Minutes of the Windham Town Council Regular Meeting

Transcription

1 Minutes of the Windham Town Council Regular Meeting Windham Town Hall Bellingham Auditorium Tuesday, January 15, :00 PM 1. Call to Order. Mayor Funderburk called the Windham Town Council Regular meeting to order at 7:04 P.M. Members present: Mayor Funderburk, Charles Krich, Tony Fantoli, Nectalis Martinez, Tom DeVivo, Rose Reyes (arrived at 7:13 P.M.), Dawn Niles, Randall Prose, Dagmar Noll, Ernie Eldridge and Dennis O Brien Town Manager Jim Rivers was also in attendance 2. Pledge of Allegiance. Chairman DeVivo led all in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Citizens and Delegations. Barbara Wright, 144 Chestnut Street, Willimantic, spoke about the tone and spirit of the resolution regarding Main Street development. Dennis O Brien swore in Judge John McGrath Jr as Probate Court Judge. Bill Rood, 91 Parish Hill Road, North Windham, spoke about his opposition to PLA s and the benefits of using local businessmen. Rose Reyes arrived - 7:13 P.M. Larry Kellogg requested the Town set up meetings with our State Legislators for discussions on various topics. Merle Potchinsky, Chestnut Street, Willimantic, Chair of the Library Board spoke in support of the appointment of Katherine Atkinson. She also spoke about the budget and the needs of the Library.

2 Leah Ralls, 20 Gifford Avenue, Willimantic, President of the Local Chapter of the NAACP, spoke in favor of PLA s however she also shared concerns for the local businessmen. Ray Aramini, 223 High Street, Willimantic, spoke in support of the appointment of Scott Clairmont as the Windham Superintendent of Public Works. Jean de Smet spoke in support of the appointment of Scott Clairmont as the Windham Superintendent of Public Works. She also spoke about the resolution regarding Main Street, PLA s and unions. Henry Crane, Windham Street, Willimantic, spoke about the Hotel Hooker building and he shared his thoughts on rehabilitating the building. James Flores spoke about the Hotel Hooker building and questioned #2 in the resolution. Peggy Coin, 34 Brook Street, Willimantic, spoke about the development of the 2 buildings on Main Street and the impact it will have on the future of Willimantic. 4. Town Council Comment. Ernie Eldridge apologized for missing the last 2 meetings and explained it was due to family medical issues. He also shared his concerns regarding the Towns low fund balance and falling bond rating and questioned how that is impacting the Town, Dawn Niles thanked all who participated and noted the Toy Drive served 339 families, giving 873 children toys. She also requested that the Affirmative Action Plan be sent back to the Administration and Finance Committee for review, she questioned why she hadn t received the correct agenda for tonight s meeting, she asked that the Public Safety, Public Works Committee be sent the request from the Farmers Market to ask the Town to consider what it can do to help them make the market better, she asked for clarification regarding the comments from Mr. Kellogg and she spoke about bringing the issue of plastic bags to a work session and the more than 14 Towns banning plastic bags and the 17 bills in front of the General Assembly regarding this issue. Tom DeVivo invited everyone to attend the Art Show at the Willimantic Public Library and noted artist Lew Lappert will be attending the show. He also noted work on the building at 1590 West Main Street has started.

