City Council & WPCA Regular Meeting

AGENDA

CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY

REGULAR MEETING

Monday, August 7, 2023

City Hall Auditorium / Zoom

6:30 P.M.

Public Comment: (in-person only)

Vote to open the meeting to the public, in accordance with Section 4(e) of the City Council & WPCA Meeting Rules of Procedure.

Approve Minutes

Vote to accept the Regular Meeting Minutes from July 17, 2023.

Fair Rent Commission Appointments

Vote to approve Donna Isely (tenant), Kevin Hayes (landlord), and Scott Matava (neither) to the  Fair Rent Commission for a one-year term to expire on June 30, 2024.

Vote to approve Travis Lipinski (landlord), and Connie Quinn (neither) to the  Fair Rent Commission for a two-year term to expire on June 30, 2025.

WPCA Payments

Vote by the City Council herein acting as the Water Pollution Control Authority to approve the following payments from Fund #490 Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement.

Services for the Elderly Commission Appointments

Vote to approve the following four appointments as recommended by the Services for the Elderly Commission in their June 19, 2023 meeting:

• Mike Gardinello, Ed Wilmot, and Mary Ann Berlinski as Regular Members with a term expiring on July 5, 2026.
• Janice Colangelo as an Alternate Member to fill the remainder of a term set to expire on July 5, 2025.

Management & Reporting Software Services – TFD

On the recommendation of the Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, and the Purchasing Agent, vote to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City to award, execute and administer the purchase of Management and Reporting Software Services for the Torrington Fire Department from Locality Media dba First Due of Garden City, NY in the amount of $33,950.  These services will be funded through the Fire Department Software GL Account, having been previously approved by the Board of Public Safety, and are further explained in a letter from the Purchasing Agent dated July 27, 2023.

Patrol Canine – TPD

Vote to waive the City’s Procurement Process requiring three quotes for purchases under $10,000 and authorize the Purchasing Agent and Police Chief to utilize the State’s Procurement Rules under General Letter Number 71 which allows for the direct purchase, without obtaining competitive quotations or bids, for the purchase of law enforcement service dogs and to enter into an agreement with Norbert Safko of Summitville, NY, for the purchase of a Patrol Canine for $9,500 as outlined in Norbert Safko quote dated July 24, 2023.  This has been previously approved by the Board of Public Safety.

Extension of Tree Trimming and Removal Services

Vote to extend the current bid contract for Tree Trimming and Removal Services for FY 23/24 at the same prices and terms as the current contract, to Asplundh Tree Expert Company of Willow Grove, PA, as further explained in the Purchasing Agent’s letter dated July 31, 2023.

Marketing Consultant Selection per Econ. Dev. Director’s Memo #1 dated August 2, 2023

1. Vote to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City to award, execute and administer a contract with Mintz + Hoke of Avon, CT for the development of a strategic marketing plan for $38,500 to be funded through the City’s Building Healthier Communities Grant.
2. Vote to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City to negotiate an on-call service agreement with Mintz + Hoke for the implementation of the City’s strategic marketing plan. 
3. Vote to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City to negotiate an on-call service agreement with Katina Hungerford for the development and promotion of social media content. 

70 North Street – Project Update per Econ. Dev. Director’s Memo #2 dated August 2, 2023

Vote to accept the Economic Development Director’s report on the $2,000,000 Brownfield Remediation Grant to assist with the abatement and selective demolition of 70 North Street. 

ARPA Fund for Franklin Street per Econ. Dev. Director’s Memo #3 dated August 2, 2023

Vote to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City to award, execute and administer a contract to retain legal services from Pullman & Comley of Hartford, CT.

Torrington’s Safe Homes Initiative per Econ. Dev. Director’s Memo #4 dated August 2, 2023

Vote to award an additional $602 for a total grant amount of $3,802 from the Lead Abatement Grant Funds established with ARPA funds to aid in the lead abatement of 326-328 Brightwood Ave.

Senior Center Cooler

Vote to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City to award, execute and administer a contract for the purchase and installation of a new Walk-In Cooler at the Senior Center to the Warehouse Restaurant Supply Store of Waterbury, CT in the amount of $19,890, as further explained in the Facilities Manager’s memo dated August 1, 2023.

Charging Stations

Vote to authorize the Mayor to act on behalf of the City to sign an Agreement for EV Chargers from Inovis Energy, Inc. of Rockland, MA in the amount of $153,570, this will be funded by Eversource Incentives and DEEP EVSE Grant funds, as further explained in the Facilities Manager’s memo dated August 3, 2023. 

Lien Releases

 Vote to release the liens listed in the Corporation Counsel’s memo of August 7, 2023.

Tax Collector Refunds

Vote to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the tax refunds indicated on the list dated August 7, 2023.

Sewer Usage Refunds

Vote to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and authorize the sewer usage refunds indicated on the list dated August 7, 2023.

Business by Dept. Heads

Business by Mayor & Members

Public Comment (in-person only)

Vote to open the meeting to the public to comment on agenda items only.

Adjournment