit of all residents in of the Norwich community; and

WHEREAS, studies demonstrate the benefits of community centers to the overall health and wellbeing of residents to, the quality of life of the populace and to the economic development of the entire community; and

WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich recognizes the need for a Community Center which will serve all of the citizens of Norwich; and

WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich finds it to be in the best interest of the City of Norwich to form a Community Center Exploration Committee to perform a comprehensive review of the need for and benefits of a community center in Norwich; and

WHEREAS, there may be sites or properties owned by the City that would suit the purpose of a community center

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that a committee of 11 individuals be appointed as a Community Center Exploration Committee to perform a feasibility study that includes:

• A review of the need for and potential benefits offered by the creation of a community center that will reflect all of the vibrant and diverse members ofthe Norwich Community

• Benchmarking of other community centers in other communities • Identification of possible sites owned by the City • Exploration of possible funding sources • Recommend a course of action in a written report to be submitted to the

Council by the first meeting of the Council in July, 2015

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that support and liaison services shall be prOVided to this Committee through the Office of the City Manager.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED; BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that any interested community members are encouraged to apply for membership on the committee and applicants will be reviewed by the City Council Committee Review Panel, which will forward recommendations to the City Council for Approval by the second meeting ofthe Council in November 2014.

Alderman Bill Eyberse Alderwoman Sofee Noblick Alderman Terell T. Wilson

RESOLUTION #4

WHEREAS, the Public Works and Capital Improvement Committee of the Council of the City of Norwich, at a meeting held on October 12, 1999 recommended the City of Norwich acquire the property located at 480 Asylum Street to resolve a site line issue and potentially to be used in connection with improvements to Asylum Street in connection with work to be performed on the Sherman Street Bridge over the Yantic River; and

WHEREAS, in August of 2000 the City of Norwich acquired 480 Asylum Street and removed an existing structure on it; and

WHEREAS, the Director of Public Works has advised that the property at 480 Asylum Street will not be necessary in the immediate future in connection with any work to be performed at the Sherman Street Bridge or improvements to be made to Asylum Street; and

WHEREAS, the site line. issues have been mitigated with the removal of a previously existing structure on 480 Asylum Street; and

WHEREAS, the owners of the property at 484 Asylum Street would like to connect their property to a sewer line accessible on Asylum Street at the former entrance to 480 Asylum Street and have offered to purchase 480 Asylum Street or purchase an easement over the same for the purpose of running a sewer line from their property to the sewer connection; and

WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich finds it to be in the interest of the City of Norwich to retain ownership of 480 Asylum Street but to permit an easement or other agreement existing allowing the owners of 484 Asylum Street to connect to the sewer line accessible on Asylum Street at 480 Asylum Street, provided no structure unrelated to the sewer line is constructed on 480 Asylum Street, all work and any connections are made in accordance with the rules, regulations and fee structures of the Sewer Authority of the City of Norwich, and the easement or agreement shall remain in effect only so long as the city does not require 480 Asylum Street for other use unless then modified as requested by the City.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that City Manager Alan H. Bergren be and hereby is authorized and directed to enter into an easement or other agreement with the owners of 484 Asylum Street on terms and conditions satisfactory to him, the Corporation Counsel, and the Sewer Authority of the City of Norwich, which easement shall permit the owners of 484 Asylum Street, their heirs, successors and assigns, to run a sewer line over 480 Asylum Street to connect with a sewer line maintained by the City of Norwich on Asylum Street, the route and connection point to be determined by the topography of the property and the

difficulty in making the connections; any agreement to include provIsions that no structures beyond those necessary in support of the sewer line be constructed on 480 Asylum Street, that any work to be performed in connection with the line be performed at the cost of the owners of 484 Asylum Street and in accordance with the rules, regulations and fee structures of the Sewer Authority of the City of Norwich and that the city may at any time require the removal or relocation of said sewer line on 480 Asylum Street at the cost of the owners of 484 Asylum Street, their heirs, successors, and assigns should the city require the use of the property in connection with any municipal project,

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that City Manager Alan H. Bergren be and hereby is authorized and directed to establish a one-time or annual fee for this easement in consultation with the city assessor, the director of public works and the finance director to be paid by the owners of 484 Asylum Street or their heirs, successors and assigns whenever due.


RESOLUTION #5

WHEREAS, the City of Norwich plans to make repairs and replacement to flooring in City Hall; and

WHEREAS, this project may be eligible for a grant under the Historic Restoration Fund administered by the State Historic Preservation Office, $200,000 being the maximum grant amoUnt available; and

WHEREAS, the City of Norwich plans to apply for a grant of approximately $97,500 for this project and, the grant application must be complete before October 31,2014

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that City Manager Alan H. Bergren be and hereby is authorized, empowered and directed to execute and deliver in the name of the City of Norwich an application, all documents, reports, plans and other materials necessary to make a grant application for this project of up to $200,000 to the Historic Restoration Fund administered by the State of Connecticut Historic Preservation Officer.