3 Nectalis Martinez spoke about the development of the Main Street buildings and questioned why people are opposed every time the Town tries to do something positive. He also spoke about the Government shutdown and suggested people who are affected should let the Town Council know so they can help them. Dennis O Brien spoke about PLA s and the need to hear from the people who have been involved with them. He also noted his appreciation for the comments by Bill Rood and Jean de Smet. MOTION: Eldridge MOVED, DeVivo seconded, to move Item 15f up on the agenda to follow Item 5a. All were in favor. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. MOTION: DeVivo MOVED, Niles seconded, to add Item 6a to the agenda; Discussion and possible action to remove John Powell from the Ad Hoc Windham Senior/Community Center Building Committee. All were in favor except Krich who opposed. MOTION PASSED. MOTION: Niles MOVED, DeVivo seconded, to add Item 15g to the agenda; Discussion and possible action to send the Affirmative Action Plan to the Administration and Finance Committee for review. All were in favor except Eldridge who opposed. MOTION PASSED. MOTION: Niles MOVED, DeVivo seconded, to add Item 15h to the agenda; Discussion and possible action to send the request from the Farmers Market to the Public Works, Public Safety Committee for review. All were in favor except Eldridge who opposed. MOTION PASSED. 5. Adoption of Town Council Minutes. a. Regular Council Meeting December 18, DeVivo MOVED, Martinez seconded, to approve the Regular Town Council Meeting Minutes of December 18, All were in favor except Reyes, Eldridge and Noll who abstained. MOTION PASSED. 15. f. Discussion and possible action to appoint Scott Clairmont as the Town of Windham Superintendent of Public Works effective March 7, DeVivo MOVED, Eldridge seconded, to appoint Scott Clairmont as the Town of Windham Superintendent of Public Works effective March 7, 2019 with a salary of $102,000 per year. All were in favor. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

4 6. Resignations a. Discussion and possible action to remove John Powell from the Ad Hoc Windham Senior/Community Center Building Committee. DeVivo MOVED, Eldridge seconded, to remove John Powell from the Ad Hoc Windham Senior/Community Center Building Committee. All were in favor. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 7. Appointments, Reappointments. a. Discussion and possible action to appoint Katherine A. Atkinson to the Willimantic Public Library Board of Directors with a term ending on 12/2/2020. DeVivo MOVED, Eldridge seconded, to appoint Katherine A. Atkinson to the Willimantic Public Library Board of Directors with a term ending on 12/2/2020. All were in favor. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 8. Presentations & Special Reports. a. Presentation by Legislative Representatives. State Representative Susan Johnson, State Representative Linda Orange and State Senator Mae Flexer introduced themselves and listed the Committees they Chaired and were members of at the State. They asked the Town Council to share their suggestions of want they want for Windham. The following suggestions were given: Continue to help fund Economic Development Mandatory background checks for Volunteer Fire Departments with State funding Funding for Fire School training Better funding for Dispatch Center Installation of tolls Legalizing recreational marijuana Housing Regionalization Latino resource center Mental Health Public transportation and walkability More support for teachers More ECS money Programs to train our children in the trades Job training Standardized building codes

5 More flexibility for meeting times - helping those who have to attend meetings with probation officers, etc. Protecting the Environment - expanding solar - fracking waste bans Dual language programs 9. Mayor s Report. Mayor Funderburk reported on the following: attended the Inauguration for the new Governor attended the non-profit day at the Card Home talking to people about transparency the informational meeting last week on the development of Main Street being at a time of change - PLA s, millennials, future of the environment 10. Town Manager s Report. a. Update on Expenditures for FY b. Update on Revenues for FY Town Manager Rivers reported on the following: apologized for the confusion with the agenda and explained the process for getting the agenda out bond rating - reserves at approximately 8 ½% - funded computers for schools -funded capital projects - need to strive for 10% Diversity and Affirmative Action comments - a report by Paul Hongo and Neida Rosado at next meeting Budgets - provided and explained expenditures and revenues through January 10th - will continue to provide reports Hop River Bridge Project - lead abatement ongoing - trees cut Main Street Development - priority for staff - could be $50 million project - doing everything we can to see this project through - effects tax base & business owners on Main Street 11. Discussion and Possible Action regarding Communications to Council. None 12. Discussion and Review of Agendas, Minutes, Reports of Town Boards, Committees, and Commissions. Tom DeVivo reported the Ad Hoc Windham Senior/Community Center Building Committee had hired Project Manager Colliers and noted the next meeting is January 28th at 6:30 P.M.

6 Dawn Niles commented on the Board of Education minutes from the November 12th meeting regarding the Path Academy. 13. Resolutions and Ordinances. a. Discussion and possible action to approve a resolution supporting redevelopment of Main Street. Councilmember DeVivo left the room during discussion and did not vote. Krich read the resolution. Krich MOVED, O Brien seconded, to amend the resolution to change the word all to reasonable in paragraph #2 and adopt Resolution #2745. All were in favor except Noll who opposed. REGARDING REDEVELOPMENT OF 819 AND 833 MAIN STREET WILLIMANTIC, CONNECTICUT BE IT RESOLVED by the TOWN COUNCIL THAT WHEREAS, the Town of Windham encompasses the former City of Willimantic, which contains a central downtown area that grew up about the American Thread Co. (the Mill ) and which consists of mixed-use commercial and residential buildings (the Downtown ); and WHEREAS, after the Mill s industrial activities declined and eventually ceased in 1985, the loss of its largest employer has led to the Town being ranked 164 out of 169 towns in mean household income; and WHEREAS, after big box stores and strip malls took over the retail market, hollowing out the Downtown s commercial heart, many Downtown buildings became vacant, rundown, unsafe, blighted, a detriment to the surviving commercial and residential uses and the development of a Downtown necessary for the Town to begin to recover economically; and WHEREAS, as early as the 1980s, the Town made numerous efforts to reinvigorate the Downtown, including:

7 The creation of a statutory redevelopment agency that during its tenure made many strong efforts to attract redevelopment, but was ultimately unsuccessful at re-energizing the Downtown due in large part to the wholesale loss of industry and jobs; The adoption of enterprise zones in 1987, the entertainment district in 1997, and a rehabilitation zone to encourage investment in the Town and Downtown with property tax and other incentives; The adoption of zoning changes to encourage re-use of Downtown buildings that were reasonably capable of restoration. In 2004 regulations were changed to establish incentives in the B-1 district, to relieve parking requirements, reuse historic structures and ADA units, and in 2013 created an incentive housing overlay zone for the B-1 District; The provision to private developers of fixed assessment agreements in an effort to assist commercial financing and to jump-start further redevelopment interest in the Downtown; Making direct taxpayer investment into certain properties, in excess of $3 million, such as buildings at the Mill; Attracting in excess of $30 million in public and private funds to assist in commercial redevelopment activities, including at the Mill; Being awarded a $650,000 Urban Act grant in 2016, which included assistance with the redevelopment of 819 and 833 Main Street; The adoption of policies encouraged by the General Assembly to remove and reduce the problems of blight in the Downtown, including the adoption of an anti-blight ordinance in 2003, a blight department in 2008 and a blight fund in 2017; The encouragement of recreational use of the Willimantic River and the Hop River and Air Line Trails to attract persons who may wish to reside in the Downtown after the development of suitable and safe housing; and WHEREAS, despite these many efforts and more, the central buildings in the Downtown around which other, smaller developers may reasonably be expected to invest have not attracted sufficient investment. As a result the Downtown buildings have continued to decay, especially two of the very largest, 819 and 833 Main Street; and WHEREAS, alongside its efforts to redevelop the Downtown, the Town has consistently supported the historic rehabilitation and preservation of buildings in the District since that time, including the PATH Academy, Capitol Theatre, Hurley Building, and the Mill restorations; and