City Manager Alan H. Bergren

RESOLUTION #6

WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, by resolution adopted March 3, 2014, appointed a committee to be known as the 105 Chestnut Committee of Sale to prepare guidelines for the disposition of 105 Chestnut Street for redevelopment or other reuse through sale or other transfer; and

WHEREAS, the 105 Chestnut Street Committee of Sale submitted a report recommending that 105 Chestnut be offered with a parcel of land located at 122 Chestnut Street; and

WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich accepted the recommendations of the 105 Chestnut Street Committee of Sale and, by resolution adopted May 19, 2014, authorized the 105 Chestnut Street Committee of Sale to seek a proposed developer of the combined lots of 105 and 122 Chestnut Street through a Request for Proposals process and to make its recommendation to the Council of the City of Norwich not later that the first meeting in October 2014; and

WHEREAS, the 105 Chestnut Street Committee of Sale has reported that the RFP bid opening is scheduled for October 15, 2014 and the Committee will need additional time to evaluate the proposals before submitting a recommendation to the Council.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the time for the 105 Chestnut Street Committee of Sale to report its recommendation to the Council of the City of Norwich be and hereby is extended to on or before the first meeting of the Council of City of Norwich in March 2015.

Alderwoman Sofee Noblick

RESOLUTION #7

WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, by resolution adopted November 13, 2013, established the 59 and 61 School Street Committee to review the condition of the properties, consider whether they are appropriate for development, how that could be best achieved and repeat its findings and recommendation to the Council; and

WHEREAS, the 59 and 61 School Street Committee has reported to the Council that it proposes to put out separate Requests for Proposals for each property, 59 School Street and 61 School Street, and requests that it make a report on its recommendation to the Council by March 2015

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the time within which the 59 and 61 School Street Committee of Sale is to make a report and recommendations to the Council of the City of Norwich be extended to on or before the first Council meeting in March 2015.


RESOLUTION #8

WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich, on April 7, 2014, adopted a resolution authorizing the Fountain Street Committee of Sale to issue a Request for Proposals pertaining to the development of the properties known as 9, 9%, and 3-5 Fountain Street, to select and recommend to the Council of the City of Norwich a proposed developer for said properties and to report its recommendation to the Council of the City of Norwich by the first meeting in October of 2014; and

WHEREAS, the Fountain Street Committee of Sale has issued a Request for Proposals but not yet completed its review process.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the time for the Fountain Street Committee of Sale to report its recommendation to the Council of the City of Norwich pursuant to the resolution adopted April 7, 2014 be and hereby is extended to the first meeting of the Council of City of Norwich in March 2015.


ORDINANCE #1

AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A COMMISSION FOR THE DISABLED

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the Code of Ordinances of the City of Norwich be amended by adding Article VII to Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances to include sections to be numbered 2-88 through 293 to read as follows:

ARTICLE VII. COMMISSION FOR THE DISABLED

Sec. 2-88. Purpose.

It is the purpose of this article to establish a Commission to advise the mayor and the Council of the City of Norwich of the needs of persons with disabilities within the Norwich community with relation to housing, employment, transportation, economics, health, recreation and other relevant matters consistent with the duties enumerated in Sec. 2-91. The Commission shall, in addition, recommend to the mayor and Council ways in which programs and services offered by the City of Norwich may be made more accessible to persons with disabilities and in which obstacles hindering employment and enjoyment of programs and services may be eliminated.

Sec. 2-89. Created; members.

The Norwich Commission for the Disabled is hereby created and shall have its principal office in City Hall, Norwich, Connecticut, or such other place as may be designated, and shall consist of nine members; to include four members who are persons with disabilities, two members who are relatives of one or more persons with disabilities or who regularly work with or provide services to one or more persons with disabilities, and three additional members. Members of the Commission, who all must be electors of the City of Norwich, shall be appointed by the Council, and shall serve for a term of 2 years, or until their successors shall be duly appointed.

Sec. 2-90. Definitions.

Unless the context requires otherwise,

Commission means the Norwich Commission for the Disabled.

Disability means any condition or characteristic that renders a person a "person with disabilities" as defined below.

Person with disabilities means any person who (i) has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, (ii) has a record of such an impairment, or (iii) is regarded as having such an impairment. As used herein:

(a) Physical or mental impairment means (1) any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: Neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory; including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genitourinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or (2) any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities. This term includes, but is not limited to, however, such diseases and conditions as orthopedic, visual, speech, and hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, mental retardation, emotional illness, drug addiction and alcoholism.

(b) Major life activities means functions such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.

(c) Has a record of such an impairment means has a history of, or has been misclassified as having a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

(d) Is regarded as having an impairment means (1) has a physical or mental impairment that does not substantially limit major life activities, but that is treated by the commission as constituting such a limitation; or (2) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits major life activities only as a result of the attitudes of others toward such impairment.

Sec. 2-91. Powers and Duties.

The Norwich Commission for the Disabled is hereby empowered to exercise all the duties as an advisory body consistent with its purpose as stated in Sec. 2-88 and as further set forth in this section.

The duties of the Norwich Commission for the Disabled shall be as follows:

(a) To continuously study and analyze the needs of residents with disabilities in Norwich in order to maintain innovative approaches to their changing needs.

(b) To foster understanding and respect for persons with disabilities.

(c) To encourage participation of residents with disabilities in all aspects of community life.

(d) To exchange infonnation and cooperate with organizations in surrounding towns, and at the state and national level, as appropriate, in furtherance of its purpose, powers, and duties.

(e) To advise the mayor and city council of the needs of persons with disabilities within the Norwich community with relation to housing, employment, transportation, economics, health, recreation and other relevant matters.

(f) To report to the Mayor and Council on a regular basis including the filing of a written annual report on or before the first meeting of the Council in February of each year commencing in February, 2016 and continuing annually thereafter.

Sec.2-92 No Compensation.

The members of the commission shall serve without compensation.

Sec. 2-93 Effective Date.

This Ordinance shall become effective ten days (10) days after publication III a newspaper having a substantial circulation within the City of Norwich.


Documents

CITY OF NORWICH