8 WHEREAS, within the Downtown, the Willimantic Main Street Historic District (the District ) was certified by the State of Connecticut on May 21, 1982 for inclusion in National Register of Historic Places inventory, and was subsequently approved as such; and WHEREAS, the District was recently designated as one of the state s 72 Opportunity Zones whose express intent is to encourage investment and development in distressed areas such as the Downtown; and WHEREAS, the Town adopted architectural guidelines in 2006 for buildings in the B-1 District where 819 and 833 Main Street are located that will preserve the historic character of the District when buildings cannot be feasibly and prudently re-used; and WHEREAS, 819 and 833 Main Street, two time-worn buildings in the very center of the Downtown, are badly deteriorated, abandoned, uninhabitable, and unlikely capable of feasible and reasonably prudent re-use; and WHEREAS, given the many failed attempts over many, many years to redevelop 819 and 833 Main Street, the removal of these structures in favor of new development, carefully reflecting the Downtown s history and architecture, represents the best opportunity for rebirth of the Downtown and the preservation of the overall historic character of Willimantic s Main Street. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF WINDHAM, CT THAT THE TOWN COUNCIL: 1. Finds and declares that 819 and 833 Main Street are regrettably beyond saving (a) because of the costs of removing and abating environmental hazards; (b) because the design and structure of the old buildings are unsuitable for modern uses and modern fire, health, access and building codes; and (c) because no bona fide developer, despite extensive marketing by the Town, has stepped forward to rehabilitate the buildings as they sit in at least four decades; 2. Directs the town manager and town attorney to oppose by reasonable legal means any effort to delay the redevelopment of 819 and 833 Main Street; and

9 3. Respectfully urges the State Historic Preservation Office to take no action that would hinder the Town s efforts to responsibly redevelop 819 and 833 Main Street. MOTION PASSED 14. Old business. None 15. New Business. a. Discussion and possible action to authorize Director of Finance to allocate $60, from the undesignated fund balance for the parking garage d esign. Pending approval of the Board of Finance. Niles MOVED, Eldridge seconded, to authorize the Director of Finance to a llocate $60, from the undesignated fund balance for the parking garage d esign contingent on the approval of the Board of Finance. All were in favor. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. b. Discussion and possible action to approve the year end transfers for Eldridge MOVED, Prose seconded, to approve a transfer of $316,750 from the departments under budget to the departments over budget. All were in favor. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. c. Discussion and Possible action to draft a project labor agreement for Ad-Hoc Windham High School Renovate as New Building Committee. Niles MOVED, Prose seconded, to postpone to the next meeting and ask that the Town Manager come back with a draft proposal that the Town Council can work with. All were in favor except Fantoli and Eldridge. MOTION PASSED. d. Discussion and possible action regarding a new arts and entertainment Committee. DeVivo MOVED, Niles seconded, to postpone Item 15d to the next meeting.. All were in favor. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. e. Discussion and possible action to authorize Town Manager Jim Rivers to sign the Mutual Distribution Agreements pertaining to a lien on a property dated back to 1997 pertaining to general assistance funds received. Councilmember O Brien left the room during discussion and did not vote. Niles MOVED, DeVivo seconded, to authorize Town Manager Jim Rivers to sign the Mutual Distribution Agreements pertaining to a lien on a property dated

10 back to 1997 pertaining to general assistance funds received. All were in favor. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. f. Discussion and possible action to appoint Scott Clairmont as the Town of Windham Superintendent of Public Works effective March 7, Moved up on the agenda to follow Item 5a g. Discussion and possible action to send the Affirmative Action Plan to the Administration and Finance Committee for review. Niles MOVED, Eldridge seconded, to send the Affirmative Action Plan to the Administration and Finance Committee for review. All were in favor. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. h. Discussion and possible action to send the request from the Farmers Market to the Public Works, Public Safety Committee for review. Krich MOVED, Prose seconded, to send the request from the Farmers Market to the Public Works, Public Safety Committee for review. All were in favor except Reyes and O Brien. MOTION PASSED. 16. Future Agenda Items Discussion and possible action regarding plastic bags - 2nd meeting in February 17. Citizens and Delegations James Flores commented on the number of time Councilmembers spoke on one topic. He also spoke about Affirmative Action. Larry Kellogg, 144 Spring Street, Willimantic, suggested incorporating the Windham Tech School for Town projects. Henry Crane spoke about the Resolution, the homeless population, the bilingual community and the importance of understanding each other. 18. Adjournment. The Regular Meeting of the Town Council adjourned at 10:46 P.M. Submitted by: Barbara J. McKinney Clerk of the Council